Who Would Sit In The Dirt On Her Day Off Just For Children And Her Community?

 A teacher, of course!  I believe I heard this saintly creature referred to as Ms. Rogers.

 She was directing these kids who were singing a medley of five songs, one for each of the five branches of the military.  She didn't forget the Coast Guard, and she taught them gestures to go along with  the songs.  I have done this.  It is not as easy as the finished product looks.  Congrats, Ms Rogers.  We are not worthy! *bows to the floor*

 All of this happened this morning at the Whitmore Parade, and Country Fair.  The above is the Quilting Club.  I used to attend the quilting.  Perhaps I'll return.

 This is the Shingletown Fiddle Group.

 Here we have the 4-H Club,  headed by Shannon and Duane,

 Our mail delivery person and her award-winning goat,

 And the judges table.  Whoop!  There he is!

 You can see by the banner hanging from the trees that the proceeds of the events go to the volunteer fire department.  You can also see the beautiful environment in which we live.
It is a township of about 800, and I think we were all there today.

My Drunk Kitchen Ep. 6: Brunch?

Observations on the Road

As an observer of changes, I am seldom bored.  I began a recent trip by noticing that some pretty homes that I like to look at along Whitmore Road are no longer visible now that the foliage returned.   There are lots of baby calves to “awww” over, though.
When I got to I-5, or  “The Five” as it is known in Southern California, I had to look hard for new sights.  My destination was Folsom again.
One semi-amazing thing I saw was some enterprising farmer harvesting what appeared to be hay from the center median. He may have planted it or maybe it just magically grew there. I do not know. Every few miles there was a stack of rectangular blocks of hay. As I drove on down the road I came upon a guy driving a large contraption that I recognized as farm machinery with those sharp wicked-looking circular  blades cutting the hay from the center of Interstate Five! Well. This never happened down where this road is known as the Santa Ana Freeway!

Another not so unusual observance of mine was that the Department of Placing Orange Cones In Equidistant Arrays had been busy. There were many tidy arrangements of them.
Near the Cone Displays was evidence of other Cal Trans workers. The Big White Signs Team had been there. Their signs stated that the cones were to show us that our tax dollars were at work, improving our driving experience by making the roads better.
The Department of Warning Signs had been there, too. Their signs were warning us that any traffic tickets the highway patrol were able to issue would be doubled in price if any driver broke a rule while driving by the Cone Display. I was very careful. I know the state needs money but I need to keep mine for gas.

The one thing I did not see was a single soul. There were no people anywhere near the signs and cones. And no, it was not the weekend yet.

The guy in the bright yellow plane was there, as always, busily spraying poison on the food he was growing. Obviously enough people still eat the poison food. I would imagine his airplane is pretty expensive to operate. I am always worried that someone will run into me around there as everyone is always enchanted with the bright yellow plane and they drift into my lane while watching it zoom low over his crops.
I always hold my breath there.  I don't want to breathe the poison or crash into other vehicles.

I had a lovely visit with Mama and my sisters. We ate at Cafe Luna in Placerville, which is the best little restaurant on the planet, and worth the drive from here even if your mama doesn't live there.
The next night we ate fava beans that came in my sister's weekly box of unpoisoned veggies. We ate them with a nice Chianti; no liver.
We looked through boxes and boxes of old photographs and wondered where all the time had gone.
We went to the movie and saw Water For Elephants. It was excellent.

On the way home there were still no people working where our tax dollars were being spent. But then again it WAS Sunday.

Weekend With Women +1

 Placerville Pleasure @ Cafe Luna.  If you are lucky enough to live near-by, this should be your foody indulgence.  These people are (Left from front to back) John (the plus), Whitney, me. (Right from back to front) Mama, Pegi, and a person who is in the Witness Protection Program.

 The exclamation point in the sky above Folsom, CA.

 The fava beans in my sister's weekly produce delivery made us crave a nice chiante for some reason.

 And then we saw this movie because we loved the book.  I almost never like movies from books I have read, but I liked this one.

So. Team Jacob.

Kitty Cats are BRATS!

 When it first appeared it looked like this.

 Then this.

 Then this.

 And in no time it looked like this, so I started another batch.

Then the kitty took a nap on it.  BRAT Lettuce!

Odd. I Never Was Compelled To Take Photos Of The Scenery On My Way To Mother's Day Brunch In Southern California

 That is Rob in front of us. He took the boat so he could go fishing after the festivities.

 See that picturesque bridge down there?

 There's Lady Shasta all dressed in white.

 And Lake Shasta.  This is where the menfolk fish.  Sometimes we wemmins go too.  Here is how I fish:  Rich puts some stuff on the pole, along with a floaty thing.  I put it in the water and drink champagne until the floaty thing dances around and then I pull it up.

 This picture doesn't quite show the grandeur of the mountain.

 Emily is the newest mommy.

 I ate this.  Yes, I did.  ALL of it.  Want to make something of it?

Halie's gift to her mom gave us all a big laugh!

The Burlap Harlot

          A craft Show Extrordinaire!
If you weren't here, this is a bit of what you missed

 Monica worked her usual designing magic.

 Typewriters always remind me of my childhood.  Mom is a writer so there was always one clacking or simply sitting on the dining room table waiting to be clacked.  She's computer savvy now so the clacking is softer.

 See these beautifully aged shutters?  They came home with me.  I couldn't help it.  They said, "Lyyyyynnnn, can we go home with you?  I am a sucker for shutters.   and old books.   and room dividers.   and pitchers.  and Eiffel Towers.  and book shelves.    and sheet music.

 If I had a spot for this, It would have come home with me, too.  Isn't it beautiful?  I stood in front of it for a long time thinking, "OK, now.  What can I give away to make room for this?"

 This was a vintage suitcase all goodied up inside and displaying necklaces and such.

I should have bought this suitcase.  I am already regretting it.

The wells Fargo Wagon is a-Comin' Now (I don't know how I can ever wait and see.)

...and he brought me these roses for Muddah's Day.  Thank you to my precious First born.

I got this in an email from a friend.

 THINGS MOM WOULD NEVER SAY

"How on earth can you see the TV sitting so far back?"

"Yeah, I used to skip school a lot, too."

"Just leave all the lights on ... it makes the house look more cheery."

"Let me smell that shirt -- Yeah, it's good for another week."

"Go ahead and keep that stray dog, honey. I'll be glad to feed and walk him every day."

"Well, if Ron's mamma says it's okay, that's good enough for me."

"The curfew is just a general time to shoot for. It's not like I'm running a prison around here."

"I don't have a tissue with me ... just use your sleeve."

"Don't bother wearing a jacket - the wind-chill is bound to improve."

The New Babies Are Here!

           Hey!  Look what I found!
I cannot believe I am blogging about this!

 The mother goat talks to them in the sweetest b-a-a-a-a.
Unfortunately the dark blob by the mama's foot would have been another mouth to feed.
They are making squealy b-a-a-a-a's.

Hey!  It was here a minute ago!  Where is that spigot?

 Halie with one baby.

 Jen with two babies.

 A mama hen was busy today, too. but she was out done and overshadowed by the mama goat.

A Bit of This and That

 Halie selling her worldly goods at The Whitmore Flea Market.

And Lexie blending into her bed.