TEST CAR OR WHAT?

I spotted this car on the 280 going into San Francisco from Palo Alto.  I followed it for miles with both of us going at a steady 55 MPH.  I know I'm not supposed to drive, grab my camera and start shooting but I was too curious not to get some photos of this interesting car.
The contraption on the top of the car was spinning at a high speed. I think it was some kind of turbine.  The metal bars across the top extended down the driver's side of the car like an arm and attached to the wheel.  As the wheel turned, the turbine on top spun.  I noticed the second person riding on the right side of the auto had a giant computer screen and he appeared to be working as the car was driven.
I thought this little blue auto might be a test car with a revolutionary "perpetual motion machine" or at least a "booster energy producer" for supplementing energy to move the car on down the highway.  After all, I was in the neighborhood of modern science, cutting edge computer technology and many very smart folks who are paid to think of new products to help all of us less experimental types.
WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS MIGHT HAVE BEEN?

Olive Harvest in Sonoma

As I've said before, there is always something interesting going on in Sonoma.  These folks are harvesting their  olives.  Notice the tarp spread on the ground under the tree were a worker has climbed on a ladder to reach the top branches.  He will shake the tree to make the ripened olives fall.  Then he will gather the olives into a bucket.  The olives will then be taken to a local olive crusher who will spin the olives forcing the oil into a vat.  Each olive tree produces it's own special flavor of olive oil.  Sometimes spices will be added.  Olive Oil is becoming one of the areas favorite crops.  Try the lemon infused olive oil...or the garlic...or sundried tomatoe.  Delicious.

Loma Prieta Earthquake Remembered

My brother visited from Houston last week to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake in San Francisco by revisiting the scene.   He was standing on this pier under the Bay Bridge, in this exact spot, when the 7.1 quake shook the area.  It was October 17, 1989 at 5:04.

He says the pier looked like a wiggling snake as the pilings rolled, a school of fish rose from the water, the seagulls all flew up at one time, every car alarm in the area went off and the sky went from clear to opaque because of the dust.  He was thirty feet from the Embarcadero Freeway when massive parts of the roadway fell into the street below. 

This was this Texas native's first earthquake experience. Not realizing the seriousness of the situation, he continued to board a ferry to have dinner in Tiburon.  As he and his fellow ferry passengers made their way across the bay, they realized the Bay Bridge traffic had stopped and helicopters were circling above.   Both the San Francisco Marina area and the Oakland shore were ablaze.

It was midnight before the ferry returned to San Francisco and only three people were aboard.  They were told everyone was fleeing the city, not going into it. Once back on shore it was pitch black except for emergency vehicles coming and going.  Most electricity and communications were not working. The extent of the damage would not be known for days to those who lived in San Francisco.  This was before cell phones, texting, I-Phones and instant communications.

The reconstruction of the various freeways and bridges is still underway twenty years later.  We found it interesting that where my brother stood had not been rebuilt and had a warning sign.

For more of the story and a video go to this link. Loma Prieta

Wondering About Global Warming

Global Warming - Truth or Political Fiction?  

Go to the above link for a scientific report from the Artic Ice Cap...... interesting and informative.  I wonder if where we live will be on the "ancient city tour" in the next century.  

The Harvest and The Crush

Just another day in the neighborhood! 

I get constant pleasure watching the vineyards from the day the tiny lime-green buds appear on the rough brown vines to the day they are thick with green or purple grapes. The growing process begins in early spring unfolding new miracles all summer long.  This time of year the crews are out from late evening to early morning picking, loading and transferring the grapes to the wineries where they'll be crushed and made into wine.   I caught this group picking late in the morning which is a bit unusual.

Lovely Day in the Vineyard at Birdland

Yesterday was a glorious day in the Sonoma Wine Country.  I visited a friend's home with my book club, discussed "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" by Paul Torday and then enjoyed a delicious and beautiful meal while looking at the scene in my photos.  It's not quite a "bird's nest on the ground" but very close.....Thanks, Ruth, for the memorable day.

President's Speech to Schoolchildren

I praise the President for speaking to school children across the US.  Having him encourage children to be ‘the best they can be’ is a great thing. Heaven knows we need children to embrace education and get interested in the joy of reading, writing, math and science.

