tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89332744773376083512024-03-13T00:03:54.338-05:00Mean Old LadyElainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.comBlogger198125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-78568338430158538122018-02-05T12:12:00.000-06:002018-02-05T12:12:02.881-06:00<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Our horse-loving daughter, Laura, created endless horse pictures, played with model horses, dreamed of someday owning a horse. That wish came true when she acquired a paint mare named Chloe; unfortunately, skittish Chloe spooked and threw Laura early last month--broken wrist, badly wrenched leg, bruises galore. During the time she spent with us, recuperating, she and I went through several storage boxes filled with childhood art and schoolwork done by Laura and brother Nathaniel. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This series of hand-drawn cartoon panels, entitled "Goof-Up," tells a story.....somewhat prescient! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"How pathetic," the horse thinks, as the happy-go-lucky person approaches.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVvPXoxqWLX9iIHuhiJbW3-tXbvkB2bb1GNTmczWtspWkjVN-YUP8NkcEXpAU6BZpscyuwtvX1HktVbMvdwEAao6FSrg9tnKquwkVSeVrFzkB7pTtWG17GDTwr0BGzrNZ0k0hzOCM47c/s1600/thumbnail_IMG_0947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAVvPXoxqWLX9iIHuhiJbW3-tXbvkB2bb1GNTmczWtspWkjVN-YUP8NkcEXpAU6BZpscyuwtvX1HktVbMvdwEAao6FSrg9tnKquwkVSeVrFzkB7pTtWG17GDTwr0BGzrNZ0k0hzOCM47c/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0947.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A thundercloud conveys the horse's mood as the rider stands on the mounting block.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTkCdHUlZjpdExSNLsFH8a_m6WDSXhdRzKmNsp3etrK2Huxu7r9VR5tgE80_w8X2BjVBVk_HVjbgB8GhDTxrdXzgbhJ0EpIzRRIJ69QG-m7xALMqq_BBAx3uSVq3QPsI0D0rDdKewKxM/s1600/thumbnail_IMG_0948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="250" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXTkCdHUlZjpdExSNLsFH8a_m6WDSXhdRzKmNsp3etrK2Huxu7r9VR5tgE80_w8X2BjVBVk_HVjbgB8GhDTxrdXzgbhJ0EpIzRRIJ69QG-m7xALMqq_BBAx3uSVq3QPsI0D0rDdKewKxM/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0948.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The horse acts!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVl4LAFs3mPfao1vDpJNxOYzjr0yyZdRMoeK8EpE7DOZHBjKM96V1Ee6SQS54air9f3yEinRKmsXRUz8MOcBhpfWa5AF82NP1VZFTz6PqWXdB6Uyt4PE5nbiy9-0iRd0xMZhqKqeukelQ/s1600/thumbnail_IMG_0949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVl4LAFs3mPfao1vDpJNxOYzjr0yyZdRMoeK8EpE7DOZHBjKM96V1Ee6SQS54air9f3yEinRKmsXRUz8MOcBhpfWa5AF82NP1VZFTz6PqWXdB6Uyt4PE5nbiy9-0iRd0xMZhqKqeukelQ/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0949.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Emotions are on display! The hapless rider lands in the stock tank while the horse celebrates.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFWKKK8bsKl3zd8S7Iz55-SybbANZO0AC7CJfCvXfG0BFn-OmC9YXvK4XXwaCi-0Gv-wvRnvwbO2WhLonSF2N6tfGsOqa21HAU9qVhTW711mtrtq2MVegxRJPC6FPWd8owTfzEGljqaY/s1600/thumbnail_IMG_0950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFWKKK8bsKl3zd8S7Iz55-SybbANZO0AC7CJfCvXfG0BFn-OmC9YXvK4XXwaCi-0Gv-wvRnvwbO2WhLonSF2N6tfGsOqa21HAU9qVhTW711mtrtq2MVegxRJPC6FPWd8owTfzEGljqaY/s320/thumbnail_IMG_0950.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
The End!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-52470733942993892222017-08-06T06:03:00.000-05:002018-05-26T03:06:21.720-05:00Our Health Insurance Story (aka "Long Time, No See!")<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 15px;" type="cite">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
I spent a good bit of time writing this after getting an initial blow-off letter from our Congressional Representative, French Hill. They sent me a link to House Speaker Paul Ryan's BS 'Better Way' and also a link to the Republican Study Committee (chaired by Walker) which is a conservative caucus in the House. (Actually, the initial response had links that didn't work. After two pokes from me, I got working links from their deputy chief of staff in DC.) The RSC section on health care made my blood run cold. It includes high risk pools...and states that "Health care is not a right; it is a service."</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 15px;" type="cite">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
This is my rebuttal (for what it's worth...)<br />
No response.</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
I know this is long, but I hope you will be interested in our story enough to persist. <br />
<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #212121; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, "Segoe UI", "Segoe WP", Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 15px;" type="cite">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div>
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divRplyFwdMsg">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /><b>To:</b> Rep. French Hill<br /><b>Subject:</b> Re: health insurance</span><br />
<div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dear Representative:</span><br />
<div>
<div dir="ltr" id="x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size: 12pt;">
or more accurately, Dear Staffer who is actually reading this: <br />
<br />
My husband and I would ask that you read this and perhaps bring it to the attention of your boss. We studied the links provided (thank you, Peter Comstock) carefully. 'A Better Way' is merely an outline without any substantive fleshing out in details. The RSC document, however, is much meatier--and we found many facets of the Health Care section concerning.<br />
<br />
I believe that we can offer a unique perspective after more than 35 years spent as consumers/subscribers of the US health insurance industry while trying to obtain care (and coverage) for a child with a congenital heart defect, a crippling surgical complication, and an array of chronic health impairments .<br />
<br />
In 1980, when our first child was born, my husband and I were covered by my health insurance policy with the school district where I was a special education teacher. Because of the severity of our child's problems, I did not return to work as planned, but instead exhausted the considerable sick leave days I had accumulated. When it became clear that I would have to resign my teaching position, my husband closed his small consulting business and sought employment with a larger firm that would offer benefits. <br />
<br />
I would like to share thumbnail sketches of the experiences we had over the years, in five different states, through various changes and reforms, as a family seriously impacted by the complexities of our patchwork system. We were on an anvil where the hammer most heavily struck.<br />
<br />
* There was no 'national coverage.' Even if a major insurer was represented in every state, the coverage, costs, and benefit details varied from state to state. In one case, a major insurer withdrew all policies from our state. (Only the New York State Insurance Commissioner protected his state's enrollees by forbidding this action; our state--Arkansas-- was not so fortunate.) <br />
<br />
* HMO: After a relocation, this was the only option for us until the next Open Enrollment period (after my gestation was complete and our second child was born.) In theory our older, disabled child could be approved for services, procedures, or specialist care that the HMO did not provide, but the financial incentive was strong for the HMO to deny such referrals. We were told our daughter could see 'an HMO orthopedist,' but he was neither Board-certified nor a pediatric specialist. We exited the HMO at our earliest opportunity. <br />
<br />
* Pre-existing conditions: waiting periods ranged from 18 months to 2 years. At one point we carried our old policy alongside the new insurance until the waiting period could be satisfied. Fairly costly. My husband turned down some attractive job offers because we were geographical hostages, afraid to change insurers. <br />
<br />
* Claims: Until electronic filing became widespread, I spent many hours each week filing insurance claims, copying paperwork, telephoning to correct errors, and appealing denials. It was routine to find that a large claim would be denied immediately; only if I persisted would the claim be reviewed and finally paid. BCBS of Ohio was found to be paying lower negotiated rates to hospitals and clinics, while figuring co-pay amounts for patients on the full charge shown on the bill. I found myself acting as the (unpaid) clerk handling our many mismanaged claims. <br />
<br />
Even though electronic filing has eased some aspects of the claims process, prescribing, and reporting, it is not without problems. A mistaken keystroke has more than once resulted in an incorrect prescription dosage--fortunately caught by an alert pharmacist--or erroneous quantities. Because we no longer see the billing details, errors and oversights can occur; this is an invitation to fraud. (In the past, hospitals found that having a patient review a paper bill resulted in significant savings. Mistakes happen.)<br />
<br />
* Association plans: Thanks to my writing (one of the few occupations compatible with my stay-at-home status) I was able to join the National Writers' Union, which offered insurance to members through an affiliation with the UAW. Unfortunately, our rates were negotiated separately, so we had few protections. We experienced several changes of insurers. (The advantage to us, personally, was that my husband was able to form his own small business again. Until that time, we were hostage to our need for family coverage through his employment.)<br />
<br />
The major insurance companies began backing away from 'association plans,' finding them inconvenient and citing rising costs. The NWU policy changed carriers several times--and by 2002 we were paying $1200 per month for family coverage. Ultimately, the NWU was signed up with Employers Mutual--which entity turned out to be a scam. (Peter Jennings of ABC News reported on this in the early 2000's.) We had paid thousands in premiums; no claims were satisfied until 10 years after the court-ordered process under a fiduciary agent. Many victims died before they could be made whole financially. <br />
<br />
Individual health plans: There is no 'guaranteed issue' with such plans. When the NWU could no longer offer insurance, we applied for a family policy and quickly found that not only was our daughter excluded--multiple chronic illnesses, a mobility disorder-- but also my husband--with sleep apnea and 100% compliant with C-PAP use-- was excluded as well. They were uninsurable at any price. <br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">* Employer-based insurance: With the collapse of the NWU insurance plans, and given our inability to get an individual policy, I returned to the workforce, taking a job-share teaching position at a children's residential rehab facility. Part-time work did not offer insurance benefits unless the individual (myself) was willing to pay the full family-coverage premium. The premiums were high, so I was basically working for insurance. (It has become quite common for employers to split full-time positions, offering instead two part-time slots. It saves money for the employer--but for the worker, not so much, even with the ACA.) </span><br />
<br />
*COBRA: This welcome reform was helpful when our daughter graduated from college; she was able to continue with that insurance for the mandated three years. At the end of that period, she was still in graduate school, and her only option was to seek an individual plan-- but she was still uninsurable at any price. <br />
<br />
* High Risk Pool: Our daughter was able to show continuous coverage for a period of three + years, and it took about 10 seconds for her to obtain a Denial of Coverage from an insurer. She entered the High Risk Pool in the State of Arkansas. The problem, of course, is that these are a bad idea that doesn't work. All the 'bad eggs'in one basket' means that costs spiral ever upward, while the minimal coverage continued to erode. Enrollees were uncooperative, failing to die in suitable numbers. What makes insurance work well is spreading the risk over a large group; ALL of us, together, can take care of EACH of us. Creating innumerable separate pools encourages cherry-picking and excessive premium increases when a member of a particular pool happens to fall seriously ill. We've already lived through that scenario! <span style="font-size: 12pt;">It's one of the problems that led most modern, industrialized nations to adopt universal single-payer health care insurance decades ago, with the exception, of course, of the USA and South Africa. Some issues require the might and resources of the country's government in reaching a solution. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">* The ACA, aka Obamacare: By the time this reform emerged from the fray, many protections had been stripped away and common-sense steps like negotiated drug pricing had been left by the wayside. Instead of tossing away the progress that HAS been made, our legislative bodies should put sensible pricing limits in place. Insurers and practitioners will still make profits. (I would point out that private insurers thrive even in countries with single-payer systems.) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Before the ACA was passed, my husband and I had entered Medicare--the best insurance we've EVER had. Operating on only 3% of its budget, Medicare handles our claims seamlessly, promptly, and correctly. We go to 'any willing provider.' We carry separate supplemental insurance and a drug policy, along with vision and dental coverage. Our children--educated, employed, and independent-- are covered by their own policies. (Our daughter, a Federal employee, has excellent coverage; she will have to see specialists as long as she lives. Our son, working for a large corporation, has insurance he calls 'wonderful.' When his fiancee suffered a stroke, it could have meant financial devastation--but it didn't.) </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Although the ACA came about only after we were unable to benefit from it, we celebrate this legislation. We know that many Arkansans have found it a life-saver--at times, literally. Small business folk, craftsmen, and artists can obtain coverage. People who had put off medical care for years have been able to see physicians and surgeons. The response seems to have surprised planners--some caregivers have been overwhelmed. Arkansas is a poor state with a population that ranks low in health status. Smoking; obesity; poor hygiene and basic care; diabetes; skin cancers; pesticide exposure--all of these contribute. Life spans are shorter here. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">We've seen urgent care and walk-in clinics burgeoning; the ER is no longer the only place to go. A new hospital was just built in Conway. In a state where access to healthcare is often difficult, we need more, not fewer, facilities. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I hope that you believe our government programs and policies should not be dictated by insurance companies and drug manufacturers. You are there to protect and defend people, not corporations. The proposals of the RSC represent a return to many of the failed practices that made our lives (and our finances) problematic for decades. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The nominee for head of HHS, Tom Price, does not have the perspective that I have offered for your consideration. Each Legislator is in a position to roll back real progress and return to discredited practices that burden families like ours......or, perhaps instead to seek bipartisan cooperation that improves on the partially-successful ACA. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Very truly yours,</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div>
<div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<div>
<div dir="ltr" style="font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-18260249897615224162017-08-06T05:53:00.001-05:002017-08-06T05:53:53.445-05:00Crosswords!<strong style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="yiv9520688593e2ma-style" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "lucida sans" , "lucida grande" , "lucida sans unicode" , "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></strong>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: trebuchet ms, lucida sans, lucida grande, lucida sans unicode, geneva, arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm publishing this belatedly--somehow overlooked it, as I haven't been blogging regularly. That rascally FaceBook gets more than its fair share of attention!</span><br />
