Woke up to 6 inches of fresh snow. Yes, I did plop myself down in it! Refreshing!Sunday, January 27, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
MidWeek MishMash
Here I am...yes, I did caucus last Saturday and was happy to report that my precinct had a really good turnout with a large majority of those folks for Obama. I was nicely suprised. Our group was quite lively while the Hilary group seemed serious. Just my perception. It was a good experience and I am happy to report there weren't too many glitches. Results, well, that is why I'm not terribly political. It is a race and there's always a winner and losers...Hilary won the popular vote in Nevada however, Obama came away with 13 delegates whereas Hilary scored 12. She won predominately in Clark County which is Las Vegas and the surrounding areas while Obama took Northern Nevada. I'm keeping a close eye on the election news coming out of the states that are due to primary in the next few weeks.
It is cold and snowy here and has been for several days and is expected to continue for several days. We are definitely having more winter than last year. There has been snow in the SF-Bay Area which is always a weird and wonderful occurence. I'm tucked in with books and movies and just hanging out. I've got a couple creative projects in the works but I'll share those later.
It is cold and snowy here and has been for several days and is expected to continue for several days. We are definitely having more winter than last year. There has been snow in the SF-Bay Area which is always a weird and wonderful occurence. I'm tucked in with books and movies and just hanging out. I've got a couple creative projects in the works but I'll share those later.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
My Defining Moment
Let me first say, I am not a political creature by nature. However, I do feel that this current presidential election is an important one at this point in my lifetime. I am deeply concerned about the damage done by eight years of a man who smirks when he speaks and clearly lacks intelligence. I simply can not listen to him. That may be an unfair judgement yet it is how I feel. I believe each of our political beliefs are personal and shaped by our lives and experiences. I avoid group think mentality. I prefer to gather information quietly and decide for myself. This last week I have done more political homework than I ever have in my life. Nevada will caucus on Saturday, January 19th. I felt suddenly that I better find my position if I am to caucus. I need to be firm in my decision so that I can stand in my candidates corner. This is Nevada’s first foray onto the political radar. That is pretty exciting stuff and we have benefitted from it with an array of visits from candidates descending on our state and that brings me to:
Barack Obama came to Carson City and I was there. I will tell you the lighthearted stuff that made me smile. Once we were allowed into the auditorium we waited about an hour and during that time a mix tape played. It was a mix tape after my own heart. Staple Singers, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, any artist who had the funk and an uplifting message was on that tape. I just wanted to dance and sing and I sort of did, in my chair. Senator Obama has a wonderful sense of humor. He commented about the DNA analysis that showed that Dick Cheney was a distant relation. He said when these types of tests are done you hope to be related to some one cool like Abraham Lincoln (one of his personal heroes) or Willie Mays. He said Cheney was a bit of a disappointment. He mentioned that many have questioned his experience and suggested he is not ready. That he needs more time to simmer, needs more seasoning and what he thinks they are really saying is "they want to boil the hope right out of him". He’s a "hope monger". Like that is a bad thing.
He said he came to this campaign as a agent of change from the beginning. Now, all you hear everyone in the democratic race saying is they are about change. He gave an uplifting political stump speech about "Why I am running for president" and it was good and it covered all the topics that are in the forefront of the public’s mind right now. The war, health care, veterans, economy, all things you can read on his website: Barack Obama .
He is accused of being naive in regards to his plans and hopes. I am not naive enough not to recognize his reason for being in Carson City but it also speaks to his true feeling for grassroots organization that he was here. He urged everyone, no matter their choice, to caucus on Saturday. Yes, he would like us to caucus for him, but more importantly, caucus because it is an opportunity to be heard.
He quoted Martin Luther King, Jr.. He quoted John F. Kennedy. I can’t give you specifics. You can read and investigate yourself what his plans and goals are. There are any number of speeches available on his website or YouTube, this is certainly the most computer friendly campaign yet and I am especially impressed with Senator Obama’s website.
Do I think he can do all he speaks of? I don’t know but then does any candidate follow through on all their promises? I believe if he wins he will need a good 8 years to realize his goals. I’m down with that. I went knowing his reputation for charisma but honestly, I wasn’t looking for that and it was not on display in anyway that I expected except to say he is smart, articulate, funny, works without notes, excellent speech giver.
