The reason that I said that the Matiz cake is not for Kelly (previous blog) is that it is chuck full of Walnuts and Kelly has a real problem with her mouth swelling when she eats pistachios or especially walnuts.
One Christmas party I came into a real deal. A member of our church was selling walnuts from her grove for 50 cents a pound.. already shelled in perfect shape. I got a a bunch of these for the Christmas party. Along with the handy dandy Blue Diamond walnut recipe guide, I made mountains of three different kinds. One of them was chocolate, another, caramel and the third white chocolate. I put them on a tray and we headed to the party in San Francisco. Kelly drew the walnuts. No one traded her away. She ended up with walnuts that she could not use. I saw the publication as a warning that this cake was full of walnuts and dates. The walnut part was the worrisome part. Sorry Kelly for not clarifying the caveat that this cake would not be for you.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Matiz
What the heck is Matiz? Our Raley's has a shipment of this stuff.. and I bit. It is not for Kelly : (. But for the rest of us it could represent the ultimate natural sweet. It is very very dense Date Bread. It comes from a particular part of Spain called extremedura.. right there it got me. All place named Extremadura cannot be half bad. It is made of dates and walnuts. It is very sweet. It sweetness comes from dates not sugar.. wow. once you get into this you will eat the whole thing. The drawback.. and why it will be in Merced for the entire holiday season, A six by four inch half round is 5.99.
Here is a little history of this area:
Extremadura is far removed from Spain’s crowded costas – both in terms of kilometres and character. It’s one of the country’s most sparsely populated regions, roughly the size of Belgium, and its distance from the coast has kept mass tourism at bay.
Relatively few tourists, Spanish or foreign, venture to this western region of the Iberian Peninsula sandwiched between Portugal and the central plains of La Mancha. It has little appeal for the package holidaymaker but for anyone seeking a real “Spanish experience” off the beaten track Extremadura offers an unforgettable journey of discovery.
The landscapes and richness of Extremadura
It’s an unspoilt land of lush forests, majestic mountains and vast agricultural plains peppered with towns and hamlets seemingly frozen in time. With its wealth of World Heritage sites and protected nature reserves teeming with wildlife, Extremadura is a place which beckons history buffs, explorers and the curious wanderer determined to dig deeper into Spain beyond the golden sands of the Costa del Sol.
The region is divided into the two provinces of Caceres in the north and Badajoz in the south. The fascinating Roman city of Merida is the regional capital though Badajoz is the biggest city in terms of inhabitants. A visit to both is a must for those interested in the rich history and culture of a region once regarded as a great prize by the Roman empire as well as by Moorish sultans and Christian conquistadors. Evidence of Extremadura’s turbulent past oozes out of the walls of countless castles, palaces, medieval monuments and awesome aqueducts which have weathered the many man-made and heaven sent storms of centuries.
Extremadura, a place full of history
Merida is home to some of the world’s most important Roman remains including a magnificent bridge with 64 granite arches (the longest bridge ever built in Spain by the Romans). Other must-see sights include the five-mile aqueduct, the amphitheatre and the theatre where summer plays are still staged, more than 2,000 years after it was constructed under the orders of the Roman general Agrippa.
The beautiful walled city of Badajoz, near the Portuguese border, is also well worth a visit with its mighty Arab citadel and wealth of museums and historic sites. Extremadura’s many other historic treasures include the walled city of Caceres, founded by the Romans in 34 BC, and nearby Trujillo with its Moorish castle, glorious central square and monument to its famous son Francisco Pizarro, who conquered Peru.
Extremadura´s natural environment
Beyond the fortified walls of these historic cities you’ll find vast tracts of unspoilt countryside which attracts flocks of bird lovers from all over Europe and beyond. One of the most extraordinary sights in the whole of Spain is that of the region’s large population of storks which build their huge nests on top of everything from palaces and telegraph poles to church spires and convent roofs. The region is believed to be home to more than 11,000 storks along with many rare and protected bird species which flourish in Extremadura’s nature reserves.
Monfrague National Park is one of the important raptor reserves in Europe and is the best place in Spain to go for a glimpse of black vultures and the rare Spanish Imperial eagle. The park is a hikers’ paradise and has been declared a protected zone by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) because of its rare flora and fauna, including the endangered Iberian lynx.
Here is a little history of this area:
Extremadura is far removed from Spain’s crowded costas – both in terms of kilometres and character. It’s one of the country’s most sparsely populated regions, roughly the size of Belgium, and its distance from the coast has kept mass tourism at bay.
Relatively few tourists, Spanish or foreign, venture to this western region of the Iberian Peninsula sandwiched between Portugal and the central plains of La Mancha. It has little appeal for the package holidaymaker but for anyone seeking a real “Spanish experience” off the beaten track Extremadura offers an unforgettable journey of discovery.
The landscapes and richness of Extremadura
It’s an unspoilt land of lush forests, majestic mountains and vast agricultural plains peppered with towns and hamlets seemingly frozen in time. With its wealth of World Heritage sites and protected nature reserves teeming with wildlife, Extremadura is a place which beckons history buffs, explorers and the curious wanderer determined to dig deeper into Spain beyond the golden sands of the Costa del Sol.
The region is divided into the two provinces of Caceres in the north and Badajoz in the south. The fascinating Roman city of Merida is the regional capital though Badajoz is the biggest city in terms of inhabitants. A visit to both is a must for those interested in the rich history and culture of a region once regarded as a great prize by the Roman empire as well as by Moorish sultans and Christian conquistadors. Evidence of Extremadura’s turbulent past oozes out of the walls of countless castles, palaces, medieval monuments and awesome aqueducts which have weathered the many man-made and heaven sent storms of centuries.
Extremadura, a place full of history
Merida is home to some of the world’s most important Roman remains including a magnificent bridge with 64 granite arches (the longest bridge ever built in Spain by the Romans). Other must-see sights include the five-mile aqueduct, the amphitheatre and the theatre where summer plays are still staged, more than 2,000 years after it was constructed under the orders of the Roman general Agrippa.
The beautiful walled city of Badajoz, near the Portuguese border, is also well worth a visit with its mighty Arab citadel and wealth of museums and historic sites. Extremadura’s many other historic treasures include the walled city of Caceres, founded by the Romans in 34 BC, and nearby Trujillo with its Moorish castle, glorious central square and monument to its famous son Francisco Pizarro, who conquered Peru.
Extremadura´s natural environment
Beyond the fortified walls of these historic cities you’ll find vast tracts of unspoilt countryside which attracts flocks of bird lovers from all over Europe and beyond. One of the most extraordinary sights in the whole of Spain is that of the region’s large population of storks which build their huge nests on top of everything from palaces and telegraph poles to church spires and convent roofs. The region is believed to be home to more than 11,000 storks along with many rare and protected bird species which flourish in Extremadura’s nature reserves.
Monfrague National Park is one of the important raptor reserves in Europe and is the best place in Spain to go for a glimpse of black vultures and the rare Spanish Imperial eagle. The park is a hikers’ paradise and has been declared a protected zone by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) because of its rare flora and fauna, including the endangered Iberian lynx.
A Sense of Entitlement
Every generation has complaints about the previous generation. It was so bad when I was growing up they even coined a term for it, It was called it the generation gap. We boomers were definitely different from our parents. We challenged our institutions to be relevant and worthy.
What my lunch group was discussing today was the change in students today in their attitude of entitlement. My students feel no compunction to taking facial tissue from the teacher's desk without request. The school district does not pay for tissue. This comes our of our pockets, even though this is a small expense it is assumed that it comes with the classroom. I am concerned about this since every room that I am in I am borrowing from a teacher who teaches more classes in it than I do. They are taking tissues from from a teacher they do not even know.
Ron, the phototgraphy teacher at one of the high school has noted this too. I student came up to his desk and demanded some tape. As all of us do, he asked how the student planned to use it. She replied, to close my m and m bag. He said no, not a proper use. She immediately reached down and grabbed a piece of thinly cut duct tape that he uses for his film cassettes. He told her that he had to write her up. Her friends said give him back his tape, She did and he did not write her up. Granted this was really not a good hill to die on (*see my previous posts.) It does represent this new sense of entitlement that students are now exhibiting.
Another teacher, told me that she goes through a little routine every time a tissue is desired off her desk. The student comes up and asks, "Do you have tissue?" Her answer is yes. Then there is a period of pause. She then asks, "Do you need tissue?
The student answers,"yes." Another long pause. She then asks," You need to ask for some." Another long pause. Student says, "oh, may I have some tissue." This still doesn't get down to the issue that students expect you to have tape and tissue for their uss because you are teaching them.
I was appalled at an adult since of entitlement too. I was shopping at my local Raley's and as I approached the check stand, a lady who was another shopper just like me pulled up to the check stand and used the phone to call home without permission. I wouldn't have dreamed of doing this.
Have we reached a point in our civilization where what is yours is mine and what is mine is yours and you can have anything of mine because it is exposed or assumed? Is this a fight we should be having with our students?
Love
Pat
What my lunch group was discussing today was the change in students today in their attitude of entitlement. My students feel no compunction to taking facial tissue from the teacher's desk without request. The school district does not pay for tissue. This comes our of our pockets, even though this is a small expense it is assumed that it comes with the classroom. I am concerned about this since every room that I am in I am borrowing from a teacher who teaches more classes in it than I do. They are taking tissues from from a teacher they do not even know.
Ron, the phototgraphy teacher at one of the high school has noted this too. I student came up to his desk and demanded some tape. As all of us do, he asked how the student planned to use it. She replied, to close my m and m bag. He said no, not a proper use. She immediately reached down and grabbed a piece of thinly cut duct tape that he uses for his film cassettes. He told her that he had to write her up. Her friends said give him back his tape, She did and he did not write her up. Granted this was really not a good hill to die on (*see my previous posts.) It does represent this new sense of entitlement that students are now exhibiting.
Another teacher, told me that she goes through a little routine every time a tissue is desired off her desk. The student comes up and asks, "Do you have tissue?" Her answer is yes. Then there is a period of pause. She then asks, "Do you need tissue?
The student answers,"yes." Another long pause. She then asks," You need to ask for some." Another long pause. Student says, "oh, may I have some tissue." This still doesn't get down to the issue that students expect you to have tape and tissue for their uss because you are teaching them.
I was appalled at an adult since of entitlement too. I was shopping at my local Raley's and as I approached the check stand, a lady who was another shopper just like me pulled up to the check stand and used the phone to call home without permission. I wouldn't have dreamed of doing this.
Have we reached a point in our civilization where what is yours is mine and what is mine is yours and you can have anything of mine because it is exposed or assumed? Is this a fight we should be having with our students?
Love
Pat
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Movies and the Holiday Tradition
When I was growing up we often went to the movies as part of the holiday tradition. Football as promoted did not have such a presence in our lives.. especially considering that we grew up. Our favorite was Babes in Toyland. We used to go to the outdoor movies sometimes when the fog didn't roll in. The advantage to those shows was the multiple film opertunity. We had fun playing on the swing set in front of the outdoor screen and then we would promptly fall asleep in the car all bundled up.
My favorite childhood star sweetheart was Haley Mills. She was blonde and very spunky, sometimes a tom boy (as in Polyanna) and sometimes just the sweet girl that you would like to go out with (as in Summer Magic).
This holiday weekend we saw American Gangster. Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe. Many times in the movie you had to pause and say why am I rooting for the gangster? (Danzel). It is based on a true story. The participants became friends in real life and the gangster that was the drug dealer helped the police track down all the crooked cops that were taking bribes to keep the empire in place. The acting and the writing is very creditable and overall movie is great. We missed the first 10 minutes of the movie however, and I understand that it was a dozy. Niece Cammie has seen the movie too and does not recommend it for her parents because I suppose the first 10 minutes of the movie.
