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May 8, 2015 DAY 62 SAN FRANCISCO FOR A PURPOSE
I imagine there are hundreds of people who flock into San Francisco daily just for the delight of visiting and exploring all the city has to offer. Well, today Jeanette and I took BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) under the bay to visit with a different purpose. As a child I was fortunate enough to live in the San Francisco Bay area (Rodeo) an my mother made certain that we, as children, were exposed to as much opportunity and variety as possible on her limited budget. Her best friend Merle lived in the apartment below us (mother of my best and closest friend Albert) and owned a station wagon! What a luxury. In 1954 we had the grand experience of becoming a car owner of a new 1954 Chevrolet. But it wasn’t a STATION WAGON! Merel’s three kids and mama’s two youngest (which included me, as my older sisters wouldn’t be caught dead doing things with their younger siblings) would go on an adventure to San Francisco. We all sat in the back of the expansive wagon and played imaginary piano keyboards on the wheel hubs that stuck up through the floor. We waved at all the truck drivers and felt triumphant when they would honk their loud truck horns at us. We would be mesmerized as we traveled close to the edge of the bay bridge and peered out across the bay at Alcatraz. Many of the museums, exploratoreums and aquariums were free at that time. We always packed a picnic because I don’t even know if fast food places existed back then. If they did we didn’t have the money to go. We would also go to the Palace of Fine Arts which was like a fairy tail wonderland to me. High columns of magical doors and lakes that reflected the clouds skuttling by on a clear day. We often lived at the zoo for an entire and never tired of our adventures to San Francisco.
And now, back to San Francisco. I think over the years I have been to every garden, museum, tourist attraction, the different “towns” like China towns and eaten some delicious meals. Most of the meals were after I was grown, not as a kid. But today, San Francisco was for a different purpose. Jeanette and I were visiting a very special friend. Her name Kay and I have know her since we were teenagers. I saw her parents one evening in the basement of the J.C. Penney’s department store in San Leandro California and was bold enough (imagine that) to go up and and introduce myself (now remember I was a teenager) and to tell them how much I loved going to hear their daughter sing. They were always with her at concerts when she performed with two other teens. Their singing was so beautiful and had the unique harmonizing capability that caused the voices to sound like velvet. Kay’s voice still sounds like velvet. Her mom and dad were so impressed that I would come up to them and speak with them that they asked where I attended church. They showed up the next week and attended there after because they wanted their daughter to know me. Well, Kay and I hit is off from the beginning. She was a couple years younger but it seems I always attracted the younger crowds because I willing to talk to everyone. Sounds like I am patting myself on the back but I don’t mean for it to sound that way. It’s just the facts and I never thought anything about it.
This entire family had a great influence on my life in future years. They gave me a glimpse of what it was like to live in a beautiful home. At one time I actually ended up living with them before I married so I could save for the wedding.
Well, today Jeanette and I were privileged to once again meet up with Kay. We took the BART over and walked to a local cafe where Kay had taken a taxi to arrive. We sat in the middle of a very old San Francisco building, in a quaint cafe that served the most fattening, greasy, butter soaked San Francisco Sour Dough French bread, grilled to perfection! It was heavenly. It is a good thing I couldn’t find any to buy and bring back with me. That grilled sandwich was such a delicious fancy. I just watched (almost in horror) as I saw the renditions of foods that came from that kitchen and covertly watch as those around me actually ate the entire plateful of food. It was an amazing and interesting experience.
We three talked and talked and remembered and laughed and cried and just enjoyed the presence of friendship that only the old can really enjoy. I am smiling just sitting here writing and thinking of those precious moments. I so lived in the moment of those moments and soaked up everything I could. I told Kay I wished she would would sing me a song. Never in a million years did I think she would sing to me at the center table of a public restaurant, but she surprised me by singing the famous song about “San Francisco”. I think the title is “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”. She sang the entire song in her beautiful alto/tenor voice. Her voice was a bit older and not as practiced as it was years ago when she sang on stage but it was so beautiful and throaty and heart searing, especially with the words she sang. Then we sang together (quite low) but it sounded so good together. All three of sang. I think I was the only one that knew all the words to the song that started out with these words…”Oh what a wonderful, wonderful day. Day I will never forget”… When Kay sang her solo tears were streaming down my face.