I walked away understanding that he is passionate and part of that passion is "the fierce urgency of now", this particular time in the USA. I saw a man with a strong moral compass. I saw someone reasonable, aware of his strengths and weaknesses, I saw a man who is down to earth, grounded in a way I had not expected. I saw a man who can lead and possibly change us and the nation for the better.
If you haven’t seen the victory speech Senator Obama gave after his win in Iowa
Marilyn has a lovely post and the video available. It gave me chills.
Senator Obama did take questions from the audience. He listened very attentively, he answered them in a straight forward manner and spoke directly to the person who asked. He did not stray off topic from what the question was, he was impressive in that regard. When a woman asked him "Are you electable? With all due respect Senator, we have never had a black man for president." He smiled at her and said "I have noticed that." He then went on to say that he knows there will be people who will not vote for him because he is black, people who will not vote for Hilary because she is a woman, people who will not vote for John Edwards because of his accent. He said that he has been pleasantly surprised by people along the campaign trail, in that they, for the most part, have looked to the issues and the message each candidate brings rather than race or gender.
Could it be we are finally ready to act on the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.?
"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color
Barack Obama came to Carson City and I was there. I will tell you the lighthearted stuff that made me smile. Once we were allowed into the auditorium we waited about an hour and during that time a mix tape played. It was a mix tape after my own heart. Staple Singers, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, any artist who had the funk and an uplifting message was on that tape. I just wanted to dance and sing and I sort of did, in my chair. Senator Obama has a wonderful sense of humor. He commented about the DNA analysis that showed that Dick Cheney was a distant relation. He said when these types of tests are done you hope to be related to some one cool like Abraham Lincoln (one of his personal heroes) or Willie Mays. He said Cheney was a bit of a disappointment. He mentioned that many have questioned his experience and suggested he is not ready. That he needs more time to simmer, needs more seasoning and what he thinks they are really saying is "they want to boil the hope right out of him". He’s a "hope monger". Like that is a bad thing.
He said he came to this campaign as a agent of change from the beginning. Now, all you hear everyone in the democratic race saying is they are about change. He gave an uplifting political stump speech about "Why I am running for president" and it was good and it covered all the topics that are in the forefront of the public’s mind right now. The war, health care, veterans, economy, all things you can read on his website: Barack Obama .
He is accused of being naive in regards to his plans and hopes. I am not naive enough not to recognize his reason for being in Carson City but it also speaks to his true feeling for grassroots organization that he was here. He urged everyone, no matter their choice, to caucus on Saturday. Yes, he would like us to caucus for him, but more importantly, caucus because it is an opportunity to be heard.
He quoted Martin Luther King, Jr.. He quoted John F. Kennedy. I can’t give you specifics. You can read and investigate yourself what his plans and goals are. There are any number of speeches available on his website or YouTube, this is certainly the most computer friendly campaign yet and I am especially impressed with Senator Obama’s website.
Do I think he can do all he speaks of? I don’t know but then does any candidate follow through on all their promises? I believe if he wins he will need a good 8 years to realize his goals. I’m down with that. I went knowing his reputation for charisma but honestly, I wasn’t looking for that and it was not on display in anyway that I expected except to say he is smart, articulate, funny, works without notes, excellent speech giver.
I walked away understanding that he is passionate and part of that passion is "the fierce urgency of now", this particular time in the USA. I saw a man with a strong moral compass. I saw someone reasonable, aware of his strengths and weaknesses, I saw a man who is down to earth, grounded in a way I had not expected. I saw a man who can lead and possibly change us and the nation for the better.
If you haven’t seen the victory speech Senator Obama gave after his win in Iowa
Marilyn has a lovely post and the video available. It gave me chills.
Senator Obama did take questions from the audience. He listened very attentively, he answered them in a straight forward manner and spoke directly to the person who asked. He did not stray off topic from what the question was, he was impressive in that regard. When a woman asked him "Are you electable? With all due respect Senator, we have never had a black man for president." He smiled at her and said "I have noticed that." He then went on to say that he knows there will be people who will not vote for him because he is black, people who will not vote for Hilary because she is a woman, people who will not vote for John Edwards because of his accent. He said that he has been pleasantly surprised by people along the campaign trail, in that they, for the most part, have looked to the issues and the message each candidate brings rather than race or gender.
Could it be we are finally ready to act on the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.?
"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color
of their skin, but by the content of their character."
In the news today, that very issue was addressed by Obama and Clinton. The Baltimore Sun has the article.
