Living with the Critters

Living with the critters around here is very interesting. I put a garbage bag on my upper deck last night (nine steps up) and this morning saw a mess of garbage all over the steps with raccoon tracks (I think) all over the deck and steps. What I discovered was they don't like lettuce but anything else is evidently very yummy and they don't mind climbing stairs. There went the bulbs I had just planted. Squirrels I would guess had a tasty meal last night after digging at least six of them up. They don't like daffodils but everything else is evidently delicious! At least I deterred one little deer who was eating this Flowering Plum tree--he didn't get a snack last night after I caged the tree! All month I have been working on the yard. Maria and I had gotten many trees and bushes for $3 a piece from Honey Lake Conservation so with Michaels help I have been planting and caging and hoping I will have time to get them established and a watering plan figured out before I need to leave again.

The Daffodils Came Up!

The day before I left for Hurricane Katrina I hurriedly planted daffodils, though it was not nearly cool enough. Lo and behold they came up and announced that winter was over! This is the hammoock Bandido and I like to flop on after our daily walk. Unfortunately, there is a squirrel or two who are trying to destroy it by chewing on it and swinging on it--anyone know something I can spray on it to deter them and not us???? This is the view I see as I gaze up into the trees. It is very quiet and peaceful with just a few birds flitting about. I asked the furnace man why there were not more sail boats here. He said they had tried to have a Regatta here a few years back and there was just not enough wind. Of course, that is what I love, no wind. The lake is like glass right now. I am curious to know which of my perennials will come up this year, since I left on Sept 1 and there was still two months of watering left to do. But here is something strange that has turned up in both the front and back yards. Orange mushrooms, what are they???

Bandido Comes Home!

On the way home from Rancho Santa Fe I stopped in Aliso Viejo to pick up my dog Bandido. My sister Jeanne had come to attend the wedding of her granddaughter Molly and had brought Bandido to me. He had been in Orem, Utah with her for eight months!! He sniffed my blouse and me several times and gave me His Look and then he turns his face away as if to say--"You left me!" and I actually wasn't sure he would go with me--he looked quite content sitting by Jeanne. But when I was ready to go, so was he. As Jeanne said goodbye to him in the car, he watched her for a long time and then the house to see if she was coming back and then finally settled down and was ready to go home. As we rounded the corner to go up the hill to Lake Almanor Country Club some hundreds of miles later and passed the turn to Marjorie and her dog Britzi's house he got really excited and began yowling--and then when we got inside our house and he saw his backyard he was scratching at the door and anxious to go outside and begin exploring. He was home! And I was happy about that! Bandido looks very trim with his new shorter ears and chin hair look. Jeanne did a great job caring for him while I was off to Hurricane Katrina and Rita, for which I am very thankful.

Grandma and Jacob at the San Diego Zoo!

Before leaving for Lake Almanor, Jacob and I were privileged to have a day at the San Diego Zoo which was just a delight. We started off with the trip on the bus and were able to sit on top because it was a gorgeous sunny day. After this we did something unusual, we had a breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes and bacon! We spent all day and about the only thing we missed were the eagles and hippos. Jacob is a great companion and I always see the animals in a new light through his eyes. The gorillas were especially playful that day. I couldn't help but reflect how the Zoo had changed over the years. When I arrived in 1956 to teach school, the Zoo was the place to go with a new date or a group of singles on a weekend. It was much smaller and we never took the bus. The monkeys and sea lions were the big attraction. You could easily walk the whole Zoo in a couple of hours... When I took my first son in 1961 he was able to sit with the rabbits and the guinea pigs in the Children's Zoo and they had a baby elephant you could pet. Nothing quite so liberal now. The newest attraction this year is a Habitat setting with several different species together in one area.

Kelsi Gets A Bath!

Mommy Camber shows cousins Sarah Pulsipher and Kristi P Stewart, and big sister Lea how to bathe new baby Kelsi. Kelsi looks like she almost enjoys it and then its up in the towel and mother-to-be Kristi (Oct 2006) gets to snuggle her in her warm towel. Kelsi is soon dressed and Mommy, Mother-to-be Kristi, and Big Sister Lea look on in satisfaction of a job well-done!

Who Can Jump the Highest?

One thing you can be sure, it was not Grandma, but I did jump and it was a lot of fun. Jimmy and Jacob perform antics on the trampoline before getting into the serious competition. The big trick was to see if Grandma could catch the highest jump on camera.

Around the Neighborhood

Lea, my granddaughter, and I took a walk around the neighborhood. The views are breathtaking and it is so quiet. We walked along the path of ponds, falls, and bridges and scared the beautiful wild ducks away. We even found a shady place to sit and rest. Lea was a great guide. I used to drive through this area and I always loved all the twists and turns and lovely landscaping and hidden homes in the hills. Very peaceful and quiet.

Kelsi Lynn--#15 Grandchild

Kelsi Lynn Hardy, held by her sister Lea, came just in time for Easter dinner. She is very petite, 6 lbs 9 oz and very quiet. I am down here in Rancho Santa Fe being the chief cook and taxi driver for the week. The sunshine is glorious! It was snowing when I left Lake Almanor... 

LONDON TOWN AND MORE!

