Location, At Home, CA
My blogging has taken a beating since my last post. On Friday May 20th about 11:30 in the evening, Clyda received a phone call from an ER doctor in Ventura. She was told that her brother was in the ER in an “addled state” and unable to communicate with them.
The long and short of it is that her brother passed away Sunday morning with the immediate family there. It was a tough, sad two day vigil. A life ending short of it’s time.
The following week was taken up with funeral arrangements, picking up people at the airport, preparing remarks for the service (I and my brother-in-law) spoke, and family staying with us. Thanks to all the neighbors bringing food, we had few meals to prepare.
A formal service for the family will happen in June when more family members will be here for a planned reunion.
In the meantime, life goes on. I am still picking boysenberries. Today it was 13.5 baskets.
Yesterday, Memorial Day, I walked the local golf course during the City Championship. It wouldn’t be Memorial Day without it. I admit I was sore by the time I reached the 17th green from climbing all the hills. However, I had no problem doing my usual 3.3 mile walk this morning.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
It's berry picking time!
Location, At Home, CA
It’s berry picking time! The boysenberries are getting ripe even though the weather hasn’t been that warm. Warm weather makes them POP and gives the biggest berries.
Although I must say, I have been surprised at how big the ripe ones have been so far. Some are as big as my thumb. Picking should last for about six weeks with the right weather.
These are washed, drained, and frozen on trays before I store them in freezer bags to be used later.
The weather right now is not that pleasant as we have lots of wind which should last through tomorrow. We also had some rain over the weekend and last night. A total of about .7 inch according to the rain gauge.
I had a dentist appointment this morning to have a new crown put in to replace the temporary from a few weeks ago. It seems like a good fit. I didn’t like the bill that came with it. I think the insurance only paid half. I’m glad it was a porcelain crown and not a gold crown with today’s gold prices.
I added some photos from my days at Rancheros to the last blog.
It’s berry picking time! The boysenberries are getting ripe even though the weather hasn’t been that warm. Warm weather makes them POP and gives the biggest berries.
Although I must say, I have been surprised at how big the ripe ones have been so far. Some are as big as my thumb. Picking should last for about six weeks with the right weather.
I picked six baskets today.
The weather right now is not that pleasant as we have lots of wind which should last through tomorrow. We also had some rain over the weekend and last night. A total of about .7 inch according to the rain gauge.
I had a dentist appointment this morning to have a new crown put in to replace the temporary from a few weeks ago. It seems like a good fit. I didn’t like the bill that came with it. I think the insurance only paid half. I’m glad it was a porcelain crown and not a gold crown with today’s gold prices.
I added some photos from my days at Rancheros to the last blog.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Rancheros done for another year.
Location, Cachuma Lake, CA
My 10 days working for ranchero Visitadores is done. I finished Friday morning and pulled out of the area about 10:30 AM. I drove to Cachuma Lake camp ground and into a spot in the RV Park.
After calling Clyda, I set up the RV in a nice back in spot at the extreme left of the camp ground. Usually these spots are filled by the time I get here as they are prime spots with no one behind you.
The 10 days went well with only a few minor things happening which only adds to the stories we tell about the encampment. I met lots of people as usual while inspecting credentials of all who arrive at the gate. Many are friends of long standing and some are only people who I see here every year. We have a greeting for all as they arrive and a little kidding goes a long way to make them feel welcome.
I drove to the gate where I camp on Tuesday afternoon after taking the long way around as I was really loaded with extra water and all the things I need for the next ten days. George followed me in his motor home. After a quick set up we had dinner and retired for the night.
All set up for the next 10 days. I do most cooking outside and we also eat outside under the awning on the table with the red checkered table cloth.
Our official start day is Wednesday and we use that to get our camp set up and the telephone and radio connected. That is done by the camp communications guy. Our phone is a landline connecting us to two camps used by the Rancheros.
This is the famous Blue Gate through which all must pass and have their credentials checked. What a great view!