My lovely readers expressed an interest in my experience Monday and I am so happy for your comments. I’m not writing to sway you or spell out specifics. In fact, I am a bit shy of putting this out there: as I said I believe politics is personal and I hold my beliefs close, I don’t engage in a lot of political discourse or savor an argument over who is the better candidate, who has the better plan or policy. I understand the vast amount of vacillation democrats feel around having to choose a ground breaking candidate either female or African American. How amazing that these are considerations. I love the volume of what that speaks to. Progress, in my lifetime, of which I am proud to see.
For me my choice has been clarified. I have felt in my gut from the beginning of the political season that this is where I would come to. To you I will say this: check out all the candidates websites, put some time aside to at least read their statements, register to vote and take part in the process whether it be primary or caucus. VOTE. It does matter.
In the news today, that very issue was addressed by Obama and Clinton. The Baltimore Sun has the article.
My lovely readers expressed an interest in my experience Monday and I am so happy for your comments. I’m not writing to sway you or spell out specifics. In fact, I am a bit shy of putting this out there: as I said I believe politics is personal and I hold my beliefs close, I don’t engage in a lot of political discourse or savor an argument over who is the better candidate, who has the better plan or policy. I understand the vast amount of vacillation democrats feel around having to choose a ground breaking candidate either female or African American. How amazing that these are considerations. I love the volume of what that speaks to. Progress, in my lifetime, of which I am proud to see.
For me my choice has been clarified. I have felt in my gut from the beginning of the political season that this is where I would come to. To you I will say this: check out all the candidates websites, put some time aside to at least read their statements, register to vote and take part in the process whether it be primary or caucus. VOTE. It does matter.
Monday, January 14, 2008
"Fierce Urgency of Now"
Barack Obama came to Carson City this evening.
I went. I saw. I listened. I was pretty darn close.
Turn out was HUGE.
The Man
I went. I saw. I listened. I was pretty darn close.
Turn out was HUGE.
The Banner
The ManI'm a bit tired and trying to thaw out from waiting outside in line for 2 hrs. I'll write more tomorrow. I will say that I am so glad I went. That for me it was a moment in my own personal history. That I am impressed by his sense of humor, his ability to speak without notes and to answer questions on his feet. It was a very important night.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
VIP Visitor
One of the great things about living in Nevada's State Capital (yes, Carson City IS the state capital) is many a politician will stop by our little 2 horse town and make an appearance.
Jack Carter made an appearance in his run for the senate right after I moved here.
Hilary was here shortly after kicking off her presedential campaign.
Tomorrow evening:
Jack Carter made an appearance in his run for the senate right after I moved here.
Hilary was here shortly after kicking off her presedential campaign.
Tomorrow evening:
Barack! Here! In Carson City.
I have my ticket. The event is one block from the office I work in on Mondays. I am so excited to see and hear this man speak. Nevadans caucus next Saturday so the timing couldn't be better. I am wondering if we will see Hilary again before the week is out. Stay tuned.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Pogonip
Yes, that is the new word for the day. Pogonip is freezing fog. Here are pictures of this event from 2005 courtesy of Scott at AroundCarson. Scott knows everything. It seems it is similar
to an ice storm in that it leaves crystals all over everything and is particulary lovely on the trees.
to an ice storm in that it leaves crystals all over everything and is particulary lovely on the trees.
Courtesy of Scott
Of course, there were no signs of this phenomenon when I awoke. I did, however, sleep in quite late. Now I am excited to see this happen.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Sunday Snow Day
This is the ingenious teenager from yesterday's ski park fun, come to snow blow my driveway for me this morning. How much do I love this kid! I will never complain about his hard rock band practicing again. AND he refused the cash I offered. How nice was that!
Again, if you can't have fun what is the point. I will have more fun in 2008
Somewhat strange dog like face. Still my first official snow person!
Pre-shoveling driveway message.
Again, if you can't have fun what is the point. I will have more fun in 2008
Somewhat strange dog like face. Still my first official snow person!
Pre-shoveling driveway message.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
BIG Storm
First big storm of the season hit yesterday and last night. Here's the backyard view this AM.
If you can't play in the snow what is the point.
Pre-shoveling driveway message.
The ingenuity of the teenagers across the street who meticulously fashioned a two jump ski
If you can't play in the snow what is the point.
Pre-shoveling driveway message.
The ingenuity of the teenagers across the street who meticulously fashioned a two jump skiarea this morning.
