gopher hill cottage

149: Ma and Pa Kettle Go To Sea

2011-11-12T11:24:00.000-08:00

We are excited this morning. Tomorrow we are going on a 7 day cruise to the Mexican Riviera. A few months ago we sat through a sales pitch for a vacation time-share. It's not something we normally do, but a free cruise peaked our interest. While not exactly free...port fees, etc...it still was several hundred dollars less than the going rate I could find on the internet. So, what the heck, right?

Traveling has always been what we love to do, however, we have never chosen to take a cruise except for a 3 day-er on the Nile. We have been to Mexico several times, but stopped traveling there on our own because of the problems drug trafficking has caused. We have access to a beautiful resort in Rosarita but border problems in Tijauana prevent us from taking advantage of that. Ahh, if I ruled the world.

Just to be able to get away for a few days will be wonderful. Not cooking will be kind of nice, too. Wish me luck in that area, as well. My job depends on me staying at goal weight and I love my new job at Weight Watchers! The cruise is on Carnival which I guess has the reputation of having a loud and raucous group with lots of kids. That suits me fine...then no one will notice Ma and Pa Kettle!

148: Passion is a Powerful Thing

2011-11-11T06:32:00.000-08:00

How many of us today know much about the history of Veterans Day? Is it really just another excuse for a day off work? I think not...at least I hope not! Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice. Then U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In proclaiming the holiday, he said

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism

of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice and the councils of the nations."

Congress passed a concurrent resolution seven years later on June 4, 1926, requesting that President Calvin Coolidge issue another proclamation to observe November 11 with appropriate ceremonies. On May 13, 1938, Congress made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday; "a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace and to be thereafter celebrated and known as 'Armistice Day'."

The photograph is Joseph Ambrose, a then-86-year-old WWI veteran, attended the dedication day parade for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982, holding the flag that covered the casket of his son, who was killed in that war. It is such a powerful picture that I just had to include it.

In 1953, Stephan Roid from Emporia, Kansas, owner of a shoe repair shop wanted to expand the day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in WWI. His grass roots plan with the help of U.S. Representative John Salper, also from Emporia, a bill for the holiday was pushed through Congress. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed it into law on May 26, 1954. Congress amended this act on June 1, 1954 replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been celebrated at Veterans Day ever since.

So, I think the moral of this story is if one man in Kansas with an idea can move Congress, why can't we? Passion is a powerful thing.

My favorite veteran is spending the day at the Veteran's Hall in Santa Maria. They have a bar-b-que each year to honor local veterans. I hope you will all take a little time and honor your favorite veteran and each time you see someone from any branch of the military out in the community, take a minute and shake their hand or give a thumbs up to thank them for keeping our country safe. Let your passion show!

147: We May Not Know Their Names But..

2011-11-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

Veteran's Day is this Friday and a wonderful video ended up in our in-box which has prompted me
to spend a little time on the proud members of our country's "Old Guard."

We may not know the names of the Unknown Soldiers, but they will never be forgotten. The Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery will make sure of that. If you have ever wondered what it takes to join that honored group of 400, it might just surprise you.

The 3rd United States Infantry has served our Nation continuously since 1784, and today is the oldest active-duty Infantry unit in the U.S. Army. Headquartered out of Fort Myer, Virginia, it is traditionally known as "The Old Guard." Since WWII The Old Guard has been the Army's official HONOR GUARD. One of their most recognized responsibilities is providing sentinels...Tomb Guards, at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington,Virginia. Since April 6, 1948 the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has been guarded 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, regardless of weather.

The first recipient of this badge was William Daniel, a former prisoner of war who served

as a tomb sentinel and sergeant of the guard at
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from February 1957 to June 1960.

Women were not eligible to receive the badge
until a female military police unit was assigned
to The Old Guard in 1993, thus allowing women to volunteer for guard duty at the Tomb. The
first female soldier to earn the badge was Sgt.
Heather Lynn Johnsen. In 1997 Danyell Elaine Wilson became the first African American woman to earn the badge. Unfortunately, I have been unable to find the name of the third woman. There are height requirements that make these women distinguished, as well,

1st Relief sentries    6'2" to 6'4"
2nd Relief sentries   6' to 6'2"
3rd Relief sentries   5'11" to 6'

                                               HERE RESTS IN
                                               HONORED GLORY
                                               AN AMERICAN
                                               SOLDIER
                                               KNOWN BUT TO GOD

The guard takes 21 steps during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

He hesitates 21 seconds, turns to face the Tomb then turns to begin his return walk. Twenty-one seconds refers to the gun salute.

