The "Red-N-Blacks"

Yesterday's Stuff Portrait Friday, hosted by
Kristine, directed we include a photo of "something you sleep in."

Although I didn't participate yesterday, the always funny and wonderful Eclectic was gracious enough to display a quite lovely pair* of her underwear.

Eclectic, as well as another of my all-time favorites SoozieQ have been pushing me to publish my "Red-N-Blacks," so here they are!

Note: It wasn't until today that I noticed they're Christian Dior!

*Can anyone tell me why underpanties are always known as 'a pair?' It would seem it more likely to call a bra 'a pair.'

Fires And Other Local News

Old firetruck in Mountain Ranch- 

My friend EJ emailed yesterday afternoon alerting me to a nearby fire. We'd heard some aircraft, but not thought it enough activity to bother turning on the scanner and by the time we did, the fire was under control.

This morning, I checked our local online resources to see what had happened, and lo and behold nothing was mentioned at all!

I shouldn't have been surprised.

Recently, I checked KCRA Sacramento online for our local weather and found they'd stopped giving forecasts for our foothills area. What's up with that? We're about a two hour drive from Sacramento, you'd think we'd rate some kind of mention!

Up here, the California Department of Forestry seems to be the first on the scene for almost any problem. Bless them all!

I guess we'll just have to leave the scanner on full-time, if we want any local news whatsoever. I'll have to adjust, period.

Toys, Toys And More Toys!

Grandson with the water cannon-  

The grandson and his mama dropped by for a visit, so we decided to erect this pool he received from his auntie.
Dang, I wish they had stuff like this when I was little!

My siblings and I had a swingset, as well as a metal sandbox which became both hot in the summer, and the neighborhood cat depository most all the time.
This photo was taken seconds before the grandson took me up on my request to spray the camera so grandma can get that Nikon D-70 to replace the Olympus D-380 she's currently using!
Doggone it, my camera still works...

Just Trying Another Direction Here

My mouse pad-  

I have an obsession with Ouija boards! I own the one given to me as a child, with an old dyno-label on the back indicating it's ownership. I don't recall playing with it much as a child, maybe at a slumber party or two.
Years later, my youngest daughter broke the plastic circle out of the planchette in the belief that it would invalidate any real use of the board.
The last time we had multiple guests stay overnight, my son chose to sleep in my office. He asked me to remove both my Ouija boards from the room. The second board is my mouse pad, pictured above.
Periodically I check eBay for the older version, but find them too pricey.
Some people might find this creepy, but I've done stranger things...
My parents passed away within three months of each other. They both chose cremation as their plan for eternal rest, something I totally agree with.
It took well over a year for the siblings and I to set a date to get together and take their ashes out onto the Pacific, as was desired.
In the meantime, I kept their ashes in my bedroom, something that really freaked out a co-worker I happened to mention it to.
So where should I have stored the cremains? A closet? The garage? We didn't have a mantle... besides we didn't purchase an urn as the intention wasn't to display them like a trophy or souvenir.
My eldest daughter is the appointed executor of our estate. She collects items such as skulls and skeletons from the Mexican Dia De Los Muertos.
Now where do you think this child of mine is going to hold my cremains?
I'm thinking it'll be the someplace like the top of the toilet tank in the guest bathroom, along with some lovely towels. I hope the guests don't think I'm some kind of bath salt...

Things Are Getting Weird!

Oak tree and the moon- 

OK, I just added AdSense onto my site a few minutes ago...
What do I see as my very first ad? Religious stuff!
This is something I thought I'd never see on my site, so I'm guessing I'd better watch the content of my future postings!
I normally post about inane subjects such as deer, plants and flowers, hauntings, and even local Mountain Ranch real estate.
It might prove fun (for a while) to see what kind of advertising pops up with each posting... and maybe not.
I believe I'm going to pour myself a Yukon Jack on the rocks (since it's hotter than heck outside) and mull this over.
Goodnight all!

Abbreviated Sermons Anyone?

