Carol's Queendom

8:23pm: Thoughts on the trip East
Practically perfect in every way, to quote Mary Poppins. Shauna's thoughtful directions let us get to Providence from Logan with no missteps. We took the blue line T (subway) to the green line, to the red line, to the commuter rail, which is purple. Off to Providence we went, seeing the Massachusetts sunrise over brick buildings, bogs and mostly bare trees. We had taken a redeye, not my favorite, but we figured we would be able to catch a nap. Rick and I hung out at the mall, in a large bookstore, and sipped cocoa. The weather was similar to Cali- freezing temps overnight but warming to the high 50s by afternoon. Shauna arrived to pick us up. I must say navigating the subways and all during commute with suitcases is...interesting. We managed, and did not bark anyone's shins as far as I know.

We met Shauna's pastor, who was at our church in Livermore years ago, and had lunch. Beth has a very wanted beautiful daughter named Piper, who we all took turns holding and amusing. She is a sweet, sunny tempered baby.

We then drove to Shauna's to relax until dinner, and Rick and I got naps. It had been a sleepless night on the plane for me, but not unpleasant. We met Jan, Shauna's amazing geology advisor and professor from Brown for dinner. Great food and lots of fun. We went back to just visit, and prepare for the coming days of dance shows. Sleeping on the big air beds was so comfy...actually more restful than the hotel beds have been.

The only down side of all this was that my cousin Cathy caught the 'bacon flu' as Shauna calls it. So we hope to see her next time- she had to miss the shows, and just rest up.

Friday we got bagels and then attacked the 6 inch deep carpet of maple leaves all over Shauna's yard. She has NO trees IN her yard, but the leaves were everywhere. As we raked and bagged, we talked and laughed, and just had fun. We watched the chipmunk whose burrow we uncovered- she seemed pleased to have easier access to her front door. We met several neighbors, and learned a bit about them. Mike who shares the duplex is a very nice retired machinist, who loves dogs.

Sarah arrived, and we visited. I gave Shauna the ring that Nana had from Preston...the 'going steady' ring, she called it. I am happy to see Shauna enjoying it, and she was very close to Preston- a Grandpa to her in every way.It was fun to be able to surprise her.

The Friday night dance show was just the show...and we enjoyed it but the overall energy level was moderate. The audience was responsive and lively- and I got to meet and visit with Beth Bentley who designed some of the costumes. She has taught Shauna some great sewing tricks and pattern making tips.

Saturday we saw the Gondoliers at Brown, which my niece Jentina and her boyfriend Nate were in. Rick's sister Patty and husband Vic were able to join us, as was my sister Margie. I am so happy to say that both Margie and Lidia have now found jobs in DC! They are settling in and hope to be at work right after Christmas.

Saturday evening's dance show was 'unwrapped'- where Deb the director of Fusionworks explains the thinking behind each piece. It gives context, and also allows the dancers a bit of a breather. The most stunning work to me was Deb's original piece, Finning. It is about the horrible practice of killing sharks by taking their fins for soup, then throwing the shark back in the water to drown, or be eaten alive, as it can no longer swim.
I had to watch my beloved daughter die as a shark, and see her wonderful colleague Karen try in vain to save her. It was tearfully good;the final scene of Karen swimming away was breathtaking. And I suspect the practice of finning was not known to most of the people there. I applaud Deb for bringing it beautifully and graphically alive for people to understand...and repudiate as inhumane.

Sunday was blissful... we headed to Sarah's beautiful childhood home in North Attleborough MA. Her parents had prepared a luscious feast for brunch, and greeted us with open arms. We had lovely conversations, watched a hilarious Canadian TV show, and lolled in front of the woodstove. Duncan and Peanut the kitties visited and played with us, Peanut even cuddling in my lap. Sarah had to head back to Smith College for a dance rehearsal herself, so we went back to Shauna's at 5. We packed, and just hugged a lot. It is one of the things Shauna and I do when we do get to be together; lots of real hugs.

Shauna dropped us at the Providence train station at 6 am Monday, full of delicious brunch leftovers. We navigated back to Logan and flew out on Jet Blue to Long Beach, ironically my grandmother's home for many years. We made it back to the Bay Area and home by 6pm...to be greeted by ecstatic puppies.

