Just to get Shellie all excited!!!

O. K. Shellie - just think of this amazing event. (The rest of you are allowed to laugh). When my Museum buddy bid me farewell yesterday he said - (are your ready?) and I quote, "Goodbye, sugar." Never, in all my 84 and 1/2 years have I been called "sugar" - and, as you all well know, it does not fit me in any way, shape or form. It must be a deep South expression.

Scarlet fever

Out of the blue, Gavin took on a red rash. Much to everyone's surprize, it was scarlet fever. I am happy to report that he seems to be responding to treatment and is back to being a cheerful and very busy two year old.
However, it did remind me of the good old days when scarlet fever attacked the Little family in Des Moines, Iowa. First was my oldest brother - thirteen years of age. My Dad and my oldest sister were allowed to escape to stay with friends for four weeks. Jeanne was approaching fifteen. My Mother, brothers Ralph(12) and Don (8) and I(10) were housebound for three weeks. Howard was really quite sick and among problems, he took up sleep walking. The results were that Mother had to wipe down every doorhandle with Lysol every morning. That is truly the extent of my memories of that time. Howard, by the way, was housebound for four weeks.
Then, two or three weeks late, sister Jeanne was diagnosed with scarlet fever and while the Doctor was at the house, he decided that I, also, had joined the ranks because I had a slightly sore throat. Back to isolation from the world. Once again, Dad moved out of the house. And there was Mother, once again house bound with all five of her kids - and even worse (for me) Jeanne and I had to stay in bed for three of the four weeks. Jeanne was sicker than I - actually, I never ran a fever or felt sick but I was diagnosed and that was all there was too it. I had to spend the same three weeks in bed and another week getting my strength back.
Both times there was a large yellow sign on our front door warning the world that it was dangerous to enter our abode.
I have often wondered how Mother survived the spring of 1936.

I love Barry - but

I totally dislike Microsoft 7 at this point in my life - and I do mean, totally! My new computer is decidedly faster, but like my old one, it continues to look me in the eye in a very wicked manner. Howevery, I did manage to get on my blog so maybe I will find my way through this new maze. And I am on the verge of changing to Comcast for my internet activities - supposedly, it will be faster and for one year, it will be cheaper. Life is ever so exciting!

Barry

There are no words etc. Barry came over to see what he could do to pep up my computer and walked in with a new computer. It is not all hooked up yet so this is on my snail computer - but my life should be simplified ere long. My morning battles with my computer have been rather frustrating - the waiting, waiting, waiting for it to decide to respond - nightmarish!

Great week!

This has been an amazing week. I have been reading lots on the gold mines in this area - Karen suggested that I explore Russ's "Gold Flat Chronicles" - and I certainly found a gold mine of information. I had not realized that there had been hydraulic mining in Dutch Flat - and the Green Valley - and Alta, and Gold Run - and you name it.
Anyhow, I also learned alot about the law suits that stopped hydraulic mining - really interesting. I have pursued that subject on the internet also - and really am enjoying that subject.
ALso of great interest was all he wrote about the problems with the Chinese - certainly brings to mind the problems with illegal immigrants today. The Chinese were legal but caused major fears all over northern California. San Francisco even many a rule prohibiting Chinese in the city - the federal government over ruled them.
Then I went to a Historical Society meeting and heard a talk about Lyman Gilmore and the never ending question - did he or didn't he actually be the first to fly a motorized craft? The speaker thought not. I came home and did some internet reading re Gilmore and found that he did alot of experiments along the North Fork Canyon - even had witnesses from Colfax on at least one occasion.
Obviously, I could (or may have already) bore you to death. So, with a what's next story I will adjourn. I head for the Museum later this morning and will have the pleasure of taking Terry on a tour - that should be fun. He is really excited.

Much Ado About Absolutely Nothing

O.K. here we go -

Karen - Where are you?
Jennifer-e - Where are you?
Brian - Where are you?

It is great to have nice blogs from Janet and Greg - and the pictures that Shell posted etc. are wonderful. I am so jealous of Janet and her travel plans - my idea of perfection - driving anywhere in the good old USA.

Karen and Barry had a wonderful two weeks exploring Colorado. It was fun hearing about their adventures and what could easily have been misadventures.

Summer has arrived - and I am still waiting for spring. My arm continues to keep reminding me that it is there - a total nuisance! My, how exciting my life is!

Among the missing?

Where are you Janet?

Where are you Greg?

Where are you Jen?

Where are you Brian?

Where are you Karen?

Where are you Shellie?