I always wondered how the heroin drug explosion occurred. I also wondered how it could be maintained. Both of these question are answered in this movie.
I am interested in how the rest of the world that has seen this movie liked or disliked it. Please weigh in with your comments.
Thanks
pat
My favorite childhood star sweetheart was Haley Mills. She was blonde and very spunky, sometimes a tom boy (as in Polyanna) and sometimes just the sweet girl that you would like to go out with (as in Summer Magic).
This holiday weekend we saw American Gangster. Denzel Washington and Russel Crowe. Many times in the movie you had to pause and say why am I rooting for the gangster? (Danzel). It is based on a true story. The participants became friends in real life and the gangster that was the drug dealer helped the police track down all the crooked cops that were taking bribes to keep the empire in place. The acting and the writing is very creditable and overall movie is great. We missed the first 10 minutes of the movie however, and I understand that it was a dozy. Niece Cammie has seen the movie too and does not recommend it for her parents because I suppose the first 10 minutes of the movie.
I always wondered how the heroin drug explosion occurred. I also wondered how it could be maintained. Both of these question are answered in this movie.
I am interested in how the rest of the world that has seen this movie liked or disliked it. Please weigh in with your comments.
Thanks
pat
A New Blogging Member of the Family
Check out the links at the bottom of the page. A new one for the family is Ken Brown's. He has always been an advocate of sharing life stories. We all learn from them. He now has a forum for his. If you would be so kind to add him to your bookmarks.. he would love it. Also a comment or two is what we bloggers live for... ha ha.. so do that too.
Dad just found out that he is going to need some catarack surgery in order to keep driving. You might want to reassure him to do this also.
love
Pat
Dad just found out that he is going to need some catarack surgery in order to keep driving. You might want to reassure him to do this also.
love
Pat
9th Grade Miracle of Post Thanksgiving
Every post Thanksgiving a miracle occurs. The 9th graders calm down and suddenly "grow up." This happens across the board with all kinds of students. There is little horseplay that occurs after Thanksgiving. The Mexican shadow boxing guys seem more interested in football than play boxing with each other. The females are looking at which friends are friends and made it through the vacations with out getting too upset at each other. On top of all of this, the weather is cooler.. much cooler and more clothes are worn.. Maybe that is the key.
We are looking at under 4 weeks to finals for my students. Some of the freshmen are going to get leveled when the hour and half tests in each subject start the last two days of school before vacation. I hope that most of them will still be there and not off chasing to where we all want to be.. sunny Mexico.. where the breeze checks in at 82 degrees.. wow
Love
Pat
We are looking at under 4 weeks to finals for my students. Some of the freshmen are going to get leveled when the hour and half tests in each subject start the last two days of school before vacation. I hope that most of them will still be there and not off chasing to where we all want to be.. sunny Mexico.. where the breeze checks in at 82 degrees.. wow
Love
Pat
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Contrails Sky
In recent days the morning sky when clear has been streaked by contrails from jets. The ice crystals from the jets condensation streak the sky. Almost all of them are headed south. Its easy to understand that LA and south is a bigger draw then SF and San Jose. It may be because the jets stay higher as they pass over going south than West.
Some mornings like today there are no contrails. There is a layer of high clouds above us. This layer of high clouds allows the temperatures to be a little higher.
No rain is sight. The Fall has been a dry one for us in the Central Valley. More importantly the snow has not been coming to the high country. We are worrying about a drought once again. This is not the case the Rockies. Last week brought them some serious snow. Just ask Heather. Her extended weekend in New Mexico was very cold with snow on the ground everywhere she went.
Best to you this Tues Am.
: ) Pat
Some mornings like today there are no contrails. There is a layer of high clouds above us. This layer of high clouds allows the temperatures to be a little higher.
No rain is sight. The Fall has been a dry one for us in the Central Valley. More importantly the snow has not been coming to the high country. We are worrying about a drought once again. This is not the case the Rockies. Last week brought them some serious snow. Just ask Heather. Her extended weekend in New Mexico was very cold with snow on the ground everywhere she went.
Best to you this Tues Am.
: ) Pat
Monday, November 26, 2007
The Druands Youth Group Leaders
Back when I was in junior high and younger, there was a group that I met with every Saturday. A couple who had no kids of their own put together an archery club for kids. They were German and talked with a bit of a German accent. Eric and Lee had a very nice home on a hillside in the unincorporated part of South San Francisco-San Bruno.It was a large Spanish Style split level house with about two acres behind it.
Every week we met in their garage and paid our 10cent dues. The basic premise was to teach the yut (youth) to be good people and to always tell the trut (truth). We had a governance with round table assistants, a president and a vice president. Safety was the number one factor and sportsmanship followed close behind. There were as many girls in club (lady marions) as there were robin hoods (boys). After our meetings we shot arrows according to our age and ability.
Every year there was a gigantic sleepover and tournament held on the grounds. We asked for donations from merchants and they were happy to donate items that did not sell or looked important. We learned how to ask and how to be polite when items were provided.
On the day after the sleepover, the parents were invited to a large potluck were a lamb was spit roasted (the first time I ever ate lamb) and a huge picnic ensued.
The donated gifts were layed out upon tables and the archer with the highest scores got to choose first and the second got to choose second.. on down the line. There were enough prizes for every archer. At one time this was about 150 kids. There was also a huge turkey shoot. A contest for trophies was also run. A perpetual trophy was awarded to the highest score for that round. Trophies were also awarded for 2nd place and third place. Surprisingly, an unknown archer would get his name of the trophy because the favorite would get too nervous to score well. The final part of the competition was the turkey shoot. At first fresh turkeys were hung on a post and awarded to the winner. In the final years the turkey was frozen. A couple of large salamis were also awarded to the 3rd and fourth level winners.
We always marched in the San Bruno youth posey parade. All flowers just like the rose bowl parade.. except on a smaller scale. We had uniforms. sweatshirts with hoods dyed at home with forest green dye and vests made from felt. Green pants completed the uniform. We made a float. We all marched beside the float with our bows (no arrows) We had such fun. It was such a significant time and energy donation by people that did not have kids.
I am sure the are gone now. They were at least 50 back in 1959 to 64. While the kids managed the club, the watchful eyes of the sponsors made sure that no one was taken advanted of. I was the president, the first time I held political office in 1963. I rigged a campaign with my sister Mikie Sue where we put vote for pat stickers on every member that would take one. The election wasn't even close.
Our turkey shoot was on the week after John F Kennedy was shot, November 22,1863. I gave the speech that commemorated the loss and opened the turkey shoot contest. That was 44 years ago. I have been in local club politicas since then.
It is hard to give back these days. We need to do it however. People like Eric and Lee Druand remind us that we need to teach our yuts to get along with each other, and to always tell the trut. Sportsmanship is important. And having a good time was important too.
Hats off to the adult volunteers that gave so selflessly of their time and energy.
Love Pat
Every week we met in their garage and paid our 10cent dues. The basic premise was to teach the yut (youth) to be good people and to always tell the trut (truth). We had a governance with round table assistants, a president and a vice president. Safety was the number one factor and sportsmanship followed close behind. There were as many girls in club (lady marions) as there were robin hoods (boys). After our meetings we shot arrows according to our age and ability.
Every year there was a gigantic sleepover and tournament held on the grounds. We asked for donations from merchants and they were happy to donate items that did not sell or looked important. We learned how to ask and how to be polite when items were provided.
On the day after the sleepover, the parents were invited to a large potluck were a lamb was spit roasted (the first time I ever ate lamb) and a huge picnic ensued.
The donated gifts were layed out upon tables and the archer with the highest scores got to choose first and the second got to choose second.. on down the line. There were enough prizes for every archer. At one time this was about 150 kids. There was also a huge turkey shoot. A contest for trophies was also run. A perpetual trophy was awarded to the highest score for that round. Trophies were also awarded for 2nd place and third place. Surprisingly, an unknown archer would get his name of the trophy because the favorite would get too nervous to score well. The final part of the competition was the turkey shoot. At first fresh turkeys were hung on a post and awarded to the winner. In the final years the turkey was frozen. A couple of large salamis were also awarded to the 3rd and fourth level winners.
We always marched in the San Bruno youth posey parade. All flowers just like the rose bowl parade.. except on a smaller scale. We had uniforms. sweatshirts with hoods dyed at home with forest green dye and vests made from felt. Green pants completed the uniform. We made a float. We all marched beside the float with our bows (no arrows) We had such fun. It was such a significant time and energy donation by people that did not have kids.
I am sure the are gone now. They were at least 50 back in 1959 to 64. While the kids managed the club, the watchful eyes of the sponsors made sure that no one was taken advanted of. I was the president, the first time I held political office in 1963. I rigged a campaign with my sister Mikie Sue where we put vote for pat stickers on every member that would take one. The election wasn't even close.
Our turkey shoot was on the week after John F Kennedy was shot, November 22,1863. I gave the speech that commemorated the loss and opened the turkey shoot contest. That was 44 years ago. I have been in local club politicas since then.
It is hard to give back these days. We need to do it however. People like Eric and Lee Druand remind us that we need to teach our yuts to get along with each other, and to always tell the trut. Sportsmanship is important. And having a good time was important too.
Hats off to the adult volunteers that gave so selflessly of their time and energy.
Love Pat
The Big Boys Babysitting 2
As Sunday arrived, it became obvious that no one was going to be able to get the cats into the crate and haul them off to the kitty kennel. I talked to Heather and she agreed to come home on Monday (today). The tickets had dropped dramatically in cost from Sunday night (the traditional return date from Thanksgiving to Monday.
She will fly from Albuquerque this afternoon and be with her two black babbies tonight. I hope that the diabetic cat won't be too far out of blood sugar to get back into shape.
In the mean time she has been enjoying her trip to Taos and Santa Fe. Her friend Micheal and Boo have enjoyed having her along. They stayed overnight at a hostel in Taos and got a chance to hear from the locals about living conditions. Many of them were there to ski the ledgendary slopes of Taos. One guy had left everything he had in New York and made it to New Mexico and never went back. Its been two years now. No regrets. Heather said there doesn't look like there are many jobs in the area.
I left her apartment Sunday about 12:30. Sue was happy to see me home. I listened to the 49er game as I drove. Traffic was not bad. Later that night I am sure that was awful coming back from the mountains. I watched the end of the game home as well as the overtime. The 49ers actually beat the Arizona Cardinals. Trent Dilfer finally has a team. The Raiders actually won too. They were losing against KC when I was leaving the city.
Have a great Monday.. Pat
She will fly from Albuquerque this afternoon and be with her two black babbies tonight. I hope that the diabetic cat won't be too far out of blood sugar to get back into shape.
In the mean time she has been enjoying her trip to Taos and Santa Fe. Her friend Micheal and Boo have enjoyed having her along. They stayed overnight at a hostel in Taos and got a chance to hear from the locals about living conditions. Many of them were there to ski the ledgendary slopes of Taos. One guy had left everything he had in New York and made it to New Mexico and never went back. Its been two years now. No regrets. Heather said there doesn't look like there are many jobs in the area.
I left her apartment Sunday about 12:30. Sue was happy to see me home. I listened to the 49er game as I drove. Traffic was not bad. Later that night I am sure that was awful coming back from the mountains. I watched the end of the game home as well as the overtime. The 49ers actually beat the Arizona Cardinals. Trent Dilfer finally has a team. The Raiders actually won too. They were losing against KC when I was leaving the city.
Have a great Monday.. Pat
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Baby-sitting the Boys
I will try to write this without any emotional coloring. I know that is not usually my style.
Heather left the day after Thanksgiving for a well deserved vacation in a place she has always wanted to travel. High in the mountains of New mexico, the land of Enchantment are the three cities of Albuquerque (thanks spell checker), Santa Fe, and Taos.
It has significantly snowed in New Mexico and there is substantial snow on the ground.
