Intrepid Hunter ~ Nov 28, 2012

Meet our neighbor "Mister" a dark shadow with golden eyes. Much to our delight he likes hunting for gophers in our south forty.

The Cosmic Cowgirl ~ Nov 23, 2012

She rides the great wide open

On a steed of love's devotion

It could be in the Rockies today

Or a beach along the ocean

Martini in hand, friends at her side

Perhaps tonight it's a musical ride

Tom, Ray Wylie, Thad or Fred

By campfire, small barn or train instead

We shared the venues, road trips and scenes

The decadent desserts at Roxy's

With sliced almonds and whipped cream

Emandal Farm

Trisha crossed all our paths in different ways

Leaving none of us the same

Her truth was simple
Her philosophy never changed

Follow your heart

Jump in with both feet

Say what you mean

And follow your dreams

The posse remains ever true

You're always at our side

For laughter and lift me ups

And of course the occasional
Kicks in the butt

Life goes on
We add years and miles
And no doubt we'd all give anything
For just another smile

Tombstone Road Trip ~ Off with a Bang ~ Nov 3, 2012

The first stop on our road trip to Tombstone, AZ was the annual BABE (Bay Area Bead Extravaganza) show in Oakland. I wasn't going to go this year, but decided to at the last minute since we had to drive right by there on Hwy 580 to get to Interstate 5 (read Justification Shuffle). We had reservations at a hotel in Bakersfield for our first night out, so we had plenty of time to get there before dark ~ or so we thought.

Just north of Novato, we hear a loud bang that shook car. WTF? There were no objects in sight and it didn't seem to affect drivability so we continued to Oakland for lunch and a little bead therapy. I found this amazing borosilicate glass bead set, by Colorado artist Harold Cooney. I was so drawn to the colors, Rod just pulled out the cash and said do it. He's fun to shop with.

When we left the Marriott with the windows down we started hearing some grinding and rasping. We're about to take off on a 2,200 mile road trip so our friend Common Sense says "Okay it's time to take the Jeep home". Once there Rod grabbed the rear driver side wheel and pushed and pulled, nothing, but on the right side it clanked and had about an inch of play. Considering the axles were just replaced I didn't know what to think except that going to the bead show was a good move ~ justified.

I wasn't going to bother my mechanic until we returned so we just did a Hail Mary and threw everything in the Honda CRV. Because my Jeep is a big loud V-8 our neighbor heard us come home and wondered what was up. Andrea is always amazed that this kind of adversity never seems to phase us. Our take is that "it is what it is and there's no sense in getting upset." My only concern was getting to Bakersfield after dark, she looked at me and smiled "but that's the best way to see it" and sent us on our way.

No way we were to face Oakland again so we took Hwy 37 and went out through Martinez to 680 to 580 to I5. I can see why our friends like I5 when headed south. It's wide open country, with far fewer idiots than most freeways closer to civilization. When we stopped for a late lunch, we found out that Kern County produces 76% of the state's oil and is 3rd in all counties in US in agricultural production. Who knew? We made to Bakersfield in good time: great room, comfy bed and a freshly made to order breakfast at the hotel in the morning. Deep breath, we're on vacation.

Sunday Morning Along Hwy 58

Sunday morning we made a left off of I5 and head east on Hwy 58, to I40 and Laughlin, NV. We'll spend a couple of days there to try and locate my grandfather's gold mine near Lake Mojave.

Oh Well Part Deux ~ Nov 2, 2012

When Drake and Tim returned to work Monday, they found that a portion of the hole had collapsed so they had to re-drill a section, but we're at 240" as promised and we have water. By early afternoon the solid and perforated 5" PVC casing was installed and the hole back filled up to the 50 ft level with Monterey sand. A sanitary seal was then installed, to keep groundwater out of the well. The remaining section of hole was back filled with a cement and bentonite mix to ground level.

Once that was done they mixed and poured a small pad to protect the well head, the old fashioned way ~ with manpower.

The pump, pressure tank and plumbing will be installed November 26th. Since we wanted to keep the old well functioning we'll have to upgrade the wiring which now comes from the house. It's not in conduit and this would mean trenching across the road, the PGE gas line and our septic line to the leach field. Not what we'd call an option. It was decided the more economical way to go is to bring electricity from the PGE pole at far edge of our property (nearer the well) and run the line underground to the well head. We're waiting for a quote which will no doubt show up while we're gone.

