...for many things.
My life full to overflowing with things to be thankful for on Thanksgiving and every day. However, this morning I give thanks that I am not traveling anywhere for Thanksgiving. Most especially I am thankful not to be traveling anywhere by plane. Click on this "misery map" of airline delays if you want to feel thankful too!
Showing posts with label weird fun stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weird fun stuff. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Some Places Don't Change
There are some memories from childhood that stick with you. Places that are as clear in my mind today (mumble mumble years later) as they were back then. This is one of those places! Fortunately it hasn't changed much and these photographs pretty closely match the pictures in my mind. What fun to see this place again!
This is where I spent many, many hours of summer sunshine. Reading, getting that all important tan, getting hot so I could go jump back into the pool. These rocks are the picture in my mind when I think of Nixon's resignation. I was here while it was being reported on the radio. I think there was less shade in those days--It was late in the day when EE and I stopped for this trip down memory lane, but I do seem to remember more sun! Regardless, this is a view that I would recognize anywhere! The one image that means summer vacation!
The baby pool has been filled in, so the pool area looks different.
Oh, the snack bar! I can just taste the corn dogs!
The view of the pool from the path. How many times did I make this walk from cabin to pool and back?
The cabins look a little different--they were stained wood back then and now they have been painted brown. Otherwise they are unchanged since the 1970s. Pictures on the website show an updated interior, though. No more knotty pine paneling. They are bright white inside.
Here is the view up the hill to the campground that we used when D came to visit. It is now large enough for a good sized RV. I remember it being the size of his VW bug and small tent!
After we looked around Pine Acres Resort (now called Gold Rush Country Resort), we couldn't resist a stop at Indian Grinding Rock. The rock is smaller now. The earth must be encroaching on it. Or maybe my memory plays tricks after 40+ years!
You can no longer walk on the rock. They have a viewing platform that you go out on to look at it. There is also a very nice picnic area, a museum (closed when we were there in May) and wooded trails. I don't remember any of that!
It was a fun afternoon chasing great old memories and introducing them to El Esposo! Then we moved on to Sutter Creek and our 29th wedding anniversary weekend.
This is where I spent many, many hours of summer sunshine. Reading, getting that all important tan, getting hot so I could go jump back into the pool. These rocks are the picture in my mind when I think of Nixon's resignation. I was here while it was being reported on the radio. I think there was less shade in those days--It was late in the day when EE and I stopped for this trip down memory lane, but I do seem to remember more sun! Regardless, this is a view that I would recognize anywhere! The one image that means summer vacation!
The baby pool has been filled in, so the pool area looks different.
Oh, the snack bar! I can just taste the corn dogs!
You can no longer walk on the rock. They have a viewing platform that you go out on to look at it. There is also a very nice picnic area, a museum (closed when we were there in May) and wooded trails. I don't remember any of that!
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Happy Pi Day!
For those of you who don't know, today is a Math Holiday! It is officially known in the nerd world as Pi Day (3.14)
In honor of Pi Day, take a look at this video--approximating pi using pies! Yum!
In honor of Pi Day, take a look at this video--approximating pi using pies! Yum!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Some Pest Management Advice
Utah State University Extension service shares these tips for managing an invasive pest. A "must watch" for any gardener!
Friday, January 27, 2012
Another Reason to Love Spiders!
Whenever I hear someone say they hate spiders, I tease that spiders are my "sister spinners" and I love them!
After looking at this website of a cape woven from spider silk, I have to admit that I am only a wannabe spinner! My spinning could never compare. Here is one picture, but you MUST take a look at the whole site. Lots of eye-candy! I'd love to see one of these textiles in person!
After looking at this website of a cape woven from spider silk, I have to admit that I am only a wannabe spinner! My spinning could never compare. Here is one picture, but you MUST take a look at the whole site. Lots of eye-candy! I'd love to see one of these textiles in person!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Happy New Year!
Just a couple of photos that symbolize my wishes for the new year:
Fresh
Green
Orderly
Healthy
Abundant
Yummy!
Fresh
Green
Orderly
Healthy
Abundant
Yummy!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
I am doing some reading to get ready for my second interview (no, I don't really know yet if I have one--should get a call this morning to let me know about this afternoon) and I ran across this. I had told myself no time for blog posting, but I can't resist sharing this.
What Teachers Really Do When They're Not in School
by Laurel Killough
Teachers in New Jersey first had the idea, and it has spread around the country, including to Connecticut.
What Teachers Really Do When They're Not in School
by Laurel Killough
Teachers in New Jersey first had the idea, and it has spread around the country, including to Connecticut.
