It's not bucolic, it's idyllic

I leave Annie's house for mine. Mount Veeder is not a steep treacherous mountain. The road is curvy and gentle. The trees reach from side to side creating a shady tunnel in many places over the curvy road. I can't see the creek; just a lot of plant growth where it wanders below me. Pines and Oaks obscure the view of the few houses. As I got closer to Napa, I see a few small vineyards wedged into clearings. In one curve there is a house on the left and outbuildings across the road. A black and white calf is snuggling an afternoon snack from its momma in a pasture.

I drive with the windows down listening to Prairie Home Companion on Public Radio, it seems so perfect for the setting. It's a short drive and gradually the trees give way to houses. From a lot of trees with a few houses, to a lot of houses with fewer trees.

I spent several hours sewing with Annie. We are worked on crayon holders for Tess's first grade this fall. It was a fine day. I am quite contented to be with my family.

I want to write today but I'm stupid with sleepyness, or is it sleepiness?

Over 1000 wild fires burning in California

Honest, we haven't seen a clear sky in at least three days. It's just gray. There doesn't seem to be an immediate threat, but they are pretty close. I am worried about Annie living in her canyon house. When she was expecting Chloe, fire took out part of the vines at the winery where Kelly worked. Poor Arnold, as if there wasn't already enough problem with California's budget. I just took a cruise on the internet to see what's up and everything is up in smoke.

Annie had Evan, a friend who needs company while his mom is out of town and dad is working, at her place today. He is about 10 and a nice kid. He and Chloe went to the pond and waded in their boots, caught some frogs and stuff. They have nets.

Tess stayed with me and we made a t-shirt and a pillow for an ugly doll. If you don't know what they are, google them. They have strange shapes, a bit hard to design for. I had to cut the original sleeves out as the hands are so big they wouldn't go through. Then Chloe requested a vest for her stuffed blue jay. That's tomorrow's project.

Who sees dead people?

Annie has a friend who says she sees spirits around people, although I'm not sure she has tried to communicate with them. Another of her friends is "intuitive" and dreams things that actually happened that she didn't know about through regular means.

I do have friends who have psychic friends who I have met as well. They seem rather ordinary, yet are likable. Sometimes I wonder, "can she tell what I am thinking?" I think I am good at picking up on peoples feelings and I like to watch people in public and speculate about relationships, what they are doing?

How about those strange unexplained coincidences? Any comments? Ho hum needs a little spice! Happy evening to you.

Never on Sunday

As you all know, I have no ethics about Sunday. It's a good week-end day to get things done, visit, and nap.

Today is not hot. I've had the doors open all day and there is a breeze. I don't need church, this is it for me!

I took a little trip to a casino yesterday. It was a lovely drive through some beautiful farm country with hills along the route a few miles from the road. The casino was lovely, lots of slots, and believe me, I know how they pay their bills. Besides leaving some cash behind, I picked up so many bugs on my windshield I could hardly see to get home. Every time on coming car lights hit me, I could barely see.

This morning I found a car wash, a cross between hand wash and automatic thingy. There were three guys with brushes and mops soaping it up (I'm inside, you understand). When they get it all washed, the conveyor takes over and pulls you through the rinse and dry cycle. I've never done it that way before. So I came back to the house, vacuumed, and washed the dash, steering wheel, etc. It wasn't too hot and it was looking a lot better.

Did some wash, grocery shopped and have been crocheting dish cloths. I have given away so many. I couldn't bring myself to buy some, so Annie loaned me two until I could crochet some. I'm also crocheting coasters. At last I am doing something for me to use. I spent this afternoon crocheting in the recliner and watching nature shows.

Do you know it's Gay Lesbian Bi-sexual and transsexual month? There a lot of interesting TV shows here on PBS. Today I watched an interview with Rita Mae Brown, she's pretty funny, and a show about Billy Jean King. I was so happy to see her beat Bobby Riggs even if it was decades ago. She was very instrumental in establishing women's professional tennis. I didn't realize that. Yesterday it was a trans choreographer and dance troupe. I'm getting educated. Don't we do that every day?

I made salmon patties for lunch; there's something my mother used to cook. Last week I made potato soup. I guess I've been thinking about grandmas a lot!

Grandma, the light and the spider

It was hot yesterday. I'm betting 100. A heat record was set in San Francisco; 99. Napa is inland. I didn't see it on TV, but nearby Sonoma was like 103. Anyway, it was AC weather, I slept well even though there are no AC vents in the bedrooms. As usual, I woke up at daylight.