His gloves are wet to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the Tomb. As he turns and faces the Tomb to make his return trip he moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

Applicants must be between 5' 11" and 6' 4" and his waist cannot exceed 30".

They must commit 2 years of their lives to guard the Tomb, live in a barracks under the Tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives.

They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform (fighting) or the Tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the Tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes they wear during duty are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

For their first 6 months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV, all off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery, a guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis (the boxer), and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy (the most decorated soldier of WWII) of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniform ready for guard duty.

After all of that, if you wonder what happens if the solemness of the occasion is broken, take a minute
and watch the video below.

There must be protocol for each and every event that may occur...I just don't care to see what COULD happen...suffice it to say I'll be a good girl.

146: Gone? Andy Rooney...Gone?

2011-11-08T15:12:00.000-08:00

I know it's true, I really do...but Wow, the old Curmudgeon...gone? The ratings dropped in 1990 when CBS suspended him for three month for making racist remarks in an interview, which he denied. They brought him back on in three weeks because the ratings were in a slump. This is the same man who was arrested in the 1940's for refusing to leave a seat among blacks on a bus. Needless to say his feelings were hurt when they accused him of being racist. I doubt someone who was racist would sit on a bus with blacks let along among them. I'd say he was a man who knew where he stood on any given issue and didn't mind telling you about it.

Everyone remembers his 30 years at the end of 60 Minutes but most don't realize he had been at CBS for more that 60 years. Sixty years! He was a freelance writer in 1949 when he met CBS radio star Arthur Godfrey in an elevator and with the bluntness that millions would learn about later...told him his show could use better writing. Godfrey hired him and by 1953, when he moved to TV, Rooney was his only writer.

Rooney left CBS in 1970 when it refused to air his angry essay about the Vietnam War. He went on TV for the first time, reading the essay on PBS and winning a Writers Guild of America award for it.

Who can forget his essay on whether there was a real Mrs. Smith who made Mrs. Smith's Pies. As it turned out, there was no Mrs. Smith. He won one of his four Emmy Awards for that observation! We were known, on many occasions, to watch only the last 10 minutes of 60 minutes just to see what he had to say about tonight.

He and his wife, Margurite, were married for 62 years. I'll bet she got an earfull! True to his occasional crotchety nature, though, he complained about being famous and bothered by fans...he hated it when people came up to him in public places and never gave autographs. His last wish from fans: If you see him in a restaurant, just let him eat his dinner!

I just hope that Heaven is ready to be "told where the turnips are planted!" I don't suppose we will ever watch 60 Minutes again.

145: Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T08:24:00.000-07:00

144: "things that go bump in the night"

2011-10-30T15:11:00.000-07:00

"From ghoulies and ghosties and long-legged beasties, and things that go bump in the night, good Lord deliver us." Most of us are at least familiar with the "things that go bump in the night" part, but perhaps you don't know all of the old Cornish prayer. Tomorrow is All Hallow Eve or as we call it Halloween.

There are so many aspects of Halloween, but one of my favorites is the carving of pumpkins. I have so many fond memories of the sticky, gooey, hideously messiness business of carving pumpkins when the kids were young. We always ended up with pretty traditional carvings. The modern stencil kits and all the fancy plastic knives were unheard of then. We used steak knives and hoped for

the best.

Oh, I know that some mothers and fathers said "You can only eat two pieces of candy tonight." Not at the Hunt's house. No, Sir-ee! It was a candy free for all! By the next day, they were so sick of candy we were free to toss the whole left over mess, after Bob and I picked through and ate all the really good stuff like Baby Ruth, Snickers and of course, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups!

The early "jack-o'-lantern" was actually carved from a turnip. In the late 1800's British mischievous boys used them to frighten late night travelers. Catholic children used them when they went door to door to represent the souls of the dead while begging for "soul cakes" on Hallowmas (All Saints Day, Nov.1) Their prayers for the dead were exchanged for "soul cakes."

According to legend though, the jack-o'-lantern took its name from a drunken Irishman known as "Stingy Jack" who tricked the Devil into promising he wouldn't have to go to hell for his sins. When Jack died he found out he had been barred from heaven, so he journeyed to the gates of hell to demand his due. The Devil kept his promise and doomed Jack to wander the earth for all eternity with only an ember of hellfire to light his way. Thenceforth he was known as "jack-o'-lantern.

Who could deny this famous "Jack?" When he said "Here's Johnny!"
that movie scared the dickens out of me! Pretty amazing for a punkin!

Living in the country has it's advantages,

but boy do we miss the little "trick or treaters!"

