Boomer Chick Musings

 Why does CA have two time zones....Pacific Daylight Time, and Pacific Standard Time? This may be more than you want to read or even what you want to know...but this has been bugging me for the past year. If you choose read this, it may or may not make sense. However, I don't know why we need to fall back and spring forward, anymore. But I'm willing to listen to any pros or cons that anybody comes up with. But really? From the Bureau of Transportation  comes....the: History of Time Zones Sunday, February 21, 2021 With the 2019 Fall release of the  National Transportation Atlas Database (NTAD) , a new map of the nation’s time zones is featured, showing the geographical boundaries of four time zones in the continental U.S. and the five additional time zones used in Alaska, Hawaii and other U.S. territories. 1,10  These time zones, with boundaries that have for the most part been fixed for more than a century, are taken for granted by most Americans. But that has not always been

 I saw this today.... Who knew that clouds could teach us about triangles? Both Sides, Now Joni Mitchell Rows and flows of angel hair And ice cream castles in the air And feather canyons everywhere Looked at clouds that way But now they only block the sun They rain and they snow on everyone So many things I would have done But clouds got in my way I've looked at clouds from both sides now From up and down and still somehow It's cloud illusions I recall I really don't know clouds at all Moons and Junes and Ferris wheels The dizzy dancing way that you feel As every fairy tale comes real I've looked at love that way But now it's just another show And you leave 'em laughing when you go And if you care, don't let them know Don't give yourself away I've looked at love from both sides now From give and take and still somehow It's love's illusions that I recall I really don't know love Really don't know love at all Tears and fears and feeling

  This has been on our front porch for years. But the tiny, tiny white/pink buds show up every autumn. The plant doesn't require too much from me: a drink of water every week, some sunshine helps bring the flowers out of hibernation, and maybe some plant food. I wish I was that easy to take care of. It's amazing how I let things get into my head and I wrestle with those 'things' until I'm exhausted, both mentally and physically.  Things that I've learned this year (so far).... -Don't buy colored appliances. Stick with white. My deep-red washer and dryer have paint flaking/peeling off of them. -Don't be cheap....just be reasonable. My refrigerator has this habit of sounding like bongo drums...I think it happens when it's about to re-chill itself. I was told it was a 'condenser' issue. I'll never shop at that store again. I will check the warranty to be sure of what I'm getting before I pay for it. It only had a 1-year warranty. -Listen

If you shop for produce @ Dan's (corner of Central and Oak), you'll find this HUGE pumpkin that weighs in at 2293 pounds! Speaking of pumpkins, I had a fair number of kids (and some of their parents) stop by for some treats. I was sitting on my front porch and the majority were wearing masks (not the Halloween masks) but face masks.  It's the big kids (like middle schoolers and high schoolers) that carry pillowcases  and want the candy.  For several years I've made the big kids do TRICKS before I give them their treats. They groan about this. But I'm very serious. It's amazing that they will either do 3 high leg kicks or 5 jumping jacks. They're the ones who are saying Trick or Treat. If they don't do the trick I say buh-bye and off they go. However, it is pretty funny to see them do what I ask of them. And now we're heading towards Thanksgiving. This year I feel so grateful for most everything...I learn from my mistakes and attempt to keep moving f

... but I think this cat believes that my backyard is a haven for her. I'm not really sure who she belongs to or where s/he gets her food from, but she has found a dream come true in the backyard.  Here s/he is laying on the brick patio, behind the table (which I turned on its side).  It's a huge hassle to get the table into the carriage house. It's also a huge hassle to clean it up when it's standing upright in my backyard.  So.....this season I turned the table onto its side: the glass facing south.  South is the direction that the rains and winds come from, based on the weather patterns.  My logic is that I won't have to clean all four sides of the table with a toothpick and a rag. I think I'm kidding myself. But it's worth a try. Plus, it gives shelter (and warmth) to the kitty when it's not raining. Live richly (and stay dry), marilyn

