ANNUAL FAMILY REUNION.

I've been accused of hosting this family reunion  just to get my yard in shape. Doug came up and painted the deck and rebuilt the horseshoe pit and the new chicken coop. The coop came about because daughter Virginia is moving to Australia with her family for a semester. I inherited the chickens from her.
Ken removed trash, went to the dump, did some weed eating, moved heavy tables and umbrellas off the deck and into the yard.  His boys, helped out by bagging excess leaves, and myriad other routine but neglected maintenance. It was a massive effort because---I blame Jim--- I travel so much I have little time for yard work. I had trees overhanging the house, foot deep leaves, little repairs, my orchard unfertilized and mostly unwatered. Aarrgh!


The first to arrive for our big soiree was my recently widowed cousin, Gary, from Southern Cal. He came on Wed. July 2nd, so I told him I'm not cooking. He took me to an Italian restaurant and since Italy was on the wall, he said we could pretend we went to Italy. We were very close as kids.  On Thursday, I put him to work painting benches.


Friday Afternoon, Kristanne and Austin arrived, hamming it up. She has a newer car and a new license plate reflecting her dog rescue volunteer project.  The license plate holder reads, "All my children have paws."   Austin looks a bit skeptical about that. (You can double click any photo to enlarge it.)


Bev and Ted arrived later, and set up their tent as usual.


Tyler, their youngest, got the job of stomping all the plastic bottles to make room in the recycle containers for the stuff to come.


Cedric & Virginia were the last to arrive on Friday. We have a measure grid on the wall, and Owen was proud to tell me he is taller than his dad. They were jet-lagged, having just returned at 3:00 a.m. from New York where some of Cedric's family lives. We spent the evening playing a new dice game, called Left, Right, Center. Great for all ages. When it got dark, everyone moved inside and we played one of the kids favorite games, Black Magic. Since we celebrate on Saturday, the only celebration of the official Independence Day was the hanging of the flag.


Saturday morning, Virginia and Kristanne took their traditional morning walk at 5:00, and did 8 miles. By mid-morning, jet-lag caught up with Virginia and she slept for two hours in a chair.


Daniel and Owen had dish duty Friday night. In the morning, it was Theo and Austin's turn. Because of the water shortage, no dishwasher was used. The dishwasher is used as a drain board.


Laurie and I worked on some salads to go with the barbecue.


Kristanne helped Doug cut veggies for the skewers while they discussed favorite tunes.


Alec works and attends college in So. Cal. He flew into Sacramento, and Cathy picked him up and drove him to Murphys. The boys inflated all the tubes for the flume.


Abbie loved feeding snacks to the chickens.

Niece, Rena came directly from FLorida to the reunion, her first time. Her boyfriend Chris, suffered some jet-lag too and took a long snooze, too.  Before the big feast, we headed for the flume. We waited for people who said they were coming to show up-and didn't. But, it is late in the day, I'll finish this blog tomorrow. I was having too much fun to take thorough pictures, so, there are big gaps in our event.

WHAT DROUGHT LOOKS LIKE, PLUS, INSURANCE, CONFUCIUS

Yesterday, I had to drive my Prius back across the river for the body and fender guy to take pictures of the inside of my vehicle so the insurance company could make their decision on whether to total it, or fix it.  This time I remembered my camera. Click the picture to enlarge it and you will be able to see the line of the old road down into the canyon before the dam was built.


Here is  closer shot. Tree tops are showing that once grew on the river’s bank.


A closer shot. I used to love to drive this road and was on the side of the protesters trying to keep the river scenic and wild.  A guy named Mark, forgot his last name, tied himself to a rock so that if it flooded he’d drown. His ploy didn’t work, obviously. The protests raged on for months and got desperate toward the end.


