HELLO MINNE-SNOW-TA!

I'm always thinking of my friends and family back in the snow country of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Wyoming, Maryland and Alaska, to name just a few of the states where family and friends reside, so I thought I'd send you on a beautiful mid-winter retreat today. Oh, you're welcome, but no thanks are necessary!
Can't you just imagine how beautiful this will be once the flowers open up?

They look plain now, but wait until those bright pink flowers bloom!
Yes, Ernie is standing in the flower bed, which is against the rules, but he wanted to pose with the fresh oranges on the tree.

It doesn't get any better than these beautiful bougainvillea.
Or this still dewy Lily.
Or this pink with yellowish orangey tints rose.

Hi Justin! These guys were so friendly that when I held my camera right over the water they swam right up to it, thinking I was offering them food.
I love yellow with pink tinge roses.
Birds of paradise in front of an orange tree.
Appropriate flowers at a mission with bells in the towers.

There. Don't you feel better after your day at the flower filled spa? I do!

AT HOME AT CAMP PENDLETON

On Saturday morning we left our home in San Diego and moved up the coast to Oceanside and Camp Pendleton. We drove in the rain the whole time, and it continued to rain the whole day and night. It also rained on and off on Sunday, and then again Sunday night and Monday morning. Today the sun is out, and the sky is blue. I think the big storms are over. There were spots in or near San Diego that had 13 inches of rain, the northern California mountains had as much as 11 feet of snow, and it's been dreary, dreary, dreary for almost 4 days. The first night we were here we were welcomed by a nice sunset, but it soon turned into rain again.

On Sunday we drove up to the historic San Juan Capistrano Mission, one of the nine Missions founded by Father Junipero Serra, and the Mission known as the Jewel of all the Missions. The weather cooperated and the rain stayed away as we toured the huge grounds of this Mission. The Great Stone Church which was begun in 1797 and took nine years to build, was hit by an earthquake in 1812 during morning Mass, and the walls crumbled and the domes caved in, killing 42 Indian worshippers. The Church was never rebuilt. The majestic ruins became known as the American Acropolis, and the Mission Preservation foundation has achieved a major preservation of the still standing walls.

Again, as with the Mission in San Diego, I found this such a peaceful, serene place, filled with lovingly preserved artifacts and bursting with the history of these great Western Missions. And I have also located on the map of this immediate area, three more missions that I would love to visit.

This is also the place that the popular WWII song "When the Swallows Come Back to Capistrano" was speaking about. Each year, the miracle of the swallows takes place at this mission when, on March 19th, the faithful little birds wing their way from their winter home in Argentina to their summer home at San Juan Capistrano Mission. They rebuild their mud nests which cling to the ruins of the old stone church. And each fall, on October 23, the swallows take flight again, circle the mission bidding farewell to the Jewel of All Missions, and head back to their winter home.

Also on these grounds is the Serra Chapel, constructed in 1782, which is the only still standing chapel in which Father Serra is known to have celebrated the sacraments. Daily services are still held in this ornate chapel. We were fortunate to visit now, as a preservation project will involve installing scaffolding through this fall, and conservation treatments will take place on the termite infested beams.

MISSION BASILICA SAN DIEGO de ALCALA

This mission was one of my favorite sight seeing trips we've done here in San Diego. The church itself is beautiful, the courtyards and garden are filled with flowers and plants, and the whole place gives off such a sense of peace. I really, really liked this place.
I would have loved to have heard the bells ringing.
We entered the church through a small wooden side door.

The church was still decorated with red, pink and white poinsettias from the Christmas holidays.
It's a very narrow but long church with narrow wooden benches and a tile floor.
We weren't allowed up the steps, but I would have loved to have gone up closer to the bells. And it would be really fun to hear them ringing. This is the side gate into the beautiful courtyard off the church.
Father Junipero Serra looks like he was a very small man.

These two last pictures are taken inside a small chapel off the courtyard behind the church. The decorated choir stalls and the throne and altar are from Plasencia, Spain and date back to the 1300's.

