Up The Creek

Maybe a little inspiration for a summer project. Turn this:

turn into this.

Hey, it could happen.

Etoile

Some things are worth waiting for. It's even better when I do nothing at all to produce this incredible yearly display. If by some cosmic accident you plant a clematis in a place it likes, sit back and enjoy the show.

Wedding Bells Revisited

JR's brother has a busy week: Mother's Day, family visiting from the Oregon coast, his birthday and now his anniversary. Happy Anniversary to you both and wishes for a year filled with happiness!

Memories of that day: sunshine, tuxedos, blue dresses, smiles, sending them off for a Hawaiian honeymoon.

We made the trip up from SoCal--probably the only time I've hated flying. I was five months pregnant and Thumper made a huge somersault on the descent and that was the beginning of four month of problems. JR was his brother's very busy best man. Left to my own resources, I got to sit quietly and peacefully amidst the commotion. At least with a son born the same year, I can always remember exactly which anniversary they are having (this year is numero 27!)

Quite an accomplishment--celebrating the happy times and sticking out the rough patches, supporting each other. Marriage certainly evolves in some unforeseen ways and it takes faith and some luck to celebrate 27 years together.

Congratulations!

Waterman's Day

It's his birthday!

I didn't know he was so camera shy, but it's true. I went through carrousel after carrousel of slides and there were only a few of him. There were only a few of people in general since the Grand-Dude mainly focused on wildflowers and Sierra peaks instead of the kidlets.

Too bad, because he was one cute kid. Even cuter with the little Heidi pup!

Happy Birthday to my wonderful brother-in-law!

Splish Splash

It sounds pretty good. Now I just need to catch it when the froggies are croaking to get the full effect!

Missing Out

The Queen Mother is missing a few colorful events in her garden while she is being enchanted by Pierre's garden instead.

Siberian iris in bloom: I'm totally jealous because I gave her these divisions and hers are blooming while mine are sulking.



Dame's Rocket: Grow just one of these in your yard and presto! you'll have a hundred the next year. Don't say I didn't warn her. They are awesome each spring.


Azalea: It made the trek from California with her and has survived three winters, not only that but it obviously blooms its fool head off! Fortunately it'll still be glorious when she comes home--'cause this is one she would really regret missing.

Before I Was A Mom

Happy Mother's Day to All of Us! Whether your heart's desire is a new dress and a fancy brunch or levis and a load of manure, I hope you enjoy your special day. We do our best for our families because we love them and don't ask for thanks, but it's nice to get a little recognition once a year. Here is a poem that struck a chord with me:

Before I was a Mom

• I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
• I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
• I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom

• I had never been puked on.
• Pooped on.
• Chewed on.
• Peed on.
• I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
• I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom

• I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
• Or give shots.
• I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
• I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
• I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom

• I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put her down.
• I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt.
• I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
• I never knew that I could love someone so much.
• I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom

• I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
• I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
• I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
• I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom

• I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every ten minutes to make sure all was okay.
• I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
• I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much, before I was a Mom.

I LOVE BEING A MOM!

In Love

Where to take out-of-town family who've been to Virginia City, Tahoe, the Donner Memorial and the car museum? The mustang adoption center in Palomino Valley! We all enjoyed it tremendously and here is one little reason why..

and another...

The wild horses are gorgeous creatures one and all, yet the little fillies and colts definitely stole the show. It left our visitors all asking how you could possibly choose just one!

A Wild Friday Night in Reno

Mother Earth partied hearty. She treated us to a 5.0 just before midnight. (Okay, so they revised that downwards to a 4.9 or 4.7, depending on where you look.)

But, let me tell you this one shook so hard that it was hard to walk. Things fell out of the medicine cabinet and the chandelier swayed for ten minutes afterwards. Fortunately, none of the stained glass fell, none of the cupboards spilled their guts and we can't find any cracks or other damage.

Getting back to sleep was hard with aftershocks nipping at us for the next couple hours, but we managed to get a decent night's sleep (JR's cough medicine with codeine probably helped). Waking up was easy since Mother Earth sent a nice sharp jolt our way right after 7:30.

Can I just say I'm thrilled with the timing? It's a weekend and at night. Parents got to comfort the kindergartners instead of me this time!