Watching them jockey this rig and the drill rig around the sloped pasture,  fenced garden areas, compost piles, leach field and trees was worth the price of admission on Monday. Timing is everything, it started raining Tuesday.

What is really interesting is that our old well, which has been shutting down nightly due to the draw from the back flush of the filter system, has not shut down since two days after they started drilling. Maybe they shook the troll loose?

Well (pun intended) we're off tomorrow for a ten day adventure to Arizona. We're looking forward to seeing some new territory, doing some star gazing in the great wide open and looking into a little family history.

Walkabout ~ October 27, 2012

I'd been on the computer for most of the morning and decided some exercise was in order, so I grabbed my camera and headed out for a circuit around the vineyard next door. Temperature in the mid 70's and color everywhere. Hard to believe it's almost November.  

Oh Well ~ October 26, 2012

What are the three things a homeowner doesn't want to hear?

1. You need a new roof
2. Your septic system is shot
3. You really should replace your well

I don't know if the proper word is "fortunate" but we do have the first two covered; the roof is in good shape and the entire septic system and leach field was replaced in 2006. Thank the goddesses for home equity.

We recently did the annual filter change on the house water system(Sebastopol well water is famous for bacterial iron). The increase in the volume of water to back flush the filter tank started shutting down the well on a nightly basis. After three years the jet pump, 100' down the well, is no doubt once again clogged with iron and manganese. The well cannot recharge fast enough to keep pressure tank at optimum levels.

The new morning ritual of walking down to the well to restart it and picking up the paper on the way back up to the house wasn't an ideal long term solution, especially with winter approaching. What are the options? 

• Pull up and replace 200' of piping and the jet pump to the tune of about $1,000 ~ assuming that is the only problem
• Install a water storage tank $6,700
• Replace well estimated cost $17,000 and be done with it

The first and second choices are less expensive, quick fixes with no guarantees. The well is 60 years old and the stability of the old iron casing had to be part of the equation. Technology has changed dramatically in the last several decades so we decided to replace the well. The old one is still operational and we'll use it for the drip system in the vegetable garden.

The arrival of all the equipment, logistics of getting into place, and the process itself has been quite entertaining for the troops up here around our little compound. The sand chairs atop one of the compost piles provide prime viewing.

Set Up

Day Two

Weeks Well and Pump has been drilling for two days and will probably finish up on Monday. The old well is 240' so we'll go down to the same depth. All the tailings and slurry must stay on site so they built an earthen dam behind the garden for the water, soil, and sand, all of which is non-toxic.

Our neighbor, Engineer Mike, mused that it was too bad we couldn't find the Mother of all Gopher Dens and pump the slurry underground. Visions of cartoon tunnels and herds of gophers leaving town put a smile on all of our faces.

I walked down to the "wash" just before sunset and was fascinated by the colors, shadows and small tracks that already ran across the face. Stay tuned for Chapter Two.

Ethereal Beauty ~ Oct 25, 2012

We just got back from a short jaunt up to Butte County to see my Aunt Betty and her husband Bob. They are 93 and 95 respectively and delightful company. We went up to tag along when they met with an attorney to update their trust.

The four of us are heading out for a more entertaining adventure on November 5th. They're taking the Land of Legends, Wild, Wild West bus tour through historic sites in Arizona and we're going to meet up to spend a couple of days exploring and looking into family history.

The trip took us through Lake County via Hwy 20 and we saw a lot of the damage caused by recent lightning fires. The ground and brush are burned away, and though the trees are burned their leaves remain. It created a rather other worldly vision in the changing light of a passing storm, an ethereal beauty hard to describe.

Sunday Coloring Book ~ Oct 21, 2012

Rumor has it we're going to get rain tonight so we decided to take a walk at Riverfront Park just outside of Windsor. Got some good exercise, a few photos, and checked out bass fishing possibilities. Rod is now, after all, a gentleman of leisure, a fledgling retiree, and elder of the hood (well besides me). He's looking forward to some uncommited time and then will start scouting out volunteering opportunities. He's seen how much I enjoy my two days a week at the Legacy Shop Annex in Sebastopol.

