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

7/28 / Anderson

Very nice summer week end - - lots of sun, clear sky and very calm.  We hovered around the 90s this week end and it looks like they will get the century mark back next week.  The evenings are getting pretty cool - party due to the reduction in sunshine, shorter days that is not a good thing!!

Kathy was busy with one of her old projects, she has three very old chairs that she wanted to refinish.  She worked on them and has changed her mind on what she wants to do with them several  times.  I am sure her final decision will be a good one!!  She has moved her computer ( laptop) into her studio and she is getting settled in for sure.  Most of the work this week end was done on the back patio - very nice, shaded and we get a nice breeze from the South which keeps it a little cooler. 

I was busy with chores lawn yesterday and today I changed the oil on the boat - well sort of!?  I had to pump the oil out of the crank - not sure but all I could get was about 2 quarts?  For some reason my pump would not pick up any more.  It is a manual pump and I don't have a very good deal in the hose?  I need to find a better pump - they have a adapter on the end of the oil stick so that is the way to do it - just had the wrong tool.  I ended up putting the two quarts back and will refinish the job when I get the right tools.  Talk about tight quarters, the oil filter sit in the back at the right of the engine.  Not very much space to get to it - - not looking forward to that activity either. Several times I had the notion to take it in to have the oil changed - still might do that?  We got the boat with 24 hours on it and it now has 48.  I have not changed the oil so thought it was about time to do that?  With the right tools it should be a snap?

Today, I went out to pick blackberries - it is the season, they are ripe and ready to go!!  Two weeks ago they had a new berries that were ready - those at the end of the cluster seemed to ripen up first.  Today almost all the berries on a cluster were ripe - deep purple ( blackish).  I got about a gallon and a half - popped them in the freezer and they will be ready to go.  I am going to take lst year's berries down South and use them - not sure for what yet.  We still have a blackberry pie in the freezer here that I made a couple of months ago - it turned out great and did not put much of a damper on the inventory?  I see blackberries and ice cream in our future - Kathy will have to manage that with her calorie counting, she will adjust accordingly.  I am totally amazed on the health benefits of blackberries - powerful critters?!!

Kathy had a very busy week and work -  they have pressing issues with the budget like everyone else and puts her right in the middle of the action?  It is sure nice that she is able to get away from that stuff, it would be much harder if she did not a chance to unwind a little and do something else!!?? 

Golf was great as usual, averaged 30 holes each day and played with lots of interesting people.  I also was able to average about 50 balls for my collection.  No sales this week - ball sales have slowed down considerably. 

Not much else for news - - hope you all enjoy the Olympics and have a great week.

More later

Ron, Kathy, Tessie and Sammie

7/21 Tracy

We had a very nice week - the temperature climbed all week to the century mark today it will last until Monday then cool down a little.  The heat is sure increasing the fire hazard throughout the nation - not much relief in sight?!!  We all look forward to the Summer then when the heat climbs we have second thoughts - for us the Spring and Fall are perfect.  We can take the heat and cold in paradise.

We had a very nice day today - met with some dear friends from the bay area to celebrate our collective birthdays.  We had a very nice time, great food and plenty of catching up.  Their daughter has created drawings for us in the past - she loves to draw and has sure matured over time.  Kathy has captured her creativity with the pictures inserted.  Kathy has also added her own shot at drawing, she stated with the eyes then  moved to the nose and next we will get the mouth and more.  They are both doing great with their artistic expression.

Another project I'm working on are fabric transfers using citri-solv.  You take a xerox image face down on the fabric.  Blot the back of the paper using a cotton ball with citri-solv.  Burnish with the back of a spoon or the edge of a credit card and voila.  Heat set with an iron.  Search Citri-Solv Transfers on YouTube for video instructions.  Here is a picture of one I did as a practice run...

Last week end we had a interesting experience at 2:30  the morning.  The fire alarms throughout the house went off.  We investigated and found no smoke or other odors.  I pulled some of the alarms off line and it finally cleared.  I changed out the batteries and that seemed to correct the problem.  I had the batteries to-do list but never got them changed out.  The house has 10 or more smoke alarms - some of them are very high at 20 feet or so.  In the future we need to do a better job in managing the battery back ups.