Shakers and Quakers

Earthquakes. We are in the middle of a swarm.

Today a couple of nice strong jolts at school threw the kindergartners into a tizzy. The quakes are pretty small, but we are just a couple of miles from Mogul so we are really feeling the tremors. At home, we sorta hold our breath for a couple seconds while we wait for the rolling to stop. But at school, the kidlets have to crawl under the tables every time we have a quake and that's adding to their anxiety.

The first strong 3.2 quake surprised us all. I said, "Earthquake! Get under the tables." Twenty-eight freaked-out little bodies in fetal position were under the tables before I finished. I've never been listened to so well!

That one day produced twenty-five quakes alone. Now our classroom is free of anything heavy that could fall down on a child. We plan an earthquake evacuation drill soon. Just in case. Because we don't really know what will develop.

Now the quakes are constant, usually mini ones so small that there's just a little twitch. We've had several 3 pointers that are just loud enough and bounce us around enough that we stop and wonder just how big the quake might get. Then we had the 4.2 and heaved a sigh of relief since we figured that's what the swarm had been working up to. But now we're wondering if we are experiencing aftershocks or foreshocks.

The UNR Seismology Lab is bookmarked and referred to constantly for the latest as are the USGS earthquake sites. The whole West Coast is shaking right now, but Reno apparently has the "E" ticket.

We're unimpressed (usually) by anything less than a 6.0, although we enjoy the lesser ones. Hey, the 7.1 Whittier Quake set the bar for us, although the waving walls from one of the 5.o+ Livermore quakes was kinda fun. And there was a 4.2 in La Habra that lifted our apartment straight up and set it down with a bang.

This swarm of quakes is a first for us though. Today produced four 3.2+ quakes, two of which woke us up last night and two during the day. There were about fifty other smaller ones (I counted them on the UNR site), many of which we felt.

I look out at Mt. Rose and Slide Mountain, all 10,000 feet of them and remember that they didn't get way higher than the Truckee Meadows without some serious shaking going on.

It's a good thing that geology ranks high in entertainment value at our house!

Two Down, Two To Go

There's still no fence...but I managed to dig around the old concrete where two of the 4x4 posts used to be!

After the oak tree was removed, I had excavated around the old posts in preparation for fence reconstruction. I'd exposed the concrete, used the "jet" setting on the hose and began a little hydraulic mining on two of the posts that needed replacing. It worked remarkably well. Maybe a little too well, because when our 85 mph breezes arrived there wasn't quite enough to hold up the fence. It might have gone down anyway, but I unintentionally helped it along.

Cleanup came next. Thanks heavens for son #2 because those fence sections were heavy. I would have been smooshed if I'd tried to carry them off myself. Once the old fence was removed I could easily see the concrete footings but I kinda wimped out till the weather was a little nicer. Unfortunately the balmiest days were weekdays, but this weekend found me dressed warmly with pick and shovel in hand. I warmed up quickly once I began!

It sounds a little funny, but I love swinging a pick. I like how much easier it is than using a shovel, but I love how precise I can be with it. It's surprising how ya can hit the exact spot you aim at!

The first concrete footing was a tad daunting--much bigger than I had expected. It turned out to be about twenty inches in diameter. Fortunately for me it was shaped like a mushroom and narrowed once I was down about six inches. It took all morning, but I got to the bottom of it before noon and could feel a slight wiggle when I grabbed one of the old posts and applied a little leverage. A wiggle was all I could achieve no matter how hard I pressed. You'd think that all the Christmas/Valentine/Easter chocolate decorating my tummy, thighs, buns, etc. and sending my scale into spasms would have come in handy but no luck. That concrete must weigh well over a hundred pounds.

So...I set my sights on footing number two, which turned out to be smaller and easier. It was kinda tight quarters digging around it even though I dug out two roses what were in the way first. The poor smashed wisteria trunk, which I hope will send out new shoots, was only three inches away from the concrete. The soil was nice and soft due to all the water from my mining operations and so two and a half hours later, I could move it a bit.