Chicory Blossom

Trisha's in the House ~ Oct 20, 2012

Rod was fixing one of his infamous kitchen sink stir fry breakfasts with  spinach, bell peppers, red peppers, potatoes and garlic from the garden and fresh eggs from our next door neighbor. As I walked through the kitchen, he commented that the red peppers were hotter than he expected. He asked me what I thought and handed me a small piece to test. At first crunch my eyes went wide and I started waving my hands in preschooler sign language ~ too hot, too hot, too hot. He agreed to only use a few and cook them beyond redemption so there was only a little heat for flavor.

I have Trisha's Christmas Cactus in my living room on a corner shelf where it thrives back lit by two windows. I looked up from the breakfast table and noticed it had two huge salmon colored flowers. It usually doesn't start blooming for another month. I told Rod to take a look and said "Trisha's in the House". He looked at me and smiled "I knew that from the way you reacted to the peppers" remembering her distaste for really hot food groups.

My cousin Gordie taught me a card game called Idiot's Delight. You turn up one card at a time, always playing with the last four cards showing. If the 1st and 4th cards are same suit you can remove the two cards in between. If the 1st and 4th cards are the same you can remove all four cards. The object is have no cards at the end of the game. It took me 18 years to win my first game. On one of our road trips I taught Trisha how to play. It took her exactly three tries to win her first.

My last conversation with her in November 2010 was about our plans for Thanksgiving and her birthday. After we had gotten off the phone I realized I had forgotten to tell her I had won a game of Idiot's Delight the night before (probably the 4th time in 20 years), so I called her back. We had a great laugh and she told me I'd have to school her again, it'd been awhile since she'd played. Little did I know...

Rod and I play cribbage with breakfast every morning. Sometimes when he's pondering a move at great lengths I'll pick up the deck, shuffle and start a game of Idiot's Delight. Holy crap! It took me a second to comprehend the fact that I had won a game, the first since 2010. I screamed "I won, I won, I won" and whooped loudly. Rod gave me a double high five and we burst out laughing.

Trisha was indeed "in the house" this morning. I will forever miss the girl, but I know she's always with the posse. Celebrate life and the ones you love ~ kindred spirits will always be at our sides.

Tuesday Rocks ~ October 16, 2012

Leaves changing

Indian Summer

Chocolate tomatoes

And the Giants blew the feathers off the Cardinals last night

Life is good!

Tis the Season ~ October 13, 2012

I'm not a political person. My idea of the news is the Daily Show. Newspapers are for the funnies and the crossword puzzle. Now we seem to be on the 24/7 political channel: Most of our mail is recyclable, the phone is on permanent screen, and the TV is overrun by talking heads, mudslingers, analysts, and wannabes. I cannot wait until November 7th when things get back to semi-normal.

Anyway, there's a new radio station in Sonoma County called Funny 95.5 and its 24/7 comedy. A great co-pilot when you're in the car dodging idiots and trying to maintain your cool. This quote from the irrespressable Will Rogers got me to thinking about the art (and I use that term loosely) of politics.

Everything is changing.

People are taking their comedians seriously

and the politicians as a joke.

I started researching political humor and found some priceless thoughts and observations that might lighten your day and get you to thinking.

Will Rogers ~ The trouble with practical jokes is that very often they get elected.

Harry S. Truman ~ My choice early in life was either to be a piano-player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference.

E. E. Cummings ~ A politician is an arse upon which everyone has sat except a man.
Alfred E. Newman ~ Crime does not pay as well as politics.
Charlie Chaplin ~ I remain just one thing, and one thing only, and that is a clown. It places me on a far higher plane than any politician.
Ronald Reagan ~ Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.

Ernest Benn ~ Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy.

Adlai Stevenson ~ I have been thinking that I would make a proposition to my Republican friends... that if they will stop telling lies about the Democrats, we will stop telling the truth about them.

Unknown ~ Politicians and diapers have one thing in common. They should both be changed regularly and for the same reason."