The radio connects us to several other people who are mobile at either camp.
We also get a trash barrel and a porta potty for use for the duration. We set up a table covered with a canopy under an oak tree. The canopy protects the phone, clipboards, etc from the weather and also keeps the oak bugs and worms off us. Most of the time we sit in chairs near the phone or stand nearby as we check credentials of arrivals. If it is warm, we move with the shade as the day goes on.
Two of us are on duty during the day with one person on duty from 8 or 9 Pm until 11 Pm when the night man comes on. The night man stays on duty until 7 AM when the rest of us get up and we begin all over again.
I am the cook so I take time to prepare meals three times a day and also time to clean up after meals. Food is supplied to us on Friday in bulk which I need to store away, refrigerate some and decide what to cook. I turn in a food list ahead of time and for the most part I receive all I ask for.
I store extra food and ice in these chests. The tarp and shade is to protect them from the sun.
After working long hours each day and cooking, I am more than ready to take it easy after 10 days.
Because I already have the trailer out, it makes a nice transition to stop here at Cachuma for a few days.
This morning we drove to Paula’s Pancake House in Solvang for breakfast and had Swedish pancakes and eggs. Swedish pancakes are thin and fluffy and cover the whole plate.
We decided to stay an extra day here as we have intermittent showers today and I didn’t feel like moving the rig in the rain.
My 10 days working for ranchero Visitadores is done. I finished Friday morning and pulled out of the area about 10:30 AM. I drove to Cachuma Lake camp ground and into a spot in the RV Park.
After calling Clyda, I set up the RV in a nice back in spot at the extreme left of the camp ground. Usually these spots are filled by the time I get here as they are prime spots with no one behind you.
The 10 days went well with only a few minor things happening which only adds to the stories we tell about the encampment. I met lots of people as usual while inspecting credentials of all who arrive at the gate. Many are friends of long standing and some are only people who I see here every year. We have a greeting for all as they arrive and a little kidding goes a long way to make them feel welcome.
I drove to the gate where I camp on Tuesday afternoon after taking the long way around as I was really loaded with extra water and all the things I need for the next ten days. George followed me in his motor home. After a quick set up we had dinner and retired for the night.
All set up for the next 10 days. I do most cooking outside and we also eat outside under the awning on the table with the red checkered table cloth.
Our official start day is Wednesday and we use that to get our camp set up and the telephone and radio connected. That is done by the camp communications guy. Our phone is a landline connecting us to two camps used by the Rancheros.
This is the famous Blue Gate through which all must pass and have their credentials checked. What a great view!
The radio connects us to several other people who are mobile at either camp.
We also get a trash barrel and a porta potty for use for the duration. We set up a table covered with a canopy under an oak tree. The canopy protects the phone, clipboards, etc from the weather and also keeps the oak bugs and worms off us. Most of the time we sit in chairs near the phone or stand nearby as we check credentials of arrivals. If it is warm, we move with the shade as the day goes on.
Two of us are on duty during the day with one person on duty from 8 or 9 Pm until 11 Pm when the night man comes on. The night man stays on duty until 7 AM when the rest of us get up and we begin all over again.
I am the cook so I take time to prepare meals three times a day and also time to clean up after meals. Food is supplied to us on Friday in bulk which I need to store away, refrigerate some and decide what to cook. I turn in a food list ahead of time and for the most part I receive all I ask for.
I store extra food and ice in these chests. The tarp and shade is to protect them from the sun.
After working long hours each day and cooking, I am more than ready to take it easy after 10 days.
Because I already have the trailer out, it makes a nice transition to stop here at Cachuma for a few days.
This morning we drove to Paula’s Pancake House in Solvang for breakfast and had Swedish pancakes and eggs. Swedish pancakes are thin and fluffy and cover the whole plate.
We decided to stay an extra day here as we have intermittent showers today and I didn’t feel like moving the rig in the rain.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Moving forward, slowly.