Mountain Ranch Lutheran Church- 

Across the street from our local Post Office sits this church.
I believe it was built by Benidito Devoto as a home for his family, sometime after the late 1860s.
Mr. Devoto, born in Italy, opened a bakery in what was then known as El Dorado, and now known as Mountain Ranch.
As a child, I'd attended various churches with my family including Methodist, Baptist and Lutheran. I've visited Catholic churches as well, and also a Jewish Temple, yet I don't believe I've ever seen such a small place of worship!
If I still attended Sunday services, this would have to be my church!
Looking at the small size, and the lack of visible air conditioning, I'd imagine the sermons would be short and to the point.
Now that's my kind of church.

Goin' Downtown

The biggest sign in San Andreas, at the Bank of Lodi- 

We had to head down the hill today to the next larger town which is about 16 miles away. According to the year 2000 figures, San Andreas contains a whopping 2,615 residents!
Our city claimed 1,557 people, with only about half residing year-round.
Needless to say, traffic jams aren't a problem unless the Calaveras County Fair (home of the Frog Jump described by Mark Twain) is in progress.
If you're heading to the San Franciso Bay Area from here, the first stoplight encountered is about 45 minutes away!
Mr. SB smirked when I took along the camera. We both know there isn't much to photograph along the way because pull-outs on the road are few and far between. The road is winding, yet the little traffic encountered moves about 50 mph.
Just a couple of miles down the hill we saw what appeared to be a roll-over, with some witnesses standing off to the side of the road.
As I slowed, Mr. SB noticed me looking for the camera and said something to the effect of "you're not going to blog this... are you?"
Of course I'm not, but I really thought about it.

Oh Hell No!

Mom's book- 

Going through my mother's keepsakes recently, I came across this booklet which includes approximately 25 pages of photographs of the British Royal Family.
I would guess it was printed in early 1949, shortly after the birth of Prince Charles.

My mother carefully inscribed her name on both the cover (which is now barely legible) and inside the cover.

She was not yet married at this time, and I can only imagine what possessed her to want this book. Was she perhaps thinking someday she would have a daughter who would grow up and marry the Prince?

Being the firstborn daughter, born several years later, I would guess that would have been me...

Problem number 1: I'm American.
Problem number 2: I don't have a hyphenated name.
Problem number 3: Let's just say I'm not enamored by his looks.

Solution number 1: Have a birth certificate forged, showing me as British born.
Solution number 2: Create a name such as Sierra Parker-Bowles-Bella.
Solution number 3: Blind myself!

Now if Charles looked anything like his son William, now that would be a whole 'nother story!

Back To School

Oceana High School, photographed by Alan Lee- 

This photo must have been taken on the one non-foggy day the town of Pacifica gets each year. Anyone who's lived there, or just driven through, knows what I'm talking about.

Looking at the close proximity between the high school and the beach tells you the likely spot to find the truants. Even I skipped school once or twice!

The yearly Pacifica Fog Fest is coming up soon. Our high school reunion has gone informal in recent years, and the plan is to meet up at the festival. I almost attended last year, but a knee injury kept me home.

I'm thinking a four hour drive, reconnecting with old friends, and some nice chilly fog sounds real good right now. We're still in the triple-digit weather, and it may continue for quite a while.

Now to find where the heck I packed away my sweaters...

When I Was Native American

Due to the fact that my father was in the Air Force at the time I was born, I began life in Alamogordo New Mexico.
We lived off base, in a place where frequent sandstorms left daily deposits of sandy silt on windowsills and under the doors.
One of my earliest memories is of playing with my best friend, and I'm sad to say I don't even remember his name! We were about 4 or 5 years old, and he was teaching me The Eagle Dance, something he was being taught by his grandfather who was chief of the local Apache tribe.
I'd seen the women's dances, awfully boring with the shuffling feet and not much else, so The Eagle Dance was both graceful and fun for an energetic child.
All of a sudden, both my friend and I were plucked out of flight by the back of our necks- it was friend's grandfather and he was mad! He told me to go home, and as he grabbed my teacher away I heard him tell him that you don't teach women a brave's dance, especially a white woman!
Now I was furious! I'm not white, I hate white people, I'm Apache! I want to be Geronimo when I grow up! My friends grandfather, The Chief visits our home, smoking hand rolled cigarettes and knocking the ash to the floor! He wouldn't come to white people's homes!
I was inconsolable when I learned the truth.
There is a photograph, somewhere in my house, showing me and my friends outside playing cowboys and indians. All of the white kids are dressed as Indians while me and my Apache friend are dressed as cowboys. The cowboy outfit shown in the picture was my dearest birthday request, yet once I learned the truth I refused to wear the costume.
I recently reconnected to a favorite set of cousins who have told me our grandmother claimed Native American heritage, something I never heard before. I'm thinking that maybe, just maybe, I can still grow up to be Geronimo!