For the first time in a couple of years, we have had some measurable rain.  I had invited a friend over on Wednesday, for a mid-afternoon cup of tea and some freshly-baked lemon loaf (with Meyer lemons from my bush/tree). She wanted to know how I was able to see the Blue Angels aircraft, at the Oakland Airport, a few weeks ago. I asked her if she wanted to see where I parked. It was a chance for us to get out of the house and breathe some fresh air.  The day before, I had driven around the Harbor Bay Business Park. It had been years since I've been out there and I was fascinated with what businesses were there, as well as what businesses were shut down. It seemed that some of the buildings were empty.  (Good news for coffee drinkers....Pete's has a large facility  at the biz park.)  Joanne had never seen the biz park. She had no idea that it was almost sitting on/in the bay.  I pulled the car over where a sign said something like 'No Parking" but it seemed okay - minim

 I was picking up some friends at the Oakland airport....at the General Aviation Terminal. They stopped to have lunch with me before they continued their flight, since their main destination was in Southern CA, to see their extended family. Low and behold, the Blue Angels were there, having recently landed close to the GA Terminal. They even park their planes impeccably. There was a small group of folks that had turned out to see them. But because of the chained-link fence and the inverted wire above that, there was no way to get any closer. But I did take a photo of the jets. The next day, they were giving the Bay Area an airshow that was remarkable. But I was a bit busy, and while I have watched them from the Alameda shoreline in previous years, that didn't happen that day. But I could hear them!  I turned on my TV and there they were, being filmed by multiple cameras, in the sky, doing what they do best, along with a description of what they were doing.  It was perfect timing, b

......tonight I watched a movie (sponsored/created by Patagonia) on my computer.                                                        They/Them It was so on-point, about today, and these were real people who experience this. It was about rock climbing....but it went so much deeper (and higher) than that.  My husband and his brother-in-law used to climb mountains.  It lasted about 110 minutes.  It's about how we treat people who are different than us.  The bottom line....we have more in common with each other, especially when we take the time to listen.  Live richly, marilyn Follow Lor Sabourin into the sandstone canyons of northern Arizona as they piece together five of the hardest pitches of their climbing career and a climbing community where everyone can thrive as their authentic self.   https://www.patagonia.com/stories/they-them/video-102573.html?utm_source=em&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=100721_tcl_they_them

  ...then it's time for them to go to sleep. -I was visiting a dear friend of mine. She lives the life of royalty yet is so kind and considerate. It had been over 18 months since I had the privilege of seeing her. It was lovely, and I brought her some of my roses.  (This was the first time I had to show my vaccine card to prove that I had taken the shot (J&J). From day one, I've been carrying that card/receipt to prove to anybody who asks me for proof.) We had lunch overlooking the estuary. It was gorgeous inside and outside.  -Another good friend, wrote to me: We decided we’re not going to Spain this year. Last year we decided not to go to London. We haven’t figured out yet where we’re not going to go next year. -I like the fact that we can laugh about what seems to be so wrong, in/with the world. If we can't laugh then we'll cry. And crying is a way to relieve tensions. But I don't know of anybody that wants to be around a crybaby.  -I heard this phrase on KQE

 I didn't put many miles on my car in 2020.  As I was thinking about this while driving, I remember that we had Driver's Ed in high school, way back in the day. I think my driving teacher was Dave Holland, who was also the main-man football coach.  I don't think any high schools (private or public) offer Driver's Ed at all these days. You've got to pay somebody to teach you to drive. Too much liability for the schools. What got me thinking...is that we were told to drive with 2 hands on the steering wheel, and I believe we were told to put them at 10 and 2 o'clock.  These days the steering wheels are designed for 9 and 3 o'clock.  I was driving around the Naval Air Station and I found this sign on the side of a building! Never knew that the airfield was 14 feet above sea level. Maybe less than that due to climate change. I do like watching the 'big event' race car driving on TV. How close they come to other cars.... how quickly the teams change the

I found my dad's license plates in the carriage house a couple of weeks ago, and I took a photo of what the plates said. There were several folks who submitted names for what the plates meant. A couple of the readers said it meant Captains of America.   My daughter said it meant Certified Public Nuisances of America . And she attributed to my dad's brother's wife. That very well could be what it meant. However, I recall it being Captain Sofa . As I mentioned my dad retired @ the ripe 'old' age of 49, from a job he had hated for decades.  He'd work at his rental houses in Costa Mesa, then head to Balboa Yacht Club, where his boat was moored. And he'd nap on that boat.  Nobody deserved that more than he did.  Certified Public Nuisances of America? Whatever works. Bless his heart and soul. Live richly, marilyn

