Judy's Notebook

Year of the Dragon

2012-01-23T14:08:00.000-08:00

I guess Winston would be a more appropriate Fire Dragon, but that's okay. I'll pull him out for a viewing every 12 or so years if I can. At least I got the left over right on his robe correct.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Norwegian Wood: Review

2012-01-13T14:37:00.000-08:00

After I read Haruki Murakami's autobiography, I knew I wanted to read a few of his novels. He is a well-known Japanese novelist with a very modern approach. So a checked out a couple and started to read concurrently, but quickly opted to just one for fear of getting the stories mixed up. Norwegian Wood was the first one.

I had just finished Catcher in the Rye and was hoping for something completely different. Unfortunately Norwegian Wood is Murakami's Catcher in the Rye.

I didn't see that in the beginning. In fact, I was sucked in by a surprisingly wonderful first chapter. The best chapter in the book. The second chapter was the second best, the third chapter was the third best, and then the book sort of plateau and by the end, well the conclusion was foregone. The reader knows from the start what the end will be. Or maybe I'm just a good guesser.

Without giving too much away, this book was very much like Catcher in the Rye coming of age story, only the storyteller is a little older and in college. Short aside: I finished the book on January 9th. On the same day there was a Japanese holiday, but I hadn't a clue of what kind of holiday it was. (I have a Flickr contact who is Japanese and her photos show some kind of celebration.) So I Googled it of course, and guess what? Jan. 9 is The National Coming of Age Day in Japan, and the age in which they celebrate is 20 years old.

Anyway, the age of 20 figures prominently in this book. So weird how everything sort of interconnects.

Really, the strength of this writer is in his descriptions of nature and landscape, his ability to paint his characters unique, and the main character is far more likable than Holden.

I might recommend it, but first I want to read a few more of his titles.

I took a trip and ended up going nowhere

2012-01-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

Kitty in the cupboard

So far this year has been kind of so-so. It all started around Christmas, well no, it all started last September when I hurt my neck by freaking out due to a wildfire accidentally discovered at my work place. I think I wrote about it. That took months to heal. X-rays and physical therapy and pain.

Then on Christmas Eve I twisted my ankle. I almost fell at this very spot about six times prior. Six times! You'd think I have rocks in my head not to fix the trip hazard. But no. And finally the trip happened.

There is nothing more annoying then not being able to walk and then being in pain with every damn step when you finally can hobble around. So looking forward to being well again.

I feel better today. The repeated application of ice probably really helped me turn the corner. I think when I am completely well again, I'll start with the walking/hiking regimen. Not to put forth resolutions, but just to say it aloud.

Swimming too would be good as I have stiff joints due to side effects of a prescription drug. I guess the idea is to start slow and keep it up.

And get rid of trip hazards.

The Catcher in the Rye: Review

2012-01-03T16:41:00.000-08:00

The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger was published in 1951. Many consider it an act of genius, a real capture of the truth of adolescence, and witty and bright. I found myself really hating life as I read it, and this was around Christmas, a holiday that I love.

I never read this in school, although I was aware of it and I think it was required in some English class. But I knew of it, the lead character, the setting. I just had not read the classic and figured now would be a good time to do so. A clean copy crossed my desk, and I have to take advantage of those clean copies.

Like I said but not in so many words, I didn't like the book. I thought it was tedious. Maybe for 1951 it was avant grade, I don't know. I found myself wishing the main character would commit suicide. I did not like him or really anyone in the story.

I went to Amazon to screen shot this cover and found myself reading the five star reviews, and then reading the one star reviews. I was glad to agree with the one star folks and most of them were actual teen-agers.

If you have read this book and think that it is wonderful, please tell me why.

Christmas Day

2011-12-30T21:20:00.000-08:00

I love how we just kept adding and adding wrapped presents. Most were for Si. It was a fun day.

All gussied up

2011-12-12T15:41:00.000-08:00

My Christmas tree for 2011.

In The Corner

2011-12-05T16:24:00.001-08:00

The tree is in position and ready to be decorated.

Christmas Tree Time

2011-12-01T10:33:00.001-08:00

Currently it is really really windy here. I'm sure that is why the Christmas tree place ties these large trees to this merry-go-round device.

We bought two trees this year - a live one that is little tabletop size, and a smaller than our usual living room size - a five footer. Both are Nordman firs. I haven't photographed the smaller one yet. I think I might try to bonsai it. Most live trees don't make around here. It's too hot and too dry and the soil is too clayey too. And you think you can alter some of those things, but in the end you just watch the poor plant suffer.

This aloe vera plant on the other hand loves this sunny window.

Pay no attention to that cat in the background.

This plant literally saved its own life. He was once in a different pot and sat on top of a six foot bookcase. Pretty much ignored, I dare say. He grew towards the light and one day became so heavy on the lit side that he fell out of his pot, roots and all.

I came home from work and saw all this dirt and plant on the floor. I asked The Mister just what the heck happened. He hadn't a clue, although he said he thought he heard something around noon.

Well, I repotted the aloe with fresh soil and a bigger pot and gave him the sunniest spot in the house. You can almost hear him say ahhhh!

Here's my Christmas tree at the lot.

Clashy Colors and Expectations for T-day

2011-11-20T12:01:00.001-08:00

This little pom is the only fruit my plant did bear this year. I picked it when I went out to catch the sunset. Same light but totally different colors. So clashy!

Today it is rainy and cold and I'm getting caught up on my blogging and my blog reading. Thanksgiving is this week and I still have not decided what I'm going to serve, if anything. Going out feels like fun this year. You know, a quiet little dinner in a nice restaurant without all the have to's and should's that an emotional holiday is saddled with.

The mister is not convinced however. Of course, his stomach is talking. I make a lot of very tasty dressing (My mother's recipe :D). And he thinks cooking at home is less expensive. But after one buys all the stuff one needs to make a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, one could have a very nice meal in a very nice venue without all the cooking and cleaning.

Not that I mind the cooking, I just want something different.

On Being Sad and Stuck

2011-11-14T12:56:00.001-08:00

An altered photo of JW playing a concert on Dec 19, 2010 by Judy

After I read Amanda’s blog, Memeopolis, I made myself some lunch and thought about my own sadness and how it cycles and slurps up my days and makes it difficult to return to sleep at 3:14am yet makes it difficult to wake up and get up at 8am.

I’m not sad all the time. Lately it sneaks up on me through music or a remembered conversation. Also this Thanksgiving coincides with the six month time passage of the death of a dear friend, JW.

He left me his library, and even though I had a tough time participating in my own book club, most people who know me know books (writing, reading, making) are a big part of my life. So I was not surprised to receive his library. However, 36 boxes is a lot to deal with. I mean I have serious issues (and goat trails) with my ever expanding library, and now I have to decide whether I will add or discard his collections.

Some of them as it turns out (and this wasn’t a surprise either) are duplicates to what I already own. But the idea of selling or giving away his stuff is rather heartbreaking. I don’t really know what to do, and when I’m stuck, I tend to do nothing at all.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T20:44:00.001-07:00

inside looking out , originally uploaded by Judy's Notebook.

cyclops babies coming for me...

om

2011-10-04T10:08:00.000-07:00

the fastest (and slowest) 20 minutes ever

2011-09-26T15:46:00.000-07:00

Last week at work I went outside for a moment in the late afternoon. (better get this done) It's been rather hot in my neck of the woods and I had both air conditioners blowing. (freakin hot - better get this done) It was getting close to closing time and I had one last thing to do. (one more thing to do then it's time to fly outta here - happy face - skipping)

So I was outside, and I smelled fire (really strong) and thought it was the burnt area across the street. (gad that reeks) In an area of a few blocks, we have had a handful of random (not so random) grass fires. The fire across the street had burned the entire shoulder and started a few trees. (glad i wasn't here to witness that, i'll say) The old historic boarding house did not burn down (a miracle, i'll say), and this fire as well as the others are now considered arson and under investigation (hope they catch the fucker)

As I paused, I heard from behind me a crackly sound (huh) kind of like someone bunching paper to throw in a trash can. (wha da) Crackle. Crackle. (oh shit) Only it wasn't bunching paper; it was a fire. (oh shit oh shit)

If you have ever heard a wild grass fire, the sound stays with you. (it's very distinctive) As does the panic. (run away) I whipped around to see what I expected to see. (it's too close) Flames and smoke climbing the slope. (it's alive) Coming straight at me. (making a bee line)

I ran as if in a dream. (those are my feet) I ran in slow motion. (make them go) I ran saying Oh shit! Oh shit! Oh shit! with every step. (faster) I ran to the telephone by my desk. (pick up phone) And the really remarkable thing is I ran toward the fire. (i must be insane)

I pressed the numbers 9 1 1 and waited. (come on come on come on) They answered. "What's your emergency?" "Fire!" I was hyperventilating and really freaking out. (fire fire fire) I was re-directed to the town's fire department. (come on come on come on) When they got on the line, I gave the exact location and told myself to calm down. (stop screaming)

This all took about 8.3 seconds, but damn those were long seconds. (now what - what now)

I went outside to assess the situation. (wow) Meanwhile the fire was going into the trees. (come on - get here already) Have you ever seen a tree ignite during a wildfire? (freakin scary) Looks like a giant match being lit. (a giant exploding match)

The fire department still had not arrived. (what is taking so long)

I grabbed my stuff and threw it in my car. (what am i forgetting) Ready to fly if the place goes up in flames. (where did I put my key)

As I'm coming back from my car, I noticed the smoke lingering like fog. (trippy) I had a weird sensation that I would be the only witness to see the place burning down to the ground. (i'll take pictures) I decided I would not go back inside. (might get trapped - no back door) I decided I did what I could do, now it's up to the experts. (no sirens yet)

Then the fire department showed up (like magic) and put out the fire. (yay) No buildings were damaged. No trees fully caught flames. (yay) Whew!

