Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Sunday Afternoon in Hollister


Had some idle time on our hands last Sunday and as I needed to pick up a couple of items at the grocery store, things I needed to give my planned Glorified Ramen Soup some extra pazazz, we loaded the Ralle Bear in the car.  Decided to take a stroll down the main street in this little Hollister Town, checking it out from a vantage point different from being IN the car.

As every town must have its special citizen,  it did not take us long to come across this man who happily was creating his own music, sitting in the sun with his headphones on, entertaining every one passing by with his sound.


We strolled on under the beautiful old street lights....


Watched some brave young men practice their skate boarding tricks.  No knee pads,


no helmets.  Just sheer guts!


Hollister is "famous" for two things.  It is the Earth Quake Capitol of California and it is where the old classic film "The Wild One" with Marlon Brando in the lead roll, was filmed.  So it goes without saying THAT is THE attraction.  The hang out, the bar, the "watering hole" still exists selling gallons of beer to the motorcycle riders passing through or visiting this little town.

Each year there is a big weekend with the "invasion" of the motorcycle riders during the 4th of July. Sanctioned by the city council or not.  It has been an on again, off again kind of love affair.


As an added attraction this Sunday afternoon with sirens blaring and red and blue lights flashing, the police got some "evil doer" off the city street!


San Benito County as depicted on a mural is home of miles and miles of walnut orchards. Miles and miles of strawberries, asparagus and loads of lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, and broccoli is also grown here giving the region the nick name of "The California Salad Bowl" just as it was depicted in the film East of Eden.


 On our way to Gilroy formerly the Garlic Capitol of the World, some Very Western images of a ranch just north of town.


With its wind powered water pump.  Who said they were not progressive in those olden days?


Neat place!


A working body shop along Highway 25 with it's quintessential American product the CAR adorning the wall... a Chevy Bel Air convertible.

Fun and exiting Sunday afternoon! How was yours?

Sunday, January 13, 2013

A Few Days of Walking with Ralle

Familiar hills cloaked in silk.

A place well travelled.

Lives well spent.

Scars of time.

A blade of grass.

Shapes reach out to us.

It will be cold tonight.

A touch of Sweden.

Old age.

We are never really alone.

Going home.

Enjoying life together.


The Cat and The Cowhide

Can you find him?

Cats.  They are interesting.
Do what they want when they want.
Mister Cat has found a new place to nap and we better tread carefully!


Do you see him?
Our silly Mister Cat =^..^=

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Ten Resolutions to LOVE


Headlines in our first issue of the AARP Bulletin for 2013.
It was fun to read to say the least.....
We have it "down" David and I.

So the ten points read as follows:


1) Have a party, invite your friends and neighbors. Folks that are social live longer!


2) Adopt a pet.


3) Choose chocolate.


4) Enjoy your coffee.


5) Raise a glass. Of wine or beer.


6) Have sex!


7) Listen to your favorite music.


8) Take a nap.


9) Go au natural. Aaaah,  fooled you!  Get out doors, out in nature is what they suggest!


10) Get rid of the antibacterial soap, use natural cleaning products.......


Not a bad list I say!

Yep, I LIKE this list from beginning to end ! ;-)

Friday, January 4, 2013

Happy First Friday 2013


In she came with her handsome brother in tow, dressed to kill, with shoes that could, our firstborn grand girl.  Put on an apron and helped prepare the Nutella Eggnog we all yearned to try, while waiting for Santa!  It was a busy kitchen and a full  and happy house.

Christmas came, Christmas went. Now the house and our lives are adjusting to "normal".
The tree is gone, the decorations too.....Oh, what a lovely time we had!


Nice that Mother Nature is not as fastidious, she has left some of her decorations  in place.


There was a break in our routine this week with a quick trip to Monterey, the former sardine capitol, John Steinbeck's Cannery Row.....


the beach


the meandering walkways


with it's vivid display of color.


Then back to our disassembly. Removal of  special treasures  from friends,


even changing the shadow play on the wall.


Ending the week with reflecting on our time with family, the pleasures, the food, the gifts.  Feeling as content as the cat in the reflection of our neighbors window.
Happy Friday Everyone!

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

all the resolutions


A brand new year Whooptidoo....... clean slate.... new start... all the resolutions that will not be kept!  Eat less, exercise more, be less grumpy, play more with Mister, take longer walks with Ralle, don't grumble over vacuuming... someone has to do it.. do Ralles toe nails more often.... yea, yea, yea ;)


Realizing full well how lucky I am to have toe nails to trim (OK claws), a cat to cuddle, and a most beautiful dog to walk.


Having just had the "gang" here..... enjoying a dinner together this New Years Eve... early, allowing the young ones plenty of time to hook up with friends....  while we watch  the ball fall in New York in real time, then to promptly hit the sack.


What the heck happened?  We have become just as "boring" as I used to think my own parents were.


John and his gang celebrated the twelve o'clock ringing at the Seattle space needle.


Fredrik and his cute bunch went to hang out with friends nearby in South Cali.


and Garrison turns twenty-two today, Happy Happy Birthday Gary!


After our New Year's Eve Extravaganza... a splendid dinner consisting of Salmon and Potato Chowder, Steak and Lobster with Saffron Rice, a side of Seared Asparagus with Hollandaise, a Salad with Balsamic Dressing, with  Riesling, Merlot, and some "sparkle" wine to sip ...... Crisp Roasted Apple Tarts with a dab of Cream...... making us stretch our Ralle walk to two hours this morning, that is a promise!


Then back to ground beef and oatmeal come tomorrow!


We all march fearlessly into 2013.
Happy New Year!
Gott Nytt År!
Feliz Ano Nuevo!
now out we go with the beautiful dog...........