Voting Girl I
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So step up to the bar, cowboy up, and face the task at hand: attempt to make sense of the voter pamphlet, inform yourself as best you can and vote. There's a $5 fine for whining and you can't complain if you didn't show up ~ I said that.

Eating Dirt and other Observations ~ Oct 09, 2012

Some days are made for walking

Autumn leaves, a camera,
woolly clouds, a breeze

Noon beckoned us to the Laguna
for lunch on a shaded bench
birds and squirrels, no sign of cold
content to let the day unfold

A stop at Fircrest for picnic parts

Garlic roasted turkey and Swiss

the choice a cinch

Rod asked for whole wheat bread

It'll get squishy and flat I said

The deli girl smiled and

suggested a whole wheat roll

it'll stand up to condiments and tomatoes

and keep it's soul

The lady next to me laughed

and said you're right

remember squishing Wonderbread into

indistinguishable sights?

The conversation moved on

to how did we survive our youth

No seat belts and leaded paints

roller skates, no helmets

enough to give a mom the faints

We stayed healthy in spite of dangers faced 

no distraction from TV, video or phone

We played outdoors from dawn to dusk,

ate dirt and skinned our bones

Wearing bandaids like medals we regaled

we created our own resistance

and lived to tell the tale 

~~~

Love Strong, Laugh Hard, Be Kind

Night Moves ~ October 4, 2012

Grape harvest is in full swing in Sonoma County. At the vineyard next door the show got underway at o'dark thirty and I mean o'dark. The lights, tractors and voices woke me up about 3:30am. Normally I don't hear a thing, but it's been hot for a few days so we've been leaving the windows open at night.

The klieg lights seemed extra bright and not being able to resist a potential photo op, I bundled up and toddled outside with my camera. A pea soup fog hung low over the vineyard, magnifying the lights ten fold, but there was no fog where I was standing on our driveway about 30 feet to the north.

You couldn't see anything but you could hear all the sounds of the harvest clear as a bell: tractors and the clanking of small trailers on the rough rows, the thump of grapes into boxes, and the shouts, laughter and chatter of the workers. 

The sight was rather otherworldly like something from an old black and white B movie about an invasion from space. I stood out there for ten minutes taking it all in. Conclusion ~ I wouldn't trade this little piece of dirt on a dead end road for the world. Magic happens here, real and imagined.

Emandal Farm Day 2 ~ Sept 29, 2012

We awaken in our little down filled nest at Ohana Cabin about dawn. It's quite chilly since we'd left the windows open all night, but flannel jammies and sheepskin boots are at the ready for the short walk down to the outhouse (some cabins have plumbing but the outhouses and showers are quite delightful). Reminds me of camping when I was a kid.  

Breakfast isn't until 9am so once the sun is up we decide on a walk up to the lake. Up really means up ~ we haven't been to the gym in a couple of months and are huffing and puffing like a couple of old war horses, but our reward is this pretty little lake. Rumor has it there are some good sized bass hiding among the reeds. We walk down the road a bit and come to a place that overlooks the entire valley below. The view is absolutely stunning. There's a giant gong up there made from an old acetylene tank. We heard it a couple of times during our stay so my guess is that the hardy of heart let the world know they'd made it.  

Breakfast is buffet style: eggs, bacon, homemade biscuits (to die for), Tam's jams, fresh fruit, and oatmeal with all the accouterments. We gather at the plank tables in the great room for coffee, conversation and a hearty meal. To settle our meal it's time for a walk through the gardens and down along the Eel before it gets too hot.

I was fascinated by this wonderful compass created from old machine parts from around the farm.

The river is only a short distance down the hill from the compound. It's calm and just sort of meanders this time of year, but there are some great little swimming holes and small rapids you can hear from certain spots along the trail.

 

We found out from Tam that they're going to remove the last of two old vineyards sometime in the near future. She knows Rod makes walking sticks and canes and told him to stop at the vineyard on the way out get a few samples. I have a feeling we'll be returning to Emandal with the truck for some prime raw materials.

Late morning we head out and stop at Buster's Burgers and Brews on Main Street in Willits for lunch. Great food and we got to watch the last quarter of the 49er game against the hapless Jets. I remember when Don Meredith used to sing "Turn Out the Lights, the Party's Over" and that sure would have been appropriate here!

