Friday, March 12, 2010

Juan Antonio de Jauregui Went Home

Uncle Tony went home to be with the Lord. I haven't seen him in many years, but I will always keep him in my heart as the happy, fun loving guy at the de Jauregui family events.

RIP Uncle Tony.

May all the family be comforted in their sorrow on this sad day.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit

This is actually more a book for an older child or young adult about author Judith Kerr's experiences as a child, fleeing Germany with her parents just ahead of Hitler's election in 1933.

It was fascinating.

Viewing the rise of Hitler and the dangers she and her family faced as they got out of Germany just in time, their travels as refugees from Germany to Switzerland to Paris and on to London was riveting.

I highly recommend this little book for older children, young adults and adults who are interested in the rise of Hitler and the beginnings of World War II.

As I looked for some bio information for this post, I found that she wrote not just When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, but two other books about her life. I'm going to locate and read them as well as her children's books.

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Kerr
http://www.librarything.com/work/56664
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article4957133.ece
http://www.jacketflap.com/persondetail.asp?person=82028

Friday, January 22, 2010

UP -- A Great Addition To Your Video Library

We recently rented "UP".

I really enjoyed this movie. It was simple enough for the kids to enjoy, and subtly complex enough to satisfy me. The animation was awesome and the story line moved right along.

The official website: http://adisney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/up/main.html#/epk/about/

Another great from Pixar, I HIGHLY recommend it.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Back From The Holidays!

Oh my goodness, there is so much to do in this New Year.

Now that I'm back from the holidays, I have to get busy. I have writing to do (yes, I'll be taking my little QuickPad with me to hockey later so I can get some writing in while my son practices), I have boxes to go through and sort into sell-keep-donate-toss, I have yard work and clean up to do, oh my goodness, there is much to do in the New Year.

I'm going to have to allocate my time and money better, so I can do everything I want to do.

However, it's a nasty foggy day today, and I'm resting up from an 8 hour drive home yesterday, so just for now, I'll write a little, wash a few clothes, rest up for the start of my work week.

Back from the holidays and lots to do...

Sunday, December 20, 2009

A Page A Day

I was over checking out another writer's blog, Writer's Delight and saw this great quote:

A page a day is a book a year. Listen to that again: A page a day is a book a year
- Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize Winner

He's right you know. A page a day will in fact add up to a book in a year. It gives me something to aspire to. I can't always write a page a day, but if I can do a couple of pages every other day, it adds up quickly...

Link:
http://writerspak.blogspot.com/2009/12/extra-writing-dividends-from-research.html#comment-form

Saturday, December 12, 2009

A Good News Website!

I stumbled over this website this morning and realized what a great idea it is!

The news can be so darn depressing, all about crime, poverty, sad stories and negativity. However, if you just can't take another sad tale, you can go to http://niceone.aol.com/ and check out some happy stories.

It's a nice change from the day-to-day drama.

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Amazing Space Images Gallery

Amazing Space Images Gallery

Wow! Just wow!!

Check it out!

Be Thankful On This Day

Today is a day to share, with family and friends and neighbors. A day to be thankful for the blessings that we've been granted in the past year -- and those in the year to come.

The turkey is in the smoker. Giblets are simmering on the stove. Soon I'll make some apple pies to go with the pumpkin and sweet potato pies I've already made. And a pea salad to go with the huge potluck.

We'll celebrate with our neighbors this year, while my parents and family in Oregon celebrate at my sister and brother-in-law's new house. (It's FINALLY ready for company!)

We will be thankful.

Tomorrow is soon enough to worry about bills and jobs and money and all the troubles of the world.

Today, well, we will be thankful on this day.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

It's Been Twenty Years???

Has it really been twenty years since the Loma Prieta earthquake?

Really?

I will never, ever forget that day.

I worked in San Francisco and had just left the office. Walking down the street, I suddenly felt light-headed, reeling, like I was going to faint.

Then the next ripple of the earth pushed me in the opposite direction and I realized that I wasn't having a fainting spell, it was an earthquake!

My first thought was "Oh, no, not today!"

I looked around and saw dust and pebbles coming off the tall buildings surrounding me on Pine Street. My instinct was to get undercover, but there was no place to hide. I was too far from the lobby to run back to my office. So I stepped quickly over to the nearest building, squatted down against the wall and put my briefcase over my head.

The shaking went on forever. (Amazing what adrenaline will do to your perception of time!)

Finally, the shaking stopped.

I got up and ran back to my building, 111 Pine, and into the lobby. It was crowded. I waited and finally my co-workers came out of the stairwell.

I think we were all a bit shockey. They told me that upstairs it was bad. The file cabinets were all over, the contents were a mess.

We all waited a while and then finally decided that we should start making our way home. By then we'd figured out there was no power, little phone service, and something really, really bad had happened.

I went into the basement where there was a working pay phone. I needed to call home and see if my son was OK. The line was long.

Finally, I got to the front of the line and punched in my calling card info. At first, I couldn't get through, but by alternating my home phone and my parents' phone in Downey, California, I finally got through to my son in Fairfield. He said my parents had already called, so I told him to call them back and tell them that I was OK. And that I love him very much.

