Dear Winter, I think we should spend some time apart... I'm gonna try to work things out with my ex, Summer...

Here I am again. Do I live in California or do I live in friggin' Alaska? It's mornings like this that I want to pretend it's summer and say "it’s so hot today that I’m sweating like a cat at a Chinese restaurant", or "it's so beautiful out today that I'm walking on sunshine", or "it's so hot the jalapenos in my garden are all standing over in the shade". Maybe even "My P.J.’s are awesome. I'd like to thank them for taking themselves off in the middle of the night when it's too hot, without even waking me up. Job well done P.J.’s"........but this morning's blog post is brought to you by the letters W T F.

Living in Northeastern California I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe....but after all these years, eleven years of living in the mountains at the 4500 and 3500 foot elevations I think I’m getting the hang of this ~ expect the unexpected. Expect to get more snow in California than I ever did in the State of Washington. Is this when I should be saying "I just wanted to tell you, Dear State of Washington, that I love you and I want to come back, I will not let California take me away from you?" It's times like this that I wish to get a grip on reality..and choke it to death. Stupid mistakes are made by others. I only make unavoidable errors. I'm here in the State of California and I have to deal with it. Like it or not.

So, I want you to imagine that I have a big smile on my face. Also, for the hell of it, try to figure out why. Am I looking reality straight in the eye and denying it......am I attempting to give a damn.....(I think I may be skeptical. But I doubt it). Who knows. But I am here to say "please don't follow in my footsteps because sometimes I walk into walls, or snow banks...."

It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it. I never follow that rule. Stick with me folks, if you're looking for trouble, I can offer you a wide selection. I hate it when people use the term "FOLKS". Are we on Green Acres? See, there you have it - the snow has 'affected' me. Send help!

A sauvignon with a perfume of piña coladas, an overly sweet riesling and a chardonnay so 'oaky' it tastes as if it had been aged in a box of No. 2 pencils. What? It’s too early for some wine-tasting?

This was last night ...the 'beginning'.....

This photo is for my son, my true-blue Finnish sauna worshiper - here's your sauna shower and plenty of snow to roll in.....

Now, this is impressive to say the least. Switching over from Dish Network to DirecTV....and the dish where I cannot even remove the snow from it...I have not lost my satellite signal!

And for you Tammi - I know how you love to look out a window and see freshly fallen snow...

If anything else, my dog's love the snow! This is Finn doing a 'take-down' of poor little Kesä not even 10 feet after leaving the front door. They hit the snow it's immediate 'play' time! You can't even see her in the snow!

Skye-Pilot is of course more intent on just viewing the beauty of it all. I'm sure later on today after I make giant mounds of snow with the snow-blower, she will be making a cave. That's her Siberian Husky nature...she goes back to her 'roots'.

Alan, please send me some of your Florida 'sunshine'. Laura, bring all 6 of your dogs up, we'll hook them up to a sled and have a hella fun time. Missouri, now's the time to come visit. Fort Bear is awaiting. Doug, do NOT let this discourage you from returning back to California. Sean and Tammi, this would have been the holiday week-end to bring Jamie up!
Nature is my solitude ~ Nature is my solitude~Nature is my solitude ~Nature is my solitude ~(just reminding myself )
Nature is my solitude ~ Nature is my solitude ~

What? A blog without my usual crazy odd thoughts? No way dudes......here's the thoughts that popped into my mind this morning ~

Why is there a show called "When animals attack"? It should be called "When stupid people go near dangerous animals." Common sense people, common sense.

I'm wondering what would happen if I walked through Sea World with a fishing pole?

I'm  wondering if I am the only one who hasn't had sex with Tiger?

I am so happy that McDonald's doesn't sell hot dogs. I just don't think I could order a "McWeiner" with a straight face!

I'm sick of following my dreams. I'm just going to ask them where they're goin' and hook up with them later.

Yes, California is GREAT. It's the only State where Starbucks has been officially changed to 'Tenbucks', where your taxes are double your salary (which reminds me, I have to take my pension to the bank, it's too little to go by itself). 

My neighbor to the east  is exceptionally dedicated. You should see how far he’ll go to annoy me. Right now he is snow-blowing his damn snow over the fence onto my property. Ut-oh, I just  forgot to use my other four fingers when waving at him.  It's not that I'm immature, it's just that HE started it. Should I walk away? Maybe go ride the  ponies outside Wal-Mart? ( . .I need quarters ) No, I see a snow-blower war coming on. Now that I think about it.....some people rake leaves, others blow them. I prefer the flamethrower, its fun for my entire neighborhood. Is that why he doesn't like me? Talk about holding a grudge.....