Of course it is all water under the bridge, to quote a cliché. By the way, I had two people ask me why I had to drive the 18 miles to the body shop instead of an insurance adjuster coming out to make the decision. The body shop guy told me, “Oh, we do that. We take the pictures and they make the decision from there. It saves you money” Huh!  Do I believe it saves ME money?  Not for a minute. The woman who hit me paid big premiums for her full coverage, $100 deductible, she told me. Another short cut, downsize jobs. Ugly. I’m very disenchanted with our corporatocracy. We need  some balancing socialized government, like medicare and no child left behind. Similar programs that protect people. Isn’t government supposed to be …by the people, for the people?   It reminded me of a great quote from a man who lived before Christ was born. Ever wise Confucius  said:

When a country is well governed, poverty and a mean condition are things to be ashamed of. When a country is ill governed, riches and honor are things to be ashamed of.

Unfortunately, we do not learn from mistakes of the past.

Summer solstice, the observance of the longest day of summer, or the beginning of summer, is cause for celebration in many cultures. Five thousand-year old Stonehenge is mobbed on June 20th with people hoping to see the sun, at its highest point, shine through the altar stone. I skipped the evening program, but I enjoyed the afternoon  music, wine and food at Quyles. Bear and Summer Moon Dyken played one slot of three in a beautiful setting, under the trees on a  beautiful Saturday afternoon.


Bear and Summer Moon are multitalented and well-known in the Mother lode for their music and instrumentation.


But the real star of the venue was Jill Warren, a newcomer to our area. WOW!  She can make her guitar talk. And, her rendition of old favs, like Summertime?  Amazing. I couldn’t get enough. I tried to buy a CD?  She hasn’t got one. If you are looking for an entertaining, very talented musician, Jill Warren is a great choice. I don’t often do this, but here is her phone number (599) 280-9123. And,  http://www.jillwarren.info. She is also on facebook. Jill Warren rocks. I’m hoping the Arts Council will pick her up, but their schedule for this summer is already filled. Hey, Mary Jane, take note for next year.


So, between events, I poked around Quyle’s to see what’s new or interesting. The blacksmith forge was up and running.


They have lessons the first Saturday of the month. And then meet and play the third Saturday of the month.  These two boys are the youngest practitioners I’ve ever seen at the forge. They were surrounded by people watching them.  I’m guessing 9 years old and 13?


Marlene Bradford teaches at the pottery. And this unfired bust is drying before firing. This is her signature talent. Don’t know who made her. Jim Bass was giving lessons on the patio, but he was gone when I returned to take pictures. Always something going on.


People travel with their dogs, these days. This well-behaved pooch was, I’m sure, glad to be out and about, and not in a backyard. Quyles has several old dogs that found  rescue here.


I stopped this woman for a picture because her boyfriend was hassling her a bit. I told him she was cuter than he is.


I want my feet to look like hers. Love the colors.

This bug isn’t real, but I found  two horn worms on an anise plant in the garden. Dolores Quyle, who planned the women only singers for this venue, since the sun-god was a female, told me everything is organic. They even buy organic compost put together from Diestel Turkey Ranch droppings with organic mulch. I once got straight turkey poop for my orchard and it stunk so bad the neighbors held their noses when they walked by my place. Voila!  Now I know where to get good stuff that doesn’t stink. Of course, I’ve neglected my orchard these last five years, one can hardly call it an orchard. Well, maybe someday it will be again.  It was a fun day. Night time revelers were invited to bring a tent and stay the night if they don’t mind sleeping on the grass. Too cool!

MEN OF WORTH AT CAMPS.

We call ourselves girls, as in girl friends, girls night out. I guess when we are 90 we'll still be girls. Girlfriends are the best, we decided.  Barbara Grogan, Madelaine Krska and Patti Johansen, are from north county. It was touch and go as a fire had the road between San Andreas and Angels Camp closed for a while. They got through and we gratefully hoisted our drinks, and nibbled on appetizers on the patio while the band set up.

We moved inside to listen to the music and chat. Madelaine talked to Bob Leemans during a break. Men Of Worth will be playing Camps for over a month of weekends, so if you want to catch them, go for it. Their singer is in his eighties and still has a powerful voice. He is a former musical arranger for a host of Hollywood greats, now retired and living in Sonora. We didn't dance, but others took to the floor.