In all the flap, I was proud that I didn't piss myself but I did manage to sprain my neck. (jeez judy) Probably from whipping around. (and being tense) I'm wound up pretty tight when it comes to fires. (like a fully loaded cannon)

looking back from the universe

2011-09-11T13:15:00.001-07:00

looking back from the universe, originally uploaded by Judy's Notebook.

Waiting for Irene

2011-08-28T10:52:00.000-07:00

Californian Sunset Friday August 26, 2011

Wishing for Autumn Weather

2011-08-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

After years of conditioning, it's pretty much a given that this time of year always makes me want to buy clothes. And because it's getting to be fall and back-to-school is on everyone's mind, I always lean toward tweed jackets and corduroy slacks and sweaters with fur collars and wool peacoats and tall boots, well you get the picture. This is mid August and I live in the mid state area and it is going to be 97 degrees tomorrow. So a turtleneck is not happening so matter how sick of summertime I am.

This well-heeled feline always wears a turtleneck though.

Obon Festival

2011-08-07T13:24:00.000-07:00

I upgraded to Lion OS and I can't say I'm completely enamored. The scrolling is exactly the opposite of what I was used to with the magic mouse, and I often use Preview and the F3 button to look at all my pics at once to get the feel for the blog post storyline and now that doesn't work. I haven't figured a way around it yet. If you know, please share. I'm sorry if none of this makes sense too.

Anyways - I went to the Obon Festival in San Luis. By the way (PSA), San Luis is pronounced like San Loo-es, not San Loo-ee. And we had a real good time. They were doing a martial arts demonstration inside the building which made me laugh (shame on me) because essentially they were wearing helmets and face masks but they were whacking the dickens out of each other. Right over the head. Whack, whack, whack. Very rhythmical. I thought it was hilarious.

The vendors indoors were very rummage sale too. Except the book seller. All sorts of books on Japanese culture, history, food, novels. I went crazy!

Outside there was the food and fun. This bonsai demonstration was really interesting. The son explained what the father was doing. A typical juniper bush was being pruned in a very specific way, both plant and roots, to be a bonsai.

I'm going to try this, you know I am. I've always wanted a bonsai.

This is the before picture. The plant was a standard shrub in a pot like something you would buy from a nursery.

This is the after shot.

The father was putting

the finishing touches

on the tree.

The chicken dinner was really delicious
too.

Mid-State Fair 2011

2011-07-31T13:14:00.000-07:00

The fair was fairly cool this year. We didn't visit the live animals, but we saw lots of exotic miniature sparkly ones.

Somehow we missed the garden displays too. But who needs real flowers when you can own the biggest garish posy on the block.

Of course a country fair wouldn't be a country fair without your jams and jellies ... and wasabi peas.

And pizza by the slice.

I always come to the fair with an agenda, and this year it was toads.
(I've been nurturing a whole pond of polliwogs this spring.)

I found this lovey who asked to come home with me.

Took motion pictures of the carousel. Can you tell this is a Native American horse? Except for the shoes, of course.

The fun house looked kind of empty,

and the gators looked positively scared.

All in all a very fine day at the Mid-State County Fair.

I used to think it's the same every year, but that's not the case. Every year it has a different feel, and every year I have a different agenda. Like I said toads made the list this year. Also sea turtles, a new hat (I ended up getting two), actually staying away from the 4-H animals, and taking photos that I could turn into old-timey looking shots.

My Garden: the summer of 2011

2011-07-17T12:04:00.000-07:00

The garden on Mom's birthday is quite wild this year. Artichokes were quick to go-to-seed, that is bloom. Lots of eating artichokes early in the spring, but as soon as the heat picked up, their leaves spread out and you know they are going to bloom. Funny thing is they turned sort of a purple-red on the outer leaves this year. Why? Don't know.

In the early stages of bloom they look like the have crew cuts.

And the hollyhocks are spectacular this year. And they're all gypsies!

The white monster is taking over the garden.

These are digger pine cones that came with me from my last residence. That poor tree was cut down for having the audacity of losing a limb. I hope a seed or two plants itself here.

Then we can lounge on our steamers and watch it grow.

Half barrel pond

2011-07-10T16:34:00.001-07:00

Half barrel pond, originally uploaded by Judy's Notebook.

My water element in the garden is teeming with tadpoles. In the evening many have turned into toads half the size of my thumbnail and are hopping about on the lily pads.

I expect to see snakes soon given the heat and this new food supply.

Evening sky 28 June 2011

2011-07-04T12:07:00.001-07:00

Evening sky 28 June 2011, originally uploaded by Judy's Notebook.

Nerd Humor

2011-07-03T11:40:00.000-07:00

ODO 30,000

2011-06-30T10:03:00.000-07:00

self

2011-06-19T13:58:00.001-07:00

self, originally uploaded by Judy's Notebook.

Taken a few years ago for the group Self-Portrait Tuesday. I wonder if they are still around. Well I'm still around and Si is still around. I changed the layout of my blog. How do you like it?

...it would appear that God has an inordinate fondness for beetles*

2011-05-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

Last weekend a storm blew through at a rapid rate. It became dark and the wind picked up and I have to admit I was frightened.

That didn't stop me from taking pictures though. Yet even while I snapping away, I had the feeling that something really freaky was going to happen.

Then I discovered all these black iridescent beetles on the milk weed.

Sure glad they were dedicated to their plants!

*J. B. S. Haldane

Classics Book Club Update

2011-04-26T21:22:00.000-07:00

I skipped February, March, and now it looks like April too.

I had ordered Anna Karenina from the library and it arrived straight away. Unfortunately it was in Russian. Yeah, well, learning Russian is on my list but not this year.

A copy of Treasure Island was opened and considered, but I wanted to do Anna, so ye ole Mister went to the Book Haven today and found a beautiful volume.

Damn the thing is huge! A real door stop like War and Peace. So I do not think I will complete this masterpiece in four days for April.

For May then, I have Hardy's Far from the library, yet I feel a strong pull to stay with women authors and read Little Women.

My idea is just to keep plugging along doing the best I can. I see now that building a literature section in my personal library is highly desirable. Also re-reading and note-taking, and auxiliary reading will add depth that makes this endeavor more of a lifetime pursuit and not just a quick read and chat of the-book-of-the-month that (seems most) book clubs have become. *Not that there is anything wrong with that. *

What I mean to say is that I'm evolving, and although I'm not sure what I wanted when I started, I am sure now I don't want to read just to have read. To spend time with a classic book is sacred time.

ODO28928

2011-04-24T11:55:00.001-07:00

ODO28928, originally uploaded by Judy's Notebook.

Cranford

2011-04-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell was a strange book for me. Getting started reading was a really rough road. I didn't understand who was what and how they tied together. And that along with a mighty crappy book borrowed from the library. Well, it was a tough go.

After I discovered the book on Project Gutenberg, my outlook changed considerably. Sudden deaths, a few field trips, and I was wondering what's next for the characters of Cranford. Cranford is a true character study.

Right before I finished reading it, I was told about a classic psychology book called Games People Play by Eric Berne. The premise is that one's interactions with other people can be described in terms of "as a child, a parent, or an adult." The ideal interaction for most people is that of an adult to an adult. And I am speaking here of people who are not parents and children but of adults who may or may know each other.

For example, in my line of work I am often seen as an authority figure because that is how the public is taught as children. So when some members of the public return to child-like behavior when they are in my sphere, I am not surprised. They can act like a good child or a naughty child but a child nonetheless and then assume that I am to take the parent role.

When I mentioned this to a friend, he told about Berne's book, and I pretty much read what I wanted and was going to return it when I found a chapter called Party Games. Wow! I could not believe how well it tied into Cranford.

Remember the scary stories each Cranford woman told to their group. Each lady outdoing the other with her tale of misfortune and horror. Well, that is a type of game called "Broken Skin."

Berne writes:

"Broken Skin" deals primarily with the flow of blood; it is essentially an informal clinical colloquium. Anyone is eligible to present a case, the more horrifying the better, and details are eagerly considered. Blows to the face, abdominal operations and difficult childbirths are accepted topics. Here the differentiation from idle gossip lies in the rivalry and surgical sophistication.

Indeed, the reason why Cranford doesn't read like just a bunch of old ladies gossiping at tea time is that there is a constant flux of dysfunctional game playing. Such as the reading then burning of old letters and all that business of saving candles and keeping them of equal heights. Well true everyone is bent in some way and how kind for the author not to excused anyone including the reader.

Also so curious that Mrs. Jamieson, bored and sleepy, high queen of the coven, should make such a fuss that the Lady Glenmire should marry Dr. Piggins, I mean Hoggins, and take his name. And be happy. I suppose that was her role - to be snooty - to approve or disapprove as she sees fit. There is always one in the gang that serves as the judge.

