life without clots

Friend Elaina Embarks...

2011-08-31T21:41:00.000-07:00

Friend Elaina (who just happens to be the minister who married Katie and I in 2007) is embarking on a first: Bicycling down the Oregon Coast. Follow her soul on her blog, Soul Path Alignment.

3 Word Wednesday for 6/15

2011-06-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

I prefer to use a firm grip when I thread the thread through the eye of the needle.

Grip; verb: take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly; maintain a firm contact, especially by friction; noun: A firm hold; a tight grasp or clasp; a manner of grasping or holding something.

Prefer; verb: like (one thing or person) better than another or others; tend to choose.

Thread; noun: A long, thin strand of cotton, nylon, or other fibers used in sewing or weaving; a thing resembling a thread in length or thinness, in particular; something abstract or intangible, regarded as weak or fragile; verb: Pass (a long, thin object or piece of material) through something and into the required position for use.

3WW for April 20

2011-04-21T10:27:00.000-07:00

I felt so dirty. I needed to cleanse myself of the guilt of eating all that bread. Oh, the carbs. And the fats! The butter would quickly melt on the hot rolls fresh from the oven. Such heaven. It was worth it; made me forget about the need to knead to break the dough down.

the three words were:
Cleanse; verb: Make something thoroughly clean; rid (a person, place or thing) of something seen as unpleasant, unwanted or defiling; free (someone) from sin or guilt.
Knead; verb: Work into dough or paste with the hands; make (bread or pottery) by such a process; massage or squeeze with the hands.
Melt; verb: Become liquefied by heat; become more tender or loving; noun: An act of melting.

3 Word Wednesday for 3/23

2011-03-23T16:09:00.000-07:00

I am going to try to commit to this (AGAIN)...
The 3 words are:
Dual; adjective: Composed of two usually like or complementary parts; double.
Identical: adjective: Being the same, exactly equal and alike.
Volley; noun: A bursting forth of many things together; verb: To be discharged in or as if in a volley.
And, like before when I started, I will try a single sentence.

"As the identical ships came about, the Admiral was impressed by the dual volleys.

Outdoor Public Forum Policy

2010-12-13T14:35:00.000-08:00

Posted on my FaceBook page Dec. 3
Shasta Public Libraries Outdoor Public Forum Policy -

Purpose The purpose of the Shasta Public Libraries (Library) Outdoor Public Forum Area Policy is to recognize limited free speech activity and exercise the required control and supervision on the Redding Library campus.

Rules for Use of Limited Public Forum Area I. Distribution of non-commercial written material such as pamphlets, handbills, circulars,newspapers, magazines and other materials which are protected by the First Amendment may only be distributed from behind a maximum of six chairs and thirty (30) square feet of table top within the area described in the attached diagram. Chairs and tables must be provided by the requesting party. “Drop (bulk) delivery” or unattended distribution is not permitted. Distribution shall be made from the designated location and persons are not allowed to walk around campus distributing written material.II. Distribution of materials shall occur during the regular operating hours of the Library.III. No materials may be left on the windshields of automobiles parked on Library grounds.IV. There shall be no advertisement or other public statement in which the Shasta Public Libraries’ or Redding Library’s name is used in connection with any non-library organization, business, or person in any manner or medium that implies that the Library supports, approves, or endorses any product, service, interest, position, or ideology of that organization, business, or person.V. The exercise of free speech and assembly rights must comply with all applicable federal,state, and local laws. In addition, such activities may not:1) Interfere with any scheduled programs or with use of the Library.2) Obstruct the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.3) Interfere with or disrupt the conduct of Library business.4) Employ unauthorized amplification or create unreasonable noise disruptive of normal Library operations.5) Harass or intimidate persons in the immediate area of activity.6) Violate any federal, state, or local safety codes, such as regulations set by the City Fire Marshal.VI. Pursuant to Redding Municipal Code Section 2.42.120 A.5 and 2.42.120B, any person in violation of these rules shall be in violation of the Redding Municipal Code.Outdoor Public Forum Policy

Procedure Reservations for requested outside exhibit space are made through the on-line room reservation system at Reserve A Room at www.shastalibraries.org . Online reservations will be taken up to six months in advance and need to be made at least 72 hoursin advance. Reservations will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are limited to five days per month in order to provide availability to others. After the request is made, library staff will confirm availability and follow-up as necessary. A confirmation is e-mailed to the requesting party.

Rocky and the Mysterious Boxes at the Pond

2010-12-11T13:56:00.000-08:00

Rocky waddled up to the pond, listening to the soft splashing of the twin waterfalls. There were no more of the big fish; in the past, they had been so plentiful all could not fit under the ledges. This stop also had a food box occasionally, but no more. The boxes were far different than the food bowls that his clan used many moons ago.
Rocky remembered when more than twenty of his clan would gather on a deck by the river, feasting on dry crunchy protein-laced kibbles. Occasionally there would be piles of softer food, but the older, more senior, clan members would claim first dibs. Moon in, moon out, the deck was a steady, reliable source of food, no matter what the season. His elders told tales of earlier famines during those periods when the big orange orb that was overhead during their sleep would begin rising later and be lower in the blue, just before the leaves would start drying and falling to the ground. But this horn of plenty seemed to always be there.
Then one dark it wasn’t. The clan was not concerned. There had been other times that it would not be there for a couple of darks, forcing them into small groups to seek food elsewhere. Each dark it was their wont to forage, eat, and when sated, return to their sleep-trees.
But this time it never returned. Roaming and foraging in small groups of three to five, the clan survived. One group told of a magic pond that had fat, colorful, and lazy fish. And for those that didn’t want fish that dark, the ground nearby held fat grubs that could be had with very little digging. They told of how a single fish could feed them. There were also floating toys that they could play with, even out of the water, as long as you returned them. Only once had they not returned one. The group told others that they could not come, keeping its location a secret. But then Uncle Frank didn’t return one dark.
A mysterious food box had showed up. With an enticing aroma that reminded him of the food on the deck of the past, Frank had squeezed into one of the oddly configured boxes; only one opening with a lid. The lid had dropped with a loud clunk, trapping Frank. The others had waited for him to come out, but they tired of waiting, so they left.
The next night two boxes were there, but Frank was not. But the food smelled just as good as it had the dark before. So his other uncle, Sid, had gone in. Again there was a loud clunk and Sid was trapped. An older cousin thought it couldn’t happen twice, declaring it was safe for him, and went into the other. CLUNK! The group decided it was time to give up that food source, sending only an occasional scout.
Cousin Scout, for that was his name, came back one rising with the news that the boxes were not there anymore, and the big fish still were, having gorged himself on one of them. So another small group with a new member set out the next dark. But the boxes had returned. Ignoring the warnings from the others, and thinking he was smarter than any old box, cousin Dilbert succumbed to the temptation. CLUNK! Scattering, the group left the pond once again. Scout volunteered to check it out every few darks.
After many darks, Scout reported that the boxes were gone; again. Only one big fish remained after Scout had fed, but smaller ones were as plentiful as they had been. Returning the next dark to feed, the newly reformed group, that included Rocky this time, was surprised once more to find that a single box had returned. Thinking that Scout had tricked them (after all, there was a power struggle for clan leader), they forced him into the sole box. CLUNK! The group decided that Scout had got his just desserts for tricking them, and vowed to never again visit the pond.
But one dark, Rocky decided to return, curious more than anything. Seeing no boxes, he edged up to the pond, slipped quietly into it, and caught the sole remaining big fish. Returning to the clan, he made no mention of it, keeping it to himself, superstitiously thinking that if he told the clan, the mysterious boxes would return.
The next dark, he returned, and the boxes were not back; nor the next night, nor the next. Rocky was happy to have the smaller fish and the grubs all to himself.