Life is good.

10:34pm: a perfect trip to RI

8:35pm: Heading out
packing mostly done. Work caught up and ready to be left on autopilot until next Tuesday. Silly how the schedule worked out but I will be back to be there for the 1 geology lab that needs support.

Realhugsrealhugsrealhugs.

nuff said.

7:08pm: Jack Frost
Very chilly but beautiful hike today at Pleasanton Ridge.





Mr. Bluebird's over my shoulder...

The wild turkeys have all hidden...wonder if they checked their calendars, and got nervous.

Today we saw the most people and dogs I can remember...at least 25 people and probably 15 dogs...including a filthy but very happy bichon.

the ducks were back which makes me happy...I love seeing this pair of mallards in the second pond on the Thermalito trail.

watered everything at home thoroughly...and sprayed Cloud Cover...as we expect another very cold night...below 30 is possible which is borderline for many Cali plants.

Cooked all day and had a blast...pulled pork and slaw, crab and scallop casserole. Made fudge just for fun too...with almonds. For that sinfully good milk chocolate/salt taste.

9:33pm: new camera fun








Friday the 13th- lovely hike in the chilly but clear November air, a pedicure for the first time ever, and a lovely lunch with my 'sister' Linda. All good. Feels like Saturday but...it's not! A whole juicy weekend to come.

8:21pm: Veterans' Day
Today for the first time ever, I saw something iconic from my youth. It was green, on a trailer behind a truck, and a bit beat up. It was a HUEY, the helicopter we all watched on the nightly news, as we ate our lasagne in the late 60s and early 70s. I was disappointed that it did not fly in and land in the quad...but it is no longer air-worthy.

The blond neighbor boy, Nick, that I had a crush on at 12, died in one as a door gunner. I guess the surprise to me was that something that carried so many soldiers for so many years was actually smaller than I expected. It had seats for 7- two in front, four across the middle, and the jump seat for the door gunner. SO vulnerable ...leaning out into enemy fire to try to prevent the HUEY from being shot down...often at very low altitude. A job few people had for very long...

On TV the HUEYs looked commanding, agile, and powerful. Now it looks a bit tired, and the seats were miserably uncomfortable. Perhaps that matters less when one is wearing a parachute, and is planning to land in the jungle below.

Our ceremony at LPC today was good...healing for me, as I had never thanked the Vietnam era vets that I knew this way. I never spit on them in airports either, but did not have the wisdom or maturity at 18 to separate duty from wrong-headed politics. I may have blamed them, the soldiers, more than I should have. Young thinking tends to be black and white...and I was no exception.

I learned things about people I work with...Stan, who tends the gardens and grows incredible roses, was in the Navy and served two tours in Vietnam. Bob, who can fix or build anything, was a Coastie. My boss worked in the Air Force supporting the F-4 Phantom jet.

Thanks to all vets...I never had any desire to be in the military, but I respect that choice now in a way I did not then. A good kind of full circle.

4:14pm: canon powershot : first hike






Only took one photo of the lens cap...doh...so overall, a successful outing.

8:47pm: new camera=steep learning curve
My new Canon PowerShot is amazing. It can do anything, once you figure out how to ask it. I have 181 pages of PDFed instructions from the CD rom, and a website full of further adventures to take...

What I have done so far is put in the batteries, and memory card, and take some close up and mid range shots of Camry, the dogs, and my yard. On auto...where all you do is line it up, point, check for stabilization, and then push the button all the way. Easy.
Tomorrow is the maiden voyage on a hike...so I will possibly return with a batch of new early morning shots...
and the owl if she feels like showing up.




My green eyed girl felt like posing, so here is one of her.

Fall is just so pretty this year...achingly beautiful at times, with the stunning red and gold foliage, and brilliant blue sky. Broccoli plants are still there...yay for that.
Hugs to Linda A...thanks for being my friend.

8:13pm: cheering myself up










No this is not Pleasanton aflame...it is a magnificent sunset with lots of ominous clouds which I hope will provide much needed rain overnight.
I love that my roses are having a 'second wind' after their big September gush. Actually a third wind!