Location, At Home, CA
It looks like I am a little behind on the blog although there isn’t much happening right now.
I am putting things together for my annual foray with Ranchero Visitadores which starts for me next week. There have been some setbacks this year as my boss for the last several years passed away suddenly last October from a massive heart attack. This was very unfortunate and really threw a wrench in the works.
My first boss from years ago stepped in to help out. I thought I had a full crew but found out in February that one of my guys who worked the midnight to 8 AM shift was in a convalescent home and not expected to live.
Other arrangements were made to cover his absence and until recently that’s where things stood. A few weeks ago I called his house to see how he was doing and his wife said “Why don’t you ask him” and handed him the phone.
It is like a miracle as he is doing well and wanted to work so I made arrangements with my boss for him to work his usual midnight shift. It really relieves me of several responsibilities for which I am grateful. Miracles still do happen!
Next Monday I will go up and mow the grass where we park our RV’s. If we don’t do that we get all the foxtails in our socks and also track them into the RV’s. I also will take up the boards from my patio cover over the rear patio. It is time to replace it and Rancheros is a good place to burn the wood in our nightly camp fires.
I am adding a few recent photos taken on my morning walk. The roses are in the parkway around the corner from our street.
It looks like I am a little behind on the blog although there isn’t much happening right now.
I am putting things together for my annual foray with Ranchero Visitadores which starts for me next week. There have been some setbacks this year as my boss for the last several years passed away suddenly last October from a massive heart attack. This was very unfortunate and really threw a wrench in the works.
My first boss from years ago stepped in to help out. I thought I had a full crew but found out in February that one of my guys who worked the midnight to 8 AM shift was in a convalescent home and not expected to live.
Other arrangements were made to cover his absence and until recently that’s where things stood. A few weeks ago I called his house to see how he was doing and his wife said “Why don’t you ask him” and handed him the phone.
It is like a miracle as he is doing well and wanted to work so I made arrangements with my boss for him to work his usual midnight shift. It really relieves me of several responsibilities for which I am grateful. Miracles still do happen!
Next Monday I will go up and mow the grass where we park our RV’s. If we don’t do that we get all the foxtails in our socks and also track them into the RV’s. I also will take up the boards from my patio cover over the rear patio. It is time to replace it and Rancheros is a good place to burn the wood in our nightly camp fires.
I am adding a few recent photos taken on my morning walk. The roses are in the parkway around the corner from our street.
I love the water beads on this ornimental grass.
This ceonothus is in a planted area near a wall. It grows wild on the mountains behind us and makes the hill look grey when all are in full bloom.
Monday, April 18, 2011
A small setback.
Location, At Home, CA
I seem to have had a small setback in my recovery. After resuming most of my normal routine (with frequent rest time) I suddenly got either an allergy attack or a bad cold. At this point I’m thinking a cold; however, I have had some of the symptoms since I was released from the hospital more than a month ago.
We have had really nice weather for the last week or so but this morning we had our usual high overcast. It burned off later but it also dropped our temperatures back to the 60’s which is more like our normal.
I cut back all the suckers from the boysenberries today. The berry vines are really full of blossoms and lots of small berries are forming. Clyda has been making jam, syrup, and curd from the berries still in our freezer from last year in preperation for this years crop.
We are getting a handful or more of asparagus every day. I do need to weed the asparagus bed tomorrow while the weeds are small.
I took a few photos in the yard today. Something to add a little color to the blog.
I seem to have had a small setback in my recovery. After resuming most of my normal routine (with frequent rest time) I suddenly got either an allergy attack or a bad cold. At this point I’m thinking a cold; however, I have had some of the symptoms since I was released from the hospital more than a month ago.
We have had really nice weather for the last week or so but this morning we had our usual high overcast. It burned off later but it also dropped our temperatures back to the 60’s which is more like our normal.