Once I got off the phone, I knew that it would be a while before I could get out of San Francisco. Since my dad was CalTrans, I knew that they'd check all the bridges and overpasses and that it could be a good while before the roads were fully open. I had driven in that day by myself, so at least I didn't have to worry about my vanpool van. They were on their own.

I walked around for a little while, taking snapshots of some of the damage and when it started getting dark, I saw that the traffic (which had been at a standstill) was finally moving a little.

I walked to my truck, parked under the Embarcadero Freeway, and got ready to try to make my way home. I turned on the CB radio and oh my goodness, was I surprised! Up to this point, I had no idea that the Bay Bridge was broken.

I gathered myself and started listening and asking questions. The best way out appeared to be over the Golden Gate Bridge, so I started working my way across town.

I'll never forget how the lights were all out. The young businessman, coat open and tie askew, beer bottle in one hand and directing traffic through the intersection with the other. The people walking up, away from the Financial District, or down, toward the Ferry Building, trying to get home.

The CB kept chattering and I was talking to others who lived out in the far East Bay. I wasn't the only one trying to get to the Golden Gate. In addition, there was fire in the Marina. A huge fire and buildings that had collapsed, people still inside. Fire and rescue efforts were blocking the main streets so I knew I couldn't go through the Marina.

Thanks to my CB buddies, I knew that Lombard was absolutely packed with cars trying to get out of the city, so I went up another couple of blocks. I THINK it was Filbert that I drove down (OK guys, it was 20 years ago!) paralleling Lombard. Even that far away from the Marina, I could see the flames and light of the fire in the night sky.

I made good time until I had to cut right to get onto Lombard/Richardson. Then it was just bumper to bumper crawling all the way to and over the Golden Gate.

I did finally make it to Highway 37 and from there it was dark, dark, dark, with very little traffic. By the time I got to Vallejo, it was surreal. It seemed like nothing had happened. However, when I pulled into my apartment parking lot, I could see water all over the driveway still.

My son was so happy to see me! Then I found out that he hadn't been able to call my parents, so no one knew I was alive.

When I called my parents, they were frantic with worry. The news showed the Bay Bridge and the collapsed Cypress structure. I still have no idea why they would have thought I was on the Cypress, it wasn't on my route home. My sister was raving with worry until my dad finally blew up and told her "If she's dead, she's DEAD, there's nothing we can do about it!".

Yeah, that's my dad, as subtle as a baseball bat.

I think I was still on the phone when I turned on the TV. That was when I had to sit down. I had NO idea what else had happened until that moment. I was truly in shock at that point. I knew the quake was bad but I didn't know how bad until I saw the collapsed Cypress and the broken Bay Bridge. I think I spent the entire next day glued to the TV, watching it all over and over and over again.

It's hard to believe that it's been twenty years already. I'll never, ever forget that day in San Francisco.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Writing On eHow

I've been writing articles on http://www.ehow.com/.

Since my main newsletter at work has been canceled due to budget, I've had to find other ways to keep those creative juices flowing.

Non-fiction is a good way to do that. The process of writing out how to do something, step-by-step, is good practice for plotting the fiction novel too.

Writing is like art, whether fiction or non-fiction, whether painting or decorating or designing, some principles are the same. They overlap. Step-by-step instructions, or plotting the next chapter (or the whole book) follow the same principles. Organize, outline, write, edit, rewrite, it's all the same concept.

Anyway, I've been enjoying writing on eHow. And the little bit of money I make at it helps too!

I've only written 64 articles so far. I've been trying to take the time and go back, rewriting some of my early articles to better fit the eHow format.

What's great is that the passive income adds up, penny by penny. If you make $10 or more in a month, you'll find the payment in your paypal account the following month.

Every penny counts these days!

Here's a few of my eHow articles:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5381451_go-right-sleep.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_5352468_download-clip-art-microsoft-office.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_5310424_lose-weight-slowly-naturally.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_5090063_rid-bedbugs-using-pesticides.html

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Sacramento Has Talent

Well, last night was the semi-finals of "Sacramento Has Talent" at Tommy Ts.

Unfortunately, Lofeeya has been sicker than a dog since Saturday night. Stuffed up, runny nose, sore throat and hoarse.

But like the trooper she is, she got up there and sang "You're Not Supposed To Be Here". She had 10 minutes, but she knew that one song was all her voice would hold for. She did a fine job, but only singing one song, and the small crowd, hurt her.

Yes, she didn't advance to the final, which is this coming Tuesday night, September 22, at Tommy Ts in Rancho Cordova, CA.

I'm so proud of her. She knew that she wouldn't be able to do more than one song, and as the promoter said, "I don't know how you hit some of those notes with your voice like that."

She's a trooper!!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Reading Patricia Briggs

I've been reading Patricia Briggs' books.

OH MY GOSH, they are so darn good. The main character, Mercy, is interesting and complex. So are the other characters. The books move right along with lots of detail that keeps you involved in the story.