143: Up, up and Almost Away

2011-10-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Maggie took her maiden flight a couple of days before the plane left for the air museum in Santa Maria. Unfortunately, Bob was in the hospital when the guys came and transported it. But he felt good enough on that Friday to attend the welcome dinner for the pilots and members.

Preston was the first person to have his picture
taken in the plane in the museum. We were all
guests of the museum for the air show that day.

Robby was able to get his picture taken last week
when he and Trisha were here from Switzerland.

This young lady was a Coast Guard Air Crewman and the first person to have her picture taken by request in the museum. As you can see our little plane is in good company and we couldn't be happier. It will be well cared for and enjoyed for a very long time. Maybe sometime you can come to Santa Maria and have your picture taken.

Santa Maria Museum of Flight
3015 Airpark Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 805 922-8758

142: Around the corner

2011-10-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

Bob and I were outside sitting in the swing enjoying the pleasure of each others company. You work

all your life to earn the time to do just that...and not feel guilty about it. No where to go unless you want to, nothing to do unless you want to. Hours filled with that kind of pleasure. Sometimes it takes

something to remind you how lucky you are to be able to do just that.

Bob was sick a few weeks ago, really sick and suddenly we both thought, "Holy crap! We still have things on our "bucket list" to cross off." One day you're fine and the next not so much. Then our friends Holly and Floyd Coppersmith, who have been in poor health for several years, nearly died last week from carbon monoxide poisoning from a brand new, top of the line heating and air conditioning system. They will survive but will be in the hospital for several more days while the doctors try to clear their bodies of the poison.

You have no way of knowing what is around the corner. That's probably a good thing. I've always been a bit of a health food foodie and Bob always says, "She makes me eat all this stuff and I'll probably get hit by a bus crossing the street." I suppose that's part of the risk isn't? Just a roll of the dice, an ill wind, wicked salmonella. But you have to be vigilant just in case you don't get hit by that bus. What if we live to be a hundred? What then? So, now that we have had our little wake up call I think I'll go make some brownies and lemonade and then head out to the swing to enjoy a little more relaxing with my favorite husband, because I'm expecting a shipment of wheat germ and a new "Cooking Healthy" cook book and we all know what that means.

141. Respect

2011-10-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

Sinjin, an extraction from Hebrew meaning God is Gracious also Saint John. Karate is a martial arts form from Okinawa, Japan meaning Kara - empty and te - hand. The Gi, pronounced Gee, with a hard g as in gosh, is the three part white uniform of the student of Karate. It consists of the shirt, the pants and the belt. The belt changes color as the student rises in his studies. These are new words to us but no matter what the dictionary says to us they stand for a small head wet with perspiration, cheeks flushed with color, a smile as wide as his young face will allow and his grandparent's hearts full of gratitude and pride.

Our ten year old grandson, Preston, started Sinjin Karate and is like the proverbial duck into water. Like many children his age, Preston is shy and needs his self-esteem given a little boost. He isn't interested in team sports but this is a group activity and you compete against yourself. They work on concentration and self-control which I suppose we all could use from time to time. I have always felt that children need outside activities and I literally mean outside. It should be away from school and home and it should be working their bodies which in turn works their minds.

Respect, concentration, control in mind and body and pride in one's self are all key components in Marital Arts. Not bad goals no matter what the age...not bad goals at all.

140. Who Knew?

2011-08-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

Who Knew? There is a web site called "Who Knew News" on Yahoo. If you are looking for a way to constructively waste a little time on the internet, might I suggest this site. It is bits and pieces of information on the origins of things that you probably don't know. Nuggets of knowledge, if you will. Things that my husband, Bob, has a treasure trove of. They bring interest to a dinner party, but not a dime to the wallet. The subject matter is as diverse as this world of ours. Will you remember it like Bob? I doubt it, but, wow, what a fun way to while away the afternoon.

http://whoknew.news.yahoo.com

139. The Nethercutt

2011-08-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

We are blessed to have friends who like to jump right in and take little adventures, some local and some not so local. Proctoring the Bar exam took up most of last week, but we managed to get reservations for a tour of the Nethercutt Museum on Friday at 10:00. If you have never heard of the facility, you are not alone. Our local adventure buddies, Polly and Phil, told us a few months ago that it was not to be missed. Wow, were they ever right. Which brings me to one more reason why we love California...doggone it...everything is close at hand. We love the fact that just around the corner is something you haven't seen yet. I guess that's true with everywhere, though. One trip to the East coast, I told Bob, "If we don't quit stopping at the visitor information centers, we are never going to get out of Arizona, let alone get to the East coast!"

The Nethercutt Museum

I had no idea there was a "Dort" auto!