If Your Dog Ate It...

2010-03-27T08:24:00.000-07:00

If your dog ate your 2010 Census Questionnaire and you are wondering how to file it so the door-to-door enumerators won't stop by later, your answer lies in the Questionnaire Assistance Centers or Be Counted Sites.
These sites in your local community are gearing up for those that don't have a form to mail. No matter if the dog ate it (#1 "reason") or if you admit you thought it was junk mail,these sites are here to help.
By going to the map and plugging in your ZIP, you have a choice of which sites. There are only certain days and hours that a Census Rep will be there (look under the "Live Assistance" tab).
Or you can call your local Census office or call 1.866.861.2010 and key in your ZIP to be forwarded to your local.
Hey, and be sure to visit the main Census site to track how the 2010 Census is doing. Interactive, it includes an updated participation rate. I am proud to announce that my local community is ahead of the National average.

winner is...

2010-03-13T15:22:00.000-08:00

Liam Twight of Pacheco for the second year in a row!

7 down in 1st round

2010-03-13T14:13:00.000-08:00

I am at the 2010 regional spelling bee watching and hearing NorCal's best spellers...1st round dropped 7.

Wedding Dance...Finally...

2010-02-22T09:33:00.000-08:00

It's coming up on three years since Katie and I vowed, "I'll dance with you anywhere." I posted this compilation of stills with the mix as played for our First Dance on YouTube last year.
Enjoy...

Pics set to our First Dance mix; still brings deep joy to my heart.
We were married at what now is Center for Spiritual Living. We were their first after they decided to open the venue for weddings.

3 Word Wednesday for 0210

2010-02-10T11:51:00.000-08:00

Today's words...

Lucid
Righteous
Salvage

I was fairly lucid after the tumble down the hillside. Yet my thinking was still screwed up if I continued to entertain the idea of trying to salvage what little remained of my pack after it continued down and then over the cliff. It was righteous of me to want to fulfill my commitment of carrying the diamonds to the trader that I was to meet the next day, but it was far too dangerous to scale down; better to high-tail it back to the fields and lose myself among the other down-and-out diggers.

Curious? See http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/

Food for Thought...

2010-02-07T06:03:00.000-08:00

I finally saw Food, Inc., but not in the usual way at home, or in a theater. Nope! I saw it as part of a local panel discussion hosted by the Shasta Cascade Farm and Food Coalition following the guidance of Active Voice and Ingredients for Change Campaign.
The first of three “Making the Connections” Green Film Series, the discussion panel was moderated by Doug Bennett and was comprised of local and north state food experts:
Gail Feenstra, PhD – UC Davis Food Systems Analyst, SAREP
Glenn Hawes, B.S. – Shasta County Supervisor and Farmer
Gerry Long, B.A., M.S. – Shasta County Organic Farmer and CCOF Inspector
Dan Marcum, PhD – Farm Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension
Dr. Ronald Reece – Medical Doctor and Land Use Advocate
Henry Giacomini, B.S. – Rancher based in Hat Creek
The Shasta-Cascade Farm and Food Coalition is a grassroots movement, uniting diverse people from agriculture, health, government, education, nonprofits, community organizations, and interested local citizens. With an intense focus on the local food systems in the Shasta-Cascade region of Northern California, SCFFC strives to provide healthy, fresh, safe food to everyone in our local communities by promoting local food production from home grown to family farm; promoting agricultural land preservation and environmental conservation; increasing production of, access to, and consumption of healthy local food; advancing social and economic justice for consumers and small family farm enterprises.
Active Voice, a non-profit media strategist and national organizer the Ingredients for Change Campaign, uses film, television and multimedia to put a human face on pivotal social justice issues and spark social change.
This event used the facilities of the Methodist Church here in Redding, filling the sanctuary with close to 400 people. The lobby had tables with brochures about organic foods, healthy options and ways to get support.
I know that I will be attending future events. One will be at the Cascade Theatre with KIXE participation.
I know I will be attending future events.

Or another take...

2010-02-04T05:48:00.000-08:00

Hey! This is another take on the 3 words from yesterday.

Frantic
Lurch
Odor

"Lurch!" yelled the frantic Gomez Addams, "Find out what the odor is coming from Cousin Itt's room."

Three Word Wednesday...Back in the game

2010-02-03T05:52:00.000-08:00

The words for today are:
Frantic
Lurch
Odor

Lurching from room to room, I did a frantic search for the source of the odor before it overwhelmed me. Yep, the dog had left another surprise during the middle of the night.

Curious? See Three Word Wednesday.

Noon spkr at hospital---local filled

2010-01-30T14:52:00.001-08:00

Noon spkr at hospital---local filled in---then 911 call---life still goes on

Seen at intersection...3 men w/signs-$20

2010-01-27T16:38:00.001-08:00

Seen at intersection...3 men w/signs-$20 & we'll leave town...4th sez Or do you want to be mugged?

U-Prep Dorito Video...

2010-01-25T18:08:00.000-08:00

Local U-Prep has a kick-ass video.

For story, see A News Cafe Dot Com

Danged if I do...

2010-01-24T15:59:00.000-08:00

I have been so busy lately. Writing and Blogging is far and away the farthest thing from my mind. Didn't use to be like that. There was a time when I would at least weekly; sometimes multiple times a day. Shucks, my blogs are the basis of my in-work book; sort of a compilation of blogs.
Not that my life is not interesting. On the contrary, it is a very full life. But I have settled in, and really enjoy lazing about during my free time. I guess that is the crux of it; dedicate some time for writing. Get back into doing Three Word Wednesday.
And there is more that I need to dedicate time to; like visiting the Y. I put the membership on hold for a few months since I wasn't using it while I decided if the money was well spent. Now that I rolled it over into a Senior membership, and it fits the budget, I am still not using it.
So, follow me so I won't come up with lame reasons of "Why" that make no sense.

It pays to count...

2010-01-15T07:20:00.000-08:00

Ever wonder how, and where, Federal funds are divvied up? Or just how those House of Representatives seats are assigned or state congressional district boundaries are drawn? Or maybe you want a temporary job to help pay for those holiday bills?
An answer to all is the 2010 Census. Occurring every ten years, this year marks the 23rd census in American history, and it is the law that everyone be counted. The Census Act of March 1790 specified that all residents be counted whether they are citizens or not.
More than $400 billion in federal funds are distributed every year based in part on the census population. That amounts to $1300 per person in allocated money. State and local governments plan their growth of new roads and schools according to census data, which includes socioeconomic and demographic information. However, be assured that your identity is protected. By law, the Census Bureau cannot share individual’s identifiable answers with anyone. All Census Bureau employees take an oath to protect the confidentiality of the data.
Nationwide, the census is the largest domestic mobilization, hiring a temporary workforce of over a million people. Redding is the Local Census Office for nine Northern California counties; Shasta, Siskiyou, Tehama, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Glenn, Butte and Sierra. This area includes many Native American tribal lands and group quarters of care facilities and prisons.
In March, millions of forms will be delivered to every household, every address. Ten easy questions will ask for information, such as:
• Name
• Sex
• Age
• Date of birth
• Hispanic origin
• Race
• Household relationship
• If you own or rent
All answers should be referenced to April 1, National Census Day. If a person doesn’t return their census form, a census enumerator will visit them.
To accomplish this, each local census office will be hiring. According to Lloyd Stout, Local Census Officer Manager in Redding, the office started staffing about two months ago with just a few employees and without telephones or computers. Now they have a staff of 55 with an additional twenty in the field recruiting new applicants. Expecting to hire 1200-to-1500 workers between February and September, the staff will have their work to do. With more than twenty office computers in the office networked across the nation on multiple servers, and close to fifty phones relying on the internet, the office is a technical wonder. They have been conducting load-tests nationwide to try to break the system in order to find and fix application glitches. After all, the last census was in 2000, and technology has grown leaps and bounds, making all of what worked back then obsolete. Every ten years they have to start from scratch.
One of the last offices to open, Stout is proud of how far his staff has come during the last months. To celebrate, they had an open house for community leaders on Tuesday, January 12. Well attended, given the weather conditions, the speakers included Redding Mayor Patrick Jones and Ken White of the Good News Rescue Mission in Redding, Elaine Lia Bolden of the U.S. Census Bureau, and Ida Riggins of the Pit River Tribe.
For more general information, videos and blogs on the 2010 Census visit their new Website at http://2010.census.gov/2010census/ . For job information, either call 1-866-861-2010 or visit http://www.census.gov/hrd/www/index.html .