You know you're from California when you say "like" and "for sure" and "right on" and "dude" and "totally" and "peace out" and "chill" and "tight" and "bro" and "hella"  and "stoked" and "fo sho."  So, Dudes, it's time for me to say 'peace out', I'm 'stoked' that I am about to enter into a snow-blower war. It's 'like' 'fo-sho' gonna help me 'chill-out'...'right-on' I'm gonna 'totally' blow my neighbor's mind. He's gonna just go back in his house and 'chill' if'n he knows what's good for him.  'Fo sho'. 'Peace out'.
Hey! Please send bail money........................
Thanks!

Thursday Madness

Growing up on Disney movies has left me so disillusioned about the small woodland creatures in my forest and their willingness to help me with any chores around here. I merely asked this little guy if he would help me shovel some snow this morning.  You can see from his reaction what his answer was. By the looks of his fat a** I think he could use a little exercise!

Since it is snowing today I am already planning my summer vacation. Egypt needs a new President. I need a summer vacation. This could be perfect. I'm just hoping that their government works like ours, since I don't have a certificate of birth from Egypt. My first Presidential policy would be to make my Presidential home in one of the pyramids. Maybe the one in Giza, outside of Cairo. Yes, I think this would work out rather nicely. You are all welcomed to come visit me. If you don't mind sleeping in a tomb. I'm not sure how good of a President I would be, after all I did have a fight with my shoelaces this morning and it ended in a tie. But I will give it a shot.

Slamming 'Facebook' now ~  If you are going to be offended, stop reading now. If I was to ever join Facebook again, which I have no intentions of ever doing, I would make my Facebook account with the name of 'Nobody' so when I saw the stupid crap people post, I could 'Like' it. And then it would say 'Nobody likes this.'  Facebook: For when the illusion of having friends is all you really need. I recently read that Facebook has reached 500 million users. Congrats to everyone who helped create history’s largest stalker.  All the constant status updates! I guess I just did not care what people were doing every hour on the hour. There should be some kind of update limit. Is it a rule that you must disclose when you go to the gym? And everyone is always going to Vegas. I’m at the gym. I’m in Vegas. I’m at the gym. I’m in Vegas. I’m at the gym in Vegas & I’m having waffles. I'll tell you if its any good in another update 5 mins from now. OMG, how I do not miss the proverbial nonsense of Facebook. Yet, there are so many out there that can't live without it. First thing they check in the morning. They check it at work. They check it throughout the night. You make one comment on one photo/status/wall post and you subsequently get 50 notifications telling you that other people have also commented. It is so obvious that people will tire of how fake most people are, posing that their lives are so great, when we all know full well, each of us can probably count our true 'die-hard' friends on the fingers of ONE hand, the real friends that would be there for us if we got in a jam. If Facebook was no longer available there would be Facebook users literally roaming the streets in tears, shoving photos of themselves in people’s faces and screaming ‘DO YOU LIKE THIS? DO YOU??’ Ok, I feel better now. Sorry Facebook fans, I just need to get it out of my system every once in awhile.

I'm just in one of those moods today I guess. I blame it on the snow.  Now I want to slam Lady Gaga. She was at the VMA's covered with meat. At the Grammys dressed as an egg. Two more red carpet events and Lady Gaga will be a Denny's Grand Slam. Should I even mention the flesh-colored latex condom-inspired outfit she wore on some talk show, topped off  with a ridiculous hat that looked like she was one of the Three Musketeers? What the hell is up with this woman? 

Getting back to the snow ~ It's just nature's way of saying, 'Up yours.' Gotta love Mother Nature.  I feel a special kinship with Mother Nature. She reminds me of myself.  She is one hell of an independent woman, does whatever she wants.  The snow doesn't give a soft white damn whom or what it touches. It just keeps coming. Where I live you have two choices: shovel or make snow bears. But I won't complain, after all there's a lot of good things about snow, it makes your property look as nice as your neighbor's, the dogs play in it for hours, and it makes everything outside look magical. And here I was talking to a friend the other day saying "We sure have had a mild winter huh"? Once again, I should have kept my thoughts to myself. I love the snow, mind you, but as I look out the window now it is really piling up. That means work for me. Dragging out the snow-blower, shoveling behind my gate so it will open, hauling even more firewood to a more accessible area, in and out of my snow gear. I blame my daughter-in-law Tammi for my snow. All she has to do is think it and I get it. Stop it Tammi. It's getting too deep.

