Lots of fruit and veggies, artichokes
mix the hearts w parm. heavy cream, spinach, scallions and spread on crostini.





Too hot up at 5:30 to get a little today b4 Wimbledon started.

Watered, went to the farmers market and the store. Barricaded back in to avoid the sun by 10
.
Lost 2 lbs.

Spent 3 hrs. trying to get a reservation in Half moon Bay, I like the nursery there. Usually Caro and I make a loop thru Pescadero or Santa Cruz in one day. Rooms are over 200 dollars and they hike them over the holiday weekend.
After driving 7 hrs yesterday, 3 there 3 back and 1 looking for openings at the 3 other camping spots, I drove home arriving at 11. I really wasn't up for another road trip, crowds and traffic.

great heirloom tomatoes, celery, carrots, corn and beets are great to munch on. at the farmer's market, sunflowers and salsa are yummy not to mention kettle corn, fafallel salad, which makes 2 pitas w an extra pita and dolmas.

San Jose's average rent per month is 1,300 and buying is 2x more, so Forbes says it's better to rent. Considering I'm looking at renting the house out if I get a job some where else, that's good to know.

I was interested in a librarian position at the VA researching PT Stress and working in VT. It would be pretty in the summer spring and fall. I'd have had a problem with the winter. I can go to Tahoe and ski but it's nice to come home. I'd like to go to Monterrey and live closer to the ocean.

It's been so hot I was out cleaning the garage. I have so many teaching files to dump and or organize. If I moved I'd dump them all. I just took the down comforter and flannel sheets off the bed and reversed the flannel sheets with the cotton ones in my linen closet. Why have the other 2 gotten filled with drugs and other stuff when I need more room for sheets and towels and blankets.

I am listing the house or an extra room for rent to occasional visitors on Localo. My listing is called heart of the valley. I just had an inquiry from a couple who r taking their daughter to college in Santa Barbara.
I don't think I can accommodate 3 though. I'd be sleeping on the couch, I once stayed at a b and B and the woman slept in the kitchen. We had her room.
I can get my house clean but my clothes would be in the closet. I've been moving some out to the garage to put in hanging bag. I found a floral shirt mom made for me when I was 16, a tennis dress Cathy made for me and a long green skirt of mom's I wore to Joe's cousin's wedding in Long Island City. NY in a “wedding palace.”

I was out at 5 planting flower seeds, poppies and wildflowers in the front where I took the bushes out, and watering. I did the patio about I when I noticed the tomato wilting. I'd also like to remove or prune back my spider housing bushes more.

Are dried plums really prunes renamed?

I made a smoothie w 1/2 a banana, 1 c strawberries and 1/2 c yogurt this am and a few blueberries. I want to try this Greek yogurt. I got a c. I had a coupon but they didn't carry the brand at Savemart.
Today I actually was up at 9 after a normal night's sleep. I may have gotten in a few hands of bridge at 2 or so but not for long.

I made Kirk's wheat berry bread this morning, some stuffed peppers w red onion, garlic, sausage, rice and tomato sauce and stuffed Portabello mushrooms. I never make that bread the same way twice. Today I soaked the fruit, dates, prunes or dried plums as they call they today and dates in a water slurry to soak, then soaked 2/3 c wheat berries in the same amount of water. Then I made a sponge of yeast, o oil, honey and 1 c wheat flour in the Cuisinart bowl the fruit was in to proof. It usually doesn't proof. Today I looked at the date on the pkg. Kirk gave me. It expired in 2009 so I was ready to toss it. I added wheat gluten, the stuff Wesley is allergic to. The bread is baking now.

It's cooled down enough to use the oven. The fog rolled in. It had burned off now so nice to close the doors and blinds.

