Bonus

I really believe that a reward comes in time for good deeds. So, I worked hard today and felt I could float around in the pool, cooling off for a bit. I was watching the finches on the feeders, the jays, even the pigeons, the fighter jets.
What? Oh, that's right! There is an air show at the nearby county airport this weekend. And I get to see much of the show. For free. Just laying on my back, watching old and new planes strut their stuff. Really, really cool! Two more days of it, and now with more of the trees gone, the view is so much better. Oh, well, there is that whole squinting into the sun thing, but I look forward to the annual Fly-In. Last year we saw one of the stealth planes, that was so awesome.
So, that was my reward today, to be able to see some great planes.

Yard and Dogs

I don't like working in the yard when it gets too hot. So I've been up early the last couple of days,to tackle the wood chips.
Then I remembered the Rainbird sprinkler that the mower man had killed five years ago, I had not yet repaired. So I dug it up, went to the the plumbing store, bought the needed pieces, glued it back together, let it sit, tested it, and filled the hole, stomped in the grass. And then I let it run for a bit.
Poor, poor Azi! He loves to play in water, especially when it's sprayed from a hose. So this sprinkler is just like turning on a hose for him and he goes and goes. Trying to eat the spray, and running here and there in an attempt to catch the spray, without success and churning up the replaced grass. He'd probably keep going until he'd keel over with a heart attack.
Meanwhile Alani was watching him go manic, chasing him a bit, barking at him, and getting wet in the process. She usually doesn't play in water, just chases Azi when he does. So I brought Azi in for a shower, putting up the baby gates to keep him in and the doors open, when I hear an unusual sound that I need to check on. There is Alani, all by herself, playing in the sprinkler, graceful as a gazelle, jumping and leaping. Really too cute, I have to get Ray and Shel and show them. So Ray films her and you might check his blog.
So now I have a working sprinkler again, but I need to be careful when I turn it on. I used to run it for several hours when it worked before, to get deep soaking. We shall see.

Kindergarten

Here is the front door to the Kindergarten, in the little village of Segnitz, on the Main river, in Germany, that Suzanne attended.
We lived too far from the next military post, transportation to Kindergarten was not provided, had only one car, and that grade's attendance was optional, so she attended the local, church run,school.
She did not speak German when she started, but being the smart girl that she is, she picked up quite a bit in short order. She also was taught, by her class mates, backstreet lingo. She'd come home and ask me what something means. No Suzanne, "That's not a good word!"
The town was one of my many stops while visiting Germany recently, so maybe some remodeling was done since she went there.
Anyway, I don't know how she feels about the whole experience now, but at the time it was good that we sent her. She certainly learned how to interact with other kids. I hope she has some good memories.

The Trees That Keep on Giving

Here's the update on the back yard tree clean-up.
The messy Magnolia is history. I step outside and still marvel that there is no debris to clean up. There had been for years, more and more as the tree grew. Gone.
So now the tree guy: Big"T", Tom Harris, came back with his stump grinder. He worked for three hours.
Here is the bonus: I now have several large piles of mulch, or soil conditioner, in my yard. Finely ground wood. When I buy it at OSH, or Home Depot, etc. it's pricey, $5-10 for a sack. Add to that the cost of driving to the store, my car is not an economy variety, well, it adds up.
So I'm thinking, that maybe (with the right "girl math" formula) this tree work didn't cost me a dime. Think of all the free stuff I ended up with, and it's good for my planted areas.
I took three sacks of Camphor tree shreds to Suzanne yesterday, it smelled sooo good in my car as we transported it, I think her dog will want to lay in it. Ours are enjoying the "yard beds"!
Now I have to get on the ball and make use of it.

Next, finishing off the terrace. The gravel and sand waits in the driveway.

Government Runs by a Different Clock

Wow, so, way back, in the olden days, I had lost a document and wrote to the INS for a replacement. That was in 1989. Yeah, 1989! So now I get a letter scheduling me for a hearing to have said document replaced. This is 2007. It took them eighteen years in Sacramento to get to my request.
That's a disgrace. No one should ever have to wait that long to get a replacement for anything from our government.
Without this form I could not get a passport to travel out of the country, and more important, back in.
As you know, I must have a passport since I just returned from Germany. As it turns out my husband had filed several documents away with the tax papers. And it wasn't until I shredded those tax papers, that I located my form. I was so angry with him, but at least I didn't have to wait eighteen years.