Barb, Maddie and Patti are old friends of Laurie and Bob Leemans.  Laurie decided to attend her husband's gig another night. Barbara and I did a fair amount of people watching. A table near us had a couple who couldn't see any one else but each other in the room. We chuckled a bit. Been there done that in another life. Before leaving Barbara got a hug from Bob.

Patti took advantage of Mark Twain's sculpture at Camps Restaurant and Bar entrance,  and hugged him before we left. The sculptor captured Twain's  rascally personality.  It was nice to step out with friends and get someone to commiserate with me on my car.

We left just as the sun was setting. No matter how busy life gets, friends, music and time away, the perfect solution to off-set the day's tribulations.

PROJECTS AND PROGRESS.

I'm beastly busy as I get ready for my family & friends reunion over Independence Day weekend. Got the tubes out to be patched and blown up with the compressor.

Getting some long neglected yard clean-up done, since some people camp in tents under the trees. My old fruit ladder needs a new home. I hate to take it to the dump, but it is too heavy for me to use anymore.  Twelve feet high. Any takers?

No matter how busy I am, I have to take time for fun projects. It's just my nature.  To do that, I gather everything on my table where I won't put it aside. Like this old purse, dreary old khaki color, but with the amazing pockets handy for all items I like to carry, especially when I'm on the road with Jim and we are out for the day, hiking or wandering. My housemate can't understand my logic of forcing myself to complete a project by leaving the mess, paints, papers, etc. on the table. It works for me.  I finally completed the paint job, a cat on one side, some background brown.

Sad and happy faces on the front pockets. And, I'm blaming this need to paint on my friend Pam Munn who got me painting again, and now I've got the itch.

The end pockets are still pretty plain, but a painting is never finished. I can always go back and add some decorations when I have more time. Ah, me. To foil oneself into fun projects.
Now, hopefully, I can make progress on shopping for a comparable car to replace my electric.  The possibility of a "total" is hovering.

FOX VS. CHICKENS AND A FENDER BENDER.

Yesterday, I crossed the river (without my camera,) and a woman plowed into me in a shopping center. Typically called a fender bender. The front passenger door could open but the back door, no. When I called the insurance, I told them, I have to have my little Prius back because I bought the first one in the state. Toyota shipped three to each dealership from Japan in 2000, and they gifted me and took my picture for the news. I love my little Prius, not only for its good mileage but because it fits in my small garage. The sticker on the back fender was proof of an electric, and used to allow me in the diamond lanes without the two-people-in-the-car requirement. Since, rescinded. Thankfully, it is fixable and neither of us were hurt.


I normally let my chickens out about 6 a.m. or even a tad earlier. But, yesterday, I heard a commotion and the chickens had scattered to all parts of the yard. When I got outside, I had to chase a fox out of the yard. I scolded him, but a hungry fox is likely to return. Because these chickens were in a small yard, their wings are clipped and they don’t have much defense. Hopefully their wing feathers will quickly grow. They think I’m God. I only give them a treat at night, whatever greens, or compost stuff I have. Yet, the minute I let them out in the morning, they follow me like I’m the pied piper. I think it is interesting that I’ve had chickens at every house I’ve owned, from 1961, except this one. And, I’ve never had a coop. They can basically take care of themselves, but always before, I had a rooster.


So, here I am, with the Taj Mahal chicken coop; it still needs paint and a few other modifications, like automatic water, and so on. These girls get all organic feed and let me tell you, these are the most expensive eggs I’ve ever eaten. And, that fox is NOT going to get them. I’m going to build a yard roost they can fly up to for protection. Hey, I’m having fun. My housemate loves watching them from the deck. They follow her around too and one of these days I’ll get a picture because it just tickles me to see them following her. I guess they have two Gods. Life is never dull.

KEEPING UP THE WORK

Keeping up acreage has its disadvantages. I'm lucky a young friend of mine, Bob Urban, is a tree expert and he takes care of my trees. He came with his new best friend, Daisy. She enjoyed herding my chickens, but doesn't harm them. He has a coop full of his own.