FLOWERS AT THE MISSION BASILICA SAN DIEGO de ALCALA

The gardens and courtyards at the Mission San Diego were absolutely lovely. I love Boston ferns, and have killed more than my share. Just look at this one, outside, in January!
Beautiful colors of pink hanging overhead on the rafters.
I have also done in many jade plants......this one has a trunk the size of my arm and is also outside.
The walls and fences are perfect backgrounds for the shrubs and overhanging plants.
And I love these orange pokers (I don't know what they are really called) against the simple stark white of the mission buildings.

These window bars form a perfect frame for this fern.
Lush plants against the simple white are so striking.
I could go on for many, many more pictures, but I'll let you go. I will post pictures of the mission itself later this evening.

THE BIG STORM IS COMING!

I'm just sitting here eating my breakfast of bits of ham in warmed over sweet potatoes made with just butter in them. I love sweet potatoes and just can't see throwing out the remainder of our New Year's Day dinner, so they have been my breakfast the last three days. I emptied the storage container this morning, so will have to move on to my regular yogurt tomorrow morning.

Speaking of tomorrow morning reminds me that I haven't told you that we are moving tomorrow. Yup, changing the zip code once again. We're heading north to Oceanside and MCCP otherwise known as Marine Corps Camp Pendleton. It's a huge base stretching from the ocean back to the hills. We checked out our campsites a couple of weeks ago, and found a small, pleasant little campground nestled at the edge of the hills by a small lake. The base, or post, I don't know what the Marines call their place, has more amenities than any base I've ever been on. When we lived on the Air Force bases, we had two stores, a Commissary or grocery store, and a BX , a kind of low end department store. Camp Pendleton has separate stores in place of the one BX. We saw a quality clothing and cosmetics type store, an electronics store, a drug type of store, a toy and garden store, and a housewares and gifts types store. Unbelievable! Felt like I was in a mall rather than on a military base. We didn't go into the grocery store, but it looked huge and foreboding, someplace I won't like to frequent, that's for sure. Hope I can find a small farmer's market or health food store to shop at in the area, because I don't do well in huge stores. We also found a home improvement type of store, the regular beauty shops and banks, and of course several fast food restaurants. Base living has certainly changed!

But the big news this morning, no Jacob, it's not the Brittany saga once again, is the constant warning coming across the TV screen about the approaching storm. It's going to be a big one they are saying on the Weather Channel, and the weather persons are warning people to be prepared. Northern California and the whole mountain area can expect record snowfalls, there are winds gusting to 85 miles per hour near San Francisco, and southern areas will have huge amounts of rain. They are talking rain in the 10 inch category, and snow measuring in the double figures of feet! Worries include the recently burned areas where there will be nothing to prevent the homes from sliding down the hillsides. I guess it's a little late now to be thinking that maybe they shouldn't have built homes on stilts hanging out over the canyons? Anyhow, authorities are handing out sand bags to pile around the homes, hopefully providing a enough of a diversion of the rushing waters to prevent homes from going over the edge.

I have no idea what we should expect in our camp spot here in San Diego. I know we'll have rain, and I know I need to get down to Ocean Beach by the pier and watch the huge waves developing, but other than that I don't think we'll be getting any of the extremes. So we'll just go about our day preparing for our move tomorrow. We need to pick up a couple of things at a place such as WalMart, wash a load of sheets, remove the accessories I place out when we sit in one spot for a month or more, and generally just batten down the hatches, preparing for rain and for moving.

And, because we signed up for one more day of internet, I will post some beautiful pictures I took yesterday when we visited the first church in California, the Mission San Diego de Alcala, started by Father Serra. Probably the highlight of my stay in San Diego....I loved it.