<strong style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="yiv9520688593e2ma-style" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "lucida sans" , "lucida grande" , "lucida sans unicode" , "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></strong>
<strong style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="yiv9520688593e2ma-style" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "lucida sans" , "lucida grande" , "lucida sans unicode" , "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></strong>
<strong style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span class="yiv9520688593e2ma-style" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "lucida sans" , "lucida grande" , "lucida sans unicode" , "geneva" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Wes Lacewell and Beth Levi Win 2017 Arkansas Crossword Puzzle and Sudoku Championships</span></strong><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />Wes Lacewell of Little Rock, a manager with the Division of Building Authority at the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, won the 10th annual Arkansas State Crossword Puzzle Championship Sunday afternoon at the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. It was his third title having won previously in 2008 and 2009. Beth Levi, a clinical professor at the UALR William H. Bowen School of Law, won the Sudoku competition for the eighth time. She also won in 2015 and 2016.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Retired Judge and Clinton Center volunteer Ellen Brantley was second in the crossword contest. Brantley is a two-time winner and this year marks her fourth time to finish second. Angelo Turturro, who is retired and lives in North Little Rock, was third.</span><br />
<br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Little Rock ophthalmologist Jim Deer finished second in the Sudoku competition. Robert Crook, senior database administrator with Talisys, a software and solutions firm in Little Rock, was third.</span><br />
<br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The championships were conducted by Little Rock District Judge Vic Fleming who constructs puzzles for the New York Times and other major publications. Deb Amlen, editor of the Wordplay crossword column in the New York Times, was the featured speaker.</span><br />
<br style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">The Clinton School has hosted the competition since its founding in 2007.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">***********</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My friend Glenn and I have participated in this contest several times, and Glenn has been a first-place winner! This year's event was part of the Arkansas Literary Festival and took place at Sturgis Hall, part of The Clinton Presidential Library Center. A big storm the night before had knocked out the power to the building, and a very loud alarm was going off continuously. The fire department finally got the darned thing turned down to a constant, faint <i>beep beep</i> that continued throughout the contest rounds. A warm-up activity--matching puzzle quotes to famous names--was won by "The Three Wise Women"--a trio that included Glenn and myself. I was fourth or fifth place in the crossword line-up, but there were so many puzzle books donated for prizes that I came home with two! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yay, puzzles!</span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-2373868730777409272017-08-06T05:41:00.000-05:002017-08-06T05:41:37.239-05:00"Big Bang Theory"<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my most recent quilt--entered in the Hot Springs Quilt Show 2017. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlTOwGKN-1PCei4QfOrNo5vD6gHCSEF8REJN5vfHASeumKSLJkUVa5-fiPsekfGnHwhWhMrYu4YG-CldQ4mlldBfc9bSTYcn7NjMao-c6tSiIJmVluSY01fmMdX_j-t0vK2VHcOKZJyo/s1600/Elaine+DSC_8271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1383" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlTOwGKN-1PCei4QfOrNo5vD6gHCSEF8REJN5vfHASeumKSLJkUVa5-fiPsekfGnHwhWhMrYu4YG-CldQ4mlldBfc9bSTYcn7NjMao-c6tSiIJmVluSY01fmMdX_j-t0vK2VHcOKZJyo/s640/Elaine+DSC_8271.jpg" width="552" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each entry was required to include a brief description of the quilt, its inspiration, and so forth. Here is what I wrote:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, EmojiFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I began making these English paper-pieced stars more than 12 years ago, as a fairly inexperienced quilter. (I progressed from hand-traced freezer-paper construction to computer-printed freezer paper to die-cut paper pieces from a commercial vendor; there <i>were</i> some sizing differences....) For me it was a way to try a new technique and use small amounts of exciting fabrics like batiks. </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, EmojiFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, EmojiFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">My design ideas going into the project were fuzzy "maybes," but a</span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">s time passed ...and passed...our exploratory probes traveled into space to visit distant planets and the Hubble telescope sent amazing images of distant nebuli. I became interested in representing Outer Space in fabric, using my stars to illustrate "The Big Bang Theory."</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, EmojiFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">I went through a number of possible arrangements. Then I had to construct all of the (English paper-pieced) background for the stars and come up with a way to join all of this into a quilt top using my machine (or else plan for it to take a century.) </span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, EmojiFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, EmojiFont, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", NotoColorEmoji, "Segoe UI Symbol", "Android Emoji", EmojiSymbols; font-size: 16px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Can you find the Black Hole and the Star that has 'gone out'?</span></div>
Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-28199615082311805742015-09-04T20:18:00.004-05:002015-09-04T20:18:51.245-05:00Recent works<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been blogging less and quilting more--not least because I need to complete many projects that have languished for too long. A recent NQA show in Little Rock spurred me on; I entered three pieces--</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz_HAeq-wtt0E_XcBicPB2tenYsXFYZkyFB9bV8jTdqE19yjr1ZdQk1t5jMtethyqw9xsXKhc-ly1NtbPA4XuiJj44shYOhIL9jJzdbOQ6QoG-T80A2EmbsSFVmk9hEJC2qUAZihCF4k/s1600/Rooster+and+Plaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz_HAeq-wtt0E_XcBicPB2tenYsXFYZkyFB9bV8jTdqE19yjr1ZdQk1t5jMtethyqw9xsXKhc-ly1NtbPA4XuiJj44shYOhIL9jJzdbOQ6QoG-T80A2EmbsSFVmk9hEJC2qUAZihCF4k/s1600/Rooster+and+Plaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz_HAeq-wtt0E_XcBicPB2tenYsXFYZkyFB9bV8jTdqE19yjr1ZdQk1t5jMtethyqw9xsXKhc-ly1NtbPA4XuiJj44shYOhIL9jJzdbOQ6QoG-T80A2EmbsSFVmk9hEJC2qUAZihCF4k/s320/Rooster+and+Plaid.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipz_HAeq-wtt0E_XcBicPB2tenYsXFYZkyFB9bV8jTdqE19yjr1ZdQk1t5jMtethyqw9xsXKhc-ly1NtbPA4XuiJj44shYOhIL9jJzdbOQ6QoG-T80A2EmbsSFVmk9hEJC2qUAZihCF4k/s1600/Rooster+and+Plaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
<span id="goog_257309915"></span><span id="goog_257309916"></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is 'Rooster and Plaids,' and I gave up about 50 squares from a quilt I had planned and worked on for more than a year....simply because I pinned the central medallion up on the wall right over the plaid blocks--and loved the look! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXEc4p8N2mGB72UpUB7swr9Ju0zYK3NS4lk1ItW9iFDqJ1uFlL4sqL0h3GlhNakB5ECLOI5K4dAFWC7awL75WtS6xmVbAo4IFGaD7tmaAzLp_rq36HJA6xNyp8d6lCJRML5OVbt06JEQ/s1600/Paul%2527s+Pet+Parrot+in+Paradise2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXEc4p8N2mGB72UpUB7swr9Ju0zYK3NS4lk1ItW9iFDqJ1uFlL4sqL0h3GlhNakB5ECLOI5K4dAFWC7awL75WtS6xmVbAo4IFGaD7tmaAzLp_rq36HJA6xNyp8d6lCJRML5OVbt06JEQ/s320/Paul%2527s+Pet+Parrot+in+Paradise2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one is a take-off</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">on a Gauguin Tahitian landscape....made in response to a challenge ('landscape with a tree and a bird') and quite the learning experience to create. Took me way longer than I had planned/hoped/expected.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PKVBci_Y0ZUsaxynOjhpTEw587J1Z_KKKvvwBAvsCm0xEvsQmd1pOdUncYD6BkKcPE3GYXTEduGvWdvlJazEarBkOroSIeIJVkTpmTIB_1jTl-_HnXEfVqg9uy7cchJhfgVRJNWiG3k/s1600/9k%253D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PKVBci_Y0ZUsaxynOjhpTEw587J1Z_KKKvvwBAvsCm0xEvsQmd1pOdUncYD6BkKcPE3GYXTEduGvWdvlJazEarBkOroSIeIJVkTpmTIB_1jTl-_HnXEfVqg9uy7cchJhfgVRJNWiG3k/s400/9k%253D.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one might look a little nutty. Each square was appliqued with a small heart shape over the course of, well, about 12 years of PTA meetings. The fabrics were from clothes I made daughter Laura, a maternity dress, my first quilt, and God only knows where else. They didn't 'belong' together, there was no master plan, and I was in despair of ever making them work together.....and then Sharyn Craig came to our guild in Little Rock and opened my eyes! This setting is called 'Twist and Turn,' and it made the blocks dance and work together. It's far from a perfect quilt, but it's priceless! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">None of these quilts garnered any recognition, but I hope that people enjoyed seeing them.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">My criterion for a successful quilt is this: does it make me smile? </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;">These do.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial;"></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-23536445926674540102015-06-03T12:01:00.001-05:002015-06-04T11:36:55.212-05:00Fame and Fortune Await....?<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Good afternoon Elaine!</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm writing an article for the Loudoun County Virginia Master Gardener newsletter about asparagus and would like to use a photograph you have on your blog in illustrating the article. I've inserted the photo below so you can see which one I'd like to use, as an example of a healthy, weed-free asparagus bed in a home garden.</span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I would greatly appreciate it if you would give me permission to use the photograph. If you do, the credit line would read Photo courtesy of Elaine Walizer at <a href="http://elaineinarkansas.blogspot.com/">http://elaineinarkansas.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thanks so much!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, some gardeners in Virginia will be viewing my asparagus patch (post-cutting, when the sprouts were ferned out and manure had been applied.) Of course I was happy to grant permission. Isn't the Internet amazing?</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrBUj1IWSaiXhluowYHckfUTU0ou0lWUKtWbuhX3sLZKrbd5tqhTDySb9SZ9_l1AxdqXl9IovYjKftk-V3En0Vdb7C2u-OFmdRBNJw0ej0tpXiQVMAoKXz6lFYsHr0P_ZfkZ5uv3R0BY/s1600/IMG_1415.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrBUj1IWSaiXhluowYHckfUTU0ou0lWUKtWbuhX3sLZKrbd5tqhTDySb9SZ9_l1AxdqXl9IovYjKftk-V3En0Vdb7C2u-OFmdRBNJw0ej0tpXiQVMAoKXz6lFYsHr0P_ZfkZ5uv3R0BY/s320/IMG_1415.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a different photo--it's Spring, 2015...I had just weeded and set up the soaker hoses (which have been largely superfluous in our wet, wet weather. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-88746994784908945072015-05-20T10:16:00.003-05:002015-05-20T10:16:19.027-05:00April Showers bring May Showers....<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our chilly wet Spring has continued. I put my long-sleeved tops and sweaters away only to bring them back out for our trip to Fayetteville (the DHubby's 74th birthday) and subsequent weeks back home. Every once in a while we have a dry, sunny day, but then another front moves through.... The yard couldn't be mowed for an entire month (March 31st to April 30th) and was quite jungle-like. I began referring to one area as 'the water-meadow.' I was wading out to cut asparagus daily.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I must say, the plantings have been quite enthusiastic! The irises were followed by the roses:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK5vFLLwY4yA-777BR3_IZWfybdm44VbRZVpH0l_oZMdSRIO7KJjOp1Pp9YuzMObyfCB4x9Ioa3EBUH7xlzYPCKF30jzwkfN1DOJJ178teqByCu214fWAtMX1WCCa6o0tv-U9Qb8j7Vk/s1600/Rose2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK5vFLLwY4yA-777BR3_IZWfybdm44VbRZVpH0l_oZMdSRIO7KJjOp1Pp9YuzMObyfCB4x9Ioa3EBUH7xlzYPCKF30jzwkfN1DOJJ178teqByCu214fWAtMX1WCCa6o0tv-U9Qb8j7Vk/s400/Rose2.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXI-JbZ6fA29jFjrBHufpU-g6VwLwSmXJ1zGsvPZY82_mUGaDZKW-lLw7tkekePSEEwovAMSM26uE-KVEKRUKrTOAzLINVtRO1pXNDfLQWXM1W_1b13NBi7k0JQ4-2BZ5qphTvHynieY/s1600/IMG_1413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKXI-JbZ6fA29jFjrBHufpU-g6VwLwSmXJ1zGsvPZY82_mUGaDZKW-lLw7tkekePSEEwovAMSM26uE-KVEKRUKrTOAzLINVtRO1pXNDfLQWXM1W_1b13NBi7k0JQ4-2BZ5qphTvHynieY/s320/IMG_1413.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_PkqZY1du2pvK4q1iCvrv1_EYz3DvITQCfp-IGPkpzmiZPeoOSGOdBt0RJmkjYbEAIzpCVt5lL95qs1JpidBtBSPDVceKoi_XUKXbK3ExNXpPCl9fa8bUA1CUehlM80h_r6SULn_R2c/s1600/IMG_1414.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_PkqZY1du2pvK4q1iCvrv1_EYz3DvITQCfp-IGPkpzmiZPeoOSGOdBt0RJmkjYbEAIzpCVt5lL95qs1JpidBtBSPDVceKoi_XUKXbK3ExNXpPCl9fa8bUA1CUehlM80h_r6SULn_R2c/s320/IMG_1414.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
'<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crepuscular' has dawn colors; 'New Dawn' is pale pink; and 'Little Pinkie' is a brighter pink. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIG72lhN4wUetJQnDsSFHpgH0tqFYQLpsR9If20FN4lX58KDJNqktHk-g1mTf8pYM8iufGCJ320bEW-iCQG4Iwc5D1u6jfBUHTIefTxGEjBn5Nu13hsxlSzdMNjjrlD3a3uf3JwTktcI/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNIG72lhN4wUetJQnDsSFHpgH0tqFYQLpsR9If20FN4lX58KDJNqktHk-g1mTf8pYM8iufGCJ320bEW-iCQG4Iwc5D1u6jfBUHTIefTxGEjBn5Nu13hsxlSzdMNjjrlD3a3uf3JwTktcI/s320/IMG_1420.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhKuW501OXb48UhWqM9hPhXk4cB4D6l-V5m8sX2BKQSwPEZNozg_iYPuKnqU_P1PKbrVN5aF1ODQzEDUvaK5mqIlUzwIetF1vfVhqIgo6vaRVguQ44vo8w8PMDsiTCXozxRis4f3EmUo/s1600/IMG_1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhKuW501OXb48UhWqM9hPhXk4cB4D6l-V5m8sX2BKQSwPEZNozg_iYPuKnqU_P1PKbrVN5aF1ODQzEDUvaK5mqIlUzwIetF1vfVhqIgo6vaRVguQ44vo8w8PMDsiTCXozxRis4f3EmUo/s320/IMG_1423.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These amaryllis over-Winter in the garage and then begin coming back to life in February. The darker red one had four blooms and the striped one just these two.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYNpX5XAxkytQmdoPcv1hBd4XzaHAi-Ci3SG1ReuOc87-qvdopf8IfY_5C5n16qCJLPgjo6HYvHrkBtOeksSqIP6pjepF9S_Xqf1x6nwL9HTji_Obf7bfWjebDCSn_kZCmeSA6nXcZz8/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYNpX5XAxkytQmdoPcv1hBd4XzaHAi-Ci3SG1ReuOc87-qvdopf8IfY_5C5n16qCJLPgjo6HYvHrkBtOeksSqIP6pjepF9S_Xqf1x6nwL9HTji_Obf7bfWjebDCSn_kZCmeSA6nXcZz8/s320/IMG_1424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRGGvGwHWnQ-ZuNIyvdlPkeBcgDe0BwwN5W2o7VI2KqQs1AOQRQT1YBOWkKVUdDqlMi_Gnj1hW68IvpQlvcdF1TEHR7eI95QQe9HSjlfGaaj6j_0agmzmRTZj45velTs7sBdMfRCBVKY/s1600/IMG_1425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtRGGvGwHWnQ-ZuNIyvdlPkeBcgDe0BwwN5W2o7VI2KqQs1AOQRQT1YBOWkKVUdDqlMi_Gnj1hW68IvpQlvcdF1TEHR7eI95QQe9HSjlfGaaj6j_0agmzmRTZj45velTs7sBdMfRCBVKY/s320/IMG_1425.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pomegranate never bears fruit, but the bright orange blooms are striking and attractive. These probably did better before the live oak on the side of the house got so large. The shade was deep, but improved when we had some limbs cut back.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVybjhR4ICBNitOrqdn4TspY3k3OkgdNxNP5Gvhn_ks0-BJFn5kb0yn1z63GFYe33gZ55Mb0Pc-FcMijLu7pjlQsk-JLtDyDXuAoSJ5eUNDaS9L9tW-dXMjbCP9T2YvG7mUeXYfV7ObNQ/s1600/IMG_1426.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVybjhR4ICBNitOrqdn4TspY3k3OkgdNxNP5Gvhn_ks0-BJFn5kb0yn1z63GFYe33gZ55Mb0Pc-FcMijLu7pjlQsk-JLtDyDXuAoSJ5eUNDaS9L9tW-dXMjbCP9T2YvG7mUeXYfV7ObNQ/s320/IMG_1426.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSsYfEZgTYcw5mjuLg6RPd26RUA4YfveHp0Cnrs_gA6DpoS81qQBf0LezSIFNwL1gtK_TcYOTsJ4gbgNZhQXtecYJ7BwFU-r5WRYofqGuwzdhy_MkiP2bjFOeqzhcR5ADoYfZ5iXlV-M/s1600/IMG_1427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaSsYfEZgTYcw5mjuLg6RPd26RUA4YfveHp0Cnrs_gA6DpoS81qQBf0LezSIFNwL1gtK_TcYOTsJ4gbgNZhQXtecYJ7BwFU-r5WRYofqGuwzdhy_MkiP2bjFOeqzhcR5ADoYfZ5iXlV-M/s320/IMG_1427.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The elderberries in the yard are all 'volunteers' sowed by the birds. In Ohio they grew to about 6' at best; these are 9-12 feet tall. Last year I did not cut off the heads and I had tons of berries, so I made jelly. This year I will try to give them away or something...the flowers are so fragrant, and when they fall from the bloomheads it looks like tiny stars are scattered on the brick walkway.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGPIKC4VB73J1Hk5hJmDRmU6AUv9RViOhl_xDYSA_9mjKcoZTgFItqIMbYbWN45BMiDepTApwhDR17ZZ3i5R92aFinVlb3WFcftI6hwDfWN_Iioyrm_efEg733ZLsKvQhRmO7T8Cih1E/s1600/IMG_1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRGPIKC4VB73J1Hk5hJmDRmU6AUv9RViOhl_xDYSA_9mjKcoZTgFItqIMbYbWN45BMiDepTApwhDR17ZZ3i5R92aFinVlb3WFcftI6hwDfWN_Iioyrm_efEg733ZLsKvQhRmO7T8Cih1E/s320/IMG_1429.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the 90's the DHubby and I made a couple of trips to upper NY state--a lovely area!--and at a barn sale in Brockton I admired a garden in the yard. The little old lady gave me a spadeful of this plant--saying she did not know the name--and I kept it going all week until I could get home and plant it in our yard there in Ohio. I've shared starts with neighbors all over, and I brought some with me to Arkansas. I have it in several beds now, and I love that it has spread. Every year the bright yellow is a joy to see. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The big hosta has two bloom-stalks coming up; the mint (you can see it in the close-up above) is of course everywhere, and the violets are finished seeding. Now it's just a matter of weeding the trumpet vines out and keeping my eye out for poison ivy... </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have had *some* warm days, and a few dry ones, but the copious rain continues this week. I begin to think we need an Ark!</span><br />