Here comes Mr. Peter to save the day (as all the men did in this novel except Mrs. Jamieson's servant) and that made me a little sad, but I understand that from the historical point of view, this book talked about the independence of women of itself and of men in particular in an uncommon modern way.

Overall, this was a fine read. A little disjointed at times with a surprise laugh every now and then. What was that about the Queen's legs?

Cranford review coming soon

2011-03-22T21:10:00.001-07:00

My fall (and possible return) from grace

2011-03-12T20:28:00.000-08:00

Making excuses for being late has always bugged me. Sure there are times when being late to an appointment or turning in an assignment late has a reason, but for the most part, lateness to me is lack of planning, a lack of caring, and a lack of respect to oneself and whomever expects a prompt arrival or return or report.

So currently I hate myself.

I have tried and failed to read one classic book a month and cannot keep up. I deprived myself of reading other things because I know I must read this month's selection and yet it still is not read. Now I'm two months behind.

I am a horrible book club leader and I know it.

Not only do I suck at my reviews, I can't get my shit together to simply get the reading done. I'm sorry.

A couple of months ago I wondered if my lack of concentration to the printed page was, um, poor eyesight. As in old eyesight. As in I needed reading glasses.

Yep. And so I ordered a nice pair and now I never use them because I am used to taking off my glasses (I am near-sighted) when I read. Eventually not using reading glasses won't be an option, I suppose.

Earlier this week when I had yet another coma inducing event with Cranford (I can't read a page of this classic without day dreaming about something anything other than the story), I was reminded of the website Project Gutenberg. And since I read so much so very very much off the computer screen, I wondered if this site had Cranford and what would it be like to read off the computer screen.

Aside: Not too long ago, some of us claimed that reading books on the computer would "give us headaches" and that would never ever happen. We claimed that sure blogs and snippets could be read, but never ever a work, like a fiction novel or a scientific paper. Never would we read from a computer screen.

We were Fools. That includes me.

Obviously I love to read stuff on the computer screen. In fact I can and sometimes do spend entire days reading from my computer. So why was I so surprised three chapters of Cranford were swallowed like sugar water (and now I am deep into the story - Yay)... Why?

This is coupled with the quality of books I'm reading as well. Which needs to be explained. I order books from my library. Classics are usually worn. One exception was Voltaire, but most others are in horrible shape. My library copy of Cranford is a paperback made into a hardcover with yucky yellow stains and filled with underlining in Bic ballpoint blue ink pen.

If you have ever done this to a book whether it be a your own or a library book, don't tell me. I might have to kill you. With a bic ballpoint pen. In blue.

Cheers to the Five Year Mark!

2011-03-05T15:14:00.000-08:00

A Nice Sauternes and Salad

Here's to Judy's Notebook, a five-year old blog about nothing in particular. Here's to everyone who has followed this blog, which I consider an anchor to my other blogs, which are many. Here's to everyone who has unfollowed this blog, just to prove I'm not spiteful, even though I am, traders. Here's to being a columnist to 25,000 people per week, then becoming a blogger to a few people per month, ouch. Here's to starting then stopping then starting then stopping then starting this blog. Here's to not dying along the way. Here's to all you crazy Snapple Rain affectionados. Here's to Googling Snapple Rain and seeing my photos in the number one and two spots on the Google images. Here's to my favorites bloggers, listed on the left side, the list may have changed over the years but I still love you all. Here's to trying new things right here like GoodReads or starting a book club or Twitter or Tumblr, which I still love, and thank you, you know who you are, for introducing me to these fun activities. Here's to my first post, not much really, but has totally reminded me of my wood rat, so sad, and how much work it was to live out at the ranch. And finally here's to Silas, who should probably have his own fan club, his own limo, and his own personal chef, oh wait, he does have his own chef, that would be me.

xoxo
Judy

Toast!

2011-02-22T19:09:00.000-08:00

odosketch

2011-02-17T20:44:00.000-08:00

This was kinda fun. From How About Orange. She always has the best timewasters!

Vintage Valentine

2011-02-14T11:22:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day!

Click On Pic To See The Moon

2011-02-13T12:26:00.000-08:00

The day after the new moon (2/5/2011), the waxing moon crescent has her horns point up, also known as a Wet Moon.

My First Valentines Day Swap Card Arrives

2011-02-11T16:30:00.000-08:00

I joined the second annual Valentines Day card swap hosted by crowandcanary.com.

I thought it would be fun to make my own cards (this is encouraged over buying store bought) and then I proceeded to procrastinate. Finally with no more wiggle room, I sucked it up and made blank cards using my own art work, and I was tickled pink, as they said, that I plan to make more and try to sell them on etsy.com - I know that's crazy! (More on that soon!)

That was just the first good thing to happen to me with this creative spurt. The second was the actually swap and although I've only received this one thus far,

Anonymous from Portland OR

I feel a welling of generosity and good-will from a stranger who had only my blog to go on. The world isn't so bad after all.

Sum Up

2011-01-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

I had pretty simplistic goals that I ended up changing. I decided I liked my format but needed to clean up the various do-dads and what nots, so it might be easier to load.

I put the labels on the side, but I cannot decide if they will stay. It's all very busy.

I did bookmark a whole heap of "how to" blog articles, so I'll keep working on it.

And I think I will plan something special in the coming month as it will the five year anniversary of Judy's Notebook on March 5th.

Movie Reviews: Part 1

2011-01-23T19:22:00.000-08:00

As I go through movies from this post, I will review them briefly.

Synecdoche, New York
okay. Need to see it again.

Party Girl
not good. Fashion was interesting though.

Hard Candy
good. Very. Although there were some plot missteps.

The Fall
great. OMG wonderous and wonderful!

The September Issue
good. umm.

Death At A Funeral (British version)
very good. Some really good laughs.

Religulous
very good. God I hate religion.

Lost in Austen
good. Lovely.

Interview
not good. Sorry didn't buy the story, but I really liked the loft.

The Secret of Kells
ok. Yawn.

Match Point
good. I'd rather be lucky...

Venus
okay. Peter O'Toole, Bravo!

Bloggiesta

2011-01-21T17:13:00.000-08:00

I'm a day late to this four-day party, but I'm ready, willing, and somewhat able to get things done. Basically it is a challenge to fix, clean up, learn new blogging techniques.

I need this. In a big way. Now.

If you would like to join the crowd (and there is plenty of room), check out this blog.

First off on my list is to change the format of Judy's Notebook to large, small, small columns (left to right). Second, work on my labels. And we'll go from there.

It's a cram session!

Cold Comfort Farm: Discussion

2011-01-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

My December read for The Classics Book Club was Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. Although it was a thoroughly enjoyable book, it seems the only solid time I had to read was when I was working and what with the holidays and my new found love of Skype, even then there was precious few minutes to devote to this classic.

Firstly many have said, complained really, that CCF is not a classic at all. It is just an old book. Published in the 1930s, some would even claim that CCF is not old enough to be a classic. I think yes, it is quite true when some book or movie comes out and the tagline is "destined to become a classic" that rings my "doubt meter." So whether or not the reader want to consider CCF a classic is fine by me.

Incidentally I pulled these titles off a list that was compiled by really smart book people, so CCF is a classic to me.

The basic storyline is a young woman is left with a small monthly inheritance after her parents die. The amount of money is too small to live on in London, so her friends advise her to get a job. She doesn't want a job and schemes to live with distant relatives in exchange for the monthly allotment. So she sets out to write to five separate aunts or cousins and waits to hear a reply. She wants to pick the most unusual situation, so she can write about her experiences in a memoir when she hits her middle years.

Guess where she moves to? Book title.

This is really a character study, and I mean character, and I find my favorite fiction is often heavy with character study, so CCF get full bars and all the stars.

Highly descriptive with turning phrases, it was funny. And I really liked the main character, Flora. I think that is important. I have to care about somebody in a fictional work. Anybody will do. It does not have to be the main character. It doesn't even really have to be a human. So I should say I have to care about somebody or something in a fictional work.

Oh yes I finally figured out "the wink" in Voltaire's Candide. He must have cried laughing at all the people touching the hems of greatness. A must read from now till the end of time.

Back to CCF - I found it interesting that at the same time I was reading CCF, I was watching the first season of Dexter. Not at the exact same time, but time frame. At any rate, they both had this "something nasty happened in the woodshed" arc, which is a clever little plot device. I mean the viewer wants to know "what happened?" Right?

Of course, I'm not going to tell you.

And they both sightly nod to the audience like you see what I'm doing because I have to do what I'm doing, you see.

It's wonderful when the various passions in life overlap. Almost spooky.

Shall We Do Some Resolutions

2011-01-01T14:24:00.000-08:00

I strongly believe if you recognize that you have a "bad" habit, then you should break it. Don't wait to the new year. Just go ahead and stop it. And if you want to develop "good" habits, there is no time like now to start.

I suppose that is why I started The Classics Book Club back in September, and yes I'm still trudging along although tardy with the December read, Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. By the way, it is turning out to be a good one. A real woman's voice with a keen wit. After a couple of misses, at last I'm enjoying an old book.

Anyways I'm here to discuss some ideas on how I want to change for the better.