The 4th of July

To celebrate I got up early to watch the men's tennis finals plus some other tennis stuff. Stumbled on a program re early alzheirmers - quite interesting - and I have a new motto - "Be kind to yourself." While I do not have alzheimers I do find words excape me more often - they sort of float around my head and I am quite aware that they are there - just playing hide and go seek. No big deal unless I allow it to be a big deal.
Anyhow, I decided to not join the parade today - or even go watch it. My "celebration" happened Friday when Gay stopped by for a nice long chat in the afternoon - it was so nice. And then Jen and the boys came for dinner and fun and games - such as "chase me" out in the cul de sac - which consisted of Gavin and me trying to catch Terry. I finally got worn out and brilliant at the same time, and dragged out Gavin's "car" and a scooter I had been given to give to Terry.
Then, of course, there was my day at my museum - a very successful day. We had quite alot of visitors and they were all in a generous mood. We took in over one hundred dollars in contributions and sold over one hundred dollars of merchandise. Both Bedford and I were very pleased with how the day went.
I am hoping to find a good movie on TCM to watch this P.M. And I do hope that all my family are having a wonderful 4th of July.

Home away from home

It continues to be exciting to me to spend Saturdays at my museum. Yesterday was extra special. "Why?" you are all asking and I can only say it was a combination of many things.
Perhaps the best is that I am researching the building itself. We have all sorts of nicely presented information booklets about everything but nothing about the building and its history. So far, I am finding the story fascinating and am hoping to put it all together in an unknown form.
Also, yesterday at least three men came in at different times that remembered using the 30ft. Pelton Wheel like a ferris wheel. Each one was so excited to share his rememberances.
At long last I have truly earned Bedford's approval. Now that I lead tours it does make things easier for him. I really enjoy the down times when we can sit and chat about this and that. By the way, I really have fun leading tours - hoping that my happiness will maybe cover my lack of depth of knowledge.

Don't do as I did!

While sort of rushing around this morning getting ready to head for "The Musuem" I was happily fixing a healthy lunch since I have been on a healthy lunch jag this week.So I ground up carrots and celery in my blender - added some juice and water and thoroughly blended that (hoping to avoid chunks of carrots) and then tossed in a nice serving of frozen blueberries for the finishing touch. That finishing touch nearly finished me - I turned on the blender and immediately discovered that I had neglected to put the cover on it - the most essential step in blending! I cannot do justice to the mess I had to tackle - the walls, the floors, the coffee maker and me were quite well decorated. My desire was to sit in the middle of the floor (out of the mess) and cry - I mean bellow! Anyhow, I didn't yield to my frustration other than to keep muttering "How could I be so stupid?" All is cleaned up - my lunch is ready to go and I am not but there is sufficient time to get ready. Thus my advice for the day - always put the top on your blender before you turn it on!

Ha!

A special message for Shellie, Janet and Greg. A few weeks back Shellie set up my hearts game so that I could be mentally destroyed by herself, Janet and Greg. Well, I just wanted to let you know that I just "took them all" four times in a row! Me - Zero. Shellie - 104! Janet - 104! Greg - 104! Are you not immensely proud of me?

Tis off to bed time for me - ah, what sweet dreams lie ahead.

Yet another lovely surprize

Late yesterday PM I received a call from Shellie. She was, at long last, departing her Beatty sojourn (with sadness)and heading for Williams, Ca. where they were starting another job. She said she wanted to stop by for five minutes - I begged for ten! Since I was in Rocklin when she called I decided that I was not too tired to drive home and headed up the hill. When I arrived at my abode I found Shellie having a brief nap on my couch. Her plan had changed - we would go out for a salad and then she would head West. Well, the salad was good and the chatting time was super. Best of all, she decided to spend the night. It was after one this afternoon before she did leave - how wonderful to have five minutes extend to seventeen hours. I am what is known as a very happy Mommy! Many thanks, Shellie.

Silly me!

My goodness, it does not take much to make me happily looking forward. Tomorrow I return to the Mining Museum and I find I can hardly wait. When you think about it, the six plus hours (we always have last minute tours, it seems) sometimes drag - but that does not matter. Obviously, I am at home amidst rusty mining stuff - and there is alot of rusty mining stuff there. The first time I saw Grass Valley (the summer of 1971) I said to myself "I have to live here!" - I still feel that way about it and that makes being at the Mining Museum sort of like a special dessert or something. If that makes sense to anyone - congrats! It is so wonderful, after thirty-nine years to feel the same way whenever I have been gone - as I approach Grass Valley and very often say out loud - "I am so glad that I live here!"

The call of the bridge table

Later today I am off for Sacramento to seek fame and fortune (Ha!) at the bridge table - just playing one day so I am limiting my chances. In years gone by I played six days of bridge at the Sac Regional Bridge Tournament and did likewise at many other bridge tournaments hither and yon. Russ fussed at me once about the money I was wasting. A few years later he informed me that he realized that "bridge is almost as complex as chess" - we followed that statement with a discussion of the differences, such as bridge requires awareness of what three others are doing which is frequently a great mystery. Anyhow, tomorrow I will play with Pete - a good partner from several years ago. He and his wife stayed with me during our little tournament several times and Pete, Chris(wife) and another couple and I went off to tournaments in Oregon etc. Always fun. Incidently, there is no fortune at bridge tournaments - just "master points" which are basically worthless. So you pay to play - plus meals, plus motel rooms and transportation - and, by the way, it was a great excuse to get up and go.