Paintings, again

I have to say that PIP did a great job turning Photographs of paintings into really nice, frame-able photocopies. It wasn't cheap, as they charge $81 an hour for computer time, adjusting the image.
Next time I'm at Suzanne's house I hope she'll let me photograph her painting of the "A Dozen Roses". Suzanne's aunt painted it in honor of her (Suzanne's) grandmother who liked roses. Incorporated in the painting are pieces of textiles that grandma used in her home. All in the rose motive. Bright, vibrant colors, the viewer can imagine standing in a rose garden in full bloom. Quite nice. Yes, I'd like a copy of that!

Ideal Summer Day

For today the weather is forecast to be a perfect summer day. It wasn't phrased that way, but that's my take on it.
Temperature 84'
Low humidity
Wind 5-10 mph, blowing over the delta
Sounds of grass being mowed
Birds chirping
Raspberries on the vine

So, that made me think, what makes a perfect summer day?
Tell me, what is your perfect summer day!

Tree Killer #2

All right, the Magnolia is gone. Took about twenty minutes to get it to the ground. Another hour to pull the branches to the street, shred them, and to blow off the cement.
This cutter offered to grind out the stump, made an offer. Then he looked around and saw other stumps. He kept offering to do more of the stumps, per price coming down, down. Finally he said he'd do them all for a fee. And we jumped on that, quick. Tuesday he'll be here to grind and grind and grind.....
Some of the stumps have been there for a number of years, others just months. Some are really large and it will be great to have them gone. I want to see smooth lawn again.

No Photos, Please!

What a big job cleaning out the garage can be.
We had many things in our garage that were of no use to us, the current house keepers, that is. Although we had begun to dispose of stuff, the tools needed to be sorted, and a system needed to be found to make them useful for their purpose. The over sized shelving was totally out of proportion and cumbersome to use. So we hauled everything out into our breeze way, and sorted.
I especially enjoyed taking the "Saws All" saw to the shelves and destroying them. One IKEA storage shelf came home. One tool storage/drawer unit holds all the tools. Boy, is that handy!
So, today we have a load to take to the transfer station of our local dump. Electronics are going, metal file cabinet. None of those pieces will incur a dump charge. I love recycling!
There is now space to dance in that garage. Some day, maybe, I can park a car in there. I can dream, can't I?
To top it off, yesterday we cleaned out the freezer, moved it and now the whole utility/washroom is very useful. Why did it take us so long to come up with that plan and follow through?

It was so therapeutic to get all that done.

Tree Killer, Me

I hate this tree! It's a Magnolia.
Off the back patio, dropping its debris, to be blown around by the merest of winds. That's on a good day.
On a normal day, its seedpods fall to be found by my bare feet. Ouch! In the autumn, pretty, red, bean sized seeds drop. Year round, there is always some junk to be raked up.
IT NEVER STOPS!
I just hate this tree. Wrong place, wrong tree!
[There is a Magnolia tree on the corner of 7th and G Street in Marysville, Ca (in front of the Julia Morgan house). It is huge and has been groomed to its stately shape for decades. There is also a regular gardener, debris is not an issue. Besides the tree is by the driveway, not ten feet from the back door.]
Now, we've been chopping away on it for a few months, but it became a bit large for the weekend aborists that we are, and we've not been making much headway.
Joy! I have found a tree cutter that will take this tree down for a reasonable price. He will take it away, and he says that he's punctual. Not only that, he will grind out the stump as well! So don't call me on Wednesday morning, I'll be in the back yard smiling!
I'll be able to have some grass by my bedroom doors! No more tripping over nasty stuff, I can't wait.
I'm ready with the grass seed and TLC.

Un-named Store

We are planning to make a run to the ---- store in the next few days. Mrs. Feck wants baskets, I want some screens. Well worth the seventy mile round trip, or so we rationalize.

On my recent trip in Germany we were skirting around some big city, and needing a place to stop, eat and stuff. There was our store, right by the Autobahn. Easy to get off, and we already know the routine, and menu.
Store looks the same? Check
Bathrooms same location? Check
Menu the same? Check
Dining area the same? Check
Merchandise the same? Check
In addition asparagus was also served. Everyone serves asparagus during the season!
The kids play area had holes in the floor, covered with plexi. In the holes were little playrooms. Too cute. I'm sure the furnishings were sold there, but inaccessible to the kids playing on the red floor.
Finally, easy to get back on to the Autobahn, we had a schedule to keep.