For the past couple of weeks I've been returning books to the library. I'm a real hoarder when it comes to books. I think "oh I'd like to read that" so then I check it out and renew renew renew. Now I haven't maxed out my card but even if I did, I have another one. Shh don't tell the librarian. Seriously this is something so insignificant to most people, yet I feel I must address my addiction to The Check Out.

So I've already started working on it by returning about half of my stash, thus far.

Another issue I need to work on is staying organized. Getting there is easy. Staying, not so. I discovered an empty surface has a half-life of 6 hours around me. I don't know why, but I need to pile things upon a clean table. And I have a ready available deluge of "things" to pile. So perhaps I need to get rid of the "things" to make this work. One of the "things" is library books (see above). So I'm working on that. Another "things" is catalogs sent in the mail. I don't often buy from catalogs, but I look at them, sometimes. Really when I look at how the catalogs can accumulate, especially during the holidays, I worry for all the trees. And you know all that ink just can't be good for any living thing.

So this past year I started Sake Sunday, which combines my love of Japanese food and drink with a sneaky once-a-week organizing trick. That is, every Sunday I clear off the dining room table to serve a small meal with hot sake. And I sometimes take photos of the event and blog them at Foodie Judy.

This was sort of working. At least I was semi-dealing with the table build up problem, but by the next day, shiny clean surfaces had new piles. This how I know about the half-life.

Anyway, I read that if you have basket (for your table), then you put "things" into the basket, and when you want a clear table you remove the basket. But I've lost a lot of important "things" doing this method than I care to say. So I'm still searching for way to keep my surfaces clear.

Another quirk I have is I'm obsessed with calendars. And I'm not going to change either. So the first of the year is a huge day for me. To put up brand new calendars in every room. "Superb Day!" I'll write in my engagement calendar because most years I keep an engagement calendar (book-style) where I write a couple of sentences about what happened on that day like the weather, a conversation, a plumbing problem, what was for dinner, and so forth.

This past year I also kept another engagement calendar (a "My Neighbor Totoro" from Japan. So cute!) where I would write only good things that happened on any given day. This has been great to review what I considered fun for any given month. "Played with Si." "Beatles night." "Stuffing!!!" This little calendar also verified that I was indeed happy whenever I pursued a sewing project or worked on a drawing, and that reconnecting with an old friend was the highlight of the year.

So if I am to build on my successes this year (and that is The Plan), I will gab more on the phone, eat lots of stuffing, draw silly pictures, and of course, play everyday with my Si.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T17:48:00.000-08:00

May the spirit of the holiday season

infuse your heart

like the love of a furry creature.

My thoughts on Voltaire's Candide

2010-12-17T16:56:00.000-08:00

Last night I was talking to a fellow reader and book club participant (not this one) and mentioned that our (this book club's) latest selection was Voltaire's Candide. He was really impressed.
"Oh." says I. "Have you read it?"
"Oh yes," says he.
"And how did you like it?" I asked.
"I don't remember," he said. "It's been over 40 years." And adds, "But it is a classic!"

Well yes it is and that is why we read it. We are The Classics Book Club. And therein lies the first order of business. I don't want to read the classic, so I can proclaim "I read the classic." I find this behavior to be unbecoming. However, having said that, I am very happy to say I've read Voltaire's Candide. Because that means I will never ever read it again.

I did float and peck around the internet looking for critical sound bites and found that, according to one source, Voltaire wrote this book knowing that it was witty and funny and only a few smart people like himself would understand just how witty and funny this little tale is. So here here - I applaud all you smart people.

This book tells the story of an optimistic man who experiences one tragedy after another at breakneck speed. He continues to be optimistic and most everyone who has surely died in the coarse of the story comes back into his life not dead after all. This is not believable, and I was so underwhelmed that I stalled at mid-point.

When The Mister asked me about the story and I told him of the various goings ons, the story all of a sudden started to sound much more interesting. Perhaps I was adding exclamations to this monotone flatness. Maybe the monotone is the witty part.

Anyway, I did Laugh Out Loud a couple of times. I wonder what Voltaire would think of LOL terminology. And I liked the little ditty towards the end about why God doesn't hear your prayers. Do you think the captain of the ship cares about all the ship's rats? Nice analogy.

I found Candide's driving force to be with Cunegonde against all odds to be the stuff great novellas are made of, but when he finally does hook up with her, everyone claims she is ugly, and even Candide claims she is ugly and tells her so to her face. Ironic, okay maybe. Funny, not really. Witty? pbbt.

Will I forget this book if I live another 40 years?

No.

Is this because it is a fabulous piece of literature?

No.

Candide

2010-12-11T13:47:00.000-08:00

I read Random House's 75th anniversary edition with illustrations by Rockwell Kent, publication date, 2002.

Most pages had illustrations, and the beginning of each chapter had a naked ornate person draped over the first letter. Paragraph pauses were naked individuals in various positions. The paper was heavy and the font was nice.

Check out this link for an interesting story.

Discussion on the story soon.

Fly Me To The Moon

2010-11-15T11:33:00.001-08:00

my car at star farms, originally uploaded by Judy's Notebook.

ODO 26262

Movie Lists From Others

2010-11-14T21:08:00.000-08:00

Movie list from Amanda's blog:

Lost in Austen

Party Girl

The Young Victoria

The September Issue

The Secret of Kells

The Tudor (maybe)

Movie list from JW:

The Fall

Synecdoche, New York*

WALL-E*

Religulous

Death at a Funeral

Shine a Light

Juno*

Hard Candy

There Will Be Blood

The Departed

Yes

Pan's Laybrinth

Hot Fuzz

Babel

Interview

Brick

The Matador

Munich

Match Point

Touching the Void

Let the Right One In

Venus

Things You Can Tell Just By Looking at Her

Sicko

Stanley Kubrick: A Life in Pictures

Protagonist

Grindhouse: Death Proof

Angel-A

Running Scared

The Machinist

Devil's Backbone

Sarah Silverman: Jesus is Magic

Steven Wright: When the Leaves Blow Away

Shaun of the Dead

*watched

Howards End Discussion

2010-11-07T17:46:00.000-08:00

I don't know why I should be so surprised that upon reading Howards End I find I am a romantic. Not in the sense of Mr. Bast and his compartmentalize Romance, but more of the modern day version like seeing the developing relationship of Meg and Mr. Wilcox and wishing for their lasting happiness.

From Chapter 20: "But as she put on her hat she burst out laughing. Love was a unlike the article served up in books: the joy, though genuine, was different; the mystery an unexpected mystery."

Ahh. This rings so true to me.

I got off on the right foot with Helen and her letters to her sister. First she is in love, then whoops! No, she's not. That whole story might have annoyed me if it weren't for the reason: Paul's reaction to her the next morning. Scared! Men who are scared of what their family will think, I have known a few. It is very tiring. To strong-willed women at any time of history or even today, men who fear their fathers or are too stupid to think for themselves (as Charles often appears) are hopeless. And if you think you can change a male who is that way, you are wrong! How sharp of Helen to run the other way.

Although I don't have a sister and I will never really know sisterly love, I felt the relationship between the Schlegel women to be true through to the end. Mrs. Bast seemed like a plot device as did their Aunt Juley. But I suppose we have all known some people in superficial ways, and I wouldn't say my meddling neighbor is a plot device in my life, but I could.

I wish someone would defend Mr. Bast. I think he was sort of crazy. There's probably a historical reason for his actions being London and industrial and his desire to improve himself. The sister's claimed they were thinking of his well-being, but it certainly seemed to me that they were making him a bit of a pet. It seemed Tibby was their pet too, but less so, and he was detached, probably because he was raised without a mother's love.

Much of the prose in the book went to describing the beauty and ugliness of England which movies can do with one good brush stroke, so I lucked out when I discovered it was on television one weekend. I've seen it before in the theater years ago. It came on in the afternoon with no commercials, no breaks for 2 1/2 hours. Vanessa Redgrave's performance was way over-the-top. (She played the first Mrs. Wilcox.) However Anthony Hopkins's Mr. Wilcox was perfection.

Midway through the book I started to think of each character was an element of a whole being. Helen, the idealistic youth; Leonard Bast, the insecure dreamer; Dolly, the mouth without the brain; Margaret, the reasonable matron; and so on. I found this diminished my desire for the story, so I chucked that idea after a couple of chapters. It was as if I was watching myself read a book for the purpose of talking about what I was reading. Do you know what I mean? And is there any way to get around this when you know you have to say something and it better be in complete sentences?

At any rate, I loved the descriptions of the home and grounds at Howards End. I feel that some physical places can hold spirits of happiness.

Howards End discussion next weekend

2010-10-29T16:58:00.000-07:00

Due to Hallowe'en and other things, The Classics Book Club discussion of Howards End will be during the first week of November.

November selections are To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf and - or Candide by Voltaire.

A Silas Composition

2010-10-18T15:14:00.000-07:00

There's something I like about this photo other than the obvious.

It's too light and it's too dark. The movement of the tail reflects the movement of the aloe plant. The rigid lines of the skeleton gazebo contrast the round tower.

And Si looks like he's thinking about something, like some memory in his head.

He's off in his own world.

B & E Vineyard

2010-10-08T13:39:00.000-07:00

This is B & E Vineyard wine tasting room. As you can see it is fashioned after an old Western saloon. It has a single room with a hardy air conditioner and a wood bar. There are benches both inside and out.

