Apple Hill & Then Some

This weekend we took our 2nd mini road trip to
Placerville, Ca and walked through
the old town then we drove up to
Camino, Ca and a little place called
Apple Hill the beautiful array of the
Autumn colors and smelling and tasting the great produce of
the season not to mention the great apple bakeries
on sight and the unique crafters selling their wares.


after our apple shopping experience we drove up a ways
and ended up in Lake Tahoe for a few hours where it was
very interesting because one side of the Mtn was green and
leaves were changing colors and the other side had snow
yes SNOW on the ground and Mtn tops! but the sun was
warm from there we drove some more
( my hubby likes to drive!) we ended
up in Reno and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening
there. we stayed in the Circus Circus casino and had a lot of
fun shooting pool and then walked through the town and
then I watched my hubby play a few slot machines
he won!!! not a big amount but he won big enough for him
then we just hung out and did stuff again that we normally
would not do, well actually we sometimes get to do this casino
thing when we visit my in laws but that is not all that often
anyway we had fun watching all the interesting folks that
love to gamble, it's kind of like watching people at an airport
they are a breed of there own. then before we knew it
we were eating dessert at 1:30 in the AM and then off to
bed. we are enjoying our mini trips ( yes I kept in touch with
the teenagers ) one went to see the drifters and the other
was at a teenage festival celebrating and taking the vows
with about 200 other teenagers of abstinence ! both of the
teenagers in my house have taken this vow both of their own
accord I am so proud of them!

we came home to find our teenagers and the house again
in one piece (it's such a nice feeling ) and then one went to
youth group, the other playing a very unique instrument he
just got.
back to our routine we can't wait till our next mini road trip!

library

photo taken from google images


In my new job, well I have had it
for a few months now I was promoted
to librarian and I have been so overwhelmed with
bar-coding and spine labeling and shelving and
checking in and checking out materials
sometimes I am so tired of looking at books I don't
even want to pick up the book I am reading at home!

don't get me wrong I love the job and the challenge and
I like the fact that it keeps me busy along with my other
duties and I am glad my boss thought highly of me to
give me this position I have to admit computers and scanners help
me in this position!! I never in my wildest dreams thought
of myself as a Librarian! but I am glad in my life I have been
kind of a jack of all traits due to the fact that when my husband was
in the service we moved around a lot and so I was never really chose
a profession I stayed with in some ways that good because I have experience
in many fields and in other ways it was hard because I did not have enough
experience in some of those fields. but I would not trade it for anything
because with out those experiences I would not have made it where I am today.

anyway I really enjoy my job and each day I look forward to work I guess
it's not just what I do I enjoy all the ladies I work with well to be honest there
are only 3 of us me included in the three and our supervisor who spoils us
everyday. not something I am used to but then everyday is an adventure in
the library!!!

Mono Lake

my gal is finishing up a over night camping trip her class took
yesterday to Mono Lake I explained that the Tufa rock at night
looks like something out of a stars wars movie.

I remember how I used to go there when I lived and worked
in Yosemite National Park. tonight I just picked up my gal
and she said she had a fun time but it was really cold there!
of course the air was brisk and she said what astounded her most
was the way mother nature prepares for fall and winter to set in
the air cold and crisp with a beautiful gleam on the lake. the leaves
on the trees around that are beginning to change colors.
and waking early and just the solitude of the sunrise and
the songs of the birds around. and the quiet noise of the lake.

funny as I was listening to her I was also remembering feeling
the same way when I was there. goes to show that sometimes
good Karma follows.

spending time

I have been trying to spend more time with
my young adults as they will possibly let me and their
father without invading their world.

it has been fun and kinda challenging
at least they are making the effort and blocking
time of their schedule to allow this time well spent
of togetherness. in fact so that they attended my cousins
baby being baptized and celebration after in a park
they said they wanted to see all my aunts and uncles
and cousins, while at the park they played on the
jungle gym then they came and sat and visited. it
was such an incredible feeling that they gave me
watching them have a good time with the relatives.

one of my aunt's gave me a nice compliment about
my two young adults. she said they are the most
caring and respectful teenagers she had ever met
and that I have done a good job and my mom would
be proud.