<br />Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-85170153526036682652015-04-10T09:48:00.004-05:002015-04-10T09:48:35.443-05:00SPRING at last!<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the Winter we had, we were hoping for a quick warm-up. That didn't happen; in fact, we had the wettest March on record since someone began taking notes. Temperatures stayed cool and slowed everything down. Even the hummingbirds eschewed the usual arrival (although I plan to put out the feeder today.)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But, at last the first asparagus tip emerged in the bed, and now I am cutting twice a day...and the flowers are glorious!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qHg9WuWpcfLceQ38dNQT2ywdNaFcITUi3rMFkX9Con6-XIZgvhn0zvd27gQRVshviB9vGd5jjzUhsT9MHuefLW3de92oYznAYTSSoEXG0n38zWODgmKmeJt6aKq_0c3mX0_LnXn8klA/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qHg9WuWpcfLceQ38dNQT2ywdNaFcITUi3rMFkX9Con6-XIZgvhn0zvd27gQRVshviB9vGd5jjzUhsT9MHuefLW3de92oYznAYTSSoEXG0n38zWODgmKmeJt6aKq_0c3mX0_LnXn8klA/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjua98D1Vobv-hx-K59r7bzRq6LN_CGv2OwDLWhoTSHOaAP9qmSP3LMriB1JsRJWPksEuBqmhKHpkzOPCH26c6nZZA2BGD9t0mbi__yDFTqhe8j2euifOvFC9QKgwsatdnIooPWzP87-fg/s1600/IMG_1381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The redbuds were first the check in. When we moved here, this tree was maybe 2' high.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbcEnQmmJ2vyjXfE4Uj0MTV-z2gt-fKxFyBadtt4ONs3EzoPWB4lijXHtsfLoOTmm1N3geKFE0cyebnU9Oo2YZ0y5cH-PAoBwHgoN-TdNHmy1_xqe6Gv5TfK_v5oAGCUvbLC1yTSYHk4/s1600/IMG_1380.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbcEnQmmJ2vyjXfE4Uj0MTV-z2gt-fKxFyBadtt4ONs3EzoPWB4lijXHtsfLoOTmm1N3geKFE0cyebnU9Oo2YZ0y5cH-PAoBwHgoN-TdNHmy1_xqe6Gv5TfK_v5oAGCUvbLC1yTSYHk4/s1600/IMG_1380.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The violets are also quick to come up. Originally, this bed was filled with overgrown, diseased hybrid azaleas. The only one that was spared is the one with its roots entangled in the crepe myrtle's. The bed is heavily shaded, but irises and Missouri primrose, hostas, elephant ear, and some bulbs all thrive there. The iris bed to the right of the walkway has a tiny redbud volunteer that I am keeping and a </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brave Little Dogwood (with a single flower.) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhxDSqehYe8Cy8joDZb_bxZPBTzzCkYGfaRi7nGcQGdWdlKLYZh8GpbJ9P-OiBwzp-XH4kDjMg0TuYHQL4Vuq9qFj1Qm-yBqKQ4w7S8HOZxNACobjYDiL9rBK53QeNoYBNEezIbXnvCU/s1600/IMG_1382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKhxDSqehYe8Cy8joDZb_bxZPBTzzCkYGfaRi7nGcQGdWdlKLYZh8GpbJ9P-OiBwzp-XH4kDjMg0TuYHQL4Vuq9qFj1Qm-yBqKQ4w7S8HOZxNACobjYDiL9rBK53QeNoYBNEezIbXnvCU/s1600/IMG_1382.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here it is! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-TqeE7nUHfQkH2VQg_qSBzPvpPowbs1ilS0pUxULpTApxfZBnumoH5zE3uzk2TWE8iyPVh4naipuk1GSpOaA7tCNj855ap6_f6o2K6lepondFmxhC96TscZXz5spTENc3tZW088E6n4/s1600/IMG_1383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-TqeE7nUHfQkH2VQg_qSBzPvpPowbs1ilS0pUxULpTApxfZBnumoH5zE3uzk2TWE8iyPVh4naipuk1GSpOaA7tCNj855ap6_f6o2K6lepondFmxhC96TscZXz5spTENc3tZW088E6n4/s1600/IMG_1383.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lamium appeared (possibly via bird) in the bed, near the azalea. It shyly flowers at the same time as the violets. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eKsryP7Bh0R0p-FRUDY-xiWXLVss6UKxgz92-4Ka1RFmCEBw5xPYixfL_OY7o_QR7ky4RzRhLecSAwFze2I12EjYOGag3AHmJG7W6TmC2P9FKgX-hfFDG-hf4rMNEML24Rztmcs-Uxo/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eKsryP7Bh0R0p-FRUDY-xiWXLVss6UKxgz92-4Ka1RFmCEBw5xPYixfL_OY7o_QR7ky4RzRhLecSAwFze2I12EjYOGag3AHmJG7W6TmC2P9FKgX-hfFDG-hf4rMNEML24Rztmcs-Uxo/s1600/IMG_1375.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Japanese irises are in bloom (and will bloom again in late Summer/early Fall.) The vinca minor ground-cover has periwinkle-blue flowers. Soon the live oaks will renew their leaves (which drop heavily in the Winter cold here) and the deep shade will explain why no grass would grow in the yard!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaZiLtkTNcyDuHOYVnHRMZ73JqwqDtWFc5hF3GVJAK4Y3IclYuNa4pZZ_Zp1p3wtYq49eVcd-A1kjSWbmDyErynQsMyjzZOr-EVtj2SakHPslDpgqOyHxBFiSniBtHiRl2frmEIOcHQY/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjaZiLtkTNcyDuHOYVnHRMZ73JqwqDtWFc5hF3GVJAK4Y3IclYuNa4pZZ_Zp1p3wtYq49eVcd-A1kjSWbmDyErynQsMyjzZOr-EVtj2SakHPslDpgqOyHxBFiSniBtHiRl2frmEIOcHQY/s1600/IMG_1377.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pink azalea at the corner of the house (see the left side above) had never flowered in the very shady location. In fact, I didn't realize it was there! Then a serious ice storm eliminated one of the trunks of the live oak on that side of the yard. More sunlight...and voila! Flowers! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJJ3mjuG1XLWAh6xuRTDJd8kbgQI7lQZUHoAT-4cr3F8kStCRckjYKWx-sRUY_7In4t1Sqv5zHRXnPvmryowROiKBqTueZeLkiP-ggxw8aEUtZwuByJzYbs6sOl0aJ4I0RzkPz9x5Um8/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJJ3mjuG1XLWAh6xuRTDJd8kbgQI7lQZUHoAT-4cr3F8kStCRckjYKWx-sRUY_7In4t1Sqv5zHRXnPvmryowROiKBqTueZeLkiP-ggxw8aEUtZwuByJzYbs6sOl0aJ4I0RzkPz9x5Um8/s1600/IMG_1386.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wisteria in the back yard--asparagus in foreground, Little Pinkie rose to the left--has a heavenly fragrance. Big bumblebees are all over it. This year I will cut it back heavily. (It has already destroyed the little trellis I had put up.) The trumpet vine is just beginning to green up; it won't put out its orange flowers until late Summer. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a close-up of the vinca...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYOv5OYduF3Pp88_9zibo88IZjrMhxDONy9ildMDXH1m-8alFwvtAjLGFDZYG8u3CHsD2fCEDneVE-x1E2EeHWHHZrIOEA22qMsq58lPq46zHPHLmj0Y-prYO-v0XzdvVnxamcohk7kY/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYOv5OYduF3Pp88_9zibo88IZjrMhxDONy9ildMDXH1m-8alFwvtAjLGFDZYG8u3CHsD2fCEDneVE-x1E2EeHWHHZrIOEA22qMsq58lPq46zHPHLmj0Y-prYO-v0XzdvVnxamcohk7kY/s1600/IMG_1374.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HAx9IgMnxzJm4Xfh3xoiRGdieScLVgsJpgg9OXDCsUeB5QB8f-fGkJMCDHyjR8H6TeuooJPCd7muWuDclrgyUSPg7H91jat2K9rqCmVfr9TT3SJLrl3jv4GzN_wdkmtmwr5mk8MVO1o/s1600/IMG_1379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4HAx9IgMnxzJm4Xfh3xoiRGdieScLVgsJpgg9OXDCsUeB5QB8f-fGkJMCDHyjR8H6TeuooJPCd7muWuDclrgyUSPg7H91jat2K9rqCmVfr9TT3SJLrl3jv4GzN_wdkmtmwr5mk8MVO1o/s1600/IMG_1379.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...and the view across the street to my neighbor Betty's pretty landscaping.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Onward!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
\<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-82122655231819114492015-02-22T12:06:00.001-06:002015-02-22T12:06:23.332-06:00"Thursday's Child has far to go."<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most of you who visit this blog know that the DHubby and I have two children, both now in their early Thirties. Laura, also known as PhysicsDaughter in some venues, has had a long road to travel insofar as her health and well-being. She was nearly 3 days old when she crashed--an emergency quickly followed by her transfer to the NICU at Children's Hospital of Cincinnati, surgery for a serious heart defect, and a complete change in all our plans. She has battled many chronic health problems and, after complications during her second heart surgery caused ischemic spinal cord damage, she has dealt with physical disability since the age of 7 months. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We can't say it was easy, but it wasn't all gloom and doom, either. Laura was precious--a fractious, difficult baby, but at the same time responsive, alert, and determined. Joy was as much a part of our lives as medical issues and physical therapy were, I assure you. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So--I'm an Old Softie, and sentimentality has led me to collect quite the battery of mementos and souvenirs. I get them out and reflect, shed a few tears perhaps, and feel the happiness.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But now we need to downsize. As with the April Easter Egg Tree, I've been substituting photographs preserved in the blog; memories no longer tangible, but just as much loved.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is one more:</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X9DThSc5R0pIm-gilK0oQxfCHFO_qrf2i4tDoBZfRuQ7Ves4XbE0LUNdd0tmCn_7BucBeplt9XmxmvranU4xf2Cweq44L9E0qM4cC3Tb8hiiyyFBKNKt_-2RBSf5qzTTwONzC7IMjdw/s1600/Laura+Braces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X9DThSc5R0pIm-gilK0oQxfCHFO_qrf2i4tDoBZfRuQ7Ves4XbE0LUNdd0tmCn_7BucBeplt9XmxmvranU4xf2Cweq44L9E0qM4cC3Tb8hiiyyFBKNKt_-2RBSf5qzTTwONzC7IMjdw/s1600/Laura+Braces.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Laura's spinal nerves were affected from the level of the aorta and all points south, with the right side suffering the most damage. Physical therapy was augmented, eventually, by bracing. Laura, extremely active and impressively stubborn, kept trying to stand and to walk. These are the set of braces she had on when she succeeded in taking her first unassisted steps. (They are switched; the one on your left is the right orthosis.) She was about two years old. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I told you I was mushy! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When Laura was last here, she was waiting for new (considerably more modern) orthoses to be delivered. I gave her these and suggested that the wonderful new orthotist might enjoy seeing them. They were quite a hit.....and now join a little 'museum' collection of devices at the medical center. They have a new home, but a permanent place in my heart. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-88530323802895981692014-12-18T14:14:00.003-06:002014-12-18T14:14:51.095-06:00Paul's Pet Parrot in Paradise....<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I belong to a quilt guild in Little Rock called QUEST Quilters. There is an annual challenge to members to create a quilt using a given theme, or a particular fabric; there are other specifications sometimes.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year's challenge was to make a landscape quilt that included a tree and a bird; minimum size was 20" x 32". The quilt had to be complete (quilted, bound, and labeled) by the December meeting. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes I don't participate--but if the theme grabs me, I usually jump in. I'd never made a landscape quilt, so this got me interested. As a jumping-off point, I knew I already had my bird!....a parrot I'd copied from a calendar illustration. I had made templates and assembled the parrot's body, wing, tail, and feet--even including a bias strip branch for him to perch on. He lived up in the corner of my design wall for years! (The ideal pet....so quiet!) I decided to put my parrot into a tropical setting, so I looked at some art prints by Paul Gauguin, who famously spent (or misspent) time in Tahiti. Using a good print of 'Tahitian Landscape' as my inspiration, I set to work, figuring I could whip this piece out in a week.....</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcol_CFHEzgz-7CwTskcekaxtBniTmSLd8SZnyvdgRc92cFZ3h7VrR6r7gRWlLLQnxOWRJlHs_ImkbzdnSNKlh3XMFWtzfpgxNaKGlnPxDf2aGzjPSl8fddYjcKsTjS3v6kaUsXCQFOCs/s1600/Paul's%2BPet%2BParrot%2Bin%2BParadise2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcol_CFHEzgz-7CwTskcekaxtBniTmSLd8SZnyvdgRc92cFZ3h7VrR6r7gRWlLLQnxOWRJlHs_ImkbzdnSNKlh3XMFWtzfpgxNaKGlnPxDf2aGzjPSl8fddYjcKsTjS3v6kaUsXCQFOCs/s1600/Paul's%2BPet%2BParrot%2Bin%2BParadise2.jpg" height="404" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, I had wildly underestimated how much time it would take, especially since I added thread-painting to give the grasses texture. This piece uses raw-edge applique, turned-edge applique, crayon color enhancement, dense quilting, and is entitled, "Paul's Pet Parrot in Paradise....with apologies to Monsieur Gauguin." </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(If you look up the original, you will see that I took a lot of liberties--it isn't, after all, a copy. I'm satisfied with the piece and consider it was worth all the time I put into it. Now, back to my previously-scheduled quilt projects!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-35182006716173830412014-10-09T10:47:00.001-05:002014-10-09T10:48:48.290-05:00Fall Already!<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How can it be Fall? The Summer was so busy--filled with contractors working at the lake and delays due to weather (though no one wanted to complain about the rain, because it's such a relief to have the drought conditions abating.) We had a very good crop of figs despite the winter damage to the tree, and I had modest success with the garden. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll share the scenes:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnUB8MOVWVQRd_OPR9X6fPwR-rks3DpIQSIUT9xB0Vt5LNIbLuHtj4glkd_QaYip3iyw-3i7htHkryjYPou4FPXWsCyYAyBJn8WEaiV7jz-ZjCVIkcpM_0V9Ipu1jnyPvRbw6s9-QAtw/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnUB8MOVWVQRd_OPR9X6fPwR-rks3DpIQSIUT9xB0Vt5LNIbLuHtj4glkd_QaYip3iyw-3i7htHkryjYPou4FPXWsCyYAyBJn8WEaiV7jz-ZjCVIkcpM_0V9Ipu1jnyPvRbw6s9-QAtw/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">colorful fungi....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2jVcRYuANq3TabaDNDefqwI9VM47QqI7TZvx8iR0OUjytHLwR47AXjctXK69nE46kE_764xO-_F1Bfr4nEuRJsla7AC-I4DvxKxx1SxoWh1W2ny5qIW5rsuGC1FhBFolc_gMh6GvJYQ/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB2jVcRYuANq3TabaDNDefqwI9VM47QqI7TZvx8iR0OUjytHLwR47AXjctXK69nE46kE_764xO-_F1Bfr4nEuRJsla7AC-I4DvxKxx1SxoWh1W2ny5qIW5rsuGC1FhBFolc_gMh6GvJYQ/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the final jalapeno peppers</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44fUv4ra1fBXnbm0lU5tEovHQsVIcZxr0XQy-6562qc9zc05AJKHEiU8RLL8-1tUk5zvVY0u-m2HGLaZgKdoqNzdhWZf6N4FQ4DOYwhM8sAEAvGT9UUcQiMeocvCWEFrXpvBamT4WB0k/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44fUv4ra1fBXnbm0lU5tEovHQsVIcZxr0XQy-6562qc9zc05AJKHEiU8RLL8-1tUk5zvVY0u-m2HGLaZgKdoqNzdhWZf6N4FQ4DOYwhM8sAEAvGT9UUcQiMeocvCWEFrXpvBamT4WB0k/s1600/IMG_1199.