 ....I have a personalized licensed plate: CADEAU.  Most folks don't know how to pronounce it unless they speak French. It's not pronounced  CAD E  Y  U. It's pronounced CAD OO (long o).  I received a car in 1971 as a high school graduation gift from my folks. I had to go out to shop for it...and I believe I found the car in Garden Grove.  With that 1967 VW bug, I could drive to and from Cal State Long Beach and to my workplace in Corona del Mar at the Kentucky Fried Chicken store, and to Balboa Yacht Club, where my parents were members. The reason I needed to shop for it, is because my folks wanted me to take responsibility for it. But this is not about my own license plates.  I've been slowly clearing stuff out of the carriage house. And I found these license plates. They were my Dad's.  Can you figure out what the meaning is? There is no prize....but if you send me your guess, I'll congratulate you!! Stay tuned! Live richly, marilyn

 I received an email today, from UCSD, where son Evan went to school, and he met his wife there, as well.  However, it was directed to Carl. He's never been a rah-rah type person, even if he was winning a sailing race. He was usually on the quiet side.  I hope he'll attend (because they're going to shake things loose).  And I've never heard of any college having a 6-day Homecoming.  I admit...I'm clearly not into it. I hope they are going to be safe, but I don't see anything that leads me to that conclusion.  Oh well....SIS BOOM BAH! Be there or be square! Live richly, marilyn We’re ready to play. Are you? Dear Carl, It’s time to shake things loose at  Homecoming 2021 , where you’ll find an exciting mix of events, sure to bring out your Triton spirit. It’s time  to unite under a common banner and send up a collective cheer for UC San Diego’s DI scholar-athletes.  It’s time  to catch up with friends and run, walk or roll in support of students at the 25th Anniver

When I'm sitting in my backyard, late in the day, sometimes I hear what sounds like bagpipes. A couple of my neighbors have followed the sounds and it's on the corner of Lafayette and Union. And s(he) plays on Friday: late afternoon or early evening. I can often tell what song it is...otherwise it just sounds like... bagpipes. Flowers in my friend's garden. They're gorgeous! I've been a subscriber to the Oakland Speaker Series for years, but I'm not sure who or what got us into this. I think it was Carl who got us started or it could have been one of his sailing friends. Maybe it was daughter, Sutter, who got us started. The series is held at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Oakland.  This past year it was done remotely, due to the pandemic. This season we have a choice: remotely or in person. The series is also held in Marin and on the  Peninsula. A couple of us have met other folks at the theater, but they sit closer to the stage (more $$$) while we sit in th

One of my friends texted me about the orange moon this evening.  I went out and attempted to take a photo. The moon is closest to the top of the telephone pole. It was a very bright orange but my phone doesn't show it.   Our Alameda church has been open for services since August 1. I didn't realize how much I missed the music (organist, soloist) and seeing the members/attendees! We have a Sunday service and Sunday School, and a Wednesday evening meeting that also features music and testimonies of healing.  And then I started crying during one of the hymns. (Note to self - you are not the tough old broad that you think you are,) Yep, we keep the distance, wear masks, and our church custodian continues to make the place super-clean.  We have two Readers (one who reads from the King James Version of the Bible, and the other from our textbook, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy.) Both of our readers are currently women and do a terrific job! They did

  I got a call from some dear friends in Alameda.  It was a bit of a panic call. They wanted to know if I knew of any public dumpsters they could access so they could toss their 'unfrozen' food because their freezer had died on them. It was a large freezer - about six feet tall.  This happened on Wednesday, in the early evening. When I got their call I suggested that they come over to my house and put the thawed out food (wrapped in plastic) into my bin. They didn't want to bother me and said "no, no!" My bins were already out on the curb because ACI does the pickup on early Thursday morning. They decided that coming by with their unfrozen food, was a good idea. Shoving it down the garbage disposal was an option, but not a good one. They pulled up to the curb and within minutes we had transferred the unfrozen food from the trunk of the car into the bin. I've not had a garbage disposal for years. I use Bio Bags, instead of running water through the pipes. I thi