Lots of exercise this week for both of us.  Kathy, her sister, Rosemary and Pete (Rosemary's husband) have taken on life style change with extra emphasis on healthy behaviors.  They are tracking such things as exercise, food, vitamins, stress management, and being kind to their friends and family, etc.  I am the judge and have given them the challenge metrics and will award the points accordingly based on their efforts.  The focus of this challenge is really targeted at a healthy life style and it does not place much emphasis on the pesky scale.  I am sure that each of them will have a great experience over the next few months as they reap the benefits of the new and different way of life.

Great golf this week  as usual - some bad news however as several of the regulars at the course have sustained some sort of heart problem.  One of the marshals had a mild heart attack several weeks ago.  They did some tests did not not find any major blockage.  He is recovering nicely, taking it easy.  I have talked with him several time - he seemed to be getting cabin fever so I volunteered to take him to the mall to walk in that cool environment.  He liked that and the exercise was very good for him and he enjoyed the opportunity to get out.  I need to keep an eye on him in the future.

Enough babble - - hope you all have a great week.

More later

Ron, Kathy, Tessie and Sammie

7/14 Anderson

It was  a very hot week for us and most everyone else according to the weather forecasters.  Looks like we might get a little break this week and get away from the century mark.  We are having a fair share of fires like everyone else.  Those fire fighters have their hands full once again this year and we are just entering the dry hot season.  I will stay busy trying to keep the yards from burning up.  We got irrigation water last week and that helps but it won't last.  That water is supposed to last 14 days but we are lucky to have it last for 7.  I deep water the trees along the driveway - 18 of them.

Mountain or Mole Hill?

Is it a mountain for a mole hill.  If you guessed a mole hill, you're right - - one of several that appear as soon as I break them down.   I mowed yesterday and got all the little mounds cleared off.  Overnight those critters came back and created yet another tunnel for themselves.  I have been researching ways to get rid of them - looks like trapping is the most efficient.  Tessie found one several weeks ago - I don't think she killed it?  Tessie the terrier is supposed to dig up and catch critters like that, she does pokes and digs around in the yard after them but looses interest pretty quickly.  Originally, I thought they might just move on but looks like they like their home and are hear for the duration?  I will soon be a home wrecker. 

Kathy has a big project this week end, she has tackled her studio.  She has lots of stuff and the inventory keeps increasing.  This room is not big enough for all her inventory so she now has a studio and as staging area (dining room).  Oh and yes she has show tables in the master bedroom.  I can't complain, I have the garage and it is full of stuff of which most of it is mine.  We share our spaces pretty evenly.  I forgot - then we have Tracy and the same kind of arrangement has taken place there as well.  One of these days we will have to consolidate - that will not be a fun project!!??

Kathy's studio re-vamp
{click here to see more pics}

I (Kathy here) have decided I want to learn how to draw.  Great lessons on YouTube.  Here are my "eye" sketches this week:

Next week I'll move on to noses.


We arrived on Thursday and I checked the drinking water for the horses.  All three containers were half empty and full of nasty algae and bacteria.  They all have red cast which as I recall from my biology is Serratia marcescens?  I think this is the same bacteria/algae that is in the Red Sea - - that is where it got the name.  I have mentioned this to the owners of the horses but they seem not to worried about the water condition.  We provide the water they provide the containers and I guess I provide the cleaning.  I am OK with that sure don't want those horses to get sick on my watch?  I feel much better now that they are clean.  After I mowed, I picked up the trimmings and gave it to the horses.  They had two really nice piles to eat from - not really interested, they still have over half of  it still sitting on the ground.  When we had cows - I did the same thing and the piles were gone immediately. 

Clean water trough

Have to close out on  a negative note - - caught a news item this week that really irked me.  The new medical treatment program that was enacted and upheld by the supreme court was once again attached by the House of Representatives (Republican Majority).  For the 33rd time they have tried write a bill that will kill the program.  It takes two to Tango - the bills were then sent to the Senate and rejected by them ( Democratic Majority). They have spent over 800 hours debating the issue at a cost of over 50 million of our precious national budget.  There is something wrong with this whole situation - - we put these folks into office to manage our country, I do not think they are doing a very good job?  We all need to watch this space!!??

