So it seems that things have really been in the toilet today.

GG was out early covering the big, breaking news down at the Fawnskin Post Office but despite my best efforts to get online early to “report” on such matters, it is only now that I am getting around to doing so.

If you haven’t heard about it yet, the Fawnskin Post Office flooded last night.

A savvy Fawnskin resident, still yet to be identified, made sure to turn off the water thus preventing additional damages.

Good job!

Early this am, our own Fawnskin PMR (Post Master Relief) was on the scene and he promptly reported home to get his shop vac to help remove the water from the lobby.

Now, much to our surprise, the Postal Inspector called Snoop Sister Deb about the flooding.

Little did they know she is an aspiring cub reporter here for the Fawnskin Flyer…which is how I got the initial heads up when I innocently stopped by for coffee.

Imagine my excitement over the fact that there was news to be had at the same time!

Deb actually had a day off but they figured she was the one to call…you know, she is so reliable and all.

However, it is comforting that they did call Post Master Mike after all–guess they were confused about just who is who in Fawnskin these days.

Anyway, there were no pipe breaks, instead it was simply a malfunction of the flotation shut off device on the toilet tank. It failed to stop the tank fill–so it overflowed.

Good thing things were clean.

Now the truth of the matter is that GG thinks this was simply a ploy to give her something to write about since things have been super quiet and calm around these parts.

But imagine my surprise, when on the other side of the lake, I discovered that some locals have renamed the pipeline crew that did some work up on Forest Road last fall as the “Arizona Poopline” crew.

It seems that they took out part of the sewer line with a backhoe doing some construction work.

Visitors made the discovery in the cabin shortly after they arrived for the holidays.

Fortunately for some, things have been taken care of–but GG thinks it is odd that so many things are in the toilet this week.

Could it be that there are too many people full-of-sh** around these parts?

Stay tuned since this could be a new theme along the lines of the infamous Toilet T-issue from the early days of the Fawnskin Flyer.

Now, completely off topic and in a new direction, yes–it is true that the North Shore Tavern was open last weekend.

So, GG stopped by to get the scoop. The NS Tavern will be open Friday through Sundays from 11am until close Friday/Saturday and from 10am until close on Sundays.

I’ll be interested to hear your reports…

Sadly, that is it for now but I will be back again on Tuesday!

Stormy weather makes it the perfect time to make soups or to pull out the crock pot for some amazingly simple stews.

In this edition of GG’s High Altitude Cooking we thought you might like a rich, creamy pumpkin soup recipe for the cold winter weather.

This soup has a spicy, sweet undertone. You can also add a variation by adding some cinnamon croutons, roasted pumpkin seeds, or some other creativity of your own.

Pumpkin Soup (Serves 6)

• 15 ounces pumpkin puree (canned or fresh puree)
• 30 oz of chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 1/2 tbsp softened butter (or non-dairy alternative)
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 1/2 tbsp softened butter (or non-dairy alternative)
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream (or non-dairy alternative such as coconut milk)
• 1/4-1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Sauté the onion in 2 1/2 tbsp butter (or non-dairy alternative) until translucent.

Gradually add half the chicken broth. Continue stirring and bring to a boil. Lower heat and cover, let simmer for about 15 minutes.

In a bowl, combine the rest of the broth with the pumpkin puree. Mix salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, pepper, ginger, brown sugar and add to the puree mix.

Stir well and add to the hot onion and broth gradually. Bring to a boil.

Turn the heat down and let simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring constantly.

Gradually add cream until mixture is warm. Don’t allow to boil.

Garnish with croutons, roasted pumpkin seeds, and cilantro right before serving.

Cinnamon Croutons

• 4 slices bread of your choice (hearty grain tends to be a good match)
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tbsp softened butter or non-dairy alternative

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Mix together the cinnamon with half the sugar then melt butter and add spices. Place in large bowl.

Cut bread into small pieces and add to the bowl mixture, toss until croutons are lightly coated.

Toast in oven for up to 8 minutes.

Enjoy!

If you have a super high altitude recipe you’d like to share, just leave a comment and GG will get back to you. Who knows? If might get featured here!

Above: Shadow in the Light Gnawing On A Pine Cone

SOPA Dark
So, if you tried to access the Fawnskin Flyer yesterday, you will have seen that the Fawnskin Flyer was dark.

You’d have seen a message about the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) movement since the bill is of big concern.

Now if you have known me for a little while, you’ll know that I am a Geek Grrrl.

Most days, I work online writing or doing tech tasks related to social media and website optimization.

It was hard to remain offline but even so, I joined many of my online colleagues and refrained from many of my normal tasks.

However, by the end of the day I did have to upload a video and a few other things.

The refreshing thing was that I got quite a lot done despite hitting glitches here and there.

If you missed all the hullabaloo…here is a link to HR 3261 and a good SOPA/PIPA commentary and an online petition since H.R.3261.IH goes to vote in the Senate next week.

Quiet Town
Now, it is a good thing that things are happening out in the world because Fawnskin is WAY too quiet.

In fact, I don’t ever remember a time that it has been this way since I moved here back in 2002.

GG would like to give you some dirt–but there really isn’t much.

Since the soil is pretty rocky, it is literally a problem too–if I wanted to be a smarta** about it and actually hand you some.

However, it looks like a big inspection happened down over the old Moon Camp way.

We also have a new neighbor who blocks half the road with her VW and I just know that the snow plow drivers and local CHP and gonna give her hell as soon as it snows.

Neighbor Steve said he would be up–but I haven’t seen him.

Flatland escapee John managed to come up for a short spell but was working inside when it was so cold, so I didn’t see him much.

Hmm, I did hear that company is coming over the Heidmiller way.

Uh, um…

*GG shuffles feet*

Don’t you have anything to share?

P-l-e-a-s-e?

Now, if you have been paying attention to the news across the lake–it looks like hell has broken loose.

Both the Big Bear Municipal Water District and the Bear Valley Mutual Water Company are suing the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the US District Court over the expanded habitat of the Santa Ana Sucker Fish (Catostomus santaanae).

Over in Sugarloaf (which many locals call Tweeker-loaf) some bright person attempted to take off in a Bear Valley Electric truck.

Seriously, you just have to wonder just what he was thinking.

Reminds me of the guy that held up the bank across from the sheriff station and tried to escape on a bike.

Eesh.

Of course there is more…but a gal’s gotta stop somewhere.

Okay, I did hear of something, but it might be too late now.

You see, Jim & Janet started a winter clothing sale on the 4th and forgot to email me about it.

The own the North Shore Trading Company, so you might want to give ‘em a call to see if the 20-40% discount sale is still underway because they have some nifty stuff.

Okay, that’s it for me. I’ll chat back at ‘cha on Tuesday.