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the prettiest this chrysanthemum has ever looked, thanks to its new location in the garden bed at the base of the rain gauge</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimgJYkXKIX49kxyx6EKpGQXeDiR5NalvEM5PcQxTI4N6DDDas1x4aRglny5JqAPDzE7yDmY5-zVMMjdRT1LJda0w07Tv0Ywza-2PXeAX5TyhdF3zEe7Nzji4wi8nM6n316YZlZMAGMjY/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgimgJYkXKIX49kxyx6EKpGQXeDiR5NalvEM5PcQxTI4N6DDDas1x4aRglny5JqAPDzE7yDmY5-zVMMjdRT1LJda0w07Tv0Ywza-2PXeAX5TyhdF3zEe7Nzji4wi8nM6n316YZlZMAGMjY/s1600/IMG_1201.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the Missouri primrose spreading in promising fashion along with the ubiquitous violets</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyXPvcm3ormHxXHRXbdWIGOSlIyOeFtHWYOS_3BusDpWl0C4zprvwkzH9IBINJSQf2V2KYSMVBdDoC0sw5Ycrdiy9jM-bSpTpMF7zay4PqCgj-wGusih5X56zyW5Qa53ICGKszwRLNqo/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMyXPvcm3ormHxXHRXbdWIGOSlIyOeFtHWYOS_3BusDpWl0C4zprvwkzH9IBINJSQf2V2KYSMVBdDoC0sw5Ycrdiy9jM-bSpTpMF7zay4PqCgj-wGusih5X56zyW5Qa53ICGKszwRLNqo/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">arugula ever-present in the garden, and if you look closely, a volunteer marigold (doomed, of course)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL85aXpAp24-Z-SLAno7wsa6ncDr0tFwWRM_iGVsI4w-YK0kqXG4nwVgV5L3hQkB5frFNv2zc08jszaL3UtBslV4MPUMf7Z2SmiCa90N2KrdUTGS16tLLY8V0oA-Mp1udqxKHVdF0hd7M/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL85aXpAp24-Z-SLAno7wsa6ncDr0tFwWRM_iGVsI4w-YK0kqXG4nwVgV5L3hQkB5frFNv2zc08jszaL3UtBslV4MPUMf7Z2SmiCa90N2KrdUTGS16tLLY8V0oA-Mp1udqxKHVdF0hd7M/s1600/IMG_1197.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">butterfly bush behind the brave Japanese maple--a real survivor through several summers of harsh conditions</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6xrpOIAsYcymBy_KjavkYwCv7DzxqHS1IuWq40nclaktCEItrn_VYobQFeGKr1e3bPNWNcwAnxy1iC1RvLJLi8KlE79iSLLu9RXUFdBHfI7SFwrYR6kAH0-nM0tjMeA27EZVonvXQH8/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6xrpOIAsYcymBy_KjavkYwCv7DzxqHS1IuWq40nclaktCEItrn_VYobQFeGKr1e3bPNWNcwAnxy1iC1RvLJLi8KlE79iSLLu9RXUFdBHfI7SFwrYR6kAH0-nM0tjMeA27EZVonvXQH8/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFXXTjkDFb-iaBjMsA4BhjxkHxRerSMJL4a8dCMToOqIlhS17pmuH-i3KP8ukakOh8EEmcfT_NQEuVSMFh14M7su7S9JV0Uyo1_XhYY08jeQs75u9w377Hw9YZIm7_iJfnRZZHpCS_io/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFXXTjkDFb-iaBjMsA4BhjxkHxRerSMJL4a8dCMToOqIlhS17pmuH-i3KP8ukakOh8EEmcfT_NQEuVSMFh14M7su7S9JV0Uyo1_XhYY08jeQs75u9w377Hw9YZIm7_iJfnRZZHpCS_io/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">....and the last roses of Summer....</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-1252912244252755162014-08-20T09:03:00.002-05:002014-08-20T09:03:15.707-05:00Reader Participation Project!<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My newest quilt top-- kind of a hybrid that developed partly by accident-- is ready for quilting. I'm torn between two possible quilting motifs for the large triangles surrounding the on-point central batik (a creation of Karen Freeman, another Arkansas resident, from whom I purchased this a couple of years ago-- at the Farmer's Market, believe it or not. Yeah, it takes me a while...)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vote in the Comments. I do have a favorite, but what the heck. You can vote, and I can exercise the Veto.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cLUJ3DX3AIcYCmrlbTuM7sWE3uZkeXzOpf_hlD2sb9kqKax7rSVgQEU-Of3Jy5jH0BlmAasHts2yBVxPkE1Co1gZIgOKJ1cwU01N6YtdHPytxOWuNgTSkE_gVMCqd8ehwT_HoV5doV4/s1600/Rooster+and+Plaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4cLUJ3DX3AIcYCmrlbTuM7sWE3uZkeXzOpf_hlD2sb9kqKax7rSVgQEU-Of3Jy5jH0BlmAasHts2yBVxPkE1Co1gZIgOKJ1cwU01N6YtdHPytxOWuNgTSkE_gVMCqd8ehwT_HoV5doV4/s1600/Rooster+and+Plaid.jpg" height="365" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_232939808"></span><span id="goog_232939809"></span>This does not really have a title/name yet. I originally intended the center to be my Round Robin starter block. Then I decided that the careful handling required would quickly make everyone who might work on the piece begin to hate me, so I made a feathered star block instead. The plaids and modified nine-patch blocks were intended for use elsewhere, but I could not resist using them with the Rooster. 'Rooster and Plaids' is the temporary name; feel free to make suggestions!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now for the two possible quilting designs for the blue triangles:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRLPdZa_2hMXwCoLFupBcYy4543kv8413VrMfoTt1O6W0g0innCqexCT4XzFid5SPXw8Ra-uqBo462auRk8OPuBsgw95Mo1ywHDe7wTd_cwgN4960ONAEoHEmdnHssII-Ogvpbcj_o0c/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWRLPdZa_2hMXwCoLFupBcYy4543kv8413VrMfoTt1O6W0g0innCqexCT4XzFid5SPXw8Ra-uqBo462auRk8OPuBsgw95Mo1ywHDe7wTd_cwgN4960ONAEoHEmdnHssII-Ogvpbcj_o0c/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps a bit predictable, but the curvy design works well with the pieced squares.</span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_862348282"></span><span id="goog_862348283"></span><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVgpjcWM9DGx0X-5lgTlMayK_uxlwpBcNdLY3wyA5EOAJKhyqKBUMKrNezM-FtH1c-sdFImHVx5NZquO09wTIpMEmI1DJV0WQQdM_lXWdMgjZsTgdYEPvwM94-L_ZrE1BbUMchySMNHE/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVgpjcWM9DGx0X-5lgTlMayK_uxlwpBcNdLY3wyA5EOAJKhyqKBUMKrNezM-FtH1c-sdFImHVx5NZquO09wTIpMEmI1DJV0WQQdM_lXWdMgjZsTgdYEPvwM94-L_ZrE1BbUMchySMNHE/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This echoes the sunflowers in the cornerstones of the central border. I might even hand quilt the triangles--the only place that hand quilting would show up, in any case.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cast your votes, suggest a name, and add your 2-cents'-worth in the Comments! Thanks!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-26615659657614131712014-08-18T10:20:00.004-05:002014-08-18T10:20:42.919-05:00The Lake House--post-tornado edition!<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tornado of April 27th was very strong (F-5) and the damage beggars description in Vilonia and Mayflower, not to mention the rest of the cyclone's destructive path. Our repairs took a while--mostly because we had to wait in line for our contractor to get to our job. We did what we could in the mean time--for instance, we moved the furniture from the large sun room and the small bedroom into a storage pod.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Q9Xm6Dg8LFmyHErorC096ZsMGAea4I_TsgF_mpXyxra_i8diNy48Q8USvlOlQlfoLYlobU0QN3_pJ8IQ6WyL7hpuW6I_4AOTKZWI6lLb26yexTtP6vaQUexfZYDWw-64dnmg7i0snc/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-Q9Xm6Dg8LFmyHErorC096ZsMGAea4I_TsgF_mpXyxra_i8diNy48Q8USvlOlQlfoLYlobU0QN3_pJ8IQ6WyL7hpuW6I_4AOTKZWI6lLb26yexTtP6vaQUexfZYDWw-64dnmg7i0snc/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we rented a 'roll-off dumpster' and hired a worker to demolish the ceilings in the two rooms. The contractor and his crew repaired the rafters which had been torn loose from the frame of the house, did a tear-off of the two old layers of roofing shingles, and replaced the split sheeting panels. Then they put on roll-roofing, insulation, and our new metal roof with a ridge vent. </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't it pretty? (Well, I guess it's in the eye of the homeowner...)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqWXLwYBjBYIZd_TJKiqo9VF9zcBnv_UWcE8wyWw1R5B2MaQxhOO3P7yneQxjzEacGsx9ss2zPpJWALzKTvaoRXlK3mMBxmGsiN1pbHYFwW8w5qzEV3-eA9-VKJJPGauS-LbVOKYBjkU/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqWXLwYBjBYIZd_TJKiqo9VF9zcBnv_UWcE8wyWw1R5B2MaQxhOO3P7yneQxjzEacGsx9ss2zPpJWALzKTvaoRXlK3mMBxmGsiN1pbHYFwW8w5qzEV3-eA9-VKJJPGauS-LbVOKYBjkU/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then we were able to bring in the next contractor in line and have a new ceiling installed in the sun room. (Since the hangers were still in place in the bedroom, the DHubby was able to install the new tiles and insulation in there himself.) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After that, it was mainly a matter of scrubbing all of the walls and floors, doing some touch-up painting, and then moving our stuff back inside. (Unfortunately, the POD had a small leak....) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">New ceiling fan #1 going in. The DHubby rewired things so we can turn on the fans without turning on the lights....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Y4T8NpmdxdWpieE1-NpID8zegoJI8PNDQSR8IueMyh9AKzXZSgrCJS2HvuwOJkkQaF2ST2ohtEip_SILvbE2m0gkpyZhKFZKGuMtCEAoRagSDYI1wnyA9m4Hb-xDf4v0rE8qjYXxT_s/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Y4T8NpmdxdWpieE1-NpID8zegoJI8PNDQSR8IueMyh9AKzXZSgrCJS2HvuwOJkkQaF2ST2ohtEip_SILvbE2m0gkpyZhKFZKGuMtCEAoRagSDYI1wnyA9m4Hb-xDf4v0rE8qjYXxT_s/s1600/IMG_1137.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZf4OFzhXdiuAL7dx7Uf1Rq8UGClvWGIH-6M3mafwRKC3HZW892dggLnAj3DY9DU5CL-nDYqbHzy-fN-HlnPZws88jaZhZi39WWnj7Q3bzfpXiRX6a9fEeyljfvdLMW_rDecewtfFND4/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZf4OFzhXdiuAL7dx7Uf1Rq8UGClvWGIH-6M3mafwRKC3HZW892dggLnAj3DY9DU5CL-nDYqbHzy-fN-HlnPZws88jaZhZi39WWnj7Q3bzfpXiRX6a9fEeyljfvdLMW_rDecewtfFND4/s1600/IMG_1136.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sun room with view of naughty POD. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH5faXFc_NKCBf8iOXQqxfATr6NtvN9YUD5E_OagQlg0o6v0xyivqcUHmewsn5vgARLe4xVkGj1eYepeGwhwxI2m-aKWypOEVAKYk4sW_yawn2m3ud4czq0p5EXN04IwAzZtwzJCN0Co/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMH5faXFc_NKCBf8iOXQqxfATr6NtvN9YUD5E_OagQlg0o6v0xyivqcUHmewsn5vgARLe4xVkGj1eYepeGwhwxI2m-aKWypOEVAKYk4sW_yawn2m3ud4czq0p5EXN04IwAzZtwzJCN0Co/s1600/IMG_1138.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The little bedroom all back together at last!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We celebrated our 35th anniversary by spending the night at the lake for the first time in a long, long while! </span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also joining us:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMlLuWwnkRMdjWLZHG2nEZ7JRuC8Pkf3tcFZMwhQpT_Ym5IA_dC3Nqv6xBpazpDmEHROjVR_Lt0PMHM3qZblM8l3yRQOVhmsshXv5ZQtTir1DJLDpQFjKZzDOcEoQcidUcWQCgNu2hKQ/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMlLuWwnkRMdjWLZHG2nEZ7JRuC8Pkf3tcFZMwhQpT_Ym5IA_dC3Nqv6xBpazpDmEHROjVR_Lt0PMHM3qZblM8l3yRQOVhmsshXv5ZQtTir1DJLDpQFjKZzDOcEoQcidUcWQCgNu2hKQ/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year's edition of the writing spider... (actually, this one is living near the shed; there is another one very close to the front door. I'm sure they are the offspring of the wonderful spider that graced a sun room window all last summer.)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBot2hd0xY0P2tT_lXldmMQaBtB3rhEJi_cC160mJjuX-uIYzye5VDKnZgJarPZCGTyiUH9R-99Drz7ZqFsx009vQFJAXmSkkA0Thsj1fqiq0aqwd3teuwlMiTzBoaigZsCL5Qn22TNlc/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBot2hd0xY0P2tT_lXldmMQaBtB3rhEJi_cC160mJjuX-uIYzye5VDKnZgJarPZCGTyiUH9R-99Drz7ZqFsx009vQFJAXmSkkA0Thsj1fqiq0aqwd3teuwlMiTzBoaigZsCL5Qn22TNlc/s1600/IMG_1153.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This rascally red-bellied woodpecker visits the hummie feeders frequently. Downy woodpeckers have also learned to suck down the sugar water, and during nesting season we see orioles doing the same thing. Who knew? The humming birds get their share, but don't tangle with the larger birds; they fight constantly to protect the feeders from other hummers, though. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPi-QX2QnJ1kL3zF1l8iyqEWOwyx9EyKZWRLllRyizkmR-3vnZWALyaAK2V0jDAH20Tg8G2XGfCIsnJt0bWkSID5k9-CMhbKu5gI0FiGHJ4yMQTYvDo_MlB4yspghSv5Y5O7oH21Pdjg/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPi-QX2QnJ1kL3zF1l8iyqEWOwyx9EyKZWRLllRyizkmR-3vnZWALyaAK2V0jDAH20Tg8G2XGfCIsnJt0bWkSID5k9-CMhbKu5gI0FiGHJ4yMQTYvDo_MlB4yspghSv5Y5O7oH21Pdjg/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course herons are always about. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaD7jqdIenk1CPHSE6e9YSSXN6NvRiugYAvm-dN5zmODKZ1yDuNiwZisOwVCYIHKlROD-x4QC8MFEU52pFwe_b1xVank0f36SXMXrQQy96NHhkuM9-RghUC-qa1CzUlLQBnyoX6QvguCU/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaD7jqdIenk1CPHSE6e9YSSXN6NvRiugYAvm-dN5zmODKZ1yDuNiwZisOwVCYIHKlROD-x4QC8MFEU52pFwe_b1xVank0f36SXMXrQQy96NHhkuM9-RghUC-qa1CzUlLQBnyoX6QvguCU/s1600/IMG_1159.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The view from the swing is always relaxing and lovely. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Counts as a Happy Ending, right?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-10380702536080454772014-07-25T10:55:00.002-05:002014-07-25T10:55:41.468-05:00Summertime Living, Too<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the flowers that bloom and bloom all summer long! This summer's generous (!) rains have kept things green (instead of brown and crunchy), so every morning that the sun shines is glittering with green and gold. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVCt9czlfqRuYggQ2JgVNQwuU8OGwtMQ7Qxi2PdAKk8OsbLCcyfrHGVS0OjzweYtvPA2hf1E7fyDQTvW0RLrUff-yf5mLQ1xw-gkoxXE0ssCA_MOAtWCT5CD0cQCgdHiTwN2KO8lF8Xs/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVCt9czlfqRuYggQ2JgVNQwuU8OGwtMQ7Qxi2PdAKk8OsbLCcyfrHGVS0OjzweYtvPA2hf1E7fyDQTvW0RLrUff-yf5mLQ1xw-gkoxXE0ssCA_MOAtWCT5CD0cQCgdHiTwN2KO8lF8Xs/s1600/IMG_1127.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fence (behind which resides the pool pump plus two tool sheds and various pieces of equipment) gets decorated with old iron scrollwork and old-fashioned pots. There's also a Mexican pottery lizard half-hidden by the plants in the hanging basket. The big clock is so we keep track of the time when we're in the pool.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In Ohio, I battled a weed (supposedly edible) called purslane. I'd have to be desperate to cook and eat it, and I certainly could have supplied a large amount had anyone wanted to try it. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Giant Purslane is now a popular potting plant. The brilliant, waxy blossoms are open until the heat of the afternoon causes them to close.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyjrAkDxTvdHoaPRpx_QHNCPp7BswRY5FG5OKzaboQ7AE-mKtr4zhrQxAW3EZ5p-G8gC0CXYlujTQLJASampg9786B0VxUwmuz89O4Xc5wtrLKJ1kTTKoJrYAMMchpZKqheJlBVY9vLg/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEyjrAkDxTvdHoaPRpx_QHNCPp7BswRY5FG5OKzaboQ7AE-mKtr4zhrQxAW3EZ5p-G8gC0CXYlujTQLJASampg9786B0VxUwmuz89O4Xc5wtrLKJ1kTTKoJrYAMMchpZKqheJlBVY9vLg/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2enE2X7duwM3tpUVhaBjLmiO2h8kAUwk13Rhzo1OtdwpRLLSvfV3lHjr0ATMLVZc96YHBHPwyGu7SlX144AE9f2enqXV2N19C8ftlufLAz3CpLmf3QSQ4ju6KNSYLN6E9lLPlO-_Xn00/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2enE2X7duwM3tpUVhaBjLmiO2h8kAUwk13Rhzo1OtdwpRLLSvfV3lHjr0ATMLVZc96YHBHPwyGu7SlX144AE9f2enqXV2N19C8ftlufLAz3CpLmf3QSQ4ju6KNSYLN6E9lLPlO-_Xn00/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pretty, eh?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In our recent, drought-ridden and sizzling summers, I turned to portulaca (moss rose)...which I do love. This one doesn't seem to mind the extra waterings....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg119TI6g4SxWmfvoFAVPyr51pWyByY6hRBE_auDOpmdKdWc5no84oT6uC8T5JKg6mq_1rUv4r7PTEuQq7lW4Sulx_ZY49UfCFEOVAms5fabvktCjaC51sY6UMa6pwypUgXGQ42YGlsk_4/s1600/IMG_1129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg119TI6g4SxWmfvoFAVPyr51pWyByY6hRBE_auDOpmdKdWc5no84oT6uC8T5JKg6mq_1rUv4r7PTEuQq7lW4Sulx_ZY49UfCFEOVAms5fabvktCjaC51sY6UMa6pwypUgXGQ42YGlsk_4/s1600/IMG_1129.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Very heat and drought-tolerant, this is doing well sitting on the stones with full sun most of the day. I go out almost every morning and water most of my potted plants--orchids, hostas, petunias and dusty miller in urns--or, if it has rained, I empty the cache pots and try to drain as much water as possible so the plants' roots don't drown. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-64026149377369849282014-07-14T10:13:00.002-05:002014-07-14T10:13:21.342-05:00Summertime Living<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If your idea of Summer includes lolling in a hammock or taking time off from chores, you're not a gardener, I'm guessing. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even though my garden plot is a fraction of the size I once cultivated--when there were teens to feed and pennies to pinch--I will still put hours into weeding, planting, cultivating,and watering (although this year, happily, Mother Nature has stepped up more responsibly, ending the pattern of drought and extreme heat that lasted for several years.) The asparagus bed, which yields its harvest in early Spring, requires only weeding and watering. The flowerbeds (planted heavily in my burst of enthusiasm after I retired) suffer from benign neglect--some weeding, some watering. The volunteer elderberries--sprouting in odd corners when I dispensed with the large thicket after the DHubby gave up making wine with the (messy) harvest--are bearing heavily despite complete neglect. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last year, I cut the green heads of berries before they could ripen--such as they were, given the lack of rainfall. This year, ample water meant a bumper crop, and I couldn't bring myself to interfere. So... I picked the ripe heads of elderberries. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHs39hksmieoPDc-j41HPzjCPw7STXjB681PswFqVyEYSQGU-HKdzykKm3If5vLvP6wEOLSiLELjgQ_0WZnzTuD3nG4b-kcKfyjjKhqFPXQGxP4p4Cj6WcN5a26AsJAs82QTwdqbWd0E/s1600/Attachment-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHs39hksmieoPDc-j41HPzjCPw7STXjB681PswFqVyEYSQGU-HKdzykKm3If5vLvP6wEOLSiLELjgQ_0WZnzTuD3nG4b-kcKfyjjKhqFPXQGxP4p4Cj6WcN5a26AsJAs82QTwdqbWd0E/s1600/Attachment-1.jpeg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Once washed and allowed to air-dry, the heads go onto cookie sheets and into the freezer; after the berries are frozen solid overnight, one destems the berries; if this sounds tedious and time-consuming, that's because it is. A batch of elderberry jelly requires about 3 pounds of destemmed, crushed berries, from which juices must be extracted; that's another overnight process. And then you can cook up the jelly and put it up in jars. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The <i>sine qua non</i> of jelly-making: the right equipment.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSUk5G_4ZeNyjLaIabSeo3DpKhGeN4WXOBTkjDggbgR-yfNCtU943mLY_cQx7OChxfEUqWb_oJu2vHPFykNj6sVFR1PXLYRPxgYtwtrx4WmiENRoHIS_s_W1dR7Afzr5qRcIMksER6wc/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCSUk5G_4ZeNyjLaIabSeo3DpKhGeN4WXOBTkjDggbgR-yfNCtU943mLY_cQx7OChxfEUqWb_oJu2vHPFykNj6sVFR1PXLYRPxgYtwtrx4WmiENRoHIS_s_W1dR7Afzr5qRcIMksER6wc/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A large, deep pot for boiling the juice, sugar, and other ingredients.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pot on the left is fine for soup, for boiling pasta, for corn on the cob, but you want a deep, deep pot for jelly-making.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfpI3zw4vKJeKAfrPTlnzVH6mNdqApNdBNwufZ-9H_7V6EpTQQaL6JXqDTr91OQ7Y4FsvTzpVUIoU3LWhAS7W7kK-R7SgZujQhCdK8jeVA1nvjJ2R0BJWLjvffqDpvzXYXDrtVZdyIEM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfpI3zw4vKJeKAfrPTlnzVH6mNdqApNdBNwufZ-9H_7V6EpTQQaL6JXqDTr91OQ7Y4FsvTzpVUIoU3LWhAS7W7kK-R7SgZujQhCdK8jeVA1nvjJ2R0BJWLjvffqDpvzXYXDrtVZdyIEM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Then there is the long-handled spoon for stirring the jelly ingredients to a rolling boil. (The spoon is behind the ladle somewhat, but you can see how much longer it is than the copper serving ladle. Saves your hand from being parboiled!)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The wide funnel makes filling the jars neater and simpler. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The jars (with lids and rings) are filled while hot and sterile. Even with air-conditioning, making jelly is hot work.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYyc_zkur6qr-pWg1vzE_TFNp-m6_Z_iAhx0Z0Qny1IL9PACaFBTGxmZXsAZBxSclOA3REUdbq4D0w2zUIL2tDh2P4D-CubMy3dtXrR-sxfk8zOXkoPT6wJkmczBv9nKA49T30pLbm8k/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYyc_zkur6qr-pWg1vzE_TFNp-m6_Z_iAhx0Z0Qny1IL9PACaFBTGxmZXsAZBxSclOA3REUdbq4D0w2zUIL2tDh2P4D-CubMy3dtXrR-sxfk8zOXkoPT6wJkmczBv9nKA49T30pLbm8k/s1600/photo.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's rather easier to deal with the small amounts of vegetables I glean from the tiny garden. The biggest chore, aside from picking, is washing the produce. (I no longer freeze much of anything, even though I sadly acknowledge that frozen veggies from the store are not as tasty.) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Celebrity tomatoes; Roma green beans; jalapeno peppers. The arugula is the biggest pain when it comes to picking over and washing what I bring in from the garden plot. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The local farmers' market supplies what I don't grow--though not all vendors are organically-inclined. I bought my green tomatoes from a cooperative organic grower and made pickles. One batch will last us a couple of years; (they're delicious with bean soup for Wintertime suppers.) </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV67-SJ95eX6au1YRphwFr4Jou7X-_ra6blgyiGqDq9RVNujDD_4KXohdnFV-mLqSenGLfzOzhOndIvL-AOLjX7ivlwKNbWCIcIPDnnrIZTg3IBwN_F6HMe6V6I0szsKaRAHUlvA-y16M/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV67-SJ95eX6au1YRphwFr4Jou7X-_ra6blgyiGqDq9RVNujDD_4KXohdnFV-mLqSenGLfzOzhOndIvL-AOLjX7ivlwKNbWCIcIPDnnrIZTg3IBwN_F6HMe6V6I0szsKaRAHUlvA-y16M/s1600/photo.JPG" height="288" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the figs come in, I will pick daily--twice daily when the figs are in full spate, so to speak. More washing and air-drying...and I do freeze figs in addition to those we eat and give away. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't usually dry many herbs, but I often go out and pick fresh basil, parsley, thyme, oregano, and 'Texas tarragon' (also sometimes labeled Mexican mint) as needed.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summers are wonderful....as long as you're not hoping to lie around and relax!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-18424815264196535952014-06-30T11:55:00.002-05:002014-06-30T11:56:02.602-05:00Bringing Up Babies?<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the past few years a pair of broad-winged hawks--bird predators, alas--has nested in a neighborhood tree. As far as the jays, crows, cardinals, mockingbirds, wrens, thrashers (and on and on) are concerned, they're very unwelcome. We know for certain that some broods of green herons have fallen victim to these hawks. One begins to feel guilty about putting out bird seed and suet, not to mention maintaining birdbaths. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the scene a few days ago:</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m7WbTtHa0rvHsV8PoIsz5tDDTk6LWLHK3z2v0lErH_mdfbaAp34ufHcWoegQrYjMCYrflxU2_ec3IOYMnyVZhIYJJYpCJowyW4OnupdhoyssEa1f9ccMJWTgY7PXy1J3U5S3IxOSZ3A/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7m7WbTtHa0rvHsV8PoIsz5tDDTk6LWLHK3z2v0lErH_mdfbaAp34ufHcWoegQrYjMCYrflxU2_ec3IOYMnyVZhIYJJYpCJowyW4OnupdhoyssEa1f9ccMJWTgY7PXy1J3U5S3IxOSZ3A/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Three hawks have been seen in the back yard in recent days; we were thinking there are a mating pair and one young hawk, but after studying images, I begin to suspect we have three juveniles. We've been as close as 20 feet to these striking birds. One young hawk made a swooping attempt at a squirrel--inexpert enough that the squirrel made it into the tree and hid himself in the Virginia creeper festooning the trunk and branches. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBbNmjqaGFi-wI8HWjknxmu9suCeMqdkHwmaWxEfKb2cjl_-cRrvoYCUfGvQhWWLqgTyzqZ3NwRQatuN566l3xoM-5JLT2CcTLYdmw71BiinPyH0py56WSJDW_lqYmQTMw2iRjYC7nkw/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkBbNmjqaGFi-wI8HWjknxmu9suCeMqdkHwmaWxEfKb2cjl_-cRrvoYCUfGvQhWWLqgTyzqZ3NwRQatuN566l3xoM-5JLT2CcTLYdmw71BiinPyH0py56WSJDW_lqYmQTMw2iRjYC7nkw/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdl7HmqL-ZfSU1tPaMMZCDurRGFzpUrdDMvFxo0kjkxcs9Nx7rF8UFO-dqds5T78Ohl_1xCse2AHza8fs-2s5dJ_9jtbiy_dhL5QQi5jweAzESLEvSm-m7DfXNZJSJguIBmgJflwLv_E/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdl7HmqL-ZfSU1tPaMMZCDurRGFzpUrdDMvFxo0kjkxcs9Nx7rF8UFO-dqds5T78Ohl_1xCse2AHza8fs-2s5dJ_9jtbiy_dhL5QQi5jweAzESLEvSm-m7DfXNZJSJguIBmgJflwLv_E/s1600/IMG_1059.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of the usual poses--preening, stretching....</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and then a quick dash onto the ground in pursuit of something--most likely a grasshopper. Wings are outstretched and raised. (Sorry--that's the best shot I could get.) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IPs6Ni8MR2_Oxu9iBcSAM1A0jpUOSlcZh5mH5VabZrqaWmIq3qYNpsNAE05ZL2COHJ1MIs8hUdhWhMqJ-6Y85EOIHvNBPFpt0spVWu3Y9b20Chq2iufs6QgkU6oZRVAIiZuFzICtirw/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2IPs6Ni8MR2_Oxu9iBcSAM1A0jpUOSlcZh5mH5VabZrqaWmIq3qYNpsNAE05ZL2COHJ1MIs8hUdhWhMqJ-6Y85EOIHvNBPFpt0spVWu3Y9b20Chq2iufs6QgkU6oZRVAIiZuFzICtirw/s1600/IMG_1066.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-63773558468104794962014-06-24T14:10:00.003-05:002014-06-24T14:10:56.607-05:00Coming Home<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We made the daunting drive home from Altadena in three days. Four might have been kinder and gentler, but we knew we needed to deal with the damage at our lake house, and we both looked forward to being back in our little rut.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first leg took us all the way to a Route 66 stop: Winslow, Arizona. We thought we were seeing a lot of haze during the day's drive; it turned out to be smoke from forest fires. (Those have only gotten worse since the first week in May.) TripAdvisor has come in quite handy in terms of finding good restaurants, so we settled on E & O Kitchen and relied on Garmin to take us there. Garmin delivered us to a deserted airport hangar; it was beginning to get dark, and there was no sign whatever of a restaurant. We went back and tried the route again; this time, though, I flagged down an oncoming driver who told us to drive around behind the hangar--and sure enough, there it was. By then it was thoroughly dark, and the sign on the door said the place closed at 7....but we were greeted cordially, seated, and assured it wasn't too late. The place was quite a find--delicious food, courteous service, and great prices. When he saw DHubby's USAA credit card, the young man thanked him for his military service; that was nice. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our second day took us all the way across New Mexico--this time in clear weather. It gave us a chance to see why this state is The Land of Enchantment--the colors, rock formations, vistas! We stopped briefly in Gallup because I had seen a fabric shop the night we spent there on the way west; alas, it was not what a quilter would have in mind. The store stocked satins and velvets in bright colors--the material of choice for modern pow-wow/dancing garb. We passed one crowded corner where many people were lined up out the door and down the sidewalk--all ages and stages. This turned out to be a 'payday lender.' All of the people in line were Native Americans. Sad scene. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We pushed on and stopped at last in Amarillo, Texas. It was 5:30 on a Saturday night. Every restaurant was packed to the gills, with hours-long wait times. Turns out the Domino's now has a line of 'Artisan pizzas'--so we had one delivered to the motel room, augmented by some of the fruit and veggies still in our cooler. Perfect! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We will be thinking about this trip for a long time to come. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wrote a few reviews for TripAdvisor</span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-62713822977575693282014-06-02T06:38:00.001-05:002014-06-02T06:38:09.275-05:00Traveling to Altadena<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The drive down Interstate 5 in California, we were told, would be 'fast but boring.' It was certainly faster than negotiating the beautiful coastal route, but we did not find it boring. We passed vast orchards and fields--industrial agriculture in action. Workers were harvesting iceberg lettuce and strawberries; we were sharing the road with trucks bearing loads of boxed produce. There was evidence that the lives of migrant farm workers have improved, at least marginally--portable toilets were available--but delicate crops that cannot be harvested mechanically will always require human hands. There is no doubt it's as back-breaking as ever.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All of this is possible only through irrigation. California's on-going struggle with drought, water rights, and dwindling supplies was embodied in large signs protesting policies and upcoming legislation. We passed more than one orchard of dead trees. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lunch was at Harris Ranch--a surprising spot. Apparently this is one of the largest ranch/farm operations in California, famed for its beef (and now for its racehorses, as well), an enterprise vast enough to warrant a huge hotel/resort/restaurant complex. We split a Reuben and a salad, took a gander at the store (meats, some produce--asparagus, for instance), and continued on our way, entering high desert and dry mountains. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our destination was Altadena, one of the many cities ringing the megalopolis of Los Angeles. Fortunately for us, it's the outer ring to the north-east, tucked in next to the San Gabriel Mountains. My former teaching colleague, Susan Shwartz Braig, has lived there for 20 years and counting, with her room-mate Richard, in an amazing 1920's building next to the Altadena Country Club. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<img src="https://scontent-a-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t1.0-9/s720x720/1506576_744673358896381_8369430026698889619_n.jpg" /><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Susan is self-employed--an artist, a grant-writer, and designer of jewelry created from <i>DRUGS</i>--primarily chemotherapy pills that, judging by their cost to patients, are more precious than gems. (Find Susan on Facebook, LinkedIn, and more; her Etsy store is DesignerDrugJewelry.) Susan and I met at Amelia Junior High School in SW Ohio in the early 1970's. She was the art teacher; I was the special education teacher. We would up car-pooling and becoming fast friends. She willingly took my students into her art classes (this was the bad old days before inclusion was the norm.) More than that, simply through this limited contact, she was able to gain great insight into my students; what she shared opened my own eyes and made me a better teacher. Susan should have been a stand-up comic, methinks; like many gifted people, she might have followed a variety of career paths. She can make even cancer sound funny. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Susan's battle with breast cancer gave her a lot of insider information about the gaps in America's health-care system and the trickery in health insurance policies. She became an outstanding advocate for change. Check this out (from last October.) You do not need to speak Portuguese to </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">understand</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> what is being expressed.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Today Global TV (Brazil's equivalent to PBS) ran a big story on U.S. Health Care and Obama Care's hurdles. They used my insurance and jewelry story to give it a "human face." Here is the link. Of course, most is in Portuguese:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;" /><a href="http://g1.globo.com/globo-news/jornal-das-dez/videos/t/series/v/reforma-da-saude-e-alvo-de-polemica-e-motivo-de-impasse-no-congresso-dos-eua/2858532/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="background-color: white; color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://g1.globo.com/globo-news/jornal-das-dez/videos/t/series/v/reforma-da-saude-e-alvo-de-polemica-e-motivo-de-impasse-no-congresso-dos-eua/2858532/</a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Susan moved away from Ohio after two years of teaching--living in Wisconsin and then California--but we stayed in touch, I'm glad to say. Over the years Susan had been able to visit us a couple of times, but this was the first time I would be seeing her space, and after a dozen or more years, our first time to see one another again. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I did not do a great job of taking pictures--should have shot the exterior of the exotic building (undergoing much-needed renovation) and the house next door (where another working artist lives amid striking works.) But here are some interior shots:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYntHwlitCl5iCjiX_LrD_5LbUB_XcE8vj6Xzw_5dT5ReRX-TrB2hWWUMaloIIa84TNKFvUiXkACXQJYimPMfJRf1frvbqUivGAFcxWeTse1hIUDIWZooTmwc-zuSAfKncnXACKes_xY/s1600/Susan+DR.