Alameda's instant air-conditioning.        FOG is near the coast but not in the BAY (Photo taken Wed., August 4th, near Ballena Bay) I called for 'help' because one of my blogs wouldn't let me type anything.  GoDaddy is is the name of the company, that hosts (or whatever it's called) my biz blog. I called them because I gave them permission to do some behind-the-scenes upgrades that were necessary.   I'm not the person to just try something out. I let others do this BEFORE I try anything out...certainly with any and all computer stuff. I may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier, but I'm not the dimmest, either.  I left my phone number. Much to my surprise, a person (man) called me back! One assumes that if somebody is calling for help, that somebody needs help! Clearly, this man was not into helping me.  Today I got a call back...from another person, a woman. She didn't treat me like a dumb person. She spoke to me in English, in a way I could und

The Olympic coverage that NBC (TV) is providing to us is awesome!  I'm the only one here and I'm muttering to myself....go, go, go, regardless of what sport is being featured and regardless of what teams are competing. I will admit that I prefer the American teams..but all of these participants are winners - every one of them.  But the one person that I'm totally admiring is Simone Biles, the amazing gymnast.  Who among us has not felt the conflict between 'moving forward and onward' or knowing when to stop. Please note...I don't mean quitting. I mean stopping or slowing down.  Yet, when I last looked a couple of hours ago, she was excited that her teammates were doing wonderfully and she was cheering them on.  If I don't take the time to think about why I'm feeling weird, why I'm not happy, why I feel burdened, why I feel great, why I am happy, why I feel free...I'm not being honest with myself.  I imagine she might write a book (or have an inte

Sometimes I take my books outside to read them. I sit under what I call an 'umbrella tree.'  It's a shade tree, and I don't know  the actual name for it. Often I fall asleep. But I always see this cat. S(he's) more like a kitty. And I think s(he's) been treated badly because  s(he's) quite skittish. S(he) has decided to use one of my chairs for a bed. S(he's) on the middle chair. And the other photo is when S(he's) sleeping  on the warm pavement in front of the carriage house.  It's quite nice to know that I have a friend there while  I'm reading or have fallen asleep.   Live richly, kitty! your friend, marilyn 

 A dear friend gave me several postcards that I sent out maybe 15-20 years ago, to advertise my listings and sales. If you weren't born here, or have lived here since the1960's here's a sample of those postcards.  (I didn't see these scenes in person, but if you look at them now....life has changed.... A LOT!) ! Live richly, marilyn

 More clouds late afternoon, Thursday. My roof didn't catch on fire (thank goodness), but the fireworks were going a bit crazy around the 'hood on the evening/night of the most recent 4th of July.  I really feel sorry for the cats that live nearby. They must hide somewhere (maybe in my yard....like they do when they're sleeping during the day). It was non-stop with the solo BANGS and the firecrackers. Yes, I do like colorful sparklers but they don't make any loud noise.  Last week, I was talking to my friend while we were sitting on my front porch, jawing around. I was trying to remember where I was when I smelled some type of fireworks on July 5th. It was smoldering. Then a couple of days ago, I realized where I was. We lived on Janis Circle, corner of Pearl St. I believe that Carl was on a Transpac Race to Hawaii. I was walking around the side yard, front yard, back yard, sniffing to find out what the smoldering smell was coming from. That went on for at least one ful

 This flag has only 13 Stars.   I'm not sure where I got it but it definitely is on the older side.  And the cloth it's made from is heavy-duty. I do like our National Anthem but I like these words and how it's sung, better than our National Anthem.  My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing; Land where my fathers died, Land of the pilgrims' pride, From ev'ry mountainside Let freedom ring! My native country, thee, Land of the noble free, Thy name I love; I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills; My heart with rapture thrills, Like that above. Let music swell the breeze, And ring from all the trees Sweet freedom's song; Let mortal tongues awake; Let all that breathe partake; Let rocks their silence break, The sound prolong. Our fathers' God to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing. Long may our land be bright, With freedom's holy light, Protect us by Thy might, Great God our King! It's about time we made som