IT MADE ME CRY.

My garage is narrow and when I load anything into my car, I pull out on the driveway first. I nearly slipped on the ice and decided to shovel off my driveway. I managed to get two wheel tracks and space on the passenger side, anyway.


I tossed the ice chunks as far to the left on ground that had already melted everything off. Hopefully today, what I shoveled will be melted. I found out very quickly that shoveling snow is not a job I'll try again. I don't own a snow shovel and never had to shovel in the 35 years I've lived in the Motherlode.


I let  my stove go cold and emptied ashes at the end of the day. I was feeling very accomplished by getting a number of paperwork chores, phone calls, and  then a good physical workout. But, this morning, in my email, came a Christmas story by Bob Welsh. It made me cry.
I suppose women are more emotional then men. I know when my oldest son was young I'd recommend a book and he'd say "Will it make me cry? I don't want one of those books that will make me cry."
 So, here is a video that made ME cry. It is from a veteran Highway Patrol Officer who served 29 years.
&http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxjZB5S_g7s&feature=youtu.benbsp;

ALAMEDA COUNTY SHERIFF'S ARCHIVE ASSOCIATION

Since my gypsy lifestyle developed, I have been unable to properly serve as President of the Alameda County Sheriff's Archive Association, a project that I care deeply about. Bill Rhodes was elected to replace me and what a breath of fresh air. Enthusiasm, a no non-sense, get-the-job-done, attitude. I was amazed at the wonderful changes in the facility he has accomplished in a few short months. 

Bill, right with Al Iannarelli, discussing a project with Gary Lindsay and Rich Barlow.

Gary is our Media expert. Ianarelli, the author of three books, is invaluable for organizing career books. Bud Harlow, (not pictured) has undertaken to have our Old Santa Rita Jail Doors sandblasted and refurbished.
Rich was interested in knowing if the Archive contains any copies of  The Rap Sheet, a newsletter published by the Deputy Sheriff's Association during the 1970's. We have none that I'm aware of. So, another plea. If anyone knows where copies of The Rap Sheet are hiding, please consider donating them to the Archive.
We had an interesting story surface. A retired deputy with a bunch of interesting old clippings and artifacts from his career stored in his garage had a fire. He immediately realized how endangered those materials were and brought them to the archive. Another danger was cited by my cousin/friend Richard Cardoza.
A neighbor of his who built the Bay Bridge had photos, and memorabilia by the box full that was tossed out by his kids when he died. And pictures his Highway Patrolman neighbor accumulated over a lifetime, huge black and white photos of his early career in Contra Costa County, were likewise tossed. DON'T DO IT. Find a museum and donate before tossing. They are history.
Over the past years, when I attended archive meetings, I  stayed overnight with my cousin, Terri Cardoza from Danville.

She and Richard kindly provided me Bed and Breakfast and made my service to the archive possible. She feeds me and the neighbors rabbit, and a half dozen feral cats she has had fixed, plus four of her own. I am grateful for HER service, and donations to the Archive.

I will still attend meetings when I'm in town, and I intend to continue to do interviews for the archive.