So far I've read Moon Called, Iron Kissed, and Blood Bound. In fact, they're so fascinating, I've turned right around to reread them. I don't do that often, sadly most books aren't worth the time. These are!

They've inspired the book I'm working on right now, which is NOT in the same universe as Ms Briggs', but maybe two dimensions over and to the left.

I highly, highly recommend these books to the fantasy/sci-fi fans as well as fans of the latest supernatural books.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

More On The American Idol Experience

Well, as I wrote before, we went to American Idol.



While the experience was interesting, I'm not sure we'll go again. My daughter's decision, not mine.

Judging by the immense talents that we saw, who did NOT make it through, it's essentially a crap shoot on whether or not you make it. As my girl said, it's all about their show, their product, and not about the best singers at all.

I think back on the talent we've seen on the show, vs the talent we saw in Pasadena, and yes, the girl is totally right.

I am so proud of her to figure this out at her young age.

So here's a few news articles and as soon as I find the clip that has my girl in it, I'll post that too.

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_12727769
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/ci_12727769

Ah, and here we are!
http://www.fox5sandiego.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=8f8c34a0-a733-423c-8e40-ba05134166e1&src=front

Sunday, August 9, 2009

I Have Been Neglecting My Blogging

Well, I have been kinda busy.

I started writing articles for www.eHow.com and I've been having a LOT of fun with it.

Ever since my job eliminated one of my newsletters, it's just really been an exercise in creative frustration. That was the one that I got to really cut loose and tell people how to run their lives.

Sigh, yes, more budget cut stuff.

So what have I been doing?

Let's see. What have me and mine been doing?
  • Went to Oregon
  • Went to Pasadena for American Idol
  • Teaching a teen to drive
  • "Sacramento Has Talent" competition (Tommy T's on Tuesday nights!)
  • State Fair talent show auditions
  • Working on my shed project again
  • Still selling stuff on www.craigslist.org
  • Tried to get my bookshelves in the living room organized
  • Growing tomatoes and pumpkins mostly -- LOL, they're ALL volunteers, I didn't plant them, they just came up from last year's dropped fruits and the Halloween pumpkins
  • Working on the upcoming Stand Down
  • Just working and working

I'll try to do better on my blogging...

Saturday, May 30, 2009

I've Been So Busy

Oh my goodness, I have been so darn busy!

Let's see, five months of planning a special event for work was completed mid-May. It was a huge success and I think I'm starting to recover from it! It was a huge, complex event, but my team got it done and I think everyone is happy. I know the big bosses are!

Planning for the North Bay Stand Down continues. We're also working on a cookbook as a fundraiser. Fortunately someone else is gathering the recipes, I'll "just" design the book.

If you want to know how to help homeless and at-risk Veterans, check out the website at www.nbstanddown.org.

I'm about 2/3 the way through a little book I'm writing. I'm thinking of self publishing it. I've found that I can purchase a block of ISBNs, 10, for about $350 or so. That's only $35 per ISBN.

Oh, you probably don't know why I need ISBNs. Those are the identifying numbers that are attached to your book(s). If you have an ISBN, books can be sold through Amazon and other book sellers.

I'm also alternating working on two fiction novels.

One is a near future Apocalypse. No, no, not 2012, that is so overdone! Besides, if I was going to write a 2012 disaster novel, I should've written it 20 years ago!

The other is more a alternate reality sci-fi/fantasy. I'll only give one hint, the hero is a mixed race woman -- Cherokee, Black, Irish and Welsh. I've already written the draft of the ending and the opening chapters, so now it's a matter of filling in the middle.

Then rewrite, rewrite, edit and rewrite. Yes, once I've written it, I'll send it to my sister, the middle school teacher for review.

AND

What else have I been doing?

I told you, I've been so busy!


Anyway, I have to run, I have other blogs to update, rant a little about the idiots in the media and politics who are twisting the words of an old speech, post another scam warning, and talk about the Lord.

I may not get it all done by 9:30am today...

Friday, April 17, 2009

Big Cat!!


I didn't post this before, but the paw prints were in my sister's driveway this past winter. Note the size of the paw next to her boot print.

Yes, a big cat. A VERY big cat, as in mountain lion kind of big cat.

There are a lot of wild animals out there where my parents and my sister's family live -- deer, rabbit, a bear, mountain lion, coyote, lots of birds, hummingbirds, snakes.

It's beautiful.


Monday, April 13, 2009

Judge Not...

Oh my goodness.

I saw this online and I just could NOT believe it. Talk about judging a book by its cover!!

We should all take a step back from our judgemental selves and watch this video.

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92464

Susan Boyle, singing, "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Miserables.

(And the look on Simon's face was absolutely priceless!)

Again, judge not...

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Easter Sunday

Yes, a great day!

It's absolutely beautiful out there today -- a fabulous day the Lord has Blessed us with!! We didn't make it to church today, my daughter has been sick with the flu. But my house is filled with Tommy Goss and the Gospel Express this Blessed Day.

Let's see, it's a bit after 11am. I have a chocolate cake made, hard boiled eggs peeled and dyed, the macaroni and cheese is done. I still have to get the chicken out, we're frying chicken and the fresh fish my neighbor caught yesterday (yummy!!)