So, I will end this somewhat meaningless blog with a question for all of you. What do you call a Steelers fan holding a bottle of champagne after Super Bowl XLV? A waiter.

Oh but wait......Please Tammi.....it's too much now!

I'm trying my best......

I'm a little over my head with this snow now............

Stop thinking snow, damnit

Even the little raccoon that was here earlier this morning is overwhelmed

                                                      Think about my woodland critters......

                             And if that doesn't do it......at least think about my neighbor's little dog!

Really....seriously, stop.......

 

Nana's Little Gymnasts

What can I say? Couldn't be prouder ! Certainly brings back some wonderful memories for me.

Mom~Son Vacation, forest style and city style

My son arranged some vacation time for the two of us to have a 'Mom/Son mini-vacation'. He spent four days with me, the 'forest' vacation, and I spent four days with him, the 'city' vacation. It's been a very long time since we've been able to spend quality time together, just the two of us. Our time together went too fast but we had some very kick-ass times. Sean arrived here in the forest late on a friday night, and before he even got to my house he called and told me to 'get the sauna ready'. My son is a true Finn when it comes to sauna. When he spends time here ~ he and the sauna are inseparable. This trip we had that poor sauna so hot that it actually shut down due to the safety feature. My son very rarely gets to sleep in due to his job and being the father of two young children so of course my mission was to let him sleep in to his heart's content. Ahhh, that's what Mommie's are for - to totally spoil the child, no matter what age. Right?
Our first day together was to get on the ATV's and hit the trails. Normally we have his children with us when we go quadding, and have to monitor our 'craziness' while on the trails. This time we loaded up the .22 rifles and Sean's 9mm Beretta and got a little shooting in.

After shooting we hit some new and old quadding trails. How I kept up with his 'racing' quad (it's a fast ATV) is still a mystery to me, seeing how I have a utility ATV that weighs about 800 pounds but I did. The trails we ride on are a part of Sierra Pacific logging roads and the logging trucks make deep puddles. Sean and I love puddles. We usually return from a ride with our faces covered with mud. This time was certainly no exception. So I have to admit, this is the first time that my Polaris, nicknamed Pasi ( "Pasi" stems from the Finnish name "panssari-Sisu" (English: armoured Sisu) decided to dump me right smack in a very cold mud puddle. All I really remember is I was going waaaay too fast and Pasi and I were leaning to the right - then I landed in the puddle watching my ATV flying by me. (still very happy Pasi decided to continue on his own way and not lay down on me!) When Sean returned after realizing I was no longer behind him I was still in the puddle. I hit hard and was wet from helmet to boots. My entire right side of my body was hurting, but my philosophy was seeing this as though I had been riding a horse. You get dumped, you get back on. From the looks of this photo one would think "that doesn't look too deep', but I'm here to tell ya, that puddle was deep and cold! These puddles have deep hidden ruts from the logging trucks. It's times like this that I am glad my son demands that I wear a helmet when out on the trails. I don't like wearing helmets and always argue about it, but he always wins.

Not one minute later I am watching my son go through the next puddle and all of a sudden I am seeing him do some very finely executed gymnastics moves as his ATV dumps him! From an x-gymnast I have to say I was very proud to see his excellent moves, his body flipping over and over only to land on his two feet! I was so intent on watching him that I nearly ran into a tree. Unfortunately for his wife he decided to ride her ATV this trip. (sorry Tammi)

About this time we both decided it might be a good idea to return to my house before we actually killed ourselves. I was wet, cold and sore so the thought of a sauna seemed more than inviting, it was a neccessity at this point. But....we did manage to get the 'craziness' out of our systems and we had soooo much fun.
I love it when my son visits. He always manages to fix things around my house. This trip I got a new ceiling fan installed, I got a dimmer switch put in, I got my 1800's two-man Crosscut Log Saw placed in a much better (and impossible for me to do) location, I got my highest smoke alarm battery changed over (it absolutely freaks me out to do that particular one)- gotta just love my son!
On Tuesday we packed up and headed to his house for the remainder of our Mom/Son mini-vacation. I got to attend my grandson Shad's Kindergarten play on Tuesday night which was awesome. Sean had made some secretive plans for us to spend even more time together. On Thursday we got in his car headed for destinations unbeknownst to me. Since we were headed for San Francisco I thought maybe we'd be doing a Cable Car ride or maybe walking the Golden Gate Bridge. I was pretty thrilled when we pulled into the AT&T Park (home of the World Series San Francisco Giants) parking lot! Sean had arranged a tour of the AT&T Park. Now this is something I've always wanted to do - see a real MLB ballpark up close, see the areas that are off limits to the general public ~ like the Field, the Dugouts, the indoor Batting Cages, the Media/Press Room, and the visiting player's locker room.