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrYntHwlitCl5iCjiX_LrD_5LbUB_XcE8vj6Xzw_5dT5ReRX-TrB2hWWUMaloIIa84TNKFvUiXkACXQJYimPMfJRf1frvbqUivGAFcxWeTse1hIUDIWZooTmwc-zuSAfKncnXACKes_xY/s1600/Susan+DR.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isn't it lovely?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpagxE7P4sN0gRGUphKWwOo_LnV-Kq2hwtk5LlW2In3QEVWyF6W6KlknoRlQXriQsUbtC25kwRrx68Z7gUnGZoGvhZ96oQqV8qmONnxJ35cJBOpvjq0EwnmVo2tkYjKDqMsbE9t6yu2jk/s1600/Susan+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpagxE7P4sN0gRGUphKWwOo_LnV-Kq2hwtk5LlW2In3QEVWyF6W6KlknoRlQXriQsUbtC25kwRrx68Z7gUnGZoGvhZ96oQqV8qmONnxJ35cJBOpvjq0EwnmVo2tkYjKDqMsbE9t6yu2jk/s1600/Susan+view.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 'Spanish/Moorish' influence in Twenties-Era California architecture is reflected in this two-apartment building. The country club was frequented by Charlie Chaplin and other screen stars. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqye0rKsSDtkwAO2ED_j-1eVVCBElgan2UXWLEFTzhhNM0yktV8yMnO6jhxob7V5abq22JU9Bx6FAcCMdMY560rrU0ogcSwrEk3nz8uXgjaMJ_kt_lU3TTA0oeKhHC-0Q0amDdh8a8mU/s1600/Susan+shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXqye0rKsSDtkwAO2ED_j-1eVVCBElgan2UXWLEFTzhhNM0yktV8yMnO6jhxob7V5abq22JU9Bx6FAcCMdMY560rrU0ogcSwrEk3nz8uXgjaMJ_kt_lU3TTA0oeKhHC-0Q0amDdh8a8mU/s1600/Susan+shop.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The jewelry shop is tucked into this nook. The 'ear-ring stand' is fashioned from a crutch. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creativity....</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC_FBSGXFk_xhTU9Vr6HvS56GAgWzJsTORdZtZ86DxoxJ7OPd52qpx0Dvnc1EDUmahFZyZLN8-v3IPLqgNtYbBUlGU6BOS-gH-a_mcWQEsUsFJ4f9LyYsXfnGu4y-k91sgO108cZyE3c/s1600/Susan+balcony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC_FBSGXFk_xhTU9Vr6HvS56GAgWzJsTORdZtZ86DxoxJ7OPd52qpx0Dvnc1EDUmahFZyZLN8-v3IPLqgNtYbBUlGU6BOS-gH-a_mcWQEsUsFJ4f9LyYsXfnGu4y-k91sgO108cZyE3c/s1600/Susan+balcony.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Arched windows and doorways....</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsGJhNFIeABJMlHFZLVF0qtz-xD6UKUIXMHQIRs_aK2BsY2g-d4P-8JduHvDAIvnPDqrQX2IhcjNWvqT1LAP9fZzRvI0Ls8YeLBlBcYXt0F5rGqwKuedBM6LxxzgXwsrJovq1vhB5uHU/s1600/kitchen+cleverness.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsGJhNFIeABJMlHFZLVF0qtz-xD6UKUIXMHQIRs_aK2BsY2g-d4P-8JduHvDAIvnPDqrQX2IhcjNWvqT1LAP9fZzRvI0Ls8YeLBlBcYXt0F5rGqwKuedBM6LxxzgXwsrJovq1vhB5uHU/s1600/kitchen+cleverness.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Feel free to steal Richard's clever idea in his choice of kitchen equipment.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw6chgtUJI8FUECzMROitCZV-t3T1j3fzm3i6IWhJnTZjY3iCpapCrYiumu3EwUfMEfsM5ASTsPH75kIxzx8QRtpH0xrTRp2MzPmMpcugRt7Xb4UntFdnTpqMe7NU3n0bXJtv5avbEK4/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaw6chgtUJI8FUECzMROitCZV-t3T1j3fzm3i6IWhJnTZjY3iCpapCrYiumu3EwUfMEfsM5ASTsPH75kIxzx8QRtpH0xrTRp2MzPmMpcugRt7Xb4UntFdnTpqMe7NU3n0bXJtv5avbEK4/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND they're cat people. Two calico kitties share the space. This one is named Soccer.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was time for delightful meals (Richard is the chef) and a bit of sight-seeing from the car, a little foray into Pasadena's antique shops, some catching up... (and DHubby drove down to Anaheim to meet another high-school friend and fellow debater over lunch)....and then we set out on the drive homeward. </span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-1949498858150824032014-05-28T15:01:00.000-05:002014-05-28T15:01:07.637-05:00Traveling...and winding down Part VII Friends<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We moved to NE Ohio from California in September, 1987. Many things have remained in the past, but not the friendships with special people. Even though we were far away, we stayed in touch through the years, sharing our journeys through child-rearing, health challenges, and more. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were happily able to meet for lunch on Monday with Daychin--at her workplace in one of the Stanford Medical Center's vast complex of buildings. We met in 1983/84 in a support group, Touchstone, for families having a child facing serious illness. While few of our children had the same diagnosis or problem, we all faced many of the same challenges. In our case, a daughter with a serious heart defect and complications to the spinal cord after surgery meant many issues had to be dealt with over a long period of growth and development, adaptation and acceptance. Daychin also had a daughter (close in age to Nathaniel) with a serious birth defect, with the added complication of single-parenthood. Coming together around these issues was just the beginning; Daychin and I shared many of the same attitudes (and not least, a sense of humor that's often the best 'medicine' for life's realities.) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsv0Lby7kEyUd8oGgyQmIvn8dgcop9pAPSuTJvd6ZLc1raH046Wc-8DQVXDo3T_R0V0oDVaJ5O_B7tKb4mgU7zrv1lfjyDKodTzaxTP86oALoeRKXMY6s_9OXmgEcOQpPsA_5wlCwXGY/s1600/IMG_1042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXsv0Lby7kEyUd8oGgyQmIvn8dgcop9pAPSuTJvd6ZLc1raH046Wc-8DQVXDo3T_R0V0oDVaJ5O_B7tKb4mgU7zrv1lfjyDKodTzaxTP86oALoeRKXMY6s_9OXmgEcOQpPsA_5wlCwXGY/s1600/IMG_1042.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grayer and a little battered, perhaps....but still smiling!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Barbara is another long-time friend and faithful correspondent; she is the mother of Nathaniel's 1986 classmate Joseph at the Palo Alto Friends' Nursery School. We shared many of the trials and travail of rearing sensitive boys to adulthood. Don and I were enchanted by the backyard transformation that Barbara designed (no more need for the swing set, needless to say.) A fountain is the focal point of the lovely retreat. (I very much regret not taking a photo!) We walked past Friends' School (good old Quakers are still going strong!) and our one-time abode to a pleasant cafe for a delicious lunch. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb10KLZlO9Sic00rijlMZSD7Ti1CjmKcsO-IE6sqIIgSjRwEfyWIx5vL_DyujqoJJFxWpK0jMdUKGUDwpJawMiiD_m_0Fr5wUBQx0rro8hRWH0ccdnkVY1en_VsJlVmG6e16eVTS4iMPU/s1600/Barbara1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb10KLZlO9Sic00rijlMZSD7Ti1CjmKcsO-IE6sqIIgSjRwEfyWIx5vL_DyujqoJJFxWpK0jMdUKGUDwpJawMiiD_m_0Fr5wUBQx0rro8hRWH0ccdnkVY1en_VsJlVmG6e16eVTS4iMPU/s1600/Barbara1.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is a joy to know I can now picture Barbara in this setting when I think of her.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that was our last day to spend in Silicon Valley. We joined Natty and Karen after doing some packing. I had brought along my dry ingredients for pizza dough and a pizza pan, so Karen and I collaborated on a pizza. I'm trying now to recall what we put on it, but all I can be sure of is the goat cheese...which was delicious! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next morning we loaded the car, checked out of the condo, and drove away toward our next destination: Altadena (next door to Pasadena, of Little Old Lady fame.) The only way to get over to Interstate 5 was to go sort of around our elbow as we left the area. Four or five lanes going the other way were bumper-to-bumper with stalled traffic. I bet that the jam would last for 5 miles, while the DHubby bet on 15. (It lasted for 7 miles.) Glad we were going the other way. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-47990609944067831692014-05-25T07:30:00.001-05:002014-05-25T07:30:48.754-05:00Traveling....still! Part VI A Sunday Outing<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One item I left off our Saturday agenda was the jaunt to Sunnyvale's Farmers' Market in the 'historic district' on Murphy Street. We ended up kind of circling the area before we zeroed in, and then we were dismayed to find a veritable gantlet of food booths. Was this it? But then we got to the corner and there was the real thing--farmers with food. Very tempting, I must say. All sorts of fruits, veggies, and even a long line at a stall selling grass-fed beef. I bought a bag of beautiful green beans, knowing we had a couple of dinners coming up at the condo on our own. The variety of produce was amazing; ah, California!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyLEcuO0Gz1SpUpXulSaEjvQlAlFtLGUjB0DdPrjUJ1_N96q2tNoLcW1IGs5JT2I72tsn6zzp-fAAFsSkfyxI_TOz4qG46HN8IQBvE9PxCLmvgoMOCGKJ7-OCoqSdeJDzYV-LqGsYAEI/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijyLEcuO0Gz1SpUpXulSaEjvQlAlFtLGUjB0DdPrjUJ1_N96q2tNoLcW1IGs5JT2I72tsn6zzp-fAAFsSkfyxI_TOz4qG46HN8IQBvE9PxCLmvgoMOCGKJ7-OCoqSdeJDzYV-LqGsYAEI/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Sunday morning, we packed a cooler, picked up the young folk, and drove into the hills toward Saratoga to the Cooper-Garrod Vineyards. You can scarcely throw a rock without hitting a winery in the area, but a little on-line research helped us find one that was not too far away and also offered a picnic area. All of the wineries have hefty charges just for tasting, but at least you get a wine glass out of it...and indeed there were some very nice wines being produced in this combination horse-farm and vineyard. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We bought a chilled bottle and unpacked our picnic under a huge eucalyptus--sourdough bread (of course), cheeses, hard-boiled eggs, olives, veggies (to those of you who know Nathaniel well: yes, there were carrots), and apples. The wine produced a fine glow... There was even a young guitarist providing entertainment.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloqOGObX6nqY-M5j6HqLHliq5id5KPOOLTS2otypFCDD7WPnR5ZEJVSl3Vhvf0lpaj54i8_CwZ8ZyDuY9zLWd8SgrIJAsWg65wz_PO3f9l9Kyq1p_v4HcmKOmT9WHMIYvG2Op8RNoiDw/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloqOGObX6nqY-M5j6HqLHliq5id5KPOOLTS2otypFCDD7WPnR5ZEJVSl3Vhvf0lpaj54i8_CwZ8ZyDuY9zLWd8SgrIJAsWg65wz_PO3f9l9Kyq1p_v4HcmKOmT9WHMIYvG2Op8RNoiDw/s1600/IMG_1028.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our picnic spot...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkS0jn9Wj4I0U2p0JWJGshcsZOiNAH-xMF8XoibaPbbztxgRVUvhNRnaKdiUE5sUw59cez1LbuEkbnX5Aak8H5Lif3ocxRg3_BHnr1VfcI7JgfXk14Lg8DPhIHnAgRUA-GOSCTu9gjQs/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqkS0jn9Wj4I0U2p0JWJGshcsZOiNAH-xMF8XoibaPbbztxgRVUvhNRnaKdiUE5sUw59cez1LbuEkbnX5Aak8H5Lif3ocxRg3_BHnr1VfcI7JgfXk14Lg8DPhIHnAgRUA-GOSCTu9gjQs/s1600/IMG_1029.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is this not a great old tree?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A walk seemed like a good idea, so we strolled the loop that circled the stables and outbuildings. The last of April usually ends the rainy season, which meant that everything was still green and blooming. We were sharing the road with some riders and their mounts (real ones, unlike the decorative statue below.)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm7mEwUlj7YzBdH0gGFvdl1zdC5_rs9UKL7H8yGX9FI2UjlSSVqDO9rIOM989_SKey2049rd3_AgD6VC8gbFuVIPOZC1g8AUxqc6gtoINw-vnsSbGOTvteUbvazhsC3gv4AI7nNO05LU/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqm7mEwUlj7YzBdH0gGFvdl1zdC5_rs9UKL7H8yGX9FI2UjlSSVqDO9rIOM989_SKey2049rd3_AgD6VC8gbFuVIPOZC1g8AUxqc6gtoINw-vnsSbGOTvteUbvazhsC3gv4AI7nNO05LU/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XlTRPLKn91kX3EcSLhF_64XFIkj6W6hiDOGXZRcLcpBHxvKEuqPW4giPRKQx4sQcdZknSNFkL4Z0Ig1qFwbxkG2WlGT_CA4u_kIRDh0gJn4u-wcwWnNSujyru1aZ-AmDG79fJ_MBqzo/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XlTRPLKn91kX3EcSLhF_64XFIkj6W6hiDOGXZRcLcpBHxvKEuqPW4giPRKQx4sQcdZknSNFkL4Z0Ig1qFwbxkG2WlGT_CA4u_kIRDh0gJn4u-wcwWnNSujyru1aZ-AmDG79fJ_MBqzo/s1600/IMG_1032.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBv5t4XTtqLj28gkFy8_V4LzqFPURJvFpXI5g26oaVLflYel9fRuV8qMunP-5e0YNdhTNroECYUsfgd0OL9LagxCdLqrrKq6V6xmig2aRF6wIH4aoazcK_fZIdYVdkxD-qFVusTVddK0/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsBv5t4XTtqLj28gkFy8_V4LzqFPURJvFpXI5g26oaVLflYel9fRuV8qMunP-5e0YNdhTNroECYUsfgd0OL9LagxCdLqrrKq6V6xmig2aRF6wIH4aoazcK_fZIdYVdkxD-qFVusTVddK0/s1600/IMG_1033.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIFjADq6oHjWhtmsCaNjzkUkWSEasusXyK00zYB4uQ2ZVVBPVSyhhy1v5Tl2dFhXR0f9dmi0aW3CE4Im3QABIf_amHxN7t36EqQMRVjYbANXJ-Ala6RyliqM3Uwn9k0e8rKIfntl45oc/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIFjADq6oHjWhtmsCaNjzkUkWSEasusXyK00zYB4uQ2ZVVBPVSyhhy1v5Tl2dFhXR0f9dmi0aW3CE4Im3QABIf_amHxN7t36EqQMRVjYbANXJ-Ala6RyliqM3Uwn9k0e8rKIfntl45oc/s1600/IMG_1036.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AAmH_K0tJ1rT94u0X6-3DRuuviJrEoYthFLztahxjTAOLFRiH5ORbwnJ8laMFox8a4tZt7FSZlzBSk6y5_rgcXbccOp4jo4vMOqhwjFztr-usfVE9iz88cfzM1knepi_XtA4MG9hlXE/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-AAmH_K0tJ1rT94u0X6-3DRuuviJrEoYthFLztahxjTAOLFRiH5ORbwnJ8laMFox8a4tZt7FSZlzBSk6y5_rgcXbccOp4jo4vMOqhwjFztr-usfVE9iz88cfzM1knepi_XtA4MG9hlXE/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beautiful views! Despite the greens you see, the drought continues. The Santa Clara Mountains are vulnerable to forest fires. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We drove back toward Sunnyvale (past some palatial residences--some for sale) and out to the newer Bayview Park (am I getting this name right?) It did not exist when we lived here. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcQKQc6eZmMBkqKsWrJeXLC7pGFy3lmcASCEi1Y8lBM3VuIVEWD93IPO5LXOtc0HhRn1IhF1U536GyrlHXhMG-_9uw4GcH90xG6aJHRysY5EbMBX9NH3q83tCoZHPyc2p4cTRRtIMFKA/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcQKQc6eZmMBkqKsWrJeXLC7pGFy3lmcASCEi1Y8lBM3VuIVEWD93IPO5LXOtc0HhRn1IhF1U536GyrlHXhMG-_9uw4GcH90xG6aJHRysY5EbMBX9NH3q83tCoZHPyc2p4cTRRtIMFKA/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Waterfowl seem to enjoy unusual safety in these environs-- impressive family here, no? We've never seen a pair of Canada geese with a brood this large. The wind was quite fierce, as you can tell by the waves, so we did not linger very long on the shoreline, though it was interesting to watch the wet-suited guys trying to sail on the choppy waters. We stopped, though, to watch people flying a variety of kites, including some that could be controlled to perform aerial acrobatics. There were a few hapless folk who just could <i>not</i> get their kites into the air for any appreciable amount of time; fortunately, no kite-eating trees in the area. (I could have sworn I took some pictures, but they're not in my camera. Karen did take some shots, so perhaps I can post a few later.) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-34324215364598441712014-05-21T11:22:00.002-05:002014-05-21T11:22:09.442-05:00Traveling Part V: More highlights!<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The city of Cupertino (bordering on Sunnyvale and sharing the school district) has a sister city in Japan and celebrates the Cherry Blossom Festival annually. There are performances, vendors, exhibitions, and big crowds! Last year I'd urged our young couple to attend, and they enjoyed it despite the very hot day; this year there were chilly breezes but bright sun. Unfortunately, the drought meant that the lovely ponds and waterways were empty and dry, devoid of waterfowl, much to Nathaniel's dismay. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5eumC5Lm3EH0_XbV2V5Dyc-lOutHdqcZ0UAs8XHKDwU9_qyz4N9bBm-YL_PdUfcaGWmABf8TaBKiOd4h1EP1_aUH9aFxwYjf_445mv9ol96LedR3ud0JxhefjjR1ZQlquFZ0wR4VUsg/s1600/Bonsai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5eumC5Lm3EH0_XbV2V5Dyc-lOutHdqcZ0UAs8XHKDwU9_qyz4N9bBm-YL_PdUfcaGWmABf8TaBKiOd4h1EP1_aUH9aFxwYjf_445mv9ol96LedR3ud0JxhefjjR1ZQlquFZ0wR4VUsg/s1600/Bonsai.jpg" height="320" width="243" /></a><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Inside were demonstrations of traditional art forms, including Ikebana (flower-arranging.) Now, one Martin Herbach, a NYT Crossword Puzzle test solver and frequent flyer on WordPlay, the online blog that accompanies each day's puzzle, also happens to be an Ikebana Sensei (a master of the art.) I knew he would have an arrangement on display. When we entered the hall, I picked out someone who looked likely and quietly stalked him while we admired the diverse examples. Picking a moment when he was not busy answering questions, I introduced myself, using my WordPlay moniker of 'Mean Old Lady.' Martin exclaimed, "What are you doing here?" but not in a bad way, ha ha. It was a happy surprise for Martin and a pleasure for me to meet him. We met his wife (Japanese, also an Elaine.) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I picked up this postcard at the Bonsai exhibition table.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Naturally, I had forgotten to bring my camera...</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our other Saturday plan was a potluck dinner with my nephew (and Nat's cousin) Ben Hilburn and his new bride Amy Malady (pronounced 'ma-LADY) at Nat and Karen's home. I had made a cold pasta dish (cheeses, pine nuts, basil and EVOO) and Natty had smoked two chickens, flavorfully stuffed with olives and rosemary. Ben and Amy brought a delicious chopped salad. Karen's fabulous praline cupcakes were a wonderful finish to the meal. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnpOW01W_cp3c3jTcu1KcNAFDPH5L3duWWYB48Q_SdCBxdZzkp5FnW4Usxrn32WCtqvMyNs0PxW96ozGz_M_aDBRauy4NY1h0iI1P3mAETXf46Rll2Zsf6BzdS5oDti_NYwQzSidFUMc/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnpOW01W_cp3c3jTcu1KcNAFDPH5L3duWWYB48Q_SdCBxdZzkp5FnW4Usxrn32WCtqvMyNs0PxW96ozGz_M_aDBRauy4NY1h0iI1P3mAETXf46Rll2Zsf6BzdS5oDti_NYwQzSidFUMc/s1600/IMG_1020.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, this is how darling they are.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL4D50G2-Fq0fVSt1Syvj6nvjWGQit_M48C449kK7NYz5Ox5tT4LqIiULCvmTH-kE3wO2Ctc3XB9LPKiL-nDcCe027IlJbQIakloLT4n1NUeJQ_NnrH06-Gsc3CiCENpBGdj-Ym5m5bY/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcL4D50G2-Fq0fVSt1Syvj6nvjWGQit_M48C449kK7NYz5Ox5tT4LqIiULCvmTH-kE3wO2Ctc3XB9LPKiL-nDcCe027IlJbQIakloLT4n1NUeJQ_NnrH06-Gsc3CiCENpBGdj-Ym5m5bY/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DHubby Don stayed bundled up a good bit of the time. (Even on hot days it usually cools off at night.) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6LlgZE9E3KR9Zd_WWfBjFaHxa4LE6USMflGc4lCq65wCAxng64OiMuvKfscC3FQl0Oh43ZPuzFg1jdmAjAbUE5VtE-N1bbAKfNfgoUS0BPD1z_fswJdrBi3x3CVqq_KhyyFTJLCvfnQ/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6LlgZE9E3KR9Zd_WWfBjFaHxa4LE6USMflGc4lCq65wCAxng64OiMuvKfscC3FQl0Oh43ZPuzFg1jdmAjAbUE5VtE-N1bbAKfNfgoUS0BPD1z_fswJdrBi3x3CVqq_KhyyFTJLCvfnQ/s1600/IMG_1026.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also present: the three black cats. Neo here looks uncannily like our beautiful Charlie. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After it grew dark, we all repaired to the patio and toasted our toes and a few marshmallows around the fire pit. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lovely evening!</span></div>
Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-78676213908544152462014-05-17T10:33:00.001-05:002014-05-28T15:03:06.505-05:00Traveling: Part IV Joyful Reunion<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As soon as this trip was planned, I arranged visits--hoping to spend time with folks with whom we've stayed in touch over the intervening 26 years. (Well, actually, some of them had visited us in Ohio, but even those happy events were long past.) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A rainy day greeted us the next morning, but we dodged the raindrops, and--carrying a gift bottle of the DHubby's wine--we drove into Cupertino to visit The Robinsons: Maddie, Robbie, and their son Dave--once our next-door neighbors on Boise Court in Sunnyvale, now living</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">in a retirement center villa</span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, . I can scarcely come up with adequate words to describe how important these dear people have been to our family. Maybe I'll just show you their smiling faces:</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWSihiSHLhoty0gBHhD-8_-hM74EKZ0a6V545HgkaVVblS38NBx2WqBVBtgoQai7xDzVPHjGC4iwh40vnZiMLH96BnSXpmpBqAl1wwWBHDBUdes08GKM8xn_pmUPtDWTzi71gT5chqfo/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWSihiSHLhoty0gBHhD-8_-hM74EKZ0a6V545HgkaVVblS38NBx2WqBVBtgoQai7xDzVPHjGC4iwh40vnZiMLH96BnSXpmpBqAl1wwWBHDBUdes08GKM8xn_pmUPtDWTzi71gT5chqfo/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Maddie and Robbie, now both in their Nineties (!) have been married more than 71 years. Both of them have been generous, caring, and helpful to us--as neighbors and as long-distance friends. They are our children's 'real grandparents' in many ways. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maddie shared her wisdom and support during some hard times. I gave Maddie my non-performing orchid plant...which immediately began blooming for her. I got photos of it in bloom for years!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHQgY3IeuCGffs-MvWlB_Ixcv6Ukeb8z874RhuMCyBfEZNJU-s63TppgTLSukjfNkd8BQkgz0XMRewhft1glcSPbgm9xQsWzq9u_AzZJUb16_wnO24R2ZHhDsLJnXPP_MevPCm_JWSBw/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHQgY3IeuCGffs-MvWlB_Ixcv6Ukeb8z874RhuMCyBfEZNJU-s63TppgTLSukjfNkd8BQkgz0XMRewhft1glcSPbgm9xQsWzq9u_AzZJUb16_wnO24R2ZHhDsLJnXPP_MevPCm_JWSBw/s1600/IMG_1018.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Robbie came to my rescue when the hot water heater began leaking and when the bean trellis blew over in the wind, and on and on. </span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He retired from Lockheed during our years in California, but he continued as a Certified Flight Instructor for many years after that. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a tradition for Maddie and Robbie to come to dinner on Christmas Eve; I always fixed lasagna. The Christmas that we all had the flu, they brought <i>us</i> dinner! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguznoOW52y8Q7V-A5npbHO0YxxxgWtgp6L3HMDFIjj4f1U86zNNbQe3XSVuU_eA6RHSn5tTYyDVBWmqEe-_TjGrH-YJi9h7syWgrD02rS0IMe2HjegIi451rSurgaveX_H1vHGGj4a_UE/s1600/Dave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguznoOW52y8Q7V-A5npbHO0YxxxgWtgp6L3HMDFIjj4f1U86zNNbQe3XSVuU_eA6RHSn5tTYyDVBWmqEe-_TjGrH-YJi9h7syWgrD02rS0IMe2HjegIi451rSurgaveX_H1vHGGj4a_UE/s1600/Dave.JPG" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sweet son Dave Robinson has a mild degree of hemiplegia, walking with a limp and having limited use of one hand. Dave is an important part of our family story, and I'll share the reason here:</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We moved into the Boise Court house in June, 1983--one jump ahead of the stork, so to speak. (There is somewhere a picture of me--smiling because I think I have only 4 more weeks before Nathaniel's birth, when instead it was six--planting out tomatoes.) I was full of energy and anxious to get as settled as possible before the birth. Laura was happy to play in the grassy back yard while I worked to get the all-important kitchen arranged. The DHubby, as always concerned with the performance of the electronics, climbed his extension ladder and got onto the roof to fiddle with the antenna. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, although she was not yet three years old, Laura was a very bold and (hyper)active child, little daunted by her disabilities. We encouraged her from earliest days to do as much as she could, and we regarded her high activity level as helpful and even vital. (Honestly, anyone else would have had the sense to give up in the face of the challenge of walking. She fell many, many times each day.) So....meanwhile, back on the roof,.suddenly Don hears, "Hi, Daddy!" --and he turns to see Laura's smiling face peering over the top of the ladder at the edge of the roof. He moved quickly to get hands on Laura and began shouting for me. Though the doors were open, I heard nothing... and in my condition, I don't know how I would have managed a climb....but Dave next door did hear, and he quickly came over. He got himself up that ladder and rescued Laura, saving us all from a dreadful situation. He will always, always, be our hero.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Years later, reading Ann Proulx's <i>The Shipping News</i>, I came across a similar scene; protagonist Quoyle is roofing the house when six-year-old Bunny comes to 'help.' Uncanny, evocative, and too close to home!) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We all shared photos, viewed their cozy space, admired their patio with its roses, and enjoyed a lovely lunch in the gracious dining room in the main building. The rain had nobbled our plans for a hike with Nat and Karen in Rancho San Antonio preserve, and perhaps that was fortunate, because it gave us more time to reminisce and catch up with the Robinsons. Finally it was time to part. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day ended with an amazing dinner prepared by Karen (say, did Natty help?)--Ceviche, made with some lemons from their tree. The DHubby is not always a fan of fish--especially not fish that is officially raw--but this dish was wonderful. I plan to nag for the recipe...</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In lieu of the rained-out stroll around Deer Hollow Farm on the Rancho preserve we four opted for a walk around the neighborhood where Nat and Karen are renters. I'm always interested in people's yards, plants, gardens. Housing in Silicon Valley, despite several 'dips' during economic downturns, has continued to grow phenomenally more expensive. Modest houses in Sunnyvale are selling--within a few days--for more than a million dollars with multiple offers that push the final sale far above the $1M+ asking price. (Maddie and Robbie described the letter that their successful buyers had written as part of their offer; sellers have many choices and can make decisions based on minute criteria.) We came upon a house that had a big sign posted next to the sidewalk, and we crossed the street and read that the City of Sunnyvale was accepting Public Comment on a proposed remodel that would add to the size of the house by going the only possible direction--up. At that point, the woman of the house popped out the door, asking if we had any questions. It turned out that the entire neighborhood was up in arms in opposition to the proposed addition of a second story. With four children, the family desperately needed more space; moreover, the house was the one the husband and father had himself grown up in! We expressed our sympathy and support--and this story continues to haunt me. Wish I knew how this was playing out! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5/28 I was able to check the City of Sunnyvale's online listing of building permits. The project was approved! That made us very happy. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for more doings....</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-81640774431193613962014-05-14T09:45:00.002-05:002014-05-16T07:29:47.334-05:00Traveling: Part III...Visiting!<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="at the fountain near the art museum" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-photos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-0/p110x80/1482786_10152164598946081_1071667816_a.jpg" width="241" /></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why Sunnyvale?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Why, because we once lived there! and 25 years after leaving, a Son of the Golden West (Nathaniel, our off-spring) returned to live in the same city and work for a Silicon Valley company as a software engineer. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(See portrait of the cyclist as a young man)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">California is a long way away from everything and everybody! and it had been nearly 18 months since we'd all been face to face. Joyful reunions involve a lot of hugs, exclamations, and (if you do it right) food. In this case the dinner starred grilled salmon and featured incredible praline cupcakes (one bearing a birthday candle for Don's 73rd.) Sorry there aren't pictures, but we were too busy stuffing ourselves (apparently.) It felt so good to arrive, knowing we could stay in one place for a week! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We old folks had arranged a series of reunions with special people--our one-time next-door-neighbors, long-ago schoolmates (Don), a teaching colleague (Elaine), and friends with whom we've stayed in touch over the passage of 26+ years. There were also some events and activities lined up--one fell by the wayside due to a rainy day, but we were so happy that California was getting even a little moisture that no one could complain. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day after we arrived we had grocery-shopping on our agenda. Nat had given us directions to 'the nicest Safeway,' telling us that it was 'California's Kroger.' Safeway was seldom my first choice back in the mid-80's, but the brand has plainly improved. Paper bags with handles are provided (at a price); no plastic bags allowed. Alcoholic beverages have their own aisles--none of this 'dry county' business!</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Mission accomplished, we freshened up and headed into San Jose.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ND3JilK0wz1HyVbAILdaWXUOmxiIgb-z3oC65nflzZtuVB0F85JBzuJrYeG-Xh-LtJTNdJvm5WK-vyamyc2GBNOxjsLrgyyDqWBU6-r2Ii3qy7h-Iq43SgVD74uXw1wnUVjCm9xfHes/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ND3JilK0wz1HyVbAILdaWXUOmxiIgb-z3oC65nflzZtuVB0F85JBzuJrYeG-Xh-LtJTNdJvm5WK-vyamyc2GBNOxjsLrgyyDqWBU6-r2Ii3qy7h-Iq43SgVD74uXw1wnUVjCm9xfHes/s1600/IMG_0998.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ed and the DHubby were classmates at Delhaas High School in Bristol, PA. Thanks to a helpful reunion organizer, Don was able to contact Ed and arrange a lunch get-together (along with Marie and me.) What interesting lives these guys have led--and how far from Pennsylvania they are now! The time sped by. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">DHubby and I walked down to South First Street--past a pedestrian mall (where a street I was planning to turn down had disappeared) near the Valley Transit tracks (all manner of light rail and other mass-transit infrastructure has cropped up in the intervening years) and arrived at our destination: The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles. Nathaniel and Karen joined us there. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first exhibit we saw (this sounds improbable) was a collection of pot-holders. The owner had inherited her aunt's stash and then added to it; most fairs, bazaars, and yard sales feature inexpensively-priced pot-holders, often cleverly food-themed, and the collection was the result of decades of acquisitions. It just happened that the owner was there.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0WpWKMqdQ90fr2qLcJGYHwfHVy0WLEvOmOUGB-_eLDQeabfxUQyb2RoIZN4cojGUl7PNM1VXFxhIo_8Awapt2Vb4coQBmO-knoGDP7tkKIFeOByoEOGBT0FfeJh-e3udFTTo3xsS2Ms/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF0WpWKMqdQ90fr2qLcJGYHwfHVy0WLEvOmOUGB-_eLDQeabfxUQyb2RoIZN4cojGUl7PNM1VXFxhIo_8Awapt2Vb4coQBmO-knoGDP7tkKIFeOByoEOGBT0FfeJh-e3udFTTo3xsS2Ms/s1600/IMG_1002.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Such a variety of techniques and materials! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I wasn't expecting to be so delighted.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-tgBdFIQj0-0l8UNdaqCV6W8WRas3JjvZ0xILno8H7SkwYJ2ZiiL4ntULOQPUyE1WjZlYHhoLz182ERBtHJ-uC3p8Z2Ts63EPpaOAY_KjvNXIRWVr-444eLP22hSHrTJWTDdbI4PIkc/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg-tgBdFIQj0-0l8UNdaqCV6W8WRas3JjvZ0xILno8H7SkwYJ2ZiiL4ntULOQPUyE1WjZlYHhoLz182ERBtHJ-uC3p8Z2Ts63EPpaOAY_KjvNXIRWVr-444eLP22hSHrTJWTDdbI4PIkc/s1600/IMG_1007.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The 'pie' had a woven lattice and red button 'cherries.'</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnTfM5Z3HOvv_6zuviJyRrRv6JACfK7QxyACuJ5gqF0jx8Mf0JRckufl6XjPZhw2DlZ_ptkuc6-eKX-2QfEWDgmvWHLISJzWaO8XOS4yhr7uc3ZEQmKuWVCJ8WRh9byWWjnpA6qzxrxw/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnTfM5Z3HOvv_6zuviJyRrRv6JACfK7QxyACuJ5gqF0jx8Mf0JRckufl6XjPZhw2DlZ_ptkuc6-eKX-2QfEWDgmvWHLISJzWaO8XOS4yhr7uc3ZEQmKuWVCJ8WRh9byWWjnpA6qzxrxw/s1600/IMG_1008.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Expert knitting and crochet created the ear of corn and the squash.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I recognized a design from the Sixties--the asparagus bundle.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was a unique exhibition of textiles used in clothing, including this haunting and beautiful piece:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA-qt36PIoZnKLIh50_Y97CvfMMIS8yKfmrz4hTy57y8DPY2OtZIiBzWqNH8m2upNicZbQ0rFkGCwa7Q9h2F7cx7GIJiybxbUQqVzAlgdSpuVTITFP1mt2KVFrAFEHBh1OWz6mxa3xjc/s1600/IMG_1013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyA-qt36PIoZnKLIh50_Y97CvfMMIS8yKfmrz4hTy57y8DPY2OtZIiBzWqNH8m2upNicZbQ0rFkGCwa7Q9h2F7cx7GIJiybxbUQqVzAlgdSpuVTITFP1mt2KVFrAFEHBh1OWz6mxa3xjc/s1600/IMG_1013.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also shown--as part of the food-themed 'Tasty' exhibit--were donated art quilts. I made one of these 16 x 16" pieces for the museum and sent it off in November:</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2fxh797_o9MrpJZqxa6uegDXXJteJB0HcNofHPhptMdZSgk4dZ20qZr5CP9Q1M-fqWb5wTKLbmwHxUHyodO1_h6yNHLYupk9az0GQKqce6kLM0exXc10MhtbZTSGg5mZdgiMpCvKtTM/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp2fxh797_o9MrpJZqxa6uegDXXJteJB0HcNofHPhptMdZSgk4dZ20qZr5CP9Q1M-fqWb5wTKLbmwHxUHyodO1_h6yNHLYupk9az0GQKqce6kLM0exXc10MhtbZTSGg5mZdgiMpCvKtTM/s1600/IMG_1010.