Anxiously awaiting to see if the rumors (mentioned yesterday) will come to fruition.
loves me some big words
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Yesterday... last year
Anxiously awaiting to see if the rumors (mentioned yesterday) will come to fruition.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
In lieu of a Sunday post (maybe)
Headed out later this morning with others from the Anderson Lions Club to do a cleanup as the campers go home from the Lions Diabetes Camp.
We've been told our efforts save the camp enough money to pay for two campers to attend.
After we clean the cabins, shower facilities, and restrooms, we will hold our installation of officers for 2013 - 2014.
We've been told our efforts save the camp enough money to pay for two campers to attend.
After we clean the cabins, shower facilities, and restrooms, we will hold our installation of officers for 2013 - 2014.
and there's a pot luck
Inspiration, etc.
Thursday's post was inspired, more or less, by two things.
The titles and a link, if available, just get listed in the sidebar.
There is one prime exception to this unwritten rule.
Every now and again I mention having slogged through Atlas Shrugged.
Anyhow, the book, The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, gives a brilliant account of what ship to ship combat in naval warfare is.
It also gives a pretty good account of the living conditions in a WWII era destroyer were like... even one that's been "modernized."
There is so much more space on today's warships.
The weather here has taken a turn.
In other words it's back tonormal where we were before the rains came.
BTW - we received over two inches of rainfall in Anderson.
Another nearby (30 mi.) received 8 inches.
There is a shrub out front, between the driveway and the neighbor's fence [we don't have any fences but all of the neighbors have them].
It's called... well somebody told me it's called a butterfly bush [it isn't].
Call it what you want.
It has some nice blooms.
They are really interesting close up.
From a distance, particularly at ground level, the plant appears to have butterflies perched on them.
The other day I mentioned another blog I follow.
He has what he calls a jukebox on the sidebar of his blog.
That alone makes the blog worth visiting.
Rumor has it that we will have company from Sacramento on Sunday.
We have always visited them in the past.
My daughter says the Big Brother is excited.
- a photo in another blog post.
- a book I grabbed a couple of weeks ago on a whim.
The titles and a link, if available, just get listed in the sidebar.
There is one prime exception to this unwritten rule.
Every now and again I mention having slogged through Atlas Shrugged.
Anyhow, the book, The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, gives a brilliant account of what ship to ship combat in naval warfare is.
It also gives a pretty good account of the living conditions in a WWII era destroyer were like... even one that's been "modernized."
There is so much more space on today's warships.
The weather here has taken a turn.
In other words it's back to
BTW - we received over two inches of rainfall in Anderson.
Another nearby (30 mi.) received 8 inches.
There is a shrub out front, between the driveway and the neighbor's fence [we don't have any fences but all of the neighbors have them].
It's called... well somebody told me it's called a butterfly bush [it isn't].
It has some nice blooms.
They are really interesting close up.
 |
| It's called a fortnight lily |
From a distance, particularly at ground level, the plant appears to have butterflies perched on them.
The other day I mentioned another blog I follow.
He has what he calls a jukebox on the sidebar of his blog.
That alone makes the blog worth visiting.
Rumor has it that we will have company from Sacramento on Sunday.
We have always visited them in the past.
My daughter says the Big Brother is excited.
that's two for sure
Friday, June 28, 2013
Normal Friday*
*I thought about calling it Friday Drive by
...didn't want
Clarification
I mentioned it's been five years since I stopped smoking.
I think I mentioned I's stopped once before for six years.
That was like close to 30 years ago.
What that all means is it means absolutely nothing if you start again.
Notice I haven't said I quit smoking.
It's really only semantics, but it makes a difference to me.
My brother in law forwarded the following public service announcement:
The irony is not only did he forward the email, but everyone in his email list was in the address box.
In addition, everyone who received it from the person who forwarded it to him was in header of that message.
I wonder how many times my email address and all of those others will be harvested by spammers?
