I think there is a conspiracy against me. Every time I am ready to write my blog and get it done early so I can get to bed on time my cell phone rings.  Both by husband and my daughter know just when it is quiet time for me.  My son is probably too busy with work, the house, two boys, law school, and trying to find time to sleep than to call often.  We usually connect only about once a week or so.  Otherwise I might not even get the blog written.

Today was a family day. First I drove into Oakland to visit with my aunt Lois.  She lives in a care facility due to her health.  This part of Oakland is close to where the riots have been.  I had to park a way from the building and walk up a hill to where my aunt lives.  I walked in the middle of the residential road as I felt safer than being on the sidewalk. Too many bushes and people about. If somebody was going to see me I wanted everyone to see me.  I made it to and from my car safely and my car was intact when I returned from the visit.

Aunt Lois did not recognize me.  She said if she hadn’t been expecting me she would not have known me.  She looked different to me also.  It has probably been 15 years since I have seen her.  I do look different and OLDER!  I had a haircut yesterday (short) and she definitely pointed out that she did not like my hair.  She kept asking me what happened to my hair.  Oh well…I like my hair and that is all that really matters.  It was good to visit with my mom’s sister after all these years.   I know it must be difficult to be so confined when your mind is sharp, as hers is.  We had a 75 minute visit and then I had to leave to meet my sisters for lunch.  Before leaving I prayed with her and gave her my farewells.  I am very glad I had a chance to see her for awhile.  I love all my aunts and my one uncle who is still living.  Please take time to visit those you love who may not have the opportunity to come visit you.  You never know when your last window of opportunity is still open.

Met my two sisters, Velma and Faith at Velma’s home in Walnut Creek.  We drove over a bridge on the bay and went to “Captain Jack’s” for lunch.  Captain Jacks sits right on the shoreline overlooking the waterway.  It has a commanding view and a peaceful surrounding.  It is in some sort of old building that looks authentic to its surroundings.  It is in the town of Benicia, a quaint, well kept, seaside town that attracts artisans from around the world.  There is an old World War II arsenal that is on the waters edge that has been converted to art studios and galleries and resale shops as well as other businesses.  Very quaint, rustic and authentic buildings that show their age, their durability, and are now living a new life to a new generation.  These business face the water’s edge where the ships used to come in and load up with ammunition to send to Hawaii after the bombing there, as well as to other parts of the world.

While on the bluffs overlooking the water we happened upon two very interesting buildings, both huge and impressive.  The first is described below in this excerpt from the internet. I will post a photo of it.

• The Clock Tower Fortress, 1189 Washington Street: Built in 1859, this sandstone military bastion was strategically built atop Army Point to control the key passageway of Carquinez Strait to the gold mines of the interior and was designed to protect the post from Indian attacks, although the “Old Fort” never fired a shot in anger, even during the alarms of Civil War days. It is located in the Arsenal and is available for the public to rent for special events through the City’s Parks and Community Services Department.

The second building:

• Commanding Officer’s Quarters Mansion, 1 Commandant’s Lane: Built in 1860 by Col. Julian McAllister, the two-story, 20-room Greek Revival mansion was used as a residence for the Commander of the Benicia Arsenal. Now owned by the City of Benicia, it is listed on the National Register of Historical Buildings. The Quarters was recently restored by the City of Benicia and is located in the Arsenal across the parking lot from the Clock Tower Fortress.

I walked into the Commanding Officer’s Quarters Mansion and left  Velma and Faith to rest in the car.  The mansion was beautiful!  Huge, open and OCCUPIED!  After I walked in without knocking two men came from a room adjacent to the grand entry hall.  These men were William and Carter.  Carter has had a dream to open up what he calls “Carter Biz Cafe” a place where travelers can congregate and share experiences and gain knowledge from other travelers.  I don’ t have information  on this concept so can’t pass it on at a deeper level.  Carter envisions opening Carter’s Biz Cafe’s all over the country and forming a networking of people working personally with other people in large rooms sharing travel experiences and sharing the wisdoms of the travelers.  I took some photos of their endeavor and will include a photo of Carter and I.   I guess he makes friends quickly because he reached out and hugged me for the picture.  I think he was just excited that I stopped by, being that I am a traveler, on a journey, and had actually stopped by this beautiful mansion to garner knowledge and just to have the experience of my exploration.

Benicia is like an undiscovered jewel.  It is tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the East Bay traffic and noise along side the Carquinez Straights.  It has interesting views, cool ocean breezes and well kept old graceful neighborhoods.  I imagine it is an expensive place to buy a house.  There are a lot of beautiful places in the Bay Area that would make wonderful retirement experiences if it were not for the exorbitant cost of homes.  I think I would enjoy living in Benicia.

While in Benicia we also stopped at the second state capitol of California.  The first state capitol was in Monterey CA, the second in Benicia (for 14 months) and the final one in Sacramento.  I’ll include some photos from the exterior of the capital and its out buildings.  The main building was closed and we could not enter.

It was finally time for me to leave so I returned a call to my friend Albert to let him know I would be stopping by (as we had previously discussed).  I have had only one short visit with him since coming to the area and since he lives a few short blocks from Jeanette in the same neighborhood I wanted to stop over, say farewell and get one last hug.  We strolled around his garden, talked a bit, hugged and again it was time to say goodbye to another beloved friend.  I don’t think of it as a sad thing however.  It seems to be a happy thought for me because it signifies the fact that I was spending time with him for all those moments I was there.  My wisdom for this day:  “Remember it is only the moment of NOW in which we have to live.  Do not look back with regrets or allow the future concerns of your tomorrows rob you of even one moment of today’s joy”.

I came “home” to Jeanette’s with plans to begin my blog at 7:00 p.m. and be in bed by 9:00 a.m. because I have another busy day of Family events.  It is now  10:00 p.m.  I will include some photos with this blog taken at Benicia.

P.S.  After proofreading it is now 10:44 p.m.

Good night!