I am so proud and I know my mom would be too.!
of course they have their commitments but
they told me that they cherish the moments
and times we do "hang out" together in our
own little immediate family weather it is watching old
movies at home or gathering together with my sister's
or with my mother's relatives as we did yesterday.

Yosemite

Half Dome

Yosemite Falls


In 1982 I had a great adventure
living and working in YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
what I did not know is that living in this beautiful Place
would so change my life forever.

when I started I worked in the High Camps of Tuolumne Meadows
there, I had a great time going to Mono Lake and working with some
interesting people. as fall and winter were to set in I transferred down to
the valley, where you can see Half Dome and Yosemite falls along with
other beautiful sights. there to, I met and worked with a great many
wonderful people. on my day off if I would walk up to the falls or just
take the valley bus around the park.

Not only was it fun to live in a tent cabin and talk to many vacationers
it was also just so pleasant to see nature at will, I had experiences I
never dreamed of having for instance in the high camp we had to deal
with bears breaking into peoples cars for food, and at night you could
hear one climb up a tree. In the valley you came across raccoon breaking into
your tent cabin if you left food ( that happened in a tent near me!) and
deer every now and then. we had to let the visitors
know not to leave chocolate on the ground or try to feed
it to the deer for fear they could get bitten
and that people food is not meant for the deers.

I had a awesome time going to the Ahwahnee Hotel
( it's used to be known among the workers
as the "Ritz Carlton") of Yosemite which had the best pastries
also fun was to go to camp curry and watch the ice skaters
or go to the art gallery in the valley. or if you like to snow ski or
snowboard then that is there for you as well.

I had a great adventure and the reason I said being there changed
my life is because I met my soul mate for life there and shortly
later we married.

we have been back at least once a year and progress has been made
yet things still feel and remain the same.

I had a niece and nephew work and live there I don't know
what they're experience was but I hope they had one similar to
mine by just being surrounded in the awe and beauty of
Yosemite.

7th Heaven

7th heaven
when I see their happy faces
smilin down at me
7th heaven
I know there is no greater feeling then the love of family
where can you go when the world don't treat you right?
The answer is home that's the one place that you'll find
7th heaven.

I really liked that show for many reasons except the
final two seasons were not all that great but loved the
show anyway. there were many shows on the WB I liked
before it became the CW channel and it seemed that
the shows l liked either went off the air or got cancelled
aside from 7th heaven I liked, RELATED that did not
even make it a season but I realted to it so well.
of course the GILMORE GIRLS because my daughter
got me hooked on it. these days there aren't all that many
shows that I enjoy but at least there are DVD'S!!
we will see what the new fall season brings.

A new approach

I have made the decision to take on a
"new approach " not only in "my expressions"
but also in my life both physically and spiritually.

As I begin this "new approach" and work my way
through it I may end up changing things within myself,
and this blog. I am still debating if a purge of certain blogs will be made
but until I reach that decision the blogs will stay as is.

On Labor day weekend while on our mini road trip
I came across this saying"home is where your story begins"
this saying struck something within me, I believe those words
to be true and I think that I have covered that in previous blogs.

I know where I come from, what memories and influences of love
from our family that inspired me will always be part of
who I am and I will continue to express about those from time to time.

My new approach will be about many different facets that really express
me and what I think and feel in the present of course not forgetting anything
in the past.

definitions- New= being other than the former or old
Approach= the taking of preliminary steps toward
a particular purpose.

each day begins and ends with new memories that we create for ourselves
on a daily basis, and I feel that is the part of my "expressions" or of me
that I want to focus on .

with a new day coming and where ever my new approach takes me
I hope to enjoy it immensely.

A light that never goes out

There is a light in my heart that never goes out
I believe in the power of prayer and also of Karma
and that things happen for a reason

well yesterday I was told by my niece Ange
that her son was coming home from a tour of
Kuwait. that made me so happy to hear that
prayers have been answered. then today
My Nephew surprised me by leaving me a message
on my cell phone letting me know that he was back in the
United States and that he was safe and sound .

just hearing his voice overwhelmed me with a lot of emotion so much
so that I cried and when my co workers asked if something
was wrong I said no my nephew left me a message that he
was back in the states and that he was safe.