It is amazing to me that some citizens & media are against a motivational talk at the beginning of the school year that could make a positive impression on school age children. Ridiculous!

Are we so afraid that maybe a child will like the “other side” and perhaps support a viewpoint different than ours that we can’t allow the President to address school children?  Are we really so weak that we think such an address will brainwash children into a cult that will eventually overtake our country and destroy it? 

Instead of all the polarizing rhetoric, let’s have much more support from politicians and media in our education system.

Congressmen and women can take some of the time spent running after reporters so their face will be plastered everywhere and use it to get more involved with their local schools. They could encourage more community and corporate involvement in education.  How about the big mouths on television speaking to school children about issues?  Or, reporting more about how parents can help their children learn. 

If all the energy and time spent on opposing everything the “other side” does was put into helping our overworked and underpaid teachers and education administrators what a better US we would have.

Harvest Begins in Sonoma!

 

The harvest has begun and it's a beautiful time in the California wine country. 

Litto's Hubcap Ranch

Cruising through Napa's Silverado Trail area, I threw on my brakes not believing my eyes at this fabulous collection of hubcaps covering a couple of acres along the highway. It's an art project worth seeing.

Unusual Sights, San Francisco, California

A few months ago I was driving down the coast highway near The Cliff House when I saw two hundred life sized sculptures of Native Americans in tribal costumes lined up on the beach. At a distance they looked real.......really something to see.

Picking the Wrong One

On many occasions I have purchased the one item that was broken, had missing parts or had a rotten core. Out of masses of perfect products that are ready to be plugged-in, turned-on and good-to-go, I picked “the” looser.

For instance, last week it was thirty minutes to party time at my home. I rushed to the store to get the one product needed to complete preparation for the family lunch gathering, a topping for the dessert. Once back home, I grabbed the whipping cream carton out of the brown grocery bag and was beginning to add it to the mixture when I got a whiff of rancid, sour cream. I had checked the date and it was good. So, why was I the one person to get the bad carton of cream? And, when I needed it immediately! That’s what I mean when I say I have a talent for picking the one wrong thing.

In the past, I’ve chosen the one toy kitchen set to assemble for Christmas morning that was missing the pink Barbie sink that was critical. How could a pretend homemaker wash the purple flowered plastic plates without a sink? How could I explain that Santa made such a mistake? Where was “inspector # 8 when this toy made it out the manufacturer’s door?

Then there was the time I picked out a darling sky-blue empire-wasted dress that fit perfectly and looked great at the store. I found the flaw the first time I actually wore it when the garment began to fall apart and off my body. Each seam disintegrated because this silk beauty had been sewed together with tiny stitches, so tiny they cut through the fabric. This might not have been quite so horrible if I hadn’t been at work where fellow workers began pointing and laughing as my skin and underwear became visible. I had to borrow a housekeeper’s uniform to complete the day without being arrested for indecent exposure.

I’ve chosen the one dried up toothpaste tube out of the hundreds available. My home is full of aerosol cans that can’t spray, batteries that were dead within minutes, a paper shredder that won’t shred but one piece of paper at a time, a vacuum that spews dirt out instead of in and a brand new shirt that has a hole under the arm. We won’t even discuss the new Mercedes I was so proud to get. It had a gasoline tank that collapsed from pressure in the fuel system. Now that I think about it, there have been two husbands who might fit into this scenario also.

None of this would be so bad except for the hours of time and emotional strain it takes to return, exchange or repair items. I’ve learned to use a variety of stress reducing systems to deal with these situations. I use Yoga breathing, listen to soft music and always take a good book to read when waiting for customer service personnel to decide what they will do to fix the problems. Probably the most important remedy is to tell myself, “out of all the people in the world, these orphan products like me.”

Morning Walk Along Bob Jones Trail

What a great life! This morning I enjoyed a yoga class that was held on the hill at Sycamore Springs Resort. Then I walked the two mile trail into the small beach town of Avila for a cup of tea and pastry. The peach orchards, a view of construction pilings that looked surreal, wild plants of all descriptions, glorious birds bathing in the sun and golfers trying to get their ball down the green fairways on the nearby course provided multitudes of beautiful images.