Once home Rod and the kids next door, Maya and Evan, made fresh lemonade and we sat on the porch with their mom Carol and shared tales. She'd just got back from a trip with her girlfriends.

So here's a toast to adventures down long dusty roads, surprises around every corner and finding common ground. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvJYzPO1tA8

Back to Emandal Farm ~ Sept 28, 2012

Setting the Scene ~ I introduced my husband to the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV in February so it seemed only fitting that I bring him up to Emandal Farm and Not Just Cowboy Poetry as an extension of his 65th birthday on Sept 25th. I made my first trip to Emandal in 2009 with friends Carol Ewert and Trisha Pedroia. Go to my Oct 2009 post entitled "The Beautiful Side of Somewhere" for a little history on this incredible jewel of a place overseen by Tamara Adams and her family.

The Art of Packing ~ We're only going to be gone overnight but you'd never know it by looking in the back of the Honda. As always we're ready for anything: six hats (cowboy to sun), a duffle of footwear (sandles, boots, sheepskin slippers and tennies), two jackets, camera, a small cooler, walking sticks, emergency pack, plenty of water and a duffle bag each to cover any fashion possibility. Our credo is if you can haul it, take it. And if we decide to spend another night out somewhere on the way home we're prepared.

Getting There is Half the Fun ~ We left home around 10am for the 90 mile drive north on Hwy 101. Emandal is about 16 miles east of Willits via back country roads (the dotted lines on road maps). Tamara is very explicit about not using navigation equipment to find the place. You may end up in next county east or a parallel universe for that matter. From about the middle of the directions I quote "Now you are back on Hearst Willits Road. Go up and down and around and about on this road until you reach the Eel River. There will be a sheep farm on the north bank and you'll see a cabin and then a home on your right. As you continue straight you'll notice a big silver bridge on your left (do not go over the bridge). And further down "if you have questions call 707-459-5439 but realize cell reception ends when you leave the Willits Valley". If it's your first trip to Emandal I'd recommend a co-pilot with Tam's directions in hand.

The last part of the drive is about 8 miles of graded road, a term I use loosely. It's better described as a washboard. Rod's convinced that's how Tam turns their cream to butter ~ road trips.

The Apple Pie Throw Down ~ What a way to start the afternoon. As part of the fundraiser for the Willits Library many guests paid $5 to taste of each of the 16 homemade pies. It was our responsibility to pick the Peoples' Choice winner and we all took the task very seriously. Rod's going to enter next year. He wants to win one of those engraved rolling pins!

The Show ~ The show featured two talented entertainers and storytellers. First up was Dick Warwick, a rancher and self proclaimed Barnyard Yarnbard from eastern Washington. He shared stories and poetry gleaned from his ranch life at home and adventures in Australia. Listen to "Buckaroo Braggadocio" at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDPrfVB9gCI 

Up next singer/songwriter Dave Stamey who's been a cowboy, a mule packer, a dude wrangler, and is now one of the most popular Western entertainers working today. He's won numerous awards including the Will Rogers Award from the Academy of Western Artists. It has been said that his "The Vaquero Song" is one of the greatest Western songs of all time. Check out this link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh0DQ80kZoY

The Weather ~ It was supposed to be in the triple digits but it was in the 80's with a nice breeze. The late afternoon show was held on the shaded lawn with guests sharing homemade picnics with family and friends. Bare feet in the cool grass make for a happy combination. 

Food and Conversation ~ After the show, we all took a little break and then lined up for a delightful buffet dinner. All the food is raised and prepared on the farm.

We sat down with strangers at large round tables on the porch and left with new friends and acquaintances. Poet Dick Warwick shared stories with us, one couple met at Emandal 45 years ago and regaled us with the history of the farm, and Scott and Paula are from Graton just down the road from us. After much laughter and a sumptuous dessert of homemade brownies, blackberry and vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce we all excused ourselves and toddled up the hill to our rustic cabins by the light of the harvest moon. A day well spent.

For more information on:

Emandal Farm http://www.emandal.com  
Dick Warwick  http://cowboy-poet.blogspot.com