Good thing too, because poor Kharma is sick of getting in trouble every time she goes over to visit the Bichon Frisees in back of us. Our neighbor is great about it, but we don't want to press our luck. So chicken wire is strung in the gap to slow her down, but Kharma pretty much laughs at anything less than a five foot fence. I'm motivated to get those two footing removed and new posts and footings installed as quickly as humanly possible just to keep the pup in the yard.

Now I'm just waiting for a big strong man with a pry bar to come my way.

LA eNVy part 2

Spring in L.A. How well I remember it: marine layer every morning (which means it's grey until 11 or 1 o'clock) and then the sun shines nicely. Of course, down there you put a heavy jacket on if it's fifty degrees. Because that's a whole thirty degrees cooler than those extremely hot summer days.

Spring in Nevada now. Well, up here it's about how many seasons can you pack into a very short period of time.

The weekend was fabulous. Low eighties, blue sky, stars at night. Nice. It's kinda like The Screenwriter brought the weather with him. But he flew out on Sunday.

Then Monday arrived and so did the winds. Instead of the temps being in the 80s, the wind gusts were. So instead of our backyard looking like this:

It looked like this: What can I say? We had plans to replace several of the 4x4 posts this weekend. We did not have plans to crush our ten year old wisteria in the process. Kharma loved it--she thinks we enlarged the yard especially for her. Fortunately our neighbor is a dog person.

Ah, but that was yesterday. Today we woke up to find:

Yes, snow. Followed quickly by an earthquake at 8 a.m. Followed by an entire day of jittery little jolts. They are predicting seventy degrees for tomorrow.

You just can't get bored by Nevada weather.

LA eNVy?

It's nice to have family come and visit. It's even nicer, possibly, when they show up singly rather than en masse.

'Cause then you get to ignorefocus all your attentions on them more easily. We managed to neglect The Screenwriter for one whole day due to a headache that wouldn't leave. Fortunately, the Queen Mother and Erkie managed the entertainment nicely without us.

Twenty-somethings are not what they used to be though. The Sierra nightlife (cruising for girls at the local college hotspots) occupied them till the wee hours on Friday. However, Saturday night was slightly different--scuttlebutt has it that they both fell asleep fairly early and only woke up when the Queen Mother called to see if they were still alive or had died while DUI.

I found that it's also much easier to coerce smaller numbers into having their picture taken rather than rounding up a large and uncooperative group. (Although my propensity for asking them to stare directly at the sun might have something to do with their reluctance.)

It was nice to spend time with The Screenwriter. We hope he had a good time.

p.s. Isn't that puppy getting BIG!

Prunus

It's not usually my favorite color combination, but how can you beat pink and blue at this time of year?

Come late September (with a little help from the bees, a minimum of snow on the blossoms and a ruthless culling process involving many pounds of small green peaches and a garbage can), we'll be harvesting Early Elbertas.

Peaches bigger than a baseball. Peaches so ripe that the skin just about falls off. Gourmet peaches. Incredible peaches that are completely organic. Peaches warm off the tree. Peaches I share with my neighbors and co-workers because we can't possibly eat all of them ourselves. Peaches dripping with flavor.

Whoops! I think my taste buds briefly hijacked my post. Because what I really want to say is...

Even if we didn't get one single peach, the blossoms against that blue blue sky would be beauty enough for me!

More White River

Looking pretty and looking finished. It's very nice to have running water again. It's nice to have the mirror on the wall where it belongs instead of behind our sofa (or the Christmas tree each December) where it really didn't belong.

A Mighty Oak

Once upon a time, we planted a small oak in our backyard from a gallon can. We had just moved from Southern California and loved the idea of beautiful red leaves each fall. It was the smallest tree we bought for our new home.

Our little tree loved its new home and grew taller and taller. Each fall the oak leaves would turn a deep mahogany red and soon tiny acorns, no bigger than a child's finger, appeared. A mourning dove built a nest on summer in the oak's branches and raised several broods before the winter wind's destroyed the nest. Scrub jays began to sample the acorns regularly, sitting on the fence to hammer them open with their beaks.

Our children set up a badminton net and played, and the tree seemed to enjoy the sport because soon it was sending out branches to grab the birdies. Before long the boys stopped playing badminton, but that was okay because they discovered the joys of soccer and the tree never seemed interested.