Ad hoc sno park for sledding at the top of my street. The beauty of a saturday snow fall.
Ad hoc sno park for sledding at the top of my street. The beauty of a saturday snow fall.Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Welcome Back
Happy New Year 2008.I love an even numbered year.
I love the number eight.
I am feeling good about this.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Over the Summit
The office holiday parties are done. The shopping is done. It is supposed to snow tomorrow. I am headed, over the summit and through the woods, to family and friends in the Bay Area on Saturday. I get to spend a wonderfully long 10 days in the place that is always home, thereby making this time of year a good time.
One holiday party was at a steak house. I had a delicious slab of prime rib and sat next to our host (read boss) and his wife. It was the first time I had a social conversation with this particular boss. That was nice. Everyone got tipsy (excluding me). This is always amusing to me. Half the staff spent half their time in the bar smoking. Interesting.
The second party, and the office I consider primary, was at the bosses house. A beautiful log cabin on an expansive piece of land, filled with comfort and yummy smells, roaring fire and a big golden retriever named "Rocky Marriage". We had Elk steaks, my boss being a hunter and this is the prize he brought home this year. It was pretty good, very lean. It was a great dinner and there was a bonus AND snugly robes and socks from Bath & Body, thereby making it difficult to get in the shower and go to work once I put them on. We had our Secret Santa luncheon at the office on Tuesday. As luck would have it my secret santa was my hiking buddy and vice versa. She picked out this great necklace, an homage and good luck charm, for our hiking excursions. I got her the camelbak backpack she had been coveting. It was lovely.
The second party, and the office I consider primary, was at the bosses house. A beautiful log cabin on an expansive piece of land, filled with comfort and yummy smells, roaring fire and a big golden retriever named "Rocky Marriage". We had Elk steaks, my boss being a hunter and this is the prize he brought home this year. It was pretty good, very lean. It was a great dinner and there was a bonus AND snugly robes and socks from Bath & Body, thereby making it difficult to get in the shower and go to work once I put them on. We had our Secret Santa luncheon at the office on Tuesday. As luck would have it my secret santa was my hiking buddy and vice versa. She picked out this great necklace, an homage and good luck charm, for our hiking excursions. I got her the camelbak backpack she had been coveting. It was lovely.
MMoxie Hiking Necklace.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Djembe Is For Happy
These telling words were uttered by this guy at a drum workshop I attended. The workshop is a production of this gal who is my drum teacher. Bolokada, in his amusingly reasonable english, explained in the first workshop I attended with him in the Spring, that the djembe (say: jim-bay) is for celebration, for bringing people together, for happiness. I was lucky to attend a second workshop with him this last week. Once again I came away with a feeling similar to the term "walking on air". I felt I was levitating, such is the strength of feeling that comes from learning a 3 part rhythm with a group of 30-40 people, from a master drummer. I smile the whole time I am learning or flubbing or playing. For one thing, Bolokada is a high energy, terminally happy guy and he spreads his smile and his warmth through the room. Second, his english makes listening to him rather tricky but that just forces one to listen more closely in order to get the jist of what he is saying, usually a story concept of whatever piece he is teaching. I believe the piece we learned had to do with increasing the fertility of a women in the village who had been unable to conceive. I could be wrong on this but that is what I picked up.
Third, he teaches very straightfowardly - call and response - and then once the class is in sync he plays his little heart out. So I am learning a new piece and I am able to watch a master drummer do a little mini-concert. SWEET!
I have been taking a class at Lake Tahoe Community College with Liz. (see the above link)
This monday is our last class and 12 weeks flew by awfully fast. I won't be tempting fate by traveling the summit in the winter to continue on next quarter but I will be starting up again in the spring. It's been fun and engaging and frustrating and challenging. Such is the process of learning a new skill and two new rhythms, each with 3 separate parts. When it clicks and the class syncs it is the most awesome sound and feeling. When I am all fumble thumbs and mental blocks it is humbling. Practice would help. The other side of learning....must practice. I have not committed to that the way that I could but I think my frustration is mounting enough to propel me towards a more studied approach away from class. That said, I am just proud and happy with myself for pursuing my drumming. I've always moved to my own rhythms and with drumming that inner rhythm actually has a sound.
Third, he teaches very straightfowardly - call and response - and then once the class is in sync he plays his little heart out. So I am learning a new piece and I am able to watch a master drummer do a little mini-concert. SWEET!