I certainly learned a lot about this ball park. I had no idea it was designed and privately financed by the Giant's owner himself. No cost to the City of San Francisco itself. I loved the nine foot statue of Willie Mays, the 80 foot Coca-Cola bottle with playground slides and miniature AT&T Park for the kids behind left field, and the 'perfection' of the field itself.

It is a beautiful ball park with an old-time feel to it. What I learned later on after the tour was what I thought should have been mentioned in the tour ~ that Portuguese water dogs fetch the home runs that splash into McCovey Cove (named after Hall of Fame Willie McCovey). Oh Laura, your dogs could very well earn their keep by doing this awesome canine job!
After the tour Sean and I headed to our next secretive location. I have to say my son is very good at time management, as we arrived at the Pier just in time for the next tour of Alcatraz.

I have experienced a tour of Alcatraz before, but back in the early 1980's when I first moved to California. When I did that tour I had my children with me, Sean and Sharon both being very young. Sean was possibly 3 or 4 and Sharon was 8 or 9 and it was pretty difficult trying to keep a constant eye on the kids. The tour has changed considerably since my first trip. There is no longer an actual tour guide, which makes it even better because you can take your time.
For those of you who don't know of Alcatraz, it was once a world-famous federal penitentiary, set on an island that provides a view of San Francisco.

There is a lot of history before and after it was a federal penitentiary. It was also the site of the first American lighthouse on the West Coast and the island served as a huge harbor defense fort during the Civil War. After the fort became obsolete, the U.S. Army turned the island into a military prison. When the penitentiary closed, Alcatraz became the site of a American Indian protest movement who held the island for 18 or 19 months. While a penitentiary, it held some of America's most hardened criminals....Al Capone, Doc Barker (the last surviving son from the famous Ma Barker Gang), "Machine Gun" Kelly, Robert "Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud, Floyd Hamilton (a gang member and driver for Bonnie and Clyde), and Alvin "Creepy" Karpis. Sean and I both thought "Creepy" was a very fitting nickname for Alvin Karpis. Talk about a face that you couldn't forget.
This photo I am adding for the benefit of my x-Deputy Sheriff partner Marie Torres - and here's where I want to say "Damn woman, where are you? I'm waiting for you to show up for our next shift - new job, new location...."

From Alcatraz we went to our next secretive place. As I said before my son has excellent time management skills as we arrived there at 5pm and our reservation was at 5pm.

Ruth's Chris Steak House on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. I do believe this was the best steak dinner I have ever had in my life! The service was excellent and the food was excellent. I've never had a steak brought to me on a 500 degree plate before. My meal was still hot when I realized I was full!
February 10, 2011 was a very fast paced and totally awesome day for me! Thank you Sean!
I planned on returning home on Saturday but waited until I could accompany my granddaughter Kaihla to her first ever gymnastics class. For those of you who know me and my past, gymnastics was an important factor in my life. I lived for gymnastics. I could not have been a prouder Nana as when I was watching my granddaughter's enthusiasm for this new endeavor of hers.

I think she is going to be a natural!

Kaihla's older brother Shad even got in on some of the gymnastics action. If he wasn't already signed up for baseball I think I could talk him into gymnastics also.
My son and daughter-in-law are always telling me that Kaihla has my laugh, you know - the laugh that comes straight from the belly. That hearty Finn laugh. I'm hoping that eventually they will say she also has my love for gymnastics.

It saddens me to know that I cannot attend each and every one of her classes, as it also does to not attend Shad's baseball games - living so far away from my grandkids really sucks.
A week of Mom/Son vacation was awesome. Total awesomeness! I hated to leave and return home but I had committments back home. (My son talked me into switching from Dish to DirecTV, with high def....so had an appointment)
Sooo, on the way home, I thought of you Doug Leppik. I am posting this little photo to let you know I was thinking of you while driving past your old Tehama County stomping grounds! Now that you've been in cold rainy Oregon for so long, tell me, does this not make you miss over-taxed, over-crowded, totally expensive and waaaay too liberal California?

As you can see by the following photos, my one little pup Kesä truly travels in total comfort, while my other dogs are a wee bit cramped in the back seat. In fact Shadow-Man is actually lying on the floorboards. Poor dog.

And when I see this..................

I know that my 4 hour drive is nearly over. She is a comforting sight....for sure.
Thank you Sean for a wonderful memory making Mom/Son mini vacation! I needed it and I will treasure it forever!