Lots to do, but actually not much. I could clean the floor. Okay, a small load of wash will take care of a week's dirty cloths. I go into the garage, start the washer, take swim towels out of the drier, sniff them. Okay. Why does the dish rag still smell? Into the washer with you. Back in the living room. Oh, the bedside lamp is on. Wow, a spider on a web right in the corner behind the little table. Hum, I think there is some bug spray in the garage. I open the garage door to let in more light. Wow, a fan, I could have used it last night. Brush it off with the cute green brush from IKEA. Look at all that house paint. I bet she has sand paper which I could borrow for a project I have in mind. Look around in the garage, I see a couple of paperback novels I could read if I get desperate, a little hammer with purple flower print on it. Oh, yeah, bug spray. This can looks like it's 50 years old. I test it in the driveway. It's for flying insects in the house, doesn't mention spiders. Oh, well, the spider wont' know. Into the house, spray him, he vanishes. I spray the sliding door jam. Good. Back to the garage, put the bug spray away. I'm not exactly sure where I got it, this will do. Back into the house with the fan. Oh, the light is still on.



Honestly, if my brain was this efficient when i was younger, I never noticed. I'm feeling kind of sleepy. Is it too early for a nap?

A train runs through it, I guess

If you've been to Napa, or even watch TV, you probably know about the Wine Train. It is a Napa institution that I have not enjoyed, but it is supposed to be upscale and goes from winery to winery, or some such. My house is just a few blocks from a train track. Tonight I noticed a train for the first time ever. It's tooting in the distance and the wheels are rattling on the tracks. It must have been a long freight train, it went on and on. Kind of a pleasant sound. I also have wind chimes that tinkle in the courtyard. That is a nice sound, too. (she rambles)

The girls came to my house today. Both had swim lessons. That wrapped up around 4:00, Annie was then heading out to take them swimming some more.

I wanted to stay home as I thought I would get some real work done. I listened to voice mail, before I could do anything, the power went out. Being a resourceful person, I thought I would need to reset a dealy but couldn't find the box. So I called the owner who drove over. By the time she arrived, I had found it right under my nose and was feeling foolish. But she is a nice lady about my age, so I invited her for a beer, which incidently; was in the fridge when I came, so it was already her beer. The neighbor's also had no power, so we just sat outside and had a nice chat. Then I called Annie to see about meeting them for supper. Oops, garage doors don't work when the power is out. Neither does the light. But, I have a flash light which Bill thought I should buy (silly, I didn't feel the need, duh). So I sprang the door, lifted it up, and away I went. When I came home, the power was on, AC running an lights on around the house.

Those of you who know me probably figured out why I am writing this Ho Hum blog... I don't have anybody to tell Ho Hum stories to. I'm missing my friends, but I don't want to be in Phoenix. It was like 113 there today and 94 here. No one in Phoenix will be opening up their windows at night until nearly October.

I told the girls today the story about how I got stuck in the pig pen mud when I was a little girl. Not sure if they appreciated it, but it's an old family story of one of my famous screw ups. Someday, they will be older and remember it.

One more interesting thing, maybe. Annie's eye doctor's name is Tempest Fugit!

'bout time to go.

Wow, this day went by fast!

I started work this morning right after a shower and a bowl of cereal. I had trouble with my computer which set me back about 45 minutes. I was hurrying as the kids were coming about 10:00. As it was, they arrived about 10:30. I wrapped up some work, and closed shop.

The kids and I went to In/Out burger for a fancy lunch, then did a little shopping. We called Annie and invited her to eat dinner at my house. Yes, yes! then we didn't hear from her. Come to find out she had been calling and I left the phone in the car. I only have a cell phone. The girls and I played games and tried to figure out something to watch on TV. It's hard. Not much that is appropriate for a 6 year old, an 11 year old, and grandma.

We had pasta and green beans with fruit on the side for dinner. The girls played in the yard and Annie and I visited for awhile. It is so nice to have them here.

I planned to work some tonight, but by the time they left it was 8:30. Darn daylight plan, then I really didn't feel like starting anything. I will crash early tonight and set my alarm for 5.

Gas is about $4.40 per gallon, and up. Ouch. Good thing I am not doing much driving.

Nancy, an old family friend is into genology and has been researching the Gerrish family, although in census records it is Garrish. Not sure who changed it, or why. My dad's mother, Bertha Cole's mother died after childbirth I've been told. Bertha was raised as an only child by her father from infancy. There isn't even a record of her mother's name. There must be a birth record somewhere. Now I am interested in researching something that had not really interested me in the past.

Lots of curious things in life. The records Nancy sent me traced my dad's Mother's family back to 1600 in England. That is so amazing to me.