The sunny hot backyard grew shadier and shadier under the oak's canopy. We set up a hammock under the oak and enjoyed relaxing while gazing up at the shiny green leaves each summer. We shared the hammock and talked about fishing and sports and vacations. The boys liked to set up a tent under the tree and invite friends for a sleepover during the summer.

After many years we finally put in a sprinkler system and found that large oak roots were in the way so we threaded the pipe through holes between them. The lawn flourished with the new water and so did the oak tree.

The rose bush began to produce fewer flowers each year though. We moved the rose and began to plant shade-loving plants like bleeding heart, columbine, sweet woodruff, and Japanese anenome instead. The plants needed extra water, even though they were in the shade, because the oak leaves blocked rain from the soil below. They blocked the snow each winter, because we discovered that pin oaks do not drop their leaves in the fall. The brown leaves stay on the branches until the new leaves push the old leaves off!

The tree grew larger and larger. Neighbors had planted expensive trees from 15 gallon pots, but the oak tree gradually caught up and eventually was the tallest tree in the neighborhood. It produced so many acorns that more and more jays began appearing and fewer songbirds built nests in the yard. The acorns would sprout every spring and we would pull tiny oaklets out of the lawn and the garden both.

The branches reached out over the lawn and then began to dip lower and lower. Mowing the grass meant ducking away from low branches, so we trimmed them. Large anacondas were about the same size as the roots that began to appear on the soil surface. It was harder and harder to find a place for new plants to grow. Every time we dug, we struck a root. The railroad ties around the garden began to move upwards and we knew our pin oak was sending roots far and wide. The yard grew shadier and shadier. Then the fence began to buckle upwards. This was not good news. The zephyrs would blow and gradually the fence began to wave like a flag in the wind. We would lie in bed, feeling the eighty mile an hour gusts rock the house, and wonder if the fence was still standing. We began tying the fence to the tree for support. We knew that fence repair loomed in our future. We lopped off most of the large lower branches and enjoyed a park-like ambiance in the yard. As the fence grew more unstable, we knew...the tree would have to go.

A few weeks ago, the last dead leaves fell from the pin oak. The shade-loving plants underneath were still dormant. The time had come. We called a tree service to come out and give us an estimate. They never showed up and the tree (and our checkbook) had a reprieve. The shade loving plants began poking their new shoots from the soil--if we waited too long, they would be crushed by heavy boots wielding chain saws. Hardening our hearts, we called another tree removal company who immediately stopped by. They quoted us a very fair price that was quite a bit better than we expected for such a huge tree and we accepted their offer.

I watched the jays and sparrows flit through the bare branches yesterday evening and felt sad that our tree had to go. I knew the birds would miss the branches and acorn bounty. I knew we would miss the fresh green leaves each Spring and the cool shade. I took some last photos of our old friend. I had to stand on the other side of the yard to get the whole tree in the frame.


The tree crew came this afternoon at 2:30. They cut off all the branches, leaving a tall pole in our yard. Then the chainsaws revved and the tree was only half as tall. They roared again and only a large wooden circle close to the ground was left. In two hours, twenty years of growth was reduced to sawdust, mulch and a pile of logs.

We still have many roots to begin digging out--some so we can put in new fenceposts, some that are running under the railroad ties, some that are reaching out into the flower garden. We will still be uprooting oaklets for several months. This summer, though, we will welcome a lush crop of sun-loving flowers planted in fresh soil next to a solid fence. Next winter we will enjoy another part of oak's bounty as we warm ourselves next to the fireplace.

We thought we'd miss our tree, but our yard looks clean and fresh rather than bare. The birds were gallivanting in our peach tree rather than the oak tonight while Kharma gazed at them intently, begging them to drop into her mouth. We planned for future shade by planting an Autumn Blaze maple seedling last summer. It should grow fast now that a large tree no longer will block both light and water. Change can be hard, but a fresh start offers many potential benefits.

Hydrology

Sort of.

The rocks on Grammy's pond waterfall have shifted over the past two winters and were in need of an overhaul. Erkie-pie moved all the heavy rocks for me and I took advantage of a brief spell of warm weather and began rebuilding the waterfall. We went for a longer drop this time with a smooth veil of water. The new rivulet has a nice deep sound as it hits the pond.