Vacationing

Can you believe this load of carrots....yes, carrots. On our way to Avila, on the California coast, this truck passed by. At first it was hard to tell what was on the truck bed, just a big mass of orange. It was a pretty sight. Harvest has begun and it's interesting to see the miles and miles and miles of farms covered with a variety of veggies....all getting ready to make it to our tables.

Healthcare Press Conference

Doncha’ just love the news media! The latest news on every media outlet concerns President Obama’s news conference on the subject of healthcare. After a brief introductory speech (at least for the President, brief) the various media representatives asked questions that were supposed to give them, then us, updated information on the progress of a healthcare program working it way through the Congress and Senate.

Every question was supposed to be crafted to result in some miraculous revelation about this complex issue. We’ve seen this scenario repeated over and over in media interviews. ‘Who can be the cleverest media person?” None of this process is aimed at getting facts, or truth, but in evoking something sensational that will get that news source more fans than their competition. (Yes, fans, not fellow-citizens searching for solutions.)

Each news source has a bias. Oh! They say they are “fair and balanced”, but only if it suits their purposes for attracting folks who are on a certain side of an issue. Each newscast or newspaper or on-line journalist (using the term “journalist” lightly) interviews only people who will support their side. The occasional “enemy” interview is aimed at trying to embarrass or trap the person into saying something that can be used to undermind, not to better understand, the pros and cons of the issue at hand.

The general public is getting tired and bored of this technique. It takes time and energy to research the facts and then decide what you want for yourself and your community. Delving into the “other side’s” views is especially difficult. It’s far easier and much more fun to watch reality TV or go to a local bar than to read or listen to news.

This recent News Conference did produce some new information thanks to the President’s very long and articulate answers. However there was no final, definitive answer because the folks in congress that make the rules are still arguing among themselves in committees and in the hallways of the capitol building. This gave the media something to report. The left could be critical that the President didn’t dictate the “rules” and force the bill into existence. The right could be critical because he was biased (meaning he wasn’t on their side).

The real truth is that our elected officials always have their own jobs at stake and will always do whatever it takes to keep them. They certainly do not want to jeopardize their great healthcare and retirement plans. They would much rather criticize the opponents than take the risk to compromise and think of ways to work together to find a solution. They make their money by pleasing a multitude of lobbyists representing every insurance company, hospital organization, medical employee and from a few wealthy citizens.

This healthcare crisis is exactly that, “a crisis”. There is no perfect solution. It will only work perfectly for a few and be okay for the rest of us. Every segment of the healthcare industry, from doctors to insurance companies to us, the patients, will have to sacrifice to make it work.

Finally, in this news conference, the media got their sensational, news-show worthy, ratings-making story with the last question asked. The question was directed at one of our country’s emotional issues, race relations, which was certain to up their ratings for days. The question asked the President what he thought about a renowned African American Harvard Professor breaking into his own home after loosing his keys and being arrested by local white police. Regardless of how the President would have addressed this question, his response was domed. After all, it was aimed at an African American who understands all to well, about racial profiling. He made the one personal observation the media was waiting for.

Now, instead of trying to find ways to get a fair healthcare system in place, we’re twittering, e-mailing and writing about the age old question of racial prejudices. These issues should be long gone, over, finished! Of course, they are not long gone, over, finished, but are very much alive and well. The issue of racial profiling and prejudices deserves an open dialogue from every section of our diverse country every day. Unfortunately the discussions are overshadowing, interfering and even influencing the healthcare issue.

About the healthcare issue……………….it’s time to get some teamwork going, to overhaul the medical system. Surely if we could figure out how to get to the moon together, we can figure out a healthcare plan and surely those folks who are stuck with prejudices can take a “time out” or work on two issues at once!

Medicare Paperwork Challenge

ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE…..approaching 65.......