I think I mentioned I's stopped once before for six years.
That was like close to 30 years ago.
What that all means is it means absolutely nothing if you start again.
Notice I haven't said I quit smoking.
It's really only semantics, but it makes a difference to me.
My brother in law forwarded the following public service announcement:
The irony is not only did he forward the email, but everyone in his email list was in the address box.
In addition, everyone who received it from the person who forwarded it to him was in header of that message.
I wonder how many times my email address and all of those others will be harvested by spammers?
yeah sometimes I forget about blind copy, too
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Ancient History
So... if others can post pictures of ships and planes, so can I.
The best part of that is I have an actual picture of the ship I was in when I was in it.
The above shot was posed.
None of the crew was allowed topside, with the exception of those who stood watch topside.
If I remember correctly, this photo was taken before the first collision at sea.
The ship had been overhauled from her original configuration.
In fact I had the privilege [sic] of standing numerous fire watches for welders while she was undergoing Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) alterations at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.
During an ASW (anti submarine warfare) exercise, off the coast of San Diego, another destroyer, participating in a different exercise, in a different operating area, crossed our bow and found it's aft crews quarters damaged by a hole it the hull.
That 3/16" steel isn't much for protection, except to keep the crew dry.
The bow of the Wiltsie also was holed above the water line.
It was determined the other destroyer had acquired the wrong target [ours] and was pursuing it.
In any event both ships returned to port for a board of inquiry [is that supposed to be capitalized?].
Neither commanding officer was relieved and none of the Wiltsie crew were disciplined, so I don't know the final determination of the board.
We just got to spend four fewer days at sea.
I gave the impression there was more than one collision at sea.
Technically only one occurred at sea.
The second occurred in port while we were moored to a pier at Seal Beach Naval Weapons Depot.
We were acquiring more ammo for the five inch guns, some torpedoes, and rockets for the ASROC.
It seems there was a tug with a barge trying to turn in the turning basin.
The tug driver didn't allow enough room and the barge struck Wiltsie and stove in the hull at the waterline just below the bridge.
Once more the ship avoided some time at sea.
This time it involved going into dry dock at Long Beach Naval Shipyard instead of participation in a amphibious landing exercise.
Even more fun is that the work was being done in the compartment occupied by the radar gang.
Since there are no extra berthing spaces for such contingencies, the petty officers were required to be aboard only on the days they had duty.
I was fortunate enough to have cousins living in Lynwood, about 12 miles up Long Beach Blvd.
It was summer.
They had a pool.
There was beer in the fridge.
Life was good.
 |
| USS Wiltsie - flagship of DesDiv 72 |
The above shot was posed.
None of the crew was allowed topside, with the exception of those who stood watch topside.
If I remember correctly, this photo was taken before the first collision at sea.
The ship had been overhauled from her original configuration.
In fact I had the privilege [sic] of standing numerous fire watches for welders while she was undergoing Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization (FRAM) alterations at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.
During an ASW (anti submarine warfare) exercise, off the coast of San Diego, another destroyer, participating in a different exercise, in a different operating area, crossed our bow and found it's aft crews quarters damaged by a hole it the hull.
That 3/16" steel isn't much for protection, except to keep the crew dry.
The bow of the Wiltsie also was holed above the water line.
It was determined the other destroyer had acquired the wrong target [ours] and was pursuing it.
In any event both ships returned to port for a board of inquiry [is that supposed to be capitalized?].
Neither commanding officer was relieved and none of the Wiltsie crew were disciplined, so I don't know the final determination of the board.
We just got to spend four fewer days at sea.
I gave the impression there was more than one collision at sea.
Technically only one occurred at sea.
The second occurred in port while we were moored to a pier at Seal Beach Naval Weapons Depot.
We were acquiring more ammo for the five inch guns, some torpedoes, and rockets for the ASROC.
It seems there was a tug with a barge trying to turn in the turning basin.
