A teenager

Hi. I tried to leave an answer to the comment from Random Thoughts, but I am such a klutz that I couldn't get my computer to publish it, so I will leave a little blog here. i was fifteen when my little sister was born, and I was deep in rebellion, causing my poor mother all manner of grief. But with the birth of my dear little sister, I straightened out and became a dutiful daughter again. Not that we didn't have our differences of opinion from time to time, but I think i became a little more sympathetic and just a bit kinder.

The Depresson

Thinking about the depression of the thirties, I remembered a book that realistically describes the hard times people experienced. It is "The Grapes of Wrath" and is well worth reading. If it is possible to watch the movie of the same name, that would be very interesting as well. One event of my life that i particularly remember was the birth of my beloved little sister in 1937. My poor mother, in her forties, was plunged into despair, but valiantly continued the pregnancy. I remember that she saved flour sacks and asked neighbors and friends to save theirs as well, so she could make diapers. She had only two little shirts and one blanket, and she cried when she showed them to me.
My little sister was born in the midst of a fierce snowstorm, and my father had to go fetch the doctor with a sled and team of horses. They returned with very little time to spare, and I still remember the thrill I felt when the doctor placed the tiny baby, wrapped in a towel, in my arms. From that moment, she was the focus of my life. I loved her dearly and still do. I spent many happy moments rocking her or walking back and forth with her draped over my shoulder. Circumstances have kept us apart but in our hearts we are still close.
the depression dragged on and on, and the country only came out of it when World War 11 happened. By that time I had managed to graduate from college and after teaching a year and a half, I went to work in a war factory. That was a long time ago, but I remember it all very clearly.
Well, enough for tonight. Please keep in touch.

A changing world

I'm not sure I like having my computer in my bedroom, but I will keep it here for awhile and maybe I will get used to it. It is nice and quiet in here, with no TV or radio to distract me.
My husband and i have been having quiet days here, trying to think up new food ideas and watching the financial world turn upside down. The consensus of opinion is that something has to be done, but no one is in agreement on what to do. No one dreamed it would come to this!
Now and then an amusing little episode will occur that causes us to chuckle a little. Yesterday my husband made French Toast, a dish that he enjoys making and does rather well. He served up my portion and I seated myself at the table and began to enjoy my meal. In a few minutes he joined me, with his plate neatly covered with delicious-looking slices browned to perfection, and absent-mindedly began shaking salt and pepper over his plate. He had forgotten he was eating French Toast and thought he had scrambled eggs! He was goodnatured about it, and poured on maple syrup and ate it as it was.
i am constantly amazed at how much he can do with his very limited vision. Cooking is no problem to him at all. Except for an occasional spill or dropped egg, he is more adept than I am. Luckily for both of us.
Good-night. Keep in touch.

A busy evening

Much activity here last night. First, i decided to bring my computer into my bedroom, which necessitated moving all of the furniture around and hauling the TV set out into the family room. When we did that, i somehow managed to block out all of the channels above 32. This frustrated my poor husband no end, and he spent almost three hours trying to remedy the problem. Since it is almost 20 years old, I was in favor of throwing the thing out, but this morning i called Comcast and in about two minutes, the kind technician straightened me and the TV out, and we now have all of the channels back. It really is nice to have both sets working, so we can each watch our favorite programs simultaneously. Another problem solved.
I am so aghast at the turn of events that has taken place, with the government putting us all into this huge debt condition, that i am almost glad that I am teetering on the brink of the abyss. I lived through the depression of the thirties and it was no fun. Besides that, it lasted until the war broke out. My family did quite well, as we were able to grow most of our food, and my father was quite skilled at thinking of ways to generate cash, but not everyone was so fortunate. It was a time of despair and no one could see the end. Many people were actually glad when the war came along, because there were jobs for everyone, young and old.
Must close and join my husband in the family room. Keep in touch.

