Alameda County Sheriff's Archive Association and Escapees

This very authentic Public Works produced sign was installed on the freeway next to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin during a time, long ago, when the old facility was "leaking" prisoners. They had 150 escapes in one year. In defense of the County Sheriff, the facility was an old, falling down leftover from Camp Shoemaker-the old barracks, in fact, and it was no match for the determined inmate of 1969. The sign was erected by "unknowns," the local newspaper was alerted by "unknowns. The paper had the sign photographed and published it. The poor put-upon jail commander had it hastily removed within hours of its installation and then it disappeared, but not completely. It finally made its way to the Archive two years ago. One thing about cops, they have an unflagging sense of humor. I've witnessed that humor many times over the last 18 years at the Archive. The Alameda County Sheriff's Archive is a treasure trove of wonderful records, photos and memorabilia of all kinds-and, yes, many humorous tales.

FAYE GEBO, DAVE GOODWIN, GREAT FRIENDSHIPS

Happiness gathers around great souls like sunshine gathers in a meadow. Faye and Dave are great souls. In High School, I always felt honored to be spoken to by beautiful, popular, outgoing, Faye. It wasn't until we were young marrieds that our true friendship bloomed and I came to respect what a wonderful woman Faye was. Hard working and employed all of her married life, while I had the leisure to pursue rug-making, crafts with my children, and afternoon card parties. Faye's middle name is "patience or tolerance." Her only daughter grew into a strong, independent, woman. Celeste didn't fall far from the tree.
Our paths separated many times, but we always maintained that connection. For awhile, Faye volunteered for me at the Alameda County Sheriff's Archive Association. Now, we have the opportunity to just have fun. I treasure the times we get together. And Dave is the perfect match for Faye. Both of them are taking care of an aging parent, with love and dedication.
Thanks for being there and occasionally giggling with me until we wet our pants. (Dave was the designated driver and never complained.)
We take care of our health, we lay up money, we make our roof tight but the best property of all is our friends. Thanks!

OSO BUCO, HUMANE SOCIETY, AND AUTO CLUBS

My cousin Terri Cardoza is the hostess extraordinaire. Here she dishes up oso buco with her neighbor Millie Freitas watching, who is pushing 90 very hard, and a genuine character in her own right. Richard Cardoza hungrily watches. Countless times I've sat at their table and enjoyed bountiful meals and wonderful evenings of cards and/or dice. Millie inspires me to Dare-to-be-100, as she stays actively involved with her garden and neighbors. Terri has adopted the philosophy of the American Humane Society which basically postulates that if you take animals to the pound that are active in your neighborhood, others will soon move in to claim their territory. You never rid yourself of strays. Instead, you have neighborhood strays "fixed", thus keeping them actively hunting mice, gophers, etc. and preventing a cat population from exploding. She has trapped 25 cats and had them fixed with cooperative vets and help from the Humane Society. Richard, an excellent mechanic, belongs to a car club and has restored many interesting vehicles over the years. His current favorite is a 1969 Camaro. Besides cars, he has an unbelieveable electric train set-up that takes up a whole room; he barbeques in the summer and you couldn't ask for a better friend than Richard. His current ride of choice is a 1969 Camaro. Jim met them for the first time and, of course, they made him feel right at home. I feel so lucky that we are family.

BOB GAMBOL, NOMAD, SEEKING EXOTIC CHINA

Everyone tells me they love my excerpts from Bob Gambols backpacking trip. Bob is in China walking and hitching, avoiding the ordinary, finding the extraordinary. He got a connection out of Lanzhou to Urumqi the Western terminus of the Chinese rail near Kazakstan on the Russian Border.
“This connection was a 3½ day trip, which took three engines to get it over the hill. It had a diesel engine, one coal fired engine and one steam engine, but the smoke in there from the coal was horrible. Plus everybody smoked cigarettes. The smoke was so heavy I had this artist I befriended make me a No Smoking sign. But, when I’d put up the sign they’d all vacate. Later I got friendly with a Chinese Fuller Brush man and he told me my no smoking sign was offensive because everyone thought I was contagious. What it actually said was, Stop Smoking. I Cannot Breathe. They thought I had a disease", Bob chuckles.
“On this trip, I befriended a conductor and I admired the pin on his hat and he gave it to me. That is a souvenir I really treasure, the insignia of the Chinese Rail System.

To be continued...