Relief

We have relief from the incessant heat. After several days of temperatures over 100' the winds have arrived, blowing cooling air across the delta and giving us a much needed break.
How did our forefathers and mothers ever manage to function when it was hot? They were tougher than we are, or maybe the expectations of them and of each other were different. Wearing clothes that covered them, were tighter and darker, no doubt were not washed that often, just let your imagination go...
Anyway, we have the cooling "Delta Breeze", so we're good, could even cut some grass good, that good!

Favorite Art

Years ago I was introduced to of paintings of Amedeo Modigliani. At first I thought that the elongation was odd, but I'm very fond of his pieces now.
Somewhere there even is a painting of me in the same style.
I notice that this girl, whom he, Amedeo, painted frequently, and"The Head" and look very similar. I wonder why I am so drawn to this look?

Before I could even read, and I had a hard time going to sleep, my dad would give me picture books, to help me settle down. It was a choice of The Red Book, or The Blue Book. Old masters, or the Renaissance painters.
Oh, how I loved "Venus Emerging from the Sea". Botticelli's maidens all seem to have curly hair, and were all blond, to my mind.

Those are my musings about paintings today.

California Hot

That's how hot it was today!

Flowers

Not only did I take photos today, I uploaded them, and got them all in a line.

The crocosmia have just begun to bloom, they are about four feet tall. The sunflowers were volunteers and I moved them next to the fence. Very handy for the birds. On the bottom is a section of the shade garden, yes, it gets a little morning sun. Suzanne inspired me to replant that area.

Yummy Cake

I like most foods. I like dessert.
I had a big stack of periodicals to dig through since I've come back. Starting with the July '07 of the Family Circle magazine. Page 180, reader's recipes, had a recipe for Hawaiian Wedding Cake. So if you're going to the grocery store you can look it up, gather the ingredients and whip it up at home. No need to wait for a wedding, as the name implies. Pineapple and coconut are wedded in this dish. It is so good, refreshing on hot days, since we keep it in the fridge. It must be good for people, it has fruit in it.
So, now that I've been energized, had cake for breakfast, I'll get a little more done outside.

Hot, hot, hot

Hot and getting hotter

The last four days we've had temperatures over 90'. I usually enjoy days such as this, but this time around the heat is wearing me down.
While I was gone we stopped our garage overhaul project., Today I wanted to fill my van with donations, and get the garage cleared out and finished off. So we gave it some effort and nearly got it licked. All that's left to do is to haul away the useless stuff that's stacked outside.
Maybe it's time to do a couple of laps in the pool tonight. Good idea.
Splash ya later!

The Head

The Head

On my recent trip to Germany, I had hoped to discover the location of some of my dad's paintings.
One in particular had stayed in my memory, as he'd set up his easel on a meadow next to the river where we'd played, on this hot summer day.
We got to my first cousins house, there in the entry hangs a painting of a village church. I didn't remember it at all, but his signature (=his initials) is unmistakable, '45. I was, after all, just a little girl then, and he had to sell them as fast as he could.
I was thrilled to see the painting, photographed it, and I steered the conversation to the meadow painting. Double luck, as his wife appears holding the meadow painting in her hands. Is this the one? Oh, my goodness! If it can't be in my house, it's in safe hands there.
It, too, has been photographed and the folks at PIPs will soon get to play with the images and make copies for me.
Mission accomplished, I thought.
A few days later we arrived at my other cousins house. Her apartment is filled with the treasures she's collected over a lifetime of traveling and living. In her living room sits "The Head". Yet another surprise for me. The head was made by a potter friend of my parents. (I have a couple of his pieces here. ) I think she was made in the early '50s. She sat in a corner of our living room for a time. Eventually she was abandoned in dad's atelier, where she was rescued and restored, by my cousin, to her lovely old self. Yes, I touched her, felt her smooth cheeks again.
I loved her, as she was everything I wasn't. Elegant, delicate, quiet, pretty with that wrap over her head, and the coiffed, curly hair. No wild gypsy girl, she. So now I have "The Head" back in my life as well.
This treasure hunt was truly won by me.

By the way, my dad's initials were: A zi, and that, as one word, become his moniker about town.