She flew their to join her long time friend Michael who is traveling and working on the road with his dog Boo and a teardrop trailer.
Everything was going as planned, she made it to New Mexico and life was good until she received a call from her cat sitter. The cat sitter said that she would no long sit the cats. Roone the bigger of the boys was growling at her and she countered with water in his face. Rone is a cat that needs a shot twice a day for diabetes and has to have a special diet. Normally she leaves her boys at Linzi and Seans. Everything is great. Linzi is off to see some friends in Detroit this week... so that would not work. We are in a serious remodel and living in a very small apartment with a crotchity old lady cat that won't let our other two cats near. So over to Merced wasn't going to work.
There is a place in San Francisco that will take the boys.. feline wishing and caviar dreams.. a cool condo kennel just for cats. My goal yesterday was to get them there.
I met the person who had the key to her apartment at the appointed time.. 4 pm. When I arrived in the apartment, both boys were under the bed. She said I hope you have some gloves. I had some.. hoping that I would not have to use them.
I knew they were there because I arranged the drapes and I heard a loud hissing and growling.
We missed the last of the check in times at 6pm. They finally came out put were still growling and snarling. I got the usual attack on my feet and as I lowered my hand to get the food pan out, I was hooked in the pointer finger with a claw. I have been talking to him so that he is getting used to my voice. Our first check in is at 12 oclock today. Sunday. Right now it doesn't look like we are going to make that either. He is not approachable with out a lot of consternation.
I re-parked the car out of the garage. and found a parking place by the school. I had a nice walk through the hub bub of fisherman's wharf. I had a super bowl of chipinno in a restaurant in the cannery. Also I had a great gelato style ice cream .. Italian vanilla (light lemon) and a tart strawberry toper. Yum.
That is where we are this Sunday AM.
Love
Pat
Heather left the day after Thanksgiving for a well deserved vacation in a place she has always wanted to travel. High in the mountains of New mexico, the land of Enchantment are the three cities of Albuquerque (thanks spell checker), Santa Fe, and Taos.
It has significantly snowed in New Mexico and there is substantial snow on the ground.
She flew their to join her long time friend Michael who is traveling and working on the road with his dog Boo and a teardrop trailer.
Everything was going as planned, she made it to New Mexico and life was good until she received a call from her cat sitter. The cat sitter said that she would no long sit the cats. Roone the bigger of the boys was growling at her and she countered with water in his face. Rone is a cat that needs a shot twice a day for diabetes and has to have a special diet. Normally she leaves her boys at Linzi and Seans. Everything is great. Linzi is off to see some friends in Detroit this week... so that would not work. We are in a serious remodel and living in a very small apartment with a crotchity old lady cat that won't let our other two cats near. So over to Merced wasn't going to work.
There is a place in San Francisco that will take the boys.. feline wishing and caviar dreams.. a cool condo kennel just for cats. My goal yesterday was to get them there.
I met the person who had the key to her apartment at the appointed time.. 4 pm. When I arrived in the apartment, both boys were under the bed. She said I hope you have some gloves. I had some.. hoping that I would not have to use them.
I knew they were there because I arranged the drapes and I heard a loud hissing and growling.
We missed the last of the check in times at 6pm. They finally came out put were still growling and snarling. I got the usual attack on my feet and as I lowered my hand to get the food pan out, I was hooked in the pointer finger with a claw. I have been talking to him so that he is getting used to my voice. Our first check in is at 12 oclock today. Sunday. Right now it doesn't look like we are going to make that either. He is not approachable with out a lot of consternation.
I re-parked the car out of the garage. and found a parking place by the school. I had a nice walk through the hub bub of fisherman's wharf. I had a super bowl of chipinno in a restaurant in the cannery. Also I had a great gelato style ice cream .. Italian vanilla (light lemon) and a tart strawberry toper. Yum.
That is where we are this Sunday AM.
Love
Pat
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Clover Coffee
I just came across this interesting article in the Economist about the new machine called Clover that makes coffee. I was wondering out there in lurkerville if any of you have had a cup of Clover coffee? Here is a partial from the magazine article.
Near the hard-working espresso machine at Ritual Coffee Roasters, a cafe in San Francisco, sits a stainless-steel about the size of a desktop computer. This box, the clover, produces a cup of coffee with a spectacle of steaming water, whirring motors, and an ingenious inverse plunger. Zander Nosler, the industrial designer who invented the Clover nearly three years ago, seems to have done the impossible; attracted a cult following for the new coffee machine that is both slower and vastly more expensive than other machines and requires the undivided attention of a trained operator.
Coffee has been stimulating innovation ever since it was first extracted with water hundreds of years ago, but developments in the cafe had reached their previous acme with the invention of the espresso machines in the early 20th century. That device, made to speed Italian commuters along with fresh individual doses, now rules cafes worldwide. Most developments have focused on convince. Nestles Nepresso system, for example, uses disposable capsules. This obviates grinding and packing and makes cleaning effortless, but because capsules are proprietary it also locks users in.
Even so, says Mr. Nosler, "the hardware side of the business is woefully behind the times." He cites medical devices, one of his other areas of expertise, as an industry with a far higher rate of technical progress. But unlike a blood pump, the Clover has social attributes as important as the coffee that it makes. It was only after Mr. Nosler modified a fully automated prototype to allow its operator to control almost every aspect of brewing that the Clover stuck a chord with cafe owners and coffee drinkers.
In the past decade changes in the way the finest coffee is produced and traded have given roasters unprecedented access to small lots of exceedingly good beans, spawning artisanal roasting and wine like focus on terroir. These coffees are at their best in a lighter roast, and served as single origin brews-neither of which works well with an espresso machine. Yet brewed coffee is a neglected stepsister in most cafes.
What do you think?
Pat
Near the hard-working espresso machine at Ritual Coffee Roasters, a cafe in San Francisco, sits a stainless-steel about the size of a desktop computer. This box, the clover, produces a cup of coffee with a spectacle of steaming water, whirring motors, and an ingenious inverse plunger. Zander Nosler, the industrial designer who invented the Clover nearly three years ago, seems to have done the impossible; attracted a cult following for the new coffee machine that is both slower and vastly more expensive than other machines and requires the undivided attention of a trained operator.
Coffee has been stimulating innovation ever since it was first extracted with water hundreds of years ago, but developments in the cafe had reached their previous acme with the invention of the espresso machines in the early 20th century. That device, made to speed Italian commuters along with fresh individual doses, now rules cafes worldwide. Most developments have focused on convince. Nestles Nepresso system, for example, uses disposable capsules. This obviates grinding and packing and makes cleaning effortless, but because capsules are proprietary it also locks users in.
Even so, says Mr. Nosler, "the hardware side of the business is woefully behind the times." He cites medical devices, one of his other areas of expertise, as an industry with a far higher rate of technical progress. But unlike a blood pump, the Clover has social attributes as important as the coffee that it makes. It was only after Mr. Nosler modified a fully automated prototype to allow its operator to control almost every aspect of brewing that the Clover stuck a chord with cafe owners and coffee drinkers.
In the past decade changes in the way the finest coffee is produced and traded have given roasters unprecedented access to small lots of exceedingly good beans, spawning artisanal roasting and wine like focus on terroir. These coffees are at their best in a lighter roast, and served as single origin brews-neither of which works well with an espresso machine. Yet brewed coffee is a neglected stepsister in most cafes.
What do you think?
Pat
Friday, November 23, 2007
Thanksgiving this Year
We had a dozy of a Thanksgiving this year. Bob and mom put on a great show with the turkey and the ham, mashed potatoes and dressing. The rest of us contributed as well with cowboy beans from us and Kelly's outstanding cheese tray. The meatballs from Cammie were wonderful and the sushi from Kelly and wonderful English blue cheese and cracker plate were wonderful. Cammie also brought her famous mushroom caps.. wonderful in all its glory. She also brought a green bean dish to die for. Dana and Jim brought mountains of green goup. otherwise known as the Watergate salad because it became popular throughout the country at the same time that the Watergate scandal was revealed. We also brought at gigantic Chocolate cake from Costco that had a wonderful reception. It was also a celebration of Heather, our eldest daughter's birthday. We also enjoyed the pies that mom made. Pumpkin and apple. The apple pie is always special. Acacia always looks forward to mom's pumpkin. She was not disappointed.
Sue put together a wonderful looking table arrangement. The cleanup crew needs some kudos for their fine work. We had 15 people in all!
Jim and Dana joined our usual party. Dana is Bob's sister. Jim and Dana retired about 7 years ago. Jim worked in a company that made heating and air conditioning structures for commercial buildings. They have been on the road in a huge Rv since that time. Their heart is with the Salvation Army. They donate a major part of their time to the cause. Dana showed me some wonderful photos of the Alaskan cruise they took in September. They left out of Seattle with Jim's mom and her sister and kids. I could relate to the places that they went. Southeast Alaska is something cool. Jim played his B flat horn for us after dinner. He had a couple of nice songs with a taped accompaniment. We enjoyed it immensely.
The daughters were all there. Both Linzi and Heather were there and enjoyed their cousins Cammie and Acacia.
After dinner
A and a rousing game of bocci on the front lawn mom reintroduced the subject of the Christmas party.
Some stakeholders in the party had some concerned regarding the rules of the party gift give. Some of the concerns were:
Some people had already purchased gifts for individuals.
Some people felt that they were left out of the decision making process. Not that they were against the idea.
Some people felt they would have a difficult time finding time to make something.
Some people felt that that their gift would be more meaningful if they knew name of their recipient.
All of these concerns were discussed in open forum. It was wonderful to see that we could do this without anyone (that I know of) getting their feelings hurt.
We established that side gifts to individual other members of the family would be permitted.
That the gift give creative item should cost less than 25 dollars to make. The people could opt in by bringing a gift or opt out by not bringing a handmade gift. That Ebay and Salvation Army/Goodwill secondary economy pieces and parts could be used, but not necessarily.
The discussion finally centered upon whether or not to draw names for the event or to pick numbers on the day of the even for the gifts that people bring.
In a close vote, the group voted with invisible ink on single piece of paper to pick numbers not names. Assessment will be made with a June party to investigate the pick name variation for the next year.
All present seemed to be happy with the process.
Love : )
Pat
Sue put together a wonderful looking table arrangement. The cleanup crew needs some kudos for their fine work. We had 15 people in all!
Jim and Dana joined our usual party. Dana is Bob's sister. Jim and Dana retired about 7 years ago. Jim worked in a company that made heating and air conditioning structures for commercial buildings. They have been on the road in a huge Rv since that time. Their heart is with the Salvation Army. They donate a major part of their time to the cause. Dana showed me some wonderful photos of the Alaskan cruise they took in September. They left out of Seattle with Jim's mom and her sister and kids. I could relate to the places that they went. Southeast Alaska is something cool. Jim played his B flat horn for us after dinner. He had a couple of nice songs with a taped accompaniment. We enjoyed it immensely.
The daughters were all there. Both Linzi and Heather were there and enjoyed their cousins Cammie and Acacia.
After dinner
A and a rousing game of bocci on the front lawn mom reintroduced the subject of the Christmas party.
Some stakeholders in the party had some concerned regarding the rules of the party gift give. Some of the concerns were:
Some people had already purchased gifts for individuals.
Some people felt that they were left out of the decision making process. Not that they were against the idea.
Some people felt they would have a difficult time finding time to make something.
Some people felt that that their gift would be more meaningful if they knew name of their recipient.
All of these concerns were discussed in open forum. It was wonderful to see that we could do this without anyone (that I know of) getting their feelings hurt.
We established that side gifts to individual other members of the family would be permitted.
That the gift give creative item should cost less than 25 dollars to make. The people could opt in by bringing a gift or opt out by not bringing a handmade gift. That Ebay and Salvation Army/Goodwill secondary economy pieces and parts could be used, but not necessarily.