So soon it was time to leave. Kay said she needed to use the Lady’s room and asked if I would take her. The aisles were very narrow and we had to maneuver through a narrow galley kitchen. I asked her to put her hands on the back of my waste as I walked slowly and guided her to the Lady’s room. Kay has been blind since birth but never once has it caused a blindness in our friendship. I truly believe our friendship was a divine appointment of God. It is not just everyone who was privileged to have a friendship such as ours. That night I met her parents in the basement of J.C. Penney’s fabric department was meant to be. I am a better person for having Kay as my friend. As we left the restaurant a man came us to us and told us how beautiful our singing was. He said he kept looking around to find the source of the radio or player but couldn’t find it and then realized it was coming from our table. He gave Kay high honor when saying he especially loved the way she sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco”. And when I walked away from the cab that would carry Kay back to her apartment I felt like I was leaving a bit of my heart in San Francisco too.
I asked Kay what her wisdom would be. Here it is: “Make every minute count and cherish the friends and family that you have because you never know when your circumstances might change or when you might lose your friends and family.”
The Bart ride back under the bay to the east bay side was such an amazing ride. I have ridden BART many times when living in this area but it has been about 30 years. In the past 30 years the traffic and freeways have increased exponentially and it makes riding Bart that much more enjoyable. About halfway home I had the opportunity to speak with a young man traveling from San Francisco International Airport to a city close by where Jeanette lives. He was here on business from India. We had an enlightening conversation and I asked him for his wisdom. His name is Vikas. Here is his wisdom: “Give back to the word in some way. Help preserve the environment, help by giving food to those who need it and look around and see the many different ways you can help.” Thank you Vikas. If you read this blog please let me know by going to “contacts” and send me an email! I wish you the best on your travels here in the States. Thank you too for your conversation.
Well, I am hitting the road again tomorrow. The end of my respite is over. It has been a tremendous help to have a place where I could feel so comfortable and stay for a bit of an extended time. I need to regroup myself every few weeks. I thank Jeanette and Denny for this opportunity.
Lots more to say but I will use my wisdom and go to bed as early as possible as I must drive tomorrow. I have a feeling it is going to be a jam packed day! Seeing more family! My special nieces!
Good night 10:14 p.m.
May 5 2015 Day 59 Another Desire Fulfilled!
God is so good!
So many wonderful experiences to remember. I just hope writing the blog will help me remember more than I forget. Any one else out there have that problem?
Today was a lovely, busy day. To just arise in the morning is always a joy to me, no matter what the weather, no matter where I am, no matter if I am to work or play. To just awaken again knowing I have the chance to live another day makes morning all worthwhile. The earlier I rise the better I like it. Someday I will awaken on my last day and perhaps not even know it is my last day. And even that day will have its own wonderful experiences. Perhaps not to remember but to be enjoyed while I have every breath left in me. And oh what an experience it will be to awaken in a new place and be able to stand boldly in the presence of the Almighty God. I actually look forward to that amazing experience but on the other hand I am in no hurry to make it happen.
So, back to my lovely, busy day. Early workout to start the day. And then…I actually walked into a Great Clips by the gym and gave a perfect stranger the privilege of cutting my hair. Now I know my hair doesn’t look like much (that’s because there isn’t much of it) but I only allow one person to cut my hair and that is my sweet hairdresser Angela back in Wisconsin who owns Bonjour Barber. She cut it very short before I left on my trip so I thought it would outlast my journey. I guess I should have had it shaved. My hair had crossed the line into shagginess and I couldn’t stand it one more day. God provided a superb lady named Jennifer the opportunity to work her magic. And magic she worked! It is SHORT again. Not quite as short, but short indeed. Jennifer was wonderful. Not only did she cut and style it, she washed it, (remember I was all sweaty from the gym), massaged my scalp, wrapped my face in hot towels and put me in a vibrating chair while I lay back for the shampoo…then…gave me a short shoulder massage with a hand held vibrator. Oh man…I felt wonderful when I left there. And the best thing of all Jennifer was in love with the Lord too. She was a good listener too. Hmm…does that surprise you?!