What an amazing and wonderful experience the day was. They are located in Sylmar, California which is off the I-5 above Burbank. That is about an hour from Alta Loma where we stay with Bruce and Dort for work. There are two facilities, actually, one that houses over 120 Antique, Vintage, and Classic automobiles displayed in a Grand Salon showroom circa turn of the last century together with the world's finest assemblage of mechanical musical instruments.

Imagine a showroom ceiling like this!

The automobile museum is open Tuesday - Saturday and the tours through the musical collection is by tour reservation only Thursday - Saturday. The admission to both is completely free. That also includes the 1912 Pullman Private Car once owned by Clara Baldwin Stocker daughter of "Lucky" Baldwin which was nothing to sneeze at. What a way to travel!

All of the cars are restored per original factory specifications. The original color combinations were astounding. Thanks to Ford and black and white movies one would assume that all early cars were black. Nothing could be further from the truth. What an amazing array of colors...from butternut to shades of lavender...a rainbow of colors and pen striping, some that looked like caning from chair seats. We have been to many, many car shows and museums including Harrah's in Sparks, Nevada but this one wins the prize.

Doing her best to keep her skirt down!

I almost forgot the fabulous and sometimes saucy hood ornaments.
This was one of my favorites.

All of this comes from the sale of Merle Norman Cosmetics. That's right Mr. Norman's little Misses, Merle, started creating cosmetics in her kitchen and it took off like a rocket. So, I would like to say a big "Thank you" to Mrs. Norman and her husband who didn't pooh pooh her and was smart enough to know a good thing when he saw it.

138. Who's a Redneck??

2011-08-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love this "Redneck Wine Glass?" Polly will never spill another drop
of wine! Just think, in the boat, on the beach, in the back yard...now all she has to do

is remember where she put the lid!

137.Up, up and Away...Well...Almost!

2011-08-02T08:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was dedicated to work on Bob's airplane. Years ago we lived in a really large house with a huge sun room and an equally large basement for his wood shop. One weekend we were watching an old Shirley Temple movie and she was sitting in an airplane made from a wine barrel. Well, that got Ol' Bob to thinking. The next thing you know, we had a fabulous airplane. We have a notebook filled with photos of every guest after that sitting in the plane. You can see why he won second place with a three hundred dollar award in a prestigious crafter's exhibition.

Oldest grandson, Robby, in plane.

Unfortunately, we no longer have the luxury of such a large home and the airplane has been dismantled and stored, safe, but unused. Then came the fair and the Clint Black concert. Like his parents before him, Bob could talk to a post, I swear, he never misses a beat when the opportunity arises. A man and his wife started up the grand stand and Bob spotted his jacket. It said Santa Maria Air Museum. It turned out that he was on the board and Bob told him about the plane. I guess Bob had been thinking about approaching the museum in regards to donating the plane so that children visiting the facility could enjoy it. It has bothered both of us that it couldn't be of some use to someone. Well, the man was thrilled, especially after he saw the pictures. It pleases us so much.

We pulled it out of the storage building and started in working on it. Actually, it held up pretty well considering it has been in storage for fifteen years.

So, yesterday Bob commandeered Preston to help with the sanding. It will probably take a month or

so to get it refurbished. It has certainly been a labor of love for Bob and

this will be such an appropriate new home for the little plane. We will have to have a little celebration when it is delivered to the museum. Preston will have to be the first visitor to have his photograph taken "flying." Up, up and away...well...almost.

136. God, if You're Listening...

2011-07-24T13:05:00.000-07:00

This canyon has brought us many adventures, but today has to be one of the biggest for me and I hope will be the ONLY one of it's kind. I was in working on the computer and decided I needed an aspirin. When I got to the kitchen, Maggie, who was in the dining room, started barking like mad. On occasion, she will spot something that she had somehow previously missed like the plastic cactus that sits by the sideboard in the dining room and "alert the media".

I reached down to pick the cactus up to show her it wasn't an item of danger, spotted the real reason for her alert. Under the sideboard was a long and I'm not exaggerating here, long, looking suspiciously like a rattle snake...brown snake. It had to be two and a half feet long. I held my breath while I waited for the tail to appear before I ran screaming from the house with Maggie. I couldn't see rattles and believe me if it had been a rattler...I could have easily seen the rattles! Confident it wasn't a danger, I put Maggie outside and kept one eye on the snake while I yelled for Bob, who was out painting on the plane, hence the rubber gloves. He cautiously watched the snake and concurred that it was of no danger.