Home revisited

I was watching Suzanne's youngster today, while she, Suzanne, had to be away. So instead of playing all day, I lined up some things I wanted to get done and had her go along.

1. disposing of E-Waste=environmental awareness
2. donation for the thrift store=helping others, not filling the dump
3. showing her the WW2 cell block for German POWs= don't break the law(OK, a stretch)
4. letting her chase blue bellied lizards=stay on the path, this is rattler country

When asked if she wanted to see where Suzanne had lived at her age, she was game. If someone lives there can we ring the doorbell and see inside? Can we go inside if no one live there? (I have no key.)
I didn't think of the third option: What if no one lives there and the door is not locked? While peeking through the mail slot, the door opened and we went in and explored. What fun to reenter a house from which I moved thirty-four years ago. I can still envision the place, with our luggage ready to go, when we left for the last time, not much different from re-entering today, sans luggage, and dustier now. Cupboards and tile are so dated looking, the hardwood floors are still beautiful. The windows are still single pane glass, and the walls were poorly insulated. None of that mattered today. The view is still over miles of California grass land, there is still a big boulder fifty feet down the slope, far enough away for thinking on you own.
I loved living in that house, there are such neat angles in it. I took some photos, but how interesting are bare walls and empty halls?
Back at the house the youngster wanted to hear stories of things that happened then. I had a hard time thinking of any that would be pertinent.
Most of the houses of that vintage have been demolished, my guess is that this group is doomed as well. I'm glad I saw it again before that day comes.

Stone age dwelling

In the 1930's an archaeologist recreated a piled village in the waters of Lake Constance. Pieces and parts had been found in the lake, so as archaeologists will do, and they have the funds, a village was recreated.
I had seen this as a fifth grader and it had made a deep impression on me. Since I set the agenda on my recent trip, I thought perhaps it would be a welcome change from the baroque churches and castles of Bavaria.
Needless to say most of the houses had to be replaced, but one of the originals is there, covered with thick moss, no longer save to enter.
Our docent was very knowledgeable, somewhat geeky with his pink scrunchy holding his ponytail askew. It was explained why people even lived over the water, social mores of those times, day to day survival. All based on those finds in the water.
And along comes a television crew! Throw in a couple of families, some single men all willing to wear skins and lead the simple life. Well, maybe not the kids, but what choice did they have? They were to live off the land and lake. Some of the single men were to cross the lake in a dugout, and hike over the Alps into Italy, assuming it was done then as well. I did catch episode two of three on television while there. The kids were brats, the parents counted to three, (I hate that anyway) to get them to help, they didn't. I think then someone would have smacked them and they would have hopped to it. Anyway, the men floundered, pun intended, crossing the lake and needed to rethink their strategy. Rescued by the film crew. Manor House and Survivor all rolled into one. I would have watched the conclusion had I been there.

Looking at the place again with adult eyes makes me realize that someday someone will examine our remnants and wonder at our primitive lives.

There are some good links to Unteruhldingen, but I've not learned to make links yet, maybe next week.

Retirement

I've been retired for two years, this week.
There was a time when I worked at two jobs, took care of my disabled husband, even found time to garden and keep up with the housework, more or less.
Now I'm single, keep the house more organized, garden better, walk the dog.
How did I ever find the time to work?

Suzanne's youngster and I went to town today. Started at PetCo where she shoved around a little cart. We got Azi food and loose doggie treats, carefully chosen. Then to Home Depot where we loaded bags of peat which I let her use as a seat. ("Don't tell mom I'm having fun"). Finally to McDonald where she had a kid's meal and I had a salad. What happened to inexpensive=McDonald's? Until she came into our lives it had been years since I'd been there, so I lost track how pricey they'd become.

Tomorrow I will try my hand at making a Black Forest Cherry Cake, after all I did carry a bottle of Kirsch back with me from Germany, might as well put it to good use.

I remember now, I retired so could spend time doing these things, not feel stretched for time, and be relaxed all while doing it. Your time will come as well.

Wishes

The saying goes: Be careful what you wish for, because you're going to get it.

So, I wished not to serve on a jury today, we were dismissed in short order.
So, I moaned about wanting to get out in the yard. Well, I forgot to wish for my most favorite planting weather and it's windy and cool. Well, I can't let granted wishes go to waste, so I'm going out. Soon. After I eat lunch.
The lily grew last year, the seventy pound puppy chewed up the pot and and tubers, so there'll be none this year.