When I arrived back at home base my friend Wendy from High School was sitting on the door step. She was early and I was a bit later than I had intended. I changed and we high tailed it out of there like two giggling teenagers we once were. It matters not how much time passes between visits or phone calls, we can just pick up from where we left off and still feel the comradely feelings we shared as teens. We had an enjoyable time together, eating lunch out, driving around awhile on side roads and stopping at the Meadow Lark Dairy in Pleasanton again (for me again) for an ice cream cone. We had great conversation and we had to part. I wish I could share all our conversations but of course I cannot so I’ll just say that God was in them.
After Wendy left I readied myself for the next event which was to leave in a short while to go to Jeanette’s sister’s house for dinner. Linda and Ron live about 5 miles from Jeanette in Danville California. The homes in this surrounding area are all beautiful, well kept homes. The property values in this part of California are exorbitant. I suppose if something retains such a high value it is well cared for. The homes are close but not as close as they are in other areas. So many people have cultivated beautiful flower gardens in both front and back yard. So much warmth and growing season that much can be accomplished in the growing season. I saw flowers I have never laid eyes on. Ron cultivates roses and another exotic flower that he gets from Japan or China (Sorry Ron, I guess I wasn’t listening too well) which are one of a kind here in the states. He orders them and has a collection of them in pots in his side yard. His yard is beautiful! On the other end of his house he has a gorgeous rose garden with a collection of extremely exotic looking roses. Amazingly beautiful. I took a few pics on my cell phone so I could send you some. Most I took with my real camera because they will be beautiful on cards.
I told Jeanette this morning that I wanted to stop in some of the yards in the neighborhoods around here and just pick one rose from each bush (especially at one house I drive by everyday). I told her I would love to have a boquet of the beautiful roses I see. They are so huge and diverse in color, style of blooms, sizes, and smells. When I was admiring Ron’s rose garden he said I could pick any I wanted! WOW! WOW! WOW! There it was again! God just giving me another desire of my heart! Linda came out with the clippers and kept encouraging me to cut more. In the photos I posted I included the bouquet I brought back to Jeanette’s from their backyard. They sit regally in a vase behind me in the office where I am writing and the fragrance mixture of all the varieties smells like a lush wonderful fruit drink of some sort. Sort of lemony and subtle and yet spicy all in one inhalation. I shall sleep with them in my room and then place them in a communal area for all to enjoy while I am gone tomorrow. Perhaps I’ll even take one to each of my sisters whom I will see tomorrow. That is…if I can part with two.
Linda and Ron set a beautiful table and the food was delicious! I’ll try to remember to get the name of the dish Linda served. It was a bit different and ever so wonderful. It will be interesting to find out if anyone has ever heard of it before. Not only is Linda talented in cooking she is also very artistic and creative and prolific in the quilt making department. She showed me many quilts and pillows that she has made and they were all exquisitely and finely made. She does all the quilting herself. Some she actually uses a straight stitch sewing machine to quilt curved repetitive designs in the quilt patterns and they look beautiful. I posted a few of her quilt photos that I snapped this evening. Enlarge them and look at them closely. I shot a lot of the quilts with my real camera too.
I returned to home base, leaving Denny and Jeanette behind to watch a basketball tournament game. Don’t know what team, can’t remember the team name and don’t recall even seeing them on screen to tell you the color of their uniforms (which I don’t know if that even matters). Some pro games to do with basketball must be going on right now because everyone here is ensconced in it. I am happy for them. But…their team lost tonight on this 5th day of May. (I included the date because my computer is blogging things with the wrong dates attached. Even when I put the correct date on tonight tomorrow it will show May 6th. I change it or at least try.)
I will close with Wendy’s words of wisdom she would like to tell others:
“Do not gain weight. Do not let yourself go because it is so hard to get yourself back. Stay active and work on being healthy”.
Thank you Wendy for your honest words to others.
And thank you God for all your blessings on this day. I love my roses!
Oh, and thank you Linda and Ron for allowing God to grow them in your back yard. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. It was so good to see you both and look through your old albums!
Good Night!
P.S. Note to cousin Joyce: I’ll return your call tomorrow but don’t know when.
April 27 2015 Day 51 “I See the Ocean”
Up close and personal I can see the ocean. I posted a couple of pics for you.