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">'Fig' seemed a natural choice; I was pleased with this piece.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(The red dot on the label means that it was sold.) I was so pleased that we were able to time our visit before this exhibit closed at the end of that week.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ended our day going out to eat in Mountain View. An Indo-Asian colleague of Nathaniel's told him the best Indian food was to be found at Sakoon...and oh, my! It was wonderful. 'Ghosh' might have been the name of my lamb dish... A very well-stocked used-book store drew us in (we did our best to help the economy) before Natty drove us 'home' and we ended our day. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stay tuned for further details!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-13247520050628936382014-05-10T06:10:00.002-05:002014-05-10T06:10:43.781-05:00Traveling: Part II Monterey Peninsula<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Monterey, once the scruffy fishing village of John Steinbeck's <i>Cannery Row</i>, now processes tourists. How do we manage to pack so many people into such a small area? The spectacular scenery is irresistible. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our hotel was 'in walking distance' of Fisherman's Wharf. (That is, the trip to the wharf is down hill, but the trudge back up would be another matter.) Breakfast at the hotel was interesting. The tiny dining room opened at 7:00 and was immediately crowded with a large crew who belonged to the big truck parked on the street--a party-management outfit. I envisioned tents, tables, decor--and a lot of challenges, because it was cold, windy, and gray. These workers (Hispanic) ate quickly and departed, replaced by businessmen (Japanese) and tourists (elderly Anglos and a couple of young families. What, no school?) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Monterey Aquarium was built in the early 1980's, when we lived in California, and we had visited it. Our plans to go back were quashed when the DHubby saw the fees: $34.99 per person with the Senior Discount. Wow. We've paid more than that to see performances, of course, but somehow this didn't sit well. We took the Escape and drove into Pacific Grove along the coastal road. </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllHi8CurvppXqWpeOiicCux00KjqBF3EO9pzZcfbfmKqLYK5AE9SyLS28YYMjtnfQK9IY04Yum7R2hX5oTlokNQVZCsJpAMXhexmR6K6-l5kKkuXCZpPiU2ZzOmRIwBA98JA-_kCa2ME/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjllHi8CurvppXqWpeOiicCux00KjqBF3EO9pzZcfbfmKqLYK5AE9SyLS28YYMjtnfQK9IY04Yum7R2hX5oTlokNQVZCsJpAMXhexmR6K6-l5kKkuXCZpPiU2ZzOmRIwBA98JA-_kCa2ME/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rocky coast, brilliant waves, bracing breeze....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknRmxUCC_Q0a5Rf_5khV0b20vVFQCM5tlCygMfRyXOTkrPhcXa_1YQ6Rni8G9mQ6qeZ6DNU7X-oRUhqZEANx5yQAXt9eKTasiMM9YyU4siVmrwWKAdBdgm7kH46uCKcEZ2X_FnyFUjts/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiknRmxUCC_Q0a5Rf_5khV0b20vVFQCM5tlCygMfRyXOTkrPhcXa_1YQ6Rni8G9mQ6qeZ6DNU7X-oRUhqZEANx5yQAXt9eKTasiMM9YyU4siVmrwWKAdBdgm7kH46uCKcEZ2X_FnyFUjts/s1600/IMG_0981.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The charm factor is pretty high, is it not? Brilliant blue skies above (the brisk morning wind quickly cleared the mists and clouds), colorful cottages, and riotous gardens overlooked the shoreline trail. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCt5i4G78gYReqTCHy4qZjA2OulV_X7doD5zUoPl_dV2sFgEIOJc4Ud7ttTNcou_5AFJEYH7-6K3JjzTJbLxtPW_cuH6mKlBKbegs98LX3wqPEs5GzyLzfdqXthnfLJxHtukpX8pI08g0/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCt5i4G78gYReqTCHy4qZjA2OulV_X7doD5zUoPl_dV2sFgEIOJc4Ud7ttTNcou_5AFJEYH7-6K3JjzTJbLxtPW_cuH6mKlBKbegs98LX3wqPEs5GzyLzfdqXthnfLJxHtukpX8pI08g0/s1600/IMG_0982.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Late April is a great time for gardens!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who wouldn't want to live here? </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzYM_ioaANqjNcY0rFyJcNIr1r0MLyHzPVK9JRCrUylEJShhMbeqsn3KhhQw_ki-bYNTso8fFxsQZDB-V2XYG1UY1JryVRBZAj5zzElXdwvB-tNm8V70eVHwXDwZV0IuoXBa7B1aTIuU/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzYM_ioaANqjNcY0rFyJcNIr1r0MLyHzPVK9JRCrUylEJShhMbeqsn3KhhQw_ki-bYNTso8fFxsQZDB-V2XYG1UY1JryVRBZAj5zzElXdwvB-tNm8V70eVHwXDwZV0IuoXBa7B1aTIuU/s1600/IMG_0979.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It is also the season when harbor seals give birth. The beach was fenced off to protect the seals (and people who might be tempted to intrude.) Nevertheless, it was enchanting to watch the nursing pups, the cautious mothers guiding the eager young swimmers, and the basking crowd on the sand. One young pup hurried into the water ahead of its mother, creating an anxious rush into the surf and a frantic search. The mothers preferred to stay between the open water and their youngsters. (I'm not saying who that pup reminded me of....)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsndgKKCutIY33LyJ80cJJ3oPB5i_BlbM4N4bpofD1BKCl8NLS3Evf6or0HENc074kubUWKf-3RC0HW9LmR-XzHrJZERvRIOIgkpJe7xnztUpCjunKMB8g67AC5Gi0YRF6QrfDa6UtsF8/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsndgKKCutIY33LyJ80cJJ3oPB5i_BlbM4N4bpofD1BKCl8NLS3Evf6or0HENc074kubUWKf-3RC0HW9LmR-XzHrJZERvRIOIgkpJe7xnztUpCjunKMB8g67AC5Gi0YRF6QrfDa6UtsF8/s1600/IMG_0980.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVIG8XuazXv1csLaPzKKUbFUM6ELjCiLWXvzUwiOGCBu9Ru56lcAsry7Tov5xyRAZJon69r4xT3IW_8lV4IMz_tgNST28gp0EuzEi2q0gYAjuoWmwtVlsaOr1dl0fZuVwlEAhYQpWunI/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIVIG8XuazXv1csLaPzKKUbFUM6ELjCiLWXvzUwiOGCBu9Ru56lcAsry7Tov5xyRAZJon69r4xT3IW_8lV4IMz_tgNST28gp0EuzEi2q0gYAjuoWmwtVlsaOr1dl0fZuVwlEAhYQpWunI/s1600/IMG_0974.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pacific Grove also has a small natural history museum, a visitors' center, and a shopping district, which we strolled briefly. Then we continued toward the 17-Mile Drive, one of the area attractions. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg2Hj4hBRWqaupdm-95LOg4S37iiOurn1DeUF11U-kHu0VWNORw25MuDDA7hp5rdXaI-GaJScvxRfuBpvc0A5Z0pizHcVo01_WLIjhLNRwQUZSfkwmtHvsgO1xfl3lkira4Qw4BRmyuU/s1600/IMG_0966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg2Hj4hBRWqaupdm-95LOg4S37iiOurn1DeUF11U-kHu0VWNORw25MuDDA7hp5rdXaI-GaJScvxRfuBpvc0A5Z0pizHcVo01_WLIjhLNRwQUZSfkwmtHvsgO1xfl3lkira4Qw4BRmyuU/s1600/IMG_0966.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mesmerizing.....why do we never tire of watching the water? (Well, the cold wind drove us onward, for one thing...)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_3TjeZrjtriemFl-95PnKvh5VR7OLVO6p8GUaOL_zeyhgHFJjpfW_PqF6mHSQWBoqgwVnlhX2ySLCoBazxyuZkZQlorHmfRoIcZbfdKGlDfrE-JyczZyeuaFGvzX027FP7_JRDN6x5k/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4_3TjeZrjtriemFl-95PnKvh5VR7OLVO6p8GUaOL_zeyhgHFJjpfW_PqF6mHSQWBoqgwVnlhX2ySLCoBazxyuZkZQlorHmfRoIcZbfdKGlDfrE-JyczZyeuaFGvzX027FP7_JRDN6x5k/s1600/IMG_0987.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhVfS_YW4cFCymBRFfxHIk6H15Yz8t92xXWMPi_OlOa2em_y0A6YtU5iYRCZsgOFUobp68K7xQ-FWlNnRqSPhmYP36VEBgvjoxcRwSGz2Ed9Uxoi98tgZpvdJe-cbqjNuzqNj0elHWkk/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhVfS_YW4cFCymBRFfxHIk6H15Yz8t92xXWMPi_OlOa2em_y0A6YtU5iYRCZsgOFUobp68K7xQ-FWlNnRqSPhmYP36VEBgvjoxcRwSGz2Ed9Uxoi98tgZpvdJe-cbqjNuzqNj0elHWkk/s1600/IMG_0990.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu5mC9mwEdiB8VPVGKQGCCK7hmfa5OOg662hOU8t8qfHk0UJx5IpyKwJ4P491_qwFr411H5eJutdK-uhleaQt5Mw81y9Mo6Ji_IifmUBo6SzgvVuIZGf8I2k1_7QHZCPIiwxchhnVX9g/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu5mC9mwEdiB8VPVGKQGCCK7hmfa5OOg662hOU8t8qfHk0UJx5IpyKwJ4P491_qwFr411H5eJutdK-uhleaQt5Mw81y9Mo6Ji_IifmUBo6SzgvVuIZGf8I2k1_7QHZCPIiwxchhnVX9g/s1600/IMG_0989.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No narration necessary....</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> and finally we were hungry enough to relinquish the compelling natural beauty and head back toward Fisherman's Wharf. (Insert brief argument between Garmin and the signage, with additional confusion because there is now also a 'new' Fisherman's Wharf with garish 'attractions.') We wavered between two well-remembered restaurants--Domenico's and Abalonetti's--finally ending up with the latter after studying the menu displays. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL6BofbMG0LPVd1ZqRO91DIErzSplBfrIPA-ThCnR-sghvXG3NbH4UeGALucBHJTeMLNssl7_3djZWhWbYN2tT4Z_O6UM3H13UxBWJF0YguFcfM-hmleAi6Qfh-3tx4LdIwvwiFoKD9E/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxL6BofbMG0LPVd1ZqRO91DIErzSplBfrIPA-ThCnR-sghvXG3NbH4UeGALucBHJTeMLNssl7_3djZWhWbYN2tT4Z_O6UM3H13UxBWJF0YguFcfM-hmleAi6Qfh-3tx4LdIwvwiFoKD9E/s1600/IMG_0995.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A flotilla of brown pelicans entertained us while we dined on roasted garlic, calamari, and steamed vegetables. There might have been some wine involved, as well. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbZn2RD6qyluKGEjxql2H-xydL1DfwfrD60pBCOjLOVKtgtoKkp-9ZkNRUNZHxN2k1ONdV1L1FGeQBnz1sDfXNii6jHsUotuAfP4JArWyqD96WetIQQSyf_Ns60hnvxNCoIzEDPe8YZw/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfbZn2RD6qyluKGEjxql2H-xydL1DfwfrD60pBCOjLOVKtgtoKkp-9ZkNRUNZHxN2k1ONdV1L1FGeQBnz1sDfXNii6jHsUotuAfP4JArWyqD96WetIQQSyf_Ns60hnvxNCoIzEDPe8YZw/s1600/IMG_0991.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Too chilly and windy for terrace dining, but I admired the enormous succulents through the glass. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next morning (the DHubby's 73rd birthday,) we made leisurely progress northward, stopping in Capitola for a stroll and a light lunch. We had remembered this as a quieter place, but it was teeming with beachgoers (how could so many children have no school obligations?) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img alt="Image" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KcvW0A3e1IA/U0bdUWT-XoI/AAAAAAAApvU/0G3lF6_5_Lo/s206-k-no/photo.jpg" /></span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Venetian was one of the first condominiums--it dates back to the Twenties--it's now a motel. Not sure I'd want to stay there, but it was fascinating to look at. Funky Quaint?</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the time we left, I could have auctioned off our parking space; there were 'scouts' watching for people who were about to depart so that they could hold the space for their circling drivers. We fled the crowds, skipped a stop in Santa Cruz, and continued through the Santa Clara mountains--past the shockingly diminished Lexington Reservoir--and on toward Sunnyvale. Here Garmin pulled one of her less-enjoyable tricks, having us double back to enter from Cupertino (DeAnza Blvd.) instead of from the north. We were forced to trek through miles of traffic (seeing daunting changes and realizing we'd forgotten what streets went which way.) We also found that our rental condo unit was on the second floor (with additional steps up from the street.) The DHubby was limping (possible gout attack) so I got to schlep the luggage and supplies up the stairs, shuttling back and forth like a worker bee. But we had arrived! and our next stop would be dinner with son Nathaniel and his partner Karen. H'ray! </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8933274477337608351.post-32680345828649856212014-05-09T12:21:00.004-05:002014-05-09T12:25:52.969-05:00Traveling on I-40<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interstate highway travel is not our favorite; high speeds, by-passed sites, higher-priced gasoline....but if one has a long, long way to go, it sure beats the way my family crossed the country in 1958 and again in 1960, on the famed Route 66. Crossing the country--including the Mojave Desert-- in an unair-conditioned car in midsummer was not a picnic (though we have memories of the roadside shade trees that welcomed us at lunchtime occasionally.) Every little town had a water tower (name emblazoned on the metal tank); only the Burma-Shave signs broke the monotony. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I-40 pretty much parallels the 'Historic Route 66.' Our point of departure was, of course, Central Arkansas. Before driving away we thought to go down our checklist once more; this was fortunate, because Don had forgotten to pack up his c-pap. That would have been quite the set-back. While he was back inside the house loading his medical equipment, I thought of several things I had over-looked, too. Ultimately we got away at 9 a.m., though once we passed out of range of our NPR station and looked for the thumb drive with our audio books, we discovered it had been left behind. Happily, the DHubby had the stories backed up on his MP3 player. Let the murders begin! (Mysteries make the miles fly.)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oklahoma has rolling hills, fair-sized trees; it's not too bad. It was fascinating to read the names of the 'resettled' Native American tribes as we crossed invisible borders. We drove farther than we had planned, ending up just across the border in the Texas panhandle spot-in-the-road of Shamrock. We'd overextended, and we were tired and aching the next morning. There are possibly more desolate, benighted landscapes than the drought-stricken miles we crossed, but I can't think where. Every so often, a horrid stench would warn us that we were approaching another feed-lot, where beef cattle are fattened before slaughter. To make matters worse, on Saturday we were driving into storms. As we passed into New Mexico, heavy skeins of clouds moved over the land. We couldn't begrudge these struggling areas the moisture, but the weather did nothing to improve the views. It was also unusually cold; we had clearly packed the wrong things. I purchased a 'Route 66' hoodie on sale at a tribal rest stop. We crossed the entire state, winding up in Gallup. The bright spot: the food! Lunch in Santa Rosa at the Silver Moon Diner--posole and enchiladas,oh my...and dinner at Don Diego's Restaurant in Gallup (margaritas! Carne Adovada!) </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Making it that far got us past the worst of our soreness and exhaustion, and a sunny Sunday raised our spirits. That was fortunate, because crossing Arizona and entering southern California (driving from Needles to Barstow) took us through territory that had nothing to recommend it: stones, dust, creosote brush, tumbleweeds, desolation. Things improved the next day, as we reached Tehachapi and then Paso Robles; the mountains were greener and the views more appealing. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paso Robles at first seemed to be one large traffic jam (poor signage, narrow streets) but we made a turn, drove blindly, and stumbled on City Park. We strolled along the margin of the park and found a Thai restaurant. By this time we had caught on that we needed to order ONE lunch and split it if we wanted to avoid disastrous weight gain. Then we walked into the park because I had a hunch about the little building in the center: could it be a Carnegie Library? And it was! </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54e4jLA_PJ7sbdGt1mKK3MMTv4BkRLUOQB0t_cqG9a0EqP1u1fJnJCLRoKl-Vx3XWemCAvTcL5yboAlm15wwHJKuDf7YtJuCPKGcwrEbqovS0cG1uI9tmlMwe-e4jSvCpydUXhyphenhyphenTJasY/s1600/Library.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54e4jLA_PJ7sbdGt1mKK3MMTv4BkRLUOQB0t_cqG9a0EqP1u1fJnJCLRoKl-Vx3XWemCAvTcL5yboAlm15wwHJKuDf7YtJuCPKGcwrEbqovS0cG1uI9tmlMwe-e4jSvCpydUXhyphenhyphenTJasY/s1600/Library.jpg" height="376" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The jewel-box building is now a historical society (with the large, newer, modern library nearby)...and alas, closed on Mondays. I was able to press my nose to the glass of the front door and see handsome columns, dark woodwork, and high ceilings. How I do love the individuality and beauty of the Carnegie libraries that grace so many American towns! A statue and plaque honoring Ignacy Paderewski (a long-time resident of Paso Robles) was an informative surprise. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ended our fourth day of travel in Monterey, happy to find a Trader Joe's a short walk from the hotel. </span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(To be continued....)</span><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Elainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13195458656221202202noreply@blogger.com2