Another birthday? 08-09-19

It is a little early, my birthday isn't until September 1st.  Today my small art quilt group met and as is our tradition for each member to supply their own cake, I took a small chocolate cake with candles.  Hard to believe those numbers, but they are correct.  How did I get so old?  Guess that deserves a celebration, so I will celebrate until the end of September.  Party anyone?

The cake, by the way, was only about 7" square and came from Ralph's market bakery.  We have had this cake before and it is just delicious - rich, moist, and gooey!

Having nice people in one's life is a big boost.  Before KoKo and I went on our Road Trip I came home one day and discovered that a neighbor's dog had accidentally been left outside when the whole family went away for a pool party.  The little white dog was not happy and barking a lot, but stayed close to home, mostly in her own yard.  It was very hot, so I took a container of water over and left it for her on the porch, but she wouldn't let me get close.  Fortunately when the family returned the dog was still sticking close to home and was happily reunited with the parents and kids.   Today my doorbell rang and it was the little girl, Jessica, with a pot of these little lavender flowers to say thank you for taking care of her dog.  I was surprised and touched.  How thoughtful of them to wait until we returned and surprise me.  Nice neighbors.  

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Still dragging 08-08-19

I just can't seem to get much done before I need another nap.  KoKo is also spending a lot of the day napping.  Today was errands and a doctor appointment that I set up months ago.  Got home just in time!  And tomorrow I have a meeting with a small group I belong to.  

Eventually, I suppose, I will have everything put away.  Maybe not!

I know these look a lot like cherry tomatoes, but they are actually rose hips. 

These were growing near the HIE where we stayed in Beaverton, OR.  

I don't believe I have ever seen any like this before.  Amazing.  They can be used to make rose hip jelly, but not if they have been treated with chemical sprays.  

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Wordless Wednesday 08-07-19

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Recovery Day #1 08-06-19

KoKo and I spent the day taking naps!  Of course, we did our morning walk, he declined breakfast and I didn't want any.  Then we napped.  About 1pm we got up and did a tour of the backyard.  Then we had another nap and I read my current book.  KoKo's dinner at 5:30pm came directly from the ten pound bag of food and he ate it all.  Wonder what the difference is between the food in the plastic container and the food still in the 10# bag?  I'll try him again tomorrow.  After that we had a nap.  It was still 82F at 7:45pm, so we waited until the temp dropped a bit and at 79F and 8:15pm we went for our evening walk.  Three or four couples out walking in the coolness (79 cool?).  Had a couple friends call to see how we were doing.  Did some computing.  Now it is 11:45pm and time for bed.  I know I am going to sleep, KoKo is already in dreamland.   Tomorrow I will have to unload the car so there will be room for the groceries I MUST buy - the cupboard and the frig are bare.  

Three weeks away seems like a long time now.  

Tuberous Begonias in Mt Vernon, WA, garden of Mac Huseby.

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We are home! 08-05-19

It was a 490 mile day, leaving from Mary's in San Juan Bautista at 9:15am and arriving at our house at 7:11pm.  I had some things from Mabel to deliver to her daughter in Tehachapi in the high desert, which is a loop east from I-5.  I trusted the GPS and didn't go where I intended to go, so Karen, Mabel's daughter, met me in Mojave and we transferred from our car to hers.  It was 106F and I found the sole spot of shade from a skinny tree in the McDonald's parking lot.  Too hot for KoKo to walk on the asphalt so he had to wait until I found another shady spot for him.  Then we headed east on highway 58 to where it meets I-15 just south of Barstow.  Had a pit stop at Lenwood, which is all fast food places, gas stations, an outlet mall, and a few motels.  We used to stop there on our way to Lake Havasu City when I took care of Corky, the Poodle Prince.  It has grown a lot and now spreads on both sides of the highway.  It was 108F there.  South in heavy traffic on I-15 to the 91 Freeway and then just two miles home.  KoKo had to immediately take a walk.  Poor guy being cooped up in the car all day with just a few rest areas to have a little walk and a piddle.  I don't think he really enjoyed the road trip.  Now he is passed out in his chair and I am about to pass out in my chair.  Emptied the ice chest and brought in the necessary things for both of us, but the car is still packed - all that workshop stuff and clothes (mostly clean since Mabel let me do a load at her house) and my Featherweight which Mabel serviced for me and taught me how to do it, and...  well, the stuff I seem to take on a road trip.  Tomorrow, or even Wednesday, is soon enough to unpack.  