Defying Logic Once Again

the grandson, after grandma took one too many pictures- 

I love my family and extended family. That said, my story begins.

Back when Mr. SB and myself were employed, our work schedules varied, forcing us to take our turns working Saturdays, Sundays and sometimes both. Choosing corresponding vacation weeks was also a nightmare due to the high seniority co-workers in each of our departments. The fact that my husband was frequently forced to work overtime (sometimes) daily, and at one point had him working up to 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, precluded our having time off together period. This was especially bad when his children came out here for their summer visits, because they were bored, bored and more bored.

Mr. SB's family could never understand just why we were unable to attend many of the family commitments at that time. They all had more normal 9-5/Monday-Friday jobs, and lived closer to each other than we did. Their reaction to a turn-down to a party was "Tell them (the company) that you have plans!" No-can-do... our employer was much like the U.S. military except that we were issued helmets, but not guns.

Bringing us to nowadays. We live one hour closer to the family, who have moved even closer to one another not unlike our American pioneers circling up the wagon train. We now have the time to be social... and they don't! Their jobs have become somewhat like ours were by forcing some weekend duty on a few of them. Understanding this, we have given them all an open invitation... come by when you'd like.

We've been getting apologies to the effect that "We can't all get the same day off to come by!" This is Mr. SB's family so I don't want to start something, but who said you all have to visit at once? Are you afraid that once separated we'll break you down and make you tell us some family gossip we're unaware of? Whatever!

Last night, while babysitting my grandson (shown above,) I receive a phone call obviously originating at a party, and it takes the caller almost a full minute to identify themself. Let's just say they were very happy! Surprise- it was the family! They were having a party, and thinking of us!!! Isn't that nice? Too bad they're all so busy they didn't think to invite us.

This is the third family party in recent months we know of, where this has happened.

This really wouldn't bother us, except one of my sister-in-laws gets on the phone and says "We all really want to come up and visit, but can never get the time off!" This defies logic altogether, and is making our idea to visit, and perhaps move up to Washington state much easier to plan!

So hello Greenie and Eclectic, you may be having new neighbors sooner than you think!

For My Blogfriend Kitty

Evening- 

I can't tell you "been there, done that" (although I have), since every sorrow is personal.
What I can promise you is that tomorrow really is another day, and you'll feel much better.
Come sit with me on the deck, *name beveridge here* in hand and enjoy the breeze... even if only in spirit.

xxxooo

Stuff Portrait Friday again!

SPF, hosted by Kristine, is something I enjoy doing occasionally, so here goes:

This week's subject is the 80s. I combined something from the 80s you can't let go of with a picture of you from the 80s in this first photograph from 1983.

Me and 'Nettie' -

A favorite CD of 70s and 80s music - 

The second photo shows a CD or movie from the 80s. My favorite Earth Wind and Fire music is from the 70s, but there are a few 80s songs on this one.

It's already 100 degrees in the shade up here, and my icemaker is slowing down, so it's out to the store for me. Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Got Tagged With Another MeMe-

My son and a friend, about 20 years ago- 
The always interesting Rae ann tagged me with this:

10 years ago, Working for SBC, having my 3rd wedding anniversary with Mr. SB, had only one child still at home but had the stepchildren staying with us all summer.

5 years ago, Working for SBC and counting down the final 2 years toward retirement, taking vacation time to begin moving things up to this house and getting the house in the Bay Area ready for sale.

1 year ago, Pretty much the same as yesterday, today and tomorrow. Scanning and identifying the antique family photos I inherited.

Yesterday, Watered the houseplants and deck plants, sprayed the few weeds which have recently come up (about 2.5 acres worth, in the hot sun,) read the latest Vanity Fair and took a 'nekkid' outdoor shower because it really was that hot!

Today, It's already 3pm, so- BBQ chicken and make fresh green beans, shower and finish up this post.

Tomorrow, Blogging maybe, answering emails, watering my deck plants, and I plan to take a lukewarm jacuzzi.

