April 2009
A Little of Many Things
Dinner at Adele's for Al's 80th
Left to right - Joan, Al, Marv, Judy, Gordy, Cheri, Roy and Diane
April 2009
A Little of Many Things
Dinner at Adele's for Al's 80th
Left to right - Joan, Al, Marv, Judy, Gordy, Cheri, Roy and Diane
April had winter days mixed in with lovely spring days and a few summer days thrown in to remind us what is coming.
Our friend, Al, turned 80 this year. He made Marv swear to not have a party but he did agree to let some of us go out to dinner with him to celebrate it. Gordy, Buster and I headed over the hill for a visit. It had been awhile since we had been to Al's house in Minden, NV. The day we went, it was raining. We did have some snow when we crossed over the pass, but the roads were clear and we didn't need our chains.
We arrived around lunch time. Al's cousin, Joan, had also flown out from New York to spend time with him for his birthday. So, Al, Joan, Gordy and I went to Bodine's for lunch. The place had been a rustic bar and restaurant near Costco. It was one of Al's favorite places to eat and we had gone there with him before. Boy were we surprised! Sometime since our last visit, they had torn down the old place and built a casino with a restaurant. We had to go through the casino to get to it. Of course once we stepped into the place, we were hit with the smell of cigarette smoke. However, when we entered the restaurant, there was absolutely no cigarette smell. Their ventilation systems was really good. The food was delicious and not over priced, but we missed the ambience of the old place.
That evening everyone met at Al's house. Al opened his gifts before we went to dinner. I am always amazed that rarely are there ever two cards alike.
Marv hosted Al's birthday dinner at Adele's in Carson City. It is an old Victorian style building filled with antiques (my sister says that at one time it was a bordello). You walk into the bar that has a huge fire place. Since it was cold that day, they had a roaring fire in it. They have a very imaginative menu. I had duck breast with a chocolate and cherry sauce. Gordy had a seafood jambalaya that was so big that we actually got another dinner out of it (I only had to add a little more seafood). The meal was excellent. If you get a chance to go, I do recommend it. But, I must warn you, it is a little pricey - more on the San Francisco scale with dinner entrees $26.00 and up.
The next day, since we were all still there, we had a potluck dinner at Al's. Al did his ribs which were wonderful as usual. The rest of us brought side dishes and we ended with more of Al's birthday cake. Judy had found this wonderful chocolate mousse cake in Tahoe. Ah, the party continued!
The weather was cool but nice. Al's daffodils and crocus were blooming. At home, ours were already finished. I love these plants, so it was a treat to get to experience them again. We spent the time playing with the dogs, watching Al's fish, talking, eating, and some played cards. Al's Aunt Phil had sent a lovely flower arrangement. I actually got to talk to her when she called while Al was out. She was happy to know the flowers had arrived.
On Saturday morning, Gordy and I went to visit "Over-the-hill Mike", Mike Burnsworth, W7MJB, and his wife Mary. They live in Gardnerville, NV, which is near Al's house, and is the reason for the nickname "Over-the-hill Mike". Gordy and Mike have spoken to each other for years via HAM radio but had never met. Usually when we have been at Al's, Mike has not been home. It was fun to put a face to the voice.
At the end of April, Mike and Mary take their motorhome to Topaz Lake and spend about two months there fishing and partying. He invited Gordy and I to join them and bring Jim if he wants to come! Topaz Lake is not to far from Gardnerville. When Gordy and I left Mike, we took a jaunt to the lake to have a look-see. We found the campground and I went in the office to get their brochure. Julie was behind the desk accompanied by her three border collies. I knew this would be a got spot to take Buster. So, we will pack up the motorhome at the end of May and join Mike and Mary at Topaz Lake. Jim has gently declined.
The American River is running a little higher now since they are letting more water out of Folsom Lake. We are still getting rain so the Lake level isn't dropping too much. Buster enjoys running us on our walks. The wildlife varies from week to week. The green heron has returned. They for some unknown reason always remind me of a clown. From time to time I make an attempt at cairning. My current attempt (pictured below) was to balance a round rock on the tip of a gray rock standing upright (sort of like a seal balancing a ball). For the last couple of weeks, it is still there, although sometimes I have to rebalance the ball.
