My Neck of the Woods ~ Old Town Sacramento

When I moved to Sacramento, I wasn’t sure what to expect from the city… or what I might find. About all I knew was that Sacramento is the capital of California and it is in north central California. The longer I live here, the more I find out about its amazing history.

The ‘new’ Sacramento city is to the right (east) of the yellow box and freeway in this picture. The yellow box designates Old Town Sacramento.

Being from New England, I had visited reconstructed colonial villages – some with original structures. Even some towns were of the colonial genre. But nothing compared to the thrill of the “Old West” that I found in Old Town Sacramento and then in more of the small town communities I have visited since.

There is so much to show you too… The buildings (with all the great shops to browse… tourist trap souvenir stores, also), fantastic restaurants (yum) and real cobble stone streets with wide plank sidewalks…
The Railroad Museum and the vintage trains that run through Old Town…




But today, I will tell you about the Delta King. Although I have never had the pleasure of spending the night in/on this luxury hotel, I imagine it would be a marvelous experience.

“The Delta King is an authentic 285-foot riverboat. The King and her identical twin, the Delta Queen, were christened on May 20, 1927, and began their daily river voyages between San Francisco and Sacramento in June of that year. At 6:00 p.m. each evening, the grand ladies of the Delta left their docks for the 10 hour trip that included prohibition era drinking, jazz bands, gambling and fine dining. A stateroom was $3.50, but for a dollar and "’your own blanket" the night could be spent on the Cargo Deck.

“The King and Queen reigned on the Sacramento River until the late 1930's when an increase in the number of roads, bridges and automobiles made riverboating a less efficient means of transportation. Depression and World War II signaled the end of the sternwheel era and both the King and Queen were drafted into the U. S. Navy to serve on San Francisco Bay as net tenders, floating barracks, troop transports and hospital ships.

“At the conclusion of the War, the Delta Queen was purchased and taken via the Panama Canal to the Mississippi River where she still serves. The engines of the Delta King were taken for spare parts. The King was shuttled between Canada and California as a derelict with hopes of becoming a floating Ghiradelli Square or Chinese Restaurant dashed at each turn by sinkings and litigations.

In 1984, after being sunk for 18 months in San Francisco Bay, the Delta King was towed to Old Sacramento, where it underwent a complete renovation. Five pain-staking years later the Delta King reopened to reign, once again, as the heralded monarch of the Sacramento River.”

Today, The Delta King is permanently moored in downtown Old Sacramento and offers a retreat to a bygone era, with an emphasis on contemporary amenities (such as free wi-fi). A dedicated crew, committed to first class service, makes your stay aboard the Delta King a nostalgic memory of days gone by.

Accommodations: The Captain’s Quarters is the Delta King’s deluxe suite. It is located on the upper deck at the bow of the boat in the original wheelhouse. Two additional bedrooms can adjoin the Captain's Quarters through a private passage-way – all this for a mere $550 per night. (There are also single rooms -- with attached bath -- available.)

The Pilothouse Restaurant: Even if you are not spending the night aboard this nostalgic paddle wheeler, Chef Julian Vasquez’s menus are drawing rave reviews. Julian is focused on fresh, healthy, local food. His plates include grass fed beef, local lamb, the freshest seafood and free-range chicken combined with dazzling sauces. There is a great wine list in an old sea world atmosphere and beautiful setting. There is even a drawbridge just south of the King’s mooring.

As much as the setting is of the Old West and the Old Town, everything you find in Old Sacramento is pretty much up-to-date. What’s that song from Oklahoma! … Everything’s Up To Date In Kansas City, it’s gone about as fer as it can go… Old Town Sacramento is a trip that I take a few times a year (never on a weekend in tourist season, though). It’s difficult for me to get around and I tire easily, so I am pretty happy that I live in THESE days instead of THOSE days. And, even if I only sit on a bench and watch the river traffic and the tourists go by, it’s a trip I enjoy a lot.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting a spot in My Neck of the Woods.

Only The Good Friday #2

Sorry I am so late in posting this... but it is too good not to post on OTGF...

Amidst all the goings-on around here, I was finally able to get to some email that I had put back and labeled ‘read later.’ This story came from my elderly aunt in Wisconsin.

Jasmine

In 2003, police in Warwickshire, England, opened a garden shed and found a whimpering, cowering dog. It had been locked in the shed and abandoned. It was dirty and malnourished, and had clearly been abused.

In an act of kindness, the police took the dog, which was a greyhound female, to the nearby Nuneaton and Warwickshire Wildlife Sanctuary, run by a man named Geoff Grewcock and known as a willing haven for animals abandoned, orphaned or otherwise in need.

Geoff Grewcock and the other sanctuary staff went to work with two aims: to restore the dog to full health, and to win her trust. It took several weeks, but eventually both goals were achieved.

They named her Jasmine, and they started to think about finding her an adoptive home.

The dog had other ideas. No-one remembers now how it began, but Jasmine started welcoming all animal arrivals at the sanctuary. It wouldn’t matter if it was a puppy, a fox cub, a rabbit or, probably, a rhinoceros, Jasmine would peer into the box or cage and, where possible, deliver a welcoming lick.