Jack Potter, Jr., a Tribal Chairman from Redding Rancheria, performs a Native American Blessing, but without the burning sage since it was indoors and in a U.S. Government building.

Redding Mayor Rick Jones claps in recognition of the hard work that the Local Census Office in Redding will be doing.

Lloyd Stout, Local Census Office Manager (LCOM) of Redding

May peace prevail on earth...

2009-09-21T21:01:00.001-07:00

May peace prevail on earth...

2009-09-04T17:34:00.001-07:00

Not a rista

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To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

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2009-09-04T11:10:00.001-07:00

here

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To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

waiting for not sure what---maybe

2009-09-04T11:07:00.001-07:00

waiting for not sure what---maybe i will find out.

3WW for June 24...

2009-06-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

3ww4-06242009 Fickle Sparkle Wrinkle
Wrinkle Shrinkle is a skincare product by a company named Badger. She has gone full bore in her quest to spread it around, not being fickle in ordering tins for those she favors. It puts such a sparkle in her eye to pass this find along.

Curious? Go to http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/

Live your words.

Fundraiser at Lake Redding Park...

2009-06-06T19:16:00.000-07:00

Great time at Lake Redding Park today. Friends Phil R and Dave Z of Retrofit were part of an all day fundraiser held by Shasta Blues Society.

Clip of the end of "Walking the Dog"

3WW for June 3...

2009-06-03T07:58:00.000-07:00

3ww4-06032009 Folly Hostile Ordinary
It started out as an ordinary day. After all, the birds chirped, the sun rose, everything was as it was supposed to be. It was pure folly to think it would be anything else. Until the hostile T-Rex named Sue showed up. New to the neighborhood from the other side of the lake, he was usually hungry, but always in a bad mood. After all, he was named Sue.

Curious? Go to http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/

Live your words.

3WW for May 27

2009-05-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

3ww4-05272009 Dreary Embrace Timid
Paula could not fully embrace Paul’s dreary idea of watching TV sports non-stop over the weekend, but was too timid to say so, fearful of his selfish reaction.

Curious? Go to http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/

Live your words.

3WW for May 20...

2009-05-20T08:53:00.000-07:00

3ww4-05202009 Efficient Optimize Treacherous
Thom G. "double-dog" dared me to do a Fiction in 58 this week.

The steps were treacherous leading to the yurt. Batukhan was tired from unloading it. It was not very efficient of him to be doing it alone. After all, he was, as his name alluded, the leader of his family. But he was trying to optimize his chances of being picked to represent all of the tribe next month.

Curious? Go to http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/

Live your words.

3WW for May 13...

2009-05-13T07:24:00.000-07:00

3ww4-05132009 Bicker Nervous Trajectory

“Billie Jean was nervous with the trajectory that the flying ashtray took at the height of bickering with Billy Bob.”

Curious? Go to http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/
Live your words.

3WW for May 6...

2009-05-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

The Words Cryptic Flash Malign
“The flash-urgency cryptic message was intended to rally the troops whose reputation as a battle-ready unit had been much maligned the last three wars.”
Curious? Go to http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/
Live your words.

Three Word Wednesday for April 29...

2009-04-29T09:08:00.000-07:00

3ww4-04292009 opportunity quarrel service
“My service group says I quarrel at every opportunity — not true, I just express myself differently (but I am working on it).”
Curious? Go to threewordwednesday.wordpress.com
Live your words.

Had yet to meet him...

2009-04-28T22:26:00.000-07:00

Tragedy struck my new family Tuesday when a nephew I had yet to meet died in a plane crash. I had hoped to visit Buffalo after getting married two years ago, but not this way.

Three Word Wednesday for April 22....

2009-04-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

3ww4-04222009 Deceit Indulge Oath

“It was deceitful of me to take an oath to never over-indulge again while I was eating the first of three gooey pastries this morning.”

Spawned this morn after staring at the fresh strawberries I got last night, yet wondering why I continually find myself at bakeries.

Curious? Go to http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/

Live your words.

A big day yesterday...

2009-04-20T08:39:00.000-07:00

Upon returning from the Woodland area (via a slight run down to Davis) I was glad to see my expected package of the early incomplete version of my book had arrived. YIPPEE!
Done in haste, it naturally has some mistakes. The embedded PDF creator in InDesign dropped all character generation for fl, leaving a space. Words like flex, flat, shuffle are now ex, at, shuf e. Drat.
Also, in the Front Pages that has the copyright, I typed it as Life Withour Clots. Ha, ha.
But the cover is bitchin'.

Happy? Me? You betcha.

Now to fill the remaining chapters and fix those glitches. And make it thick enough to have text on the spine. But not thick by enlarging the text. I may drop the existing by a point or two; just looks too big---or maybe it is the spacing.
Regardless, it feels good to have a book. Looking forward to any reviews/comments/etc that I can add to the final version.

three word wednesday...

2009-04-15T08:27:00.000-07:00

3WW4-04152009 Allure Perch Vivid

"The early morning allure of fried perch was a vivid memory of my Wisconsin camping trip."

Ok, hokey, but it is my first submission to Three Word Wednesday. After I get used to kicking my brain in earlier, I won’t be so dead.

Curious? Go to http://threewordwednesday.wordpress.com/

Live your words.

Peace, Life & Love,

Larry Watters, Stroke Survivor, March 2002

www.lifewithoutclots.blogspot.com

Buy My Book...

2009-04-10T19:37:00.000-07:00

Ok, it is not quite ready, but the preliminary version with 3 chapters is available. I had it published to use as a promotional tool, to gain feedback, have the time for a few reviews, and to finally get it out of my system.
It was published through Lulu.com. I feel it is much better than those other vanity presses (biased, eh?). At least the ease is. It is only 32 pages, and a third of those are blank (to reach the 32 page minimum for the style of printing I wanted).
But hey, what are a few blank pages? You can scribble on them.
The back cover has gibberish on it. You know, for those reviews that you are going to write for me.
You can download it also; best buy until the final version is ready.