This day as been awesome! I actually slept in until 8:30 a.m. That is very late for me. It felt so good because I knew I would be driving. I have found that I have a tendency to get drowsy on some of these long drives. When I do start nodding I look for a place to stop, get out, walk around, fill up the car or empty me out. It breaks the cycle of the drowsies. Well today’s trip was less than a three hour drive but I still had to stop once. It was a very interesting day of driving because I was going across the state of California instead of driving south to north. There are four major highways that go north/south. Well, today I drove on all four and I was going from east to west in a southerly direction. First I was on Highway 99, then Highway 5, then Highway 101 and finally on highway 1. I was constantly working my way south/west in a stair step sort of patter in order to arrive at my destination. I arrived on time or there about and had a delicious dinner and evening out.
As I was driving and merging onto the coastal Highway 1 all of a sudden the ocean just appeared. I had to quickly take a look and it was breathtaking and up close. I wasn’t expecting to have my first glimpse in such a dramatic way. I was stunned and sorry that I couldn’t stop the car and just gawk. I rolled down the windows and let the ocean breeze blow in. Coastal air is so different than inland. It is fresh and cool and heavy and moist. When I left Modesto at 1:00 p.m. it was 87 degrees. It dropped to 73 degrees, then 65 degrees and then to 58 degrees the closer I drove toward the ocean. I purposely checked often to see how the temperatures changed. Every time I got over another huge mountain the temp was lower. It’s as if the Ocean feels my thoughts right now and the curtains rustle and the cold air wraps it way around my legs caressing me as if to say welcome. It is quite cold. I wish I knew what the temperature reading is. But I don’t.
My host home is my first cousin Bill Tackett, son of my mother’s, late brother. They live nestled high above the town of Monterey overlooking a view of the water. Monterey is a seaside town built on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. After dinner they took me on a short tour around the town. The light was so beautiful. The fog lay thick out over the bay and the sun played with the light to create some beautiful illusions. How am I so fortunate to be just where I needed to be at the right time to view such beautiful sights. I took a few pictures but they cannot do justice to what my God-designed eye of the heart is able to see. We also stopped by the home of where they go to Bible Study on Monday evenings so I could meet some of their friends who would be there. I met some wonderful people. I asked one for her word of wisdom. She quoted something from Ghandi: “There are seven days in the week and only two days in which you cannot do anything, Yesterday and Tomorrow”
This lady I met is Susan, and we had a few other discussions. We talked about living in the moment, which I like to believe I do. I said that I enjoy who I am and the age I am and have peace and contentment. She replied that she thought the reason I was so content was because I do live in the moment. When we do live in the moment and accept who we are we do have the tendency to be satisfied with life. It was a good insight to be brought to my attention.
The farmlands are being irrigated and they look lush and ripe. Strawberries and blackberries and blueberries are being sold at roadside stands along with the first picking of nectarines and peaches. Last years harvest of almonds and walnuts are in abundance also. So many local vegetables are already being harvested. It felt like late summer in Wisconsin because of all the fresh varieties available. I so crave fresh food and I have been buying it along the way. Sometimes I forget and leave it behind if it hasn’t all been eaten and other times I take it with me in my thermal bag and eat it for lunch. I have not stopped at a fast food place for a meal since I left home. I carry enough real food with me that I don’t need to do that.
I drove by a large Reservoir today. As I looked down I realized it was almost empty. Sand bars broke through the placid surface. I believe it was the San Luis Reservoir. The article below is from today’s paper discussing the information about the dam that I thougth might interest you. Here today but it may be gone tomorrow.
San Luis Reservoir
Panoramic view of Reservoir
The San Luis Reservoir is an artificial lake on San Luis Creek in the eastern slopes of the Diablo Range of Merced County, California, approximately 12 mi (19 km) west of Los Banos on State Route 152, which crosses Pacheco Pass and runs along its north shore. It is the fifth largest reservoir in California. The reservoir stores water taken from the San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta. Water is pumped uphill into the reservoir from the O’Neill Forebay which is fed by the California Aqueduct and is released back into the forebay to continue downstream along the aqueduct as needed for farm irrigation and other uses. Depending on water levels, the reservoir is approximately nine miles long from north to south at its longest point, and five miles (8 km) wide. At the eastern end of the reservoir is the San Luis Dam, or the B.F. Sisk Dam, the fourth largest embankment dam in the United States, which allows for a total capacity of 2,041,000 acre feet (2,518,000 dam3).