The weekend was a blend of nature and technology

My Napa ladies went camping over the week-end, so I had to entertain myself. I went to the Farmer's Market Saturday morning. It's small, but I got some produce, some earrings, a rock carving of the eye of God, according to the carver.

I had some coffee and watched the people go by. There is a certain type, and age there. The thirty somethings, with little kids, and the graying folks strolling around; some couples, some solo. There is a man in a wheel chair providing singing entertainment. There's coffee and pastries and lots of tables to sit at. I'm not sure I saw any teen-agers, although there were a few young ladies probably in their twenties. Lots of people know each other. They might be yuppies, but everyone is fresh, natural and pleasant.

The market is next to the Napa river at a section called Ox bow. Annie educated me on the place where the river has changed course and created a bowed place, then changed back. From my vantage point, it looked like a tiny island, but I need to explore to see what it really is. It was a morning for a light jacket; although some locals were in shorts and bare armed.

I was so impressed with my little purchase of fruit and vegetables, I lined them up outside and had a photo shoot.

Before the week-end ended, I was off to Best Buy, consulting with Bill by phone, to pick out a router. Then I installed it. All was good until I tried to set it up. I had it so set up, neither computer could get internet. After some frustrating phone calls, I eventually got it straightened out with the help of Jamie at Comcast. She has acres of possible solutions at her fingertips. Got me up and going. My internet is much, much faster than my Verizon phone wireless set up. I loved the idea and convenience, but it couldn't keep up when I was on the work connection. I was going crazy.

Bill had to listen to some whining last night, so now he is thinking I need to learn more about how things get hooked up. I can use a computer, just can't set it up. Why should I, that's his hobby.

I had to run the heat today. When I got up it was 63 degrees in here. That is so neat when it is 111 at home. I smooshed too much into one day. I am falling asleep at the wheel.

Till next time, Chao!

Ken Chenault, Amex CEO quote on Waldorf education

I was reading some info on the web, specifically on Tess's school's web site.http://sb.educationgrove.com/ and I found a quote from Ken Chenault, a familiar name and a successful individual.

"My parents were looking for a school that would nurture the whole person. They also felt that the Waldorf school would be a far more open environment for African Americans, and that was focused on educating students with values, as well as the academic tools necessary to be constructive and contributing human beings. I am convinced that Waldorf schools deliver an essential alternative to our existing systems. A Waldorf education provides students with an approach to learning which successfully integrates the arts and sciences with the practical tools necessary to succeed in these challenging times. I am personally very grateful for the foundation that was laid during my formative years at Waldorf."

Kenneth I. Chenault, President and CEO,
The American Express Company

That was a surprise. Here I though this was such an obscure thing, and the leader of my company is a Waldorf school product.

For my friends who had trouble

I had restricted comments on my blogs to registered users, but opened it up to all. I will moderate comments; however, in case any nasty bloggers try to write bad things. Children could be reading this.

Lavender Ceremony

I've learned more about Tess's school, but there is a lot I would like to know. The teaching method is called the Waldorf method.

I went to the kindergarten ending ceremony. In this program, once the children start first grade, they have the same teacher through eighth grade. So, there ceremony, which is all about the children and not a show for parents, is for the kids to say goodbye to their kindergarten teachers, there is a team; and hello to next year's teachers who are a husband and wife team.

The little ones filed in after the parents were seated in the auditorium and sat in a circle on the floor (not the stage, you really couldn't see them; how tall are kindergartners?) with the teacher ladies in rocking chairs. One teacher told a story in a barely audible voice about an umbrella tree and how the children grew until they could climb to the top and see very far. The tree was wise and explained there is much to see in the world, but the tree could not go with them.

The teacher sang each child's name hugged them lovingly and gave each a stem of lavender. They walked across the room to the new teachers and the man, who is tall, wearing shorts, with his hair in a pony tail, greeted each one, collected the lavender, and they sat on the floor near him. Some were quite solemn, and one was quite silly, parading with her chest sticking out. She made everyone laugh. When all the children had moved to their future teacher's place, he welcomed them and invited them all to go out to the playground and play.

And off they went.

An interesting thing is, the same man teacher, who's name I don't recall, and his wife just graduated a class of eight graders a few days ago. Annie and Tess attended. Annie said the teacher knows each child so well after eight years. He said insightful things about each of them which brought her to tears. It seems it is very touching.

As a beginner to this whole thing, my impression is that this is much less of an institution than we are accustomed too, and more a home to learn in. Each child learns to knit, and each at a particular grade, plays the violin. Tess made a skirt on the sewing machine. She is quite excited to be sewing with me, but we haven't had a chance yet.

