Simi Valley, one big walk-in cooler

It's not only windy, that's a given these days but it cold. Brrrrrr, freezing cold. Dan brought the milk in from the market and asked if I wanted it in the refrigerator. Funny question you think? No, the 'fridge was 39 degrees and outside temp was 40. I don't even want to guess at the wind chill temp. Making soup today.

How creative were you today?

Just in case you thought your neighbors were sane this guy proves you wrong. Here's what they might be doing.

Butt-painting

Seems as though the VA board of education fired this teacher. I can't say I enjoy his art but you have to give him points for creativity.

What does peace look like?

So I heard him and can't believe he'd want to send more troops there. We do have to leave someday and I sure don't see crowds of people throwing flowers, tearfully waving goodbye, thanking us. And are we trying to shame Syria and Iran into help stabilizing the region? They couldn't care less about something stable. Wouldn't you think they would be tired of all this? I suppose it has become a way of life, or death for so many of those poor Iraqis.

More troops, buckets more money and what will we get? More dead--that is all--and when we leave there the tide will rush in. We can not change something that has been going on for 1500 years.

If you think the Iraqi government is magically going to step-up and finally create some safe areas please volunteer and go over and help them. Just let our young people come home; alive.

Mother Blogger

Blogger is pretty much making my blog life crazy. Sheesh! Is anyone else having this much trouble? Can't connect, photos don't load, and the worst insult--can't make a comment on a blog. How can I live?

It does seem to be back up and running this morning so a quick rant because I am a busy retiree. With the holdiay past I'm now into a different more relaxed but still busy mode. And because I'm trying to give my spleen a rest I'll try not to be too frustrated with Blogger today and state that I have a few things to be thankful for.

The wind has subsided, notice I didn't say stop because it will be back this Friday. It has been the the worst year that I can remember and I've live in this house since '73. Give us some rain, please. So until the wind comes back I will savor the lovely California winter.

He's back

I don't want to scare lil bird since this is her car and we just garage/tinker/and drive on Sundays and holidays of obligation but Dan took it to the garage this morning. Not any garage, Christian Auto Repair and it's back in business after a few years hiatus. Shawn and his son Jason have re-opened their business and it couldn't have come at a better time.

Dan has been trying to find the time to do a bit of rear end swapping but what with the holidays, and the install of a friend's heater/AC and our upcoming install of the same plus a water heater, he just hasn't gotten to it. Shawn to the rescue. And just as a side note, there are only a few that Dan trust with his cars, he'd rather do the work himself. If he let's someone else turn a wrench you know they've got to be good.

We're glad he's back in business because he's one of those trustworthy mechanics that actually knows how to fix cars and now he's passing on this knowledge to his son and when the time comes, to the grandson, too. Dan got over there super quick because today's the first day of business and once people in town know he's back, well, there could be a wait.

Jason and Shawn, good luck with your new venture.

No handicapped people here

We were one of four hosts for a New Year's Eve progressive dinner and had a houseful for the salad course. I didn't get to make anything fancy, it would have been impossible for 25, but did have an interesting salad bar. What was the biggest hit at my stop? The warm spiced apple cider. It was a chilly evening.

One of the guests is a very talented blind woman. She was a guest at the house a while ago when I was living in Bakersfield and knew right away we had remodeled. She tapped the floor and said she noticed we'd changed from carpet to tile. I found this amazing but she is an amazing person. She works and plays the violin and is always so cheery. She also lives alone, cooks for herself and friends, and swims in her backyard pool. I would never think of calling her handicapped. It's us that are at times.

Baby it's cold inside

Our darling Buddy was cold this morning and I can't say I blame him.



Though I did get him to at least poke his nose out to say Happy New Year!

Some people ... can be good

Ok, let's just file this one under Christmas Miracle.

Read my sister's blog.

Happy … fill in the blank

With the 25th approaching I've been trying to decide what we celebrate in our house. Not being religious folks we don't attend church anymore and I have to say not one of my family does either. I'm sure we are not that unusual because thinking about our circle of friends and neighbors I know of only one family that even attends services on a regular basis; there might be more. I did know someone that attended church and bible study with such fervor that I wrote her off. I guess I'm a heathen because she questioned everything I did.

Some of my older relatives do attend church and I know it gives them some solace in times of need but I guess I've lost that. My consolation comes from a call from my sister or a visit from a friend. The Catholic church was pretty crummy to my mom when she got a divorce and what with priests snagging little boys like they did and probably still do, I have no use for an organized religion.

So just what do we celebrate this time of year? I've given it a lot of thought and I'm sure there are more people standing on my side of the fence than care to admit. I celebrate a time to think of less fortunate folks and make it a time of giving and the time we spend together as family and friends. I celebrate that my family and friends, though not associated with a religion, are good, honest, and moral people. They are all these things for their own reasons and don't push any beliefs down my throat.