Today I received another large packet of Medicare Insurance information. My knee-jerk impulse was to make a quick call to the 800 number telling these well-meaning folks that I know I’m going to be 65 in a couple of months and I don’t need a reminder. Leave me alone while I pretend I’m still 40. I think the whole Medicare paperwork nightmare is really one gigantic test designed to punish baby boomers for using up the nation’s wealth.

It takes the nerves and patience of a brain surgeon to sort through the stacks of insurance information arriving daily in my mailbox. There are pamphlets from companies like Blue Cross, Blue Shield and AARP which I keep in one stack. The envelopes from companies I’ve never heard of, like Northwest National Heritage Association and Homeland Health, land in the garbage. I have to wonder how this many companies found out I have “the big birthday” looming in my immediate future.

The myriad of letters and booklets offer information designed to tell us seniors (that’s the nice word for old folks) how to prepare for the onslaught of medical expenses on the horizon. These complicated insurance plan catalogues are designed to prove we are no longer functioning adults. They are full of undecipherable charts, graphs, and statistics reminding that now is the time for me to spend all my savings; not on the trips I had imagined, but on bedpans and pills.

Thinking of the old codgers up in Congress who want to add even more government regulations, makes me shutter. I worried about having early Alzheimer’s, and after reading through a few pages of the government’s plan, I am sure I have symptoms. Did plan J include a hospital stay deductible or was that Plan I? If my ears go out would a hearing aid be covered on Part A or was that Part B; or, would supplement C kick-in if surgery is necessary? I double checked on the mental health coverage. I suspect I’ll need to be committed soon, due to the stress of working through the mass of forms.

As I take a break for my lunch of salad greens and chopped veggies dotted with vinegar and a touch of olive oil, I reminisce about the hamburger, fries and malt days. I remembered the times my mailbox was full of fashion catalogues and Reader’s Digest Sweepstakes, not promotions for preplanned funeral arrangements.

SPRING CLEANING

The best way for me to get my house sparkling gleaming clean is to plan a party. It's not that I don't keep things in order, but underneath the neat façade lurks some nasty stuff. I am not admitting I have little or no self-discipline or that I am lazy, but I put off scrubbing corners and straightening cabinets until dirt and grime reach a critical point. It should be shameful enough to know my family’s health might be compromised by the dreaded e-coli germs advertised on the Lysol commercials, but without outside influence I am not motivated to scrub, scour and polish. Martha Stewart would be horrified at my lack of interest in house cleaning.

When I see that cobwebs have become friendly spider hotels looking like Halloween decorations scattered with whole communities of creepy crawly families, I know it’s time to invite a few people over. When the stairs are piled high with stuff needing to be transported upwards or downwards creating an obstacle course as dangerous as climbing rocky mountains, it’s time to be thinking about menus. When opening closet doors is as hazardous as an earthquake, I pick a date for the event.

In my party invitation guest list I always include my feared picky neat-nick friend. She is the super motivator. I know her eyesight is 20/20 and mouth the size of CNN News. It may seem like backward organization but my process is to invite everyone first, then begin the arduous task of cleaning. In the past I tried cleaning first and then inviting, but it produced disastrous results. It was a year and a half before I completed the cleaning project, the guest list was obsolete and the spiders had moved back in.

So, while I don’t want to offend any friends that are invited to my next dinner party thinking they are only an excuse for house cleaning, I do want to extend a big “thank you” in advance for their motivating presence.

SENIOR ADVANTAGES

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Being a senior has its benefits. It seems the public has taken pity on our wearing out bodies, diminishing abilities and waning pocketbooks and has rewarded us with “Senior Discounts”. These are usually small monetary credits for making purchases of various products or services.

Just last night I went with my boy friend to the movies. First of all I’ll mention having a boy friend at my age sounds peculiar but using the terms “significant-other” or “life-partner” are just as strange. Anyway, we went to the neighborhood theater and after standing in line with a row of baggy-jeaned teen age boys, we made our way to the ticket agent. I shamelessly asked for two “Senior” tickets. My friend, with the speed of the youths in front of us, said, “That will be only one. For her, not me.” Although he is exactly my age he has rejected all mention of “senior” anything, even discounts. He believes if you think and behave like you’re younger, then it will be so. I laughed out loud and gave him a major eye-roll and shoulder-shirk. Who does he think he’s fooling? The twenty-something ticket agent gave us both a disgusted look and handed out the two tickets, one senior and the other, regular adult. He didn’t even ask for my driver’s license to be sure I qualified.