Another interesting thing Annie says is, in a private Wilton school, after the kids graduate, the teacher takes a year sabbatical which is paid. The program here is part of the public school system and they don't have budget for that. After teaching eighth grade, one teaches first, and so on. Can you imagine how attached the students and teachers become.

So a little herd of children are off to learn about the world!

And so it goes!

Last day of kindergarten

I went with my family to the last day of school picnic. It was a bit hot, but there are trees which through shade on the school yard and all the families laid out their blankets and baskets. It was pleasant. This evening I went to their house and hung out with big GD while little GD went with her mom to the eight grade graduation. It was a fairly uneventful day, but a good one.

New electronics and the last day of school

The TV and DVD player arrived today. I am now on a first name basis with Ken of UPS. This is his third trip here. Anyway, he likes my yard; and my equipment which was shipped in factory boxes, not plain brown ones. So Ken knows what goodies I have.

Today was big GD's last day of school and her mom dropped her off at 12:30. I said I would take her somewhere special for lunch and she picked Panda Express. She even split a meal with me. She was a happy and cheap date. They don't go there because little GD has a peanut allergy. You can't be sure with peanuts and peanut oil in the cooking area that the food is safe. Anyway, everything in Napa seemed to be hopping. I think it was HS graduation day. There is a stadium not too far away. I could hear the PA system, horns honking, and people cheering. My neighborhood was jammed with cars. I guess someone was having a party.

I'm not positive, but I think there is only one public HS in Napa, unlike Phoenix which has hundreds and the graduations have to be staggered so they can use the venues big enough for the crowds hundreds of graduates bring. Used to be Phoenix did graduations on the football fields where everybody sat in the evening sun and sweated copiously. These younger generations refuse to accept the sacrifices we made back in the old days, ha ha, but not too ha ha. Really!

My daughter marked the library and pool on my mapa Napa. Big GD checked out some books for me. We met the rest of the family at the pool. It is a private one in a development. They have to belong. Today being the last day of school there were a lot of kids there. I just got a lounge chair in the shade of a tree and crocheted for a few hours. Quite pleasant. If you haven't sat by the pool in Phoenix in 110 weather in mid day, you might not appreciate this as much as I did.

They invited me to go to pizza with some families but at six they were still all planning showers and hair washing, so I left. Got groceries and fixed dinner. Seems quite special to be cooking just for me, but I'm not sure why. Not that I've never lived alone. I have some cleaver things to say about cooking and eating kale, but I am so tired. I would like to say it is very good for bad eyes and is the consistency of packing material.

I am so sleepy and I think sun screen is dripping in my eye. I need to crash.

Tuesday is a fine day

I worked today, attended my first phone in staff meeting with my boss and his direct reports. It makes me kinda miss being there, but not so much.

It was 110 at home today, probably 90 here. One of my favorite things is having the house open and feeling the air come through. It reminds me of Nona's kitchen window and the curtains billowing in the breeze. At home, the house is closed up from mid May til mid September while you have AC on. Here, I ran the AC for a few hours, then it began to cool off. There is a window by the kitchen sink that comes clear down to the counter level. I washed dishes by the twilight coming in. Corny, I guess, but it is so meaningful to me.

I had a question today; why am I in Napa for summer. After 35 years on the job, I felt I deserved some time off. The idea of a leave evolved to coming here to help with my granddaughters while school is out, and working from home. Part time. I now have a 25 work week, so I am juggling how that will work and still help with the girls.

Girls and daughter came over after work/school. One had a swimming thing and needed a shower. Mom went to the store to get herself some stuff and brought back Mexican food for dinner. Little GD took a bath. Big GD and I played cards and had a good time. They like coming here. The yard is neat and they seem to find stuff to entertain themselves out there. Then they all got in the car and went to their house. This is devine for a mother whose daughter has lived in another state since 1993 and began a family I never see enough.

I signed up for digital TV, a regular phone, and cable modem today. TV and DVD player are supposed to arrive tomorrow, all electronics should be hooked up on Friday. Interesting, ComCast, the service provider, phoned me to see what kind of computer connection I had and said I need a router and modem, which I don't have to purchase as they lease for $5 a month. I am also having Tevo. The girls got excited, now they can watch their favorite shows no matter when they are here. This is going to be such a good summer.

I am not accustomed to daylight time. Bedtime sneaks up on me. One minute it is still light, next minute it's 9:30. We do not go on Daylight time in AZ. I am not quite used to this.

