8/25 Anderson

The temperatures are coming down a little - - just slightly cooler each week.  This week end we have had warm weather - 98 yesterday and 92 today with very little breeze, clear sky and lots of smoke from the fires that are burning around us.  They have the Ponderosa fire about 75 percent contained and it has been burning for over a week.   The air is definitely thick with smoke - you can taste it and smell it on your cloths.  They about 1800 firefighters working the Ponderosa alone - not a good job at all.  My hat goes off to them protecting people and property.  In this part of the country there are lots of animals, most of them go unprotected unless the owners are able to move them.  They are pretty smart but often are constrained by fences and their exit in the wake of a fire are not existent. 

Smokey haze {pasture after Ron mowed}
 

I did get the lawn and pasture moved yesterday when it was a little cooler.  The horses like it as they get the clippings and seem to enjoy them.  For some reason the amount was almost double this time around.  I suspect it was the extra water that I got from the canal two weeks ago - none this week maybe next time.  I am prepared to water the back pasture, that area does not get any extra water during irrigation and it looks pretty bare now.  I want to get it an the side pasture green and that takes time and lots of water.  The water part of that equation will take some work on my part.  I left the front pasture as it has a pretty good stand of grass and the horses need the grass.  I am hopeful that we can do something with the pasture this fall to prepare them for the Spring.  My goal is to have a green pasture - don't see many of them around here in the Summer with the heat.



Ron rakes up the clippings and feeds them to the horses.  They love it!!!

Kathy has projects as usual - she is making a bench out of three old chairs, she is ready to put on the webbing but our electric stapler does now seem to be strong enough for the job.  Have to look at another unit or another anchoring method?  She is also working on making custom lamp shades - they fit over the original shades and fall into the artsy category?  She has a big show coming up in a couple of months, she is pulling her inventory together to see what she has and organize it accordingly.

I need to finish the webbing, add the other arm and make a cusion.  I think it'll be real cute when it's finished.

Had to take the Focus in for brake work this week - should get it back early next week.  I did change the pads in the front and for some reason the calipers on the front right seemed to be hanging up.  I had purchased shoes for the back but never got around to putting them on.  I turned the job over to the shop - they have the right tools and the expertise for that stuff and I don't have to mess with it.

Last week we showed the two organic waste containers full from all my yard work in Tracy.  Those cans were picked up on Tuesday and by Thursday the cans were full again - won't be emptied for two weeks, bummer.  I trimmed all the orange trees, they are really going strong and I wanted to get ahead of their growth curve.  I also trimmed some more on the big trees in the front and still have more work with them in preparation for the Fall.  Something wrong with this equation -retirement equals trees - someone forgot to tell me about what I signed up for at all!!  Mother nature is out to get me!!

Golf was very good - played twice and it was fun - got out early and beat the heat.  Many of my golf buddies are having medical issues at this time - wish them a speedy recovery.  It is amazing what golf means to many of them - especially those that are 80 plus.  They all seem to be challenged to out drive me - many of them do a good job it, most of the time!!??  Each one of them amaze me each time I get to play with them, my thoughts are " I can only hope I am as good and healthy at 80 as they are"", watch with space : } !!  

Have a small dilemma - wondering if this blog really meets our needs and intentions.  We have had over 700 hits on it in 3 months   Getting visibility was not really the purpose of our blog but it comes with the territory.  I am wondering if there is another media that could serve us better?  The information we share does reach our target audiences to the best of our knowledge but is there a better way or process to make the information more readily available to those that may have an interest.  We have been generating the Saturday Evening Post for many years - - the bottom line, should the Post continue?  If anyone would like to weigh in on this - feel free and it would be greatly appreciated.

More later

Ron, Kathy, Tessie and Sammie

8/18 Tracy

We finally broke the barrier for the century mark - it is only 90 today.  It was overcast this morning and now the wind has kicked up to cool things down even more.  Looks like we will hold this cool down period for the next week and beyond - that would be a good thing.  It is time to start thinking about Fall.

