The three great diversions in my life, that is to say the three things I enjoy most, that help me cope with all the stress of dealing with the public at work and dealing with the every day family trials and tribulations at home are as follows:

1. Chip collecting and all the great folks I've come into contact with in this hobby...

2. My water garden and koi fish pond with all its beauty and serenity..

3. My beautiful Russian Blue kitten "Asia" who acepts me unconditionally and has taken the place of my shadow.

But which of these really is my first love?? Let me think. Which of these three loves really give me the true release from stress that I so desire?

Well let's see......Did my chip collection throw up on me while I was sleeping last night? Nooooo!!!

Did I watch yesterday evening as a large Belted King Fisher with a bad attititude swept down and grabbed one of my favorite chips in his pointed beak, bashing the life out of it and leaving a blood trail all over my little wooden bridge just before swallowing it whole???( not the bridge, the fish) Nooooooo!!!

I think it's a no-brainer...chip collecting wins, and it really wasn't that close a contest.

JIm