The idea: A group of teachers gathers in a public space to grade papers and do the preparation they normally work on at home. Grade-ins have been a big hit among teachers and the public. Earlier this month, on a bright, sunny Saturday, a group of teachers gathered at Rotary Park in Putnam....read more...
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Wish Me Luck
My interview for what the SF niece calls "Queen of Nerds" (aka Dean of Math, Science, Engineering, and Library Systems)is tomorrow from 8-10 am. The outfits are chosen, edited by El Esposo, and hanging in the dressing room. (I think my colleagues might be shocked out of their socks by how well dressed I can be if I concentrate!) If all goes well and I get a second interview it will be on Saturday sometime. Probably the last of the day since I am a local candidate. Send some good wishes my way--especially for the second interview with the president since she isn't my biggest fan ;-)
Once this is over, I have quite a few pics to share--garden, the SF niece's graduation and graduation party, more garden. And then the Central Coast niece will be back from the London trip and I want to have a party for her to show off her photos and tell us all about how great the trip was. Yes, if we can pin her down she'll have to let us travel vicariously through all her pics and tales! ;-)
Meanwhile the SD niece is getting a passport. World travel in her future? I hope so!
Adios until the interview madness is over....
Once this is over, I have quite a few pics to share--garden, the SF niece's graduation and graduation party, more garden. And then the Central Coast niece will be back from the London trip and I want to have a party for her to show off her photos and tell us all about how great the trip was. Yes, if we can pin her down she'll have to let us travel vicariously through all her pics and tales! ;-)
Meanwhile the SD niece is getting a passport. World travel in her future? I hope so!
Adios until the interview madness is over....
Monday, May 16, 2011
Missed It!
Did you know that Saturday was World Naked Gardening Day? Yes. And I missed it. I'll bet you did too. I was gardening, but believe me, I was fully clothed. It was cold!
Check out this link if you don't believe that there is such a thing.
Mark your calendar for next year!
Check out this link if you don't believe that there is such a thing.
Mark your calendar for next year!
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
The Life of a Blog
I was realizing this morning that I have slowed in my blog posting lately. That made me start to wonder how long I have been doing this. So I looked at some of the stats that Blogger keeps and I was kind of amazed.
I have been blogging since 2008. My first post was April 23, 2008 and at that time we had just lost one of the large trees on the lot. The next post wasn't until May (long break between posts!). In that second post I chronicled some fiber projects that were on the docket. Of the five, I can proudly say that 4 of them are now finished. There is still one that is languishing on the needles--a coral colored cotton shell. Guess I should dig it out and finish it for summer!
I have written 383 posts, including this one.
There have been 3,501 views. Wow! That isn't high compared to the really big blogs, but considering that this goes to a few friends and family--most of whom are not big computer users--I think that is kind of amazing!
The most popular page was on Oct. 20 of the past year. Go Giants! Don't Stop Believin'! The second most popular was "More Camping Pictures" in 2009. The most page views in a month came from last July when there were over 500 for the month.
Of the people who get here from another blog, the blog that they come from most is Mia's. After that it is FishFam's. This is probably due to my family readers who go from my blog to Mia's or FishFam's and then get counted when they come back to this blog. Maybe there are a few who are regular readers of the other two and then stop in here. If any of you who are really Mia's or FishFam's readers just stopping in here, leave a comment!
The large majority of the views have been from the US. That makes sense, since the blog is mostly family and friends that I know in real life. There are a few who stop by that I know only from their blogs and from their comments here. There are others who stop by that I don't know. I have had 114 views from the U.K. and 10 views from the Netherlands. Also a handful from Canada and Japan. If any of you are reading today, leave a comment!
I have been blogging since 2008. My first post was April 23, 2008 and at that time we had just lost one of the large trees on the lot. The next post wasn't until May (long break between posts!). In that second post I chronicled some fiber projects that were on the docket. Of the five, I can proudly say that 4 of them are now finished. There is still one that is languishing on the needles--a coral colored cotton shell. Guess I should dig it out and finish it for summer!
I have written 383 posts, including this one.
There have been 3,501 views. Wow! That isn't high compared to the really big blogs, but considering that this goes to a few friends and family--most of whom are not big computer users--I think that is kind of amazing!
The most popular page was on Oct. 20 of the past year. Go Giants! Don't Stop Believin'! The second most popular was "More Camping Pictures" in 2009. The most page views in a month came from last July when there were over 500 for the month.