It's located on Creston Road, east of Paso Robles. Grouped with the Back Road Wineries, this tasting room has a small personal feel. In fact, there is no way to be anonymous here, but that was okay because the pourer was a really nice people person.

Like so many tasting rooms, we go right down the list starting with the chilled rose, then the lighter reds, and finally the stronger reds. Usually we just go along seeing how it is scripted and if interrupted, well now, spontaneity is not always a good thing. When we got to the stronger reds, we were very happy.

B & E makes some damn nice red wine.

I joined their club and look forward to visiting them again on Harvest weekend coming up soon.

Cheers!

October Sunset

2010-10-03T11:57:00.000-07:00

Thunder and lightening bolts finally arrived at dusk. It was quite a show.

I welcome this fall even with the Indian summer we're having. Some things on the list to do:

Make Christmas gifts. I'm very taken with this book call omiyage by Kumiko Sudo. Now if only I could find Japanese silks.
Continue reading the classics. I got off to a bad start on that. I must have realized that just because the book is a classic, it doesn't mean I'm going to love it. Also I was educated in the sciences, so I need to learn to speak and write about literature. This will be good for me though difficult.
Continue to survey wine tasting establishments. And write about them. Develop a scheme to rate them. Have fun with the process.
Sell books I no longer want to keep to used book stores. This involves travel and I'm such a homebody, so I need push myself.
I need to stop stressing about work. Whatever happens, happens. In the big picture, it really doesn't matter.

Moll Flanders: Discussion

2010-10-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

This plot driven narrative of her unfortunate fortunate and back and forth life did not go down well with me. I could not get into the main character. I had no interest in what would happen next. It bothered me deeply how manipulative she was, and at times I felt like screaming at the author "Get on with it!"

That said I bet this story would transfer to film well and I will probably look into the various versions made for TV etc.

Please feel free to tell me what you think in comments. Thank you.

The Clothes and The Costumes

2010-09-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

When I first saw Sally in her dress, I remembered the picture on the left, which was worn later in the 60s decade. Those colors, teal, avocado, mustard yellow, and neon orange, were very popular. Sally's dress is more neon overall and is discussed breifly here.

On The Prowl

2010-09-20T15:05:00.000-07:00

I'm depressed.

It's work-related and overwhelming and stupid. But the problem is not going away, so I have to power up and get on with the show.

After many hours of discussion this weekend, my boyfriend finally asked the obvious. "Why don't you quit?" I said that if I do, the place will close down. It might close down anyways with what my employers are doing, but it will be a slower death. It is all very depressing.

So when he came home today from the market, he gave me this card. Inside a hand-written rally to go forth and deal with it!

Made me smile.

Lone Madrone on Highway 46 West

2010-09-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

We headed out to Highway 46 West to visit Lone Madrone Tasting Room. It also had the added attraction of an Fat Cat Herb Garden Nursery.

It should be noted that Wine Tasting Rooms are not necessarily The Winery. The winery could be in another part of the state.

Such was the case for Lone Madrone. There was even another winery sharing the tasting room, Kenneth Volk Winery.

The day was a pleasant late summer Sunday. As we entered, a band was playing folksy music, kids were harassing penned up chickens, and there was an overly strong whiff of bathroom cleaning liquid coming from the front and center loo. Bad design, but it may have been unavoidable.

The herb garden was sweet. I think it is nice to have a mix of things, so if you find a nice wine, you can get a glass and wander around. We wandered first however, and tasted second.

We went through some double doors and landed at the Volk tasting bar, long and lonely. A women appeared and informed us that for ten dollars each, we could taste six wines off this list and we would get the glasses too. Big “Volk Winery” etched on the 16 oz wine glasses. We were also informed that just around the corner, for an additional five dollars, we could taste Lone Madrone wines.

Now I’m not good at this. It feels a little like walking into someone’s house and refusing their hospitality. Shiny huge glasses and a lengthy list of surely delicious wines, what’s a girl to do?

Turn to her hubby and say, “Whadda ya think?” He smiles brightly and replies, “Let’s wander around.” And that’s my cue to turn to the glasses, wine list, and woman, and say, “We’re going to wander around a bit before tasting.” And then we leave.

I feel like saying, “Don’t take it personal, but 10 bucks for 6 tablespoons of wine doesn’t float my boat.” I think The Mister might add, “We don’t need anymore GIANT wine glasses either.”

So we wander the gift shoppe and find much of the same stuff we saw at EOS (on Highway 46 East) a few weeks ago.

Around the corner was another long bar, this time with people, where Lone Madrone was pouring. I think if you’re going to have the capacity of the long bar, having some people laughing and sipping feels much more inviting.

So we belly up and study their list. A bearded young man came over and started us off on the pre-plan run. This is the way these days. It used to be you were asked, what do like? Reds or whites? Or a particular varietal?

But not anymore. Now they assume you want it all. First a white, then a rose, then a red, then another red, then yet another red. My palette gets a little confused after four tastes, so I want those tastes to be what I want. At this point our pourer disappeared. I looked to my companion and said, “I want to try the Syrah.” It’s on the list, I see, but apparently it’s not on the tasting program as I learn when I ask another pourer. She tells me if I was going to buy 6 bottles, then maybe they would let me taste it, but no… Hmmm.

Wrong thing to say, Lone Madrone. I love a good Syrah, and if I tasted it, and I liked it, I’d buy a case.

She then offers up “the very funny and delicious Zin that everybody likes and has such a funny name. hohoho.”

We tried it, and it tasted fine like the big bold Zin it was with a high alcohol and a touch of Barbera. But what an unfortunate choice for a name.

Barfandel.

It’s not that funny. I mean who hasn’t had mean red wine hangover?

At this point I was thinking of having my tongue scraped when I noticed that up on top of their wine list, it was printed that there is a ten dollars tasting fee. Gee. No one asked us for money when we first started, so I was wondering if they would ask us now. What would we say? Sorry left my wallet at home, in the car, in my other pants. Or just shrug and walk away? Or do you want your Barfandel back?

It didn’t matter. We were done. Unimpressed with this tasting room and the unremarkable wines (and being force to taste Rose. The horror.)

On the way home we discussed the finer points. I do understand that the wine tasting competition along both 46 East and West is fierce. That having an angle is paramount to getting an audience and the repeat audience, and clearly this tasting room’s “hooks” are outdoor music and kid friendly activities, though I think barnyard animals should not be handled all day long. The herb nursery was cute, but what did it have to do with the wine tasting. And one winery held up to the charge for tasting and the other did not. Is that fair? They were three feet from each other.

It was like three companies came together but did not intertwine. An odd vibe all the way around.

My Favorite Things

2010-08-25T21:32:00.000-07:00

Si's eyes,
Totoro bento,
Weird clouds,
Pinwheel lunches,
and Purple flowers.

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things

Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels
Doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles
Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings
These are a few of my favorite things

Girls in white dresses with blue satin sashes
Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
Silver white winters that melt into springs
These are a few of my favorite things

We were six years old when we got together, and a stop at Eos.

2010-08-16T20:26:00.000-07:00

For ten years or so we have been avoiding this winery. Not sure why. Perhaps we didn't like Arciero wine.

It was bought out by Eos Estate Winery years ago, and still we thought Eos was the upper end label, you know, so the wine was all the same. And also the winery is on 46 East which knocks it down a few notches because of the people it markets to. (Longer discussion about that later.)

Turns out the wine tasted pretty good today, and although there was no race car museum as we always thought there was in the front building (Indeed there was three cars there at one time.), we enjoyed a small picnic and a couple glasses of wine after our complementary tastings.

They had paid tastings as well, but judging on our free ones, it didn't seem worth it. Plus it was 100 degrees out and I wanted to go home. So a bottle of their finest Syrah and away we flew.

It is our 25th anniversary today, and I think we both felt like we wanted to do something even though we have oodles of books to read and hate the heat. So Arciero now Eos Estate Winery was a fine mini diversion of yet another winery we wanted to visit.

Join The Classics Book Club

2010-08-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

Now is the time to start a good habit; don't wait for the new year. Read one or the other book per month and join me and others in a discussion that will be held in the comments section of this blog posted towards the end of the month.

Don't forget to get the button on the right sidebar. That's "A Woman Reading" by Monet, 1872.

September

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe

October

Howards End by E. M. Forster

The Europeans by Henry James

November

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

Candide by Voltaire

December

The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons

January

Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

February

Olivier Twist by Charles Dickens

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

March

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan

April

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

May

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

June

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

Middlemarch by George Elliot

July

Vanity Fair by William Makepiece Thackeray

The Painted Veil by W. Somerset Maugham

August

Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope

A Handful of Dust by Evelyn Waugh

odo25000

2010-08-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

Sculpterra

2010-07-30T11:04:00.000-07:00

One of the advantages of living in wine country is enjoying the various wineries at leisure. No need to hop from one to the other down the road getting rather blotto in the process.

We just single out a winery for inspection. Is it inviting? In a friendly and free sort of way? Some wineries, as you may know, charge to taste. This practice made popular by the bigger well-to-do wineries reek of crass commercialism. I refuse to taste at these places unless they have a clause that if you buy something then the tasting is free. I almost always buy at wineries.

One sunny weekend morning we took to the backroads to visit Sculpterra. Mainly because I had seen a fellow local picture's on myspace and thought "How bizarre!" That is usually enough for me.