5 snacks I enjoy: Cheese, black olives, Yoplait yogurt, macadamia nuts and more cheese!

5 bands I know most of the lyrics of their songs: Beatles, Eagles, James Taylor, Doobie Brothers and Earth Wind and Fire.

5 Things I would Do with 100 million dollars: I'd buy another home (see my preceding posting,) give non-taxable gift money to my children, donate to some reputable charities, buy a small travel trailer, invest very conservatively. yeah, the market was up today, but who knows about tomorrow.

5 bad habits I have: smoking, and I apparently snore! I'll add more as they come to me... or are brought to my attention by Mr. SB.

5 locations I would run away to: Maui, Italy, England, Ireland and maybe soon... Washington State.

5 things I would never wear: Pants that show your buttcrack (unless you're perfect it shouldn't be done!) A bikini in public (for the same reason,) blue eye-shadow, fake nails and a coat in the summer.

5 things I like doing: Cooking, gardening, ancestry search, sex and blogging- not necesarilly in that order.

5 biggest joys of the moment: Fresh air, no traffic, quiet, no local wildfires happening and great blogfriends... not to mention children and a grandson!

5 famous people I would like to meet: I don't know that I would care to meet any famous people. Who wants the notoriety?

5 movies I like: The Godfather series, Casino, Goodfellas (do you see a trend here?) Fargo and Fried Green Tomatoes.

5 TV Shows I like: Sopranos, Desperate Housewives, House, and most anything on The History Channel and Discovery, as well as the home selling shows on HGTV.

5 favorite toys: My ouija board (although I'm afraid to use it,) my computer, my TVs, my camera and Mr. Sierrabella.

I'm not going to tag anyone, but feel free to play if you'd like.

*Update: Just checked the thermometer, which is only partly in the sun, and it now reads 110 degrees, great...

Sometimes You Want To 'Git Outta' Dodge

The driveway- 
Sitting here during a week of triple-digit temperatures sends me straight to a favorite website: FindYourSpot.
I mentioned it a while back as a place where you answer a few questions regarding what sort of place you'd like to live, and you'll receive numerous choices complete with links to local real estate firms and other information.
I've been touring online, to my heart's content, looking at places such as Mount Vernon Washington, Ketchikan Alaska and Telluride Colorado.
Don't get me wrong, I love where I live, but hot summers make me crazy!
I realize as I get older, I will need to move. I don't believe Meals on Wheels delivers to this area, and maintaining 5+ acres will become a burden.
My question is: Where would you love to live?
Are you happy where you're at?
Have you discovered the perfect place while on vacation?
Are you planning to move out of the U.S.?
I'm sort of a gypsy, except my stuff wouldn't fit into an Airstream. I can't live without my framed photographs, my numerous plants and all my kitchenware.
I should start traveling more, and perhaps I'll be lucky enough to actually find that perfect place... as long as it isn't so dreadfully hot in the summer.

Going Postal

The old Post Office- 

The old Post Office pictured is no longer in operation, replaced quite a while back with the more modern and typical building we normally see.
Prior to that, there was a much smaller building which claimed to be the smallest in the entire country. That one closed in December of 1956 and has since been moved to Pollardville, near Stockton.
Our P.O. is so much different than the more urban offices I've become used to.
It actually closes for lunch between noon and 1pm!
A parakeet named Rocky lives there almost full time, and occasionally can be seen flying about.
You will not get packages delivered to your door, ever. If a parcel doesn't fit inside your mailbox, you'll get the card advising you to come pick it up... but when you go, they know you by name!
We do have United Parcel Service and FedEx which delivers to one's door, but there's something special about walking into a rural facility where there's a bird in residence and time for a little chitchat while doing business.

Foxes Climb Trees?

Common Gray Fox- 

Another blurry picture- I really need that Nikon!
Last evening, just before dusk, I spotted the fox pictured above.
It was nosing along the ground like a dog, running circle patterns on the dusty dirt.
When I appeared in the window with my camera, the fox took notice, but continued the search for food.
At that point I wasn't even sure whether this was a fox. The snout appeared shorter and it was making noises not unlike a cat.
Then it ran up a fruit tree! What the heck kind of creature out of the Island of Dr. Moreau was this?
Checking eNature I found that yes, they do climb!
Simply amazing!