Completed in 1967 on land formerly part of Rancho San Luis Gonzaga, the 12,700 acres (5,100 ha) reservoir is a joint use facility, being a part of both the California State Water Project and Central Valley Project, which together form a network of reservoirs, dams, pumping stations, and 550 miles (885 km) of canals and major conduits to move water across California. The San Luis Reservoir is located in Merced County, and has a visitor center located at the Romero Outlook where visitors can learn more about the dam and reservoir. The surface of the reservoir lies at an elevation of approximately 544 ft (166 m), with the O’Neill Forebay below the dam at 225 ft (69 m) above sea level. This elevation difference allows for a hydroelectric plant to be constructed – the Gianelli Hydroelectric Plant. Power from this plant is sent to a Path 15 substation, Los Banos via a short power line. Those 500 kV wires, carrying both the power generated here and elsewhere, leave the area and cross the O’Neill Forebay on several man-made islands.
California is big. I thought Texas was big. It is. It is big Wide. California is big TALL. The landscape is so diversified that it seems I go from country to country around the globe, One thing, it has a lot of are mountains. Boy have I crossed some mountains since being on this trip. Beautiful, beautiful mountains. And when I arrived in California there are even more mountains. Check it out online. The below paragraph was taken from the internet to give you a little info regarding some of the ranges in California.
Coast Ranges
Coast Ranges, series of mountain ranges along the Pacific coast of North America, extending from SE Alaska to Baja California; from 2,000 to 20,000 ft (610–6,100 m) high. The ranges include the St. Elias Mts. in SE Alaska and SW Yukon, which have the highest elevations; a partially submerged portion that forms the islands off the coast of SE Alaska and British Columbia; the Olympic Mts. in Washington; the Coast Ranges in Oregon; the Klamath Mts., Coast Ranges, and Los Angeles Ranges in California; and the Peninsular Range in Baja California. The Coast Ranges are rugged, geologically young mountains formed by faulting and folding and are composed mainly of granitic rock; the northern third is glaciated. N of San Francisco the ranges are humid and thickly forested; the southern parts are dry and covered with brush and grass. Lumbering, mining, and tourism are important.
Back to Bill and Vicki: After dinner we drove around the community here on the coast. They made such a believer out of me regarding the things see to see and do that I called my next destination and postponed arriving at their home until Sunday afternoon. So all is well in regards to my going to my next panned stop. After the short car tour we went to Bill and Vicki’s place of home Bible Study and I met all the people that were there. We then came home and here I am. SLEEPY.
So Sleepy…
Where do I lay my head?
Kathleen Martens
April 27, 20015
I walk into the arms of God
Never does He think it odd.
He nestles me in a quite place
With me alone in this space.
I am His and He is mine
Oh such a beautiful time.
I rest in Him and His peace
He rests in me and does not cease.
April 21 2015 DAY 45
Oh my, what a day! Right now it sounds like a bunch of chickens cackling. (Too many sisters in one room). I am in Oakhurst CA at the home of my aunt Georgia and Uncle Jetton. After driving several hours I walked in the kitchen entrance to three rooms full of old people (my age) all sitting down listening to the pick’n and singing. In case you don’t know what pick’n and singing is you need a lesson on people from Arkansas. And that is where our family comes from. You can take the girl out of Arkansas but you can’t take the Arkie out of the girl. In this case you can’t even take the Arkie out of OLD WOMEN!
What a fun night. Georgia and Vela (my mother’s sisters) singing their Hillbilly tunes, one harmonica player, who also sang with the most beautiful voice I have heard in a long time. His voice reminded me of George Beverly Shay who was a voice from the long ago past. There was also a base guitar player that added a lot to the ensemble. Not only did Georgia and Vela sing they pulled in aunt Annie in too (another sister of my mom). Their voices harmonize beautifully together. It was especially fun when Vela did the chicken dance. I’ll see if I can upload a video. Well, I tried to post the video and it did not work.