And indeed How Bizarre!

The gardens are full of very large sculptures of animals.

Since I kind of knew what to expect, we strolled around the gardens before entering the wine tasting bar. I would recommend the opposite course of action.

Also there was bee bushes lining the walkways, and the bees were quite happy doing their bee business. Millions of bees buzzing back and forth, all at knee level. I kept on telling The Mister, "This is bee hell !" He suggested a drink.

Inside there was more sculptures. These were for sale too.

Only $5,400 if I remember correctly.

This was a smaller version of the one outside that I didn't get a picture of, but there is a picture of it in this picture.

All in all, this was a fun winery, if a bit gimmicky. The grounds were limited, yet the wine was tasty and the shop was unusual. I would go back with friends and relatives, maybe enjoy a picnic and a bottle of wine on a cloudy day.

Whooping Cough

2010-07-23T21:55:00.000-07:00

I received my whooping cough vaccine today. I knew pertussis, the technical name for whooping cough, was a problem in this county although there has been scant reporting in the newspaper and news media in general.

It is a highly contagious disease that can be deadly to infants, and I'm just around too many children for it to be okay for me to be a carrier.

That said, I had whooping cough in 2007, but I didn't have a clue. That's the problem. It's a cough. Big deal. So the word must get out, and adults and children must get vaccinated.

My case was in early 2007. I actually thought I was having a reaction to my new car's interior. I coughed without being able to catch my breath. These jags would go on for five minutes. The whooping is your natural response to suck in air to your lungs. And at the end of these coughing jags, I would throw up. Classic whooping cough.

Having a few episodes at home, I knew to pull over if I was driving. Well, seriously you can't drive anyway. Also if the coughing happens in the middle of the night, you feel like you're drowning and you can't get air and there is nothing you can do to help yourself. It is very scary. For adults, pertussis is rarely deadly but the coughing can break your ribs. For children, it's a different story.

Babies can die. Babies do die from this disease.

The vaccine, TDaP, as it is called for adults, covers tetanus, aka locked jaw, diptheria, and pertussis, aka whooping cough. It's available at your public health department.

Like most vaccines, it may produce a reaction. But when I weigh the risks of these reactions with risks of these diseases, I think having the vaccine is worth it.

Mom's Birthday

2010-07-16T18:43:00.000-07:00

Today would have been Mom's 85th birthday!

She always tried so hard to make me look presentable, and I'm not really sure why so many of these old photos are off-centered. Maybe it was difficult to see through the viewfinder.

I think this was taken in front of the Mallard's house. They were very good friends of my parents and once lived next door to us, but they moved after the husband retired. I think.

I was fascinated that they didn't have children. How could you not have kids?

Plus Shirley Mallard had cats. I was fascinated with cats, and I wondered why she put towels on her bed for them to sleep on.

I asked my mother all about these things as we drove to and fro, and she explained that not all people have children but that didn't mean they didn't like children. And that cats were dirty, well, they shed hair and that was a mess.

Mom looks pretty pulled together here in her black suit with 3/4 quarter length sleeves, and would you look at the size of those buttons! Very nice!

Me? Well the socks say it all.

Silas July 2010

2010-07-09T15:14:00.001-07:00

Silas July 2010, originally uploaded by Judy's Notebook.

Happy Birthday Old Man!

2010-07-04T22:32:00.000-07:00

I was up at dawn laying out the presents - one propeller replica that is 7 feet tall, hand blown glass ice cubes, a laminated poster of the Beaufort scale, a fancy stopwatch 60 second sweep analog style, and this hand painted card.

Then I went back to bed. He got up, made coffee, and opened up the card. Shortly thereafter I woke up and he opened up the presents. The propeller he knew about because I wanted to get him one from Restoration Hardware. Pictured here. But ended up with something made of darker wood.

The stopwatch he sort of knew too, but I was like swimming in possibilities and finally told him - well it went down like this.

Me: "Now, what EXACTLY do you want?"
Him: "Not a digital. I want an old-fashioned stopwatch."
Me: "OK but here's the deal. There are these two stemmed, 30 second sweep, 15 min timers aplenty. Does that sound like what you want?"
Him: "Huh?"
Me: "You know, the tick tock goes around in 30 seconds."
Him: "What?"
Me: "You do know what a stopwatch is, right?"
Him: "My coach wore one ... like (the TV show) 60 minutes."
Me: "Oh."
Me: "So you want a 60 second sweep?"
Him: "Ummm."

One week later.
Me: "Dude, you're on your own with the stopwatch."
Him: "Okay."

But of course I kept on looking, and I found something too. Really sweet!

It is connected with Voice Over and that is something I've been wanting to try forever. So I bought the stopwatch and secretly, well not really, have been wanting to keep it for myself. But I didn't.

He's been timing everything too. More on that later.

Time Flies...

2010-07-02T20:53:00.000-07:00

This lovely card was mailed to me from Brisbane, Australia by a blogger named Caroline.

It is my received postcard from The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap hosted by Beth. The theme was "time." Caroline wrote in the message space on this card,

"Time flies when you're having fun."

Ain't that the truth?

Thank you Caroline for the bright and happy card!

View all postcards in this swap over on Flickr.

Bamboo Postcard

2010-06-26T20:03:00.000-07:00

This is my stitched postcard that I made for the Great Stitched Postcard Swap. Why bamboo when the theme was time? I tend to think of time in natural elements. As bubbles or bamboo where a bubble will grow and then burst, where young bamboo is so flexible and older bamboo is thick and rigid.

Serendipitously a few days ago I visited an old house on the road near the river. It was up for rent and even though I'm not looking to move, I wanted to view the place. I wish I took pictures, but for the sake of privacy, I decided against it.

The house was built in the 20s. It had a huge brick fireplace and a closed in porch. There's something very charming about those kind of details.

It sits on a very usable acre with a view in each direction. I noticed that a gate on the east side and inquired about where it went to. The owner of the house said it was not within the property. After doing a walk though of the house, we went back outside and again I was drawn to the gate.

"Look at the bamboo forest. It's amazing!" I said, for on the other side of the gate, bamboo grew to 20 or 30 feet high.

The owner then confessed it was his and that he was a bamboo farmer. He said you can get inside the forest and everything is calm and the rustle of leaves reduces stress.

That sounded so inviting. I had a hellacious kind of day, and it was so busy that I didn't have a chance to mail the bamboo card off to Lex, so I still had it in my car. I told the owner I had something to show him.

And when I was set to leave, I pulled the card out and showed it to him. Well that was a mighty big grin on his face. "You're a bamboo lover too!"

Guess so.

Happy (Summer) Solstice!

2010-06-21T20:47:00.000-07:00

Or winter solstice for those down under

- just think, the days will only get longer for you now,

and for us northern hemis

- the nights.

Also I want to thank everyone who reads this blog.

I am grateful to have you.

That Time of Year

2010-06-19T16:27:00.000-07:00

School's out! I'm free! Remember that feeling? All those wonderful possibilities await you. What should we do first? Go to the pool. Go to the river. Go to the beach.

The last day of school was right up there with Christmas and your very own birthday. Nothing could replace that feeling of freedom, even today. Ah, the tragedy of being an adult. Say it out loud, "An Adult." Sounds like something to be avoided at all costs. Sounds like it costs. too.

As a kid, my summer vacation wasn't always a free for all. For at least part of it, I had to work and go to summer school, which I thought was fun until the reality set in.

But hours and hours of sunlight and good friends in the neighborhood made for many happy memories.

And then there were expeditions. When my family went to the beach, a one-hour drive, you would think we were going for six days, not six hours.

The station wagon would be full with every possible beach accoutrements, plus four kids and an anxious dog.

My father would insist on leaving at 7 a.m. to beat the traffic, so when we got to the beach, we would be the only ones there.

It was like "pick a spot, any spot." We got the whole darn foggy beach to ourselves. And the next five hours, the people would start to pour in. By noon, it was wall-to-wall blankets and umbrellas.

An hour or so after noon, we would pack and leave. It was the best time of the day, and we would be headed out "to beat the traffic."

Well, it didn't matter a whole lot to me. I'd spend the whole time in the ocean getting thrown around in the waves.

A regular fish, my Dad would say.

One time the waves were huge and I had accumulated several thousand grains of sand in my swimsuit, so I dragged myself back to the beach towel.

That night the evening news said the waves were a record size, and many people had to be rescued from the dangerous conditions. Thank goodness I hit the towel when I did, but I learned the power of water at an early age.

I had a near drowning experience when I was around 5 years old.

Mom's friend had a pool, so every once in a while during summer vacation we would get invited to swim for an afternoon. Back in those days little kids who didn't know how to swim wore Styrofoam bubbles on their backs to keep them afloat.

Well, I was sunning myself and got a little hot, so I jumped into the pool forgetting to put on the bubble and sank like a stone.

I still remember looking up at the surface of water. It was so beautiful and so far away. Then I realized how badly I needed air. I pushed off the bottom of the pool with my feet and lunged for the steps.

Boy, when I crawled out of that pool, my heart was racing.

I took swimming lessons at the Y shortly thereafter and graduated by swimming 50 continuous yards.

Not too shabby for a regular fish, my Dad would say.

