Jim's Retirement Party

What a Great Event. It was great to see Jim appreciated, for all he does. As the Superintendent of Schools said, "Jim has done things for students and families that no one else could do."

Pictures!

Mug shot

Yosemite in the Autumn

Jim and I took a drive over the Sierras Sunday with our dear friends, Phyllis and Barry. Also in attendance were their dogs, Little and Lucky.

We stopped near May Lake and brewed a pot a coffee in the meadow. Fresh coffee and scones, baked that morning by Phyllis, mmmm yum.

Arrived in Lee Vining for a late lunch and a visit to the bookstore. Mono Lake in the valley east of the Sierras it a glory of blue.

Then headed home again.

Pie Month Continues

with Peaches!

Bumper crop on the peach tree, leading to More Pies.
4 pies have been consumed so far, must make more.
But first Ice Cream, YARR. (thanks Lothias for the great idea).
I mentioned making ice cream to Jim, he ran up into the attic (where it must be 110 degrees) found the ice cream maker, cleaned it up, and fixed dinner. That is going to require a wonderful desert, think I will make ice cream, : )

OBILITORY PIE MONTH

Well, the vegetable garden is a wasteland, destroyed by the grasshoppers, but a few of the fruit trees have produced. the Santa Rosa plum was prolific. There was a wheelbarrow load from the one tree.


So come on over and get a piece of pie.

Outside Bed

We have set up the outside bed for the summer. The breeze at night is nice.


Here is the bed, right outside our bedroom.

















View from the bed, with dog.

















View from the bed, with chickens.

Locust Plague

GRR I hate em. They are killing everything, and they are still babies.

Also in Venice Beach News,

The 4 day baby shower party was a blast. Good Company, Good Food, the Beach Scene, and Hot Tubbing.

Here is Tim ready for a photo op.























Kate, Brian and the twins.

Porch Wildlife

. . . or . . . Murder in the Morning

David killed a rattlesnake in the yard this morning.

I was setting up the water system when I saw a snake coiled up under the valves I had been working with. Pretty scary. Didn't measure it, but I am guessing about 18" long, 2 rattles.


The cup is where the snake was.

Pirates Invade Venice Beach . . .

. . . . and a good time was had by all.

Or, at least the Loose Cannons. Some of the citizens of this fair port were suprised, if not shocked, to see pirates in their midst.

Chancy, Marmy, Lothias and Pood were the Loose Cannons having a brunch at a local eatery.

















We were also joined by Lothias' fair lady, Domina.

Mother's Day

Want to show off my Mother's Day card from last year.

Dear Mom,

There once was a holiday yearly,
To honour the moms
We love dearly,
Which means that every damn time,
The burden is mine,
To tell you I love you,
Sincerely.

Aren't you glad you got
a card?

Love,
David

The Release

And Now, (drum roll) Thumper is Released into the Wilds! OK it's the front yard, but there are plenty of other rabbits there.
Here is David feeding Thumper lettuce in the Chicken Palace.
David carrying Thumper to the front yard. And Thumper in the wild.

Lego Pirates Strike Again

This amusing video was made by my son.
Pirates and Annoying Practical Jokes at the Office.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo7qhawKVc0

Marmy, Pegleg Lego Pirate

Yarr, here be Marmy, pillagin' the seas w' 'er trusty dagger 'n' a barrel of rum, trusty swabbie by her side.

Plum Blossom Time

I weather is glorious, the trees are flowering. The world is green.

Snow Day

Feb 18, 2007.

Woke up to snow on the ground. Just a dusting, but pretty.
It had been falling when the power went out the night before.
No power for 14 hrs. Very Relaxing.

Thumper

Thumper has moved into the Chicken Palace. She was in a hutch in the coop for a while, but escaped into the larger cage, after a few days.

Catch and Release Program

First the cat caught it and released it in the house.
Then Jim caught it and "released" it into the aquarium.
It escaped and David caught it under the bed, and put it back in the aquarium.
Will it be released back into it's natural habitat?
Into the chicken palace?
Into the house as a pet?
Tune in next week for new developments in our..
Vermin Catch and Release Program.

Chicken Palace

Here they are....the Girls!
Henny and Penny.
In their new Chicken Palace.
They are Aracanua / Rhode Island Red cross.
We are getting 2 eggs everyday.

Zen Shack

Marmy's Shack of Ocean Zen,
After a day of pillaging, and profitering, a pirate needs a retreat that soothes the soul and refreshes the mind. A place that says, "Relax, it's a Game". Upon entering, see the broken Wheel of Samsara, reminding us to let go of desires and aversions. The bunk offers rest for the body. The candles in the window beckon the weary voyagers to enlightenment. Practice "just sit". The chest holds the few items needed for a simple life.