This was a busy week for yard work - more trimming on the trees and bushes.  The yard waste cans are full so had to quit - could have filled up two more easily this week.  The big trees in the front still need to be cut back even more - seems that each year I have to trim higher and higher - one of these years I will not be able to reach the branches even with my extension telescoping tree trimmer.  I have a large 12 foot ladder -  A frame and work off the top as far as I can go.  The branches on that tree are so brittle I don't trust standing on them - I did try once many years ago and after I slid down a branch with chain saw in my hand I said enough of that!!  These two big trees take up much of my retirement life if you can imagine that - - retire to work on your trees in the front yard, something wrong with that.  The neighbors drive past and shake their head with amazement.  Something definitely wrong with this picture.

Played golf 3 times this week (it keeps him sane), I was not able to play as much as usual only averaged 25 holes or so.  Seemed that lots of folks wanted to play and they were very slow.  One of the nice things about being out early - you don't have to wait on anyone so my first 18 holes are a snap.  Kathy got me a new driver this week, this was one of the gifts that they offered for 20 years of service - she did not see anything else for herself?!!  The driver is a duplicate for one that I just bought recently and was curious how they would compare.  The new one is a newer model - I played 18 holes with it and did not see much difference.  The older one might be a little better - - if only for the fast that it has a white head instead of black.  I have noted that the white head does seem to give me a little extra mental boost, not sure if that is possible but they definitley feel different?!!  It was very nice of her to bestow that upon me.  I did get a new pair of golf shoes this week, this is my 4 pair sence retirement.  I changed this time to Nike - before I used Foot Joy - for some reason the top of the toes on those shoes crack and tear.  I think that might be from the water - one of the downsides of being early on the course is that you have to deal with all the extra water - puddle everywhere and the grass is very wet so the shoes definitley get soaked.  To prevent that from happening I put some waterproofing on the new shoes and will so that a couple of times to help keep them in better shape. 

Kathy is yet again working on a new artsy project.  She is now locked in drawing and mixed media collage.  This combines the two into some very creative stuff - not sure what functional  things will come of them?  (It keeps me sane) People generally channel their energy into form or function.  Kathy definitely takes the form avenue (It keeps me sane) and I head down the functional side of things.  From a creative perspective the form takes the lead in the art world at large.  How boring our environment would be if all we had was funcationality? (how sweet!)

Mixed Media Collage - The Queen who rocked Versailles, Marie Antoinette

The evolving sketch...added mouth and face shape.

We are looking foward to trip to Anderson next week (!!!) - have lots of projects and maybe - just maybe we will be able to get on the lake.  We are not doing very good with that - - - find too many excuses not to go.  For me the extra distance and time to get there is definitley a factor.  As we get out routine down to something more manageable we will certianly spend more time of the water.  We are entering a period when the lakes are less crowed and the days are much cooler - perfect for our type of outing/  We also have lots of chores in Anderson but that is another story as well!!??
Enough babble - hope you all have a great week.

More later. . .
Ron, Kathy, Tessie and Sammie

8/11 Anderson

August 11th is a very special day.  I'd like to wish a very Happy 56th Wedding Anniversary to my parents!!!!!  Congratulations!!!!  We love you both so very much!!!


Beat the heat , that is the goal for this week end and much of the week.  It is sitting at 107 now and looks like it will get to 110, we had 108 yesterday and more of the same projected for the rest of the week.   Last week I heard that we had the hottest July on record, 77.6 the previous record was 77.4 set in 1936.  The California record for the number of consecutive days over 100 was 11 and that was in 2006.  Not sure if we will pass that record but we will sure give it a run.

We have enjoyed the Olympics - the US is doing very good.  I saw a stat yesterday where they listed gold medal by state - California was the winner with something like 30 and Florida was second.  I ran through them pretty quickly and did not recall seeing Idaho? 

Busy week end for me in the yard and pasture.  Got everything mowed and even got the irrigation canal cleaned up by removing the weeds.  This year the pasture is sure different, lots of tall big weeds with flowering buds.  I don't remember them last year and wonder why they are coming this year?  I need to do some research as I sure would like to get some better grass growing.  I think we will have it disked them up and put down some grass seed this fall or maybe next Spring would probably be the best.  I will mow it all again later in October not sure if I need to spray it for weeds before we reseed or spray it now.  The irrigation is doing much better this year - not great but definitely better that will improve with time.