Hope you all have a great week.

More later

Ron, Kathy Tessie and Sammie

7/6 Tracy

We are headed straight in to the heart of Summer - temperatures seem to be climbing higher and higher each day!!  We are headed for a long string of century temps for the coming week.  We usually get a nice cool breeze from the bay, which is very nice during the evening hours as it cools us down quickly.  We are very fortunate as we don't have to use a A/C much, we have a single story and we have a large canopy of trees.  Most of the houses in the hood are 2 story and their A/Cs are running all the time.

One of my weekly chores is to do the grocery shopping at Costco of course.  I usually go on Monday at noon after my golf in the morning.  This week I had a run in with the Costco Pirates.  My first experience  - - same old routine, grab a cart, this week I took a pizza from the cooler at the entrance and placed it on the bottom of the cart then I went to the front to ditch the cart so I could get my lunch at the food court prior to shopping.  I placed a shirt in the basket so the cart would not be nabbed.  After my lunch, I came back to my cart  - for some reason my pizza was gone but the shirt and cart were still there.  I put the shirt up and went back for another pizza then finish my shopping.  My second experience -  got all the items and was headed down the main isle, had to get some milk, left the cart which was very full, got the milk then returned to the cart, it was gone!!  I looked in the immediate area while carrying the milk - the cart was not to be found.  The milk was getting heavy so I put it back to look harder for the cart.  I spent the next 10 to 15 minutes walking up and down all the aisles.  No luck - I was not excited about starting over - - but ran out of options so headed back to the entrance to get a new cart.  I got almost back to the entrance and there was my full cart in the middle of the isle.  I was thankful to find it but a bit perplexed about the whole experience(s).  The lesson learned for me was keep your cart with you at all times!!

Kathy has taken on another project for the week end.  She is taking a craft class online the students complete  various projects then post the results of the work.  The students are international and she enjoys the cultural variations.  She is almost half way through the class - should be done by the end of the summer.  She always seems to reflect on how fast the week ends pass.  Her time is already committed to these projects.  She is having great fun with the projects and is learning allot from the teacher and other students.  My week end was filled with lots of yard work.  All the trees and bushes are growing so fast.  I filled both of my 2 yard waist cans with trimming from 1 pepper tree and 4 orange tress that are in the court yard.  Last week, I heard that it is OK to start trimming back the fruit trees in the Summer.  I have always waited for the Fall.  Next week I will work on them, my yard waste cans get emptied on Tuesday.  This yard work sure keeps my busy - I don't need any other projects.

Trim a tree:

So like I get up at half past 8 this morning and Ron already has the trees trimmed.  Next, he goes out for a run....

...and I stay at home and do art!
Mixed Media:

Paper Crafts:

Golf was fun as usual, got to play 3 times, had a great time.  On Thursday, I had a golf ball sale.  The fellow from Modesto wanted 100 balls and was a little fussy initially as he was concerned that he might be getting some garbage balls.  I assured him that would not happen.  I met him and after he looked at the balls he asked if I had another 100?  I usually don't carry extra balls but I did manage to find 6 dozen balls in the car.  He took them as well and went on his way as a happy camper.   I did pretty good on balls found as well, got my avearge of  250 or more.  On Wednesday  - 4th of July, I came home with 92.  I went out early to beat the heat and the crowd - played the back 9  first so that the  4 sums could get in front on me on the front 9.  That was a great move as I had the course to myself, even doubled back to play the back 9 again before I headed to the front 9.  Overall it was a great week on the course.

We did not do much for the 4th - got some minor chores done.  It was sure noisy, the hood was busy with fireworks during the evening.  Tessie did not like all the noise, I took Tessie on  walk later in the evening and there was lots of folks in the streets with their fire works.  We missed the fire works in Redding once again - maybe we can see it next year.  They have a great show - paper said they had 10 K people watching the fire.  It ran for about 25 minutes and costs about $25K.   They sure had a quick show in San Diego, theirs went up in one show - less than 30 seconds and that one cost of  $80K.  That computer error will cost someone lots of money?

Hope you all have a great week end!! 

More later

Ron, Kathy, Tessie and Sammie