8:34pm: Thanksgiving ...and puppies...and this...and that
Missing Mom. Hard to plan Thanksgiving...but I am determined that we will host a wonderful meal and visit with family and friends. Even if it is hard and different in some ways, I hope to be true to Mom's generous loving spirit. As my cousin Molly in Holland says, 'She will be there with you' and I want to honor that.

Cooler nights mean Kona is sleeping right next to me, a little canine heater, tucked up close.

Several students impressed me today in lab...it is the geologic puzzle lab where they must do relative age dating by using geologic principles, figuring out rock type, etc. Many students see them as fun puzzles. Many students see them as 'confusing'- the new mantra for anything that is not immediately obvious. Today there was no whining, and several students who are not exactly thrilled to be in the class did a good job, on task, and truly made progress. When they came to me with questions I would have them tell me their rationale. ALL of them, simply by saying it aloud and thinking about it, figured it out for themselves. I love when that happens. So often all they needed to do was really take time to think it through. Now maybe I can figure out how to get them to try that BEFORE coming with the questions...

more than geology happens...life skills happen. It is good.

3:13pm:

After the first rains

7:09pm: Fall begonias and blue sky
A lovely day...lunch with a dear friend who is slowly healing from a badly broken foot. Watered the yard and saw a pair of Western Tanagers briefly...probably flying through. Planted a cardinal flower to amuse my hummers and butterflies next summer. Snapped a few more shots with Ruth's camera, and am now ready to settle down and learn my own new Canon PowerShot.














ready to 'fall back' and go hiking early to hear and see my owls again ...and photograph the lovely pre sunrise light...

9:15pm:

9:08pm: please note
Bichons are small white dogs. That is what the book said. Well...at the moment I have one small white dog, and one partly neon pink dog. Rigel, in a reprise of the famous Highlighter incidence of 2007 felt the need to bite my new pink Uniball pen. And pull the end off completely. And then make cute hot pink pawprints all over my desk. In the 30 seconds I left him alone. On the desk. Duh, I know. But he has been so reliable...unless kleenex is involved. He can not resist chewing kleenex into confetti. BUT I truly thought we had made progress in the 12 step anti pen eating program.
darn.

8:16pm:

After the first rains

12:18pm: take two
the video worked fine on my face book...sorry.

12:11pm: great horned owl in top of tree, hooting, plus more hiking photos

3:10pm: Twenty years ago today
Sargeant Pepper was hanging on for dear life if he lived in the Bay Area. At 5:04pm our world shook for 15 seconds, and everyone paid attention. This was not a little jiggle, where you feel dizzy for a second and then realize the dishes are chattering. This was a major event. We had just driven across the Bay Bridge, coming home from a pre op appointment for Rosie at UCSF. We came in the door, and the girls and I were in the front hall when the first creaking and movement began. The quake increased in intensity for several seconds and then slowly faded away. The most violent shaking threw our fishtank against the wall repeatedly, and the ceramic Jack O Lantern on the top of the water cooler flew off and shattered. Shauna wanted to dart forward to pick it up, but I held onto her, and we stayed in the big hall doorway.
Once the shaking stopped, I had the girls sit in the doorway, and I went to the stove to see if the soup I had put on to heat had stayed on the stove. By luck ( and direction) it had...the most violent shaking affected things that were on north or south walls. The motion was not nearly so strong in the east west direction, and hence the pot moved only an inch or so. Mom came over a few minutes later, and we hugged and said a prayer of gratitude that we were all ok. Our power was out, and we had a lot of broken things- glass picture frames, books all over the floor, several gallons of fish tank water everywhere, but basically we were ok.
That night we slept together downstairs in the family room like we were camping out. It was less scary to be all together, and our house structurally came through very well.

Please ...make an earthquake kit if you have not. It is not hard or expensive but...it is a really good idea.