The discussion finally centered upon whether or not to draw names for the event or to pick numbers on the day of the even for the gifts that people bring.
In a close vote, the group voted with invisible ink on single piece of paper to pick numbers not names. Assessment will be made with a June party to investigate the pick name variation for the next year.
All present seemed to be happy with the process.
Love : )
Pat
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Thanksgiving Eve Traveling to Fort Collins
After we graduated from Western State College, I took a job in Monte Vista Colorado. There were only two places that offered my interviews when I graduated as a Speech and Drama major with an English minor and a Secondary teaching credential. One of them was Monte Vista Colorado. They thought that I would do since I went to a college that had the same winters as they endured. They offered me a job for 6,100 dollars a year.
We found an apartment which was a converted garage of the mother of the bookkeeper of the school district. It was priced right at 80dollars a month and that included all utilities.
Thanksgiving eve we loaded up the Chevy pickup and headed to Fort Collins. We had to travel though Alamosa, over the Le Vita pass and into Walsenburg. Walsenburg was futher south than Tinadad and Pueblo and of course Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs is over 120 miles for Fort Collins. It was quite a trip and took more than two tanks of gas and a lot of endurance. The front range driving was extremely boring. The total trip was around 400 miles.
It was particularly tough since the teaching job was not going well. I was teaching without a syllabus and teaching what I thought the students needed. They were into arguing but did not develop units of proof needed to develop their arguments to persuasion. They also wanted me to get the students to diagram sentences. I still feel that this is a total waste of time.
The students were 80% Mexican American with Indian mix. They came from very poor backgrounds. It was difficult to motivated them. They were 8th graders. The principal was out on medical for his bad back. Most of the teachers were growing hogs during the summer to make it through the year economically.
They were going to charge me with 21 counts of insubordination. We told him to improve the discipline in his class and he hasn't. We had a teacher's meeting (communicated by word of mouth down the hall) and he didn't attend.
On the day before Ash Wednesday (I still can't go through that part of the year without some pangs) I asked to be relieved of my assignment for personal reasons. I took the 500 dollars that I had contributed to my retirement account and headed for California to start in state the Speech and Language program at Cal State Stanislaus. Five years later going full time I was ready to start work for the Merced office of the Superintendent of Schools. My first job there I doubled my last income at 13,400 per year. Heather was 5 years old going to kindergarten in Turlock.
Because of the stupid charges and the lack of support from any union, I made up my mind that I would become involved to support teachers from that kind of attack. You have to be careful about how you treat employees they may become huge union activists for life.
The next year in Monte Vista was a tough one. They replaced me with a Mexican American teacher because they last a civil rights case and the students erupted around Thanksgiving and put a rock through each of the plate glass windows in the downtown area. School was suspended until they could get a grip on the reasons for the violence.
We found an apartment which was a converted garage of the mother of the bookkeeper of the school district. It was priced right at 80dollars a month and that included all utilities.
Thanksgiving eve we loaded up the Chevy pickup and headed to Fort Collins. We had to travel though Alamosa, over the Le Vita pass and into Walsenburg. Walsenburg was futher south than Tinadad and Pueblo and of course Colorado Springs. Colorado Springs is over 120 miles for Fort Collins. It was quite a trip and took more than two tanks of gas and a lot of endurance. The front range driving was extremely boring. The total trip was around 400 miles.
It was particularly tough since the teaching job was not going well. I was teaching without a syllabus and teaching what I thought the students needed. They were into arguing but did not develop units of proof needed to develop their arguments to persuasion. They also wanted me to get the students to diagram sentences. I still feel that this is a total waste of time.
The students were 80% Mexican American with Indian mix. They came from very poor backgrounds. It was difficult to motivated them. They were 8th graders. The principal was out on medical for his bad back. Most of the teachers were growing hogs during the summer to make it through the year economically.
They were going to charge me with 21 counts of insubordination. We told him to improve the discipline in his class and he hasn't. We had a teacher's meeting (communicated by word of mouth down the hall) and he didn't attend.
On the day before Ash Wednesday (I still can't go through that part of the year without some pangs) I asked to be relieved of my assignment for personal reasons. I took the 500 dollars that I had contributed to my retirement account and headed for California to start in state the Speech and Language program at Cal State Stanislaus. Five years later going full time I was ready to start work for the Merced office of the Superintendent of Schools. My first job there I doubled my last income at 13,400 per year. Heather was 5 years old going to kindergarten in Turlock.
Because of the stupid charges and the lack of support from any union, I made up my mind that I would become involved to support teachers from that kind of attack. You have to be careful about how you treat employees they may become huge union activists for life.
The next year in Monte Vista was a tough one. They replaced me with a Mexican American teacher because they last a civil rights case and the students erupted around Thanksgiving and put a rock through each of the plate glass windows in the downtown area. School was suspended until they could get a grip on the reasons for the violence.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
Happy Birthday Heather!
Heather was born on a Thursday. It was Turlock and it was foggy.
The night before she was born, Sue and I hosted a homemade pizza party for the college youth of the Methodist Church at our house. One bachelor student asked her when she was going to have the baby, she said, tonight. This totally shocked him. How could you be so calm etc.
We had to wait until after midnight to go in.. if possible. If we waited until then, we would only be charged for the day that we came in and not another day (the night before).We had an old 1962 chevy pickup that Grandma Nellie and Grandpa Bayard had given us when our 1962 Dynamic 88 Delta oldsmobile was consumed by the cold in Gunnison. Mikie Sue (my sister) and Bob lived three doors down in the same apartment buliding on Star Avenue. Bob lived upstairs and Mikie lived downstairs under him. They were not married yet. Dad always teased them about cutting a hole in the floor of the top apartment and installing a fire pole to get to the bottom.
We all wrote down our estimates as to how much the new baby was going to weigh, We were not sure what sex she was going to be. My guess was the most accurate. I guessed 6 pounds 4 oz. She was 6 pounds 8 oz, and 21 inches long.
At 1:45. Sue tried to wake me up to go. I was a little reluctant. She called Mikie to help. I finally got awake enough to drive the truck with Sue and Mikie to the hospital. Bob to this day is put out that I didn't wake him up too.
We were lamazing until the morning sun came up into the fog. I was wearing a button down shirt and Sue had a solid grip on it. I called into my classes that day. I was supposed to go to Los Banos to do some hearing screening. We had done a preschool on the far side of Dos Palos the week before. Luckily she didn't come then.
Heather came and she was a fighter. Mom and Dad came over for Thanksgiving at Mikie's place. I watched the Thanksgiving parade on Sue's hospital TV with her, two days later. Thanksgiving was very early that year. It is very early this year too.
When it came time to take Heather home we needed 250 dollars to get her out. Granpa Ken helped us out with this cost. He even loaned us the new/used buick to bring her Heather and mom home.
Bob and I were sharing a job at the corner gas station at the time. We worked minimum wage. Dad and mom helped out with tuition. Our rent was 125 per month. Mikie had a weekend job at the pizza parlor in San Francisco. Sue tried to do the same, but only lasted two nights. The smells of that place took her out.
So.. Happy Birthday Heather.
Love
DAD
The night before she was born, Sue and I hosted a homemade pizza party for the college youth of the Methodist Church at our house. One bachelor student asked her when she was going to have the baby, she said, tonight. This totally shocked him. How could you be so calm etc.
We had to wait until after midnight to go in.. if possible. If we waited until then, we would only be charged for the day that we came in and not another day (the night before).We had an old 1962 chevy pickup that Grandma Nellie and Grandpa Bayard had given us when our 1962 Dynamic 88 Delta oldsmobile was consumed by the cold in Gunnison. Mikie Sue (my sister) and Bob lived three doors down in the same apartment buliding on Star Avenue. Bob lived upstairs and Mikie lived downstairs under him. They were not married yet. Dad always teased them about cutting a hole in the floor of the top apartment and installing a fire pole to get to the bottom.
We all wrote down our estimates as to how much the new baby was going to weigh, We were not sure what sex she was going to be. My guess was the most accurate. I guessed 6 pounds 4 oz. She was 6 pounds 8 oz, and 21 inches long.
At 1:45. Sue tried to wake me up to go. I was a little reluctant. She called Mikie to help. I finally got awake enough to drive the truck with Sue and Mikie to the hospital. Bob to this day is put out that I didn't wake him up too.
We were lamazing until the morning sun came up into the fog. I was wearing a button down shirt and Sue had a solid grip on it. I called into my classes that day. I was supposed to go to Los Banos to do some hearing screening. We had done a preschool on the far side of Dos Palos the week before. Luckily she didn't come then.
Heather came and she was a fighter. Mom and Dad came over for Thanksgiving at Mikie's place. I watched the Thanksgiving parade on Sue's hospital TV with her, two days later. Thanksgiving was very early that year. It is very early this year too.
When it came time to take Heather home we needed 250 dollars to get her out. Granpa Ken helped us out with this cost. He even loaned us the new/used buick to bring her Heather and mom home.
Bob and I were sharing a job at the corner gas station at the time. We worked minimum wage. Dad and mom helped out with tuition. Our rent was 125 per month. Mikie had a weekend job at the pizza parlor in San Francisco. Sue tried to do the same, but only lasted two nights. The smells of that place took her out.
So.. Happy Birthday Heather.
Love
DAD
Monday, November 19, 2007
Going Crazy over.. Barbed Wire
One time when we were in Fort Collins for Thanksgiving. It was a cold blustery day. Earlier that week it had snowed and 2 inches of snow remained everywhere. The real issue was not the snow but the wind. Woody could hardly wait to get the meal done because he had a new hobby and he wanted to get out and collect some barbed wire.
He had become a collector of antique barbed wire. There were certain requirements for specimens of barb wire. Each had to be 18 inches long. There was a book that became the barb wire collectors bible. In this book each varieties patent was listed and the dates and location and purpose for its manufacture was listed. Some 18 inch pieces were worth 50 to 80 dollars.Each piece had a collection number. Most pieces were worth 3 to 8 dollars. Modern barb wire is all made from the same design and patent. If I remember correctly it is the Crandall form. In the middle 1970's there were many fences that had old or odd forms of barb wire.
Woody would drive down some old road that was not traveled by many, stop his little car, get out and verify the type and snip out the old piece and replace it with a new piece of cradall.
Right after Thanksgiving dinner all the guys piled into his little car and headed to Sterling Colorado (about 90 miles away on the plains) along the back roads looking for changes in variation of barbed wire. Old barn wood was also a prized find as well. The barbed wire was then mounted on plywood panels covered with burlap and trimmed out with old barn wood. The patent information was noted and the number from the book was listed. We found 2 pieces that Woody didn't have in his collection and we were able to cross off the numbers that were left to find.
When he was down visiting us in the San Luis Valley, We found some woodblock pieces. These are barbed wire with thin pieces of wood in them so that the animals will know that there is a fence with barbs on them and not get scraped up with the fence. They were made in the late 1800's and still had the original pieces of wood in them 70 years later. These were worth between 50 and 80 dollars per piece. A collector in the Alamosa gifted us with some of these pieces as a result of some conversation we had. Woody didn't have that number so we was really happy to get some of those pieces.
Woody was happy to share with me the extra pieces that he collected. They moved to Turlock California with us when I started grad school and Heather was about to be born, and were sitting outside the apartment when the landlord correctly identified them as a hazard. He stored them up in Ceres and when he moved and we moved, I never collected them back to be mounted. Now that is the last thing that I would want on my walls. Its funny how time changes your taste.
He had become a collector of antique barbed wire. There were certain requirements for specimens of barb wire. Each had to be 18 inches long. There was a book that became the barb wire collectors bible. In this book each varieties patent was listed and the dates and location and purpose for its manufacture was listed. Some 18 inch pieces were worth 50 to 80 dollars.Each piece had a collection number. Most pieces were worth 3 to 8 dollars. Modern barb wire is all made from the same design and patent. If I remember correctly it is the Crandall form. In the middle 1970's there were many fences that had old or odd forms of barb wire.