Seven Years Ago...the Second Hospital

2009-04-05T20:49:00.000-07:00

Continuation of the first few months after my stroke. Click here for last related entry.
I arrived flat on my back. I was getting used to how things looked from this angle. They hoisted me into my bed at Northern California Rehabilitation Hospital (NCRH). It was a nice room, window side. They measured my legs for swelling (no surprise — it was expected), and sent me back to RMC for the scans that RMC wouldn’t do. Finally, long after normal working hours, I was transported back to my bed at NCRH.
Fully expecting to jump right into some physical therapy the next morning, I was disappointed when they said I couldn’t. I had to get the swelling down, which meant that the clots causing it had to dissipate, and any movement might dislodge them. So I lay there a couple of days more. Meanwhile, they took my favorite souvenir of RMC away. It was an automatic leg massager that worked by pulsing the air sacks wrapped around my leg. It felt so good. I swear it was the next best thing to sex; heck, maybe better. They explained that it wasn’t that they didn’t want me to feel good; it was the massager was like a death sentence. They were surprised that the doctor at RMC had prescribed it. It could massage a clot loose, sending it to my lungs.
But that doctor was a neurologist. He came by NCRH later to apologize, saying he had egg on his face for not recognizing the signs of clotting. Turns out he was the one that had refused to order the tests at RMC, discounting the swelling as normal.
Finally starting my rehabilitation, I was still confined to a wheelchair and had to have someone get me out of bed, attend to my toilet needs, etc. They wheeled me down to the special shower room, where I got more than a sponge bath. I was transferred to a special platform, stripped, and got my first real shower. It felt so good.
NorCal Rehab didn’t have the extensive menu selections that RMC did, but they did have a community dining room. I was wheeled there for each and every meal. I asked to have my 2000 calorie diet cut to 1800. I also asked for peanut butter at each breakfast. They listed it on my meal board so that everybody knew that I was to have peanut butter. Man, this was living.
I slowly gained more and more use of my right arm and hand. But the leg was a different story. I gradually could stand. But walking was troubled. There was absolutely no movement. When I got on some steps, and let my right leg dangle, it was not loose. The therapist would break out in a sweat trying to bend it. Completely rigid, every muscle was firing from the hip down. I could not bend my knee, move my ankle, nor flex my toes. The only time it would get close to relaxing was when I was in bed with a pillow under my knee.
Mom brought my dad up from Los Molinos one weekend day. I showed off how I could rise from my chair and stand. He cried. I still wasn’t allowed to get in or out of bed by myself, but that would come.
By the end of my four weeks there, I was wheeling myself down to the interior court. I was allowed to have a visitor wheel me out the front to the little greenbelt by the creek. Before they could release me, they had to inspect where I was to live. Thankfully, I had a ground floor apartment, and got the go-ahead to be released. I was capable of living on my own without a wheelchair. I did have a cane. I had an Ankle Foot Orthotic (AFO) to keep my foot at the correct angle. But I was mobile.
The first night home I was happy to be alive. I hadn’t watched television while I was in both hospitals. I was watching TV when I had my stroke, and I didn’t want to go through those emotions. It was only after several days at home that I finally turned the TV on. For months and months I did not sit in the recliner where it happened. I was that superstitious.
Meanwhile, I was scheduled for out-patient therapy. My life was on the path to recovery.

Goofing in Ashland...

2009-03-30T22:15:00.000-07:00

While my wife had the wheels for the afternoon, I wandered around the gardens here at Lithia Springs, took some photos, and when my feet got too sore, I rested them while tinkering with the pics.

The Nerd...

2009-03-29T18:05:00.000-07:00

Most people come to Ashland for the big plays, the popular stages, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. But we were escaping the eighty degree heat of Redding (silly us) to spend some time in Ashland where it spit snow for most of the morning and in the early afternoon. Planning our shows was not to be; it was catch-as-catch-can. That is how we ended up at The Nerd at Oregon Stage Works.
A good choice, since it was FUNNY!

Big Eggs...

2009-03-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Breakfast was very good this morning at Lithia Springs Inn and Resort; Eggs Benedict and the usual scones. The eggs are local.

Some of the local eggs.

Here at Lithia Springs...

2009-03-28T17:15:00.000-07:00

Back at Lithia Springs Resort (nee Inn). We come here at least once a year; last time was over St. Patrick's Day. They upgraded us to a room that was new 3-4 years ago, but went through an overhaul over the winter. Looks great, lot more built-ins, but had so much off-gassing that we had to move to the older cottages. In some ways, the older area is nicer; closer to the gardens. Here is a shot from our front door.

The grounds are beautiful.

Food Story...

2009-03-27T10:08:00.000-07:00

Yippee! I submitted a raw food story to the good folks at A News Cafe and they ran it, including the recipe and the photo. But I didn't include the origin of the recipe. It should be credited to Debbie Bennett, who has a page on the QuietStar site.
I am trying to get more Live Food in my diet. But I am happy knowing that even without it, I have made a conscious swing to a more healthy diet.
Now, if I can just keep those Donut Pushers out of the way.

Inherit the Wind...

2009-03-20T22:51:00.000-07:00

The best play in Redding this weekend (sorry Riverfront) has to be Inherit the Wind. Going there to see what Center members had done, I was surprised at the level of talent drawn from outside the Center. The Players (as they call themselves) had a depth that was incredible. Seasoned veterans of the Riverfront theater scene abounded as they scored big. Fav (for me) was Bob Koroluck as the defense attorney. I loved Bob as grungy Oscar Madison last year in The Odd Couple.
Gary Anderson as the prosecuter was brilliant. I don't know where Gary came from, but I am sure going to watch his Lucasville next month at Shasta College; he is the playwright.
Friend Craig Boyer was 'boominly devine' as the Reverend Brown.
The stage was simple, the platform was awkward to navigate (one player tripped), but the acting overcame all. I was literally slack-jawed at times.
Debuting last weekend, it only has 2 performances left; Saturday night at 7:30 and Sunday at 3, both with rock-bottom $10 tickets.
I highly recommend that you drop or change all plans and include this brilliant theatrical production. It plays at the CSL nee SEC at 1905 Hartnel.
The Players have several more in the wings. Special thanks to the Center for Spiritual Living, Redding, and Revs. Bob and Judith for hosting this controversial play by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee based on the Scopes' Monkey Trial in Hillsboro, Tennessee, in the '20s (1920s, that is).
Let's see...this will be the 3rd Saturday, so that means Redding Improv Players at Old City Hall. Dang, but if Redding has got a lot of theater stage stuff going on.
Oh, and don't forget that Riverfront Playhouse just started a run with And Then There Were None, the much loved Agatha Christie mystery. Hey, my Writers Forum group did a buyout of the April 15th showing as a fundraiser. We have tickets left. Celebrate getting your taxes done by buying some tickets. Let me know via comments if you are interested. Or email me at orfedits@gmail.com.

Stella. Stella! ... and the Wind

2009-03-20T08:04:00.000-07:00

I saw "A Streetcar Named Desire" last night at Shasta College. It was quite a performance by the students. Overall, everyone was tight. Some spoke a little too quickly to be clearly understood, but given that it was opening night, it was not unexpected.
The set was magnificent; well laid out. All players deserve a big ol' BRAVO! Of note were the two female leads; DeAnne Jones-Foley playing Blanche Dubois and Kelsie Hill playing Stella Dubois. They could shift emotions very quickly. The guys rough and tumble action was well done; more realistic than some "B-Movies" action from years past (think singing cowboys in a fistfight).
I hope that people put this into their weekend schedule. The audience was small.
It continues with evening performances Mar. 20-21 and 25-28 at 7:30 and a single matinee on Sunday, Mar. 22 at 2:00. Tickets may be bought at the door (well, down the hall actually) for $10, or $8 for students. I was so surprised when I read that you could also buy them via the Cascade Theater that I checked in case it was an error. Nope, you can.
Reddingites---get off your duffs and go see "A Streetcar Named Desire".
I am also going to see “Inherit the Wind” at the Spiritual Enrichment Center (now the Center for Spiritual Living), 1905 Harnell Ave., in Redding. It is a fictionalized retelling of the famous 1925 “Monkey Trial” where creationism and evolutionism butted heads. Playing Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21, at 7:30 and Sunday, March 22 at 3:00, tickets at the door are also $10 per person.
See you in the queues.

Skyline River Diversion Falls...

2009-03-16T21:11:00.001-07:00

The rain was so intense that Linden Creek behind our house overflowed its banks. But the most exciting thing was the formation of Redding's newest waterfall. Coming down our neighbor's steps and flowing over the wall into our yard, it slowed slightly before dropping in its final run to the creek.