{story first published in The Tribune on June 19, 2003}
{I think I was seven in the photo. Oak Creek, Cottonwood, Arizona}

odo 23932 (I live two miles down a dirt road, so it's impossible to keep my car clean blues.)

2010-06-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Flag Day!

Wait! That's not a flag. It's ODO being symmetrical. Sort of. Maybe I'll take a picture of the flags.

We're flying the Betsy Ross flag, the one where 13 stars are in a circle like a pie pan, and the Star Spangled Banner flag, the one with 15 stars and 15 stripes that inspired the song. That was his choice. The Betsy Ross flag was mine.

There is just something about a flag whipping in the wind that makes me happy. It makes me daydream of having a flag making shop on Nantucket Island.

Wouldn't that be cool?

Of course I'm a cat person

2010-06-11T17:45:00.001-07:00

DSC_0006, originally uploaded by Kike Sarmiento.

But my word, look at these cuties!

Mom's proud but a tad frazzled. The one in the back is so adorable!

Happy June!

2010-06-01T14:09:00.000-07:00

This is a partial scan of Evening at Itako, 1930 by Kawase Hasui. It is June's picture from my Japanese woodblock calendar.

Many of the 12 paintings on this calendar I recognize from a set of stationary cards I bought as a young adult. Beautiful cards, a few designs for each season, and blank on the inside.

So this slightly crazed thing I have for Japanese art and food is not new.

I also like this month's picture because it is set at night and the kimonos are still drying on sticks. I also like the full moon.

The colors here are not as vibrant as the calendar and you are not seeing the foreground. I love the blues and greens and the trees poking high in the clouds.

It is serene yet fully engaging.

Do you have a favorite style of art or artist that you are drawn to?

Postcard Swap

2010-05-31T16:49:00.000-07:00

I'm feeling kind of crafty and I'm looking for something new to do, so I decided to get involved The Great Big Stitched Postcard Swap.

Check it out! You might like to participate too!

Now that you mention it ...

2010-05-17T16:55:00.000-07:00

I showed these to The Mister and predictably he said, I can't eat that.

I said, sure you can.

No! It's on my list.

You eat lots of stuff "on your list."

But that's really high on my list.

One bite of salmon is not going to kill you. You know, there's a difference between being allergic and just not wanting to eat something.

I don't want to eat it and consider myself allergic. Besides they're ghoulish.

They're what?

Like Hallowe'en.

They're PANDAS!

Survivor Finale Tonight!

2010-05-16T16:15:00.000-07:00

tall stilts

2010-05-15T14:29:00.001-07:00

tall stilts, originally uploaded by ehmeelu.

Holy smokes!

Final days of fall

2010-05-15T10:41:00.001-07:00

Final days of fall, originally uploaded by Judy's Notebook.

Who knew that there would be an actual flickr group for photos pointing

Up A Tree.

We will all have hairs on our stems today.

2010-05-14T22:55:00.000-07:00

The end of a sweaty day - it's muggy here - something we don't experience much on the West Coast. And I sketched a bit in the garden. Trying to find peace. Trying to calm myself.

I seem to be having a hard week. I am not a cheery person today.

Thank goodness, my garden did its thing though all by itself this spring - which I thank to the rains. Here's a pic.

Just for today

Caution: Disturbing Blog

2010-05-13T22:08:00.000-07:00

I had one horrible two days, and if I wrote about it yesterday, I might have been spared the dreaded morning that I had today where my mind was making my body sick. But I couldn't talk about it last night. I just couldn't.

What am I talking about here?

I found out that some nut case has been killing cats near where I work. Cutting their heads off. Slicing their bodies open. In a basement of an old house. And actually they weren't cats, they were kittens.

The house is not inhabited, and the owners don't come by often. Young males in the community know this and hang out around these buildings. These boys found a way into the basement and found the kittens alive one day and came back the next day and found them sliced up.

The boys and their mother told me what they saw because I work nearby and "I'm official" but not a cop. And I would know who to call and do the right thing. In other words, they could be anonymous if I reported it.

And report it I did. I called the owners of the building. I called the police. The owners were grateful I called them, and after the police Dismissed The Whole Thing As Nothing Important, the owners secured the area, as in nailed the boards shut so little boys and psycho cat killers could not enter the basement.

So now it goes on record. If someone is missing their cat or if more dead cats are found, then maybe the police will deem this as Something Important.

Meanwhile, I am mad. Stinking mad. And this morning I wasn't going to go to work. I laid in bed and thought about people who leave their buildings unattended and how these places become flop houses. And then I got mad at the cops because they don't want to upset the owners. I mean they are literally chasing some dude who is breaking into cars (smashing windows to get a purse) down alleys, not realizing that this guy is probably laying low in this old basement. And then I got mad at myself.

For a couple weeks now I've been scared for some reason at work. Not knowing exactly why. Intuition. Creepy creeps. I don't know what to call it. But something was there. I even expressed this to my guy Wednesday morning. I told him I was afraid at work and I didn't know why.

Well now I do.

Silly

2010-05-12T21:46:00.001-07:00

Still Life with Old Fashioned Rose and Scion tC

2010-05-11T23:15:00.000-07:00

Your Life 2.0 Via Your Blog Book

2010-05-10T20:28:00.000-07:00

At first I was cynical about this whole idea of turning your blog into a book. I'm such a snob really, but vanity press for only $14.95. Pbbt. Who cares about your blog that much.

Then I got to thinking...hey this might be a cute way to scrapbook, in a yearbook kind of way. Or what if your relatives would like week-by-week progress and photo of your new baby.

Or maybe you just like books. It's something tangible that you can hold in your hands and page through.

I heard with the invention of Kindle, Nook, and iPad that many people think it's just a matter of time that books will become extinct. So maybe this Blog2Print is a good thing...

I do think it's funny that you can add the comments you get on your blog in your book, as well as delete whatever you want, comments or blog posts.

Your life can be perfect. In print.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken by a camera salesman in a place called Fedco (which was like a precursor to Costco but for federal employees). He was trying to sell my Dad a brand new Polaroid camera.

We were a dubious threesome. Can you tell?

I remember the incident so well. We had come in from the rain, kind of raggedy, and the salesman just sprang it on us. My mom was upset with the way her hair looked. My dad was skeptical with this new technology, and I didn't want my picture taken. (My father is holding me there by my jacket. (btw, I loved that jacket!))

When I look at this photo now, I could kiss that salesman on the lips for capturing us all on film in that weird moment, especially my beautiful mother.

Look Up! It's Another Tree Blog!

2010-05-08T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hello. Another tree. "Look up" when you're 5'2" and you'll likely see a tree.

This is an Almond Tree. The flowers are beautiful in early spring and then the fuzzy nut forms. This fuzzy nut grows all spring and summer and then the fuzzy part drops off and the corky outer part and the nut drops to the ground, or not. The Almond Tree is known for holding on to its nuts.

That said, I live in an area that is known as Almond Country. (Aside: they cut down all the almond orchards to plant wine grapes. Now they sell beautiful cured almond wood for your fireplace, the bastards. And lots of wine. burp!)

Anyways, the actual amonds that we know and eat are inside the corky outer part, and they are usually roasted and salted, the nuts, that is.

I think I could document the stages rather well as this tree sits just outside my window where I work. But I'm sure the internet has done a reasonable job. So "look" it "up."

In review, almonds have cute fuzzy nuts, amonds do not. Why?

Cause you have to shake the ell out of them to get them to the ground. (Ag humor.)

That Giddy Spring Thing

2010-05-07T16:01:00.000-07:00

I had such a case a Spring Fever yesterday that I couldn't stay inside.

I'm suppose to stay inside when at work. That's part of the job requirements. But I just couldn't.

So I pulled a chair outside during the typically quiet morning and read a book. I can read on the job. It's not a requirement though.

After awhile I got too warm and retreated back to the cool indoors.

I'm not sure what brain chemicals are sparking when that giddy Spring thing hits, but everything seems brighter and more interesting.

Take this tree.

This tree is across the street where I park my car. For the last 12 years I have never noticed it to bloom. Sure, it has caught my attention and at one point many years ago, I went out to it when the owner was doing some yard work and asked him what kind of tree it was. He seemed amused. But told me,

"Some people call them Umbrella Trees."

So yesterday when I was leaving work, I said hello to the umbrayella tree and noticed it was covered with

PURPLE FLOWERS.

Look Up!

Happy Seis de Mayo

2010-05-06T10:15:00.000-07:00

Gearing up for some High Voltage happenings today!

Fly Me To The Moon

2010-05-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

The challenge is to LOOK UP this month of May at NaBloPoMo, and I have been interpreting this as "things are looking up" as in "it's not my birthday month anymore." But not today. Because today is ....

Sink-O de Mayo(nnaise). Happy Happy to All !!!

I think it was about 87 degrees when I left work today, so Sun Roof Open.

LOOK UP!

Five things I didn't accomplish on my vacation

2010-05-04T09:15:00.000-07:00

The mess that is my office/craft/sewing room is still a mess.
The books that need to be sorted and separated were not.
I didn't go to the desert. I was all to set to go. I wanted to stay here for a few nights, but a little stripy kitty was not allowed, and I couldn't bear to leave him behind.
I didn't go to Salmon Creek Falls on my birthday as suggested by Mrs. Oz - who won my birthday contest. But it is an adventure for the future.
I didn't really relax. Why are vacations like that? I look forward to them with great anticipation, then in the mist of it all, the countdown to return to work begins.