'NUFF SAID

January 2, 2008: The view out my RV door
This color is called: GREEN
The predicted temperature today: 70 degrees ABOVE ZERO

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm heading to bed very soon, without waiting up for the New Year. We were up very early this morning for our flight back to San Diego and I am beyond tired. We stood in line to check in for over an hour, the line snaking way down the hall before breaking into the actual lines to the counters. Then it was another long wait to get through security. By the time we got to our gate, we had about 10 minutes for a bathroom break before they started the boarding calls, and we were to the airport more than two hours ahead of our flight. Busy place today.

I had several events happen to me today that had me thinking I was going to be ending the year on a sour note. First of all, my computer decided to take a trip down the escalator on it's own, thumpity thump thump thump. Secondly, my new watch, one of those bracelet styles that clip around your wrist, went missing. And thirdly, I bit into a piece of cheese, yes, just plain old cheddar cheese, and a crown on my tooth popped off. The good news is: my computer is fine, no damage at all that we can find. Yay! And my watch, a $7 special from the flea market in Yuma, showed up in the side pocket of my computer bag. Weird, uh? And lastly, I just put my crown back in the opening it came out of, and it's been fine, even eating steak for dinner! Hope your year ended as lucky as mine did.

Well, the ball just dropped in New York, so I guess I can head off to bed now as the New Year has come to the USA. I'm not waiting the three more hours for San Diego's celebration.

May your New Year be filled with peace, joy, health, love, and faith.

I LOVE SNOW!

Weird me, I know. Taking pictures of the beautiful new snow through the screen from the second floor of my motel. But I love snow! It must be because it reminds me of my childhood spent in Northeastern Iowa, back in the days when we had real winters. Snowdrifts were over my head most every winter. Okay, so I was a kid then and much shorter than my current 5'8", but you have to admit that we haven't had snow like that in many, many years. And in my current parking spot in San Diego, they don't have a lot of snow either, so I was thrilled when yesterday and last night, God sent snow, just for me.

AND A COUPLE MORE

This grandson, Caleb, managed to dodge the camera most of the evening, but I did get this one of the handsome redhead. Although he isn't as red anymore, and he's a wrestler this year so I probably shouldn't call him handsome anymore. Maybe Bruiser or Crusher or something like that would be more appropriate.

This guy, Jacob, didn't dodge the camera. He and Kjirsten spent the evening posing whenever they saw someone with a camera. They both have star quality, don't you think?
Our youngest son and family were planning to join us today, but their youngest daughter was sick. So, Madison and Jaden, get well soon and we'll have another party! I haven't been able to connect with Chuck's family, nor Gail and her husband yet, but I left messages. We have to plan those get togethers, too. And another granddaughter lives in town, so we definitely want to see her too. Then next weekend we'll head to our oldest son's place up by Minneapolis. Then we'll be close to the airport when we fly out on Monday morning. It just didn't work out for a gathering of the whole family at one time this year. Tomorrow night we are getting together with my siblings, 3 sisters and a brother, and spouses, and our mom. We're going to a nice restaurant for dinner, so no one has to sweat over making another holiday meal.

MORE CHRISTMAS PICTURES

These pictures were taken at our daughter Kari's home last night. This first one is Adam as he is opening up a gift certificate, concealed in a big box, to be used at the music store for an amplifier. What were his parents thinking?
This is our beautiful Katie and her husband-to-be, Clayton. They are getting married in May, so next year at Christmas time we will have to address a card to Mr and Mrs!
This cute couple is grandson, Aaron, and his sweetie, Anna. Both nice good looking kids, don't you think?
And this is Kjirsten, modeling her new boxers on top of her jeans. She's looking fully recovered from her recent surgery.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE

We arrived in Minneapolis right on schedule, were able to pick up our rental car at HHH rather than having to go over to Lindberg, and within a couple of hours we were home. After checking into our motel, we went over to Kari's and spent the next few hours in the noise, laughter and love that is Christmas Eve gift opening. Oh, what fun! I am refreshed after having a partial grandkid fix. We saw Kari and Mike's six kids, plus Jacob and Caleb who were spending some time there, plus Katie's Clayton and Aaron's Anna were there. My mom and sister had also been invited, so it was a pretty good sized gathering.