It really sounded cool!

Seven Years Ago...the First Hospital

2009-03-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

After several days in ICU, they moved me to a Primary Care Ward. For the first time, they gave me choices of what I wanted to eat. Daily, they supplied check sheets for upcoming meals. I was to check one from a category, two from another, and so on. But I had to use my left hand, so for the first couple of times I had to verbally tell them. Eventually I could do the check-offs with my left.
The new bed had a traction device with a bar overhead that I could grab with my left hand to leverage myself to scoot up or down the bed. I realized that I could also place my right hand with my good left on it.
It felt good to have my arm in some position other than at my side. I still was unable to move it, but my fingers were finally able to grasp objects. I spent my time “hanging out.”
My leg was a different story. They would come and move it, but I couldn’t do it with my own will. The leg, toes, ankle; all were lifeless except that I had full tactile sensation. I could sense the difference between hot or cold, and could tell them which direction they were moving it. I had regained some speech back, but still more times than I wanted, I would express the opposite. I think they knew that. I had to concentrate to get the correct word out. I remember resorting to hand signals with my good left side, displaying a thumb up or down, a finger point right or left.
Each bed had a TV for use. I never used it. My roommate’s TV would be on so loud that I used earplugs almost 24/7. For entertainment between visitors I used the bar. I would show off to visitors by grasping and pulling. I still had to use my left to get my right hand on the bar, but it was grasping it better, and I could even pull slightly.
After a week or so, they moved me to another room, changing beds. I missed that bar! I told them I wanted a bar. They obliged me.
The staff started the hunt for a rehabilitation program. My first angel came in the form of a representative from Northern California Rehabilitation Hospital. She worked with me. But RMC would not release me. The inactivity of my right leg caused it to swell slightly. They were not going to let me go. But my angel intervened, convincing the RMC staff that it was better for me to start rehabilitation with NCRH; the sooner the better. And since they had an open bed, there would be no delay.
So late one afternoon in April, more than three weeks after arriving at Club Red, I left. Gee, it was raining that day also.

The Winner of the Spelling Bee...

2009-03-07T16:04:00.001-08:00

The winner! Liam Twight

Update: It was down to a final three when they ran out of words from the standard study guide. Going to the extended word list, you could immediately tell the words were harder. And unfamiliar. The first two answered incorrectly. The audience gasped as Liam spelled his correctly (I sure couldn't). When Liam had to spell another word (I still don't quite understand that rule), you could literally see the relief on his face when it was a familiar word.

Earlier, I posted this:

At the Spelling Bee-nerves are on edge.

Update: The crowd was about the same as last year's. I entered a little late, and sat with some friends in the far right back. After they left quite early on, I moved to the front on the left, getting a closer view straight on of the speller at the microphone.

These messages were originally sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service of Verizon Wireless!

Seven Years Ago…Day 4

2009-03-06T22:37:00.001-08:00

Seven years ago today I was resting after a full battery of tests the day before. I was comfortable, I was clean, I had had my first bath.
Seven years ago today I let them shave my prized goatee off. It was, by one person’s account, a rad’ goat. It had been part of me for the past 4 years and was at least 5 inches long. The aide who shaved me was so tickled to cut it off that she held it under her chin, going up and down the hall bleating. My mom was pleased too. She didn’t like a lot of the stuff I did. When I was in high school, I grew a beard during the summer. I suspected she did not really look at me.
Seven years ago today I still had no use of my right side. And I still hadn’t pooped. It was long overdue. After some coaxing of the suppository kind, I finally let loose. It was my first exposure to the dirty cleanup work that nurse’s aides do. It was embarrassing. But I had to get used to it; I would be soiling myself for days to come.
Seven years ago today I may have accepted being fed. I don’t remember using my left hand to feed until several days later. I was coming to terms with what had happened and accepting that my life had changed forever.
Seven years ago today I was only speaking single syllable words, and was getting those backwards most of the time. Yes when I was thinking no. When they moved something, I would think down or left, but up or right would come out. Frustration came easy; it was scary.
Seven years ago, day 4 ended.

Seven Years Ago…Day 3

2009-03-06T07:22:00.000-08:00

Seven years ago early this morning, I finally was able to sit up and cross my legs. I spent 6 hours scooting on my butt to inch the twelve feet to the door, open it, and sit at the entrance to my apartment to wait for someone to see me. It was closer than my phone on the kitchen wall, above the counter. Getting to the phone was the furthest thing from my mind. Getting out the door was the only option.
Seven years ago this morning I knew that there was no chance that my neighbor across the alcove would come out; she always used her sliding glass patio door. The only people that came to her front door were people she didn’t know. I was out of sight to the neighbor across the way.
Seven years ago this I knew that my upstairs’ neighbors both left quite early in the morning, so I pinned my hopes on the first seeing me. As he left, I tried to talk; nothing. But then he returned, caught sight of me and asked if I was ok. I shook my head, “No.” He had his wife call 911.
Seven years ago, I had my first sip of water in 36 hours and could then squawk words. As they wheeled me out on the gurney to the waiting ambulance, I felt rain on my forehead. Such a great feeling; it affirmed that I was still alive and this was not a dream.
Seven years ago this morning, I arrived at Redding Medical Center (as it was back then). My mother showed up later. My neighbors had called my work to let them know, and the Record Searchlight had my next-of-kin records to call my mother who lived locally. My immediate manager and supervisor came sometime later. They hadn’t missed me the day before, normally a work day, because I had scheduled some time off to drive south to take my dad to a VA medical appointment. I am sure that one of the phone calls I couldn’t answer was from him.
Seven years ago, day 3 ended.

Seven Years Ago…Day 2

2009-03-05T09:50:00.000-08:00

Seven years ago today, I knew what time it was, but didn’t particularly care. With only the VCR clock to look at, I could read the time, but it meant nothing. I was still confused about what was happening. I was sure it was serious. But in my addled-brain state, it wasn’t a high priority.
Seven years ago today, I could see and hear everything. I thought about yelling, but only weak words came forth.
Seven years ago tonight, I knew that occasionally in the past I could hear my upstairs’ neighbor’s TV, so I decided to reach over to my TV and turn it on. And turn it up: LOUD. If they were ‘good’ neighbors, they would come down and ask me to turn it down. But after 10 minutes, I couldn’t stand it, and turned it off. It was too loud. (Later I found out that they didn’t hear it anyway.)
Seven years ago, I was still on the floor, only rolling to one side or on my back. Getting up to walk to the bathroom was just not going to happen. So I did something I had not done in years and years. I peed my pants, but not willfully. It just happened. Several more times I peed. I was amazed that I was not pooping. Not that I was thinking of it then. Again, in my addled-brain state, cognizant thinking of that sort was far off. I was thinking only of how warm my pants were, and then how chilly it felt.
Seven years ago, day 2 ended.

Seven Years Ago…Day 1

2009-03-04T09:05:00.000-08:00

Seven years ago tonight, my life changed forever. I didn’t win the Lottery (that has yet to happen), I didn’t meet a special person (that happened two years later), nor did a loved one die (last year my dad passed on). But it was a profound event all the same.
Seven years ago I finished my meal of salmon, broccoli and rice, taking a nap afterwards as was my wont. While resting, there was a moment when it felt like someone was shuffling a deck of cards on my chest. I was not alarmed, because that happened quite often after drinking caffeine. The fact that I hadn’t had any coffee that day escaped me.
Seven years ago after waking up from the nap, my right side felt as if it was asleep. Oddly, it was the whole right side, not just the arm or the leg. So I rested where I reclined, giving it time for the circulation to come back. The fact that it was not tingly also escaped me; I just couldn’t raise or twitch my limbs.
Seven years ago I finally managed to roll out of the couch recliner and onto the floor. And there I lay. It had taken a lot out of me to do only that, so I rested, and napped, and lay there, staring at the ceiling.
Seven years ago, day 1 ended.