Oh, and I need to dash to the store, I forgot to buy ice cream and broccoli. I also need to make a pie crust, the sweet potato pie filling is thawing right now (The last time I made pies I made too much filling, so I froze the extra).

So the Easter menu is:
Fried Chicken
Fried Fish
Broccoli
Macaroni & Cheese
Hard boiled eggs
Sweet potato pie
Chocolate cake with ice cream

(And no, I don't do the Easter basket thing. The Easter bunny has no place in Resurrection Day -- not at my house!)

May your day be as Blessed as mine!

Thursday, April 9, 2009

La Familia

Este es mi familia.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

A Very Cool Shasta Compact

This is such a great renovation of a wonderful little trailer.

I have one too, but mine is NOT as nice as this one. It's been pretty much stripped out inside, so I have a lot to do. I keep debating about keeping the floor plan or just going ahead and finish stripping it out (the ceiling needs to be redone, paneling isn't in good condition) and redo the inside to fit my personal needs.

Anyway, check out this great example of redoing a 60s Shasta Compact. http://www.freewebs.com/kc8jwa/shastacompact.htm

Mine was originally very, very similar to this one.

Now, I do have a vintage stove for it, about the same size, yes with an oven, and it's even blue! (My favorite color!)

Anyway, I'm still plotting and planning and trying to figure out just what I want to do before I take everything that's left out of the trailer. Honestly, the only thing that's really salvageable is the shelf on the back wall...

Sunday, March 8, 2009

The New Darkover Books

Wow!

Wow! Wow! Wow!

I just finished reading Exile's Song, The Shadow Matrix, Traitor's Sun and The Alton Gift. (I told you I'm a voracious reader!)

I am extremely impressed with the new Darkover books. I'm especially looking forward to reading more Darkover stories by Deborah J. Ross. Excellent reading, right in Marion Zimmer Bradley's style!

I don't have all of the Darkover books, and I'm still not sure how many I lost in that plumbing disaster a while back. I still have boxes of books to put away. Sigh, there's only so many hours in a day and I have a lot of books, a lot of stuff.

I highly recommend these additions to the Darkover series. I am going to have to take some time and buy the other books by Ross. Plus, of course, try to finish arranging my massive library so I know what I'm missing so I can fill in the blanks.

Marion Zimmer Bradley (1930-1999)

Link:
http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/b/marion-zimmer-bradley/

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Well Duh!!!

I recently had this guy tell me that my blogs were self indulgent.

Well duh!!

Aren't blogs inherently indulgent? We talk about our lives, our kids, our houses, our vacations, our hobbies.

Yes, dude was trying to insult me, but I didn't take it that way. I had a good laugh at his expense.

When someone is trying to push your buttons, insult you, act a fool, don't take it so seriously. Too many people are just so serious about all this (yes, me too).

Listen, have a good laugh and move on. If you're going to hang out in this vast kindergarten that we call the Internet, you're going to have to grow a thick skin and not let immature people bother you. Remember, they have zero credibility in your real life. Actually they don't have any impact on your virtual life either -- unless you take the bait.

Have a good laugh and move on.

LOL, self indulgent?

Well duh!!! Yes, of course it is!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

I've Been Pretty Busy

Well, OK, I've been kinda busy lately.


I've been spending a lot of time reading. I've been neglecting my books for a while and now I'm on a major reading binge.


I've read about half of my Darkover series, plus some I picked up last week at the local Friends of the Library bookstore -- Exile's Song, Shadow Matrix and Traitor's Sun. I ordered the next one, The Alton Gift, plus a Patricia Briggs and another Norton book last night online.

I'm also working my way back through my collection of Andre Norton.

Plus I'm currently reading Lucy by Donald Johanson and Maitland Edey.

I'm such a book fiend, little do my friends know, unless they've been to my house. Even then, most of them don't know that I still have boxes of books in the spare bedroom and about five boxes under my bed.

I've always been a voracious reader.

I've been trying to remember when I started reading everything I could get my hands on. I remember when I was young, my parents had a little nook in the living room where my dad had his reloading gear. And one entire wall was books and magazines like Popular Science and Popular Mechanics (oh, I wish I had those today!!) That was where I discovered the Hardy Boys (the old series, not the new stuff) and Edgar Rice Burroughs, I think it was Cave Girl.

I also remember that there was this school librarian that thought she should limit my reading to what SHE thought was an appropriate reading level. I didn't know it until years later, but my parents went in and had a little discussion with her about my reading abilities. So she stopped trying to tell me that I couldn't read the upper grade level books. And I read and read and read...

People, I have to tell you, having parents that read plus many books and magazines in the house really led me down the reading road.

Now, my own kids? Yes, they read, but not as much as I do.

LOL, then again, most people don't read as much as I do.

Monday, January 19, 2009

My "Little" Goalie

This is so cool.

My youngest, as we all know, is a roller hockey player. He's only been playing for a year and a half and he's pretty darn good.