A check with this web site gave us the identification as that of common gopher snake, which is what we thought. We certainly welcome the gopher snake given our rodent population. Just, please, oh please, not in the dining room. Funny how, even if we aren't sure it really works, we all start praying. I know I did. "God, if you're listening, this is Sharon and it's about a snake in my dining room."
Snakes/CA Cental Coast

Bob saved the day for me, Maggie and the brown snake. Left to my own devices, I'm afraid the snake might have had to do battle with a long handled broom. I've always told Bob that if I saw a rattle snake on our porch the next thing he would hear is me packing. For me, today was a very, very close call. I'm still wondering how many boxes I could get into the P.T. Cruiser.

FIRST ALERT:NEWS FLASH

2011-07-24T13:03:00.000-07:00

135. Margarita Anyone?

2011-07-24T10:12:00.000-07:00

Preston has been our house guest for the last three days and we just love having him. We planned a

pool play day with Polly and Phil and their nine year old grandson, Trevor. I have to admit that since they hadn't really met each other we all expected a little reticence on both their parts. Well, it only lasted for a short time. By the time they hit the water at the Elk's pool in San Luis Obispo, they were having a blast.

Preston in front and then Trevor.

What a lovely pool and over all facility they have. It wasn't crowded as it is a members only so that made it really fun for everyone. The margaritas were fabulous and that made it fun for the old folks. The cheese burgers and french fries were equally good and it all made for a day of total luxury and relaxation. Both boys were like tadpoles and spent the whole day in the water with the exception of lunch time. Preston got more of a sunburn than I would have liked. I used a thirty sunscreen on him but didn't replace it often enough. Did I ever feel like a crummy Mema. When we got home I kept slathering him with aloe-vera with lidocaine so that it would heal faster and also the lidocaine is a topical pain reliever. I guess I had forgotten that the water rinses the lotion off. At any rate, the day was a success.

I neglected to take a picture of Polly with her gift from the Lavender Festival, darn it. The gift was a "redneck wine glass." It is a small lidded mason jar glued onto a wine glass stem. It has "Wine Goddess" etched on the side, as well. Funny, funny glass, just perfect for drinks on the go. I will rectify that picture situation the next time we get together at their house because you really need to see it.

Well, I'm not at the pool, but it seems to me that it's the perfect time for a margarita...somewhere someone is having a pool party...margarita anyone??

134. A Camel Dairy, Really?

2011-07-23T13:18:00.000-07:00

I couldn't stand it. The suspense was killing me and again I'm so glad for the internet! Camel dairy in the Google search box and here you have it! The one and only camel dairy in the good ol' U. S. of A. We could say "Only in America!" But I'm not sure that would be true.

I know in Cairo,Egypt they have a huge camel market once a week, but a dairy?? It turns out (if I had given it some real thought) we should have known that Bedouins survive only on camel milk during long camel drives across the desert. We were fortunate enough to see a caravan on the last leg of it's journey to the market while we were on our way to Abu Simbel. It was one of those incredible life experiences.

Camel milk can't be sold in America just yet, maybe next year, but camel milk soap is available. They have two new babies at the dairy, both boys, one is white the other chocolate. I'm a sucker for babies and these are just to precious not to share.

BENEFITS OF CAMELS MILK:

Camel's milk is the closest milk to human mother's milk. Our bodies not only tolorate it well, our bodies thrive on it.
Camel's milk has triple the amount of vitamin C found in cows milk.
Camel's milk has TEN TIMES the amount of antibacterial and antiviral properties found in cow's milk.

I've always been a fan of crate labels and while this is an advertisement for their Pomegranate Day event it is non-the-less a
fabulous design! They are located in Ramona, CA which in out
of San Diego.

They have been featured on Mike Rowe's "Dirtiest Jobs" twice and
also on Huel Howser's "California Gold." Maybe we can catch a
re-run.

www.cameldairy.com

133. It's Fair Time Again

2011-07-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

Well, fair time has come around again. Our Santa Barbara County Fair sounds a whole lot bigger than what it is. You would think that since Santa Barbara is such an upscale city that it's county fair would be a much more lavish event than it is. The county fair grounds is in Santa Maria and even though it is the same county, lavish it isn't. That's not to say that a good time can't be had, it's just that it certainly isn't the L.A. County Fair.

We have taken the local newspaper from time to time, but it never gets read and I personally protest the keeping of birds in cages so it seems a waste of good paper for our house. We depend on commercials on the local television channels to inform us of community events and when the commercial rolled for the free entertainment this year, Bob and I couldn't believe our eyes. Clint Black was on the bill! Clint Black for the price of admittance? That's right, my friends, for the senior price of five dollars apiece we spent two hours being entertained by none other than Clint himself. He was absolutely wonderful.