Mark Piehl, left, and my grandson, Stewart finished a new stretch of replacement fence. They worked 8 hours and did some heavy lifting, trenching around the new coop and wiring out a fox, just a few tasks I put them through, while I fetched tools and pointed to the next task. They kept me running. I couldn't wait until they left so I could sit in my chair and be old.


Mason washed down the house, scrubbed the walls, face boards and gutters, then scraped loose paint off the deck and painted patches getting ready to repaint. The prep works is harder than the paint job itself.
I remember when I could work hard and fast. But, as poet Gregory Orr says, If we are not supposed to dance, why all the Music?  Those three busy days are behind me. Today, I'm going to dance....ah, no, I'm kidding myself. I have to do some shopping. Darn.

MURHYS FREE CONCERT IN THE PARK.

The first Friday of each month, the Business People/Community Club host a free concert in the park. A local caterer provides a meal to buy, or you can bring your own food and drink and just enjoy the burbling creek, a bit of sunshine, the company of your neighbors and friends and have a good time dancing or just listening to the music.  I love Murphys. Above is Glorious Gloria and Dennis Graves listening to someone who stopped by our table to visit.


Jan brought a pesto cheese bread to snack on that was super delicious. She was about to take off her sweater and go swimming in the creek, I think.


The kids love it at the creek and don't hesitate to jump in. How many towns have a creek flowing through the middle of it for all to enjoy?


And Donna, with the cutest hat.


The Reagans, I never see anymore except at events like this. It is my fault because I travel so much.


I didn't dance this time, but, when I do get home, I'm soooo glad I live in Murphys.

A TRUE "GREEN" HOUSE.

The world is full of junk keepers, yours truly,-guilty! For weeks I've been hunting a storage container. To pay to store things, at least for any long term, is just not cost affective. Smarter to buy a container and store items until you decide what to do with them, right? Storage containers have become very popular and they can be pricey. I went back and forth with several outfits, one guy tried to sell me a container full of rust. An Oakland outfit had beautiful containers, well maintained, but by the time we added in a regular door, a window for some light, paint, vent etc. it became too expensive. During the sales speech he made it clear that if it is 100* outside, it will be 120* inside. Do I really want to fry anything worth storing? i realized, a shipping container is NOT the answer for me.

My neighbors have a marvelous building made of styrofoam.  This is the door to their wine cellar. Made of styrofoam blocks. You can see the door is about 12 inches thick.


This is their garage. The same thick walls. The garage is under the house. Styrofoam? Holding up a house you might ask? Well, the blocks are hollow. They have re-enforcing rod in them. They are erected as a kit and go together like legos.  Then the four walls are poured full of concrete in one day. Six inches of concrete, six inches of styrofoam. Instant insulation. It maintains an even temperature summer and winter. One small portable electric heater, heats the entire house on extra chilly days.


This is a doorway to the house. They mounted an air conditioning unit that they rarely use, because they didn't know how cool the house would stay. It is a true,  "green" house. The studs are steel.


The indoor walls are made of foam panels that can be sheet rocked or paneled just like conventional walls.


The outside can be wood or plastic, siding. This house has an off-center roof, to hold enough solar panels to power their original stick house and this new one. The house has a conventional wood truss roof, with shingles.  The kit for the house was $7200 seventeen years ago. The wood floor to mount it on, the roof, the concrete pour, electrical and plumbing, extra. Still, an economical way to build. This couple, he, a chef, her an airline agent, had no building experience. They put kit walls up themselves, in two days. A friend helped by making sure the metal rail that holds the steel studs, was perfectly straight.

Now I have to start all over again, to find a supplier for a cool green storage building. The downside is, I was hoping to have storage before my family reunion over July 4th weekend. Since I've  been on the road with Jim, my place gets pretty neglected. A lot of work ahead during this extended home-stay.

I love building. And I love learning something new. Now, I'm excited.