DID WE ESCAPE TREE DISASTERS? NO, BUT DAMAGE LIGHT

This morning the sound of chain saws resonated throughout the area as everyone addressed their storm damage. My upper driveway was blocked and is now clear, thanks to the quick action of Gabe and his handy chainsaw. One huge multi-trunked oak is dangerously positioned above a second driveway. One tree is down on a storage building. Several other random branches have broken off in several lengths. I guess that is the price of living in the country. Even so, I wouldn't change it...except when I'm ramblin.
Hasta la Vista

WIND, RAIN, AND SNOW ON OAK TREES MAKES YOU WOOD RICH AND COLD

Son Doug called me this morning to warn me an 80 mile long by 40 mile wide weather system was headed our way. Oh, Joy! Didn't we just have enough snow to quality for exemplary weather? Jim insists that we saved all this weather just for him! Together we carried in a load of wood for the stove, then he fired up his vehicles to make sure the batteries stay healthy. It IS cold and windy.
Inside, he huddled into a sweatshirt and gloves and declared he would not go out again today. Can't say I blame him. This is unusual weather even for Murphys. The snow is supposed to stay at a higher elevations. Oaks keep their leaves and do not do well with a heavy wet snow. Then a good hard rain saturating the ground, and fifty mile an hour winds? Possible heavy tree damage. I have multiple wood piles about the place from past tree disasters. I maintain the weak trees are already gone. I have nothing left to lose. Then I pray its true.
Truth be said, we have no control over old man weather, so enjoy or curse. Its all the same.

OLD BISHOP VALENTINE AND THE CELEBRATION OF LOVE

Old Bishop Valentine didn't intend February 14th to be the celebration of love in his name. He was executed on Feb. 14th because he secretly married Claudius' soldiers against the Emperor's wishes. To read the contradictory history of Valentines Day, with the Pagans beating young women to insure their fertility for the year; Shakespeare alluding to mating birds...cupids running amok...and St. Valentine? None of it makes any sense. So, who said love was sensible? To the contrary, wise sages over the years have difficulty defining love. Love is blind...As love increases, prudence diminishes...Love never reasons...A miser in wealth but generous in love...No cord nor cable can draw so forcibly or bind so fast, as love can do with a single thread...It is a beautiful necessity of our nature to love...but, absence in love is like water upon fire; a little quickens, but much extinguishes it...Ah, the contradictions of the intoxication called love. Maybe, its best to forget the origins and definitions and just be happy that one day of the year is devoted to lovers. For sure...take away love and the world would be palsied. Aren't we fortunate? Happy Valentines Day from Mary and Jim.

SIX INCHES OF WHITE STUFF, SNOWBALL SURPRISE

Where are the grandchildren when the big snow hits? Its a school day, and Owen's 9th birthday today. Happy Birthday Owen!! Wish you were here to see the beauty and have a snowball fight with Grandma. The best I could do is take some pictures. One of six inches of white stuff on Jim's motorhome. He tells me the motorhome has rarely experienced snow. (Check out his blog.) But, its beautiful stuff and I actually went outside and made a snowball and threw it at Jim and he caught it. The trees in the yard look like we live on a different planet. Both of us appreciated the beauty, despite the cold. Besides, what's winter without a bit of white stuff now and then? Of course, I'm glad to see it melt off before I have to get out the shovel. And, I don't live in Avery where Pam Quyle of Quyles Kilns tells me the power has been out for a couple of hours.

SALVAGING HERITAGE WOODS, PRESERVING THE PAST ONE BOARD AT A TIME

Daughter Virginia and her husband Cedric are both greens. They passed up the new rage bamboo, or cork, or cactus flooring and purchased used wood from Heritage Salvage in Petaluma, Ca. The wood came from an old granary, the Moscow Idaho Seed Company that opened in 1927 by Joe Zeb. They bought old tamarack beams and douglas fir re-milled as flooring which Heritage Salvage’s owner Bud Deakins kind of lovingly held in his hands as though appreciative that someone else shared his vision of reusing beautiful old wood. Bud found some old sacks left in the building and gave one to the kids with their purchase. They decided to frame and hang it in the cabin they’re building north of Laytonville.
It’s a bit like the “good old days” that everyone seems to long for. The loving attention devoted to old woods and re-useable materials; the personal exchange of a businessman with his customer and the satisfaction the kids derive from preserving something of beauty from the past.
Heritage Salvage’s website is www.heritagesalvage.com with a link to Moscow Idaho Seed Company’s story of redistribution. Very interesting story. Enjoy!

MICHAL HOUSTON, HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTESS

Michal Houston graciously invited Jim and I for dinner at her lovely home in Murphys. I've known Michal to invite people she'd just met a couple hours previously for dinner. Everyone is welcome at her table and what an elegant table it is. Making people welcome is part of her Southern heritage. Jim lit the candles and played engineer with her recalcitrant icemaker. I focused on her latest piece of art work, the decorated chair painted and festooned by artist Lori Kelly. It was auctioned off by the Calaveras Arts Council to support the council and a local charity. Its a beauty and I'm ravenously jealous that I couldn't attend that auction.
Jeff, owner of Twisted Oak Winery, welcomed Jim to Murphys on Jim's blog. Michal let us know that Twisted Oak has be our next stop, and when the weather clears, it will be. Murphys is such a nice place to live. Thank you Michal and Jeff.