I have been taking a class at Lake Tahoe Community College with Liz. (see the above link)
This monday is our last class and 12 weeks flew by awfully fast. I won't be tempting fate by traveling the summit in the winter to continue on next quarter but I will be starting up again in the spring. It's been fun and engaging and frustrating and challenging. Such is the process of learning a new skill and two new rhythms, each with 3 separate parts. When it clicks and the class syncs it is the most awesome sound and feeling. When I am all fumble thumbs and mental blocks it is humbling. Practice would help. The other side of learning....must practice. I have not committed to that the way that I could but I think my frustration is mounting enough to propel me towards a more studied approach away from class. That said, I am just proud and happy with myself for pursuing my drumming. I've always moved to my own rhythms and with drumming that inner rhythm actually has a sound.
My Happy
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Adieu
Farewell to my favorite Princess of Quirky .
I can't recall how I found her but she always made me smile.
She is the type of person I would love to spend an afternoon with, out on the deck, chatting and sipping iced tea. From Tangerine Zest to her original posts at Crazy Dust In MyCoffee Ms. Ally Bean has been a fun and original read. I will miss my daily dose of her brand of humor and insight.
I can't recall how I found her but she always made me smile.
She is the type of person I would love to spend an afternoon with, out on the deck, chatting and sipping iced tea. From Tangerine Zest to her original posts at Crazy Dust In MyCoffee Ms. Ally Bean has been a fun and original read. I will miss my daily dose of her brand of humor and insight.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Reality is painful
I did something this last week I haven’t done in a while. I huddled up with a good book until I finished it. I am mostly a nighttime reader, devoting at least an hour to the book of the moment. It has been a long time since I decided to put my feet up and read during the day. There have been times in my life when I have spent entire weekends this way. I have plowed through books in a weekend and I remember these times fondly...most often during a rainy weekend in my flat in San Francisco.
You may ask what book or circumstance inspired me.
The circumstance of feeling a little off, restless, unsettled due to a situation that is going to take time and patience to resolve and even though I know this, it leaves me a bit frustrated on a deep emotional level. The good news is I have been sought out by a very close friend of mine who I lost contact with when we both moved out of San Francisco. She is in a similar predicament and I trust her implicitly and we have talked and I am so happy someone else gets where I am at.
The book is one I would not have thought would grab my interest to the extent that I felt compelled to google several real life examples of the fiction presented in order to learn more about the real life events that inspired the subject of the book. Jody Picoult: Nineteen Minutes. Who doesn’t remember the horror of Columbine orRocori or Virginia Tech or any other news about the latest teenager to open fire at a school, mowing down classmates and teachers with reckless disregard. The day after I started this book there was a shooting in Cleveland. Who doesn’t wonder what kind of mental pathology or psychology is in play for a person who would do something so violent, so permanent, so unbelievable. Like 9/11, it is a form of terror that I simply cannot wrap my mind around.
I had read “Vanishing Acts” a while ago and found Picoult to write with a realism that got me thinking. She has a gift for character development and weaving a story around several different points of view. I have shied away from her up until last year thinking she was just another popular fiction writer, prolific in her ability to crank out books but perhaps not all that interesting. I stand corrected. Here's a quote from her website:
“I think that sometimes when we don’t want to talk about issues that are hard to discuss or difficult to face, it’s easier to digest it in fiction instead of nonfiction.”
Meanwhile, there has been no hiking for 3 weeks and after the second week I found myself a bit more cranky than usual. Seems those hikes aren’t only working the physical but the mental as well. Sunday SP and I did four miles on the Tahoe Rim Trail. It was beautiful and high up there and at one point you can see Lake Tahoe to the West and The Carson Valley to the East. I was thrilled to be tramping through the trees once again. Surprising even myself.
In other news, I had a garage sale. My first. On a gorgeous Saturday last weekend, my hiking partner and I put out our wares and hoped to make a little cash. Turns out we should have gone hiking. Not terribly successful for me. The upshot is while preping for the garage sale I actually cleaned my garage and it is looking spiffy. It was a learning experience: sign placement, listings, newspaper ads. What to do to be successful. We dropped the ball on the newspaper ad and I think that was a mistake. We did however, have a gentlemen show up who had us on his list from Craig’s List...so there ya go. That worked. SP wants to try it again. I am waffling. I may just continue on with my donating stuff for a tax write off and continue being the thrift store/bargain hunter that I am rather than hosting the bargain hunting.