I also celebrate the bright shiny things of the Yule Tide, the warm feeling I get from seeing the lights and decorations. You see our mother/grandmother was a bit of an elf. Lorna decorated every square inch she could reach and I feel a bit of her soul each time I pass a Christmas tree or a pretty package or make a plate of "goodies" for the neighbors.

Today would be Lorna Georgianna's 84th birthday and if there is any time of the year I miss her more it's this time. Gone almost five years but still in all our hearts. Think of her next time you see some "eat at Joe's" blinking Christmas lights. Happy Birthday Momma.

So even if you don't believe in anything believe there are good honest people in this world and if you include yourself in this group, feel good about celebrating the joy of the winter holiday; it needs no name.

Here is a little something my sister sent. For your entertainment.

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and Frostie

Our neighbors like to decorate. For Halloween they have stuffed scarecrows and pumpkins and fake tombstones on the lawn so it goes without saying they'd do something for Christmas. I always thought the nativity was Jesus, Mary, and Joseph but there's Frostie the Snowman, with some idiotic grin, standing right next to Mary. I could see it if they had a small yard but they do have an homage to Santa Clause complete with bobbing head reindeer so why isn't the snowman standing in the secular section?

Somehow they've found the ugliest nativity scene on the planet. It's plastic and lit from inside and about one-third human scale. Over the years the colors have faded and for some reason Joseph is starting to look like an albino. The plastic is bad enough but the actual features of the three are hideous. Who modeled for this?

Don't forget My Online Red Kettle

Good or bad, it's a warm feeling

It is a lovely day here, 88 I think and the wind has died down a bit, well, enough for me to walk about a quarter of a mile to Von's. Damn if I didn't forget something my last trip out and just couldn't think of getting into the car again so I hoofed it; I can use the exercise and my car the rest.

Walking is a good time to see the sights in your neighborhood--oh I wish they'd left their shades down on that house--and to think, I was thinking of my Christmas shopping and what else I needed to do. I was almost done but I now need to buy presents for a family of five children. Our car club donates to charities and they needed some extra shoppers. I'm looking forward to this challenge as we have no little ones to buy for these days. I also need to do some final baking but it's too warm today to make peanut brittle.

Outside the Von's was my favorite bell-ringer, John. John lives nearby and this time of year he works for the Salvation Army. I always put something in his little red kettle if for no other reason than to have him smile at me. He's wheelchair bound but beams when someone walks by and always says, "thanks, luv and have a great day." John has a charming British accent and I've never seen him not smile.

Seeing John got me thinking about the Salvation Army so I had a look at their website when I got home. So techy they are, they have a virtual kettle and I signed up to be a host. My mom was a great volunteer and this is what she had to say about volunteering:

Volunteering is like wetting your pants in a dark suit, no one knows you've done it but it gives you a warm feeling.

I'd never ask for money here on my blog, other do but I do this for fun, not for a job, but I am asking you to take the time and plunk a buck or two in my kettle. It's not for me but for my neighbors and your neighbors and for that good warm feeling you'll get.

My Online Red Kettle

News flash to holiday shoppers

If you are standing in a checkout line eventually someone will ask you for some method of payment so get your damn finger out of you nose and be ready.

Do you suppose people who wait until the clerk say, "That will be xxx." before they decide how to pay are expecting the clerk to say, "You're so damn ravishing today, why don't you just blink those baby blues and we'll call it even." I do believe some were just dropped from outer space and don't have a clue what to do.

Think ahead, ya morons! Wait these are the same people trying to cross six lanes of traffic because--oh oh, there's my exit--so I guess they've not given any thought to how this transaction will end. The fucking money won't escape open the wallet.

As you can see I've already lost what little holiday spirit I had.

I'm not asking to win the lotto, just for a little rain

The winds have calmed down this evening and that's gotta be better for the firefighters on the Moorpark fire. The fire raged in the strong winds on Sunday, darling husband saw smoke just west of us, but we knew little since we have no local TV coverage. My sister from Florida called to check on us, it made the network news.

Scary thing our California brush fires, they can spread in a moment fanned on by the horrible winds. Sixty-five mile per hour winds that shake the house and every atom in your body makes everyone a bit jumpy, including the dog.

We live in a small valley with dry hillsides nearby so every time the wind kicks up we think of the worst. 2003 was the closest it has come to the house in the 34 years we've lived here, too close for me. A serious water problem just waiting to happen and they still build more homes in the hillsides. I know, that's the price you pay for living here.