***

But then I look back on this picture of the old waterfall engineered by Pierre two years ago. It looks so natural as it fans out on the rocks, splashing and tumbling on the way down. I wonder if I really improved on the original?

Even Stevens

Kharma and Zelda weigh exactly the same amount as of Easter Day. Zelda is almost as tall, but not nearly as long as our lanky blonde girl.

The tug-of-war is now played on an equal basis--although age and treachery still trump youthful enthusiasm.

Zelda knows more tricks than most grown dogs--and she's only 15 weeks old!

Photo Safari

They aren't exactly camera-shy. They're more non-cooperative than shy. Here we are at the Rio Grande Zoo. Do you think I could get them to turn my way for just one family photo op? Not when there was a good excuse like the darling baby chimp right in front of them. I can't compete with that level of cuteness. Instead I have this photo of four anonymous humans who may or may not be part of my family. Hmmm...those buns do look a little familiar.

***

Occasionally they will humor me, but getting a good photo of them is still a challenge. They're looking at the camera, they're posing, they're actually smiling (which I attribute entirely to the fact that they know we'll be waving goodbye in five more minutes). Now if I could just get everyone to keep their eyes open at the same time--two out of three ain't bad. Let's count noses: Pierre, check; Leah, check; Romeo, check; Deni...uh-oh, where's Deni? It's hard catch all four of them in the same place at the same time and willing to pose.

***

Of course, if you can trickflatter a little girl into thinking she's the Lion Queen...you might, just might, get one lucky shot.

Before and After

The front yard before

The front yard after

The little Bobcat--driven, or should I say piloted?--by Pierre gets most of the credit for any changes. It not only rearranged the massive landscaping boulders poorly placed by the previous owners, but also moved soil into terraces, dug a dry creek by the aspen, smoothed everything and revealed many of the rocks and boulders used to finish the dry creek.

***

A pile of granite boulders in the backyard and a slope in desperate need of a retaining wall

Voila! A retaining wall composed of granite boulders

Pierre could earn a living manipulating things with the Bobcat if he didn't want to play with computers! First of all, I'm amazed that he could even get into the backyard--the Bobcat has no steering wheel, just pedals and levers--and he only had about eight inches of clearance between him and the house stucco. Some of these boulders must have weighed a couple tons--I know I could feel the earth shake under my feet when he dropped them into place. Yet he was able to orient them nicely. He smoothed down the construction "piles" into natural-looking hills that enhance the view towards Tijeras Canyon.

Too bad there wasn't a bucket attachment to use like a backhoe. If there was, he could have excavated a trench for the irrigation system. That's the next big project. I'm sure he and his friend Geoff from freshman year at UNM will share a Ditch Witch rental sometime soon. There are soooo many basketball-sized rocks in the soil that I don't envy them that task. I'm guessing that there will be as much pick and shovel action as Ditch Witching.

Our role was that of sounding board, consultant and intermittent rock picker uppers. When you're swinging a pick, there's nothing better than having someone else get down in the hole and remove that rock while you wipe off the sweat! Fortunately, the weather was perfect for heavy-duty yardwork and the soil was nice and soft and moist after the winter.

And yes, the food was deluxe. What can I say? The child has talent at the barbeque--his chicken was exquisite! Yep, Spring Break was fun!

White River

The new granite top was installed today!

The stone reminds me of a storm on Jupiter with all its swirls and bands. It's white with grey bands and golden clouds. It wasn't what I had envisioned originally, but JR liked it and I think it worked out well. It's got plenty of drama and I know I'll like it even more as time goes on.

I'm hoping the new light comes this week. Then we'll see if the old mirror fits in the new space. We raised the vanity height and lost a little over four inches in mirror space. We'll see how far I get on installing the new faucet set before JR comes home.

Twenty-three and a half

Pounds of puppy, that is.

Another six and a half pounds, or about ten days at the rate she's growing, and Zelda'll have caught up to Kharma in the weight department. As it is, she was dragging Kharma across the hardwood floor last night during a game of tug!

She can still walk under Kharma (barely). No more little bear waddle anymore. Her back legs are lengthening rapidly.

sigh...They don't stay little puppies for long.

St. Valentine's Day (or What I Love About My Family)

Happy Valentine's Day to all family, near and far!!!