Geoff Grewcock relates one of the early incidents. “We had two puppies that had been abandoned by a nearby railway line. One was a Lakeland Terrier cross and another was a Jack Russell Doberman cross. They were tiny when they arrived at the centre and Jasmine approached them and grabbed one by the scruff of the neck in her mouth and put him on the settee. Then she fetched the other one and sat down with them, cuddling them.”

“But she is like that with all of our animals, even the rabbits. She takes all the stress out of them and it helps them to not only feel close to her but to settle into their new surroundings.

“She has done the same with the fox and badger cubs, she licks the rabbits and guinea pigs and even lets the birds perch on the bridge of her nose.”

Jasmine, the timid, abused, deserted waif, became the animal sanctuary’s resident surrogate mother, a role for which she might have been born. The list of orphaned and abandoned youngsters she has cared for comprises five fox cubs, four badger cubs, 15 chicks, eight guinea pigs, two stray puppies and 15 rabbits.

And one roe deer fawn. Tiny Bramble, 11 weeks old, was found semi-conscious in a field. Upon arrival at the sanctuary, Jasmine cuddled up to her to keep her warm, and then went into the full foster mum role. Jasmine the greyhound showers Bramble the roe deer with affection and makes sure nothing is matted in her fur.

“They are inseparable,” says Geoff Grewcock. “Bramble walks between her legs and they keep kissing each other. They walk together round the sanctuary. It’s a real treat to see them.”

Jasmine will continue to care for Bramble until she is old enough to be returned to woodland life. When that happens, Jasmine will not be lonely. She will be too busy showering love and affection on the next orphan or victim of abuse.

From left, Toby, a stray Lakelanddog; Bramble, an orphaned roe deer; Buster,a stray Jack Russell; a dumped rabbit; Sky, an injured barn owl; and Jasmine

Doing what she does best, being a mother

More on the Renovations...

Before demolition started...

Like I said, this is a SMALL room...

Thursday, March 26, 2009 and Friday, March 27, 2009
Oh my, what a day. I was a nervous wreck because I had NO idea what to expect. Greg and Ron arrived about 10 a.m. and the demolition began. We did not know what they would find in this 50-year old structure. I was very afraid of wet rotten wood and having to replace the entire structure or even worse having to tear down the house. I am sure that is the result of watching too much of “Extreme Make Over Home Edition.”

The dumpster which was delivered at 2 on Thursday afternoon and was placed on a concrete slab in our back yard (have I mentioned that we have an unbelievable amount of concrete in that back yard?). The demolition trash was moved to the dumpster.

While gutting the bathroom Ron found some wiring that really NEEDED to be replaced. So electrician estimator, Waldo, arrived at 11:30 a.m. on Friday and his company will do the required work on Monday. Since there are all sorts of new codes in place, we now have to add a light sensor (motion detector) to turn the lights on when someone walks in the room. OMG… this is a 12’x5’ room with a 3’x1.5’ window in it – a night light works just fine. We also must put in an exhaust fan.

Greg and Ron were back on Friday morning with the new bathtub in tow. They finished stripping and cleaning the shell of a room and then went to put the tub in… oops – that’s not going to happen. The guy gave Greg a 5’2” tub and we only have a 5’ space. Thank you, Lord, that can easily be fixed. The correct tub was delivered and in place by 3 p.m. Now nothing more can be done until the electrical work is complete.

Isn't all this fun??

Monday, March 30, 2009
Today is my dear Jonathan’s 13th birthday. His family is going through such a difficult time. I wish I could be there with him.

Today we met Mario the Electrician. He was so nice. Put in all new wiring for the bathroom very quickly. We now have a fan over la toilette and a sensor switch (motion detector) to turn the lights on and off.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009
The boys (Greg and Ron) were back today. The new tub is set in place; there is insulation in the walls; and the grab bars are temporarily in place. Wednesday we have the electrical inspection and then all the BIG stuff starts and I head out to a motel for a few nights. I will have the laptop (free wifi with me but won’t have access to some of my files. Tonight we are washing enough clothes to get us through the next week. Tomorrow they will take my laundry apart and pull out the old pipes and put in the new. Then Greg will put in a new some-kind-of box and hook everything back up. Then they move on to replacing all the hot and cold water pipes in the house. They plan on turning the water off on Thursday morning and hope to have it back on by Friday afternoon. Chris will stay at the house with Ramona (who has been pretty darn good through all this confusion). He will run a hose from our neighbor’s house so he can flush la old toilette (in the old bathroom)… and for other water needs.

And this is what it looks like tonight...

Thanks for stopping by. Like I said, I will be spending a few days away from this mess. At least we have rewards points to use for the nights at the motel. R likes it that there is a free breakfast. I'll have the laptop with me for company and I may even get in some reading. There is a pool, but I don't think it has warm enough to try that yet.

Only the Good Friday (#1)

My purpose on my first "Only The Good Friday" is to put a smile on your face -- and maybe a little chuckle in your throat.

This week I received 2 GOOD emails which I share with you to achieve my "Only The Good Friday" purpose.

NOW... that is MY idea of a good exercise regime!!