The Misfit

Yep, she's eating our peaches- 

We've been seeing this female deer for the past three years, and she's always alone!

Since we've lived here, we have seen numerous deer babies born and grow up. One of the baby males grew up and mated with two females (one of them no doubt was his sister- but hey, this is the country.) Last summer he'd be seen watching over his ladies, and their three fawns as they ate.

This lone female always keeps her distance from the other deer, in fact she seems to be on a different time schedule, rarely here when the others are. The one time they were all here at once, she was chased away by the male.

You have to wonder- did she do something terribly wrong in the past? Is she the Hester Prynne of local deerdom, wearing an invisible scarlet letter? Maybe she imbibes in oleander and foxglove, getting a buzz on when she should be at work? Or could it be she's just plain ugly?

What I do know is she's getting gray around the muzzle, and probably won't be around too much longer. I hope deer heaven is kinder to her than this earth has been. Maybe in heaven she'll be beautiful.

So How Do You Blog?

A morning cup of coffee- 

This morning while having coffee on the lower deck I was lucky enough to see both a mama deer and her fawn feeding below, but not quick enough to catch a decent photo!

Lately I've found myself setting my alarm for 7am., making a pot of coffee, and intending to blog (and return emails) until 8am at which time we can get ourselves outside and fire up the weedwhacker or the wood chipper without disrupting the neighbors.
The usual plan is to get things done around the house, and blog only at breaktimes after that initial coffee-hour.
By 3pm I'm done for the day, ready to start dinner and relax with Mr. SB.

I'm curious, though. Do you blog from work? Do you allow yourself a limited time in which to blog? Do you write some days and just read on others? Do you need to wait for the family to get tucked in for the night? Are you an insomniac writer?

How do you blog?

What's Cooking?

My kitchen- 

Two days ago I posted, showing a photo of my dream kitchen.
Well this is my real kitchen, most of it anyway. What's not shown is the pantry wall.
This kitchen works, but when there's more than one 'chef' toiling away, they'd better be used to working as a team because it's pretty small!
Mr. SB and I were reminiscing about the meals we used to create when we had our children in the household. You know what I mean... those meals which are both filling and inexpensive. So what came to mind??? One of our favorite casseroles!

Layered Enchilada Casserole

4 chicken breasts
1 can Cream of Chicken Soup
1 can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 cup milk *I use 1 small can of Las Palmas Green Chile Enchilada Sauce
1 can green chile salsa *I use Herdez Salsa Verde, unless I have homemade
12 corn tortillas
1 lb. grated cheddar cheese *I use less
1 medium onion, finely chopped
*Optional layer ideas:
halved or sliced black olives
canned chiles

Wrap chicken in foil *I add chopped garlic and garlic salt, bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour.
Pour saved juices into lasagne pan.
Cool chicken slightly and either cut, or tear into small pieces.
Mix together the soups, milk *or enchilada sauce and salsa.
Cut tortillas into 1" strips.
Line the bottom of the lasagne pan with 1 layer of tortilla strips.
Then 1 layer of chicken,
1 layer of the chopped onion,
then 1 layer of the soup mix.
Continue layers, ending with soup mix.
Cover with the shredded cheese.
Cover and refrigerate 8-12 hours (to soften tortillas.)
Bake, uncovered at 300 degrees for 1 - 1.5 hours.

Well, my chicken is cooked and I'm off to get started!

Oleander Tea Anyone?

Oleander- 

I have a bit of a rant going on here today, and it deals with blogging.

Yesterday many blogs gave praise to Independance Day, as should be. One of the 27 blogs on my favorites list surprised me with his patriotism. I commented jokingly with something to the effect of "Who stole insert name here?"
He commented back very strongly, apparently unhappy that I'd think he's not patriotic. This is a blogger who discusses recreational drug use, blow jobs, and uses the F- word frequently.
Well SORRY! The people I know who've served in the military including my husband are all from the Vietnam era. Most of them were drafted right after high school graduation. Mr. SB served in Vietnam and Cambodia. When the GIs returned to the states they were not greeted kindly, to say the least. I assumed you were of that era, and didn't expect the patriotism.

Then there's the Ms. Popular type bloggers. They have a good number of commenters, but reply only to their favorites. I've come across three so far, finally deleting two from my favorites, and going so far as to remove one from the links list on my blogsite. Why should I waste my time?

