Marion Michael Morrison and Yreka

The man has been dead for 31 years and folks still use him to convey their patriotism. I love John Wayne but solely for the characters he portrayed in his films. Specifically in the westerns. From "Stagecoach" to "The Shootist" the Duke was my man. I loved him as Sean Thorton in "The Quiet Man" which, when you think about it, is a bit of a western and Taming of the Shrew intertwined and set in Ireland. Politics are not involved in my appreciation of him. He was an actor. Not an activist. Wish people would remember him for his craft not what they believe he personally stood for.

The drive north was uneventful. Moseyed along I-5 and Hwy 99. Stopped in my favorite thrift store in Fresno, the heat engulfing me as I left the comfort of the air conditioned 4 Runner.  How I ever survived summers in that heat while attending college in the Central Valley I'll never know. Arrived in Sacramento around 6pm. Nice to visit with Peggy. Ramona got a not too pleasant greeting from 14 year Mr. Toad when she passed him to closely. Much hissing and clawing. Poor Mona. "Where's the love" in her pleading eyes as she hid behind me. Hit the road the next morning. Arrived in Yreka just before 2pm. As I pulled off the interstate and made my way into the neighborhood I noticed that workers were repaving streets. Lo and behold I turned the corner and what awaited:

So much for peace and quiet for awhile. At least you get a door hanger

apologizing for the inconvenience. In LA that never happens. Barricades are just thrown up without warning and you're left to fend for yourself. So far the noise hasn't been bad since they're working at the end of the block. That will change soon enough as they pull in front of the property but I'll deal with it. Maybe I'll be painting a room or reading or just listening to music.

Damn! Dog farts can clear a room. Geez Ramona!!!!

Speaking of the pooch as I escort her into the living room telling her to stay there, this is the reservoir we walked around this morning. Lovely. No complaints.

NoCal

Nearly half of 2010 gone.  Seriously where does the time go?  Heading north soon. Have to see that the Yreka abode gets a new coat of paint. Hoping to hire some folks to do it but will paint it myself if need be. Always a pleasure to leave the sights and sounds of the megalopolis for a small town. Yes, Walmart is the biggest attraction in Yreka but who cares. There are wonderful thrift stores to rummage, a well run library to peruse, and countless trails to wander. Best of all, knowing I won't hear sirens and police helicopters nightly is a good thing. A very good thing. Ramona will have a backyard to sun in and we'll both enjoy watching the deer when they visit. Simplicity and solitude here we come. 

Land of The Free

Giants

The GBoys lost to the Red Sox 4-2 but we didn't care.  Wonderful to hang with Christa and Jeff. Lovely weather, mid 70's. Before the game we had a fabulous lunch at my favorite spot, The Ramp. After the game more great food at Crogan's in the East Bay. Did I mention the Guinness, garlic fries and peanuts at the game? Our seats were three rows from the field and we got to witness the pre game ceremony of the retirement Monte Irvin's number 20. For those who don't know baseball history Monte was the first African American to sign with the NY Giants after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Definitely a privilege to witness as only 11 Giants have had their numbers retired AND the 5 surviving Giant greats were there! Mays, Marichal, Cepeda, McCovey and Perry! The 91 year old Irvin gave a short, endearing speech of thanks and then with a smile simply asked "what took you so long?" LOVED the whole moment.

 Sadly it was also a reminder that age catches us all beating even great athletes into submission. These boys of summer are now elderly gentleman slowed by time and infirmities. Irvin was in a wheel chair but did walk to the podium with a cane, McCovey walks with two canes and even Mays seemed less mobile. Still to see these Giants, MY Giants, on a ball field together again brought a lump to my throat.  As a baseball fan how can you not enjoy seeing Willie Howard Mays, the greatest baseball player of my generation, one more time?!? Truly a thrill. We were also somewhat amused by the antics of the two drunk female Red Sox fans who sat right in front of us. The word skank immediately came to mind when they sat down. Turns out one was an attorney. I rest my case.