I talked to my spouse tonight who is happy that I am happy. He is working away and trying to figure out the watering for plants, which I usually do. If you don't stay on top of things in summer, stuff dies. He can do it. He is happy for me to have this opportunity to be with my family and away from the heat.

All is well in Napa. Good Night.

Napa place

Johanna said this about TV and macular degeneration

She made me think. I can read, but not and crochet at the same time.That's my justification, Johanna. I probably need to give it some time, getting used to living with quiet , you know. But, by the time I read this, I had already ordered a TV and DVD player from Costco.com.

Regarding ocular nutrition, that launched some internet research. I decided Paul Harvey gets a dandy cut of Hi Health's profits on the one he talks about; it's a bit pricey. I did read some medical articles about some supplements which protect your eye. I do take eye vitamins, but I found a product distributed by a place in Sedona, AZ which had things I already get and more. It must be good, they have all those vortexes in Sedona, right? So I bought that, too. Please don't think I'm nuts, the only treatment offered for this disease is nutritional. Every eye specialist I've seen recommends it.

To demonstrate my intellectual powers, I figured out a new camera and took pictures of my place to share. Instead of copying from the camera to the computer, I moved them, and now I can't find them. So I will need to do that again another day. Tomorrow is a long work day, so that will be for another time.

Today I hung out with my daughter who is getting ready for a camping trip. I didn't need to shop, but I found a little something I needed every place we went. Do you see a pattern here?

I did not run the AC today. When I came home and it was warm, I did the Mexican thing, I took a siesta during the warmest part of the day. This is one of my favorite week-end activities, snoozing in the recliner with a cat on my lap. ( Oops, no cat in Napa.) When I woke up it was supper time, but I was not hungry. Could it be the 3 PM lunch?, but now I am. Seems too late to eat real food, maybe Grapenuts?

Talked to my spouse a long time, he actually suggested how to find the missing pics all the way from home. And there they were. I will see what it takes to connect to them.

Sad thing about the Napa weather

I went up to my daughter's house about a twenty minute drive in a canyon. When I came back, my house was hot, so I decided Napa or not, I should run the AC. Turned it on, sat down a few minutes started looking for a blanket for my legs. I probably used it about 15 minutes, then opened the doors and let nature in.

I checked the weather for tomorrow, supposed to be 90. Now what do I do?

Made it through Monday

I've been trying to connect some photos to this blog, but haven't got it right. I'm too sleepy to write.

Funny thing about TV

It's been three days since my spouse left for home. This evening is the first time I really am feeling alone and I would like to watch TV and crochet. Problem is, no TV. There is an entertainment center, but it has no TV. No TV. Not a big thing. I found an episode about Alaska on the Discovery Network web site. People out in the wilderness who need to kill a moose or a goat to make it through the winter. Bears visit their camp daily. They are straining rain water through a dirty t-shirt for future consumption. A computer geek from LA is gutting a mountain goat. Not a very good picture on the computer, but it's talking. I'm wondering how long I can survive without a TV. Trader Joe's is about three blocks away, they have moose, goat, apples and cheese. I need a TV.

First Saturday

Bill and I drove from Phoenix last week end. I am using a home that belongs to Annie's friend's grandmother who is now in assisted living. The yard is surrounded by a tall wall and is landscaped in a lovely way. There are three sliding doors opening into the courtyard. Two have no curtains or shades which provides a lot of light. I will soon add some pictures.

Bill flew home Tuesday after helping me set up my computer and the work computer.
I have spent a lot of hours working but find the network at work pretty slow. There are still bugs to work out. There is no TV here which discourages long hours of couch potatoing, but I do want to get one. Just haven't shopped yet. This morning, I got a Phoenix radio station KTAR from their website. They kept predicting a high of 105 today. Tsh tsh. Annie, Tess, and I went to the farmers market where they have field fresh produce; peaches, berries, even beets looked good.

Since I am not in the office with the candy jar and cafeteria, I am having sensible lunch with lots of fruit. No body to talk to on the way to the printer, bathroom or just walking around. So far, I have been able to spend hours working with only water in water out breaks.

The eye doctor in Phoenix sent me to his buddy in Santa Rosa for a test to see how my Age Related Macular Degeneration is doing. They need to provide treatment as soon as possible if it is the "wet" kind with blood vessel involvement. My problem is still the dry kind, but one eye has a minute bump on my retina which is interfering with central vision. There is no treatment. The problem can get better, worse, or stay the same. Of course all the doctors tell me I am too young for this type of eye problem, but my eyes don't know that. They tell me the tendency to have it is genetic.

If you like my blog, let me know. It looks like I can create a e-mail list to advise you when I post something new.