Some things that I love about you:

I love that you understand I'm so organized that any birthday card that reaches you before your next birthday is actually ON TIME!

I love that you realize I have good intentions but my follow-through is pathetic.

I love that you no longer comment on my blonde hair.

I also love that you never comment on my weight. Oh, how I love that!

I love that you also have cars in your garage, in your driveway or on the curb that you no longer drive and/or no longer run.

I love that you frequently call Grammy to check up on her and keep her company.

I love that we keep in contact although we are far-flung.

I love that when it is An Occasion, you show up.

I love that you will drop everything if you are really needed.

I love your enthusiasm and the sound of your laughter.

I love that you not only tolerate but enjoy my dogs (present and past), even when they chew up your doors and escape from your yard and must go everywhere with us.

I love thinking about you; the thoughts are good ones.

I love sharing memories of swimming, The Ranch, cousins, holidays, pets, The Shop, sprinklers, weddings, various relative, cars, etc.

As they say, you choose your friends, but you get stuck with your family. Well, I'm got lucky when I was stuck with you!!

Ipana--Now with Extra Whiteners!

Needle-sharp and white as death.

(Hissy Cat looks appropriately terrified, but then H.C. always has that expression.)

Candles

Dear Nephew,

Someone has a birthday today! Happy Birthday, Birthday Boy/Tigger/ Pooh's Offspring/HP!

It seems like yesterday that I flew up to Pooh and the Prof's soon after you were born. Now you're so grown up and soooo fun to be around. With interests of your own, enthusiasm for life, and talents that amaze us all.

(Note to adults: Just goes to show that you have to enjoy kids while they are around because they grow from babies into toddlers into children into interesting nephews while you file your fingernails. How does that happen?)

Have a great ZooTycoon-playing, Lego-building, gift-opening day. Or as the inside of your birthday card (which is still sitting in my house instead of being in the mail or at your house) says: Catch all the fun you can!

Love from Nevada

p.s. Just wanted you to know that Kharma personally chewed the envelope, just for you!

p.p.s. Thanks for teaching me to appreciate Transformers and the differences between Autobots and Decepticons.

Young, Blonde, and Famous

Erkie-pie had to work and I didn't. Wonderful mom that I am, I offered to puppysit. Such a sacrifice! I not only took photos, but figured out how to use the movie feature on my camera.

Here she is....



Yes, that is a squat at the very end. Her bladder is the size of a pea. And no, I got absolutely nothing done today and don't regret it a bit.

The Legend of Zelda

Here she is! She's playful. She waddles when she walks. She has a cute little growl. Her master dotes on her.

Five Weeks and Counting

Erkie sent a photo of the pup to my cell phone. Since then I've been showing it to everyone. She's so cute!

Not Much of A Storm

Despite what you might have read, it wasn't much of a storm. Yeah, we got snow--about a foot maybe. But no huge accumulations.

It was (and still is) pretty. Like this photo I took at 9 p.m. Friday while walking Kharma.

But best of all, I have an extra half day of vacation! Why? Because the highly paid wusses concerned managers of our school district have called a two-hour delayed start for tomorrow. Since the morning class only lasts for two and a half hours on a regular day, there is no point in anyone (including ME) going in for thirty minutes. So I get to accomplish just a little bit more--hmmm, now what can I do with an extra four hours...

(Just kidding school-district decision makers--I think you totally have the safety of our children at heart--good call on that delayed start. And yes, I am just aching to get back and see our adorable kidlets.)

I Woke Up in Portland

Rain. Lots of it.

Apparently there is a storm after all, with enough power to make it over the Crest and bring us rain here in the Rainshadow. It's been noisily raining since 5 a.m. and since the ground is frozen, the runoff is beginning to be exciting. Storm drains here and there are getting a little clogged and allowing large puddles to extend onto the roadway. It's cool to drive by and watch the dedicated maintenance men hermetically sealed into their storm gear trying to use their shovels to coax the runoff into the drains. The Truckee is commencing to roar. The Ditch is already half full just from local rain. It had better stop raining and start snowing or I have the feeling that another flood might be on the horizon. We just don't do rain well here.