I'll have some more pictures from the road, but too tired tonight.

KoKo observing the people parking at McDonald's.

 This scrawy tree cast the only shade in the parking lot.  I parked on the line, taking up two parking spots, but KoKo deserved it!!

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A hard day's travel 08-03-19

We were up bright and early, waving goodbye to Phyllis and her husband while we were on our morning walk. On the road at 8:30am we had mostly moderate traffic and lots of construction.  KoKo with Agapanthus.

Into the slot for several miles. 

In several places I-5 was one lane in each direction.  I seemed to always be the last of the pack.  At least this time I wasn't right behind a semi. 

 One lane traffic each direction.  Each in a "slot" with minimal shoulder.

In the middle of this picture is the "Ag station" into California.  Every car must stop and declare any fresh fruits or veggies they have from outside the state.  Mostly they are looking for homegrown items that might carry bugs or diseases we'd like to keep out of California.  I've often wondered how effective this operation is. 

 And in the middle of this picture is Mt Shasta.  She sort of just appears out of the haze in what previously looked like empty sky.

This is in the "State of Jefferson" and those of you have traveled I-5 know the metal cow and her calf in a field along the north bound highway.  She has been graffitied over the years, but still stands proud.  Pickup is heading north on the Interstate.
(The white smear is a reflection on the side window.) 

There she is, out in the open.  Shasta is the only mountain I saw on this trip, all the rest were hiding behind the clouds despite the lovely (and very hot) weather we have enjoyed on this trip. 

And then we had this view for about 2 1/2 hours after we hit something on the roadway and had an almost instantaneous flat right front tire.  

Fortunately there is a very wide shoulder at this section of road and we could pull way off the traffic lanes.  We were almost at Abrams Lake Road north of Shasta City.  

This was the view out the right side of the car - up very steep slope. 

There was almost a whole lane between our car and the traffic, but it was still nervous making when large vehicles zipped by. 

(I've never posted a video - hope it works)

Of course I called AAA to take advantage of my 62 year membership.  They were very nice, but we had a hard time telling them exactly where we were stuck.  A CHP stopped and told me the name of the exit ahead and I advised AAA.  And we waited.  It was hot, but I couldn't run the A/C continuously because then it wouldn't work at all.  So, 20 minutes off and 10 minutes on.  After a while another CHP stopped and was going to get in touch with AAA to see what the problem was.  At that moment the tow truck pulled up.  

Calm and patient?  Not happy. 

Hot and patient.  Also not happy.  He is blue due to the light coming through the very top of the windshield which is tinted.   We had lots of water and a supply of cookies and cheese slices and crackers and..... etc. 

I agreed that we would stay in our car and be pulled up onto the flatbed.  It was very interesting and not scary at all.  One reason I agreed to this is that I doubted I could climb up into the seat of the truck!   He took the next road off (Abrams Lake Road) and went along a surface road to the tire shop in Shasta City.  Where they were very nice and helpful . 

Since we had such good seats I took one more picture of Shasta!

KoKo rarely meets a stranger and will sit on just about any lap that is available.  This fellow was waiting for his tires to be rotated.  

They were able to plug the tire and about 2:30pm we were on I-5 again.  A five hour delay in our day.  We REALLY wanted to stay with Mary in San Juan Bautista, so we drove and drove and arrived at her house at 9pm.  I was on my last leg and so was KoKo. After a bite to eat we hit the bed, got up about 7:30am, went for a potty walk, he wouldn't eat his breakfast, and I didn't want any.  So, we went back to bed until noon.  Oh, how I needed that extra sleep.   We are prepared to leave in the morning to drive home.  KoKo will be happy, I think, this road trip was boring for him.   I had a great time.  

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