Spent a large part of the days making sure that the trees got enough water - - the new ones are doing pretty well.  We did have irrigation last Tuesday and the ground was still a little moist around the trees.  I wanted to make sure they had plenty of water hopefully it will last for the next 10 days or so.  With the century temps this is a critical period for them.  The older trees are doing fine as they have established a good root system and can withstand the dry spell. 

                                   Half way down the drive way looking down the lane.

Looking up the lane.  Notice the smoke on the horizon.  Few fires

going near Lassen Peak.  Smokey smell definitely in the air.

Kathy is on a curtain project, making new curtains for the spare bedroom.  We have some in there at present but she wanted something different.  She will next move to put some type of curtain cover over the door in her studio.  That door has a large window and she does not have anything for it yet.  She did have a chance to get out and see some of her Redding Handmade crew this week end, that was good for her  to stay in contact with here buddies.  She has another big show in October and she will definitely have some time then to work with them again.  I imagine she will be picking up speed to get ready for that show as it is not that far away?

Anthropologie inspired draperies.  Cost to purchase 2 panels from Anthropologie:  $340
                                                        Cost to make 2 panels (unlined):  $17

Picked blackberries again - got another gallon or more.  With the heat, I have noticed that the berries on the South have dried up from direct sun exposure and those on the North are still pretty good and some are not even ripe yet.  Two weeks ago I thought I would not have another chance to pick berries - looks like they will be around for a couple more weeks maybe even 3?

Got to play golf twice - very warm and the higher temp sure kicked my butt.  I still did 30 holes walking and the heat certainly was a factor,  I had plenty of water which was a good thing.  I played with several different people and did not collect many golf balls.  I don't like to hold them up as they all ride a cart and I walk and look for balls along he way.  I don't hold them up so it is not a problem but I get about  half of my normal balls.  Looking forward to more "hot" golf next week!!

Enough babble - hope you all have a great week!

More later

Ron, Kathy, Tessie and Sammie

8/4 Tracy

We had a great cool day today - took a 30 degree temperature swing.  We had triple digit weather all week and the same projected for next week.  We actually had a few sprinkles today and that is very unusual for us.  It would be nice for lots more rain that won't happen until the middle of September. 

Lots of work in the yard this week, focus was the apple trees.  Had to pull off all the apples, granny smith and Fuji - they were ripe and the birds were taking their fair sure.  I made 3 apple pies with the granny smith apples, they sure make great pies.  We are eating one and 2 in the freezer.  I also trimmed the apple trees early - took about have the length off the branches, wanted to shape the trees a little.  I usually trim them after they loose their leaves in the November time frame.  It will be interesting to see how this trimming affects the production of apples in the future.

We did not get tied up with the Olympics this year - saw some of the highlights but really did not watch much of the competition.  I did find it interesting the China had a couple of disqualification, they really put pressure on their participants.  I did not realize the in the US the gold medal winners get $25K China on the other hand gives $800K.  Other countries also pay lots of money for golf winners - China does pay the most. 

Kathy is busy with yet another art project - she is making an art journal for her niece who graduates this year from high school.  Kathy is also stepping up her workouts these days - she has been walking for an hour.  This week she began interval training, interspersing a little running with the walk.  She is making progress - a little slower than what she wants and has come the realization that it is more difficult to loose weight when you get a little older.

Click {here} for more pics and the step by step process.

I played golf  3 times this week, had a great time and got lots of exercise and plenty of golf balls.  I got to play with lots of interesting people which makes it even more fun.   After 3 years I know most of the regulars - very nice folks it is always a pleasure to play with them.  I have offered swing suggestion to many of them and recently several have commented that their golf has improved.  Friday I was doing my thing - a father and son were on the opposing hole and the son hollered out to me , "please stop giving my father lessons!!"  The son drives the ball a mile and now the father is keeping up with him, the father is 81 years old, amazing guy!!  I got a kick out of  that, I have played with the father many times and he had a terrible swing.  I got him set up with a nice smooth swing with a good turn and return - very nice and straight now, happy camper.

Not much for news , hope you all have a great week end. 

More later

Ron, Kathy, Tessie and Sammie