However, if that didn't work... how about the one titled "How Twins Are Made"

Here's hoping your Friday is beyond GOOD and your weekend is even better. And, yes, the demolition goes on... and on... and on...

the work has begun

First of all, as much as I love that red enamel claw-foot tub that I pictured here a few days ago, it is not the tub going into my new bathroom. The room is much too small for the elegance of that tub; PLUS I would never be able to get out of it -- if I could get into it.

The guys are here now. The old 60's bathroom is almost history. Can you see how horribly dark and dingy the room is/was? I think I have everything in place. I am nervously excited about all this. Oh... here are the guys actually starting the work. I will take more pictures later.

And for those of you who made comments about it... these guys are really great -- but not not for me. I have enough trouble taking care of the one I caught. Speaking of R, right now he is at the dermatologist having a skin problem checked out. His cancer doctor found some basal cell carcinoma during the last exam and now R has a dermatologist (adding that to his primary care physician, his oncologist, his knee doctor, his podiatrist -- have I missed anyone? Oh yes, the bone specialist that he may need some day). I think it's nap time... LOL

Habitat for Humanity ReStore

Tuesday afternoon R and I took a little trip to a Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

With all our planning for our bathroom renovation, we have been looking ways to save a bit of money.

This past Saturday, R read an article in the paper about a Habitat for Humanity ReStore that opened in an industrial park (former military base) on the southeast side of Sacramento.

Although this is not the first one in the Sacramento area, it is HUGE.
We had to enter through the old military gate and have our license plate registered.
Then we got directions to the building.
It was very easy to find.
I had R check out the territory for items that we need. Specifically, we were looking for a white vanity, a large mirror to go over the vanity, grab bars and replacement doors. Although there was a lot of bathroom ‘stuff’, one of the volunteer workers told R that you have to be here right when the ReStore opens to get the best stuff. Alas, we didn’t find anything we could use; but we did find another source where we can search out our building needs.

The following is information found on the Sacramento Habitat for Humanity Website:

Sacramento Habitat for Humanity's retail recycling facility, the ReStore, will sell donated, quality building materials at greatly discounted rates to all members of the general public. This project should allow low-income homeowners, in particular, the opportunity to save their homes from disrepair. The materials collected and funds raised will increase Habitat's home-building capacity.

ReStore? What's a ReStore?

The ReStore will serve as a much-needed, creative addition to the Sacramento Valley. Incredible amounts of building material are going unused and, unfortunately, end up primarily in area landfills. In 2006 the ReStore supported the environment by diverting over 15 million pounds of materials away from local landfills, by reselling useable home improvement products. This program encourages the reuse and recycling of these and other quality products. The discounted rate will provide low-income homeowners with a cost- effective alternative when they repair or renovate their homes, thus helping preserve the Valley's supply of low-income housing.

Any materials that can be applied to the construction of a Habitat home will be utilized. These products will thereby decrease the affiliate's cost of construction. In addition, funds raised are applied back into Habitat home construction providing the affiliate with key building materials thus benefiting our organization’s mission of eliminating substandard housing. Both applications will vastly increase our home-building capacity.

In addition to benefiting Sacramento Habitat for Humanity, affiliates in Yolo, El Dorado, and Placer counties will also be able to take advantage of this opportunity. Revenues are allocated to each affiliate based on donations made on their behalf to the ReStore. We fully expect customers from all four counties to take advantage of the wonderful deals available.

The Habitat ReStore idea has been introduced at multiple other affiliates over the past decade.

While the ReStore is a novel approach for the Sacramento Valley region, it is a successful and replicable model that has been established in over 70 communities throughout the United States. The Sacramento ReStore is one of the largest covering 50,000 square feet under one roof dedicated to providing a wide array of building materials for home repair at highly discount prices.

Blogger Version ~ Family Feud

I copied this from Linda at Are We There Yet? If you want to play along, copy and paste the questions to a new post, erase my answers (I left Linda’s answers in), and fill in your answers. Just remember, you can't use any of the answers I've already given (OR any of Linda’s answers either – just making it a bit more challenging) or you'll hear a loud annoying buzzer go off in your head!

1. Name something you use in the shower. (Shampoo) WATER

2. Name a product for men. (Barbasol Shaving Cream) TOJAN CONDOMS

3. Name something people hate to find on their windshields. (Bug guts) PARKING TICKET

4. Name something a man might buy before a date. [Earplugs (ok, ok, I haven't dated in a very, very long time obviously, it's all I could think of!)] CONDOMS – yes, I am depraved

