Lingering smoke makes for beautiful sunset

These were taken from my same spot tonight

I started smoking today

I just walked outside and inhaled. We went from a stage 1 air pollution alert, to a stage 2 today. This is from the Reno Gazette Journal:

"The Stage 2 alert means health officials wants everyone, not just those people with heart and respiratory problems, should stay indoors as much as possible, Andy Goodrich, director of the department’s Air Quality Management Division, said in 22 years he has never seen so much pollution in Reno skies." (they need a better editor)

This is all from the northern California fires that were sparked on Saturday. Over 800 were started from dry lightning.

Here's my comparative photo essay (I've always wanted to do a 'photo essay' lol)

Looking at Peavine Mountain from the hills behind Damonte Ranch High School

4 February 2008

You can see the outline of the smaller hills here, that are in the photo above - that's the same house in the foreground, and it still isn't finished

25 June 2008

Earlier today it was much worse than the afternoon and evening - this is looking in the same direction as the pictures above

25 June 2008

Looking east from our backyard

6 January 2008

25 June 2008

2 June 2008

Looking at Slide Mountain and Mt. Rose

Very close to the same view, with Damonte Ranch High School in the foreground

25 June 2008

Two very different looking sunsets taken from the same spot

4 February 2008

The sun is much further north now, and doesn't set over Mt. Rose at this time of year

25 June 2008

More stuff I didn't know about myself

I was pretty sure I'd be Elizabeth Bennett, lol, but Elinor Dashwood is alright I guess. At least they got Emma Thompson to play me, since I don't get to live at Pemberley and be with Mr Darcy.

Take the Quiz here!

My favorite color is green, but I did choose blue for this blog, so...

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Blue

You're blue — the most soothing shade of the spectrum. The color of a clear summer sky or a deep, reflective ocean, blue has traditionally symbolized trust, solitude, and loyalty. Most likely a thoughtful person who values spending some time on your own, you'd rather connect deeply with a few people than have a bunch of slight acquaintances. Luckily, making close friends isn't that hard, since people are naturally attracted to you — they're soothed by your calming presence. Cool and collected, you rarely overreact. Instead, you think things through before coming to a decision. That level-headed, thoughtful approach to life is patently blue — and patently you!

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/jumpto?test=colorogt&c=50652

You are Megara

Geez, I don't even know who this princess is. I do like the description though, but would prefer a more flattering picture. She doesn't look nearly as fun as she sounds. Could they could have chosen a worse picture? She looks to be listening to a boring talk in sacrament meeting.
You Are Megara!

Charming and witty. You are always the first person to come up with a wisecrack. Sure, you have an attitude, but that's why people love you. You keep them on their toes. Sometimes you can be misleading, but always end up doing the right thing for the people you love.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

Leading the charge against crack!

Okay! That's it!!! The women's 'plumber crack' epidemic has reached code red status. Today while out running errands, I saw a woman doing crack, and I mean not just a little bit either, who was standing bolt upright. I keep seeing this. She wasn't even bending over to pick up a child, leaning into her car, changing a daiper on the floorr, or otherwise bent in any way. She was showing crack while simply standing up! And a lot! I can't take it anymore!!!!!!! This kind of sight used to only be reserved for old pot bellied men, babies with sagging diapers, and of course plumbers.

But in the last few years, with the popularity low-rise jeans becoming lower and lower, and being the only thing available for women under 50 and teenagers anymore, it is to be seen daily, and without any special effort.

It's a challenge taking Ella shopping these days. Besides the fact that she's a teenager, and automatically dislikes anything she thinks I like, it's difficult to find pants, shorts or capris that aren't made too low. I even have a problem sometimes shopping for Eva and Sophie. Can't clothing makers just give us an inch? That's all it would usually take. Just enough to do ordinary everyday things without worrying about showing crack.

This is what I believe has led to the 'extra long T' craze. Everyone is layering with a cami or tank (underneath an already extra long T-shirt), that is long enough to be tugged and pulled over pants that are too low, in an effort to stay covered.