Woody would drive down some old road that was not traveled by many, stop his little car, get out and verify the type and snip out the old piece and replace it with a new piece of cradall.
Right after Thanksgiving dinner all the guys piled into his little car and headed to Sterling Colorado (about 90 miles away on the plains) along the back roads looking for changes in variation of barbed wire. Old barn wood was also a prized find as well. The barbed wire was then mounted on plywood panels covered with burlap and trimmed out with old barn wood. The patent information was noted and the number from the book was listed. We found 2 pieces that Woody didn't have in his collection and we were able to cross off the numbers that were left to find.
When he was down visiting us in the San Luis Valley, We found some woodblock pieces. These are barbed wire with thin pieces of wood in them so that the animals will know that there is a fence with barbs on them and not get scraped up with the fence. They were made in the late 1800's and still had the original pieces of wood in them 70 years later. These were worth between 50 and 80 dollars per piece. A collector in the Alamosa gifted us with some of these pieces as a result of some conversation we had. Woody didn't have that number so we was really happy to get some of those pieces.
Woody was happy to share with me the extra pieces that he collected. They moved to Turlock California with us when I started grad school and Heather was about to be born, and were sitting outside the apartment when the landlord correctly identified them as a hazard. He stored them up in Ceres and when he moved and we moved, I never collected them back to be mounted. Now that is the last thing that I would want on my walls. Its funny how time changes your taste.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
My First Thanksgiving Memory in the Valley
We moved to South San Francisco in 1055. I was 5 at the time. My first memory of the valley is kind of a bizzare one. It was Thanksgiving and I was about 7 years old. We had a marginal car at the time. We left in the middle of the night so that we could arrive in Sunland a suburb near Burbank in the LA basin in time for Thanksgiving dinner, about 1pm.
Altamont was treacherous (a two lane road dominated by truckers. Interstate 5 was far from anyone's idea. 99 ran through the center of every valley down. There were no freeways. 50 miles an hour was considered very risky.
In the middle of the night, about 3 am Dad pulled over in a truck stop around Turlock. It was foggy beyond belief. We got out of the car and walked around. There were many big trucks hauling gigantic bales of cotton. There was this strange moldy almost mildew smell in the air. Sometimes I smell this same smell now when it is foggy.
We made it down to LA about noon. All they were having for Thanksgiving Dinner was this enormous jello salad that Aunt Betty had made. Each layer and there were about 6 layers, had a series of fruit carefully lined up in a very artistic manner. There was no turkey, or anything substantial and we were as hungry as bears. I still don't know what we ate that night.
Blog reader beware: Soem of my memories are prone to hyperbole. : ) Pat
Altamont was treacherous (a two lane road dominated by truckers. Interstate 5 was far from anyone's idea. 99 ran through the center of every valley down. There were no freeways. 50 miles an hour was considered very risky.
In the middle of the night, about 3 am Dad pulled over in a truck stop around Turlock. It was foggy beyond belief. We got out of the car and walked around. There were many big trucks hauling gigantic bales of cotton. There was this strange moldy almost mildew smell in the air. Sometimes I smell this same smell now when it is foggy.
We made it down to LA about noon. All they were having for Thanksgiving Dinner was this enormous jello salad that Aunt Betty had made. Each layer and there were about 6 layers, had a series of fruit carefully lined up in a very artistic manner. There was no turkey, or anything substantial and we were as hungry as bears. I still don't know what we ate that night.
Blog reader beware: Soem of my memories are prone to hyperbole. : ) Pat
Updates
Linzi and Sean have moved to a new apartment in the Sacramento. They moved out of their old one that was tilting on to the next door building. They were living with their little old cat, Nermes (we call this cat Molly) in the Marriot Residence in down town Sacramento eight floors up.
We are still in the apartment in Merced waiting to get back into our house one block away. Lucy, our 12 year old female cat from New York is living with us. Our male cats Georgie (the white Manx) and Nigel (the black Maine Coon cat) are living at the construction site.
Heather is still living in San Francisco. She is planning to meet up with her friend Micheal in Albuquerque the day after Thanksgiving in Morgan Hill.
We are planning a Morgan Hill Thanksgiving. Neices Cambell Chris, who now lives in West Sacramento, and Acacia BrownKorbel, who is living and going to UCSD are planning to come home and be apart of the festivities.
My sister Kelly has bought some bocci balls and is hoping to entice the crowd into some friendly competition.
I am hoping to make some more lemon pies.. since it is one of the top vote getters in the Acacia poll. (Cammie how many times did you vote?) Ha.
I got dad to vote for his favorite last night. Surprise, he is the blueberry vote.
I am hoping to set dad up with a blog site so that he can communicate like we are through our blogs.
Kelly and Acacia have some great blogs and we are enriched by the participation of comments on our blogs. Its amazing how quickly this is set up and the ability to move into a daily web page diary with interaction.
I hope you have a great weekend
Pat
We are still in the apartment in Merced waiting to get back into our house one block away. Lucy, our 12 year old female cat from New York is living with us. Our male cats Georgie (the white Manx) and Nigel (the black Maine Coon cat) are living at the construction site.
Heather is still living in San Francisco. She is planning to meet up with her friend Micheal in Albuquerque the day after Thanksgiving in Morgan Hill.
We are planning a Morgan Hill Thanksgiving. Neices Cambell Chris, who now lives in West Sacramento, and Acacia BrownKorbel, who is living and going to UCSD are planning to come home and be apart of the festivities.
My sister Kelly has bought some bocci balls and is hoping to entice the crowd into some friendly competition.
I am hoping to make some more lemon pies.. since it is one of the top vote getters in the Acacia poll. (Cammie how many times did you vote?) Ha.
I got dad to vote for his favorite last night. Surprise, he is the blueberry vote.
I am hoping to set dad up with a blog site so that he can communicate like we are through our blogs.
Kelly and Acacia have some great blogs and we are enriched by the participation of comments on our blogs. Its amazing how quickly this is set up and the ability to move into a daily web page diary with interaction.
I hope you have a great weekend
Pat
Friday, November 16, 2007
A Christmas Get Together
Once upon a time many moons ago...
The Pollards and the Browns got together on an annual basis. (We abandoned it when the Browns had a number of people that were allergic to smoke and the other side (the Pollards) would not enforce a no smoking policy within their houses that we had the party.
It grew at one time to be a gigantic party. It was such a good idea that the Pollards and the Browns would regularly add new families or part families to the the gatherings. The holiday meat was provided by the host. Everyone else would bring pot luck for 25+ people. It was great fun. The next person that would host the party received for the entire year a big gross orange and black wax bird. This too was coveted and it was an honor to host this party.
The main entertainment of the evening was this gift give. Everyone would gather around a spot and the selection numbers were handed out. Everyone at the party including kids had made something for (at that time under 10 dollars). They were all wrapped which added to the illustion) The first person to choose could pick from any of the boxes. The box selected was unwrapped and displayed. The second person then could choose that gift unwrapped from the first person or choose from the other boxes that were not opened. The third person could choose number one's unwrapped gift or number 2's unwrapped gift or open a new one from under the tree. Anyone who's gift was selected from them unwrapped then chose another gift to be unwrapped. This continued until all gifts are unwrapped. The person with the last number could choose any gift unwrapped or select the last gift chosen.
We have decided (there is buy in from the BrownKorbels, The Pat and Sue Browns, and the Wanda and Ken Browns so far)that this year we are using this for all family to family gifts on Christmas day. So instead of getting and giving gifts to Linzi and Heather and Sue and Pat,Mikie Sue, Bob, Kelly and Reza, Sean or Dom (if he comes) you make one gift that is made of materials that cost between 25 and 50 dollars (you may usse second purchase sources like Goodwill or Ebay) and wrap it up and put it under the tree for the unsuspecting person to select or trade for it.
Reasons for this:
More fun
Cost savings
Decrease that which in two years finds the land fill (sorry)
Its difficult for some to shop
Those gifts previously purchased for cross family connections may be used for appropriate birthday gifts throughout the year.
Welcome to an interesting piece of family history.
Love
Pat
The Pollards and the Browns got together on an annual basis. (We abandoned it when the Browns had a number of people that were allergic to smoke and the other side (the Pollards) would not enforce a no smoking policy within their houses that we had the party.
It grew at one time to be a gigantic party. It was such a good idea that the Pollards and the Browns would regularly add new families or part families to the the gatherings. The holiday meat was provided by the host. Everyone else would bring pot luck for 25+ people. It was great fun. The next person that would host the party received for the entire year a big gross orange and black wax bird. This too was coveted and it was an honor to host this party.
The main entertainment of the evening was this gift give. Everyone would gather around a spot and the selection numbers were handed out. Everyone at the party including kids had made something for (at that time under 10 dollars). They were all wrapped which added to the illustion) The first person to choose could pick from any of the boxes. The box selected was unwrapped and displayed. The second person then could choose that gift unwrapped from the first person or choose from the other boxes that were not opened. The third person could choose number one's unwrapped gift or number 2's unwrapped gift or open a new one from under the tree. Anyone who's gift was selected from them unwrapped then chose another gift to be unwrapped. This continued until all gifts are unwrapped. The person with the last number could choose any gift unwrapped or select the last gift chosen.
We have decided (there is buy in from the BrownKorbels, The Pat and Sue Browns, and the Wanda and Ken Browns so far)that this year we are using this for all family to family gifts on Christmas day. So instead of getting and giving gifts to Linzi and Heather and Sue and Pat,Mikie Sue, Bob, Kelly and Reza, Sean or Dom (if he comes) you make one gift that is made of materials that cost between 25 and 50 dollars (you may usse second purchase sources like Goodwill or Ebay) and wrap it up and put it under the tree for the unsuspecting person to select or trade for it.
Reasons for this:
More fun
Cost savings
Decrease that which in two years finds the land fill (sorry)
Its difficult for some to shop
Those gifts previously purchased for cross family connections may be used for appropriate birthday gifts throughout the year.
Welcome to an interesting piece of family history.
Love
Pat
Flicka
Yesterday and today we are into Flicka. It is based upon the story my friend Flicka. The class is getting a cultural experience. No one lives on a ranch. No one knows where Wyoming is. Explaining the concept of a boarding school is interesting. Figuring out the main names of the characters is a challenge. The beginning of the movie with the horsese loving spring by rolling in the meadows is worth a look in itself.
All of this and we are just beyond the opening credits. One class a little ahead so I stopped it all and wrote from their suggestions on the board the description of the the girl and where they lived. Some them are actually taking notes.. probably going into the ether.. but still.
So far its been a good movie for my kideroos.
Love
Pat
All of this and we are just beyond the opening credits. One class a little ahead so I stopped it all and wrote from their suggestions on the board the description of the the girl and where they lived. Some them are actually taking notes.. probably going into the ether.. but still.
So far its been a good movie for my kideroos.
Love
Pat
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Back to School- Tuesday
Its Tuesday but it seems like a Monday.
All day long we will be tripping on Monday kind of things on Tuesday. Mine is even more complicated since I was out of the classroom on Friday doing negotiations. I hope they didn't tear apart the sub.
They have been using our good subs to cover a classroom where the teacher was not allowed to continue the year do primarily to credential restraints. In special ed this can take all different forms.
I am previewing the movie Flicka at home to see if it will work for my kiderros at school. Maybe in January. Next on the docket is movie Tuck everlasting.
This weekend we made it over to Morgan Hill to see the parents and hatched a new plan for family Christmas. Family to family gifts will be accomplished through the old Christmas party fashion. Bring one gift that you have made yourself. Materials to cost 25-50 dollars. We will fight for the best one in rotating fashion with the last person drawing getting their chance at any of the unwrapped. Location is Morgan Hill. Bring on your best!