A down day for Wall Street

This has been an interesting day, if not unexpected, with the stock market dropping and many people in peril of losing their investments, although we are assured that savings are safe. My husband and I drew out all of our investments sixteen years ago when we bought our house, but almost everyone we know has at least some money in a 401K or Roth account. I suppose we should mourn the fact that houses have lost value as well, but we will not be selling anyway. It is going to be an interesting couple of months until the election, as well. I guess I will stick around and see what happens. One of the great advantages of being my age is the ability to look with detachment on the momentous events happening every day.
There is a rumor going around that there is going to be a cataclysmic event in the year 2012, one that will change the world forever. We listen to Coast to Coast radio, and one of the speakers declared that this year is actually 2012 because there was an error in charting the calendar. Isn't that interesting? I don't believe for a minute that a comet is going to collide with the earth or a monstrous earthquake is going to take out California. There will of course be earthquakes, with horrible destruction, but the earth will go on as before. At least that is my belief.
This has been a lovely day here in the redwoods. Actually, this is my favorite time of year. The redwoods are shedding their fronds, as they do in the fall, but the roses and hydrangeas are still blooming and the hummingbirds are bold and sassy. Take care and keep in touch.

An experiment on the rug.

In a burst of energy today, I spot-cleaned the carpet in the family room.. I can now state, without hesitation, that shaving cream works better than detergent. Neither worked perfectly, but it was ground-in grime, and really needs to be steam-cleaned with a good machine. Which I will do when I get around to it. This is a heavy traffic area, and has never been cleaned in the several years we have had it down. However, it does indicate that I am feeling better. Last week I could barely find my way from one chair to another, I was so lethargic.
I received a CD in the mail today, containing 65 minutes of music by Mozart, along with a little book with background information about his life and works. I felt guilty about keeping it, and read the accompanying printed material, trying to find out if by keeping it I am obligating myself to make future purchases. Apparently I am not. We played it, and the sound was very good. Like the numerous address strips and calendars we get from various organizations, i respond to some but not all. Not all requests are valid, of course, but how does one tell?
As I write this, Ike is pounding the coast of Texas and Louisiana. We lived in Arkansas once, and i remember one storm which roared through the area, sending me home from work to check on my children. Luckily, the baby-sitter had taken them to a shelter, and i drove back to work with trees falling and windows shattering all around me. Not as bad as Galveston, but scary enough that I still remember it.
i have lived in Wisconsin, Washington D.C., New york City, California, Alaska, Arkansas, Germany, and finally back to California again, where we have taken root. We have lived in California since 1959 and here we will stay. Take care.

A very active little kid

Yesterday was indeed a most delightful day. Little April is crawling around everywhere and we had a very busy day playing little games with her. We improvised toys out of plastic measuring cups and let her explore the living room and family room. She loves to stand up and practice jumping up and down. Walking is just around the corner and then she will indeed keep her mom and dad busy!
Today was our weekly shopping day and my cupboards and refrigerator are bulging with food. My husband likes to keep us supplied for any contingency and I have to really watch what I do so that we don't have to throw anything out. Needless to say, he loves to eat! Luckily he also likes to cook.
We are missing our little Kaya dog. We keep looking outside for her, forgetting that she is back with our granddaughter. We will get her back again in two weeks.
Somehow I can't get excited about the coming election. I have even cooled off about Barack Obama. I am more interested in the turn of events regarding the economy and the bailing out of Fannie Mae and Freddy Mac. I studied economics in college and still do not understand how the stock market works. I tremble for the future.
Anyway, we will muddle through. Night all.

Bodega Bay

Hi. It's been a whole week since I wrote anything. To tell the truth, I am only now feeling like myself again, and I hope it lasts a while.
We had a lovely little trip yesterday, when my daughter and her husband took us out to a marine laboratory on the coast at Bodega Bay. The drive out there is spectacular, with huge rocks and sparkling waves and surfers trying out their skills. Since i don't walk well, we took my wheelchair and i rode around in it in a queenly fashion.
It is a huge place, all concrete and occupying several buildings. We took a tour, with an affable and knowledgeable guide, and everyone was most kind, insisting that we come to the front of the group so we could see better. There were ramps for the handicapped and exhibits, tide pools, a huge library and even a freshwater source. They only allow visitors on Fridays, and we felt really privileged to be able to see it.
All in all, this has been an enjoyable week, even though i didn't record it in my blog. We have been enjoying our granddaughter's little dog Kaya and are looking forward with pleasure to a visit from my granddaughter, her baby and her baby's father. They will take Kaya back home with them for a while, and then we get to share her again.
A lovely day today - warm but pleasant. Night all - keep in touch.