The tug driver didn't allow enough room and the barge struck Wiltsie and stove in the hull at the waterline just below the bridge.
Once more the ship avoided some time at sea.
This time it involved going into dry dock at Long Beach Naval Shipyard instead of participation in a amphibious landing exercise.
Even more fun is that the work was being done in the compartment occupied by the radar gang.
Since there are no extra berthing spaces for such contingencies, the petty officers were required to be aboard only on the days they had duty.
I was fortunate enough to have cousins living in Lynwood, about 12 miles up Long Beach Blvd.
It was summer.
They had a pool.
There was beer in the fridge.
Life was good.
and this sailor was a short-timer
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Five
At least I think it was five.
I'm not exactly sure what I was trying to do.
I said it was to keep friends and family updated regarding surgery.
Then that turned out to be a big bore.
So the next best thing was writing about how I had stopped smoking.
Anyhow, Saturday will mark the day I started this blog.
Today's the anniversary of the day I stopped smoking.
In the ensuing years I've concluded it is easier to stop smoking than it is to find something worthwhile to post every day.
Well, I should qualify that statement.
It is easier if you are ready to stop and you want to stop.
If you are a smoker, you know what I am talking about... particularly if you've tried to stop.
I'm not exactly sure what I was trying to do.
I said it was to keep friends and family updated regarding surgery.
Then that turned out to be a big bore.
So the next best thing was writing about how I had stopped smoking.
Anyhow, Saturday will mark the day I started this blog.
Today's the anniversary of the day I stopped smoking.
In the ensuing years I've concluded it is easier to stop smoking than it is to find something worthwhile to post every day.
Well, I should qualify that statement.
It is easier if you are ready to stop and you want to stop.
If you are a smoker, you know what I am talking about... particularly if you've tried to stop.
it was the second time for me
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Whoopee!
I'm sure glad we don't have to deal with kids who are out of school for the summer.
A quick glance will show that this (the weather), too, shall pass.
A quick glance will show that this (the weather), too, shall pass.
thanks goodness
As promised
So we heard there was going to be a "Super" Moon at 4:30am (PDT) Sunday morning.
I get up fairly early, but not that early.
Besides, the weather was not going to cooperate.
So I went out at Sunset on Saturday evening to see what I could find.
My druthers would be to go to a high spot so I could use the horizon for perspective.
Mt Lassen would have been an ideal background.
All things considered the results are fair.
My camera has no manual override.
I have to fake it out in order to get good results.
That's probably a good thing... because then there aren't so many ways to screw up a photograph.
This is the first effort
This turned out a little better, though the camera wanted to take closeups.
So we went for a long shot, including the neighbors.
Then got lucky.
These are almost up to the effort from last year.
I get up fairly early, but not that early.
Besides, the weather was not going to cooperate.
So I went out at Sunset on Saturday evening to see what I could find.
My druthers would be to go to a high spot so I could use the horizon for perspective.
Mt Lassen would have been an ideal background.
All things considered the results are fair.
My camera has no manual override.
I have to fake it out in order to get good results.
That's probably a good thing... because then there aren't so many ways to screw up a photograph.
This is the first effort
 |
| Meh! |
This turned out a little better, though the camera wanted to take closeups.
 |
| A little blurry |
So we went for a long shot, including the neighbors.
 |
| Streetlight and power lines... aaagh! |
Then got lucky.
These are almost up to the effort from last year.
Super or Thunder?
Monday, June 24, 2013
Monday, Monday
Usually that means a Monday update.
But first, the weather.
Sometime around 9:00pm last night someone turned a bucket upside down and this part of the North State was soaked.
We'd been warned several times in the preceding days this was a probability.
We've also been told to expect more rain over the next couple of days.
Typically we see this kind of weather in the fall.
Then there is this.
GS only had two appointments all last week.
Since she is no longer on TPN, Home Health no longer visits to change dressings and draw samples.