I have to admit that Santa Maria did him proud, too, though. The area was filled to the brim with appreciative, well mannered fans and I do mean filled. It got quite cold around nine o'clock and he made several comments about how cold it was, especially since he is from Texas. He changed guitars after each song so that a stage hand could keep tuning them.

About the only other thing that struck our interest other than a few quilts (love looking at quilts) was the Turkey Stampede. Now, we've watched pig races but never a Turkey Stampede. It was fun to watch the turkeys chase a remote controlled truck. They were enticed to do so because the back of the truck was filled with turkey chow. While this was a new twist to an old game, the really funny thing was the folks who own the Turkey Stampede also own a camel dairy...that's right...they milk camels. They didn't explain why, but there must be a market. I'm sure it isn't because they can.

Before we hit the fair we went to the Bent Axle Car Club's annual car show in Orcutt. It seems to get bigger each year and this year was extra nice. They even had live musical entertainment that added a nice ambiance, not loud and crazy, just right for us "old folks."It went on for several blocks and the weather was perfect, so we took the opportunity to stroll through the whole event.

I'm not keen on fair food so we headed for Costco to have a REAL

hot dog and then it was on to the fair grounds to spend the evening with Mr. Black. How much better can a day get?? Kinda glad it's fair time again. Hmmm, I wonder who is playing at the fair in Paso Robles???

132. Dining Adventure Any One?

2011-07-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Making a little money on the side is even more important now than ever, but that aside, we also have a great amount of fun along with it. We are blessed with so many wonderful friends, some on the new side and some on the very old side (old in length of time known!) Bruce and Dort Lacey count among some of the oldest known category. They helped us land the jobs proctoring and we are so thankful for that in many ways, extra money, but mostly extra fun. They graciously allow us to bunk up at their place while we work together. The jobs don't pay enough to stay in a hotel, but the check sure comes in handy when it arrives a few weeks later.

The best part though is the continual excuse just to be together. Nothing can compare with that! We tend to be hermits, Bob and I, happy to just hang out together. The proctoring jobs come around six times a year and they are nicely spaced out which makes it nice because we have to drive four hours down and back. We always go out to eat, usually with other friends, too, and always, always laugh. There isn't much to compare with someone who knows everything about your life. The silly parts, the poor parts, the sad parts, every important occasion, good or bad, and everything in between, the Lacey's have always been there. What can compare with that? Friend wise, not much.


Phillipe's in Los Angeles was established in 1908.

One of the exams has an orientation in Los Angeles and it is held twice a year, six months apart...perfect, just perfect for little dining adventures in that diverse city! We've eaten at: Pink's Hot Dog stand, Phillipe's the home of the best beef dip, Cole's, Phillipe's main contender in the beef dip battle, (we voted for Phillipe's for the dip but Cole's won the award for the most perfect ball of ice cream atop a perfect piece of pie), Farmer's Market on Fairfax, and most recently Barney's Beanery.

Barney's Beanery was great fun. Barney's has been at the West Hollywood location since 1920. Times were hard for folks then and not everyone could afford a whole lot, but Barney's would give you a bowl of chili and beans or a pint of beer for free if you left your license plate as collateral, consequently the walls are adorned with many a license plate. They will honor the same deal today. Janice Joplin had her last drink there before her untimely demise. Jim Morrison was asked to leave for peeing on the bar, of him I would expect nothing less, being a lot on the uncouth side of life. It has a checkered past, Barney's, but what a great place for a little dining adventure.

Peggy and Jim Adkins joined our little band of adventure seekers when we met at Barney's. They are dear friends from junior high and high school, as well. The more the merrier we all say!

Our next destination in December will be the El Coyote where Marilyn Monroe had her last dinner and maybe a stop at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery where so many stars are buried : Rudolph Valentino, Jayne Mansfield, Darren McGaven, Peter Lorre, Alfalfa (Carl Switzer), just to name a few. I thought Marilyn was buried there, as well, but it turns out she was buried in Westwood Memorial Park. There are many adventures ahead for us. Lots of things to look forward to. Please, take our advice and grab a good friend or two and head out for a little "dining adventure." Who knows where you might end up...just make it fun!

131. Oh, Lavender, Oh, Lavender!

2011-07-13T17:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday found me under the spell of Cabin Fever. It comes on unexpectedly sometimes, but this time I just needed to get out and about and try to get beyond the sadness. Sometimes just having the fresh air and maybe a little breeze blowing can work wonders for the spirit.

Paso Robles is a small town about an hour and a half north of our door step and they were celebrating lavender in the little park in the center of town. Lots of trees and only about 80 degrees with that little breeze and it was just the ticket. Our friend, Polly, has a birthday in few days and we thought, who knows maybe something will fill the bill. We found it! Around the first corner we spied it. It's perfect! I'm obliged to keep it a secret...Shhhhh...just in case she is reading this. I'll post a picture later.