The week afte we came back from Al's, we had John's birthday dinner. He is now 42. Then we left to meet our friends, Dave and CarolAnn, at the Three Rivers Jazzaffair. Unfortunately, Buster couldn't join us. The campgrouund, Kaweah Park Resort, where Dave had made reservations only allowed dogs less than 20 pounds. At 46 pounds, Buster was just too big. John graciously offered to dog sit.
Gordy and I drove to Three Rivers on Thursday. Dave and CarolAnn came in on Friday because Dave had to work. We towed the truck so we would have transportation to and from the jazz venues. This was the first time we used the buddy brake that we had bought for the truck. A buddy brake is connected to the motorhome so that when Gordy puts on its brakes, the truck's brakes are also applied. There is about a three second delay so if you lightly touch the brakes, then the truck isn't affected. Gordy said he could tell the difference with the buddy brake - he felt more in control.
The campground was right on the Kaweah River (Three Rivers is named because the north, middle and south forks of the Kaweah River converge there). The scenery was spectacular - we were just out side of Sequoia National Park. After setting up camp, Gordy and I sat outside and had a glass of wine. I noticed this bird flying to and from one tree. It turns out the bird was a starling. It had a nest in a hole in the tree and was feeding its young.
On Friday, Gordy and I went to the Lion's Arena Pavilion to pick up our passes and listen to some music. There were three venues for the event and a shuttle ran between them. To get us to the first venue, Gordy had cleaned out the back seat of our truck - yes, it does have a back seat for two people complete with safety belts. It's a little hard to get in and out but since CarolAnn and I are short, not too bad for short trips.
Dave and CarolAnn were slated to arrive around dinner time, so Gordy and I returned to the campsight to get dinner ready - ribs and first of the season corn on the cob. The weather was so mild that we could eat outside. We hadn't been together since our trip to Oceano Dunes which meant we had a lot of catching up to do.
Dave and CarolAnn were able to bring their two dogs because both of them are under twenty pounds (and I mean combined weight). Cricket and Lady gave me some doggy love, but I still missed Buster. It turns out, Lady didn't want to have anything to do with getting near the river and Cricket jumped right in. Poor CarolAnn got pulled in two directions.
Anyway, the festival started Friday afternoon and ran until Sunday afternoon. The beauty of this festival is its size. It's more intimate, not the hugh crowds of Sacramento. There were nine bands including some we have seen at the Sacramento Jazz Festival. Bob Williams (from the late Wooden Nickle Jazz Band) was playing with Fulton Street Jazz Band and Bob Ringwald (Yes, Molly's dad). Actually we sort of thought it should be renamed the Bob Jazz Band because three of the performers were named Bob. Dave introduced us to Bob Ringwald and his wife, Adele. Bob Ringwald is a HAM, so Gordy had actually spoken to him on the radio. It was fun to talk to him and his wife. As they left, I waved good-bye and Dave chuckled - Bob is blind. "Do you know what you did?" he asked me. I looked at him and said, "I was waving to Adele." Touche!
On Saturday, Gordy, Dave and I went off to listen to the bands. CarolAnn had some projects to complete so she stayed with the dogs at the campground during the day and joined us for the after dinner sets. We started at the Lion's Arena Pavilion. The venue is a combination of a three sided aluminum building where the stage is located and a lawn area. We had brought some chairs and decided to sit out on the lawn. Part of the fun at festivals is watching the people as you listen to music. Yes, there were some red hatters and there was this one guy in a Mount Rushmore t-shirt. The back of the t-shirt showed an artists rendition of the backside of Mount Rushmore. We also watch the swallows zoom in and out of the beam supporting the roof of the building. Turns out, that is where they had their nests and were also busy feeding babies.
Dave talks to Bob Williams - Fulton Street Jazz Band performs
Another band we saw was Tom Rigney and Flambeau. They play a combination of zydeco, two-steps, blues and ballads. The founder, Tom Rigney, is the son of a great baseball player for the San Francisco Giants, Bill Rigney. Tom got an Master of Fine Arts from Harvard and became part of a bluegrass/swing band then switched to zydeco. He is a magnificant fiddle player. Dave looked at me and commented, "Do you wonder how his dad felt, out there playing great baseball, while his son was taking violin lessons?" Just makes you wonder . . .