I am so proud of my nephew he has a light that touches
the heart of everyone he meets. I don't know what his purpose
was over there but I know he touched the heart of many people
in Kuwait and ( I believe they are better for having the pleasure
of crossing paths with my nephew)

I am still praying for my nephew that he will be able to
get back into his normal routine and get to spend quality time
with his wife. I know he will do just fine. because the light in
his heart never goes out.

note: I don't want you to think that I am not thinking of
all the men and women still serving because I keep prayers
for them over seas as well as here in the USA and I thank
them for their sacrifices that they are and have made

and I hope that they have a light in their heart that never goes out.

the typewriter

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We purchased this old typewriter in a thrift store when we
lived in Oregon when we got it , it was in pretty good shape
over the years it just became a unique antique piece to go in our office.

the other day for some reason I have become very drawn to
it and wondered what it's original owner had done with it
did the person write a book?, was it used just to type letters? or
was it in a movie? or did a journalist for a newspaper write
great articles on it.? I pondered these questions in my mind all night
and just could not get it out of my head.

finally, I decided that it was special no matter what
it's history was and I am going to believe that
it was part of everything I imagined it to be
now that everyone uses computers I am glad to
have this typewriter in our office and I enjoy looking
at it and yes it does still type. but I just like having
it as part of our office.

chesire cat

My son got the part of the Chesire Cat in his
upcoming high school production of Alice in Wonderland
he really wanted this part and he studied for it everyday
during the summer months he would put on our old Disney
movie and watch how the animators made the cat move.

though the play won't be like the cartoon movie
my son came up with a unique version of this character
which I am looking forward to seeing the play in Nov

if he did what I heard and saw over the summer it is
going to be great of course I know he will change things
because he also has a talent of being a magician.

I wonder what kind of magic he will conjure up in this
production. I have seen him portray in his acting career
a wealthy proprietor in the crucible, and also a judge in
the crucible, a politician in the play rumors. so this will
be an awesome character to watch him portray
I can not wait.

poems. prayers, & promises

I've been lately thinking about my life's time
all the things I've done and how it's been,
and I can't help believin' in my own mind
I know I'm gonna hate to see it end.
I've seen a lot of sunshine slept out in the rain
spent a night or two all on my own
I've known my lady's pleasures had myself some friends
spent a time or two in my own home.

Days they pass so quickly now, the nights are seldom long
time around me whispers when it's cold.
The changes somehow frightens me, still I have to smile
it turns me on to think of growing old.
It's tho' my life's been good to me there's still so much to do
so many things my mind has never known
I'd like to raise a fam'ly I'd like to sail away
dance across the mountains on the moon.

Ref.) I have to say it now it's been good life all in all,
it's really fine to have a chance to hang around.
and lie there by the fire and watch the evening tire,
while all my friends and my old lady sit and pass a pipe around
and talk of poems and prayers and promises
and things that we believe in, how sweet it is to love someone,
how right it is to care, how long it's been since yesterday
what about tomorrow and what about our dreams
and all the memories we share

John Denver was a talented folk poet you can read his lyrics and see that.

I was fortunate enough to see him in concert once.

The decision making pipe

My husband and I have been told that his
great grandma and grandpa used to go out
to the field and smoke pipes when they had
a serious topic to discuss and make a decision about this
was a taboo and still a thing some old southern women
did, and they hid it well.

until I came across this photo and
Granny gave me a copy to tell me about her
parents I had never seen a women smoke a pipe!

Granny has told us all sorts of family history that
is interesting in itself. the lady in the photo
was born with a very unique name she was born
Dove Darkius Knight( I was told it to be a old family
name that had Native American and Irish roots.)the
man was named Houston.

Granny's parents taught the children well
they all know how to bake, cook, like most girls
learn but they also know how to hunt and
fish and clean and skin their prey.(yuck!) and do
all the chores for raising cattle, cows, goats etc.
those were part of their daily chores if
they wanted food on the table.
granny has told us many a story of her
and her pa going squirrel hunting in her
youth ( of course she would not do it now)

I stop to think about it when listening to it
it sounds like a " Little House on the Prairie" episode
but that was real that was how things were in
that era. it was not a Television show. and we
find it so fascinating to learn about the family that
lived it.

lesson learned family history is priceless and
worth its weight in gold.