Our local grocery store has Senior Day each Tuesday and we get a full ten percent off all purchases. They do not volunteer the discount to older looking customers, but wait for us to mention we want the discount. One of the cashiers told me they are trained to act surprised when asked for Tuesday’s special. They don’t want to offend anyone and never ask a customer if they’d like the “Senior Discount” only to find out the person is several years short of the fifty-five age requirement. The young store employee readily admitted that most of them don’t know a thirty year old from a fifty year old because we all look alike to them.

It’s true that for several years I was in denial and completely avoided asking for an old-age discount. That was until I found out the airlines extended such a perk. Now, that is big money and well worth fessing-up to what is already evident to the general public; that I’m no longer in the middle age group but have advanced to the “I might be leaving here before too long” faction.

Now I brazenly ask any cashier, waiter or clerk to tell me about their “Senior Discount”, being confident they will feel sorry for me and extend a bit of economic relief. While there is no compensation that will erase joint aches, sagging jaws, or the inability to replenish my stock portfolio, I appreciate the thought. Someone out there realizes Seniors are people, too, and that someday each of them, if they are fortunate, will also be receiving Senior Discounts.

NATURAL BEAUTY

Let’s all agree that some females arrive on earth looking better than others. When perky pointed noses and wide oval eyes were being handed out, some of us got in another line where the bigger, rounded buttocks and larger sized ears were being circulated. I don’t think the intention was for us not to be worthy of love, adoration and attention, but that God just wanted some variety. Simply observe the rest of creation where there are big mountains, little hills, great oceans, tiny ponds, roses and cacti.

Fellow women of the world unite! Starting today let’s stop competing with the movie stars, celebrities, models and perceived-beauties of the world. The reality is, those of us who attempt to make ourselves look as good as those famous people won’t ever really catch up. No matter what we do to enhance our appearances, these fashionable icons will be a step ahead in the beauty game. Every time I think I’ve reached a fairly equal-look with my peer group, there is another product, service or process on the market.

I give up! They win! I say, get rid of the hair dye and botox! Let’s throw our lash lengthening mascara wands high into the air in surrender and celebration of our new freedom. Together we can boycott the face-lifting, boob-implanting plastic surgeon’s offices and refuse to change lipstick colors each season. Let’s exercise to stay healthy and feel good, not to become hard-body muscular robots. I, for one, am willing to put away the multitude of uplifting face creams, eyebrow enhancers and lip plumpers.

Even you earth-mothers can join the movement. Oh, I know you have a cache of lavender and rose hip scented shampoos and conditioners. I’ve seen you pinch your cheeks a hundred times to get the rosy blush effect and then apply lightly tented lip gloss. Yes, ladies, throw those wooden handled, natural bristle hair brushes in the recycled trash can and support this worthy cause.

Reminiscent of the bra-burning festivities of the 1960’s, we can hold community bon fire sessions created to destroy lipsticks and facial masques. What a blaze these petrochemicals will make! Events could be held in conjunction with holidays so they can serve a dual function. We can have receptacles placed in strategic public locations for blushes and eye shadows which can be recycled for school art department projects. At airports, in addition to having bins for dangerous sharp objects, there can be receptacles for collecting compact powders and eye lash curlers.

Oh, I know none of this will actually happen. I will keep participating in the styling, coloring, skin-smoothing, body-changing rituals so I won’t scare myself as I pass by mirrors. However, I do think exchanging the same effort. time and money it takes to “get gorgeous” for something worthwhile, like feeding needy children or saving whales, seems like a grand idea and I suspect the Creator thinks the same.

Economics and Life

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I admit it! I have spent too much on things I didn’t need, wasted things and overspent my income. The current economic situation has not been a wake-up call, but a big slap-in-the-face. It’s forced to think about each and every cent I spend. When looking at my overall financial situation, I hope I can afford to live a few more years. It’s easy to look back and see my many financial mistakes.