There's no need for the intermittent setting on the windshield wipers. Just turn them on "fast" and drive. We have the choice of driving the safe yet scenic route in the left lane which avoids the little mini-lakes or using the right lane and spraying glorious rooster tails of water sideways. The wind is blowing so hard that sometimes the splash ends up right on your windshield and you feel like you're driving (or should that be piloting?) a submarine. It's less fun on the freeway because hydroplaning just sort of sneaks up on you even when everyone is driving about 15 mph slower than usual. Just think how much fun we'll have when the temps drop, our wet roads become solid ice and we have one big skating rink in town.

I've discovered that the Forester rear hatch makes a great roof when loading and unloading groceries. Well thought out, Suburu designers. (We now pause while I stop and think about how much I lovelovelove my little red Forester.)

I totally believe in Global Warming. It basically does not rain here. Well, maybe a welcome thundershower in August, but winter rain...no. It snows. That's why I love it here. Snow is beautiful and dry and makes you want to go outside and play. Those were the good old days BGW. Rain is wet and messy and makes mud and makes me want to stay inside and eat fattening foods. If there is any holiday weight gain, I am blaming it ALL on the rain.


p.s. Kharma doesn't like the rain either.

Storm Skeptic

Hunker down and get ready for the biggest storm in five years. That's what they are telling us.
(Long Pause)

I don't want to rain (or snow) on their parade. We'd be thrilled with a good storm--heaven knows we could use the water. I'm just a little skeptical. Weathermen like weather. It's been my experience that they get excited and hopeful about storms, kinda like kids about the cool stuff Santa may bring them.

Judging by the winds that have been blasting around since noon, something might be in the works for the near future. We're hoping the back fence, that is scheduled for replacement this Spring, rides it out and withstands the gusts that are currently making it ripple like a flag in a breeze. But the biggest storm in five years? Please.

They are predicting up to twelve inches of snow down on the valley floor. It was 54 degrees today so it's gonna hafta drop precipitiously (no pun intended) to come close to that.

In our book, a big storm is defined by a minimum of two feet of snow in a 24 hour period. A big storm requires us to shovel the driveway continuously just to keep up with the accumulation. When we get to the bottom of the drive, it's time to start over at the top. This photo shows what happened the last time we had a big storm way back in 2004. That sleek looking mound is, in fact, a car. I didn't see my morning kindergartners for three weeks due to snow days. At the time, I thought the school district was being wimpy about the whole thing since we've driven our kids to school over worse roads. It was kinda nice getting up late and having an extended vacation. Making up the snow days in June when I was dying for school to end was less fun.

Now that I've poo-poohed the whole forecast, I think I'll go out and wash my car and have my sweetie clean the windows. If THAT doesn't bring on a major storm, nothing will.

Alpenglow Farewell to 2007

What a nice way to end a year--a carefree trip to celebrate a birthday and visit farflung family!

We met the very charming Boston Boyfriend (hi, Chris, sorry but not looking at the camera will not prevent you from appearing in the picture), laughed with Atlantic Ariel about her crustacean-collecting forays, viewed the latest decorating masterpiece masterminded by ToolMan who has learned the subtle art of manipulating his clients and ate yet another delicious dinner hostessed by the Cruise Queen.

The birthday girl received roses--gorgeous, fragrant, subtly-blushing pink and altogether beautiful just--like the honoree.

We caught someone raiding the freshly baked bread when he thought we weren't looking. Hey, Grand Dude, good thing there was plenty for everybody else or there could have been trouble!

There was way too much picture taking for some. That's what happens when Cobalt Girl gets an exciting new digital camera of her own. And Kayak Man stops talking canines long enough to get grab his camera too. Good thing we are a camera-crazed family (unless the paparazzi are begging you for just one more shot). How else can we remember these treasured family get-togethers that come way too seldom?

The mountain roads, thankfully, cooperated with snow- and storm-free driving. We even witnessed a gorgeous Sierra sunset touched by alpenglow as we raced down Donner Pass on our way home. Thanks, family, it was a wonderful way to close out the year. Fair skies and smooth sailing to all as we welcome 2008!

Nosed Out

Where did her dark nose go? It was black as a puppy. Even a year ago, it was still dark. Heck, it was dark this summer. Suddenly, she's almost a two-year-old and her Yellow Lab heritage is beginning to show up. Kharma has a pink nose.