I cut back all the suckers from the boysenberries today. The berry vines are really full of blossoms and lots of small berries are forming. Clyda has been making jam, syrup, and curd from the berries still in our freezer from last year in preperation for this years crop.
We are getting a handful or more of asparagus every day. I do need to weed the asparagus bed tomorrow while the weeds are small.
I took a few photos in the yard today. Something to add a little color to the blog.
The lone rose in our garden.
Bouganvilla on our back fence.
A Dutch Iris in the garden with California Poppies in the background.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Getting better.
Location, At Home, CA
Last Saturday seemed to be a turning point in my recovery. I don’t have the feeling that I need to sit down and rest every few minutes since then. Oh, I do stop and rest frequently but not as often as before.
I am back to walking my full 3.3 miles every morning. I am just a little slow yet but will in time get back to my normal pace.
A month from now is my annual 10 days of security duty for Rancheros Visitadores. I have been getting things ready, checking my lists, talking to the other guys who will work, rounding up the equipment I will need, and talking to my temporary boss for this year. I may not have mentioned in this blog that my old boss (who actually wasn’t that old) dropped dead of a heart attack back in October last year. It was a real shock to get that news.
It was also unfortunate as he and I had started work on some changes to make the job more professional. That is all by the wayside now. I just hope that all goes well this year.
Clyda has been weeding the flower beds while I have been working on the small garden patch to get it weeded. We may have a small garden this year after all.
The large Chinese Elm tree in our back yard which shades most of the yard was trimmed way back in November which should give us extra light for the garden.
Last Saturday seemed to be a turning point in my recovery. I don’t have the feeling that I need to sit down and rest every few minutes since then. Oh, I do stop and rest frequently but not as often as before.
I am back to walking my full 3.3 miles every morning. I am just a little slow yet but will in time get back to my normal pace.
A month from now is my annual 10 days of security duty for Rancheros Visitadores. I have been getting things ready, checking my lists, talking to the other guys who will work, rounding up the equipment I will need, and talking to my temporary boss for this year. I may not have mentioned in this blog that my old boss (who actually wasn’t that old) dropped dead of a heart attack back in October last year. It was a real shock to get that news.
It was also unfortunate as he and I had started work on some changes to make the job more professional. That is all by the wayside now. I just hope that all goes well this year.
Clyda has been weeding the flower beds while I have been working on the small garden patch to get it weeded. We may have a small garden this year after all.
The large Chinese Elm tree in our back yard which shades most of the yard was trimmed way back in November which should give us extra light for the garden.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Getting back to normal.
Location, At Home, CA
In the past week I have managed to get the RV put back in its usual spot. I just couldn’t get it right last week when we got home. The holding tanks are emptied, refer unloaded and cleaned, carpets vacuumed, in general, it is ready to go again.
I do have a list (as usual) of things I need to take care of but none would keep us from going right now.
I work at the list then I sit down and rest. I have been doing a lot of resting. I still haven’t regained my strength back but hope it gets better as time goes on.
We have been eating a lot of asparagus. It really grows fast. We like it sautéed in butter and garlic. We have been eating it every night.
I also have winter squash which needs to be eaten before it goes bad. I could just cook all of it and put it in the freezer I guess.
Yesterday was the day to have our taxes done. We should be ok I think.
In the past week I have managed to get the RV put back in its usual spot. I just couldn’t get it right last week when we got home. The holding tanks are emptied, refer unloaded and cleaned, carpets vacuumed, in general, it is ready to go again.
I do have a list (as usual) of things I need to take care of but none would keep us from going right now.
I work at the list then I sit down and rest. I have been doing a lot of resting. I still haven’t regained my strength back but hope it gets better as time goes on.
We have been eating a lot of asparagus. It really grows fast. We like it sautéed in butter and garlic. We have been eating it every night.
I also have winter squash which needs to be eaten before it goes bad. I could just cook all of it and put it in the freezer I guess.
Yesterday was the day to have our taxes done. We should be ok I think.
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