Five things I've accomplished on my vacation

2010-05-03T11:39:00.000-07:00

I figured out how to transfer my vinyl album music (much of it is classical) to my iPod using my new Crosley turntable. Love their retro stuff.
I received Hammacher Schlemmer sound oasis for my birthday, and it's my new favorite thing. The ocean or the forest, I'm there, baby.
I changed the part in my hair. I've had an always and forever over-my-right-eye side part. Well, just for kicks, I changed it to my widow's peak, which has been white since I was 25 years old. Yep I hid the "gray." Now I'm flaunting it! Sort of. I still have a dot of white in the middle of head that I hide. I've had that from birth. When hairdresser people point it out, I tell them it's where the aliens probed me as a baby. (And I believe it too.)
I tried (and failed miserably) to make a multi-color felt dodecahedron pincushion. I will try again.
Redecorated the bedroom, I did, and it looks very modern harem. I used a Moroccan-like pattern in cool blues and greens, just right for the hot weather ahead. And the bathroom had mini-makeover as well.

A is For Apron

2010-05-02T15:21:00.000-07:00

I bought myself a couple of books from Joggles lately. Most were on sale like this one, A Is For Apron by Nathalie Mornu.

There are 25 projects and six extras. The Lemon Meringue apron is to die for. So cute! And the Josephine is really lovely too. Also there are a few smaller aprons for the little ones.

The book covers the history of the apron and a gallery of vintage, and basic sewing to get you started.

I happened by Joggles to score some felt, but they have tons of craft books. I'll probably review them all this month because they encompass my recent artsy crafty endeavours.

It's funny to think how when I was growing up, the last thing in the world a young woman wanted was to be seen in an apron. We were striking out in the working world in our manly power suits demanding equal pay and no glass ceilings.

And now young women are making piles of money developing a trend to sew and sell aprons and other handmade items. Good for them, I say.

Speaking of making money, well credit really, if you go to Joggles via the button under "Si's Buddies" and purchase something, then I get 25% credit of your total purchase (not sales tax or shipping) that will be applied to next time I need some ribbon or a fabric fix. One time deal for each person.

I've never done this kind of affiliate-type program, so we'll see how it works. Also Joggles is having a 12% off sale on everything until May 15. Enter the code MOM2010 (uppercase, no spaces). Look around. It's a neat store.

Yay! for May

2010-05-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

April is always a tough month for me. My birthday is the last day, so I end up feeling like I'm waiting waiting waiting, then Boom! Birthday is done and gone. Also since I was born on a decade, so decade birthdays are even more anxiety driven.

So May First is the day I get to exhale!

May First feels like the beginning of the year, time to set resolutions, clean the closets, plant a tree.

So when I discovered nablopomo monthly theme for May, I said Yay!

Things are looking up.

Golf: Part One

2010-04-28T22:55:00.000-07:00

I have recently shown an affinity for golfing - online golfing that is. Having never hit a real golf ball except in miniature, I figured I would check out our local area, which sports at least three golf courses.

Here is the swanky one. A club.

I used to hate clubs, having grown up in that kind of elitist community. But now I don't care. Really.

I think do they have good food at the restaurant? Do they have a full bar?

I always order a cheese burger well-done as a marker for a new place. The one here rated a 2 and 1/2 stars out of five. He got the fish tacos and ate the whole plate. Maybe a cheeseburger is not a good marker.

But alas only beer and wine, and fake cocktails. So poo.

There was a lively convo with the owner and other guests on why she can't get a likker lissence. Oh the drama!

With all the golf carts, I figured everyone would need them, but I saw many many people walking with their bags out here on a lovely spring day.

Ahh!

Choo!

doobeedoobeedo

2010-04-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

There is something about having a brand new car that even when it is not brand new anymore - in this case the Cherry Bomb is 3 years old! - it still feels brand new. And with each turn of a thousand miles, I want to take its picture and post it.

Contest Alert! Big Money Could Be Yours!

2010-04-23T21:19:00.000-07:00

I suppose I will run a contest. A true contest in which I will judge the responses and give the winning one (if there is a winning one) a prize.

The prize will be a VISA gift card of a certain amount. If you live in an area that doesn't allow VISA gift cards, then you might not want to participate. I like VISA gift cards and wish they were more acceptable to blog contests, but that's just me, Ms. Consumer.

The details are as follows:

I have a birthday next week, April 30th to be exact, and I would some ideas on how to spend it. Mind you, it is a milestone birthday. A biggie! And I will be celebrating all week in various ways - I took me some vacay!

I need ideas - outside the box ideas - on activities to make this a memorable B-day.

You can enter more than once, but really if there is a golden nugget in your comment full of stones, I will find it, and you will win. So you don't have to separate each idea into a separate comment. I mean how annoying is that? Just write to me. Tell me what you would do, or what you would like to do, or what you think I would like to do in celebration of a birthday, and that will work just fine.

This is not a random winner type contest. I will read and judge. Spelling counts.

(And you don't get extra points for following me and then dropping me when you don't win. That hurts.)

So send me a comment answering the question, "What would you like to do (or what do you think I would like to do) on a major major B-day?"

Thanks!

Mission Irises

2010-04-08T21:33:00.000-07:00

I have propagated these flowers for a few years.

These are San Miguel Mission irises from the 1700s.

Tuft Love

2010-04-03T20:51:00.001-07:00

Tuft Love, originally uploaded by Judy's Notebook.

All That Glitters

2010-03-29T17:25:00.000-07:00

How is it that when you're in Pottery Barn, everything looks so beautiful and trendy, and then when you bring it home, it looks like just another plate?

I don't know what is with me these days. Might be a good dose of spring clean re-do the decor blues.

I look at PB catalog and think - Boy I'd sure like a new desk. All I need to do is get rid of the one I have and some other stuff to. And then the Mister reminds me that PB spends a lot of time and money marketing their vibe, their look, and it comes with a price.

So I put the critical thinking cap on, and notice the catalog page has a view of the ocean blue and white sand, and the glass in the windows is perfectly clear and the breeze is blowing the lovely blue curtains ever so slightly, and the couches are brilliant white, and the throw pillows are all coordinated with lovely beachy motifs, and the sisal rug isn't hiding sand and fleas like it would if this were reality. Because I know. I lived in a beach house where the previous occupants were dog lovers and since they were now gone, the fleas they left behind were a might bit hungry and camped out in my nose at night. Really gross.

And yes I would love all white furniture in my office, but how could I ever give up my cherry wood table (circa 1950s) that I scored at a garage sale for 50 bucks?

I can't.

Maybe just some new curtains in that breezy blue.

Happy Birthday Dear Silas

2010-03-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

I was watching Si dream this morning. His foot would flex, then each finger would curl individually as if he was, well, typing. Since he is always my constant companion, this made me wonder if he was blogging in his dream.

I know when pets dream, humans think oh he's chasing a mouse or running away from a dog or something like that. Si has never chased a mouse though or met a dog. What he knows about mice is we had plenty of them in the old ranch house. I think he was their buddy. And what he knows about dogs is they bark, and that makes Si growl.

Today is his birthday and he is seven years old.

creekside brewery

2010-03-07T11:42:00.000-08:00

Less gloomy day as we made our way to the "big" city. This pub looked shiny and new, so we got a few brews and some sandwiches. The balcony seating offered some lovely creek views too.

ODO 22,222

2010-02-27T11:37:00.000-08:00

The Mermaid Moving Company or Just Iron Stars On My Boobs

2010-02-21T16:56:00.000-08:00

I was looking around at my vast photo collection for a picture of a friend who has just entered the "Facebook World" and I found this little lovely mermaid. Isn't she sweet?

Or maybe she's in agony.

Anyway. I knew that this mermaid picture made it onto a blog o'mine, somewhere. I KNEW it! Turns out that I can forget what I had for dinner last night, but I'm right on about my blog photos. Only it takes me forever to find anything. And...
I always find what I'm not looking for.

Such was the case for the missing iron. I haven't ironed in many moons, my friend. But I'm off on an exciting new adventure that involves sewing, and an iron is imperative.

I looked where I thought the iron should be and found the ironing board. I quickly made cotton candy of the ironing pad. Did you know the ironing pad doesn't wash well? Well, it doesn't. That's okay. I can buy a new one. But where is that darn iron?

I know myself - unfortunately. I know that wherever the iron is, it is in its own box. If I put it in another box, say a box within a box, then it is lost. But I don't usually do this. So I know myself - fortunately.

And I move a lot - across town or new town. Not every year (at least not anymore), but maybe a few times every ten years. Thus I am never organized. eerr-umm. Let me say: I am a Taurus. I like stuff. My stuff means something to me. I take my stuff with me. My stuff was once a car-full, then a small truck-full, then a small U-Haul-full, then a large U-Haul. Now a large (not-so) professional moving company full.

So getting back to the iron. I got my aerobic exercise searching every damn closet in this house - even under the bathroom sink. Finally in the kitchen closet where the light bulbs and vacuum bags are kept, I paused.

Where did I put the iron at the old ranch house? Ding! Above the washer and dryer. Yes!

ps the guy on the phone is calling his wife. "Bring out the El Dorado, honey. With lots of rope!" Seriously. That's what he said.