The deck is newly painted and is looking spiffy. Great sense of accomplishment there.
Perhaps I'll get some pictures up this week.
You may ask what book or circumstance inspired me.
The circumstance of feeling a little off, restless, unsettled due to a situation that is going to take time and patience to resolve and even though I know this, it leaves me a bit frustrated on a deep emotional level. The good news is I have been sought out by a very close friend of mine who I lost contact with when we both moved out of San Francisco. She is in a similar predicament and I trust her implicitly and we have talked and I am so happy someone else gets where I am at.
The book is one I would not have thought would grab my interest to the extent that I felt compelled to google several real life examples of the fiction presented in order to learn more about the real life events that inspired the subject of the book. Jody Picoult: Nineteen Minutes. Who doesn’t remember the horror of Columbine orRocori or Virginia Tech or any other news about the latest teenager to open fire at a school, mowing down classmates and teachers with reckless disregard. The day after I started this book there was a shooting in Cleveland. Who doesn’t wonder what kind of mental pathology or psychology is in play for a person who would do something so violent, so permanent, so unbelievable. Like 9/11, it is a form of terror that I simply cannot wrap my mind around.
I had read “Vanishing Acts” a while ago and found Picoult to write with a realism that got me thinking. She has a gift for character development and weaving a story around several different points of view. I have shied away from her up until last year thinking she was just another popular fiction writer, prolific in her ability to crank out books but perhaps not all that interesting. I stand corrected. Here's a quote from her website:
“I think that sometimes when we don’t want to talk about issues that are hard to discuss or difficult to face, it’s easier to digest it in fiction instead of nonfiction.”
Meanwhile, there has been no hiking for 3 weeks and after the second week I found myself a bit more cranky than usual. Seems those hikes aren’t only working the physical but the mental as well. Sunday SP and I did four miles on the Tahoe Rim Trail. It was beautiful and high up there and at one point you can see Lake Tahoe to the West and The Carson Valley to the East. I was thrilled to be tramping through the trees once again. Surprising even myself.
In other news, I had a garage sale. My first. On a gorgeous Saturday last weekend, my hiking partner and I put out our wares and hoped to make a little cash. Turns out we should have gone hiking. Not terribly successful for me. The upshot is while preping for the garage sale I actually cleaned my garage and it is looking spiffy. It was a learning experience: sign placement, listings, newspaper ads. What to do to be successful. We dropped the ball on the newspaper ad and I think that was a mistake. We did however, have a gentlemen show up who had us on his list from Craig’s List...so there ya go. That worked. SP wants to try it again. I am waffling. I may just continue on with my donating stuff for a tax write off and continue being the thrift store/bargain hunter that I am rather than hosting the bargain hunting.
The deck is newly painted and is looking spiffy. Great sense of accomplishment there.
Perhaps I'll get some pictures up this week.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Decked
Ah, the verities of Fall. Much like the weather, I am feeling changeable and unpredictable. Just a general lethargy coupled with a need to prepare for winter. All I want to do is play endless games of solitaire, let my mind wander about, possibly read a book. This is my second fall here in the mountains. I still laugh when I think...what the heck does a SF Bay Area girl know about winterizing her house. Seriously, this word didn't even enter my lexicon until I moved here. Actually, it is a pretty mild operation involving draining and covering the evaporative cooler, disconnecting some water lines, rolling up the hoses for storage. Still, this year there is the added responsibility of getting the deck painted and sealed before the onset of winter which would no doubt do a fair bit of destruction if left in it's current state. Hence, I have added another new word to my expanding vocabulary and increasing abilities.
Behold the Pressure Washer. Three different hose connections. Five different nozzles. Woohoo.This is what I did on Saturday morning. Noise and water and paint chips flying all over the yard. Strangely, once this little beauty was up and running and in my hands I had an overwhelming desire to pressure wash the whole darn place. I stopped after a bit but I did spray down the screens and windows and flush out some muck that was accumulating around said windows. Happily I can report that the windows withstood the assault. There was going to be painting today, however, we are expecting a cold snap this evening that would just ruin any attempt so that will wait until later this week. Hard to imagine this little weather tic right now. It is a balmy 72 degrees in the sun and quite lovely in the yard.