Money Left Over...

2009-02-23T08:30:00.000-08:00

My last unemployment form had the blocks to check and return; 2 weeks worth covering the period Jan. 18 to 31. It listed a few bucks were still remaining. But I still have not received it.
I seem to pick the bad times to call. The two times I have gotten through, the check had not been cut yet, and the last three times it wouldn't even get that far.
Sunday's Parade Magazine was encouraging because it said states with bad employment rates were stretching it to 59 weeks. But on my stub, despite the listed balance and having the attached form to return to document work search status, was: Claim Expires 01-17-09 ( yes, it is 52 weeks). Don't understand why a computer would generate more weeks of check boxes if my claim had actually expired.
Meanwhile, I hold hope until I can talk to a human.

Yard Sale at Local Paper...

2009-02-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

In the past when the Record Searchlight upgraded their 'stuff' they'd auction the old to the staff, meaning great buys, or ship the more expensive to other plants. Today's classified had 4 printers for sale. Still bargains, but the steep price is beyond what staff can afford; even more so with the freezes and reductions in pay.
So, if you want a big production printer, check these out.

2 Xerox color phaser 7300DT printers
2 HP Laserjet 5500HDN

Oh, they are 'as is' which means that when 'deadline' looms, they'll jam.

Discoveries...

2009-02-17T11:22:00.000-08:00

Every once in awhile at the "Book Writing" class at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, I discover something new about myself that awakes during the homework assignments. This week's assignment was to use a teaching or instructional book to recognize how doing an outline helps. I went through my library of self-help books, resisting the urge to pull a Florence Littauer book, and opted instead for a book I hadn't read: Titled Why Your Life Sucks, it is by Alan M. Cohen. I bought it because the title intrigued me.
The assignment was to list chapters and sub-heads and hopefully it reads like an outline (next class we will get into outlines). I knew that I hadn't read it yet, but was surprised to see just for how long I hadn't read it. I bought it August of 2004, shortly after Katie and I started dating.
My life doesn't suck anymore (we celebrate 2 years of marriage this May), but the chapter titles and sub-headings read like a 12-step therapy program: You say yes when you mean no, You don't set healthy boundaries, You try to fix other people, You try to keep everybody happy all the time. Lots and lots of those "you" phrases. It had been a big eye-opener when I finally realized that it wasn't "them" and it was "me" that affected all my decisions.
So I will read this for the first time, knowing the outcome, but seeking another way of getting there.
Oh, and the book is dedicated to Abraham, Esther and Jerry of Law of Attraction fame.

Double oh, and feel free to right-click the ads (big money-earning grin goes here)

The Reader and the Odyssey...

2009-02-16T10:00:00.000-08:00

Friday night we saw The Reader based on the German book by the same name, which is up for 5 Academy Awards. Not to give the plot away, a couple of the scenes feature Homer's Odyssey, which is sort of a synchronicity, since I am reading recent-returnee-to-Redding Joel Stratte-McClure's The Idiot and the Odyssey, an accounting of Joel's Med-Trek.

Katie Coming Home...

2009-02-10T13:07:00.001-08:00

Yippee! Katie should be home Wednesday. She was house-sitting in SLO, the same house we sat in last year (see this blog and next 11 or so) for about a week. This time the owners are in Hawaii, so Katie was down for more than 2 weeks. She has experienced good weather and bad; but her day Tuesday was absolutely gorgeous, so she took in Montana de Oro State Park one last time.

This is Spooner Cove...Lookin' Good.

Places I Have Been...updated

2009-02-09T20:27:00.000-08:00

There is this map-thingie on FaceBook that you put pins everywhere you've been. But for the life of me, I can't figure out how to get it to my Profile page. But I can embed the map in blogs.
So here it is, courtesy of the U.S.Navy (1968-1988).
Oh...I figured it out. But here it is anyway.

Click on the map for more detail.

Create your own travel map or travel blog

Travel Info at TripAdvisor

I Thot I Saw an Egg...

2009-02-08T11:42:00.003-08:00

I did! I did! I did see an egg! Wowser and gee whiz. And I found out that mating in the air is a myth. So to those that live nearby, ignore my question of whether you saw them from your riverfront balcony. Meanwhile, here is an egg shot.

One of the parents checks the egg out.

FaceBook Groupies...

2009-02-06T10:39:00.000-08:00

As I explore FaceBook, I am looking at Groups to join or have been invited to join. Lots of interest in entertainment and sports. But there is more for this "Life without Clots" foodie. So I started snooping in the food related groups; lots to chose from. But as I filtered the search to my network, I noticed something startling. No locals have joined any Healthy Food groups (will check on Living or Raw later). Granted, I am not the best (exercise is so outside my envelope considering my physical limitations), but I still try to eat healthy.
I admit that FaceBook membership is not a great survey source, that some members don't belong to groups, nor even belong to a network, but having only me (out of 30K+ declared Redding network-ites) belong to a healthy food group is kind of scary.
Later: Yep, as I feared. No one belongs to any Living or Raw food groups either.

Eagles Prepping...

2009-02-04T09:20:00.001-08:00

I read an online update to our neighborhood eagles about the possibility of their having an egg and what to watch for before the blessed event (they will mate in the skies-fat chance of the cam catching that). I immediately surfed to the CalTransEagleCam on the Turtle Bay site, and was instantly rewarded with something I had not seen yet: one of them eating. Glued to the view, I watched as it then moved from the edge and into the nest, fluffing the egg cup. Then it moved back out, and started preening. Oh happy days. Then the other one joined on the edge, adjusting branches before it tore into its fish dinner, er, lunch, er, late breakfast. It appears that they were prepping for the arrival from the stork.
Here is a composite pic from screen grabs for those unfortunate to be working during the day when the EagleCam is online. Maybe Turtle Bay can convince CalTrans to make available an archive site.

The eagles seem to be getting ready for the little bundle.

It Is Still a Crosswalk...

2009-02-03T13:36:00.000-08:00

Oops, my bad. For the last week or so, I have been glaring at the people who use what I thought were barricaded crosswalks on Court Street. I had been composing a blog-question about what happens if you hit a pedestrian in a non-crosswalk. Today I stopped for two military dudes, and read the sign since it was right there in front of me.
Nope, they didn't close them, the sawhorse signs post a notice that this (and the other one) are under study for closure, and if you have any comments to call a number.
Boy, there goes my defense. I have one all wrapped up if I hit a smoker crossing (started in Eureka a few years back), "Honest, Officer. I thought it was OK. She was smoking." Probably best to get all the facts before I start copping a resentment.

State of the Uninvolved Citizens...

2009-02-03T08:53:00.000-08:00

The City of Redding had their annual State of the City address twice on Monday. Attendance was down at the noontime Chamber of Commerce sponsored (for a small fee) luncheon; attendance was pitiful at the free evening one at the Cascade Theatre, even with the free food catered by Duzie's (shameless plug). The evening one reminded me of small concerts, speaker-meetings or readings; the ones that the players bring their own audience and the only strangers in the joint are those that came in off the streets to get dry, warm, or cool off.
That said, I was glad I attended the freebie. While I no longer have the luxury of going to the luncheon on a company tab (yeah, I can lay claim to once being a VIP-grin), I still want to hear from the horse's gilded mouth just what is happening. I didn't know about a new park on Bechelli Lane. I was glad to be reminded about the Agree Park. I had forgotten that the eco-sustainably built houses were slated to be moved to the Parkview area (so long ago, so long ago-went to the opening and was blown away).
I picked up the colorful booklet, Building for Our Future: A Report on the State of the City. 'Course, I wish that I could get on the staff as a proofreader. Second caption in the report had a typo; City Tresurer. Or maybe it is part of a cost savings plan; less characters equal less ink.
But it was the dismal turnout that really pissed me off. Where were the Redding citizens? I thought Monday night football had ended.