Love Y'all
Pat
All day long we will be tripping on Monday kind of things on Tuesday. Mine is even more complicated since I was out of the classroom on Friday doing negotiations. I hope they didn't tear apart the sub.
They have been using our good subs to cover a classroom where the teacher was not allowed to continue the year do primarily to credential restraints. In special ed this can take all different forms.
I am previewing the movie Flicka at home to see if it will work for my kiderros at school. Maybe in January. Next on the docket is movie Tuck everlasting.
This weekend we made it over to Morgan Hill to see the parents and hatched a new plan for family Christmas. Family to family gifts will be accomplished through the old Christmas party fashion. Bring one gift that you have made yourself. Materials to cost 25-50 dollars. We will fight for the best one in rotating fashion with the last person drawing getting their chance at any of the unwrapped. Location is Morgan Hill. Bring on your best!
Love Y'all
Pat
Monday, November 12, 2007
Veterans Day
Today we honor the Vets that worked so hard to achieve and maintain our freedoms. Thanks Dad
Let us also not forget the contribution to America that the GI bill has provided us. Dad from our side and Lin and Candy on Sue's side used the Gi bill to make their educational goals a reality. It was the core that provided the United State with an educated middle class. It flueled the economic engine for global economy. When we succeeded we passed our success with other countries and developed their economic existence. We were no longer happy with the rich possessing all of the resources. An emerging middle class allwayed migrant families such as ours to put down roots and contribute to the productivity of the world.
I saddens me to see that our generation is not so generous. Our institutions of share are drying up. Our government is exporting war and not development. We have lost our leadership to another group as we huddle in frear of their dominiation. Our country was not conceived in fear. It should not support the export of fear in any form. Be it global warming or terrorist threat.
In both areas we need to use our technological abilty to innonvate to support our leadership. Unfortunately we are being lead by fear. I have read that we are close to getting panels made of plastic rather than silicon that are at least 5 times better in generating electricity. Couple this with cfls (the new squiggly light blubs) a significant change will occur in how we generate our power and where we generate our power. We need to support stem cell research as it will free us from the ignomous paradox of living longer but not as well.
I fully expect corporate America to fight this as they have the electric car. But the tide is changing and now the petrolium countries are looking at the end of thieir wells too. We as baby boomers as growing into ages where bio engineering we be so iimportant to our quality of life.
We need to supprt the green revolution not becuase we are fearful of the effects of not being green but the economic threats of not suppoting our economy.
We are the generation of Earth Day as a response to the crazy killing of students in Kent state. Violence and fear are replaced by building and growing within our planet.
The days of Dick Cheney as a leader are numbered. We let our patriotism be sold for our fear. This country must support its military forces. We must also support our leaders in making careful choices as to how we will use this resource.
Happy
Vets Day
Pat
Let us also not forget the contribution to America that the GI bill has provided us. Dad from our side and Lin and Candy on Sue's side used the Gi bill to make their educational goals a reality. It was the core that provided the United State with an educated middle class. It flueled the economic engine for global economy. When we succeeded we passed our success with other countries and developed their economic existence. We were no longer happy with the rich possessing all of the resources. An emerging middle class allwayed migrant families such as ours to put down roots and contribute to the productivity of the world.
I saddens me to see that our generation is not so generous. Our institutions of share are drying up. Our government is exporting war and not development. We have lost our leadership to another group as we huddle in frear of their dominiation. Our country was not conceived in fear. It should not support the export of fear in any form. Be it global warming or terrorist threat.
In both areas we need to use our technological abilty to innonvate to support our leadership. Unfortunately we are being lead by fear. I have read that we are close to getting panels made of plastic rather than silicon that are at least 5 times better in generating electricity. Couple this with cfls (the new squiggly light blubs) a significant change will occur in how we generate our power and where we generate our power. We need to support stem cell research as it will free us from the ignomous paradox of living longer but not as well.
I fully expect corporate America to fight this as they have the electric car. But the tide is changing and now the petrolium countries are looking at the end of thieir wells too. We as baby boomers as growing into ages where bio engineering we be so iimportant to our quality of life.
We need to supprt the green revolution not becuase we are fearful of the effects of not being green but the economic threats of not suppoting our economy.
We are the generation of Earth Day as a response to the crazy killing of students in Kent state. Violence and fear are replaced by building and growing within our planet.
The days of Dick Cheney as a leader are numbered. We let our patriotism be sold for our fear. This country must support its military forces. We must also support our leaders in making careful choices as to how we will use this resource.
Happy
Vets Day
Pat
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Its Raining Its Pouring
Today I woke up to the sound of a gentle rain outside.
When I was in first grade and waiting for a bus to pick us up for school we engaged in the rhyme.
Its Raining its Pouring
The old man is Snoring
Bumped his head and fell out of bed
and Couldn't get up in the Morning
I highly dispute the premise that everything I needed to learn in life I learned in kindergarten.
My memories:
Kindergarten was at Martin School. We lived in an apartment that was always cold. It was in an a very busy street in South San Francisco that faced the huge hill that separated the suburb from the Brisbane and the city. We were the class of 1968. We had little understanding of that then, We were major baby boomers and there were not enough classrooms for us. We were in split sessions (morning or afternoon sessions) for several years until classrooms could be built.
Martin school had a great view of the industrial base that provided for its support. South San Francisco was truly the industrial city that it still proclaims on the hill today. A couple of steel mills spewed out smoke. There were slaughter houses that were serviced by the railroad. Industry was good then. It was one of the main reasons we came to California. The tax bases before prop 13 allowed teachers to make a salary that was not available in other parts of the country. In 1955 in Colorado, teaching was a secondary job for many. They paid for it in the same manner. Dad came to South San Francisco in a "show me the money!" phase. He was tired of scrapping by and falling in debt because a custodian was worth more than a teacher.
Three things happened at this school.
Incident One:
One day my ornery friend talked me into my first piece of defiance. As the students lined up to go outside to recess we stood on top the the table and shouted Fuck at them. Frankly, I did not know what Fuck meant. But it landed me in the principals office. He showed me a big stick and said that I would be struck with it if I ever did something like that again.
Mom asked me what happened at school today when I got home. I blew it off and said oh nothing. "Thats not what I heard she said." She told me that what ever I got at school I could expect twice as much when I got home.
Incident two:
Some kid threw up all over the floor in Kindergarten. What a mess. Suddenly it drew a crowd. Everyone had to go take a look. Spectacle draws crowds. Sometimes for no good reason.
Incident Three:
I petted a cat on the way home from school. The cat had ring worm. I got ring worm. Modern medicine had not advanced to the point where they had discovered that ring worm can me treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics in this era came from big needles in stainless steel tubes. Penicillin was a daily shot sequence for about 8 days.
The treatment for ringworm was the shave the area (my head) and treat it with topicals. I was slathered with a cream that smelled like desinex and wrapped with a nylon cap made from womens socks. Every other week I went into Kaiser and got a sunlamp treatment on it. I wore a baseball hat continuously. Even for the photos where they wanted me to remove the hat.. nope it stayed on. This is probably why I am not a big hat wearer today. It seemed like this happed over the period of 2 years. I am sure it was less than that. When my hair grew back, my mom always cut my hair in to what they called a crew cut. I had a patch on the back of my head that even up into high school did not grow hair in sufficient density so that it didn't call attention to itself. Kids would ask what happened there. I told them that was where Quick Draw McGraw shot me.
But life moved on. So have I. Its a lot better life now than that time.
:) Pat
When I was in first grade and waiting for a bus to pick us up for school we engaged in the rhyme.
Its Raining its Pouring
The old man is Snoring
Bumped his head and fell out of bed
and Couldn't get up in the Morning
I highly dispute the premise that everything I needed to learn in life I learned in kindergarten.
My memories:
Kindergarten was at Martin School. We lived in an apartment that was always cold. It was in an a very busy street in South San Francisco that faced the huge hill that separated the suburb from the Brisbane and the city. We were the class of 1968. We had little understanding of that then, We were major baby boomers and there were not enough classrooms for us. We were in split sessions (morning or afternoon sessions) for several years until classrooms could be built.
Martin school had a great view of the industrial base that provided for its support. South San Francisco was truly the industrial city that it still proclaims on the hill today. A couple of steel mills spewed out smoke. There were slaughter houses that were serviced by the railroad. Industry was good then. It was one of the main reasons we came to California. The tax bases before prop 13 allowed teachers to make a salary that was not available in other parts of the country. In 1955 in Colorado, teaching was a secondary job for many. They paid for it in the same manner. Dad came to South San Francisco in a "show me the money!" phase. He was tired of scrapping by and falling in debt because a custodian was worth more than a teacher.
Three things happened at this school.
Incident One:
One day my ornery friend talked me into my first piece of defiance. As the students lined up to go outside to recess we stood on top the the table and shouted Fuck at them. Frankly, I did not know what Fuck meant. But it landed me in the principals office. He showed me a big stick and said that I would be struck with it if I ever did something like that again.
Mom asked me what happened at school today when I got home. I blew it off and said oh nothing. "Thats not what I heard she said." She told me that what ever I got at school I could expect twice as much when I got home.
Incident two:
Some kid threw up all over the floor in Kindergarten. What a mess. Suddenly it drew a crowd. Everyone had to go take a look. Spectacle draws crowds. Sometimes for no good reason.
Incident Three:
I petted a cat on the way home from school. The cat had ring worm. I got ring worm. Modern medicine had not advanced to the point where they had discovered that ring worm can me treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics in this era came from big needles in stainless steel tubes. Penicillin was a daily shot sequence for about 8 days.
The treatment for ringworm was the shave the area (my head) and treat it with topicals. I was slathered with a cream that smelled like desinex and wrapped with a nylon cap made from womens socks. Every other week I went into Kaiser and got a sunlamp treatment on it. I wore a baseball hat continuously. Even for the photos where they wanted me to remove the hat.. nope it stayed on. This is probably why I am not a big hat wearer today. It seemed like this happed over the period of 2 years. I am sure it was less than that. When my hair grew back, my mom always cut my hair in to what they called a crew cut. I had a patch on the back of my head that even up into high school did not grow hair in sufficient density so that it didn't call attention to itself. Kids would ask what happened there. I told them that was where Quick Draw McGraw shot me.
But life moved on. So have I. Its a lot better life now than that time.
:) Pat
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Buddhist Jokes
Buddhism is influencing Western existence. When you have jokes working themselves into pop culture referencing the movement you know that has some influences. Here are some funnies for Saturday.
Why don't Buddhist vacum in the corners? They have no attachments.
What is the name of the best Zen teacher? MT Ness.
How many Zen Buddhists does it take to change a light bulb? None they are the lightbulb.
How many Zen Buddhists does it take to change a light bulb? Three .. one to change the light bulb, one to not change the light bulb and one to change and not to change a light bulb.
What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor? Make me one with everything.
From the podcast of the Best of Everything.
Why don't Buddhist vacum in the corners? They have no attachments.
What is the name of the best Zen teacher? MT Ness.
How many Zen Buddhists does it take to change a light bulb? None they are the lightbulb.
How many Zen Buddhists does it take to change a light bulb? Three .. one to change the light bulb, one to not change the light bulb and one to change and not to change a light bulb.
What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor? Make me one with everything.
From the podcast of the Best of Everything.
Is This the Hill
There is an interesting expression in negotiations. "Is this the hill you want to die on?" This means is the argument so important that you have to stop your discussions and and say that you can not compromise. It also may point out a particular spot where pushing it further is arguing for argument sake. Do you have to win this one? Most of the time the answer is no.
In our negotiations we almost reached that point. Probably because we were given a proposal in the form of forms and was told that they were a unit that could not be separated. It was a take it or leave it kind of thing. We drew a line the sand (or almost did). That is an expression to to mean that we were polarized to our positions.
a couple of things happened yesterday at the table. Management came in with the information that it would not "spring" it on teachers. It would be phased in and adjusted with our help.