When friends sported a new jacket with matching shoes and jewelry I had to do the same. After all, I belonged in their crowd. I deserved having what they had, didn’t I? Even if my income couldn’t afford the new outfit at that time, I had American Express, Visa, Mastercard and Discover.

Home décorating was a hobby. I’d buy stacks of décor magazines and books. Martha Stewart was my idol. If bedrooms in peach and seafoam were featured, I’d repaint mine. When the color palet changed to Chinese red and black I’d do it all over again. I went from Early American to Danish Modern to Shabby Chic over the years. Buying replacement furniture for the pieces I’d donate to charity was a habit. Decorative pillows, colorful towels, Venetian Vases, brass lamps and silk flower arrangements were common purchases.

When I didn’t feel like preparing lunch or dinner, I’d stop by the local grocery deli section and pick up a gourmet treat. Spending more than a few dollars for lunch became the usual. I never gave a thought to the occasional restaurant visit with a select glass of wine. The ever popular cup of java from Starbucks was a daily treat. Fast food was not an option. I only ate healthy. I never looked at prices when I did my grocery shopping, I selected the items I wanted and the brands I thought were best. Reading labels for calories and fat content far outweighed the importance of price.

Driving a spiffy car was important. After all, what would people think of me if I drove a Junker! I always insisted on reliable transportation which I thought meant a new car every three years. The amount of gasoline it took to run the thing was a non-issue. After all, there was plenty of it and the cost was nominal. The folks who bought into the electric hybrid cars were a bit on the edge, weren’t they?

Several times a year, I’d hop on a plane and head back to my home state to visit family and friends. I’d rent a car, treat myself and friends to fancy meals, shop for fun and give little thought of the total ticket. Occasionally I’d visit Santa Fe, New York or go to a spa. While I did think through the trips to Europe, I explained that extravagance by telling myself I only live once so I have to take advantage of each opportunity. Simply drag out that good ole American Express card again.

Seeing a play, attending a symphony or jazz performance, playing golf, attending a workshop and going to or renting movies were necessities.

Now I look back and think. Why didn’t I evaluate where my money was going? I mean, each dollar? Like I do now? Well, I knew I would always work and be able to make a decent amount to supplement my savings. The stock market would continue to pay regular dividends and my portfolio would increase by a livable amount each year. I could live to be ninety-three and do well according to my spreadsheet. I’m not saying I’d redo all of my life’s expenditures, but I definitely would be more aware of where I made spending decisions that weren’t important. I would give more away to others who needed it, spend more on travel, activities and experiences and much, much less on stuff. If this economic situation turns around, I promise I’ll continue to reassess my priorities and pay attention to pennies.

First Day of Blogging

Okay, I've signed up and I'm ready to try this blogging thing. I want to be a woman of the 21st century, not a lagger stuck back in the dark ages of the1900's.

I was born and reared in conservative, southern and western-styled Houston, Texas were my conservative values were formed. Having experienced this town from a population of 15,000 to several million, it wasn't necessary to move elsewhere to learn about different cultures and viewpoints. The petrochemical businesses and it's growth brought people and their customs from around the globe. Houston and I have changed greatly through the years. As Houston was torn down, tilled under, rebuilt, and expanded, so was I. We "older native Houstonians" are so rare we are similar to other extinct species. To stay alive in the changing environment each of us morphed and adapted until only our outward appearances looked the same. That facade is one of the attractive things about folks who live in the lonestar state. Every new Texan quickly learns to walk with a certain swagger and acquires at least one complete cowboy or cowgirl outfit with a Stetson hat and Lucasse boots. Acquiring a taste for Lonestar Longnecks, Texmex and real barbeque is easy.

I left my Texas home, dear friends and family to head west in 2003 to live closer to my three grown children and their families. My life started over in Sonoma, California with it's historic plaza, abundant vineyards and intellegent, talented, forward-looking citizens. In four short years I've left many stagnant opinions fostered in the southern environment and have become more enlightened in northern California. However, I still get tears in my eyes and my heart flutters when I see a Texas flag waving, hear "The Eyes of Texas" or see a field of bluebonnets.