So we had to go out for the blood draw.
That was quick and easy.
Unfortunately that facility will no longer be available to us because it has since closed.
Now we are required to go to a place that sends its samples off to someplace down south and hope the testing is completed in a timely manner.
The other trip out was to the oncologist for updating and the chemo treatment.
We received something like good news.
The biopsy did not find any cancer in the pancreas.
On the other hand GS had lost a couple of pounds after ending the TPN, but her appetite has improved and some weight gain has been apparent.
In other relatively good news, we were told she did not have to go for a "hemo shot" because the count level was back up.
The oncologist is consulting further with the Stanford Doc regarding treatment.
In general there appears to be some improvement.
It's all relative.
It is raining right now... but softly.
I think I mentioned there are apricots on the tree.
This is now one would normally expect to see them...
This is what we have...
One more...
We going for labs today since the testing is done out of town now.
We go after breakfast because fasting is not required.
Thank goodness it is only across town and not to Redding.
tomorrow we have Moon shots
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Have you ever had one of "those" days?
It was Thursday.
There was a blitz.
I looked at the stats.
There was no single post with more than 10 pageviews.
In fact only one had that many.
I dunno how Facebook got in there.
Go figure!
Then I got a kind of backhanded compliment.
I had to laugh.
Another blogger, Marimba, who posts some of the most interesting information, when he posts, replied to a comment I made.
He said he admired my discipline: that I post daily.
It's funny how one person's obsession is another's.
About the only thing disciplined about this blog is I try not to end too many sentences with prepositions, use apostrophes properly and punctuate such that what I've written makes some sense.
Anyhow, go check out his blog.
You could probably spend a whole morning there... even longer if you go back to read older posts.
As long as I'mpimping blogs, check out this one.
I am only guessing, but I think these two are blog buds.
The second one doesn't post much either.
 | |
| It says 104 |
There was a blitz.
I looked at the stats.
There was no single post with more than 10 pageviews.
In fact only one had that many.
I dunno how Facebook got in there.
Go figure!
Then I got a kind of backhanded compliment.
I had to laugh.
Another blogger, Marimba, who posts some of the most interesting information, when he posts, replied to a comment I made.
He said he admired my discipline: that I post daily.
It's funny how one person's obsession is another's.
About the only thing disciplined about this blog is I try not to end too many sentences with prepositions, use apostrophes properly and punctuate such that what I've written makes some sense.
Anyhow, go check out his blog.
You could probably spend a whole morning there... even longer if you go back to read older posts.
As long as I'm
I am only guessing, but I think these two are blog buds.
The second one doesn't post much either.
they don't me from anywhere
Saturday, June 22, 2013
What's out front day two
Sometimes we forget to look around.
I went back out to attempt another closeup of a single flower.
I wasn't having a whole lot of luck because of a slight breeze and an unsteady hand.
So I grabbed a chair and sat opposite where I'd shot the earlier photos...
...and looked up.
I think I heard Fred Rogers
Then I went back to the business at hand.
There's one that hasn't opened... yet.
My target is directly behind it.
It's the one on the right.
I wasn't having a whole lot of luck because of a slight breeze and an unsteady hand.
So I grabbed a chair and sat opposite where I'd shot the earlier photos...
...and looked up.
Then I went back to the business at hand.
There's one that hasn't opened... yet.
forests and trees
Friday, June 21, 2013
What's out front
There is a plant in the front of the house that needs some assistance.
It produces flowers okay, but I'm sure, if the roots were divided, it could produce much better.
The agapanthus is a bit of a showoff.
On its way to full glory
I have to shoot a better closeup.
It produces flowers okay, but I'm sure, if the roots were divided, it could produce much better.
the other one blurred
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Taking advantage of Wednesday
I think I mentioned yesterday was a beautiful day.
Here is some evidence.
Yes, indeed, I had an opportunity to use my camera for some images.