The big one for us was that professional growth needed to be separated from the evaluation process. We accomplished this. Although we need to continue to talk about professional growth will be followed.
After an entire day of discussions and only two time outs and meetings behind closed doors, we reached a tentative Agreement on this part of new contract.
We lost members at the table in the afternoon to the big "Bloss" Bowl. The local rivalary of Atwater High School football vs Buhach Colony football. I think that this is the first year that the new school in Atwater has a chance at defeating the older school.
So far Merced High is undefeated again.
Have a great weekend.
Love
Pat
In our negotiations we almost reached that point. Probably because we were given a proposal in the form of forms and was told that they were a unit that could not be separated. It was a take it or leave it kind of thing. We drew a line the sand (or almost did). That is an expression to to mean that we were polarized to our positions.
a couple of things happened yesterday at the table. Management came in with the information that it would not "spring" it on teachers. It would be phased in and adjusted with our help.
The big one for us was that professional growth needed to be separated from the evaluation process. We accomplished this. Although we need to continue to talk about professional growth will be followed.
After an entire day of discussions and only two time outs and meetings behind closed doors, we reached a tentative Agreement on this part of new contract.
We lost members at the table in the afternoon to the big "Bloss" Bowl. The local rivalary of Atwater High School football vs Buhach Colony football. I think that this is the first year that the new school in Atwater has a chance at defeating the older school.
So far Merced High is undefeated again.
Have a great weekend.
Love
Pat
Friday, November 9, 2007
Neil Diamond
Walking with Neil Diamond today. Yesterday was KC and the sunshine band. Both are great walking groups.
I have downloaded some aerobic music at Emusic and I am anxious to see how that works out. 128 beats per min. or something like that is how exercise music is measured. My ipod is a great inspiration to the morning march.
Have a great day
Pat
I have downloaded some aerobic music at Emusic and I am anxious to see how that works out. 128 beats per min. or something like that is how exercise music is measured. My ipod is a great inspiration to the morning march.
Have a great day
Pat
Off to Beat Dead Mules
I just love colorful language. Last time at the table I was accused by the other side of beating dead mules to get farts.
That is what we were doing at the table according to the district. What they wanted us to do was to significantly change the evaluation forms for teachers. They wanted to align them with the state teaching "standards." They couldn't understand why we wouldn't jump on the bandwagon and make the changes. After all there was a committee of teachers and administrators (teachers even appointed by us) that came up with these changes. Furthermore they had been cooperative when it came to what we wanted. Also it would only effect the new teachers that were trained this way too. We feel that teachers should be evaluated on what is clearly observable and not what is political. We should not be responsible in our evaluation for students that are not emotionally or physically engaged in the learning process. I think of dad in church. there wasn't a sermon that I remember that he didn't close his eyes and listen. Mom often accused him of falling to sleep but that wasn't the case.. or so we thought. The efficacy of the sermon should not be judged by the people who close off their visual mode just to listen to the auditory track. They want our teachers judged by the goal that all learners will be engaged in the classroom.
We were stalling from their position. And thus earned this colorful piece of language.
Our marching orders have been very different than there expectations. Their side has sent up a trial balloon this week about moving to a place that would be less harmful.
The question today is how do we get to that spot to see if it would be acceptable to our Executive Board. So we are ready to provide a counter to show what we don't like in their proposal but we are also ready to slide into a more neutral spot that will allow us to move on to safety and remuneration.
It will be an interesting day.. at the District Office.
I hope you got Monday off for the vets.
: ) Pat
That is what we were doing at the table according to the district. What they wanted us to do was to significantly change the evaluation forms for teachers. They wanted to align them with the state teaching "standards." They couldn't understand why we wouldn't jump on the bandwagon and make the changes. After all there was a committee of teachers and administrators (teachers even appointed by us) that came up with these changes. Furthermore they had been cooperative when it came to what we wanted. Also it would only effect the new teachers that were trained this way too. We feel that teachers should be evaluated on what is clearly observable and not what is political. We should not be responsible in our evaluation for students that are not emotionally or physically engaged in the learning process. I think of dad in church. there wasn't a sermon that I remember that he didn't close his eyes and listen. Mom often accused him of falling to sleep but that wasn't the case.. or so we thought. The efficacy of the sermon should not be judged by the people who close off their visual mode just to listen to the auditory track. They want our teachers judged by the goal that all learners will be engaged in the classroom.
We were stalling from their position. And thus earned this colorful piece of language.
Our marching orders have been very different than there expectations. Their side has sent up a trial balloon this week about moving to a place that would be less harmful.
The question today is how do we get to that spot to see if it would be acceptable to our Executive Board. So we are ready to provide a counter to show what we don't like in their proposal but we are also ready to slide into a more neutral spot that will allow us to move on to safety and remuneration.
It will be an interesting day.. at the District Office.
I hope you got Monday off for the vets.
: ) Pat
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Bebel Gilberto
I have been crazy about Bossa Nova music at various times of my life. One of the Starbucks daily free songs was by Babel Gilberto. I have since used my emusic account and downloaded three more of her albums. She has a lower register voice and a unique modern voice that nods to the classic bossa nova from Brazil. Her band makes use of the modern electronica backgrounds but they take a backseat to the singer with the voice. If you have a chance to listen free music is available on her website and you may also sample her songs on ITunes you get a chance to hear what I am into currently. Below is a quick bio from Wikipedia.
Bebel Gilberto (born Isabel Gilberto on May 12, 1966 in New York City) is a Brazilian popular singer often associated with bossa nova. She is the daughter of João Gilberto and singer Miúcha. Her uncle is singer/composer Chico Buarque. Bebel has been performing since her youth in Rio de Janeiro.
At the age of seven, Bebel made an appearance on her Mother's first solo album 'Miucha'. At age nine, Bebel performed with her mother and legendary Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz at a Jazz festival in New York's Carnegie Hall . Back in Brazil Bebel performed and recorded in the soundtrack of the children's musical 'Os Saltimbancos' written by Sergio Bardotti and Chico Buarque which created a major impact. Later on Bebel joined an experimental theatrical group and was a member of the founding team of the performance space 'Circo Voador' (Flying Circus) at Ipanema Beach. In this group she met singer/songwriter Cazuza, who became a close friend and soon a major rock star in Brazil during the '80s.
In 2006, Bebel duetted with Mike Patton on the song "Caipirinha" which appears on his Peeping Tom album, released on May 30, 2006.
Also in 2006, Bebel started writing and producing the songs that would become part of her third album Momento, released in April of 2007. On this album, Bebel collaborated with UK producer Guy Sigsworth, her friends Didi Gutman and Sabina Sciubba (from NY based band Brazilian Girls) and the Rio based Orquestra Imperial.
Bebel is single and still resides in New York City where her band is based. [citation needed]
Shortly before her 2007 tour, and ten days before the release of her album "Momento", she broke her foot, preventing from walking and making it difficult to rehearse with the band prior to the tour.[1] In a Reuters article, Gilberto said that she used Skype to rehearse with the band during her recovery.
Bebel Gilberto (born Isabel Gilberto on May 12, 1966 in New York City) is a Brazilian popular singer often associated with bossa nova. She is the daughter of João Gilberto and singer Miúcha. Her uncle is singer/composer Chico Buarque. Bebel has been performing since her youth in Rio de Janeiro.
At the age of seven, Bebel made an appearance on her Mother's first solo album 'Miucha'. At age nine, Bebel performed with her mother and legendary Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz at a Jazz festival in New York's Carnegie Hall . Back in Brazil Bebel performed and recorded in the soundtrack of the children's musical 'Os Saltimbancos' written by Sergio Bardotti and Chico Buarque which created a major impact. Later on Bebel joined an experimental theatrical group and was a member of the founding team of the performance space 'Circo Voador' (Flying Circus) at Ipanema Beach. In this group she met singer/songwriter Cazuza, who became a close friend and soon a major rock star in Brazil during the '80s.
In 2006, Bebel duetted with Mike Patton on the song "Caipirinha" which appears on his Peeping Tom album, released on May 30, 2006.
Also in 2006, Bebel started writing and producing the songs that would become part of her third album Momento, released in April of 2007. On this album, Bebel collaborated with UK producer Guy Sigsworth, her friends Didi Gutman and Sabina Sciubba (from NY based band Brazilian Girls) and the Rio based Orquestra Imperial.
Bebel is single and still resides in New York City where her band is based. [citation needed]
Shortly before her 2007 tour, and ten days before the release of her album "Momento", she broke her foot, preventing from walking and making it difficult to rehearse with the band prior to the tour.[1] In a Reuters article, Gilberto said that she used Skype to rehearse with the band during her recovery.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
A Browning Solution
I just remembered, sometimes I will brown the beef chunks in mild chili powder. It stays brown and it caramelizes without gluten in the stew.
: ) Pat
: ) Pat
Browning without Flour
Heather, my daughter, has a real problem with gluten. As from her comment she is looking for ways to brown a stew without the flour.
I think that the temperature that the meat is browned is more important than the flour. The flour is used for thickening later in the process, but careful reduction on the stove can easily accomplish this thing.
I think that you need to be careful with the timing of the veggies in the liquid you don't overcook the veggies. Pull them out after they have been blanched and a little longer. Then reduce the stock without the meat. This will allow the stock to reduce and get that flavor. Then put the meat back in and add s little liquid to let it continue to cook. The veggies go back in last again (old Chinese way).
The main thing is to let the meat brown against some real metal instead of Teflon. Then deglaze it so that you have browning and liquid. The flour just saves some time at the end. Also separating the meat cooking from the veggie cooking is important. The both can me cooked in the same pot but not necssarily for the same amount of time or in the same cumulative order.
After a glass and half of a good red wine it won't matter if you used flour or not.
: ) Pat
I think that the temperature that the meat is browned is more important than the flour. The flour is used for thickening later in the process, but careful reduction on the stove can easily accomplish this thing.
I think that you need to be careful with the timing of the veggies in the liquid you don't overcook the veggies. Pull them out after they have been blanched and a little longer. Then reduce the stock without the meat. This will allow the stock to reduce and get that flavor. Then put the meat back in and add s little liquid to let it continue to cook. The veggies go back in last again (old Chinese way).
The main thing is to let the meat brown against some real metal instead of Teflon. Then deglaze it so that you have browning and liquid. The flour just saves some time at the end. Also separating the meat cooking from the veggie cooking is important. The both can me cooked in the same pot but not necssarily for the same amount of time or in the same cumulative order.
After a glass and half of a good red wine it won't matter if you used flour or not.
: ) Pat
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
Dinner Tonight
Often in cooking it is not the exotic or expensive ingredients that make a great meal. Rather it is the care in which it is prepared.
Dinner tonight:
chicken in a white wine
Frozen Peas
Late Harvest plums and white peaches
I cut up a fosters farm fryer. Removed all skin (except wings) and browned it in olive oil. In the pan I also rough cut up an onion. Everything browned together. I added a bottle of Fetzer Chardonnay (almost a full bottle) and let it cook down and finish cooking the chicken. When I had about a cup and a half of reduction left I removed the chicken pieces and let it further reduce. Even without flour it turned golden brown and tasty. When liquid was down to about a half a cup I reinserted the chicken pieces and turned the gravy over the top of the pieces. After five more minutes I turned off the stove. The microwave got the peas and the cutting board saw the last of the stone fruit for a fruit salad.
Sue is not much of a sauce person but that doesn't stop me. I cut up her half of chicken breast pie and spooned the gravy over it.
She liked the meal but told me that she prefers the chicken morengo.