5. What is another word for blemish. (Zit) PIMPLE

6. Something you cook in the microwave. (Hot Pockets) JIMMY DEAN BREAKFAST CROISSANTS

7. Name a piece of furniture people need help moving. (Piano) SOFA BED

8 Name a reason a younger man might like an older woman. (We aren't quite as needy!) CURIOSITY

9. Name something a dog does that embarrasses its owner. (Shakes slobber over visitors) INAPPROPRIATE SNIFFING

10.. Name a kind of test you cannot study for. (Eye test) URINE TEST

11. Name something a boy scout gets a badge for. (Woodworking) TYING KNOTS

12 Name a phrase with the word home in it. ("Home is where the heart is.") HOME ON THE RANGE

13. Name a sport where players lose teeth. (Hockey) BOXING

14. Name something a teacher can do to ruin a student's day. (Give too much homework.) DETENTION

15. What is a way you can tell someone has been crying. (Red, puffy eyes.) TEARS STREAMING DOWN THE FACE

16. Name a bird you wouldn't want to eat. (A vulture) PARAKEET

17. Name something someone would wear with a hole in it. (Jeans) SKI MASK

18. Name something that gets smaller the more you use it. (Sandpaper) SOAP

If you want to pass the game along, tag 5 of your friends and don't forget to send it back to me. Remember, you can't use the same answer as the person who sent it to you. I’m not tagging anyone; HOWEVER to make it more challenging, you can’t use any of the answers that already appear here.

Leave me a comment to let me know if you have played along. Have fun!

This and that from the last 10 days...

Oh yes... I am still hanging in there. It has been such a busy week for us with all the plumber stuff going on around here (we are replacing all our hot and cold water pipes and renovating the main bathroom). And Ramona and R going to obedience classes at the SPCA (I am the designated driver). So I have been keeping a sort of diary about what has happened around here.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Met with plumber, Greg. Went over things that would be done. I am in a fog about plumbing things. I DO know how to flush a toilet (and plunge it when it won’t flush). I know how to take off the tank top and wiggle that little do-giggy so the water will flow in again. And I can dial the plumber’s cell phone when there is a clog. YAY!!

Friday, March 13, 2009
Plumber, Greg, and his business partner, Ron, scope out the back yard. We call the City Water offices and request that someone come out and locate and expose the place in the water line where our pipes meet the city pipes. Believe it or not, the guy is here before sunset. YAY!! Believe it or not, that valve is underneath a concrete slab in our back yard.
Let me explain that concrete thing. Before R bought this house (which has a very nice roomy back yard for California), the previous owner must have had stock in a concrete company. There was a 12 foot wide slab that ran the length of our house (across the back) and in the middle of the back yard there was a slab with the middle cut out in a 15 foot circle. It looks like a surround for what was an above-ground pool.
So this valve that we need to shut off is in the southeast corner of the concrete monster. Then we go over and sign the contract with Plumber Greg for the work he is going to do for us.

Monday, March 16, 2009
Plumber Greg and Partner Ron arrive at 9 a.m. sharp. We show them where the valve is. They back in the truck and pull out all their excavation tools – including jackhammer. By noon we have a lovely trench dug from our back yard water spigot to what was the southeast corner of the concrete (about 32 feet). They did a marvelous job!! HOWEVER, we must call the City Water Office again because they can’t loosen the connection between our pipe and the City pipe, and WE don’t want to be responsible for anything that breaks. The City Water guy arrives before sunset (YAY!!) and promptly breaks OUR side of the pipe (which is going to be replaced later this week anyway – no biggie). Now we have to run a hose to the neighbor’s outside faucet so we can have running water in our house – Plumber Greg will be back Tuesday afternoon.
Did I mention that I have laundry piling up now? Of course I didn’t think a head on this one.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009 & Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Happy St. Patrick’s Day. Raul the Lawn Guy shows up to mow the lawn. I have 2 capable males living in the house but we pay a guy to do the lawn (that all started when R had to have his rotator cuff operated on some 3 years ago). He laughs at the sight in the back yard and does what he can.
These 2 days are certainly a sign of old age… I can’t remember what happened when…
Plumber Greg and Partner Ron arrive and replace the pipes. We call City Water offices again to come out and replace the little thing that call a nipple that connects the city pipe with our pipe. City Water guy arrives before Greg and Ron leave. Everything is fixed and we have our own water again on Wednesday afternoon. Greg calls the City to get the new work inspected.
We sit and discuss what we have to do to prepare the bathroom for renovation. Partner Ron is a general contractor and lays everything out for us. In the end, R decides that it is too much of a job for just him and #1 son to do. They will do some of the work, but basically Partner Ron will get things set up right for the renovation and then he will rebuild the bathroom. We will pick out and buy the lighting, flooring and tile.
I am so relieved that we are doing it this way. Seven or eight years ago, R and his daughter decided to do the kitchen – there are still parts that are unfinished.

Thursday, March 19, 2009
This I know for sure: the inspection is done and passes with flying colors. Good news for Plumber Greg and Partner Ron. They will be back on Friday to fill in the trench and go over the contract the Partner Ron has written up for the bathroom renovation.

In the meantime, R and Ramona both got D’s in their first obedience class session at the SPCA. R didn’t listen to the instructor which meant Ramona got mixed signals. Ramona is very territorial and didn’t like having other dogs in HER space. OH crap!! My work is certainly cut out for me. So by the time I got to my doctor’s appointment, my blood pressure was a tad bit on the high side. Usually it runs very normal 120/80 range. Yesterday it was 180/100 then 160/90. I am sure stress is involved. On the up side, I have lost 8 pounds since my last appointment at the end of December (YAY!!)

Friday, March 20, 2009
Plumber Greg and Partner Ron are filling in the trench. The bathroom demo starts one week from today. Then on Monday March 30th, we will start replacing the plumbing.