9:23am: 'my' pitbull
The dogs I own are fluffy white 14 pound lap-puppies. They fit perfectly into my life with their playfulness, love of cuddles and bellyrubs, and ability to amuse each other while Rick and I are at work- using their gigantic collection of chew toys. But in the last few months I have made the acquaintance of a massive muscular 12 year old rescued pit bull. His owner, a middle aged woman, lives in my neighborhood and walks him every day. He limps a bit, from age, and possibly from an earlier injury. When I first saw him, I was struck by his incredibly powerful build. He must weigh 80 pounds, and looks as buff as a dog can. I would wave hello, or just say hi, because usually she walks him on the opposite side of Vancouver. But over the summer she began walking him on 'my' side of the street. I was out watering recently, and she stopped to talk. I asked if I could pat the huge animal. She said 'Oh he would love it...most people just back away from him'. I offered my hand to be sniffed, and then patted his silken ears and head. He immediately wagged his short tail, and I rubbed his solid back. His owner looked at me, and said, 'It is such an uphill battle to get people to see pitbulls as dogs...not monsters.' I have been able to pat this elder statesman pitbull ambassador multiple times now, and I appreciate his owners understanding, and approach to letting people see another side to the breed. Responsible, kind, knowledgeable people can raise and own pitbulls, and help counter the terrible publicity that so often is the only side of the story that gets told. Having seen pitbulls that have been forced into dogfights, who are now missing lips, ears, parts of noses, I know the horror that can happen. Dogs as a ticket to profits from betting...hideous. But it is the human behavior I abhor, not the dog.

Michael Vick did terrible things while running a dogfighting outfit. He was convicted, and is now volunteering with the Humane Society to educate people about what he did that was wrong, and to help steer kids towards healthy relationships with animals. As an aside, I also just saw a compelling newspiece about chronic brain injuries in football players, such as we have long recognized in boxers. Helmet or no...your brain does not appreciate being bashed. Repeatedly. Can and does affect judgement...possibly including Vick's.

I have appreciated hearing that Michael Vick, who was vilified, did not just serve his term, but is now trying to do restitution- to help undo the damage his behavior caused. I also appreciate my quiet neighbor, who uses her beautiful grand old man of a dog as an ambassador. Prejudice in any form needs rethinking...and few pitbulls are killers. Most are judged based on the behavior of a few people who have intentionally created canine fighting machines. Most in fact can be loyal, loving pets in the right family.

9:01pm: jolt
The Calaveras fault just adjusted itself- 3.8 magnitude. Wonder if it dislikes all this heavy rain that is falling on it? Or unrelated? Who knows. I felt a foreshock in that it just made me feel dizzy for a few seconds and then maybe 90 seconds later the quake itself hit. Hope we don't have any more tonight. Big quakes in the dark are so not fun.

8:04pm: Gully washer
This was my first experience with a typhoon, or at least its remnants. This had hit Japan last week with quite a punch. The storm managed to hold together and cross the enormous Pacific ocean, skirting Hawaii, to arrive on our California doorstep last night. Wind gusts hit 68 miles per hour on Mt Diablo today, and 36mph at Las Positas College. But the big news for us thirsty Cali peeps is the rain. Lots. All day. Since 4am. Did not stop at all for 12 hours. Santa Cruz mountains had over 8 inches in places. Sadly then we must think mudslides, but...still good to get an early start to our often abbreviated wet season.

Survived the lab midterm today. A number of conscientious students, and a few dingleberries. THe rain really changed the feel of the day...usually this October exam is during a last gasp hot spell. Today, people blew in with inside out umbrellas, soaked back packs and soggy Scantrons. But it all worked out.

Last week of my weight training class. I understand we can go work out in the same time slot but...the class/units part is done. Cali's budget woes preclude a second .5 unit class being added.

Reading a biography of Thurmon Munson, who I remember seeing play with the Yankees way back when. My connection to the Yankees of that era is that I worked with a great neurosurgeon named George Guidry in the late 1970s. His brother Ron, nicknamed Louisiana Lightning, pitched for the team. Ron won a Cy Young award and had an incredible year in 1977.

OK enough happy randomness...off to crochet on my shawl which I am making for my dear friend Arel.

Hugs.