Of the people who get here from another blog, the blog that they come from most is Mia's. After that it is FishFam's. This is probably due to my family readers who go from my blog to Mia's or FishFam's and then get counted when they come back to this blog. Maybe there are a few who are regular readers of the other two and then stop in here. If any of you who are really Mia's or FishFam's readers just stopping in here, leave a comment!
The large majority of the views have been from the US. That makes sense, since the blog is mostly family and friends that I know in real life. There are a few who stop by that I know only from their blogs and from their comments here. There are others who stop by that I don't know. I have had 114 views from the U.K. and 10 views from the Netherlands. Also a handful from Canada and Japan. If any of you are reading today, leave a comment!
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Stitches!!!!
I treated myself to an early day off (making this almost a 4 day weekend for me--wooohoooo!) on Friday and headed up the rain drenched highway to Stitches for two of the Market Classes. They have the vendor market and they have heavy duty workshop classes and now they have 1 hour classes at the market for people like me who don't want to take a 3 hour long class on knitting.
One class was on entrelac. Here is the picture of the scarf that was on the handout I got.
Definitely worth the $35 to have someone teach me how to do this! If you look closely all the little squares are leaning. Each row alternates which way they lean. But you knit it across--you don't make little squares and then put them together. Just too weird to figure out from directions. It is pretty mind bending! Definitely added some new neural pathways by learning this! I'm thinking it would make a pretty baby blanket--but make the squares bigger, like 3x3 or 4x4.
The second class was knitting backwards. I probably could have figured this out on my own, but part of the value of taking the class was the treat of leaving work after my class and taking myself to learn something new. Knitting backwards is certainly new to me. Never turn your work. Always have the right side showing. Amazingly cool. Very awkward. I felt somewhat like a new knitter with my hands clutching the needles for dear life and my tongue sticking out as I did it. The brain understood, but the fingers need more practice! More neural pathways!!
Then, I couldn't leave without a little shopping. I ended up with 500 grams of brownish variegated sock yarn in a bag for $25! $5 per pair of socks!!! That's a real bargain with many of the sock yarns going for $25 for a 100 gram skein. I think it is the exact same yarn my Seattle friend was knitting with when she was here for New Year's Eve. You can never have too many pairs of handknit socks!
One class was on entrelac. Here is the picture of the scarf that was on the handout I got.
Definitely worth the $35 to have someone teach me how to do this! If you look closely all the little squares are leaning. Each row alternates which way they lean. But you knit it across--you don't make little squares and then put them together. Just too weird to figure out from directions. It is pretty mind bending! Definitely added some new neural pathways by learning this! I'm thinking it would make a pretty baby blanket--but make the squares bigger, like 3x3 or 4x4. The second class was knitting backwards. I probably could have figured this out on my own, but part of the value of taking the class was the treat of leaving work after my class and taking myself to learn something new. Knitting backwards is certainly new to me. Never turn your work. Always have the right side showing. Amazingly cool. Very awkward. I felt somewhat like a new knitter with my hands clutching the needles for dear life and my tongue sticking out as I did it. The brain understood, but the fingers need more practice! More neural pathways!!
Then, I couldn't leave without a little shopping. I ended up with 500 grams of brownish variegated sock yarn in a bag for $25! $5 per pair of socks!!! That's a real bargain with many of the sock yarns going for $25 for a 100 gram skein. I think it is the exact same yarn my Seattle friend was knitting with when she was here for New Year's Eve. You can never have too many pairs of handknit socks!
Friday, February 4, 2011
The First Day of the Last Year of the First Half Century
Don't know who this guy is, but I like his message!
Happy birthday also to Gram! What a great lady to share a birthday with!
EDIT at 12:44:
Look what someone sent me via email! (Not a blog reader). What a coincidence! Only it is the real thing (Beatles version). Now I really hope you have this song embedded in your head!!!
Happy birthday also to Gram! What a great lady to share a birthday with!
EDIT at 12:44:
Look what someone sent me via email! (Not a blog reader). What a coincidence! Only it is the real thing (Beatles version). Now I really hope you have this song embedded in your head!!!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Retirement????
It's the first week of the semester and I'm already thinking about retirement?
Not really! El Esposo signed us up for a retirement workshop held by the teachers retirement system. HE is already thinking about my retirement. I don't know why. I turn 49 next Friday and I figure I have AT LEAST 25 years of teaching to go. I joke that I will be tottering off to teach my classes at the age of 92. But it isn't really a joke! If I am able, I will probably still be teaching part time at that age!