Manic Monday ~ PARTY

Marvelous Morgen has declared today PARTY day. It looks like St Patrick’s Day all over the blogging world. Check out other PARTY posts HERE.

On the other hand, I rarely celebrate the great saint. I don’t drink green beer and am not really fond of a corned beef dinner. That being the case, I shall celebrate my PARTY with a stroll down memory lane…

Art Linkletter's House PARTY or House PARTY was an American daytime TV variety/talk show which aired on CBS Radio from January 15, 1945 to October 13, 1967. It had an equally long run on television--on CBS-TV from September 1, 1952 to September 5, 1969, and on NBC-TV from December 29, 1969 to September 25, 1970. (I don’t remember the radio show, but I do remember my mother making sure we watched it on TV – after Dad finally conceded to buying one).

Hosted by Linkletter, the show featured everything from household hints to hunts for missing heirs. A humorous monolog by Linkletter could be followed by an audience participation quiz to win prizes, musical groups and guest speakers from assorted walks of life. Ideas for the show were devised by producer John Guedel and his father, Walter, but Linkletter never used scripts or rehearsed.

The show's best-remembered segment was "Kids Say the Darndest Things" in which Linkletter interviewed schoolchildren between the ages of five and ten. The popularity of this segment led to a TV series with the same title and a series of Kids Say the Darndest Things books. Two were illustrated by Charles Schulz in a rare non-Peanuts approach. During the 27-year run, Linkletter interviewed more than 23,000 children.

Kids Say the Darndest Things then became an American television series hosted by Bill Cosby and co-hosted by Art Linkletter that aired on CBS from 1998 to 2000. It was based on a popular feature of Art Linkletter's television series, Art Linkletter's House Party, which aired five days a week on CBS for more than 20 years. Cosby also provided some of the humor in the show. The premise of the show is that the host would ask a question to a child (around the age of 3-8) who would usually respond in a "cute" way.

Enjoy the following... hubby, #1 son and I laughed and chuckled throught the following seven minutes...

My Royal Thank You Award

This award has been created to thank those three special people who never gave up on getting me back into the blogging world – for all the time, care and concern you showed me. You have helped to save my sanity and my blog.

(You can probably figure out where I found the inspiration for this award.)

To Empress Bee (of the High Sea) and to Duchess Linda (Are We There Yet?) … Thank you for stopping by yesterday. You made me think back and remember problems I had with 2 postings.

And to a very dear friend Jamie (Duward Discussion) who lent assistance and concern over the amount of hair I was pulling from my head.

The actual problems were in posting some pictures. I was in too much of a hurry to get the postings done to take time to rectify the problem. At least I remembered that there were problems in those 2 posts. Once I deleted the 2 writings, my sidebar was back where it should be. And now, I will be much more patient – yeah, right.

I am so happy that things look normal now.

Can you see me smiling?

Now that the 13th has come & gone...

I still am having issues with this blog layout. I want my sidebar back on my side! I have been thinking and thinking... not a good thing, I dare say. The only solution is to delete this blog and perhaps have more luck with creating a new one.

Other than that...

Ramona continues to thrive. We started obedience classes with her on Thursday. Only R and I went to the first class. Now we have 8 weeks of positive reinforcement training.

I have paid the deposit to the plumber. On Monday he starts digging up our back yard to find where our pipes meet the city pipes. The city water person came out and showed R where that place should be. Next we have to clean out and demo the old bathroom. On April 6th the plumber starts replacing all our water pipes. In a little while, we are going out to pick out flooring, tile and paint. We decided to reuse the vanity that is in there but will sand it down and repaint it then put on a new counter top and install a new sink. The plumber will install the new tub and I am going to have a professional tile the surround. The toilet -- what can you say about the toilet?? It will be new and water efficient -- that is all the required info, right? LOL I really need to take before pictures, no matter how sick they are.

The cable problem is solved. The engineers worked on it last Saturday morning and most of Monday morning. Ramona loved the 2 bucket trucks at the utility pole. She chases birds and butterflies, so you can imagine her joy at chasing a men in buckets. But I am very happy as I got to watch my Red Sox beat the Yankees 8-4 last night. I don't care if it is spring training... WE BEAT THEM!!!

I have started reading Anne of Green Gables and have decided that, even though I read it as a "child" there is much more to it than this child ever found. I have the set of 8 books to read and I shall finish them in time. I am also looking at some of my other childhood books to reread. I am sure I can find value in them.

There is some not so great stuff throwing itself at me. If I'm not around for a while, I would rather not post when I am angry or upset. I am trying to pull myself up by the bootstraps and I will post when I can.

Thanks for stopping by......

if it weren't fer bad luck...

Since I still find my right-hand sidebar at the bottom of my posts, and I have tried without success to get it back where it belongs when I view my blog on my computer. I shall go along as if nothing is wrong. If you need any of my personal or blog info and don't see it to the right of this post, just scroll down (all the way down).