That's Life

For a month I've been having an affair with Haagen Daz Rocky Road.  Wish I could say it's been an affair to remember for all the right reasons but alas, NOT! Have gained poundage and now must dedicate myself to curbing my addiction and working off the extra weight. Oh rapture.  Other than that I've been busy with work and dealing with a slum lord mentality management company.  The type who hires unlicensed laborers to make patchwork repairs.  So now pipes are rupturing, plaster falling, etc.  The ONLY saving grace seems to be the suspicion that they are try to sell the property and do to a visit by the LA Housing Department have been forced to complete all repairs by Monday. Won't be accomplished of course BUT when the inspector visits I'll be so pleased to show him how there is a trickle (I could spit more) of water from the faucet in the kitchen. The result of our so called maintenance team smashing a hole in the tile to get to a leak (where there wasn't one) and not allowing the correct pressure to build for the flow before re-patching. I am supposed to get new linoleum for the kitchen on Friday.  I'm certain whichever remanents from their other properties will be what they bring to install and will care less if it matches.  As the saying goes, "Other than that Mrs. Lincoln how was the play?"  Off to the airport to fly North.  Watching my Giants vs Bill's Red Sox this afternoon in San Francisco.  Ah, the City by the Bay.  What's not to like? Batter up!

Mama

This is the traffic back up waiting to get into Burbank's Forrest Lawn Cemetery to pay respects to Mothers, Grandmothers, Wives, Sisters on this Mother's Day. The line was at least a mile long.

Me, I took Mom's urn from the closet and placed it in the front room. 

We chatted.

Bronson Canyon Mystery

So I'm out and about early this morning taking the dog for a walk in Bronson Canyon.  We haven't done that trail for awhile and it's close.As we headed up the trail a guy drove up in a white truck and opened the padlocked cross arm that blocks vehicles from entering the trail head area.  Since the dog was off leash I immediately thought, Ranger, grabbed Ramona and put her on her leash.  Trust me EVERYONE has their pooches off leash on this trail but that's not the point of this post.  When we returned I first thought it was a movie crime scene set as now there was a 5 ton, 4 SUVS and 1 truck. As I got closer I noticed all the vehicles except the 5 ton had police light bars, CA exempt license plates and NONE of them had any logos to identify who they were.  Dressed in fatigues, 3 men and one woman were carrying boxes from the bunker and placing them on the truck. It was all very curious and none of them cared about the dog and I as we sauntered by.  I noticed a couple ahead frantically putting their hounds on leash so I said, "That's not the park rangers.  "Are you sure" the guy asked.  "Absolutely," I replied. "Whomever they are don't want us to know.  No identifying logos on their cars and they are armed." "I wonder who they are and what they are doing" his female companion asked. An older man with his dog now approached and had apparently overheard our banter.  "Years ago someone told me it's an evidence locker." We were all curious but we all departed.  I put the dog in the car and retrieved my camera. Walked back and snapped these pictures.  At one point I heard the woman say, "Look here's a sword."  It's bizzare that the stuff would be in a bunker in a city park. It's bizarre all the vehicles were unmarked but as odd as it appeared to be I'll surmise it was a simple retrieval of evidence for some governmental agency.  

Yosemite

As I said the natural beauty never fails to please the senses.

Perfect weather. Too much food and drink.

Nice long walks. Loads of laughter. A wonderful two full days.

Heading outside late at night in my socks and jammies to search for the Orion constellation was fun. Never found it of course, but after living in LA for over 20 years where you see two stars and planet at most, it is such a simple pleasure to look into the night sky and see the billions of them that are actually out there.  The couple above were waiting for the free shuttle. I assumed they hiked into Mirror Lake. Was nearly certain he'd gone to the big Yosemite in the sky but saw them the next morning outside the cafeteria. Alive and well and ready for their next adventure. 

Spell Check Anyone?

No wonder the California education system has gone to hell!

When Pigs Fly

And apparently they have. I'm typing while on hold for Southwest Airlines.Their music sucks. Especially when it's conflicting with the jazz I am listening too. Gorgeous day here. Rain had been predicted earlier in the week but there was only a smattering. Instead some of the prettiest-on-a-clear-day-you-can-see-forever-weather blessed the megalopolis. Work had me out on the road and it was so pleasant I didn't even complain about the stop and go traffic. It's Good Friday part of the Easter ritual and for us pagans it means NO WORK. PAID HOLIDAY. Besides there is no Easter this year. They found the body. Didn't I write the same thing last year? What has happened to Southwest Airlines? Used to be when you called you got someone immediately. I've been on hold now for 8 minutes. I'm trying to book a flight to the Bay Area and I must do it via an agent as it's a free flight. Not something that can be done on line...oh wait. OK all booked. Flying into and out of San Jose Int'l. Friends will drive up in front, I'll hop in the back seat and off we will head to the green valley and granite slabs of Yosemite. Nothing better as the waterfalls will be at crescendo level and the huge crowds will have yet to arrive. Last year's visit was great. Imagine this year's stay will be just as spectacular. It's Yosemite. How can it not be lovely?