Dave Stamey  http://davestamey.com  

Eye of the Beholder ~ Sept 28, 2012

I was on my way to Graton yesterday to help my friend Maureen prepare for a major open house at her FUNERIA's Gallery and for the artists in residence at Atelier 1 on Bowen Street this weekend.  

How many times have you driven past something photo worthy and not stopped? Too many times for me. I didn't have my camera, but I do pack an iPhone now, so I actually turned around and pulled over to take a photo of this rose wistfully leaning over a garden fence.

Always stop to smell the roses

Pituophis catenifer catenifer ~ Sept 17, 2012

El Gopheristador

Introducing the King of the Hill

Dirty Harry in a snakeskin suit

 He's the long silent type

A 44" magnum dressed to kill

He patrols the garden

With silent aplomb

When you got jaws

Don't need no stinkin' gun

We once saw a gopher

Standing tall at his door

Spit a hiss at Harry

Like he's gonna settle a score

I wonder if he thunk

"Do I feel lucky?"

Harry with a flick of his tongue

"Well do ya punk?"

The poor stupid varmint

Was in way over his head

His next stop was a slow ride

Down one dark tunnel bed

Our only complaint

And it's really quite meek

Is that our ole pal Harry

Only eats once a week

Tales of the City ~ Sept 09, 2012

Last Sunday we drove down to San Francisco for an adventure with our friend Margo Metegrano, the proprietress of www.cowboypoetry.com. The first stop was to meet up with Margo and friend Tam Adams (www.emandalfarm.com) at Greens Restaurant for a leisurely lunch. It’s located on one of the Fort Mason piers on the Bay and the weather was on its best behavior, about 65 and sunny with a light breeze.

Golden Gate Bridge

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We arrived early and had a chance to explore the farmer’s market and the Book Bay (used) Bookstore. We had a fabulous lunch, but only had about half an hour to spend in this great little bookstore, so a return trip to both is definitely in order.

Ah, but the real reason for the trip to SF was to attend the premier performance of Stephanie Davis’ Trail’s End Ranch Radio Show. The original project was first introduced at the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, NV several years ago and it’s been a dream of hers to take it on the road.

This performance was the culmination of a weeklong workshop of extremely talented musicians, singers, songwriters, cowboy poets, reciters and sound-effect genius Fred Newman from The Prairie Home Companion, overseen by a gifted director and visionary producers. Scripts, songs and jingles were written by Stephanie, with a little help from DW Groethe on the “10 Questions you’ll never hear in the bunkhouse”:

#10 - Are you really going to wear that hat with those boots?

I loved the story of Sierra Slade, CLD (Certified Livestock Detective) and my favorite jingle:

Drink Western Brew ~ Lose your need to be right

It is one thing to listen to live radio; but we were transported into a different dimension - watching live radio being created. It was a delightful two hour extravaganza packed with songs, poetry, stories, jingles, and laughter.

Americans have a less-than-stellar image around the world due to the self-centered images, bad choices and all-too-often sensationalized events projected abroad by the media. This generalized misconception has bred resentment and built barriers to trust, respect and friendship. Let’s face it: the old script needs a rewrite. The truth of the matter is that people are people and we have more in common than not.

Poetry for Your Table

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Cowboys around the world have been a constant in ever-changing times and provide valuable lessons for us all: a respect for nature, a responsibility to family, community and the animals in their charge, a strong work ethic, courtesy and humility. The Trail’s End Ranch Radio Show has been reborn to take the “Cowboy Way” on the road for performances around Europe in summer 2014. It will perhaps introduce another side of America, the one that reflects most of us.

The Cowboy and His Dog

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Stephanie’s vision is to continually rotate our cowboy poets through the review and showcase guests from the countries visited: sort of a Rolling Thunder Cowboy Goodwill Traveling Medicine Show that shares the “take delight in the now” side that is within all of us. Learning is a two way street.

Wednesday Wonders ~ Sept 12, 2012

There was never a night or a problem that could defeat sunrise or hope

Bern Williams

Just a Thought Series ~ Sept 11, 2001

Tuesday's road held a unknown journey

Beyond thought or imagination

Though life continues to move on

The day and the heros

Should never be forgotten

Tuesday's Road

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