It just goes along with everything that is going whacky around here for the last week. On February 25th, I upgraded our cable package to include stations that would allow me to watch more baseball this spring/summer/fall. So far, the one station that I really, really want to view has chosen stubbornly NOT to come in. Today will make the THIRD time a tech has come out to evaluate our problem and request a line tech to fix the problem. "We" have installed a new box, and run new cable from the pole to the house. And each tech reaches the same conclusion: the problem is at the pole connection and to fix that you need a line technician (and a bucket truck). So far that line tech has been requested twice ~ and have failed to show up. The ONLY way to request his service is through a regular tech. Do ya think they are sick of hearing from me yet? Oh... and I am not paying for this new service until the problems are taken care of. So I can view most of the new channels, but I refuse to pay for it until I can view the WHOLE package. And they KNOW it.

Ramona is doing well. She has her second vet appointment this afternoon. We need to get a poop sample to take with us. She is not cooperating. What next??

On Tuesday morning #1 son bent over to pick up a case of soda. He twisted just right and pulled out his back. For two days he used my just-in-case walker. He is doing better today - walking a little gingerly and still needs to spend time off his feet.

I won't mention that when we went out to dinner on Monday night I caught my right foot in the threshold of the door and pulled a muscle in my groin. I am going to survive this also. I hope... and the luck of the Irish is just around the corner... hurry St. Patrick's Day!!

help, Help... HELP

I have no idea what has happened to my blog. My right-hand sidebar now appears below all my posts. This happened over the weekend after I received some spam comments -- which I immediately deleted.

I have tried everything I can think of to no avail. I am thinking it is in the html settings and I know NOTHING about them. I am pulling my hair out and ready to create a whole new blog. Can anyone out there help me?

Please pass the tissues (this pulling the hair out really hurts).

P.S. Did anyone hear... today is square root day?? 3/3/09

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JAMIE (March 2nd)

Jamie, who writes Duward Discussion,

is celebrating a HUGE milestone birthday.
Can you guess which one?

Please stop by her place and wish her a Happy Day.

And, for Jamie,

I wish I could give you…

daily moments of pure joy relaxing

for 65 sunny days on a hill far away
(Glengarry Castle Hotel on Loch Oich)

and 65 of these to get you there and keep you flush...


Alas, the best I can do is to send you HUGE birthday wishes
on the 65th anniversary of the day of your birth.

May you be blessed in all you do… meet many people, influence many more and continue creating the legacy you have started. And let’s throw in a big wish for good health.
I am honored to know you and call you friend.

Looking At The Sky ~ Sunset in Sonora

Looking at the sky on Friday is hosted by Tish the Crazy Working Mom.

Please visit here to see more beautiful sky photos.

This picture was taken last Friday night from Mr. Moose's balcony in Sonora, CA.

R and I went to celebrate Moosie's 60th birthday with him.

Writing Muse is on Vacation

I have been trying to write but nothing is coming out right.

I will be back as soon as my writing muse gets to thinkin' agin.

News from around here

The WEATHER report for the next 5 to 7 days says that the Sierra Nevada Mountains can expect to get up to 7 feet of snow over the next week. That means we in Sacramento will probably have a lot of rain. I’m not complaining – although my arthritis is – because our water supplies are screaming for replenishing. Eight counties are under advisories, watches or severe weather warnings. Wind and rain are raging at the moment.

R and I are planning to head for Sonora, Ca in the Sierra foothills on Friday to celebrate Mr. Moose’s 60th birthday. Yesterday Moose awoke to 5 inches of snow on his deck. I will take my camera and get some pictures from his deck (wait til you see the view).

Moving on…
Apparently, our legislators were going to try to come to an agreement on a relief budget for California and the vote is scheduled for late Saturday because…

“SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Although there were no assurances that enough Republicans would vote for it, both houses of the state Legislature were scheduled to vote Saturday on a critical budget package to tackle California's $42 billion shortfall… Both houses were scheduled to meet Saturday morning. However, the Senate announced late Friday it will push back its session and vote at 5 p.m.” BECAUSE… “Tens of thousands of spectators were expected to crowd downtown to watch Lance Armstrong and other pro cyclers compete in the Amgen Tour of California. The race ends with a lap around Capitol Park, and many of the streets around the Capitol were to be closed.”

I won’t say it!! I JUST WON’T SAY IT!!! Yes, I will… they couldn’t do this Friday night?? They knew this event was scheduled – known it for MONTHS. As it was, they spent almost all Saturday night involved in this mess. This is the most unproductive group of people I have read about. Common Sense is DEAD.

It is wonderful that Sacramento hosted part of this cycling event. It brought much needed money into the city’s economy. Thank you Lance Armstrong. The bottom line would have been much less without him.

NOTE: As of this morning (Sunday), the voting is still stalled – ONE VOTE SHY (California still requires a 2/3’s vote to pass legislation). So, today there is no budget fix and I am still going to get an IOU for my state tax refund.

NEXT… Let’s fast forward to October 2009 and Desert Springs, CA and our Cal-Trans Department.