Most of what the workshop was information I already knew about the system. But one general statement the presenter made really stuck in my mind. He was talking about how the retirement provides people with, on average, about 60-65% of their salary. He mentioned the other retirement savings tools that can supplement this. Then he said that with all the saving he was doing prior to his retirement, he never actually had 100% of his salary anyway. He was used to living on only about 60% of his salary. Then when he retired, between his teacher retirement and his other investments, he ended up feeling like he got a raise because he was getting more than he was used to!
I like that as a philosophy of life! If you manage your expectations and never let yourself get accustomed to something and take it for granted, you can make getting less feel like getting more! I think that could be the secret to happiness, and maybe even a long life!
Not really! El Esposo signed us up for a retirement workshop held by the teachers retirement system. HE is already thinking about my retirement. I don't know why. I turn 49 next Friday and I figure I have AT LEAST 25 years of teaching to go. I joke that I will be tottering off to teach my classes at the age of 92. But it isn't really a joke! If I am able, I will probably still be teaching part time at that age!
Most of what the workshop was information I already knew about the system. But one general statement the presenter made really stuck in my mind. He was talking about how the retirement provides people with, on average, about 60-65% of their salary. He mentioned the other retirement savings tools that can supplement this. Then he said that with all the saving he was doing prior to his retirement, he never actually had 100% of his salary anyway. He was used to living on only about 60% of his salary. Then when he retired, between his teacher retirement and his other investments, he ended up feeling like he got a raise because he was getting more than he was used to!
I like that as a philosophy of life! If you manage your expectations and never let yourself get accustomed to something and take it for granted, you can make getting less feel like getting more! I think that could be the secret to happiness, and maybe even a long life!
Friday, January 14, 2011
In Case You Wondered...
The Mavericks referred to in the name of the inn in the post below is, indeed, the Mavericks of the surf competition. The hike we took at Pillar Point overlooks the Maverick waves when they are pounding in. They weren't when we were there.
It sounds as though it is happening soon, though--maybe this weekend? Twenty-four surfers are given 24 hours notice to surf. Click here to see why the waves are so big. Click here to see more information about this year's competition. This year you can't watch it live from the same place where I shot those sunset photos. Good thing, I think. Not only did people get hurt last year, it is too ecologically sensitive a spot for so many spectators. But, hey, you can watch it broadcast live on the big screen at AT&T park if you are missing your baseball!
It sounds as though it is happening soon, though--maybe this weekend? Twenty-four surfers are given 24 hours notice to surf. Click here to see why the waves are so big. Click here to see more information about this year's competition. This year you can't watch it live from the same place where I shot those sunset photos. Good thing, I think. Not only did people get hurt last year, it is too ecologically sensitive a spot for so many spectators. But, hey, you can watch it broadcast live on the big screen at AT&T park if you are missing your baseball!
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Saturday, November 27, 2010
And now...
...on to Christmas! Worried about finishing your Christmas projects? Watch this video and if you are a knitter or a knitter's gift recipient you will have a good laugh!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Birth of a Tradition???
After a wonderful time with the family (including The Aunt's friend Ginny and Niece #2's newish boyfriend), what could be better the next day than this?Listening to "Torture After Turkey Day." Yes, that's right, at the moment we are listening to the last game of the season against the Padres. Then we have the Division Series, the Championship Series, and then the World Series. All replayed today on KNBR 680!
Shopping at midnight? Black Friday? Nor for us! It's Orange and Black Friday at this house! Now wouldn't that be a nice annual tradition :-)
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Why Didn't I Think of That?
What is scarier than math with fractions?
I stumbled on this post of a blogger from the Bay Area who often comments on CA native gardening blogs and saw this picture! The only thing scarier would be a pumpkin with a word problem on it!
In the category of slightly weird is that after reading the post that the pumpkin was made by her partner Susan, it makes me think her partner might be the Susan who teaches community college math in the Bay Area and blogs about it. I ran across her blog while researching this summer and finding many innovative K-12 math/science teachers (and a few college teachers) who post about their teaching successes, failures, experiments, etc. (Queue Twilight Zone music!)
I stumbled on this post of a blogger from the Bay Area who often comments on CA native gardening blogs and saw this picture! The only thing scarier would be a pumpkin with a word problem on it!In the category of slightly weird is that after reading the post that the pumpkin was made by her partner Susan, it makes me think her partner might be the Susan who teaches community college math in the Bay Area and blogs about it. I ran across her blog while researching this summer and finding many innovative K-12 math/science teachers (and a few college teachers) who post about their teaching successes, failures, experiments, etc. (Queue Twilight Zone music!)
Friday, August 27, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)