Behold the Pressure Washer. Three different hose connections. Five different nozzles. Woohoo.This is what I did on Saturday morning. Noise and water and paint chips flying all over the yard. Strangely, once this little beauty was up and running and in my hands I had an overwhelming desire to pressure wash the whole darn place. I stopped after a bit but I did spray down the screens and windows and flush out some muck that was accumulating around said windows. Happily I can report that the windows withstood the assault. There was going to be painting today, however, we are expecting a cold snap this evening that would just ruin any attempt so that will wait until later this week. Hard to imagine this little weather tic right now. It is a balmy 72 degrees in the sun and quite lovely in the yard.
Here's a look a my scrubby looking deck. Needless to say, the after painting picture should look oodles more attractive.
Meanwhile, here's a photo of a wildflower I have been waiting to see bloom for months. Pretty.
Here's to a newly painted deck, vibrant colors that catch the eye, digging out the mittens, hats, scarves, enjoying those last bits of warm sun.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Storm Watch Wednesday
Three weeks ago, while sitting on the deck, I felt whatever internal clock I carry shift to the new season. Just a feeling...fall is coming. It has been sitting in there making adjustments ever since. Today, it looks like a real storm is blowing in with rain, possibly snow. Whee. Though I was just getting into my summer groove of hiking and gardening so it's not all whopee. Fall is one of my favorite seasons and I am anxious to see the aspens turn their amazing copper gold and hike in areas where they are prominent. Still I will anxiously watch the lawn and the rose bush go dormant and hope that at least one day each weekend remains hikable weather wise for a few more weeks.
Last weekend, instead of hiking, SP and I went ice skating. Oddly enough we are both at about the same level in that area too. We both have skating in our past and can do crossovers and turns and such. That makes it fun. We opted for the skating because one) we both like it and two) we had SP's daughter that day and we made the mistake of taking her hiking with us one Saturday to Skunk Harbor for lunch and a swim and when she got the eyeful of the uphill climb back to the car she had a major meltdown and swears to this day she will never hike with us again. She is 10. What can you do. She likes the skating though so this may be an every other week option for us to get the bodies moving and have some fun.
Last weekend, instead of hiking, SP and I went ice skating. Oddly enough we are both at about the same level in that area too. We both have skating in our past and can do crossovers and turns and such. That makes it fun. We opted for the skating because one) we both like it and two) we had SP's daughter that day and we made the mistake of taking her hiking with us one Saturday to Skunk Harbor for lunch and a swim and when she got the eyeful of the uphill climb back to the car she had a major meltdown and swears to this day she will never hike with us again. She is 10. What can you do. She likes the skating though so this may be an every other week option for us to get the bodies moving and have some fun.
MM harbors Olympic dreams
We are planning a hike for this weekend, weather permitting. We've made it a bit of a tradition to return to Skunk Harbor every few weeks. We use the uphill climb to assess our improvement. Two weeks ago we hauled up that hill, only a few stops, and it was so good to realize that all this walking about is having an effect on the legs and the lungs. We were very proud!! We even talked about trying Marlette Lake again before the end of the season. Now I know we are crazy.
We recently did a 5.5 mile hike from DLBliss State Park to Emerald Bay. Emerald Bay being one of the premiere sites to see in Lake Tahoe. It was hecka crowded with tourists and such and I don't think we have ever encountered so many people on the trail before. We vowed we would return but only after tourist season has subsided. There were to many bees around us as we tried to eat lunch. I am not fond of the bee. It was irritating and uncomfortable. We were also accosted by a rather rambunctious chipmunk. Now, chipmunks are really cute and one can visualize having one for a pet even. This chipmunk had no fear of humans and was particularly keen on my trail mix. He scampered over the tabletop, up onto my backpack and proceeded to look me in the eye just before leaping onto my shoulder in order to get closer to the trail mix I was holding. It was funny and yet, hello, wild animal possibly carrying unknown viruses, etc....a bit disconcerting. He actually jumped on me as I was saying to him "Don't even think about it".
View of Emerald Bay from the trail head at the parking lot. You can read about Emerald Bay and Vikingsholm here.
Meanwhile, I am greedily laying in a supply of books for the fall/winter seasons. I just received Mississippi Sissy by Kevin Sessums about growing up different in the South. I have always enjoyed his written interviews for Vanity Fair. Also, a first novel from Aryn Kyle (great name) called The God of Animals. I've read the first chapters of both and believe I will be delighted with both. I'm currently working my way through The Emperor's Children by Claire Messud. I hope to actually read Elizabeth Kostova's The Historian. I keep saying I am reading it but really it's just been on the pile with good intentions for all this time.
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