We had a real rain storm 2 nights ago very rare In June. Fortunately, even though it was still cool when Ricardo went walking Mon and last night it was OK. I made marinated chicken and veggies and corn to grill before we walked. This weekend John and I am going to Big Sur camping. Hope I can find all my gear. It's been a long time since I slept on the ground. It is due to heat up. They never used to take reservations. Now I see they do. Unfortunately, a week in advance. I put it off to discover this until too late. Hopefully after I see the Dr. we will still be in time to get a site. I usually stay one night and rarely take anyone with me. I like the peace of the ocean and my books. I think I'll marinate some chicken. I actually have some cooked I'd like to take. It's easier just to heat it up. Eggs for breakfast, something for sat, lunch. I thought I'd take fruit and veggies. I was going to try and grill peaches.

Why do I like yellow peaches and nectarines better than white?

Big Sur is spectacular probably my favorite place on earth. The drive is curvy and breath taking. Every time I go I thank the creator for making this, and allowing me to be there then chastise myself for not getting there more. As always, it takes my breath away but... we got there too late to get a site. Usually if there by 2 a site is available. John got there. Host was rude. I got there at 6 host was rude. I drove 3 hrs stayed 2 part of one looking at 3 other sites all full. Drove home at 8. Did watch the sunset on the road. I got home at 11. Talked to John till 1. Tried to find a reservation till 2 crashed.

Spent the morning trying to make reservations in half moon bay. Of course everything is booked and cost near 200 dollars a night.
We just want to relax, sit read, not sun since he had a biopsy for skin cancer and the thing removed, his 2nd. I don't want traffic, but don't want to stay in the heat here either. On Mon. I am having breakfast with my library group for Peggy's b.d.

This is the first time since 1994 there is skiing in the upper Sierra. I once went on father's day on Whistler in B.C., Blackcolm mtn.

It's taken just about 2 hrs to unpack the car. Different things from camping to hotels and dining at the ocean; Stay tuned.
Well it turns out rooms are over 200 dollars most are booked and after 3 hrs I decided to stay put. I hate traffic, noise and crowds.
I crashed at 11:30, still tired from my 7 hr drive. Gee, I used to do that easily and more. I made it across country in 3 days.
This morning I went to the farmers market. Got some great dolmas, a falaffel salad and pita for lunch and dinner and some great peaches, apricots, nectarines, cherries, strawberries, beets, raspberries, and blueberries. I like to crunch on jicima, cauliflower, celery, carrots, and broccoli w humus or talaki.
Lost 2 lbs.
Still unpacking the car.
Spare the air day today, no BBQ's.
Read the paper, took a nap and watered at 5 and 5.
Watched Glory and Training Day.

Memorial Day

I had a friend over and made my first angel food cake with dozen egg whites, then he didn't have piece, so now I had some after he left and now for breakfast. We grilled marinated veggies, yellow squash zucchini and peppers long with elote, corn on the cob. I also made a corn souffle. he grilled some beef kabobs and inside i cooked since 10 , pork butt, which was so good. I can't believe how much fat comes off.
I tossed the pan it was so grease packed. The rest I will shred for carnitas, pork, tacos which I love. I just need to get some whole wheat/corn tortillas.
I was ready to drop. My back gives out. I need to rest between tasks. I made these potatoes Delmonico's last night and should have done the cake too. or not made it at all. I wanted more help from John; No, I didn't ask. He did the grilling and started the charcoal.
After he left I crashed.
I got up around 4 and cleaned up and started a load of dishes. I did put the food away lst night.
Now for my strawberry, blueberry angelfood, raspberry breakfast. I made the cake because I thought it was less calories? It was 2 c sugar! Now I know. One.4 powdered and one regular.
It's a lot of work entertining or cooking at all. I tend to eat one thing. I made the potatoes and I had them for dinner and breakfast. I made so many I gave some away nd will still have too many after 2 c for me.
Now a relaxing day to relax and recover.

moving

I am looking at other places only because they are still funding positions for librarians. Snow and cold are not my favorites.
Tomorrow I will sub 5th grade. Actually, I canceled the assignment because I have a Dr./educ. apt. at Kaiser.

Naively I thought the volunteer ceremony involved some recognition for the volunteers, of course, the certificates and the books were for the kids followed by juice and cake. I took Naydalin pencils, stickers and a new book. I coax her training to the proper polite responses. She was overwhelmed by stuff. She wanted to be with her friends and I left her to them and sugar.