Thoughts while thinking - or something?

Although I really enjoyed my six hour plus stint at the museum yesterday, I found myself wishing I had sufficient fortitude to go over to the luncheon honoring Julie. I am quite proud of what Julie had accomplished and certainly should have been there - unfortunately, my courage is far too wounded. Enuf said!

Now it is share time! I am quite excited about getting back into the two books I have that Norman Cousins wrote regarding sickness and attitude(and much more). Both of these books had a major impact on me many years ago - starting around 1975. Anyhow, in rereading them I have realized that these books had really played a major role in my year of cancer treatment, my continuing treatment regarding my heart, and even when I had to deal with my broken ankle. My "yet another adventure" philosophy came directly from his writings. I highly recommend "Anatomy of an Illness" and/or "The Healing Heart" as a means to consider what you can do should a major illness come your way.

I have also been reading alot of books re mining for gold in this area - and continue to understand better the stuff we have at the museum. My buddy, Bedford, is happy now that I can lead tours. Me too!

Alot of nothing about nothing

I am totally lost when it comes to "Lost" but have enjoyed the frustrations that both Janet and Greg have endured over the many "Lost" years. Hopefully there will be a special program for them next year - perhaps entitled "Found" or some such. Me, I have followed "All My Children" since the summer of 1972 - I still find it ridiculous and a waste of time - but there is such a thing as loyalty.
Jennifer came to my museum Saturday - a lovely surprize. Saturday was my giant step for mankind day as I started leading tours. Jen, of course, had wanted to meet the man with the royal sounding name - but he wasn't there. Oh, yes - there is a new addition to the incredible collection at the museum. They now have a giant bellows -and I do mean giant. It is 10-12 feet long and 5-6 feet wide - and absolutely beautiful.
Barry and Karen took me out for Chinese food Friday evening and then back here and we chatted and laughed etc. until eleven - great fun! On Sunday Barry returned - he replaced the filter in my furnace - the old ones had not been disturbed for several years. Of course, unlike most furnaces mine is not easily accessible - so out came the step ladder and up he went - a most awkward project. How fortunate I am to have Barry near at hand.
Seeing as how my abode's interior needs some TLC (so does the yard) I think I will hop to and accomplish some good things.

Total Frustration! and I do mean TOTAL!

Hidden in my cell phone is a picture of my brand new great grand daughter - and I can't find it. This I know - she is three weeks early - she weighs almost six pounds - she had dark hair - and she is absolutely the most adorable baby ever created.
I suspect that Brian is floating on clouds that don't exist - that Sarah is incredibly happy and somewhat weary - and that both are just plain estactic as they gaze upon their little marvel. Now the question is, which of the two names they were considering will be the one - or will they name her after me, as I suggested.
Me, I am ready to break open my cell phone and find that picture! ( I am also quite happy for Brian and Sarah and their wee little daughter.)

Shellie continues to boss me around!

I just had a nice chat with "that girl" known as Shellie - she wants me to write a blog today re how things went yesterday docenting. Well, it went very well, indeed! My partner - Bedford Lampkin, by name - is such an incredible tour guide - this leads to incredible donations to the cause. Anyhow, so far, I insist that he lead the tours while I do the nitty gritty. Shellie agreedv that he does need a nickname - somehow it seems like a totally English name (he is from Alabama) and we decided that "lord" would be appropriate.
Ah, yes - Mother's Day - I have a sweet potato something in the oven which I will take down to Rockland later this morning to go with whatever Karen, Barry and Jennifer throw on the table down there. I am staying overnight as I am needed to babysit at some point tomorrow. I do hope it is short term, as long term with one or both boys would wipe me out - and possibly them, also! (Like telling them it is bedtime at 4:30 P. M.)
Thus all the excitement in my life continues.

Following Orders (from Shellie)

I take computer in hand in a very fearful manner - will my blog reach Shellie's high expectations?
Before my debut as a docent - eons ago, in fact - I went to the PDQ Bach event and was sort of disappointed. I did laugh alot but it was not a concert with an orchestra. One piano, two singers and the "Professor" who did alot of talking. He has aged - walks with a cane - and remains quite funny. As I said, it was sort of disappointing.
Last Saturday was my first day as a real, genuine docent at the mining museum. Today is my second day etc. I was the official greeter and good-byer. My partner led the tours - he is so well informed about all the goings on that I feel quite inadequate. He was not involved in mining but has been involved in the Historical Society and a docent at the Empire Mine since moving here. We were not overwhelmed with visitors so it was a leisurely day and did collect what he considered an amazing amount in donations. I did a fairly good job of cleaning the bathrooms before we left - I rather think I left them cleaner than they have been in quite a long time. Hoorah for me - I do have a talent!

Following Orders (from Shellie)