Spring?

A few wonderful Spring like days, and then I hear there will be at least 2 storms passing through this week. I took this picture of the flowers in the pot on my deck this a.m. I bought this in November, it's been outside ever since and just gets better and better.

British Movie Day

Some of my local artsy friends are meeting today at Jean's house/theater for another Brit film festival. Today we will be seeing Waking Ned Devine. I can't wait to see how they like it. I've seen if dozens of times and never get tired of it. They will be laughing their heads off. A couple posts earlier, I posted the link to this film. If you missed it before, I really recommend it! I give it an 11 out of possible 10. David Kelley was perfectly cast. He can do as much with a glance or look, as most actors can with a lot of dialogue. His face is amazing. This is the role I'll remember him for. His friendship with the other lead male(played by Ian Bannen), is the kind of friendship you wish men would have in their lives. I see it in my women friends, but that kind of closeness is rare (in my experience) among men friends. It's warm and fuzzy and funny.

Health matters

My BFF Cat, whom I mostly still call Cathy from the old days, had a health episode - a minor stroke. One that landed her overnight in the hospital, transferred from her local hospital to one here in town. Fortunately her husband was home when it occurred and he realized immediately that she was in trouble and called 911. Help was there in the blink of an eye and they quickly transported her to the hospital less than a mile from their place. She is going to be fine, but has no memory of the paramedics or how she got to the hospital, or why she "awoke" there. She had barrages of tests once she got to the Stockton hospital, and they think she will be fine. No residual effects. In fact, she looks more relaxed and rested than I've seen her for a long time. She needs to cut back on her activities. This will be hard on her, as she is the going-est person I know. Volunteers for everything that comes along, and takes charge with gusto. Her goal now is to mellow out more, take life easier, stop being Mother Teresa to the world at large. Reigning her in is not going to be easy, but she is going to try. This was a big wake up call. It could have been so much worse. All those prayers her friends have been saying must have helped her. Thanks everyone. It is so good to have friends...... Picture is of Cat on the left and Gin on the right. She was taking care of Gin after a medical procedure just prior to this incident, and it was the first thing she wanted to know - who would take care of Gin. Both gals are doing fine. Rest and recuperation is in order for both. Only a week ago we were all at the beach. Things can change very unexpectedly and quickly.

A trip to the beach

Some of my art pals and I took off for a few days at the beach. Bev had three gals stay at her place, and I had three staying with me and the dogs. We had a great time. The gals walked my dogs for miles on the beach. The longest walk they have ever taken. I stayed home and baked a big fruit crumble with apples, pears and cranberries. Then a bunch of baked potatos to take to Bev's for the evening pot luck. we had great food, everyone having contributed something delicious. Baked salmon was the hostess's contribution - so I had some seafood. The next day Rosemary and I had an art day with the gals at Bevs, while Cat and Gin went roaming around the county shopping and getting lost. Here are some pics. On one of our walks we peeked in the window at the community center and the gals waved us in to see Jane Amaral's talk on dividing perennials. Lots of my plants in my garden originally came from Jane. It was good to see her again, and Cindy, who has been chairing the summer and holiday art shows in this little town. This is the show that my aunt founded more than 30 years ago. Now Cindy is not well and cannot continue. We are concerned that another capable volunteer may be hard to find.

The sunset was taken from just outside the sliding doors at Bev's. The other beach scene is from the cliff overlooking La Selva's beach. The little store is the hub of the community. Fresh deli sandwiches, all kinds of fresh brewed coffees, free recycled books, groceries, wine, post office, all in one tiny little building.

It's always hard to leave La Selva. This time with the dogs along, I didn't have to worry about them. They loved it. All kinds of new smells, a whole back yard to explore, lots of people willing to walk them and plenty of laps to sit on. It was a good trip.

Life in Stockton

People tell me that Stockton again is rated as number one or two on the worst cities in America. Yet, I feel perfectly safe and secure here, and the economic crash has touched us but not knocked us down. Friday night Nathan's car was stolen. It was parked on the side of the street no more than 10 feet from the house. Matt and Nathan went cruising around to see if they could spot it and sure enough they found it parked in front of a house not more than a mile away, in a more dangerous neighborhood. It's the first place anyone looks for stolen things. Police said Nathan's car is one of the most stolen types of cars in the country. Stolen for parts. A few things had been removed, but it had not been stripped. Not yet. Good thing they looked and found it before it had been moved to a chop shop. Or these guys may just run their own little side business....... Or they wanted parts for the other similar car in their driveway. Yesterday a security/alarm system was added to the car so maybe it will be safe now. Good thing we live on a corner with more parking space.