Smartphones are nice.
But they just don't quite perform up my expectations.
Sometimes even the camera leaves something to be desired.
Not yesterday.
There was even some flora in bloom nearby.
Just in case you're wondering...
...the mountains and clouds caught my attention as I was driving back across Redding from Costco.
I only wish I'd been able to shoot the photo from the middle of the Highway 44 freeway so I could've ditched the traffic signals.
Some of the very best views in Redding are only available from highways that don't allow pedestrians.
Here's a closeup of the monolith in the first photo.
Click the link for the history.
Here is some evidence.
Smartphones are nice.
But they just don't quite perform up my expectations.
Sometimes even the camera leaves something to be desired.
Not yesterday.
There was even some flora in bloom nearby.
Just in case you're wondering...
...the mountains and clouds caught my attention as I was driving back across Redding from Costco.
 | |
| Looking west to Shasta Bally |
Some of the very best views in Redding are only available from highways that don't allow pedestrians.
Here's a closeup of the monolith in the first photo.
have to go back for more
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Wednesday's lack of effort
But first the weather.
It's almost perfect.
Now a word from out sponsor.
Now a word from out sponsor.
slept in this morning
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Dessert
Maybe I should say strawberry plants.
Not many strawberries are grown and harvested here in the North State.
But most of the plants from which the commercial berry farms harvest their berries are grown here and then transplanted in the coastal regions where the berries are grown.
The berries in the photo were packed in Watsonville.
go ahead
click the image
Monday, June 17, 2013
This is where we find Monday updates
What's to tell?
We are still awaiting the results from last Monday's biopsy.
Last Tuesday's provided no new information.
Wednesday and Thursday are now a part of the routine.
Friday we ended TPN and the PICC line was removed.
That means there will be no more visits from the Home Health nurses.
So we will now have to go out on Tuesdays for the weekly blood draws.
Ironically, the most convenient of the blood draw stations is closing this week.
The other two aren't so much far away as they are really, really slow.
Speaking of blood draws, I managed to refrain from ingesting anything for twelve hours overnight and went in this morning so they could have some of my blood.
It's been a year since the last time so I was due.
Besides, I now have a PCP of my own and she doesn't have any information about any prior lab tests.
If everything goes as expected, I won't hear from them.
The Fair is over for another year.
I heard it reported this morning there were 70,000 attendees for the four day event.
You'd have thought the cooler weather last week would have helped increase the number of visitors?
I can remember in the past when they'd report 40,000 visitors for one day.
On the other hand the FFA/4H livestock auction set a sales record.
With the fair coming so early, the animals are about the only agricultural exhibits.
Everything else is either commercial or craft related.
I really admire that the kids are able to have their animals prepared so soon after school is out.
Yesterday, if you didn't already know, was Fathers Day.
PHG had traveled to Sac on Saturday to attend a baseball game.
She was able to visit with her son and grandson.
Smartphones make sending photos so easy.
No sooner had I received the above picture when this one appeared.
It was accompanied by the message:
But I am prejudiced and we have yet to meet her.
That could quite possible change in the next two weeks.
There are plans in the works.
Her big brother gets equal space.
It's so hard to imagine he was ever as small as Little Teeny.
We are still awaiting the results from last Monday's biopsy.
Last Tuesday's provided no new information.
Wednesday and Thursday are now a part of the routine.
Friday we ended TPN and the PICC line was removed.
That means there will be no more visits from the Home Health nurses.
So we will now have to go out on Tuesdays for the weekly blood draws.
Ironically, the most convenient of the blood draw stations is closing this week.
The other two aren't so much far away as they are really, really slow.
Speaking of blood draws, I managed to refrain from ingesting anything for twelve hours overnight and went in this morning so they could have some of my blood.
It's been a year since the last time so I was due.
Besides, I now have a PCP of my own and she doesn't have any information about any prior lab tests.