Fed or state...

2009-01-31T08:12:00.000-08:00

News out today about father/son parked off of SR 299 at Whiskeytown NRA got me to thinking about jurisdiction if it were slightly different. If a state highway runs through a federal area: Which laws apply? I would think that if they were in the state right-of-way, that state laws apply, but would they? Any lawyers care to comment?

Tax This...

2009-01-27T09:20:00.001-08:00

The Gubenator's latest scheme to get my beloved state of California out of the money pit has some points that I don't agree with. Some of his proposed taxes will come from what I consider necessities of life; repairs of anything. But I favor taxing the frivolous; golf, amusement and sporting events.
While I'd like to see those that have more be taxed more, it is hard to differentiate between repairs for the sole stove in a family of eight and the third stove in the upstairs bathroom of a playboy. So that leaves entertainment taxes.
During these economy downturns, moneies are sparse, and those that have the spare bucks for golfing, going to 'niners games, or visiting million-flags-over-anywhere parks have, have...well, the state should bolster their coffers from their excesses.

At old city hall for

2009-01-17T19:47:00.001-08:00

At old city hall for redding improv, not the cascade event.

Free Trials...

2009-01-10T11:36:00.000-08:00

I am trying the 30-day free trial for VZ Navigator ($9.99 thereafter). It is cool, but I don't think I will continue it beyond the free trial (once I get past the coolness of it, I don't foresee any "needed" use). I got the online billing from VZ today, and it charged the $9.99.
Long story short, I called and they took it off. Very odd. The dude said they would have to confirm that it was a valid offer, but there, on my screen, just below my usage details, was the VZ ad for the 30-day freebie.
I also asked them whether I can block the 3rd line (that is for my mom) from text, and was happy that it can be (and was done so). Every once in awhile, she gets a chargeable text message. Heck, she can barely use the phone as a phone. I have set it up to be voice operated, since she has trouble reading.
So where am I going with this? I guess this is an endorsement of VZ's Customer Service. I immediately bypassed all the automated crap by pressing zero and got a real live (USA speaking) person almost instantly. He was courteous, and repeated back all to ensure that he had it right. BZ* to VZ.
*Bravo Zulu is a Navy signal for "Job Well Done."

Opening with Big Night...

2009-01-08T17:54:00.000-08:00

It, Big Night, was an excellent choice by the Dinner and a Movie crew at the Cascade Theatre Wednesday night for the first of four Wednesday showings. I have years and years of catching up to do when it comes to movies. In my BS (Before Stroke) life, I was not a movie goer; didn't like to sit and be sociable. These days, I like crowds, I am comfortable with crowds, and besides, the Cascade Theatre is a beautiful place. As Valeri Ing-Miller said, "It is nice to use the Cascade for what it was built for: Movies."
Anyhoo, it was a great movie followed by a great demo by Duane and Doni making Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs with Marinara Sauce (gravy to those LA Italians according to Duane). The recipe should show up at the News Cafe food pages soon. Really weird to be eating samples while they were still demo'ing. For those that followed the Fruit Cake fiasco; that is the explanation.
Note: While typing this, the story and the recipe showed up.
Another anyhoo...it was funny to the crowe when, through the movie screen, the inside of the reefer was seen because the door was open. It got laughs.
And for those that want to know: no, the demo was not rated R for language, it was the movie.

My phone's camera doesn't do them justice.

Tapas on Oregon Street...

2009-01-02T20:04:00.000-08:00

We decided to try the new Tapas place at 1257 Oregon Street (247.7299). I had blogged last year (at a different site) about a Tapas joint in Bend, Oregon. How synchronistic that Redding's first Tapas is on Oregon Street.
But beyond the spooky weird connection is one fact: Redding is long overdue for a place of that ilk.
Tapas is my idea of the perfect way to dine; plenty of variety and plenty of flavors. And you don't feel like a pig, since there are no cartons to lug out the door.
We started with a cup of soup each (different, of course; a red-pepper soup and the cioppino) along with the tapas sampler plate that had cheese, Spanish chorizo and Serrano ham, Spanish olives and Spanish almonds, flat breads, a Spanish potato-egg tort with ham and pimento slices (almost like a baked custard). and a fig-heavy cake. If there were more, it would almost have been a meal at that point.
But we moved on and shared some Serrano wrapped grilled shrimp and some anchovy topped bruschetta. We never leave a good restaurant without sharing a dessert, so tried the house dessert; a delightful white cake dipped three times in milk, covered with cayanne-laced chocolate sauce and a big dollop of creme frache. Mmmm-good.

Added Bonus: They are part of the SCAC Art Hop.

El Ristra...

2008-12-18T15:38:00.000-08:00

We got a box yesterday and were instructed to open it immediately. Surprise, it was a ristra of chilies. I put them up outside our living room back deck. Today I learned that they weren't necessarily for eating. I have yet to get the full story (been online), but at the very least, I will move them to the front of the house. Maybe it is a New Mexico Feng Shui thing.

They add to the view from our room.

A closeup of goodness.

One final shot before I move them to the front.

The Mom Overture...& a Kittie

2008-12-17T08:09:00.000-08:00

This is the best version I have come across. Again, it is one of those things that I ask myself, "Where have I been?" It has been posted for a year.

I love kitties; it is no mystery why. Each have their own uniqueness. Not at all like dogs that get in that "pack" mentality.

Three Snows & a Cat

2008-12-16T11:20:00.000-08:00

It is rare for Redding to have three days of snow falling. Yeah, it wasn't much, but still, it is so non-Redding to have flakes falling off and on for a full 72 hours plus.
Usually the snow comes in one huge dump; the dump stays for days and days, but the falling flakes clear shortly it arrives. Or so I remember.
I had one cat that really liked being outdoors. She loved to camp, loved to ride in my VW campers (three of them total during her lives). She liked to fetch also...usually when I tossed her nightly catch of field-mice away. She also "fished" in my (lidless) fish tank, getting on top, dipping her paw all the way under, lapping at the water, and when fish came up to nibble her tongue, swoosh-she flipped them out, forcing us to stock it with cheap gold fish. She was the entertainment when company came by.

Maur, from the mid eighties, liked the outdoors.

Us, as I leave her behind in the '80s. Sigh...

Mobile Rocks

2008-12-15T18:24:00.000-08:00

Mobile is fun, but not quick

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The Ads Are Here...

2008-12-15T14:47:00.000-08:00

I read a whole bunch of Dos and Donts. So I am Donting.

The Nothing Box...

2008-12-14T13:54:00.000-08:00

Was turned on to this video the other night at a social gathering. It is so true for us guys. As for the ladies, I am still trying to figure them out. This would make a good primer.

Both there...

2008-12-12T12:55:00.000-08:00

OMG!
There are both there...
Must be the impending storm. Birds, like all animals, seem to sense when to seek shelter.

Don't know whether it is the wide-angle cam lens distortion, but I am guessing that the female is in the nest.

I Thot I Taw a Birdie...

2008-12-12T12:34:00.000-08:00

I did, I did, I did taw a birdie; an eagle to be exact.
Taking a break from filling out apps and updating resumes and cover letters, I glanced at the CalTrans Eagle Cam, and there it was perched on the left limb on the other side of the nest.
It was magnificent. Don't know which it is. I know that females are larger, but without both there (or even seeing each separately), I have nothing to compare sizes to.