We had a delightful time with Dave, CarolAnn and the Three Rivers Jazzaffair. The weather turned really warm - our few sprinkled summer days in April. Gordy and I had a nice trip home and were very happy to see Buster. They have dry camping at the Lion's Arena Pavilion. Next year, Gordy and I may stay there so Buster can join us.
On Monday, after we got home, Engine 844, Southern Pacific's last steam locomotive was taking a tour of Northern California and slated to leave Roseville for Oakland at 8:00 am. 844 is operated as an ambassador of goodwill for the railroad. Gordy and I decided to watch the train go by. We hoped in the truck and found a spot by the tracks. There were other HAM's at various points including Roseville, so we were able to know what was happening. Turns out the train got a late start. While we were waiting, about 5 or 6 people stopped to ask us what was happening. One lady's father had worked on the steam locomotive and they had gone to see it when it was on display in Roseville. She said he talked to the guys running the train and found out things are still done pretty much the same as they were done in his days. The first thing we spotted was the column of steam off in the distance. Then it roared by going around 76 mph. What a blast.
There it Goes -
The last Union Pacific Steam Engine No. 844 on Its Way to Oakland from Roseville
The Woman's Thursday Club of Fair Oaks held it's annual fashion show and luncheon. The proceeds go to fund 3 - $1,000 scholarships. This year, I designed the program cover. Our theme was "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah". I had fun with bright colors, birds, butterflies, flowers, sunshine and dragonflies - Spring! I wanted a three dementional touch to the cover and had found these fun stickers. Unfortunately, the cost would have been prohibitive. So, Mary Jo and I decided to make the butterfly. We had work parties with members cutting out the two shapes and then putting them on the covers that I had printed out. The final touch was a little wire antenna that I had spent hours in front of the TV cutting and curling. Interestingly, it was the antenna that got alot of comments - for the good. All-in-all, the program cover was a success and so was the luncheon.
Marilyn modeled this year. I was tempted because I like the clothes they carry at Draper's and Damon's. But, the time I did model their clothes, I ended up buying two outfits. So, I opted out as I knew I would probably do the same this time. Marilyn's last outfit was the blue dress, sort of a dress you would take with you on vacation. So, to say that, Marilyn got up on the runway and took pictures of the audience like she really was on vacation.
It really was a long day. We had assembled at North Ridge Country Club aqt 9:30 am to get the roon decorated. One of my other jobs was to sell raffle tickets. So I roamed the room before the event. Then, after it was over, I helped with the clean-up. Marilyn invited me over for a glass of wine and we sat in her back yard relaxing. Her yard is beautifuyl and her roses were in full bloom. What a perfect way to end the day.
The rest of the month was spent messing around the house, doing our walks and normal type of stuff. I have put in some tomatoes and peppers. So far they are just sitting there as the weather has cooled again. In fact, the first of May has been all rain. Sacramento set a record for the most rain on May 1st with .87 inches. The old record was .59 inches and was set in 1905.
We see and hear a lot of funny things on our walks by the river. One day last week, we went up to check on the secret lake. As we approached the edge, there was a hawk sitting in a tree near where we were headed. I was surprised when Buster went under the hawk and the hawk didn't fly away. They always fly away if you get too close to the tree where they are sitting. Then Gordy walked under him and the hawk still didn't fly away. So, I stood there taking picture after picture and the hawk still sat. It wasn't until I looked at the pictures after we got home that I found out why the hawk just sat. He had no tail!
This morning (May 4) we started our walk and I heard someone screaming but couldn't see anyone. It was a really harsh scream, like some one screaming bloody murder. Gordy finally found what it was. A coyote was sitting just on the other side of a rock pile. When he screamed he would lift his head straight up and you could see it above the rocks. When he wasn't screaming, all you could see was the tips of his ears. Buster wanted nothing to do with the coyote and was happy when we got by him (yes, for his safety, Buster was on a leash). Gordy figured it was probably a young coyote calling to his parents wanting to know why they weren't back with the cats they had promised for breakfast!
So, that's where we are.
Thanks for stopping by,
