Canada Geese -- Living Close To Water's Edge Has Its Pluses And Minuses

I am writing in response to the article on Canada geese in the May 20 issue. I am a resident of the Portage Bay houseboat community. I, too, like Frank Kloss, have been awakened at dawn, have lost flowers, and constantly clean droppings off my deck.

Geese are not our only "annoyance." There's mildew, low water pressure and frozen pipes (my personal favorite), and let's not forget price. These are the consequences of living so close to the water's edge and near a wildlife sanctuary. The adjustments that all of us here make in our lifestyles are minute compared to the benefits of living at this edge of land and water.

Perhaps Mr. Kloss should move to a more landlocked community. Better yet, he should look out his dock and see Portage Bay in its many beautiful faces, at dusk, in a storm or shrouded in fog and remember why he moved there in the first place.

By the way, Fish and Wildlife tells me you can rack up a $2,000 fine for molesting these birds. You got off easy. Michelle Laccadito

Seattle