My first eagle sighting on the webcam.

But I have seen it. Now I can join some of my friends in proclaiming, "The Eagle Has Landed."

It's So Tiny...

2008-12-08T22:10:00.000-08:00

Incredible isn't it? I finally grabbed the Acer AspireOne. Weighing a little over two pounds, it is loaded with features (even a webcam!). It has no drives, but an external works fine. If I need it that is.
I have already loaded the software that came with the drive, but I doubt I will ever use it. But it is nice to know that if I want to use a cd/dvd, I can.
It has a long battery life. And most importantly, it has a quick recharge time.
Boy, I need a road trip. Our last one was with Katie's new MacBook (leaving my old laptop home). Now we can both cruise the hot spots.
Hey, I did this blog on it. Other than having some trouble with the keys, and wanting to reach to the right for the mouse, I did a fairly good job.

It's blue.

Happy Birthday Priya (and me)...

2008-12-04T16:27:00.000-08:00

It was one year ago this week that Priya was born. Celebrating my 60th, we had dinner a couple of days after they opened and developed an instant love affair. We are both a year older now, and none the worse for wear. When I first blogged about them, they put the blog up the wall next to the registers and I got a free buffet the next time I came in. I felt really special.
I celebrated my birthday quietly this year (getting a kick-ass Chakra flag set) and they are celebrating by offering half-off their buffets.
Please help celebrate both birthdays by stopping by.

2937 Churn Creek Road, Redding, CA 96002
Phone: 530-222-3200
Fax: 530-222-3110
Mail: priyaindiancuisine@gmail.com

2008-12-01T20:21:00.000-08:00

Trying oh, so, very hard to get my name on people's lips, but in an easier way. This is one of the ways.

I also joined Facebook, and (Heaven Forbid), MySpace.

The Turkey...

2008-11-28T16:17:00.000-08:00

It was a big-ass bird. Smoked, it (and some ham) fed 11 adults and 3 kids, with plenty of leftovers for goody-bags. Once again, Katie and I were the guests of Andi and Greg. And once again, I talked them out of the carcass to make soup. Last year I made a delicious turkey lentil soup. I may do the same this year, but with an Indian twist since I have some red lentils.

The bird was huge... ... ...

So huge that the front half wouldn't fit.

Thankful...

2008-11-27T10:07:00.000-08:00

This is probably the best time of my life. I have so much to be thankful for. First on my list is my wife Katie. Her patience, her (sometimes) unrecognized and unrewarded guidance, and her love keeps me going one day at a time. My blogs allow me to release and feel published. Knowing that while I have cut my service back, it still has an impact on others.
Peace, L

One Day at a Time...

2008-11-23T16:55:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite artists, Joe Walsh, has a message that I can relate to.

Pretty good, eh?

Another ditty, but more along the vein of Life without Clots theme.

I like Joe.

Heck, why not another one?

A James Gang standard...Glad he carried it to the Eagles.

Artists Date...

2008-11-19T09:58:00.000-08:00

Last Friday (11-14) I went on my weekly Artist's Date. The Performing Arts Society at Old City Hall Gallery for the Arts in Redding, Calif., had Dr. Robert Bowman of Chico performing piano sonatas, including a set from American composer Louis Moreau Gottschalk. His finger work was magnificent (think music written for 4 hands). The PAS has concerts the second Friday of every month, and this was the first one I attended. Needless to say, I am hooked. The price is right also; FREE!
The third set was the most thrilling for me. He played Le Bananier, Souvenir de Porto Rico (March des Gibaros) and The Banjo (an American Sketch). He slipped in an unlisted piece as well (after Le Bananier; I think it was Morte!! (she is dead) - written for a friend's funeral).

A young lady is shown the Yamaha piano by her father.

Interested? Click below for audio and you too will be hooked.

The Boys Like It...

2008-11-14T17:23:00.000-08:00

Our two cats, Max on the left and Jerry on the right, really like the warm weather, and were taking advantage of the late afternoon sun as I was driving off to do a "non-Farmers Market" run; avos (88 cents for organic at Holiday), lemons, ginger (though it does not compare to the bargain last week at Orchard-10 cents because it was old). For some reason, they are cuter when all I have is my camera phone. Sigh...

Max on the left and Jerry with one shortened leg.

Authors at Mt. Shasta Mall...

2008-11-10T18:33:00.000-08:00

This last Saturday was the 5th annual Northern California Authors Fair. Produced by the Writers Forum with a grant from the Scripps Howard Foundation and co-sponsored by the Redding Record Searchlight, this fair showcases some of Northern California and Southern Oregon's most well known authors at the Mt. Shasta Mall in Redding, California, as well as bringing exposure to the lesser and freshly-inked writers. Founded in 1983 and dedicated to promoting writing as an art and as a profession, the Writers Forum is based in Shasta County and became not-for-profit several years later. It most recently was featured three times at Redding's annual summer MarketFest as an affiliate of the Shasta County Arts Council.

President Sallyann Keith registers Donald and Janice Kirk.

Mystery Writer Steve Brewer talks with Stasia Pringle.

Children's Author Linda Boyden, right, networks with fellow author Janice Kirk.

Susana Luzier is a charter member of the Writers Forum.

Community Gathering...

2008-11-04T14:29:00.000-08:00

It was a community gathering of sorts Saturday night at the Caldwell Recreation Building. The community was all the visiting readers, fans, advertisers, friends and family of Food for Thought: A News Cafe celebrating Doni's first year of having a true community site (though it reaches around the world). Others have already had their say about it. I want to post my bit and a half (don't have much to say, er, type, for a full 2 bits).
The cartoon artists' Draw-a-thon Challenge was a hoot. Getting back the night before from Yosemite, I had to have Phil do one with me complaining about not seeing any bears (but we did see some fox high up).

The toon, left, and Phil.

It was also great to put voices to blogs, like Erin Friedman on the left, and Katie Watters.

The treats were divine, like we knew they would be, since Andrea the Food Goddess made our wedding cake last year.

Back in the Saddle...

2008-11-02T19:35:00.000-08:00

Finally. I am in. I have had such a hard time getting in since I created this blog more than 2 years ago, but the ownership has changed. Or so I thought. Seems I had started it with another user name, and this and Google merged somewhere and I have been trying and trying to log in with my Google account info. (Also, it didn't help any that I forgot I had started it and it wasn't until I wanted to create this blog that I found out that I had already created it.)
Tonight I used the help section, and discovered that the user when I created was different.
Confused? Well, so am I. And I don't really know whether it is fixed for good. We will see if I can get back later. For now, it is play with the features time.
The picture is from an American Heart Association fundraiser from November of 2004. It was a costume party (duh...), my not-yet-wife Katie was Tokyo Rose and I was Charlie Chan, following the theme of Hollywood characters or stars. I was called upon to speak at the last minute as the featured speaker took ill and failed to show.
It wasn't like I had to totally wing it. Six months before I had given a short speech at another AHA fundraiser, the now defunct Tee Up for Heart. That was the last year for it, having ran out of steam after 25 years. I even had a warm-up or practice speech for that; the week earlier I spoke at my favorite event, Saving Strokes. Debbie DeMarais, the Executive Director of the local area at the time, gave me the option of backing out of the golf talk. It went well, considering my fear of public speaking.
But one of the things that my stroke changed was realizing that if I had something to say, I would say it, no matter how much I stumbled. So when she asked me to fill in for the fall event, I didn't hesitate.
Peace & Life, Larry
More to come.

First things first...

2006-06-01T22:48:00.000-07:00

hi everybody,
I do a Blog at Redding.com, but of the dozen or so Bloggers, I get the least hits. We'll see how I fair here.
peace and life, Larry