Woke early this morning so I could go work out before hitting the road again. I packed everything up last night so all that needed to be done was load the car. Of course it doesn’t sound like much to do….WRONG! I have so many little bags to load and arrange that it always takes longer than I think it will. Finally got on the road at 11:00 a.m. I was trying to get to Oakhurst as early as possible because of the shingding. But, I was late. I had an opportunity arise that I didn’t want to miss. Last night when Betts treated me to dinner she told me her daughter lives in Fresno and she thought I would be going through Fresno and perhaps I would like to stop and meet her. Remember Betts is the maternal birth grandmother to out daughter. Her daughter is our daughter’s biological aunt and her children Rebecca’s cousins. I love meeting Rebecca’s birth mother’s family. So, I called her and stopped in tot see her family. It was delightful. I really enjoyed meeting Janice and her husband Lazarus and two of her 6 children. It fills in pieces of Rebecca’s genetic traits. Thank you Janice for such a delightful time with you and your family albeit short.
It took about two hours to drive from Orange County to the other side of LA County. I can’t believe the throngs of people, the crowded freeways and congested traffic. But…the signs were great. No problem following California traffic signs and highway markers. Such a pleasure when compared to several other states I have gone through. After leaving the Los Angeles area the terrain becomes mountainous. Long climbing roads with trucks laboring up slowly in three lanes. Cars passing at about 55 to 60 miles per hour. It seemed so odd to see hundreds of trucks climbing the mountain all packed end to end, side to side for as far as you could see. Coming down the mountain the trucks had to stay under 35 miles per hour. As I hit the peak of the mountain I could see between a Vee of mountains the valley way below. It looked green and lush…until I saw the rest of it as the mountains dropped away. The ground was parched and dry and the old growth of grasses in some parts looked almost like powder due to the dearth of water over the past three years. Entering the fourth year of drought 98 percent of California is in drought. Some parts of California are without water and must have it trucked in. The news last night reported that this is the worst drought in the last 800 years. It would be interesting to know how that could be figured out.
The San Joaquin Valley produces food in abundance because of the kind of soil and temperature that the plants needs. Warm days and cool nights create the environment needed. It is one of the leading producers of food for our country as most areas allow for more than one crop.
After driving quite a few miles the valley opened up to green, beautiful orchards and fresh growth of ground plantings. As far as the eye could see the irrigated crops grew lush and green. Water is so scarce I wonder where it comes from to irrigate so many thousands of acres of farmland.
The drive from Fresno to the Yosemite area was absolutely breathtaking. I drove during the golden hour of sunlight, right before dusk. The orange sun swept across the mountains and the flat lands turning the dried grass into golden flames. As the mountain became steeper I could look down upon rows and rows of undulating land. Though my glimpses were quick and fleeting I could see the valley below nestled like a baby in a bassinet, enclosed and secure among what appeared to be rumpled quilts of gold. The only altitude sign I saw today stated that I was at 2,300 feet above sea level. There were mountains much higher than where I was but I think that is about the highest elevation I went over. As I drove down to the lower levels a little sign stated that I was entering Oakhurst with a population of 13,300. Tomorrow I hope to go into the national park area of Yosemite.
To be continued when I live another day…
April 13 Day 37 Goodbye avocado country…hello Orange County!
Wow! What a difference. During the last three days I have been on top of the world located about a half hour from San Diego. Oh my goodness, how beautiful it is there. From the top of the mountain I could actually see some of the ocean when it was clear. Hills and hills, and more hills. Palms and avocado trees, mango trees and persimmon trees on the property of where I was staying. It was like a paradise. No traffic noise or sirens, no city lights, no people. Well I guess there were some people because on Sunday I was awakened to a crew of pickers reaching tall poles up into the avocado trees with little baskets at the end to catch the avocados as they were snipped. Today a huge truck drove off the mountain laden with fresh beautiful avocados fresh from the trees. I wonder where they will end up. I would have taken a photo but I was not dressed and we had to leave for church after we dressed. I watched from the window.