So everyone, let's think of rain. Not flooding gully-washers just little puddles in the street, maybe a bit of snow at higher elevations, but some moisture. A soft rain that washes the streets clean and waters the hillsides would be nice, but not at "drive time," we don't want accidents. We did invent the Sigalert in Los Angeles and it has something to do with us not knowing how to drive in inclement weather. Don't let anyone tell you different, Californios can't drive in the rain. It scares us, we have to phone someone, and then that's when the fun begins--red flashing lights and tow-trucks.

Yes Buddy, there is a Santa Claus

After the horrible wind last night this morning I tiptoed outside to see if there were any ruby red slippers in the yard and was relieved to see our house was still in Southern California and not OZ.

Next I gingerly opened the newspaper to see if I'd dreamed it and nope, it was true, UCLA beat USC yesterday and proved you can't discount the underdog. The Bruins didn't beat the crap out of the Trojans but they beat them enough. That was good enough for the fans. The true fans are our daughter and son-in-law because they are alumni, here is a great photo from the game, winners.

I will be honest, I wished for a win but didn't think they had a chance, what a fool I was not to believe. It proves if you want something bad enough you can make it happen and the football laddies did their team, their fans, and city proud.

Just one more thing before I go to bed tonight, I'll make my list for Santa.

I am from the planet Valdor, pee in this cup

Doctors intimidate me. I can't say why, maybe it's the tools they have and the fact they have to sterilize them. They also can make you do things you'd never choose to do on your own like peeing in a cup. I've never woke up in the morning and said, "Hey, before I eat or drink anything, why don't I just take a whiz in this mug." It must be some mind control.

Where else do we willingly strip down to our bare nothingness in a strangers house and wear a paper robe and not question what will be going on. I leave my socks on because it give me a false sense of security. If there is an emergency, and I have to run out, at least I have something on my feet. Please don't try to imagine me wearing my red socks and clutching a paper gown running down the hall it will keep you up nights.

Isn't it sort of creepy how they don't have a sense of humor? Lucky's the patient who's doctor can smile at a joke let alone say anything remotely humorous. It's like they aren't human or maybe they're alien. That sure would explain the colonoscopy procedure.

I'll be right back I've just gotten a desire to have someone stick me with a needle.

What next?

It was brought to my attention today that it's been a while since I wrote on this blog. Like I didn't know that? Sheesh.

I've been in a funk and can't put my finger on what's causing it. I've got a list of probable causes going and it could be a number of things including that dunderhead of a president and now the president of Iran is sending us letters. I wish he wouldn't. It's like a nosy old uncle writing to tell you your brother is a jerk. Yeah, we know, we were trying to get rid of him but you know the family voted and there must have been some alcohol involved because somehow we voted him to stay around for another few years.

And now it looks like Italy is pissed at Ikea for not selling nativity scenes. Guido, they sell f-ing furniture not religious items. Don't we have more to worry about? Get this, some Italian minister is asking Christians AND atheists to boycott them. Atheists? Why the hell would they care?

They really tug on your heart strings

He's ok now.

I've always said the day Buddy doesn't get excited about going for his daily walk is the day he goes to the vet and that happened yesterday morning.

He was in quite a bit of pain and after the Dr checked him out decided it was his neck. Buddy is 11, which is Social Security/Medicare time for puppies, and things just get wonky. The meds were an anti-inflammatory and had our precious pup up and tail wagging in a few hours. Whew.

But there was some more sad news, oh not for us, for Buddy. Doc says he's gotta drop a few pounds by his next appointment which will be in January. When I told Buddy he needed to go on the South Beach Diet he got very excited, all he heard was "go".

Bow down to the king and princess of the mountain

Our friend up the mountain invited us to see two additions to her family, Rex and Grace. These are Cornish Rex cats and they came by way of a pet rescue group. She took both because were from an owner who could no longer care for them. They are sweet little critters and very non-allergic. I can attest to that as I never sneezed once.

Rex, the black and white male, does actually have front feet he just has a strange way of sitting. He sits on his butt like a human and he's very friendly. Grace, the smaller tri-color female, we found just as friendly but doesn't like to sit in you lap and is more content to be on your level. She's quite curious and will poke her nose in anything.
She lost her beloved Noché, also a Cornish Rex, a while back so I'm glad she got these two. She's a great cat wrangler.

The human comedy has heart

If you'd like to know what makes us human read my sister's post, A warm fuzzy.

Nothing socially redeeming about Fox

This is just wrong. An interview with O.J. Simpson about his upcoming book will air on Fox. This guy is such a creep I can't imagine why someone hasn't slit his throat. And those bastards at Fox, do you suppose the moron that ok'd this to air has a mirror in his house? It's all about the money. Well, I guess someone will watch it, pity them.