(Don't you just love Hissy Cat? She came in Kharma's Christmas stocking.)

'Tis the Season

There were gatherings at Christmas Eve. Grammy's tree was beautifully decorated with old Shiny Brite ornaments. The lasagna my sweetie made was wonderful along with Grammy's new pie crust (courtesy of Martha Stewart) filled with yummy Golden Delicious apples left over from Clayton Girl's orchard this fall. Yeah, there were a few presents too. All thoughtfully chosen and gratefully received. And new ornaments: hard to choose between the parakeet ornaments that match Grammy's two birdbrains and the bell-ringing elf that Tigger made! Then we reluctantly went out into the cold and drove home to prepare for the Big Day.

Christmas day arrived leisurely. First order of business was to give Kharma a much-needed bath. She looks so much cuter fluffy and golden and clean! Then Erkie and Grammy arrived to open presents from our stash and see what things Santa left in stockings. We proceeded to put plane #1 on the roof, watch plane #2 flat spin onto the asphalt and die, and completed the hat trick with #3 making an apparently perfect landing only to discover that the wing looked fine but was actually broken in half. It only cost Santa a couple of bucks (greenbacks, not caribou) and we laughed ourselves silly over the toys.

Santa left Kharma plenty of toys, which she opened gently. She was racing around like a two-year-old on a sugar high with all the excitement. Only two of her toys currently are whole, no stuffing protruding or ears chewed off or holes in the squeakers.

Dinner was delicious. Stay tuned...Christmas part deux, tomorrow.

Christmas Challenge

Okay, family! I know you all have beloved ornaments on your trees and special collections of snowmen/Santas/nativities/angels/houses on display.

You went to all that trouble to put them up...Wouldn't you like to share them? Take a photo, or two, or three and email them to me and I'll publish them for you. Feel free to spin a yarn about your treasures too. If you have a blog post about them, send a link.

It'll be like a large family visit together.

At the very least, we want a photo of your Christmas day gathering.

The ball's in your court. Charge up those batteries and get those digital cameras working. No pressure...we'll post the photos as we get them, when we get them (please notice that WE haven't posted any yet either).

Stay tuned and a come back often for our Family House Tour!

Autobots

I hate to do it, but I think I might incorporate a word verification to eliminate the annoying robot that leaves "comments" on my blog. Comments which are not comments. Comments that are just links to business opportunities--think bloggy telemarketers.

And Blogger, in their infinite wisdom, changed comments so that a profile shows up instead of a link to their blog. Bless their geeky little hearts.

Otherwise I'd be pleased to visit a certain commenter on his site and leave a few meadow muffins strewn about for him to enjoy.

We'll see how long my patience lasts.

Clean

No ironing pile! No scrap fabric pile! No old photos pile! No pattern pile!

When enough projects get completed, the cleanup can begin. Too bad there isn't a before photo to go with this after shot of one of our guest beds. (You didn't really want to see the mess, trust me.) Honesty compels me to add that we also have a clutter-free coffee table, dining table and kitchen table.

I'm not ready for sainthood yet though. There is still a "Christmas" room with plenty of presents waiting to be wrapped and/or boxed as well as a few crafts that are close to completion.

I'm sure it was just a total and complete coincidence that my sweetie arrived back home today from his week living in nice clean hotel rooms! Yeah, right.

Counter Raider

Apparently food left on the kitchen counter is no longer safe, sacred or dedicated to humans. Either that, or apples have begun to mysterious float to the floor by themselves.

Clutter

I always make a huge mess when I'm being the most productive. Reorganize a closet? Prepare to watch me devote two entire rooms to piles and boxes. Get ready for Christmas? Haul in storage tubs from three different locations and live with piles of Christmas decorations downstairs for a week before you can see the floor. Finish Christmas craft projects? Uh-oh. Home Organizer Alert: Every single surface in our home has clutter on it.

I've been ignoring it (selective vision) up to now because I've been getting so much done. It's reached that point that even Shrek would get a little uneasy around this much stuff. I've no idea how my long-suffering and very organized sweetie has survived this long without complaint.

But the fact that he just left on a conveniently-timed business trip is somewhat suspicious.