What do you do with Marriott points from spending months in hotels working disasters? My daughters Maria and Linda went with me to London for a week and we had a wonderful time. This is the first time I have had an uninterrupted week with them since they were children, so it was very special. As you can see from the blue skies and coats, the weather was sunny but cool and no rain except for one day! Smashing, I say. It was a wonderful trip of sightseeing around London and excursions to Leeds Castle, Stratford on the Avon, Bath, Dover, Oxford University and more. Seven days packed full of subways, buses, walking, talking, eating, theater, and straining to understand what was being said. One of the things that fascinating me were the very tall Quince trees (I think) seen everywhere. It would be fun to see them all in bloom. Our hotel was luxury with lots of thick towels, down quilts under us and on us and great service. And Linda and Maria took charge of all the subway and bus travel so I just had a very lazy holiday. We saw "Les Miserables" which we enjoyed and ate lots of shortbread and delicious pastries and Bassetts Licorice candy. Oh, and the ice cream was smooth and lush. We saw London from the top of a Big Bus which is a must--here we are are looking at Trafalgar Square. I read you must go to the United Kingdom 16 times to see it all--I believe it. It is a fascinating country. Maria and Linda waiting for the changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace. Maria and Linda in a Grotto under the Maze at Leeds Castle--this was amazing. Maria and I with old Norman castle in the background at Dover. We saw the White Cliffs of Dover, of course, and the driver asked for volunteers to sing the song. I did sing it to myself and remembered most of the words, too. After the hustle and bustle and many, many people in London, my own half acre seems very quiet but so good to be home, as always.

MELISSA IS A STAR!

Tonight I went to Susanville and had Mexican dinner with Grandson#1 Michael and it was so good! I just can't understand why it was so hard to find good Mexican food in Texas but it was, we tried them all and they could never match with California Mexican--we are so blessed here in California. Then I went to see Granddaughter #3 Melissa in two high school original plays. She was brilliant playing a big part in each play and she acts so effortlessly--it is definitely her destiny. However, the issues of today's youth overwhelm me--the plays were about substance abuse, mental phobias (can't leave the house), unfaithfulness, Altheimers, and homosexuality. In the 40's I don't recall these subjects were ever brought up--well, maybe homosexuality in a passing remark but we were definitely the age of innocence. I had just been putting pictures in my memoir and so read about my life in the 40' and 50's. What a contrast. But at any rate Melissa is a star!

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN!

Michael, #1 Grandson, has been accepted at Humboldt State in Eureka, CA (Northern Coast). Michael has completed two years at Lassen College in Susanville, Ca and will major in Journalism with an emphasis in Media. Nice going, Mike, we will be expecting very interesting things from you.

Congratulation Twice!

Congratulations, this time to Craig Pulsipher, shown here with his cousin Melissa Valko. Craig has been called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Rio De Janerio, Brazil. It is a Porteguese speaking mission and Craig will be leaving for Missionary Training Center in June. Congrats also to Craig's Dad Gary Pulsipher who has been called to serve as a Bishop. Several wards were realigned in the El Cajon area and the ward he will be serving is made up from two wards so there will be many new positions to fill. It will be a busy, busy time for Gary but we know he is a man who who can capably handle it all and will have lots of support from wife Linda and all the other Pulsiphers. 

DISASTER PREPARATION

So what have I learned from working on all these disasters? First and foremost, your life can change in an instant from peace and tranquility to disaster and devastation. Secondly, the 72 Hour kit is probably the smartest thing ever devised. http://www.nationalterroralert.com/readyguide/72hourkit.htm We all saw that for the first 3 or 4 days you are probably going to be on your own no matter how near you are to help. Third, is your insurance adequate and for the right kind of damage? Is your insurance company credible and with adequate reserves for disasters? Will they be there when you need them? Fourth, how is your inner strength? Do you have the faith and determination it takes to carry you through the bad times? We are told "If ye are prepared, ye shall not fear. " That is a promise. "Bad breaks will not break the man who has spiritual strength" according to one of our spiritual leaders. I talked to many people for six months. Some were total survivors, doing what had to be done, serving others and moving forward. Others were waiting for someone to tell them what to do, where to go and unable to function at any level. If everything you own were taken from you today, including some of your loved ones, how would you fare? I, personally, cannot imagine surviving without all my "stuff" and family surrounding me. But I saw them, those who were just grateful to be alive and thanking the Lord, rather than cursing him. I will never forget one marine who had his own construction company. He was the essence of what we should all be in a time of disaster. But I heard countless stories of those who were not... Something to think about and to prepare for--as we have been told to do...for so many years.

CONGRATULATIONS TO AMY PULSIPHER!

Amy Pulsipher, Grandaughter #3 and child of Linda (daughter) and Gary Pulsipher was just elected as ASB President for Grossmont High School. She is also on the Honor Roll and as you can see a beauty and very sweet. Hats off to you, Amy, we all applaud you! 

30 Inches, Yikes!

W Wow, my garage roof measured 30 inches high this morning--and my railing is 19 inches... How much snow can my little roof hold before I need to worry?

View from My Front Door Today!

Snow, Snow, Snow

Looking skyward in my backyard.

A Big Hello from New Friends

It's a lovely snowy morning and new friends are enjoying my habitat and welcoming me back. No fear here, just a curious look.

CALIFORNIA HERE I AM!

Back on my own front porch with lovely snow on the trees and back in my own comfy bed...

and back in front of my own fire on my own couch--Aah, life is good!

Mark and Maria picked me up at the Reno airport on Friday and it was a beautiful sunny, snow laden view all the way home.

This truly is paradise as I was was often telling my Texas friends...

After six months, it's good to be home...there is still lots of work left in Texas though, I deserted my post to recoup a little...