Jury Duty #2

Joy, I do need to go to Superior Court in the morning for jury duty.
I was looking forward to planting all those plants I picked up today, since Suzanne inspired me so.
This picture is not taken in my garden, it's on Lake Constance.

Chocolate in Switzerland

Walking to Switzerland is an easy thing to do when you are already standing at the Rhine River and there happens to be a bridge. This bridge is wooden, covered, and more than 600 years old. That is, a bridge at that location is. This bridge has been destroyed by fire many times. It's stone legs have crumbled again and again. Oh, yeah, there were a couple of wars and again it was rebuilt. Pretty impressive in it's length as it's the longest covered bridge in Europe. Motor traffic is no longer permitted on it, just bikes and walkers.
So then we went to this really great super market, another item on the must-do list. (Actually we walked back, got in the car and drove over a cement bridge to the store in Switzerland.) Now we know why outdoor, twice weekly, vegetable markets are not as important as they once were. This place had a wonderful produce section; and spirit section; and fresh meat section. And lots of chocolate, needless to say. Yum, yum!

Neuschwanstein Castle

Two weeks ago my friend and I got on a sightseeing bus in Garmisch and traveled to Ludwig 2nd's unfinished castle. My friend has traveled extensively, but had never been to Germany. I suppose she was waiting for my skilled guidance. The castle was one of half dozen must-do items.
The weather was very nice, we had a chance to walk to the Marien Bridge that, shall I say it, bridges a gulch. The bridge man makes sure that not too great a load is put on the structure, he poses for pictures and makes sure the castle is in the background.
This castle lacks that lived in feeling of Linderhof which is glittery, playful and complete in a royal fashion.
However, it is an impressive building and was worth visiting again. We rode down on a buggy and sat up front with the Driver(fiaker). He was chatty and full of information, like, the pooper scooper makes four sweeps daily.
We were early for the bus ride back, and sat down at the same restaurant where Mosker, Feckless and I had eaten seventeen years ago. The food is still delicious.

The late King 's favorite color was blue.

Jury Duty

While I was gone I received a notice for jury duty. Mr. Feckless called the court house to let them know that I was away, and the date was changed for next week. While I generally don't mind serving, the timing is inconvenient, as I had promised to go on a field trip with a class at the school where I used to work. Suzanne's youngster is doing schoolwork at home, and I'd planned to get with her a couple of times. Then, while reading the paper thoroughly, I found out that this pending murder case is finally going to be decided.
Maybe I'll wear really bossy clothes, so the defense will think that I'm opinionated and will dismiss me.
Or maybe I'll play the gramma card with tiny flowers on the shirt and take some knitting and the prosecution will think I'm soft on crime.
We shall see.

The Big Feed

One week ago today, I was in Germany, invited to a church confirmation for a cousin's granddaughter. We were in the courtyard of a modern church for an outdoor service, (and yes we used umbrellas for a few minutes). After a rocking service, family members were asked to pose for a group photo. There were about sixty people in the group! I knew five of them, that's it. (Clearly, I'd been gone too long.)
Photos taken, we proceeded to the rented hall of a sport club, located directly on the Main River. We were served drinks and chatted. Then a buffet was ready with all sorts of dishes: soups, appetizers, breads and cheeses, and the main dishes. I ate only the things that are unique to Germany, there was so much variety. My cousins regaled my with anecdotes of the family. More wine. People began to move about after a couple of hours, so I asked if it was time to leave. No, no, the patriarch told me, now we take a walk so we can eat more! All righty then.
Several of the teens took kayaks from the club house and paddled on the river amid the river traffic, ferry, party boats, and an assortment of small water crafts.
Yes, after a bit we went back and had desserts. Tiramisus, several cakes, some with fruit, cream tortes, even cookies and coffee, tea, juice.
No, we didn't eat again that evening.
My friend, former colleague, fellow traveller is pictured by a "big" Emmentaler cheese in a Swiss grocery store.
By the by, she has discovered Black Forest Cherry Torte, which we tried at several locations. So yummy, and so rich.

Change of Scenery

Folks,
This is not what I usually see when I look out of my bedroom window. It was a lovely change of pace to open my eyes and see just a corner of the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain.
Now I'm back home in the flatlands of California and grass cutting awaits again.
Ahh, memories!