7:41pm: Loving hands
When my Mom died in June, she and I had recently been to Michael's Store. We had fun selecting several batches of yarn each for making more prayer shawls. Shawl Ministry is one of our nicest community mission projects. We meet once a month, with anywhere from 3-9 women, who knit or crochet shawls to be given to anyone in need. We work communally there, and also work on our shawls at home. I carry a completed shawl, safely wrapped, in the back of my car so that I always have one with me in case one is needed by someone for comfort. They are purely a gift- and we give them to anyone brought to our attention who would like one, or might be comforted by one.
Saturday was the first meeting of Shawl group that I could attend since Mom's death. I arrived early, carrying my new yarn. But I also had Mom's partly completed knit shawls, each in a colorful gift bag. I don't knit...I am fairly dreadful at it, and do much better with crochet patterns. As people arrived we greeted each other, and caught up on the latest goings on. When we were gathered, I asked if one or more of the knitters could help me out. My mom did not waste things, and always finished what she started. I showed them the half done shawls, and immediately Pat and Ellen said they would be honored to finish Mom's knitting. It really means a lot to me that they will do this for her, and for me. I debated about trying to finish them myself- and realized that I am just not skillful enough. How sad would it be to never finish them, or to do a terrible job of it. Both these women are very experienced knitters, and will be able to do a wonderful job. It makes me happy to think of Mom's good work going on in the world.

8:32pm: Mythbusters does it again
The new season started last night. Adam and Jamie are in fine form, as are Kari, Grant and Tori. I am very glad to have new episodes of Mythbusters to look forward to...it is a show that knows how to stay young, reinvent itself, and truly illustrate science in unique and compelling ways.
Anyone who has taken trig and or physics has probably dealt with questions about bullets being fired and falling to Earth. The goal in this show was to test whether a bullet dropped from 36 inches high will hit the ground exactly the same time as a bullet fired at the same time and from the same height, and with the gun level. Got all that? The logistics of how to investigate this were complex...bench testing found and solved some problems, but scaled up versions still had issues. I love seeing anything where people calmly (well usually) problem solve and think and puzzle and try things...until they get to what works. And here seeing what works is thrilling.

8:10pm: autumn casserole...made up at 4:30 and eaten at 5.
Slice one pork tenderloin into 1"thick rounds. Cut up two medium carrots, one small red bell pepper minus seeds, and one yellow crook neck squash. Sear the meat in a lg. skillet, and then add veggies. Sear a few more minutes, pour in 1/2cup apple cider, cover, cook on med low for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, mix 1 cup greek yougurt with 1 tbsp dijon mustard, set aside. Slice one large crisp apple- Fuji or Gala work well.
Serve casserole on plate, spoon sauce next to it, and eat with the crisp apple slices. Looked and tasted like autumn. Enjoy :)

8:22pm: then and now
13,14 and 15 years ago we went to Jenness Park for All- Church Retreats. They are each a fond memory for me...filled with images of friends helping raise our girls, and Rick and I helping raise their children. Kind friends taught my girls to fish, helped them with all manner of art projects, etc. As young parents we supported each other, laughed together, confessed our failings, and generally helped keep each other afloat in the Parenting Sea.


Fast forward to 2009, and the new version of the All Church Retreat. My girls are grown, and neither would be able to attend. Many of the people were not even members when we had the previous retreats. It was great fun to meet new folks, and sit and chat as their kiddoes frolicked in the sand, played pingpong or practiced Beatles songs on their guitars. It was also great to realize that some of the adorable babies I had bounced on my knee at the last retreat were now teenagers, playing guitar, mastering Ultimate Frisbee, and generally having a blast in the beautiful place that is Jenness Park. It is still magical.



I was the camp nurse again..and had many patients. They ranged from bug bites to scraped knees, to the somewhat more dramatic chipped teeth, frisbee to the cheekbone and more. Lots of cleaning with antiseptic wash as the water system is being purged and the tank cleaned, so the water is not yet recertified as potable. That meant reminding everyone to use bottled water for everything, including brushing teeth. There was much hilarity, and some charming moments. Taylor, Christina's little boy, is just too precious. Camryn, who at 4 is a character, with a big personality, won my heart. Marco, our new pastor's youngest, gamely played pingpong with the big kids, even though he never successfully connected with the ball. He obviously had a blast, and is used to keeping up with his two older brothers.

This morning we awakened at 6:45 to the magic of the season's first snow. It was not deep...less than an inch...but meaningful to me, and beautiful to all.


a weekend of delight.