Back in my grandparents day, 'lady plumber crack' wasn't a problem!!! My grandmother wasn't even close to revealing her backside unintentionally in those Katherine Hepburn-ish slacks (and neither was my grandfather for that matter). Not even a tiny bit close!

In the 70's, we had Dittos. They were so 'in'. We all wore them because they were so cool, and we never had to worry that we might be mooning anyone (in lunar terms, I think 'lady plumber crack' would be called, 'waxing crescent mooning'). I think it's time to bring back the Dittos!

But it's impossible to know how long this fashion insanity will last, so in the meantime, I have a solution to the 'lady plumber crack' dilemma. This solution could revolutionize women's pants, the same way the adjustable waist band revolutionized children's clothhes a few years ago (I never EVER buy pants for Eva and Sophie anymore that don't have it). My new invention could be called 'Lady Plumber Crack Crack Guard'. It would simply be an embellishment, like a patch, that extends an inch or two, or three if needed, above the rear center belt loop, effectively covering, or 'guarding' against said 'lady plumber crack'. This embellishment could be of simple geometric design, or something more elegant like a flower, a butterfly, or any other desirable 'tramp stamp' like design. In fact, the 'Lady Plumber Crack Crack Guard' may even eventually be preferred over the now ubiquitous 'tramp stamp'. It would be less expensive, less painful, and would effectively eliminate tattoo regret, all while making it possible for girls and women to do the things we do everyday without showing crack!!!

Cha Ching! Show me the money...

Yellowstone slideshow

We had an amazing day in Yellowstone!!! Here's a list of the wildlife we saw in the few hours we were there:

1 bald eagle

3 bears

3 coyotes

1 moose

1 bull elk

2 wolves (through a telescope)

Numerous cow elk

Hundreds of buffalo

Last time we were in Yellowstone, we only saw one single buffalo. This time, they were everywhere, and doing everything from holding up traffic, sleeping, eating, crossing rivers, getting lost (a baby), and playing. We even witnessed a stampede! It was a day we'll never forget! I'll add more pictures and video later :)

Restless buffalo getting ready to stampede

Buffalo stampede - we were the only ones around to see this, which was too bad

Yellowstone - a few highlights

A new way of rubbernecking

And she was able to hold her head up without assistance only a few minutes later

Hi Dad

Ella gets lost at the zoo

Fortunately she had her cell phone :D I could see her, but she couldn't see me

Three sheepish sheep await their fate

By far, my favorite exhibit at the Tautphaus Zoo

I agree with Kip

Isn't it amazing that I'm here in Idaho, with a wireless laptop, and I can post what we've been doing for Matt to see?

Happy Father's Day!!!

Today I'm in Idaho Falls visiting my dad for Father's Day. Matt is at home alone :( But he's a good sport to spend it alone so that I could come and see my father. Happy Father's day Matt and Tom (and Richard my step-father, and Marv my father in-law, have to keep everyone happy)!!!!!!! We started out at Smitty's Pancake House this morning, then swimming, and now he's back at his place for a nap. He said he stayed up all night drinking coffee because he was so excited to see us. How sweet! We're all having a little downtime, and Ella is napping too. We're picking him up again at 5 pm for dinner. Ciao for now

My dad

What a teenager!

Yesterday was a looooooong drive

Wow! He likes his butter!

He finished!!! Why didn't I inherit his metabolism? NOT FAIR!!! Some things are just wrong :D

Outside Smitty's Pancake & Steak House

Cliffhangers

The girls have been begging me to go rock climbing for a while. I used to take them quite a bit a couple years ago, but other things crowded our schedules, and it's all the way across town, so...

