MY FIRST DUTY HOME.

I love being on the road. And, I had to come home, but my first duty home was to stop by my local grocery and grab a six-pack of Black Butte Porter. I was only out for a short stay but a girl's gotta have access to a decent dark, chewy, hoppy beer once in awhile.  (Jim calls it motor oil.) Even the stores where we shopped didn't have a decent craft beer I could buy.


Another thing they didn't have was an olive bar. Those little French picholines, dark green, spiced Scicilians, Greek, kalamatas,  Spanish sevillanos, luccas, manzanillos,  yummmy.

My trip home was smooth. My cameras was deep in my carry on and I didn't take pictures from the plane, but the rice fields and canals and flooded fields from the air, gave the impression there is no water shortage in California. All the lakes and reservoirs had yellow soil lines showing how low the levels are. We had never heard of a 500 year drought record until this year. Now we know what it is like. Summer in winter. Not good. So little snow.
 Time to deepen my well.  Get ready to pay higher food prices as the drought continues.
A group of Churches and faith healers are up on a nearby  peak as I write to send up prayers for rain today. I'm not a believer in such things, but I don't oppose the effort. Jim's son is quite willing to send some snow our way, but, as we know that doesn't work either. Time to move to Alaska, but they don't have olive bars or BBP there. Whatsa girl to do?

AMTRAK TO SACRAMENTO

Riding Amtrak isn't terribly exciting, but its easy, comfortable and pleasant compared to flying. I'd take it more often if it was available everywhere. Double decks with scenic windows let you enjoy the passing landscape.

Roomy seating with a plug-in for your computer and a tray. Or, you can choose a table seat for four, play cards with a friend, or write a letter, read, whatever suits you. Great for traveling with kids who can work a puzzle or use their crayons. Roomy isles let you walk from car to car, downstairs to the lavatories, one on every car, or go to the cafe car for a bite to eat. Hot food, or snack food, beer, wine. Quite a nice ride. I love Amtrak.

At one point, the train stopped at a juncture for a passing train to go by before proceeding. I looked out the window and spotted what looked like some stolen booty in the bushes. Couldn't quite make out what it was.

And, depending on he route, not all landscapes are scenic. Its part of America, but the trip from the S.F. Bay Area to Seattle is a beautiful,scenic route as is the ride across the Northern United States and Canadian Border.

First stop, my daughter's in Sacramento. She and grandson Theo playing two square on the driveway. I was pleased to have not missed the daffodils in bloom as I have the last two years.

Then, it was necessary to bring my Prius to a Toyota Dealership for a new starter battery, a small 12 volt battery that needed a special installation.  (Special equals expensive.)
Oh, well, an ho-hum. Not quite home yet. I'm here in Sacramento to see a specialist about my shoulder. Hoping for good news, but it is not sounding promising. Life is ever changing. I'll keep posting.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Today, last minute chores, a drive to Sacramento and I leave again. The refrigerator is nearly empty. The sprinkler clock got changed 3 times, still isn't working. But, luckily for me, Karen is house sitting and can hand  water from the valves.

the left behind items have been reduced to blue sunglasses, a blue toy car, a Squatters Beer T-shirt, and a pedometer. Looking much better.

When I left Calaveras County in May, the Obama Reinvestment Act had only funded grants in our county. It was nice to see actual jobs on our road.

And, I'm told, the prices for real estate in the county have risen.
 I haven't gotten the local papers, but heard a lot of headlines after the fact from friends.
I lost my prescription glasses while working in the yard.
And, didn't get half as much done as I expected. Computer is still putt-putting and the printer won't print. So, back on the road tomorrow and some kind of regularity. See you there!

FRAZZLED AND FRAGRANT

I flew from Hartford, Connecticut Airport on Tuesday. Tried to get a picture of the Hartford skyline as we whipped through since I'd never been there before.

I always look for art work when I encounter a new airport.  Seattle and Sacramento have a river running through them in the floor tiles. Here the river floats high over head on a banner as though you are flying over the landscape. Okay!

The plane was late, little Sacramento Airport was jammed with folks streaming around baggage claim looking lost and bewildered. Daughter Virginia picked me up and brought me to her "new" house 45  minutes later than expected. She was frazzled because it was moving day for them. Some empty boxes, but mostly full ones, a hasty dinner.

Back to Murphys Wednesday morning.  Karen, who house sits for me while I'm gone, adheres to my Certified Wildlife Habitat Designation, which means we kill NOTHING, we spray NOTHING, we supply water for critters and its been soooo much fun to witness the increase in wildlife about the place. Except the skunk that got into the house and left a bit of fragrance.

Here she is pointing to two dots on her arm from a bee stinging. "I killed it dead," she told me. If the little sucker had stung me just once, I would have let him go, but he got me twice."