When I used to put on a luncheon for all my volunteers it was potluck between myself and my assistant, a sit down and time to visit in our home.

I went to the farmers market. Last night I made myself stuffed mushrooms of spinach. mushroom onion and feta. I need to make some more humus. I have some pine nuts to toast some where. I need tahini, ground sesame seeds. Then I went to the store. I figure I spent 20 dollars or more at the market and then over 50 at the supermarket. Let's see how long that will last.

I'm cleaning out the freezer. I'll actually have room and it hasn't happened in years.

I had to watch the last show of Oprah. I liked the last two star packed shows more than the final one.

4th grade

They almost did me in today. The mornings were OK then as the afternoon moved on I found the kids and me louder. I separated boys, help their hands, had them sit next to me, spoke to them and all the class about good manners and respect. I don't have the patience to teach. 20 2nd graders is different from 30, 4th graders. They really do need to keep class sized 1-3 at 20. This class was about 60-70 percent Hispanic.
They wanted to hear me speak Spanish. So I gave them a demo.

I had stories about Dr Masy, the black man who invented blood storage and died in DC because a white hospital refused to treat him with the transfusion process he invented because was no black blood. I had to go into MLK and segregation and Klu Klutz Klan, white robes, burning, Freedom Ride, march, white restaurants, bathrooms water fountains and about they had to drain the pool in Hollywood because Dorothy Danridge flicked her foor in the water.

Math in decimals and percentages..., not my strong suit. I was glad to have found the teachers edition to check answers.

Then, I told them about Fosey in Gorillas in the Midst. Both were in their reading practice. And what was happening in Rwanda with the civil war and genocide still going on.
One boy asked if Bush killed JFK??? Where do they get this stuff? They have such a tiny limited perspective of the world. Another reads on the 2nd grade level if that. i worked with him to have him understand a reading comprehension passage. At the end of the day we did government. They need to understand the different levels of district, city, state government and the judicial executive and legislative branches. They did know about some history and Father Junipero Sero. 4th grade is when they study CA Missions.
I taight them a lot on writing and graphics orgabizers again. This time I worked thru lunch to finish the essay to show them how easy it was and how much they had already done in the organizer.

Then there were the one's who tattled. And others that did nothing. That frustrates me. When tey are capitvated and engaged it's so cool, wven they aren't and drift I want the attention back.

My bridge scores yesterday were up.

On the other hand, several did come and thank me and say good bye at the end of the day.

I didn't know MN was in the tornado path. Forget the Midwest. Tornado season is worse than earthquake possibility. None of us have insurance.

I'm going into curves tomorrow to try it out.

Shopping

I made some split pea soup. A half package makes about 4 c. I froze 1/2/ I am in the process of cleaning out the freezer.
Why don't places come with refrigerators? I had to buy my first in HI and left it there. I got another here and replaced that one.

I had a pantry built. Can I detach that and move it if I have room? Why aren't dishwashers removed? Why are washer and dryers extra too?
I ended yp getting Marilyn a refrigerator from the Sears outlet. It was a mess. She finally got a new one after it leaked all over the floor of the house she rented on the ocean.

I turned on the sprinklers. I replaced the lawn once. Today I sowed wildflower seeds. The foolish man took out my lilies too. I put in a self timer on the sprinklers, not sure it works anymore either. I like to read the Sunday papers.

I've been playing a lot of bridge. I'm not sure I get better.. I sure appreciate a good partner.

Tomorrow I get to sub in 4th grade.

I'm investigating cooking for people thru gobble.com. People pick what they want and order it for pick up or delivery. I know my staminia isn't up for it but I can manage and demonstrate and direct and hire. I need to work in a commercial kitchen. i once did a business plan for something like this in business school.