Our friends, Will and Chris, you know, the olive oil people, have another new endeavor, "Bella Pops!"

Chris tells us that the Popsicle is going to be the next "Cupcake." Chris even attended a big workshop in Florida where she learned the ins and outs of the Popsicle industry. She had been making them for friends and family just for fun for years, so all she needed was the know how to kick it up a notch and go big. Fancy freezers and wrappers, secrets and recipes, for Chris, all organic, of course. Flavors like Ginger Lemon, and Very Berry are so tempting on a hot day. Their energy level is to be admired as if tending the olive oil business and having weddings all summer long weren't enough! They were in attendance at the festival, not that we were surprised to see them, they seem to be everywhere. Go, Bella Pops!

The drive home was pleasant and we finished a book we have been reading. It was written by an old school chum, William Wallace (Bill to us) about his grade school years. The Ghosts of Gordon Street. It was a page turner! We thoroughly enjoyed it and hope he gets the kudos he deserves.

I have to admit that I didn't buy a single thing that had to do with lavender, but our friend Lisa said that her dish of lavender ice cream was lovely until the last bite and it tasted like she had eaten one of her grandmother's lavender scented hankies. I got quite a chuckle out of that analogy! Lavender, oh, lavender, how we love thee, but a little goes a long ways, particularly in ice cream!

130. Make the Best of It.

2011-07-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

Life is like a book. Each unique publication, if you will, has a beginning, a middle and an end. They also are filled with chapters, some of those chapters are better than others, some could even be called spectacular while others...well...not so much . Never the less, all of these chapters make up the story of our lives.

What we chose to make of this book, chapter by chapter, for the most part is up to us as individuals. Certainly, there are outside forces that impact our decisions, many are beyond our control. The trick though is to try to make the best of what ever happens. I realize that that can sometimes be a tall order...making the best of things. When our daughter, Tracy, died, now that was a tall order to the tenth power. About the only thing that could be the best of things was that our other daughter, Trisha, and her husband adopted Tracy's one year old son, Robby, as their own. The other tall order? Trisha and Christian lived in Switzerland. Daughter and, at the time, our only grandchild gone in one tick of the clock.

Bernie Segal's book "Love, Medicine and Miracles" helped me through Tracy's illness. We had the pleasure of she and Robby living with us during that time and I read a chapter each day before I left work. As you can guess, I read it more than once during the two years. It gave me the courage to go home and face her and Robby with a smile and a laugh. The last thing she needed was to see me coming home each day as a sad sack with a depressing face. Consequently, we have many wonderful memories of that otherwise hideous chapter.

My Great Uncle Reese always said "If you want to have a good time, you have to take it with you." Brother, is that the truth. If you wait for someone else to make your good time for you, well, let's just say sometimes you would have to wait a long time. That one little sentence has been an enduring truth for Bob and I, one that we have tried to use daily. Wouldn't it be great if everyone felt that way? If we all had a smile, that one thing in life that doesn't cost anyone a penny, not a red cent, how wonderful each day would be.

My daddy wrote his book his way. It saddens me that the last chapter was long and in his words, "Just the same old thing." No matter how hard my sister tried and she was steadfast in caring for him, he just gave up and forgot that he could still have a good time. It was his book though and he had a right to write it his way. I can't judge him, I just wish the last chapter had been more fun for him. But, that is my problem and I have to make the best of it...for me.

My daddy and my sister, Becky having fun.

Arthur Lloyd Scarborough August 31, 1917 --- July 6th, 2011

129. Family, Friends, Fireworks and Hot Dogs

2011-07-04T09:46:00.000-07:00

Remember today to be proud of our flag and what it stands for. Our freedoms have been hard won by brave men and women, many of whom have given the supreme sacrifice so that we can celebrate today.

Let's keep in mind that we have a responsibility to be true to what the our Independence means and never turn aside and expect someone else to defend it. One of our many freedoms is that of

speech, but remember to use it in a positive way. The proud citizens of this great nation need to band together and work for the good of all.

Enjoy family, friends, fireworks and hot dogs, but
never forget what we are really celebrating!

128. Who's New at the Zoo?

2011-07-03T16:54:00.000-07:00

Saturday we packed up the car and headed for Santa Barbara and the zoo! What a fun day we all had. It is a lovely tree filled place with a very pleasant picnic area. All of the enclosures look like giant rock formations which helps visually compensate for the fact that the animals are in cages. All that aside, we checked out the map and the schedule for feeding times and plotted a course.