Quote of the evening: Ben said "Oh, grandma, I'm so happy I'm shaking!" when he opened his KINEX building set that his parents gave him.

Sweet Anna loving on her new horse.

Three big kids, Kjirsten, Jacob and Katie are playing Anna's Candyland game. Only they put a different spin on it by playing with game pieces that were perfectly accessorized with

Polly Pocket clothing and purses!

SAN DIEGO AIRPORT

I love people watching, and the airport is a perfect place to do so. I am sitting on the floor, in the hallway, across from gate 38 at the San Deigo airport. We leave in about an hour, an so far the flight is one time. We were a little worried, wondering where this flight originated, because of all the snow and wind in the midwest. The news this morning showed that the winds were much calmer today than yesterday, so hopefully we'll have a good, smooth, calm, peaceful, steady, non-turbulent flight, and will arrive on time in MSP and not have to circle the airport while they plow the runways. Have I mentioned that I don't like flying? Well, I don't.

A little girl just skipped down the hallway, hair in a spikey bouncy tail on top of her head like Pebbles on the Flintstones. She was maybe two, dressed in white pants with a velvet pink shirt that had sparklies on it to match the pink sparkly ribbon in her hair. Her brother was probably a year older, and was dressed in tan pants and an athletic shirt, both looking brand new. The mom was a skinny little thing, probably no more than 110 pounds, and dressed fashionably in tight jeans and spike heels. I'm guessing they were going to grandma's house, wherever that may be. And I'm guessing that grandma is anxiously waiting for their arrival.

The walls along the hallway are lined with people on computers, people with DVD players, and people recharging any number of types of electronic equipment. Some people are just stretched out on the hard tile floor, oblivious to the crowds passing by them as they are plugged into their iPods or MP3 players. I see a soldier carrying his Army green duffel bag and a hanging garment bag. I wonder if that hanging bag contains his dress uniform. And I wonder if he's bringing it along so he can wear it to Christmas Day services at his home church, sitting in a familiar pew, between his proud parents who are beaming from ear to ear.

I see a large family group standing right in front of me. There are three generations gathered there, chatting and laughing and seemingly trying to decide where they should go to wait for their flight. I wonder if it's a dream trip. I wonder if they're taking a Christmas trip to create memories for the kids of traveling with grandma and grandpa. I wonder if everyone is in good health and if this is their last trip together, or if this is a yearly tradition.

Here comes a dad, pushing a stroller loaded with winter jackets, and kids backpacks, while the kids are walking along next to him. Now I wonder, where is mom? Is she in the restroom? Or are she and the dad no longer living together. Does he "have" the kids just for the holidays? If so, what is mom going to do with out the kids? Or is mom out of the picture and is he a full time dad?

So many people. So many questions. And such a sore butt from sitting on the hard, cold, tile floor. I am signing off with a Happy Christmas Eve to you all, and I'll update later this evening from our motel room.

I DON'T GET IT

I stress, I worry, I stew, I fret. What should I pack, how many shirts should I bring? Maybe I should throw in a couple extra, just in case. Will I need more than this? Do I have enough of that? I started my packing yesterday for our trip to Minnesota tomorrow. I added to the piles as I thought of things. This morning I went through things and decided on one more shirt, but took out one sweater. This afternoon I actually packed things in my bag, and I have all the toiletries I'll use in the morning laid out, and ready to put in a plastic bag after I've showered and dressed. My jacket is even folded on top of my bag, and my computer bag and my purse are also ready and standing in line, waiting for me to grab them in the morning as we leave for the airport. It's 4:30 now, and I should be able to relax for most of the evening, unless I think of something else I need, or something I might need, or just something I could maybe in a month of Sundays need.