My Roman Holiday

About 3 weeks ago my son and his friend and I
attended a showing of the original film
Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn
the boys being the old movie flick kind of
guys that they are( ok better choice of words
patrons of the arts) and desperately adoring
Ms. Hepburn as they
said: "she was a class act" ( I agreed).

I of course let them sit behind me
for fear I would not ruin anything for them
and they appreciated that. after the movie
we decided that they just don't make quality
films like that today it's all about violence
cursing words, and big Hollywood ego's.

the boys were enchanted with the old movie
theater & movie we all felt like we were
in Rome on Holiday! I was glad to tell them what it once
looked like when I was a kid and how I saw
such wonderful movies there including most
of the Disney movies my fondest one of all being
when I saw "Song of The South" which has never been
released.

the movie theater is being restored to it's original
format. the boys were thinking of ways they could
do a fund-raiser for their drama club in that theater.

we decided that the three of us would try to come to
support the arts and watch the old flicks they show once
a month the next one we will see is this coming weekend
it came out 6 yrs after I graduated but they say it is a
classic because it's an old 80's movie. ( that in itself made me
feel old!)

the flick we will see is FERRIS BULLERS DAY OFF!!

Mini Road Trip

Last weekend Jeff and I took a road trip
just the two of us no teenagers we took the
back country roads and ended up in Solvang
a fun little Danish town that we had visited plenty
of times in our younger years. it was the same yet
different. then we drove up the coast and ended
up staying in a hotel near Disney Land we did not
go to Disney land. we went out to dinner at one of
our favorite old southern eateries called Po' Folks
they make really awesome sweet tea! and after dinner
we strolled around found a little bar in one of the hotel's
and had a nightcap. it was kind of fun doing something
we haven't done in a very long time.

On Sunday we got up and went to one of my favorite
places we went to the swap meet it was unsually hot
there in the Orange County area and we were doing
our best to enjoy the swap meet with out dying from heat
exposure!!! after the swap meet we decided to call my sis
and surprise her, so we stopped at her house and ended
up visiting and having lunch for a few hours it was great
to spend time with them.

then we headed for home and on our way taking our time
we stopped at my husband's old homestead checked out
the old house and neighborhood it was the same yet very
different and we took a break and ended up at one of the
new mall's there it was a blast then headed on our road trip
once more and stopped at a quaint little BBQ joint in a town
called Buttonwillow .
we arrived home Sunday evening about 10:00 pm
and found the kids and house in tact. we were in constant
touch with the kids and they were fine.

we plan on taking more of these little weekend road trips
in the future.

A blonde thing

When I was little I always wanted to have
pretty blond hair( not as blond as the play wig)
so my mother bought me
a play wig for Christmas one year and when
I played make believe I would always wear it
I have always been dark haired and when I got
older I experimented with hair colors like Auburn
but that did not work so I began to put highlights in my hair
to this day I have my hair highlighted on a regular basis.
I like having blond highlights in my hair and to my surprise
I can wear it pretty well.

I am not quite ready to let it all go gray I think
I have a few more good years before I let that happen!!!

special ladies

above photo of my godmother, cele, and Mrs. Dando

I have known these three ladies most of my life
and came across this photo so thought I would do
a little blog about them,
they were always good to me two of them Cele, Mrs. Dando
are deceased and my godmother is still living I don't get to
see her often as she travels to her daughter's quite often
I think eventually she will move there to be close to her
which is a good thing. My godmother and Cele were sisters
and also my mother's cousins. I used to remember picking
blackberries at Cele's house when we visited her.
Mrs. Dando became a family friend to Mary and all of us
she had the most contagious laugh and twinkle in her eyes
she adored my little boy because of the way his name is
spelled and informed me that was the Scottish spelling.
in Scotland and Germany it is pronounced (KEEL) we just
pronounce it like the American version which is Kyle
even though we spell it differently.

I learned a lot from these women and I am
glad that I got to know them.