Bill and Lisa and I had a leisurely morning, a leftover lunch from yesterday’s restaurant meal and I left about 1:45. About 45 minutes later going up I-5 toward Anaheim the cars on the freeway stopped. Total traffic jam! I could just see the next 50 miles taking about 5 hours. Well, fortunately I beat the rush hour traffic and the freeway stall was the inspection of all cars because of being so close to the border. Well, I must not have looked too suspicious because they just waved me through. I also had to stop like that coming in from Arizona as I crossed the California state line. I was waved through at that time also.
Only made one wrong turn on the way to my friends, Bob and Linda. Linda came to the aid and talked me “home” on my car phone. Home for the week at least. This is a busy household. One grandma, one grandpa (who are Bob and Linda) and two granddaughters, Madison and Alex and one very sweet boy dog named Bruno all live here! Also, Bob and Linda’s son, whom I have known since he was a toddler is here. His two boys are here and his wife will show up later. Linda is creating a dinner that will be a work of art to the taste buds. She is making my favorite dish that she used to make me over 40 years ago. What a friend! Her 1st son Michael is an Executive Chef at theranch.com. Though I have not yet been there I do know that there are 50 people who work in the kitchen and “The Ranch” is in the top 10 best new restaurants in the country. Mike won the award as Best Chef of the Year by the Southern California Restaurant Writers Association for 2015. His brother David won the same award for Best Pastry Chef of the Year at the same restaurant in 2012. They both won BEST CHEF and BEST PASTRY CHEF for 2014. The restaurant is called THE RANCH RESTAURANT & SALOON. I have been informed that I will be eating at The Ranch with my friends on Wednesday evening! Oh my, that sounds just great to me! I’ll let you know how I like it! Check it out online. The pictures and menu alone make my mouth water.
On Mother’s day my friend Linda will be featured in the Orange County Register regarding her two sons accomplishments in the culinary arts. She will be cooking each sons favorite meal. The interview and cooking takes place on Monday. That is the day I am to leave. I just might have to rearrange my take -ff day so I can stay and eat these two meals. I remember both meals because I have have eaten them before cooked by her hands and loving heart, meatloaf and taco salad. Easy words to say but they are truly the best meatloaf and taco salad I have ever eaten. The taco salad is my favorite!
Dinner is almost ready and I am sitting at the dining room table so I will have to close down. Tonight will be a time of family and friends, reminiscing and good food. After all, this is an Italian family!
See my new hat in the “Selfie” I took today. Lisa’s neighbor gave it to me before I left the mountain. I love it! Everywhere I go people have been so generous to me. My friend in Mesa gave me a selection of beautiful earrings, my friend in Willow Springs took the most beautiful stone necklace off her neck and gave it to me. And there are other gifts I can’t even remember right this moment because I am being shewed away from the table.
6:50 p.m. California time, bright and sunny and about 80 degrees. Most of you back home and out east have probably already settled down for the night. My day is still going!
By the way, I am in Orange CA
March 13, 2015 Day Seven (Part 1)
MORE BLESSINGS
Almost one week on the road. It has been a fabulous experience. I packed soothing and inspirational CD’s. Some, which are by my favorite favorite artist, David Hollandsworth. When I listen to the music Hollandsworth creates, it’s as if I am listening to part of heaven, exciting, soothing, peaceful and inspiring. I only have three of his CD’s but with the other three CD’s I brought I don’t seem to tire of any of them.
To update my travels. I had a marvelous time visiting with Kathleen and Matt. I like Kathleen’s philosophy of retirement. The first night I was there I asked her when she got up in the morning (trying to be a considerate guest) and she replied, “when I feel like it”. Oh, so I asked her what time she went to bed and she replied, “when I feel like it”. Hmmm was my thought response. So I ask, well what time do you normally go to bed? “Oh between 1:00 or 2:00” (that would be A.M.). Okay, I’ll just follow suite I decided…when in Rome do as the Romans… Well they kept me up until almost midnight that first night and I’ve been paying for it ever since. Up late, sleep late and my day is about gone before it gets started. So…I think I like my way best. Early to bed, early to rise. That way my day seems much longer and if there is anything I like doing less than sleeping I haven’t discovered it yet. I don’t like to give up one minute of my day to resting or sleeping. I have too much I want to do. So…here I am on the road, fitting in to all kinds of schedules, sleeping in all kinds of beds, travelling all kinds of miles and loving every minute of it. I am learning something everywhere I go! I’m asking everyone for their very best advice for my life. I listen and enjoy what is said and then, unfortunately, before I get to my next blog time I forget what was said. So maybe I should start recording it and collecting all the sage advice, some from those even older than myself.