Finally, there is a famous blogger who's name pops up constantly throughout blogland. Everybody seems to love her, but I just don't get it. To be fair, I've looked at the postings less than a dozen times. Her writing is good, and she turns out wonderfully descriptive phrasing, but the subject matter is depressing. Apparently turning off her comments upset a great many readers.

Well I guess I feel better now... I just might reread what I've written and delete this posting, but maybe not.

In My Dreams!

Courtesy of Century 21 Tri-Dam Realty- 

This is my dream kitchen!
It's located in a home about 5 miles down the hill, for sale by Century 21 Tri-Dam Realty.
A 5 bedroom, 4.5 bath home is pretty excessive for just myself and Mr. SB, but I can dream, can't I?
I can't imagine the work needed to maintain the 118 acres, but I suppose one could parcel off some of the acreage.
We could afford the home if they knock 2 million off the price and accept a contingency on the sale of this house.
Like I said... in my dreams!

Oh Deer!

The fawn- 
I noticed this little baby just yesterday, with no mother in sight.
The poor thing is barely older than a wobbly newborn, but made its way toward the deer trail which leads to a secluded meadow.
I'm hoping for the best...

5 Things I Miss About My Childhood

Me and my brother at Christmas- 

I was tagged by soozieq several days ago, so here goes: 5 Things I Miss About My Childhood

Christmas and other holidays.
Christmas was the biggest of the holidays in my childhood. My birthday comes nine days before, so I've always felt this was my holiday.
The letter to Santa, the tree, the pretty cards and wrap, looking out into the night for Santa on Christmas Eve. Sometimes we'd receive gifts from our grandparents in the mail, but sometimes we flew "Back East" to visit!

Visiting the grandparents.
We moved to California, from Virginia, when I was eight. From that time on we were only able to see them twice a year. Flying back to Maryland and New York was a big treat, something we happily anticipated.
Each grandma cooked differently, and we always had real butter at Grandma Warren's house!
Aunts, uncles and cousins would drop in to visit. We'd go sightseeing!
In the summer we'd swim at Frock's pool in Westminster Maryland, or in Lake Ontario when we were in Rochester. We loved catching fireflies in the warm summer evenings, making lamps made with old mayonnaise jars.
The winters were snowy, something I dearly missed. Old Mrs. Jerew across the street from grandmother Nicht had The Christmas House! Each and every room was decorated to the max... including the bathrooms!

Playing outside all day long.
Weekends and summer we were allowed to play with our friends between breakfast and dinner (supper until we moved to California.) We played at the schoolground unfettered by teachers and the dreaded yard-duty mothers. We built tree forts, took hikes, and sometimes just sat on a curb and talked. Sometimes, not frequently, someone was allowed to host a slumber party!

Sunday drives.
The worst thing my dad could call a person was a Sunday Driver, yet that was something the family loved to do. We'd drive the short distance to San Francisco sometimes, or we might travel through Hillsborough (a ritzy area) looking for Bing Crosby's house. Usually we didn't stop anywhere, this was an inexpensive form of entertainment... but sometimes we'd get to stop for hamburgers at Flings in Millbrae. My next younger brother loved to hide his fries, wait until I was done with my meal, then pull them out of hiding just to torture me!

Picnics and camping.
My parents tried to surprise us, but when mom began making potato salad on a Friday evening after dinner we knew a picnic was coming. We'd usually head to a park, especially one with a playground. Once we took the hibachi to a Pescadero Beach to cook steaks. Big mistake! The winds kicked up and we had sand in our food.
Camping was another favorite. Mom made most of the food ahead of time and dad BBQ'd, giving mom a well deserved break. She'd usually make cupcakes, and always brought along the makings for S'mores. The evening campfire was my favorite part. Spooky stories, card games, those S'mores and a sleeping bag waiting was heaven to me. That's probably why I decided to move to the woods... I'm camping 24/7 (with all the amenities.)

I was supposed to tag others and get them to post on this topic, but I don't feel comfortable doing so. I would love to read other postings on this topic, so if you are interested, please give it a go!

Stuff Portrait Friday!

Keys- nothing fancy here!

View from the front door- nobody uses it, the kitchen slider is closer to the parking area.

Something you kept from a past relationship- just one of my three kids!