Shopping

clothes
I ordered some stuff online to be send to my local store for no shipping charges. The gal called and said they were here to come and try which I did. I sent all them back. The store was closing today. Everything was 70 percent off. I had to get a t for 3 dollars, and blouse for 3, a sweater and a pair of pants for 3 dollars. I probably didn't need any of it but for 20 dollars got it anyway.
What pissed me off is the girls told me I had to take the stuff I ordered to rtn at another store. There is no way in hell I was going to drive across Town to do that with gas at 3.99 a gallon. Yes it did go down 15 cents a gallon but still they said they were going to return it if I didn't come in. Does customer service end when the store closes. They were loosing their jobs and I feel for them, but you do what you contracted for. Don't tell me you can't do it. Don't offer to call someone send the stuff back. I just left. They were already billing me for the stuff.

kitty litter
kitty litter is convenient. Who ever first came up with the idea had some thing. The clumping scoopable litter is even better. To have a litter box where the cat goes to pee and poop is good. Cleaning litter boxes is icky but Lacy won't do it or use the toilet and eventually I get grossed out. I'm lazy. I use copy paper box lids as liners to the plastic litter box. It get's changed about once every week or 2 or month. As long as I am at school and have a supply, things are fine. Some people clean them with water and bleach and this is easier.

I do not need a dog. I would like to have one for walks. Lacy would not be happy with one. She is she and mostly an inside cat. I like being able to go away for a week. Dogs require more effort. Lacy is pretty independent. She is 10 like 70 in cat years. Still spry though. She only bugs me when she wants a treat. Sometimes for warer or to go out and food. Mostly I notice those.
Pets are not cheap. I may not replace Lacy when she goes.
I fostered 3 kittens to socialize them for a few months. The 2 girls were more social. By the end of 6 weeks or so the girls were more social. One girl was adopted. The boy eventually let me touch him and put a collar on. They all got those. I fed them and scooped.
I'd foster a dog med to large and try it out. I loved having Prince my lab mix. Unfortunately I had him only a few months Feb till June or so. I was so upset when he left. dad took him somewhere and I am still convinced he didn't take him to a farm. I hated having the maids yappy chiwowa, who ate a hole in my screen door I've had for 20 yrs., he wouldn't come close to me, ate through Lacy's leash too i was going to take him on a walk but she kept him as a lap dog and doesn't know how to walk on a leash.

"The need for volunteers in the United States, I am amazed people do not volunteer in their own country first. I refuse to participate in a volunteer group where all people are not welcome. A person should do volunteer work because it is the correct thing to do, not to earn “Brownie Points” in a vanity ledger.
Pj says this, I say who volunteers for that? I do because it makes me feel good.

Bummer

The weather the last 2 days was lovely. I love spring here. Feb- April

My used Prius, I bought for 30k is now worth 16 to a third party and 13 or so as a trade in.
I thought to get an older, cheaper something. I've had it about 5 yrs. It was a lease for 2 yrs. first. I should have asked for the car fax. The mileage is near 50 and I tend to fill up w gas at $4.15 for about 20. which lasts me generally 2 or more weeks depending on where I go. I tend to stay in the neighborhood.
Today was my last day to tutor my 2nd grader in Reading. Next week their is a volunteer appreciation luncheon.
That morning I am going to a Tea and yoga class in Los Altos in a fancy Dr. retirement place w monthly rent in the neighborhood of 4000k a month. It is a place that has meals, activities and I am just interested. I don't need assisted living, although I would like to live in that section of town. I am looking to downsize from a 3 b.r. house to 2 bedroom condo. A patio would be fine. I was looking at Port Townsand and Seattle, Oregon and upper CA.
I'm tired of the yard work. I usually only have one major cleanup, Monthly there is a little bit. This year I pruned the fruit trees extensively especially the lemon with a bit more to do. and look out the from curb bushes. I was tired of trimming them. The needed a haircut on the sidewalk and curb sides too often. The bushes I have are spider houses too. That goes w the 14 or so 49-50 ft. tall Italian cypress in the back too. My neighbor was leary of them and wanted to cut them, I tried cutting them from the bottom up to 10 ft or so. Boy was that a lot. I rented a chain saw, had 2 workers and filled the street with tree cuttings. Also, an error.

My gas bill this mo. was 15.54 and the elec. 12.32.
I have no cell.

I got an offer to sub 5th gr, Fri., but I have an annual Dr's apt.

My dear friend Kim had some major surgery and is recovering.