Yesterday, he was at an open practice time, called a Skate and Shoot.

Well, there was an adult league game after the Skate and Shoot, and one of the adult goalies no-showed.

My son plays both floor and goalie and oh my goodness, he had all his goalie gear with him. (Like that's a surprise to any hockey parent!)

So guess who was the goalie for the adult team last night! And they won!!

Check him out!

Blocked the shot!!


Last shot of the game!! (Hear the buzzer in the background?)

Sunday, January 4, 2009

National Treasure - One and Two -- A Fun Ride


Well, lets see.

If you're looking for a historically accurate movie about the Declaration of Independence and the men who signed it, Knights Templar, and Free Masonry, you'll be sadly disappointed.

But if you're looking for a crazy fun ride that rides a roller coaster of improbability to a satisfying conclusion, then you'll really enjoy these two movies.

As usual, I thought the first one was the better of the two.

However, they were tied together nicely. I thought it was pretty fun that their lives weren't perfect despite finding the huge treasure in the first movie. I liked the twists of Ben's parents' lives. I also liked the parts about Riley's personal life, that was pretty funny.

It was a fun ride, very enjoyable as long as you relaxed and went with the flow of the movie. I wasn't bored at all.

Rated: Good
(Yes, I bought both DVDs and am looking forward to the 3rd movie.)

-----------------------------------------------------
Now, I do want to clarify something about these movies.

The Masons are not a secret society with a huge hidden treasure or any other madness. Nor are today's Masons connected to the ancient Knights Templar. Yes, it was fun in the movie, but it wasn't real. (Remember, just because you read it on the Internet, it doesn't mean it's true!)

A couple of interesting websites for you:
http://www.masonicinfo.com/nationaltreasure.htm

And some words from my old friend, Eugene Goldman:

Thursday, January 1, 2009

108 In February!

Wow, he'll be 108 in February!

Who?

Frank Buckles, the last known World War I veteran in the US. He'll be 108 in February. I wish I could meet him, he sounds like a tough old guy. First he served in WWI and then was captured in 1941 and spent WWII in a Japanese prison camp. Dude is a tough man.

Whew... You should read the article, I can't do it justice.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/30/MN8G14MFAO.DTL

He makes me think of my grandfather. Grandpa was in World War I. My mother has his hand-written diary, written in pencil at night. He served in France.

That was the second time he was in the Army. The first time he was with the party that surveyed Glacier National Park. I'll have to ask my mom for another copy of the Thanksgiving Dinner menu from his service days. It had the menu, and on the other side it had all the men's names that were in his company.

I'd like to gather copies of all those things, put them into a book about my family.

Grandpa went on Ahead many years ago.

I miss him. It's been a long time, I still miss him.

Honestly, we didn't talk much. He was old and kinda deaf and mumbled. He was a gentle and generous man, but you know, he was tough as nails too. He and my grandma were the last homesteaders in Oregon. They came all the way across the United States from North Carolina to settle in the "Wild West".

I wish I had known him better.

There are a lot of things I wish for.

In the New Year, I really need to make a point of documenting more of what my mom tells me. We've already lost so much of our family history, of our heritage.

The students who are preparing the documentary about World War I are providing a valuable look at our past.

I think I'm jealous.

And dang, I can't get over it. Frank Buckles will be 108 in February.

Wow....

My Library Idea

I wish that I had more time to read.

I probably spend too much time with my nose in my books, or on the Internet.

But I LOVE to read.

Once upon a time, I considered having a private library.

I thought of something like a homework library which would stay open from 3pm until 10 or 11pm. I'd have a few computers for use by students, it could be contracted with the school or private membership or even a minimal charge for daily use.

Maybe even have a few tutors or community type classes available.

The whole idea was this: Your child informs you at 8:30 at night that they need to finish a report that's due TOMORROW!

What to do?

You take that child to my study library, drop him off. He has books, reference materials, Internet access and a printer available to him. It's quiet, he's not driving you crazy with questions you can't answer. There's no TV, no distractions for him.

You pick him up at 11pm and if he didn't have time to completely finish his project, he at least has enough materials and the work he's already done burned to a CD and a hard copy in hand. With that, he can beg the teacher for another day to finish up.

It's a thought. As much as I love books, it would be fun. Another excuse to buy more books!

It's a thought...

Thursday, December 25, 2008

RIP Eartha Kitt

Eartha Kitt passed today, Christmas Day 2008.

Eartha, may you rest in peace, secure in the knowledge that you became an American icon. I don't think anyone who ever heard the classic "Santa Baby" could forget it.

RIP dear woman.

Wishing your family love and blessings on this day,
A Fan

Sunday, November 30, 2008

My Mini Vacation Is Nearly Over

I have gotten a few things accomplished. I still have more to do and today is the last day of my Thanksgiving holiday.

I pruned the tomatoes back yesterday.

Don't laugh, the bush was all the way over the picket fence and over the sidewalk. You had to step into the gutter to go around the plant. It was HUGE.

I still feel a little guilty, it was still loaded with blossoms, but the weather is getting cooler, I don't think it'll set fruit this late in the year. I harvested the green tomatoes, so I need to look up a recipe for fried green tomatoes.