Pat
Dinner tonight:
chicken in a white wine
Frozen Peas
Late Harvest plums and white peaches
I cut up a fosters farm fryer. Removed all skin (except wings) and browned it in olive oil. In the pan I also rough cut up an onion. Everything browned together. I added a bottle of Fetzer Chardonnay (almost a full bottle) and let it cook down and finish cooking the chicken. When I had about a cup and a half of reduction left I removed the chicken pieces and let it further reduce. Even without flour it turned golden brown and tasty. When liquid was down to about a half a cup I reinserted the chicken pieces and turned the gravy over the top of the pieces. After five more minutes I turned off the stove. The microwave got the peas and the cutting board saw the last of the stone fruit for a fruit salad.
Sue is not much of a sauce person but that doesn't stop me. I cut up her half of chicken breast pie and spooned the gravy over it.
She liked the meal but told me that she prefers the chicken morengo.
Pat
Monday, November 5, 2007
Passing Inspection
The foreman dropped by the house as I was feeding the cats. He said that the house had passed all of the needed inspections so that it was ready to really roll. The water and the gas and the electricity was all passed. The added post was in position and ready for the inspector. We are getting some more buckets to put our DVDS and CDs in for the move from one side of the house to the other so that the new flooring material could be installed.
I am still walking every day. The sun actually came up today now that we are an hour later in comic time than the clock time. Today I was teaching an association lesson. I was also trying for them to connect to the vocabulary that I taught this year (transportation jobs, construction jobs) and last year's restaurant jobs. Some of the freshman as anxious to get me into showing the next movie. The next movie in the sequence is Tuck Everlasting. I am hopeful that we will get a little philosophic number going in these literal kids. Tuck everlasting is about drinking from the fountain of youth. The philosophic part is at what age would you like to be be forever. Many students pick an age before 21 because of their experience. They want to be a little older, but not exceptionally older. Do you think that this should be put up in the poll section. If you think so.. write me a comment and I will poll the readers.
Thanks
Pat
I am still walking every day. The sun actually came up today now that we are an hour later in comic time than the clock time. Today I was teaching an association lesson. I was also trying for them to connect to the vocabulary that I taught this year (transportation jobs, construction jobs) and last year's restaurant jobs. Some of the freshman as anxious to get me into showing the next movie. The next movie in the sequence is Tuck Everlasting. I am hopeful that we will get a little philosophic number going in these literal kids. Tuck everlasting is about drinking from the fountain of youth. The philosophic part is at what age would you like to be be forever. Many students pick an age before 21 because of their experience. They want to be a little older, but not exceptionally older. Do you think that this should be put up in the poll section. If you think so.. write me a comment and I will poll the readers.
Thanks
Pat
Sunday, November 4, 2007
A Rosebowl Day
Today is one of those days that the folks from the midwest would pack their bags and head for California.
This morning it was warm. At 3:25 today it was 74 degrees in Merced. It is warm and beautiful. Dad always said the Rose Bowl parade was responsible for the movement of the people from the midwest to the West Coast. Today is one of those days in the valley. Its a USC kind of football days. Can you hear the band with its fight song? It is step marching on to the field with their Trojan helmets and capes. If we were further south the announcer would wax poetic over the beautiful San Gabriel mountains in the back. Its a little hazy but it is a good kind of hazy. The light is effected in a golden filter sort of olive green way.
One of the things I miss when I travel the 99 is the old fruit stands that sold olives, oranges, and nuts. Don't forget the Mammoth Orange hamburger stands. There is only one left. It is in Madera on 99. We never needed one of those since we had sandwiches with sandwich spread and Shasta soda packed away for our lunch when we traveled.
There is always one month that PGnE goes without much support in the Spring and one in the Fall. This is month for the Fall. It has extended a little longer than usual and with the lack of water in the lakes we are all hoping for a wet winter.. just a little later and spread over a couple of months.
This morning it was warm. At 3:25 today it was 74 degrees in Merced. It is warm and beautiful. Dad always said the Rose Bowl parade was responsible for the movement of the people from the midwest to the West Coast. Today is one of those days in the valley. Its a USC kind of football days. Can you hear the band with its fight song? It is step marching on to the field with their Trojan helmets and capes. If we were further south the announcer would wax poetic over the beautiful San Gabriel mountains in the back. Its a little hazy but it is a good kind of hazy. The light is effected in a golden filter sort of olive green way.
One of the things I miss when I travel the 99 is the old fruit stands that sold olives, oranges, and nuts. Don't forget the Mammoth Orange hamburger stands. There is only one left. It is in Madera on 99. We never needed one of those since we had sandwiches with sandwich spread and Shasta soda packed away for our lunch when we traveled.
There is always one month that PGnE goes without much support in the Spring and one in the Fall. This is month for the Fall. It has extended a little longer than usual and with the lack of water in the lakes we are all hoping for a wet winter.. just a little later and spread over a couple of months.
Time Change
This is the day that we "Fall back" that means we get back the hour of sleep that we so willingly gave up in the Spring. I know it doesn't work that way. This year was strange because we were delayed several weeks to increase our productivity.. or something,
Apparently I am not the only one that get warped around when they mess with my lineal clock. Sue read me an article in the common press that says that there are more pedestrian accidents when the time changes. Drivers are not in their right mind.
I can't tell you how many drivers we busy texting with their cell phones while driving down the 101. That certainly is not in your right mind. I always hate it when the driver is making a large sweeping left had turn in their car across the pedestrian crosswalk with a cell phone in their left hand. Certainly not in their right mind.
I think the 49ers have a chance to win a game today. They are playing the Atlanta falcons. Right up there with the Miami dolphins in losses this year those Falcons made a nose dive after the Vick debacle.
Have a great Sunday
Pat
Apparently I am not the only one that get warped around when they mess with my lineal clock. Sue read me an article in the common press that says that there are more pedestrian accidents when the time changes. Drivers are not in their right mind.
I can't tell you how many drivers we busy texting with their cell phones while driving down the 101. That certainly is not in your right mind. I always hate it when the driver is making a large sweeping left had turn in their car across the pedestrian crosswalk with a cell phone in their left hand. Certainly not in their right mind.
I think the 49ers have a chance to win a game today. They are playing the Atlanta falcons. Right up there with the Miami dolphins in losses this year those Falcons made a nose dive after the Vick debacle.
Have a great Sunday
Pat
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Farmers Maket
I just got back from a weekly visit to the farmers market in downtown Merced. It is held every Saturday and features about 12 farmers from the local area marketing everything from tomatoes to bakery goods. This was the first time that bakery goods were there since I have been going. Lots of greens and many fruits. Last week was the end of the pit fruits. This week still had great tomatoes and grapes available. Sue is always wanting a "little" apple for her midnight snack. Most stores only stock big apples that are more than a bite. Today I picked up some small fujis at 1.00 a pound. I also got some concord grapes. I think the farmer looked through his concords and thought that he had a few to sell. These are Sue's absolute favorite. Woody, Sue's brother really loves them too. One year when he was out to see us with his wife and kids he came over from San Jose and demonstrated his squeeze,squirt, and discard method of eating concord grapes without eating the skin,
I picked up a loaf of 5 seeded bread. The bakery vendor said that it was the Cadillac of the breads since it had seeds and nuts in it like sunflower and macadamia We shall see when I use it for toast on Sunday morning.
If you have a chance get out to your local farmer's market and enjoy the fruits of November.
love
Pat
I picked up a loaf of 5 seeded bread. The bakery vendor said that it was the Cadillac of the breads since it had seeds and nuts in it like sunflower and macadamia We shall see when I use it for toast on Sunday morning.
If you have a chance get out to your local farmer's market and enjoy the fruits of November.
love
Pat
Week at the house
The construction is going on at the remodel. The construction team has been busy putting in all of the connections to the electricity, water and gas. The wall board is sitting on the floor of one of the new rooms ready for installation next week. The jacuuzzi tub is ready for installation with tile. The fireplace is in place and framed. All the connections for the kitchen and the laundry areas have been made. Even some popcorn ceiling has been scraped. (Don't tell Sue but I feel that this is the real reason that we have been doing all of this). The first thing that all of the real estate remodel shows show on T.V. when they tour the potential houses is yuck the popcorn ceilings have to go.. yada yada yada. So our popcorn ceiling have to go.
The cats are doing well. I go over and see them every morning before the construction crew arrives, and every night after they have gone. They seem to be hooked on the daily canned fish products that they score when I arrive.
Linzi is to be moved this weekend. She told mom that she has it all covered. They are moving out of the residence in in Sacto and into a ground level apt not far from the center of town again. Its a four plex with a little garden. They have nixed their car purchase after getting the dealer down to 100 dollars above invoice. They were ticked that it took three and half hours and they wanted them to sign a statement that they were not promised something that was not provided at the time. This was not the case as they had agreed to a detailing of the car and it was not going to happen. Hell hath no fury.....The dealer wanted to tear up the agreement and it was fine by Linzi and Sean. She made a big scene on the way out the door.. Watch out for that slow burning Scot and the Irish temper! Add to it the Italian husband.. ooh
: )
Pat
The cats are doing well. I go over and see them every morning before the construction crew arrives, and every night after they have gone. They seem to be hooked on the daily canned fish products that they score when I arrive.
Linzi is to be moved this weekend. She told mom that she has it all covered. They are moving out of the residence in in Sacto and into a ground level apt not far from the center of town again. Its a four plex with a little garden. They have nixed their car purchase after getting the dealer down to 100 dollars above invoice. They were ticked that it took three and half hours and they wanted them to sign a statement that they were not promised something that was not provided at the time. This was not the case as they had agreed to a detailing of the car and it was not going to happen. Hell hath no fury.....The dealer wanted to tear up the agreement and it was fine by Linzi and Sean. She made a big scene on the way out the door.. Watch out for that slow burning Scot and the Irish temper! Add to it the Italian husband.. ooh
: )
Pat
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Post Halloween
Piles of candy.. going to the counseling dept at school
No self control to keep it at home.
No kids to get the candy.. even in the apt. no trust
I remember in the day hitting every house with a light on in Country Club Estates in South City. We even got half the homes in Buri Buri and some in Winston Manor. My what a big bag we used to get. Sometimes we would fill a pillowcase. Always more than I have to turn in to the counselors tomorrow. We always went back to the homes that gave out miniature candy bars. Now they are commonplace. Candy was a big thing then.. and so was soda pop. My it seems rather weird to write soda pop.
Family history says that a pepsi was awaiting Dad daily when he finished teaching his first years. This was there only luxury.
We just got back from a day at Stanford out patient. Sue saw a doctor who specializes in immunology (arthritis). He spent an hour and a half looking and writing and asking questions about Sue's story. All good except Sue was hoping he would focus on her pain a little more. I guess we need to take that up with the local doctor.
She needs another knee replacement. She wants to wait until the Summer when I am more available to help. Until then we will be working the strength cycle. More PT should be in her future.
Cats were happy to see me home. Three cans full.
Love
Pat
No self control to keep it at home.
No kids to get the candy.. even in the apt. no trust
I remember in the day hitting every house with a light on in Country Club Estates in South City. We even got half the homes in Buri Buri and some in Winston Manor. My what a big bag we used to get. Sometimes we would fill a pillowcase. Always more than I have to turn in to the counselors tomorrow. We always went back to the homes that gave out miniature candy bars. Now they are commonplace. Candy was a big thing then.. and so was soda pop. My it seems rather weird to write soda pop.
Family history says that a pepsi was awaiting Dad daily when he finished teaching his first years. This was there only luxury.
We just got back from a day at Stanford out patient. Sue saw a doctor who specializes in immunology (arthritis). He spent an hour and a half looking and writing and asking questions about Sue's story. All good except Sue was hoping he would focus on her pain a little more. I guess we need to take that up with the local doctor.
She needs another knee replacement. She wants to wait until the Summer when I am more available to help. Until then we will be working the strength cycle. More PT should be in her future.
Cats were happy to see me home. Three cans full.
Love
Pat
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