The California Department of Transportation (Cal Trans) is scheduled to host a national convention in October for the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) National Conference. There is a consumer watch-dog group (Howard Jarvis Taxpayers) who says this is “government behaving business as usual in the face of this financial crunch.” And this conference is NOT high priority on the spending scale. There will be 125 Caltrans employees working to make this conference a success. Howard Jarvis Taxpayers said that we Californians, as tax payers, would be spending $255,000 for Cal Trans to host this convention – salaries for six days equals $125,000 and $130,000 spent on lodging, food and airfare. It was also said that several law makers were unaware of what Caltrans is planning for later this year. So there may be repercussions falling back on this spending.

OK… let me give MY take on this. Maybe I am not looking at the whole picture, but I have given you all the information that I have. First, the salaries… from what I understand, the people who will be working as hosts for this convention are Cal Trans employees. Wouldn’t we be paying their salaries anyway… even if they weren’t at the convention?? Second, even though it would cost a bit to ‘house’ the hosts, isn’t this event bringing in much needed income to the state (in the form of room tax, food tax, entertainment tax, gas tax… and on and on with the taxes). I don’t know as I can agree that this watchdog organization has used a logical thought process in this instance. To me, in this case, they are just out to ruffle feathers.

AND... TO ALL THIS I SAY:

Again, this is my California world, and these are just my opinions...
Thanks for stopping by...

Looking At the Sky ~ Panama Canal

Please visit the terrific Tish (Crazy Working Mom) for more mavelous skies

This Friday we will continue LOOKING AT THE SKY that we saw on our Panama Canal Cruise. This picture was taken by a camera at the Miraflores Locks. It was the first lock that the ship (and all us passengers) went through. It was about 9 a.m. and it was hot and very HUMID!! I was sitting in the pool area on the port side of the ship and Rich was video taping in the bow area on deck 11. We went through the Miraflores Locks then travelled along Gatun Lake to the Gatun Locks.

Those clouds eventually became one HUGE BLACK cloud and the heavens opened up as we completed our journey through the Gatun Locks and stopped at Crystobal Pier. And what a storm it was!!! Thunder, lightning and wind. We were told the ship was hit by lightning at least 3 times during the night. Friends of ours in the Royal Suite had a scare when there was an electrical fire the next night - reminents of the lightning strikes they were told.

Plop-Plop, Fizz-Fizz

OH WHAT A RELIEF IT IS!!

Just a short update. We made it through our tax preparation with flying colors. With all our medical deductions, we managed to end up in the 0% (that's ZERO %) tax bracket. All the taxes that were taken out of the IRA distributions that we need to use monthly will be 'given' back to us -- eventually.

We are relieved... to say the least.

It's IOU Time

So… today we are having our taxes done. Yes, we use a “tax professional” and pay dearly for it. It has been a crazy year financially for us. I am and have been receiving Social Security Disability (not SSI) for 2 years now. Last February (2008) R started receiving SSD also. Then, when he had to retire from his job, we had to request to have his 401K moved into a traditional IRA. There should be no problem with that as we have all the documentation. Because our 2 incomes are now half of what they used to be, we had to start drawing a little money each month out of the IRA. We have taxes taken out of this. Every year I keep a spreadsheet of our tax-deductible expenses. The medical expenses alone for last year should get us a full refund of the money we have already paid in taxes. If that doesn’t do it, then we can add in our prescription co-pays… and interest payments on the mortgage, etc.

I am anxious to see what we have coming for a refund; because, if some of you haven’t heard, our state is in such a financial upheaval we are getting IOU’s instead of state tax refunds. Now doesn’t that just make you want to move to the beautiful state of California? Along with having to pay for OctoMom’s idiocy (oh there are so many more words I could use) adding to our financial woes, California is sure in good shape. According to the news last night our sales tax will be going up 1 cent on every dollar; the gasoline tax will be going up 12 cents; and our vehicle registration fees will be doubling (guess we get rid of 1 car). State employees MUST take off two UNPAID days during the month (the first and third Fridays to be exact).

I wish we could sell and move even if the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence - or state line. Maybe just next door to Nevada. We are getting the house ready… LOL. This week, we have been getting estimates on having our plumbing replaced (I wonder if this is tax deductible). Then I hope to do a little renovation to both bathrooms and finally will spice up the kitchen a bit. JUST IN CASE…

Manic Monday ~ WEAR

Another challenging adventure for me

from Marvelous Mo over at Manic Monday.

Check out the fun stuff here.

There is a program on TLC (The Learning Channel) called What Not To WEAR. It is a reality show with what they say is a simple premise. (If you have seen the show, it is usually anything BUT simple.) Friends and family members nominate a candidate whom they consider poorly dressed and ask the show to make over the "fashion victim." Fashion Police Stacy London and her partner, Clinton Kelly, ambush the candidate and make her/him an offer -- they are given a $5,000 budget for a new wardrobe, which they must purchase in New York City boutiques over the course of two days, but only on the condition that they allow Stacy & Clinton to critique and, in most cases throw out, their existing wardrobe.

So here are my 3 candidates for the category of What Not To WEAR…

I'm sure most men love it,

some women will wish to look like that,

but all in all very tacky.

NO... NO... NO... NO, NO and NO

Fun but... Need I say more?

Once again, thanks for stopping by...