I only pruned it back to the fence, I really should prune the bushes a bit on the inside so I can mow my patch of lawn.
And I need to weed whack over to the right of the gate.

And I have some things covered with plastic on the front porch, I need to arrange them a bit better.

OOOh, and there's hummingbirds at my feeders, I just saw one flit by.

Well, I guess I'd better get busy.

I still have to put a little more roofing tar on that low spot. I've got it almost done, there was just a little water standing after the rains last week. The roof didn't leak anyway, I got the cracked spot patched. So that's a plus.

I didn't work on my shed project at all. Oops.

I'm STILL unpacking and arranging books. I think I have an OCD problem when it comes to books...

Well, guess I'd better get busy before the Raider game. (Hey, I have my priorities straight! Football season is too short!)

Duty calls and my mini vacation is nearly over.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

We Give Thanks Today

My parents are here for the weekend, so while they're out at the gun club at the Toys 4 Tots shoot, I'm cooking.

Here's the menu:

Smoked turkey
Dressing with sausage and chard
Mashed potatoes
Gravy
Yams with brown sugar and pineapple
Pea salad (green peas, cheese, mayo, Ranch dressing and spices)
Apple Walnut Salad
Sweet potato pie
Apple pie

Still debating about mac and cheese....

Tomorrow, they go back to Oregon, and I'll be at work. Next weekend will be my long weekend and I have MUCH to do.

Yes, we'll have turkey again on Thanksgiving Day, I'll smoke a small turkey and we'll go to my neighbor's for dinner.

We are truly blessed to be together today.

We give thanks today, and every day.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Hockey -- The Perfect Working Parent Sport!

Roller Hockey, the perfect working parent's sport!

The practice and games are all on the weekends, usually just on Saturdays. So I don't have to try to transport a child to practices and games during the week. Since I really can't do all that, I have a J-O-B, hockey has the perfect schedule for me!!

The Golden Compass Movie -- Rated Just OK

I haven't written about The Golden Compass. For one thing, I haven't read the books yet. Perhaps I'll ask for them for Christmas.

We did go see the movie and to be honest with you, I wasn't all that impressed.

The special effects were so-so.

The story line kinda dragged in spots.

And I left the movie feeling like there should have been much, much more. Compared to richly layered storyline and textures of the Lord of the Rings, The Golden Compass fell flat.

Now, I do have to say that both of my kids, the teen and the preteen, liked it. Apparently it is reaching the target audience.

But for me, while it's an interesting premise, the movie fell flat.

(And did anyone else notice the evil woman was named Coulter? Hmmm, is there another Coulter in real life that's just as nasty? Probably a coincidence, but hey, I noticed it...)

Rated just OK, although I did buy the DVD.

(My personal scale is AWESOME, Good, OK, DVD ONLY, Don't think so, and NOPE.)

Update On The Leak

Whew! Not as bad as I feared.

The freaking contractor left a low spot that got a puddle of standing water. Of course at a spot where the roofing paper has a seam.

So I have the Henry's, I have the tape, I have a friend coming over today. We're just going to use the Henry's, tape over the seams, more Henry's, and level out that low spot.

And while we're at it, I have a caulking gun and plenty of tubes of roof repair tubes to go around every bit of flashing.

I'll fix the ceiling in the spring, after I'm sure I've fixed the leak.

FYI folks, if you ever have a leak, punch a small hole through the ceiling where the water is coming through. Now you can make sure it drains out into a bucket and you don't have to worry about the ceiling falling in. Believe me, it will dry out just fine, especially if you leave it open for a while. Also, it will be way easier to patch a little hole than to redo the entire ceiling.

I was thinking about repainting my ceiling anyway, there's a new product that you add to the paint that helps insulate. Interesting stuff, I'll talk about it later in another post.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Black Like Me

With all that's happened on the American political scene, I think it's well past time that we reread "Black Like Me" by John Griffin.

We have come so far, and yet in so many ways, we are still so, so stuck in the fifties.

Is it because another generation will have to pass, so there's no one left who remembers riding in the front of the bus, because it was a white right -- and of course, "white was right" during those many long years since this country was founded?

In my opinion, we need to revisit our past before we can look forward to our future.

We need to remember how SHAMEFULLY our Brothers and Sisters were treated, so we can see how and why there is such joy in the Black community today. Validation is the right word. I heard someone say it today. Validation. Our Brothers and Sisters have been validated.

Hope has been rekindled in America.

We need to go back and reread "Black Like Me" to remember how bad it was, and see just how far we have come, and then check out today's Internet to see just how far we have to go.

Take a step back from the drama, take a step back and review our sad history of race relations in America.

Reread "Black Like Me" and remember how it used to be.

And worse, at the end of the book, remember how John Griffin and his family moved to Mexico to escape the hate. Yes, John Griffin was absolutely hated because he had passed into Black America, and then returned to tell the truth of what it's like to be a Black man in America.

The attitudes that drove Griffin out of Texas still exist today.

There are many who will deny it.

