Here and There

My brother and his wife were here yesterday for a visit. They are in a 62 mile tandem bicycle ride today out of Linden. Weather is cold, with scattered clouds. They are equipped for the weather and are dedicated riders, so they should have a fun day. For me, I'll be home moving from computer to sewing machine to the sunny deck when the sun peeks through, to the garden and back again. Here are two fresh pics. The snow is at my summer place from the live cam at the office, and the flowers are on my deck. One will cool you off, the other should warm you up.

Sierra winter storm

This was taken 4 a.m. The power is down now so they cannot transmit new photos for awhile. I'll post later. I expect snow will be much higher then.

Play day in Lodi

the mixed media group met in Lodi today. We had a good time with one of our members, Suzanne teaching the group to make spiral folded books. I'm fold challenged so did not make one, but I had such a good time watching everyone else and spending extra time looking at an art journal Barbara had made at a recent retreat. These meeting mean a lot to our group. Its a time for sharing, a time to unwind and a time to learn. If any of you have an opportunity to meet with other artists in your area, I urge you to do it. It adds a lot to my life and the lives of each of us. We really look forward to each meeting and can't wait to see what everyone has been up to.

Feb is full of surprises

One day feels like Spring, the next brings snow in mts and rain in valley. Yesterday was so beautiful, today is very overcase. We are expecting a cold winter storm on Friday with snow down to 500 ft. elevation. This will be reaching down to the Highway 49 corridor and maybe even a tad lower. Snow along the coastal range, and Mt. Diablo, etc. I saw a cute small greenhouse at Raleys and called Cat to tell her, she's been wanting one. So, practically immediatey after we talked she was on the phone with her closer Raley's and within an hour she had one in her car. It's set up now and she has it filled with her special plants, just in time for this cold snap. If I know her, she'll have it loaded with seedlings soon as the weather is right.

More snow

this is what the campground looks like today. It's lovely but I'm glad I'm not there.

Snow in the hills

This is a pic of the campground where my trailer sits. Camera stopped working early a.m. two days ago, so have no idea what it looks like now. But, I liked the pic and thought you might also.

Feb is STILL winter, even in California

After some very spring like days, rains and winds descended on the great San Joaquin Valley. It brought lots of snow to the high Sierras, and even some at lower elevations. But, here it is just wet and blustery. The good news is that my daffodils are beginning to bloom. And the geraniums in protected spots are as well. This is so pretty because the violets are in full bloom at the same time. I have not been taking pics yet this year, so here is something from another spring here at home.

Feb news

Well, Feb is not off to a good start, despite the weather. Teenage Grandson DJ had surgery today for a broken clavicle from a snowboarding accident. Nathan is back on his motorcycle. I had hoped we had seen the last of it. My oldest son is having a terrible time with blood clots in his legs. Fortunately he is a veteran so has access to good medical care in the Midwest. One of my best friends is undergoing chemotherapy right now and you know how hard that can be. She will be having surgery soon. Another friend had another vertabrae cemented. Another one is just out of the hospital with good news from biopsy. My goodness I can barely keep up with them all. Lots of cards going out in all directions.

Trevor and I worked inthe back yard today. The area by the new herb garden. A spot where my dogs can see through cracks into neighbors yard where there is a german shephard. Lulu spend a lot of time peeking through looking for him, and then they attack each other through the fence. I'm intent on breaking her of this. She's the antagonist. She came with alittle switch, that when it get's pushed to the TERRRIER setting, she's in a zone! ATTACK! Growl, grumble and get all hyper. We're still working on it.

That's the news.

Things are looking brighter

Jackie is out of the hospital. Thank goodness she is home with her family, garden, dogs and all. Pat H is out of the hospital with good news. Pat S is home after another back procedure that is making her more comfortable. The sun is shining. My garden is calling. After all the rain and fog, a few days of sun and lots of transplanting means I'll have to water today. I can't believe it. I'm counting my blessings again today.

Suns out again

We've had a few days of sunshine now. Bobbi and I took a lovely ride down to Oakdale to see Rosemary who was starting a red and white quilt. We had a short visit and a walk to her fav consingment shop where I bought two new stamps to use in my mail art. One is the word "Aristocrat" and one is "Dominator". These are used office type stamps from a former seed company, so they say. I'll find good use for them.

The day at the gallery this week was very busy. First of the month means time to change the art on the walls, last months exhibits come down and this month's go up. Caroline, Sam, and Pepe were there. Francis came by to pick up her work, others came to pick up or drop off work. It was very hectic and lots of fun. I had expected a slow day and took my portable DVD player and the new DVD's of Downton Abbey which I thought I could watch while I addressed post cards. but, I never even got it plugged in. Oh well, there'll be plenty of time for that pleasure later.

I've been puttering away in the back yard, hoping to have a garden party mid March or April. Trevor relaid some paving stones to be safer, I kept tripping on them! Can't have any falls around here. I've also been making more post cards, got them mailed off for a swap and for my ailing friends to keep up their spirits. And more just as RAKs because it's fun. You can see them here http://bookartsandalteredbooks.blogspot.com/