Looking at the Sky on Friday ~ Guatemala

This picture was taken on the road to the Organic Macadamia Nut Farm near the ancient city of Antigua in Guatemala. It was a port stop on our cruise through the Panama Canal in October 2008. After passing many sugar cane fields, we started the climb into the forests. It had been raining earlier in the day. I just love the way the clouds circle the top of the volcano's crater. You can hardly tell that it is a volcano. There are as many as 30 volcanoes in Guatemala. I believe this one is called Fuego.

I was a bit leary of this port of call on the cruise... you know Guatemala has this reputation for revolution... LOL But this turned out to be one of the best tours we went on. The people who run the Macadamia Farm were originally from the U.S. so there was no language problem. The grounds of the Farm were lush and beautiful. Everything there is done using no electricity - just manpower. They served us a lovely lunch of macadamia nut pancakes, local fruit, and wonderful organic tea. We also saw a facial given using macadamia nut products. Facinating, just facinating.

Welcome Ms. Ramona...

As some of you know, R was forced into early retirement after he was diagnosed with Mutiple Myelome (cancer of the blood plasma). And he has been so bored. I thought, and his cancer doctor agreed, that rescuing a dog from the SPCA would be a great diversion (from the TV and computer) for him. R has owned dogs before. Personally, I am a cat person. And eventually, we will also have a cat. But R's diversion is more important at this time.

On Sunday, R adopted Ramona, a 3-year-old Border Collie/Aussie Shepherd mix, from the Sacramento SPCA. She came home with us today because she had to be spayed. We know very little about her history as she came from another shelter and was labelled a "stray".

Here are pictures of her home coming...

#1 son and R picking her up at the clinic.

Pretty lady

Running in her new yard...

Rolling in her new yard...

We are so very lucky. She is a very lovely lady.

So far we haven't even heard her bark.

She is eating and drinking.

She buried her rawhide treat in the back yard.

And when it was time for her to go out,

she brought #1 son his shoes.

They told us she is very smart... YUP, she is.

More Daffodils *smile*

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars

that shine and twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretched in never-ending line

along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

in such a jocund company:

I gazed - and gazed - but little thought

what wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Since I took up residence in Sacramento, I have been happily surprised with January daffodils. By February 1st, I have many of these happy flowers waving in the front garden bed and helping rid the spirit of the doldrums of winter. I know winter isn't over yet because we NEED MORE RAIN!!! But they are a happy reminder that spring is coming.

I hope you enjoy my daffodils too. Thanks for stopping by.

Manic Monday ~ On a Bus to St. Cloud

Manic Monday is brought to you by

Marvelous MO

for more information visit here

OH, how I searched for an inspiration for this Manic Monday!! I was not about to do any scientific explanation about those fluffy white puffs that float in the sky. I even found some Native American Lore about clouds. I looked for poetry – I even tried to write a poem. Nothing felt right until I found this. It is an obscure song that Trisha Yearwood put on one of her albums back in 1995.

On a bus to St. Cloud, Minnesota
I thought I saw you there
With the snow falling down around you
Like a silent prayer.
And once on a street in New York City
With the jazz and the sin in the air
And once on a cold L.A. freeway
Going nowhere.

And it's strange, but it's true
I was sure it was you
Just a face in the crowd
On a bus to St. Cloud

In a church in downtown New Orleans
I got down on my knees and prayed
And I wept in the arms of Jesus
For the choice you made.
We were just gettin' to the good part
Just gettin' past the mystery
Oh, and it's just like you, it's just like you
To disagree.

And it's strange but it's true
You just slipped out of view
Like a face in the crowd
On a bus to St. Cloud

And you chase me like a shadow
And you haunt me like a ghost
And I hate you some, and I love you some
But I miss you most...

On a bus to St. Cloud, Minnesota
I thought I saw you there
With the snow falling down around you
Like a silent prayer.

The song was written by Gretchen Peters. The melody is quite haunting. After choosing this song, I continued to search the web to see if I could find out what Gretchen Peters had in her brain when she wrote it. I was very surprised to find what she had intended in her lyrics.

• Maps are great for evoking images for a songwriter like Gretchen Peters, who wrote this song… "I can just get lost in a map, very easily," says Peters. "It's like a fresh new well, looking at a map." This song came about from a road trip she was planning out West or to the upper Midwest towards the West. "I was thinking about going up that way, and I saw the name St. Cloud, and I just thought, what an evocative name…” Peters envisioned the song as being about a person talking about someone who committed suicide, but in order to allow the listener more freedom for interpretation, she was deliberately vague with the lyrics. She says, "In order to get to the emotional space that you need to be, I don't think that necessarily means that you have to be explicit, or put every detail in. In fact, I think songs are better when they are a little bit more murky, or fuzzy around the edges. Let the listener participate, too, in other words. Let them put their story in.”

My personal interpretation is a bit less morose. Like Peters said in her interview, her lyrics give the listener flexibility to incorporate his/her own story into the lyrics. The picture story that ran through my imagination was that of someone running away from a failed relationship.

I suppose it all depends on how deeply you read into the lyrics. It’s that way with anything in life. What you get out of it, depends on how much effort you put into it.

Amen… and thanks for stopping by.