Reread "Black Like Me" and reflect upon how much America has changed and then contemplate, if you can, on how much has stayed the same.

Trust me, there's still a deep undercurrent of racist thoughts and behaviors in this country.

But hope has been rekindled in America.

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Like_Me
http://www.aaregistry.com/detail.php?id=955

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

DANG IT!!

Darn, darn, darn!!

I had a LOT of work done on my house, finished it about a year and a half ago. Actually, the contractor never did finish, but I got my final from the building department, so I thought it was all good.

I converted the garage into a master bedroom and bath.

Well, we had a lot of rain since last Thursday night and tonight, when I got home, I notice there was a bit of water on my new bathroom floor.

Hmmm....

And then I looked up.

My roof leaked.

DANG IT ALL!!

I do NOT want this man working on my house any more. I'm torn between calling him and telling him to get over here and find where it's leaking, or calling the Contractor's Licensing Board and having them deal with him while I get a roofing guy to take a look at my roof.

Darn it all.

I was supposed to get a new roof over that section of the house, but because of changes required by the building inspector, the plan was changed. Now, I wanted a new roof anyway, but he talked me out of it, claiming that it would cost a lot more. And he assured me that the roof would be fine, it wouldn't leak.

Well, with the other things he screwed up, I ended up with the same amount as it would have cost to put a blasted new roof over it. Like I insisted it would. And he insisted it wouldn't.

Personally, I think he was tired of the job and just wanted out of it by then.

I don't even want to go into how he took so long to "finish" that I got utterly screwed on my refi...

So I'm not sure what I'm going to do. I'm so mad I could spit nails.

I did punch a hole in the drywall so it could drain, and there was only a tiny bit of water, so that's one blessing, I really may only have one spot that needs a patch because it really did rain a LOT last weekend. But it will have to wait for next weekend, because I am NOT getting on the roof in the dark.

Sigh.

If it's not one thing, it's another.

I'll sleep on it, it's not like I can do anything more tonight. Other than check the weather report.

DARN IT ALL!!

Friday, October 31, 2008

Time To Rest

It's finally raining here in Northern California.

I wasn't ready for it to rain yet, I've been building a shed, little by little, one side at a time.

Like most of you, I don't have a lot of time, so I have to do everything bit by bit in those brief moments we call "spare time".

Yet it's almost a relief that it's raining today.

I have so much to do, yet I can spend a few extra minutes in bed, spend a little time just chilling, watching TV and relaxing.

Yes, it's finally raining.

Time to rest.

Time to rest.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

I'm A Hockey Mom Too!!

My son plays roller hockey on inline skates, but other than that, the game is very similar to ice hockey.

In fact, he plays a little ice hockey in the summer when he stays in Oregon with Grandma and Grandpa. When I retire, in hopefully four years, we're going to move up there so he can play ice hockey in high school. He wants to live within walking distance of the rink. LOL, he even suggested that I should try to get a job at the rink!!

Anyway, I don't have much time this morning. I have to get ready to go to the rink. Then, after hockey, I'll rush home and get ready to go back to the rink for the fundraiser tonight.

I have a busy life.

It's going to get busier, I have a LOT of writing and painting to do over the next couple of months. Plus I'm building a shed in the backyard and then enclosing my back patio, all on the no budget method.

Have to run, too much to do today!!

See you tomorrow!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Winter Is Coming

Winter is coming.

Yes, I can (literally) feel it in my bones.

Winter is coming.

We're all so dang tired. Our bodies are reminding us that winter is a time to hibernate, to huddle inside and sleep.

We don't listen to our bodies though.

Back in the day, when many were farmers, winter was a time to both rest and endure. In the high Plains, the snow swept across the lands. The harvest was in the root cellar, in canning jars, dried or salted down. The livestock was in the barn. The family was inside during the worst of weather, reading, playing games, knitting, sewing, repairing the necessary tools for the spring planting. People more or less lived by the sun.

Winter was a time to endure the storms and cold, and renew and revitalize for the spring.

We don't listen to our bodies.

We don't hunker down in the winter, giving our bodies and minds time to rest and revitalize.

Instead, the hustle and bustle of our lives presses on.

So far, the weather here in Cali is warm and dry, but the nights are colder and colder. Winter is coming.

Winter is coming.

My body tells me so.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Where Have I Been??

Oh my, it's been that long since I posted? Where have I been??

Well, I've been hecka, hecka busy preparing for a Stand Down.

Plus, at work, one of the big bosses decided that we needed an annual report for our part of the agency. Guess whose desk it landed on? Friday am, he wanted it COMPLETE by Wednesday.

Well, it was actually another week before it was complete and posted, but I got it done. The fact that I'd done the job, only needing a few things to finish it, and oh my, he loved it BUT just wanted a few things moved around.

Yes, we know what that means.

A complete redesign.

But they're all happy, so joy, joy, another project completed. Another upcoming project for next year.

Success does have its own punishments.

Do a project well, for sure you'll be working on it next year!

In any case, more importantly, I've been really busy preparing for the Stand Down.