The time at Matt and Kathleen’s was restful, peaceful and lots of fun. We played many card games, ate lots of good food (most of which I brought and prepared), planned a destination trip to ALDI’S (yes the discount grocery store), worked out at the Y, and attended the ladies Bible study. Great study it was too, and of course, I couldn’t keep my mouth shut. We then went to lunch, went back to Matt and Kathleen’s, packed my bags and hit the road toward Branson. I thought I left on time because I was going by my car clock, only to find out when I hooked up my GPS for the first time, that the times didn’t coordinate due to the fact that it WAS NOT 3:15 p.m. but 4:14 p.m.. I had forgotten to move the clock an hour forward last weekend. Oops! Very seldom do I wear a watch or look at the time. For me, that is a beautiful place to live.
I have experienced blessing after blessing since leaving my home. While in Willow Springs I walked into the YMCA to work out. My friend is a member there and she said they offer a free pass on the first day. I mentioned this and Hannah asked me how long I would be staying. I told her I would be coming back two more days and knew that I would be paying for those days. As I spoke she wrote out , not one free pass, but three free passes that I could use. I was so surprised. When I was in Rolla the most reasonable quote I received on the phone for a day pass at private clubs was $10.00. Sorry, but that is a little too steep for me so I worked out in the home where I was staying. It was so refreshing to receive a gift of the three passes from the Y. When I left the third day I thanked the personnel and met two wonderful people, Logan and Terri. I shared a little of my story and asked them if I could mention them in my blog. I got the okay. So…Terri, thank you for the generosity of your club to allow me to stay healthy a little bit more affordable. I appreciate that your YMCA reached out to a stranger and made me feel so welcome. My hat off to the OZARKS FAMILY YMCA in Willow Springs!
I found Willow Springs to be a delightful interlude of life in the slow lane. Probably no more than 2,000 to 3,000 people. I stayed in a house on the hilltop that overlooked one end of town and a beautiful park. The train rail was very close and I could hear the comforting sound of the trains going by all times of the day and night. Didn’t hear much of them at night as I slept so deep and peaceful. Every where I have gone I have had deep, relaxing, refreshing sleep. I took a couple of pictures of some buildings while in Willow Springs. I will log them later. When things get boring I want to remind myself to tell you the story of the “house on the hilltop”. Quite interesting!
I hope I blessed Kathleen and Matt with my short stay. I know they blessed me. I packed a lot of food before I left home and was able to share some of what I made last summer from the vegetables I received from a from a local organic CSA farm. We have been members of WHOLESOME HARVEST CSA for several years and we love what we receive. I was able to help with most of the cooking while at Kathleen’s and Matt’s and delighted them with yummy lunches. Kathleen made me take pictures of food I prepared because the presentation so delighted her. I so enjoy working with live food and creating wonderful dishes. It was actually a blessing for me to do it. And…for the most part, they liked it.
Before I left, Kathleen showed me the beautiful quilt she is in the process of making. Oh my! My head just spun when I saw all that when into it from the design, piecing, sewing it all together, quilting and finishing. Not my cup of tea. It actually made my brain go haywire. It was also my privilege to sleep under the very first quilt she made. It was beautiful. I think I might have a picture of that too. While she was showing me her quilt I was admiring a beautiful necklace she had on. I complimented her on it. She reached up around her neck, unclasped it and said, “here, I want you to have it”. I tried to refuse it but she would not take no for an answer. So, again I have been blessed by something I never anticipated. Now it makes me hesitant to give a compliment. But…maybe I will still do so.
I am in a time crunch and must leave quickly. Will proofread this after it is published and make corrections. Know that when I am doing these blogs I am usually squeezing them in between the actual “living” part. I know I have more to tell you about today ( BECAUSE IT IS ANOTHER BLESSING) so I put “part 1” on today’s date. Look for part two at a later date. Bear with me as you stumble through all my mistakes, but must get it published before I walk out the door so I can turn my computer off. More later.
Visions of Poetry 