Monday November 23 2015  MORE TO THE STORY…

 

When I opened my computer this afternoon I found an email from my older sister regarding yesterday’s blog.  It was interesting to read her review of what I wrote yesterday.  She was about 15 years old when we moved into the government housing and so she has a better memory and perspective than I would from age six through twelve.  I will include her email so you can read an eye view from someone who was familiar with that area from age 16 through twenty one.  She only lived in the apartments until she graduated and moved away from home at about 18.  I thought her comments lent an older more mature reason for some of what I talked about.

The following is borrowed from her email:

“Comment: A good interesting blog to me – almost like a short story.  I liked the child perspective but there were many reasons why there were no trees.  Those project buildings were built during war time; probably only to last 10 years or so.  Probably, hurriedly built underground utilities was a good reason not to allow any planting and digging.  After WWII people didn’t want to leave this area so they stayed where they were until they bought houses in Pleasant Hill for $4,000 to $7,000. Those houses now sell for almost a half a million dollars. Then Bayo Vista was turned into low-cost housing.  Thank the Good Lord that housing was still there for us when we needed it.  In Pleasant Hill home owners have to check with the city before they dig in their own yards to plant a tree. I could give you lots more history on the Bay Area and the effects of the war and aftermath of the war.  There were ship yards in Richmond that brought in all of the black people from the south and they didn’t want to return to the south.  Who could blame them; better climate, and no segregation; so they stayed.  Housing cost here is worse than after WWII.  People are willing to pay close to a million a dollars for a house like mine; just to have a place to live with good schools, or more than 700 square feet of living space.  You see why I don’t want to sell.  IF YOU DON’T OWN YOUR HOME YOU COULD BE ON THE STREET IN A NANO SECOND…
Time: November 22, 2015 at 11:10 PM”

There was more but I used only what I thought pertained to the blog and a bit of the area as it is today.  I thought what she added was quite interesting.  I think I would like to find out more in the future.  Most of our communication is through email due to my sister’s hearing loss.  I can hear her on the phone but she has difficulty hearing what I say. 

Today is a work day for me.  I have three days to finish the order I need to get to the lab in order to deliver on time.  Waiting for a call back from the lab before I can continue.  Dave and I also have a commitment this evening so my time will be cut very short in my office.  Not having to cook a Thanksgiving meal for company has been a great relief for me this week.  I am so looking forward to eating out (less work for me) together as a family.  Not quite the same thing but it will make this week work for all of us.

Can’t wait to have my retirement party!  The one I’ll celebrate in my head!  When I send off the very last of everything I am going to dance a jig.  After the first of the year I will tackle what must be done to prepare for my  spring sale of studio equipment.  I’m going to try to have EVERYTHING REGARDING PHOTOS accomplished by December 1^st and then take the month of December off so I can do my duty and watch one Christmas movie per day.  You see, I have recorded a lot of them on the DVR and I must get them off before we start dropping the programs that Dave likes to watch.  So, I must do my duty!

It is cold here folks.  I know some of you who read this blog also live in cold country so you can commiserate with me.  I’m not complaining, just reporting the facts.  My favorite place to be on cold winter nights is tucked into bed under comforters and quilts so heavy that it is an effort to turn over.  But, oh it is so warm.  I love it.  I wear my little fuzzy toe socks and they keep my feet nice and posty toasty!  I think just looking at the snow in the dimming lights lends my brain to thinking it is colder than it is. 

 

AND THAT IS THE REASON

By Kathleen Martens

November 23, 2015

 

Tis the month of November

And already under snow.

The winter is coming

More quickly than slow.

 

The nights come early,

The days end quickly.

We eat hearty and healthy

To avoid being sickly.

 

Jackets, coats, scarves and mittens

Are winter’s favored attire,

So we don’t freeze to death

And then too soon expire.

 

Wear stocking caps and socks,

And pull out the quilts.

And we turn up the heat

Without any guilt!

 

A warm cup of tea

Before we don our gloves

Getting ready for December

Because it’s filed with such love.

 

For that is when we celebrate

The birth of God’s son

So salvation could happen

When His crucifixion was done.

 

A full month of joy

To remember Christ’s birth.

And that is the reason

Christmas has worth.

 

It is almost dark at 4:50 p.m. so I will close with a wonderful GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS YOU!