What is a Stand Down? It's an event, in our case a three day encampment, meant to "hook up" homeless and at-risk Veterans with VA, County and community services.

Too many of our Veterans are homeless. Some stats suggest up to 25% of homeless are Veterans. That's just shameful.

So we plan for a year, putting together this event to help our Veterans get their lives back on track.

I know, for some, it's just a good time, a haircut, a flu shot, three hots and a cot [in a tent] and they can even leave if they choose.

But for some, this is the first step in turning their lives around. This is their first step Home.

So this year's even was a rousing success, nearly 200 Veterans plus 20 or 30 dependents received assistance with VA medical, signing up for County services, seeing the Judge for small offenses like traffic tickets, panhandling, camping and other infractions, and much, much more.

It's a good feeling, to be one of the people who are saying to the men and women who have sacrificed so much of their lives in service to their country, saying: "Welcome Home!"

"Welcome Home."

Sunday, September 21, 2008

The Last Day Of Summer

Yes, today is the last day of summer.

So what are we doing today?

We're going to the skate park and having cake and ice cream for my youngest son's birthday! We've done this several years in a row and it's really fun. The boys get together again. So far old friends, his brother, his dad and family, and more are supposed to be there.

I'm wondering if I should take hot dogs too, boys use a lot of energy.

We go to that particular skate park because we used to live in that town. Also, because the skate park is pretty fun, if there's wheels on it, the kids are using it. Skateboards, skates, inline skates, bikes, I even saw a kid on a unicycle there one day. It's not like the skate park here in West Sacramento, they don't allow bikes.

The boys really enjoy it.

Sigh, so Mom had better get busy, the truck needs to be packed up, have to go to the store, etc, etc, etc.

Much to do.

Oh, and yeah, I have a mini TV that runs on batteries. No need to miss ALL of the Raider's game, LOL! Even in black and white, football is FOOTBALL!!

See yah in the Fall!!
(Oh, hey, that's tomorrow, LOL!)

Saturday, September 20, 2008

The Weather Is Changing

Yes, it's starting to change. It's getting cooler at night. The leaves on my cherry tree are barely starting to turn.

It seems a little earlier than usual.

According to the Farmer's Almanac, the weather is going to be turning cooler, not warmer.

I'm already feeling it. I need to hurry, I have things to do before the rains come.

I feel the rain, it's coming. It's coming soon.

I think it's going to be a cold and wet winter.

I need to stock up on beans and rice and canned goods. You should too.

The weather is changing. And I don't think it's going to be hotter, per the global warming blather. It's going to be cold this winter.

Get ready.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

GO RAIDERS!!

Yes, I'm a proud Oakland Raiders fan.

Yeah, I know, they have issues.

I don't care!

I'm a Raider fan, win or lose, good or bad, Al Davis or not.

GO RAIDERS!!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Way Cool Trailer!

Wow, there is so much to do, but I already love my "new" little '66 Shasta Compact. We went to get her on Sunday, put the new tires on, greased the wheel bearings, added safety chains (of course!) and brought her home.

The inside is pretty much gone, so I have a blank slate. Unfortunately, there was a leak, so I'll probably have to remove every panel and fix them, fix and seal the leak(s), etc. The first thing to go will be all the nasty carpet!


A little work and a good paint job will do wonders for the outside. Yes, it'll be white and the red stripe repainted exactly as you see here.

I must say, it tows like a dream. It's light enough I can easily tow it with my light truck.

I'm excited! There's much to do, but I'm the proud owner of a classic tiny trailer.

Way cool!

Friday, September 5, 2008

Rereading Alan Garner's Books

I've been rereading Alan Garner's books.

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, Moon of Gomrath, The Owl Service, and Elidor.

I have to say, I've really enjoyed all except Elidor.

Yes, I know that's sacrilege to a fan of Garner's books. But Elidor feels like he just got tired and stopped writing. There's no finish, no conclusion, we're just left hanging at the end, wondering what happened in Elidor.

I hate it when that happens.

All of his other books are magical, well written, full of mystery and folklore. I love them.

But Elidor, alas, it's lacking.

Teachers, I'd add the other three to your reading list. They're great books for any fantasy fan.

Not Elidor.

Sorry.

Monday, September 1, 2008

My New Book

For my friends who've been asking, yes, I'm still working on my novel.

It's going to take a good while, I like my fiction, especially near future fiction, to have a factual basis. I'm not going to just make something up, it needs to be scientifically plausible.

Fortunately, my sister is a geologist, teacher, and fellow sci-fi fan, so when I'm to that point, I'll ask her to read it and see what she says. Trust me, my family is not known for being tactful. If she thinks it's boring, she'll tell me.

But I'm only on Chapter 3, so there is still much writing and then rewriting to do. Since I really only work on it on Sunday afternoons during my son's Skate and Shoot practice at the hockey rink, it's going to take a good while...

Actually, it's going to take even longer, since my ex and his wife have been showing up at the rink. They are simply not capable of leaving me alone to work and my book is NOT ready to share.

Today, being Labor Day, I've got to get busy, I have a LOT of labor to do around the house today.