I was too excited to let anyone chose the first animal and insisted we head for the giraffe enclosure to see Daniel the 5 month old baby. He already weighs 300 pounds! What a precious thing he is! Like most babies, he prefers to tag along behind his momma.

The zoo has a special performance right now to learn how to train your dinosaur. Bob and I have a special love of puppets so this was a must see.

Preston was quick to point out that you could see the puppeteer's legs, which was, of course, true. It's like going to a play and marveling at the stage props

that transport your imagination.

Our picnic in the shade was lovely and the weather couldn't have been better with a nice breeze, not too hot and not too cool. After a brief repast we headed for the penguin area to watch the 2:45 feeding. They have a dozen penguins from Chile, but the one that stole the show was little Lucky. He was born with a deformed flipper and couldn't walk. The orthopedic veterinarians got their heads together and created a boot for him, 30 in fact, so he has a fresh one for each day of the month, which enables him to get around like everyone else. What a "Lucky" little guy!

We only lost track of PJ for a few minutes and finally found him in the snake house.

Naturally, he got too close to the boa constrictor and it took a couple of zoo

keepers to rescue him. You just have to watch them all the time!

127. Ahh, Country Life.

2011-06-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

It's finally hot in the canyon. I guess June Gloom is gone and summer is here. That means the deer will be venturing down in the meadows for something cool to drink and green to eat. Which means the new olive tree we planted and the little dwarf plum tree that has out grown it's fencing. A trip to the hardware store was on the agenda yesterday to buy a roll of poultry wire for cages and a smaller gauge wire to bum fuddle the gopher.

The dog hair trick does seem keep them from coming back to those particular holes. So, I suppose I will have to fill the yard with said hair, but that's OK, as I have time and hair. Preston, our grandson, was helping me do that last week. He stopped dead in his tracks and said "Mema, do I have to do the upper and lower meadow, too?" I laughed at the look on his face and said, "No, baby, we don't care what they do there." He was visibly relieved.

I probably wouldn't have taken the dwarf plum when it was offered, if I had given it any thought, because it will forever be in a cage...dwarf...that means buffet height for deer. Sometimes I'm a little slow on the up take. Ahh, well, such is life in the country. I wouldn't trade it for a second, not one second. Sometimes I wonder how we ever lived in town. Funny how things happen. I'm glad there are lots of chapters in our book and this is a particularly good one...now if only Trisha and Robby would come back from the far away Switzerland. Heavy sigh.

126. Get Up, Get Out and Have a Little Fun!

2011-06-28T09:14:00.000-07:00

What a great weekend we had thanks in large part to our good friends Polly and Phil. We live an hour apart so we usually have sleep overs when we get together, which makes things really relaxed. Laughter and good food always abound and usually accompanied with a little vino.

This time we spent Saturday afternoon and evening at a "Willie Nelson Throw-down Tour." You don't often get to see a Living Legend sing, especially at a venue like the Pozo Saloon, not a concert hall or convention center. It's way out in the country in a most beautiful tree filled setting, essentially a pasture. The crowd couldn't have had better manners. Oh there was the occasional tipsy frolicker and one or two that we took bets on as to when they would simply dissolve in a heap. But other than that the whole day went without a hitch.

There were three stages and probably twenty entertainers whose sets rolled along seamlessly through the afternoon and evening. The roadies quietly and systematically set up and tore down each entertainers equipment and then as the evening wore on did the same with the stages. It was like a ballet, so much so that you had to really pay attention to see it all happen.
Please go to their site and see the fabulous pictures of their concert area photos.

The Saloon was built in 1858 and Willie should have felt right at home because it is very reminiscent of Luckenbach, Texas, a favorite watering hole way out of town in the Hill Country. It used to be a post office and saloon now it's just the saloon since the post office closed and everybody who is any body has played at Luckenbach.

http://www.pozosaloon.com/what_they_say_about_us.htm

Sunday morning, after a sumptuous breakfast, Polly and Phil's beautiful granddaughter, Kira, came over to entertain us with her wonderful slides of her semester abroad experience in AFRICA! Tanzania and Kenya were her destinations and what an experience she had! We put in our request for copies of our favorite photos. One in particular stole our hearts of Mt. Kilimanjaro in clouds with a small herd of giraffe in the foreground. Amazing! She was kind enough to bring us sand from both areas, which, of course, pleases us no end. As if that wasn't enough, Kira presented me with a beaded necklace made by a Masai woman. I hadn't even made it home before a young man at Trader Joe's said "Wow, beautiful necklace!" I said casually, "A gift from AFRICA!"

After such a good weekend, all I can say is "Get up, get out and have a little FUN!"