If everything goes as expected, I won't hear from them.
The Fair is over for another year.
I heard it reported this morning there were 70,000 attendees for the four day event.
You'd have thought the cooler weather last week would have helped increase the number of visitors?
I can remember in the past when they'd report 40,000 visitors for one day.
On the other hand the FFA/4H livestock auction set a sales record.
With the fair coming so early, the animals are about the only agricultural exhibits.
Everything else is either commercial or craft related.
I really admire that the kids are able to have their animals prepared so soon after school is out.
Yesterday, if you didn't already know, was Fathers Day.
PHG had traveled to Sac on Saturday to attend a baseball game.
She was able to visit with her son and grandson.
Smartphones make sending photos so easy.
No sooner had I received the above picture when this one appeared.
It was accompanied by the message:
"Isn't this one of the cutest faces you've ever seen?"Yeah!
But I am prejudiced and we have yet to meet her.
That could quite possible change in the next two weeks.
There are plans in the works.
Her big brother gets equal space.
it's time to pick apricots
Sunday, June 16, 2013
A day for...
For what?
I've perused the blogs already this morning.
Three, in particular, caught my attention.
Buck's first born has returned home from an overseas assignment.
Welcome home!
Thank you for your continued service.
Craig, who only posts occasionally now, reminding us of connections.
I wish I'd written some of the things I'd heard, but now barely remember.
At this point I can only connect, marginally, to the younger generation.
I was reminded by Lime of how fragile the connection between fathers and sons can be and how, when they are broken, can become irreparable.
I've perused the blogs already this morning.
Three, in particular, caught my attention.
Buck's first born has returned home from an overseas assignment.
Welcome home!
Thank you for your continued service.
Craig, who only posts occasionally now, reminding us of connections.
I wish I'd written some of the things I'd heard, but now barely remember.
At this point I can only connect, marginally, to the younger generation.
I was reminded by Lime of how fragile the connection between fathers and sons can be and how, when they are broken, can become irreparable.
hindsight, eh?
Saturday, June 15, 2013
I wonder what's in store for us today?
The weatherman says, "Sunny."
The Shasta District Fair is taking place and ends tonight.
It's kinda like a county fair, except is covers more than the county.
Somehow the State Fair Board is involved and the state owns the fairground.
The Shasta County Fair is Labor Day weekend and takes place in McArthur.
It's also called the Intermountain Fair.
About the only thing that piqued my curiosity about the fair this week is that I heard someone was serving bacon wrapped corn dogs.
I don't think I want to pay $5 to park and $6 admission to see that.
The weatherman says, "Sunny."
The Shasta District Fair is taking place and ends tonight.
It's kinda like a county fair, except is covers more than the county.
Somehow the State Fair Board is involved and the state owns the fairground.
The Shasta County Fair is Labor Day weekend and takes place in McArthur.
It's also called the Intermountain Fair.
About the only thing that piqued my curiosity about the fair this week is that I heard someone was serving bacon wrapped corn dogs.
 |
| yahoo.com |
I don't think I want to pay $5 to park and $6 admission to see that.
once upon a time, maybe
Friday, June 14, 2013
The trifecta
The wind today has been bordering on nasty with gusts to nearly 30mph.
It has calmed a little now.
There is at least one upside to having the wind blow like that.
It stretches out the huge flag next to the freeway on the bluffs above the Sacramento River in Redding.
The flag will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year on September 11.
I don't know what happened to to my plan to do a Normal Friday post.
I mean I was going to post almost any old thing and call it normal.
I guess I'm not so good at following through on plans.
It has calmed a little now.
There is at least one upside to having the wind blow like that.
 |
| stolen from the Enterprise Lions Club Facebook page |
The flag will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year on September 11.
I don't know what happened to to my plan to do a Normal Friday post.
I mean I was going to post almost any old thing and call it normal.
I guess I'm not so good at following through on plans.
maybe next week
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