Sophie never tried it when we went before, and I didn't think she was going to try it yesterday. But she completely surprised me, as she often does!!! Not only did she crawl right into a harness without much thought, she went right to climbing as soon as she was hooked up. I was sure she would be too scared. She didn't go too high, but the great thing was that she did the best doing the scariest thing of all - leaning back and coming down! This was the scariest part for Ella and Eva to learn, and it only took Sophie two times to understand how to do it, and then she was doing it like an old pro, gently pushing away from the wall and again and again until she was all the way down. She was so proud of herself, and I could tell she finally felt like she could do a sport well. She's tried several things, but her gross motor skills are so far behind everyone else her age, that she always ends up not having fun and becomes frustrated. So, I'm very excited about this, and I think I'm going to get a summer pass and try to go at least once a week. I feel like this would be so good for her physically, and would give her confidence and something to feel proud about. I just hope she doesn't grow up to be one of those crazies who climbs something like El Capitan!

Sophie was good at freestyle too

Eva is very good!!!

I think hanging is her favorite part

Ella did well too, but she was already feeling sore on our way home because she hadn't done it for so long - ouch!

Obituary

Stockton, CA

Ruth C. Hamrick

July 30, 1919 - June 9, 2008

Ruth C. Hamrick, 88, of Stockton passed away June 9, 2008 in Stockton. She was born July 30, 1919 in Aitkin, MN. She also lived in Camanche, Modesto and Barkerville, BC. Ruth worked at Breuner's for 24 years. She was a member of Stockton Covenant Church and Imperial Mobile Home Park Association.

Ruth was the beloved wife of 46 years to the late Harold Hamrick; the loving mother of Jerry Hamrick (Ron Dunning) of Stockton, Lynn Mayer (Dale) of Stockton, Marvin Hamrick (Joan) of Valley Springs, and devoted grandmother of 8 grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren.

Friends are invited to attend funeral services Friday, June 13, 2008, 1:00 p.m. at Stockton Covenant Church, 1720 Oxford Way at Grange St., Stockton. Arrangements entrusted to the care of Wallace-Martin Funeral Home. Committal: Cherokee Memorial Park.

Remembrances may be expressed to Stockton Covenant Church or Hospice of San Joaquin. wallacemartinfuneralhome.comPublished in The Record from 6/11/2008 - 6/13/2008.

We'll miss her like crazy...

Ruth Caroline Hamrick

30 July 1919 - 9 June 2008

As we last saw her on May 17, 2008, and will always remember her - smiling and having a good time!

2 March 2008

Serving us all a dessert she made for our visit, as she loved to do, and below - playing cards, click the play symbol to listen

Seat belt memories

Sometimes a blast from the past comes in the the most unexpected place! This one happened to be around Jordan's waist (my niece). She was wearing a seat belt as a belt!!!! LOL! And it happened to be the same EXACT seat belt latch that we had in our family station wagon growing up! Suddenly I was taken back to the backseat of our early 70's model Buick Estate Station Wagon. I'll replace this picture if I ever dig one out of our actual car, but this one is close to the same year.

Ours was an earlier model with a more rounded grill, which was cooler than this grill, but you get the idea. The color and faux wood panels are the same! Aah, the memories! The hours, days and weeks I spent strapped in the seat belts of that car. And yes, we actually did wear our seat belts back in the day when nobody elses mothers made them wear theirs. Our mother was way ahead of her time in this respect. It was no problem for us when the seat belt laws came into effect - we'd already been strapped in for years, much to my, and Janene's chagrin! It was such a bummer to have to put our seat belts on when nobody else had to! This was very wise of course, but even our uber safety conscious mother had her exceptions. The exceptions for not having to wear our seat belts, were family vacations when we drove literally thousands of miles - makes sense ;-) Instead of seat belts, my mom put all the seats down, so that the entire rear part of the station wagon became a bed.

(It's amamzing what pictures you can find online, lol)

Then she put down two lawn chair mattresses which fit perfectly side by side, and we put our pillows up against the backs of their front seats. We were perfectly comfortable reclining in the back, and ready for a looooong drive. In this way, we saw Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, Zion's National Park, San Francisco and many other places - all completely unrestrained and ready to be thrown from the vehicle, or thrust into the windshield in the event of an accident. But most kids NEVER ever wore their seat belts in any situation, so she was still years ahead of her time!

Wow! So many memories packed into one little seat belt latch.