I just asked Ernie if he was packed. He said he'd do it in the morning. Dick and Bev are taking us to the airport at 7:30. I guess he won't have time to stress, worry, stew or fret about what he's taking along. He'll just throw things in his bag and go with it. And I'll have to worry about what he doesn't have or what he should have taken along, or what I wish he'd picked out. What I really wish is that I could be more like he is, but I'm not. I'm a worry wart.

FOUR GENERATIONS

This is the last picture this morning, I promise.

The four generations are: me on my great grandmother's lap, behind her my grandpa, and next to him, my beautiful Mother (in the purple outfit, shown here at my nephew's wedding in November).

MORE HISTORICAL PICTURES FROM MY MUSEUM ENVELOPE

Okay, I really need to get my packing done, but I love old pictures! Here are a couple more.....and then I'm off to the shower and then finish my packing. In 24 hours we are already on the plane (HOPEFULLY!) and on our way to Minnesota.

Quite the pose for a two year old. I sure am cute though!
Me and my daddy.......taken at the college where he later was the dean of the seminary and where he taught for many years, and the college where I later worked for 18 years. This was my first visit there. Who knew what the future held in store for me as I later went to high school and college there, met my husband there, and we both worked there!
The house I grew up in, out in the country, down in northeastern Iowa. I loved that house! On the right side you can faintly see one of the churches where my dad was pastor for over eleven years.

SIDETRACKED: FROM PACKING TO CANNED GOODS

I am easily sidetracked. This morning I was trying to find something I needed to pack and was looking in one of my bedroom drawers, and I found the envelope of old pictures that I've been looking for. And who can resist old pictures? Certainly not me. I looked through all of them, and decided I needed to scan them to my computer. So I got out the book on the printer/copier/scanner and read the directions. I followed them but nothing happened. I went to the printer web site and found that the scanner portion of the three in one machine is not compatible with Vista. Big surprise, uh? Anyhow, I downloaded what I needed to make it compatible and installed the scanner. It works, but not well. The pictures were so dark and I couldn't quite get the hang of fixing them. If all else fails, take a picture of the picture and dump it into a new picture folder called appropriately "Old pictures." So for your enjoyment this morning, here is a picture of my great grandmother and her siblings.
Back row left to right: Mina, Anna, Belva
Front row : Hulda, Martha my great grandmother, Olius, Emma, Olina

It's kind of a Sesame Street moment ~ one of these names is not like the others ~

Don't you love those names? I remember going to visit Grandma Martha in her small home in Wisconsin. There was a small parlor and dining room and kitchen. The kitchen floor had a trap door in it, and if you opened it you could go down the steps to the cellar where all the goodies were kept. Do you know the song "Canned Goods?" Every time I hear this song (words and music by Greg Brown) I think of my great grandmother and her cellar below the trap door in the kitchen.

CANNED GOODS by Greg Brown

Let the wild winter wind bellow and blow, cuz I'm as warm as a July to-ma-to.

Chorus: There's peaches on the shelf, potatoes in the bin, supper's ready everybody come on in. Taste a little of the summer, taste a little of the summer, taste a little of the summer, Grandma put it all in jars.

Well there's a root cellar fruit cellar down below, watch your head now, down you go.
Chorus:
So you say you're weary and you don't give a damn, I bet you never tasted her blackberry jam.
Chorus:
Oh she's got magic in her, you know what I mean, she puts the sun and rain in with her green beans.
Chorus:
Well with the snow and the economy and everything, I think I'll just stay down here and eat until spring.
Chorus:
When I go down to see grandma, I gain a lot of weight, with her dear hands she feeds me plate after plate. She cans the pickles sweet and dill, and the song of the whippoorwill, and the morning dew, and the evening moon, and I really got to go and see her soon, cuz the canned goods that I buy in the store ain't got the summer in 'em any more, and you betcha grandma, as sure as you're born, I'll take some more potatoes in a thunder storm.

There's peaches on the shelf, potatoes in the bin, supper's ready everybody come on in. Taste a little of the summer, taste a little of the summer, taste a little of the summer, Grandma put it all in jars.