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Halloween! All Hallow's Eve! Dia De Los Muertos! The day of candy corn, jack-o-lanterns, costumes, ghouls, goblins, fun, and generally SCARY STUFF!
How about spiders? They are very active in the Fall. Big garden spiders spin and spin, creating huge symmetrical webs to trap their prey. Daylight finds them in hiding; evening begins the hunt. And watch out for Black Widows too! They seek dark places, spinning rather desultory webs as their signature death trap.
And how scary is a pumpkin? The inside can be pretty darn to a little one, namely mine. When my son and niece were young we carved some pumpkins for Halloween. Each child was to clean-out his/her own pumpkin before the artistic process would begin. My niece dug in happily; my son protested. Thinking he just wanted to skip to the fun part I encouraged him to persist. Not until I heard him say "Mom, I see little white flies in my pumpkin" and "I'm dizzy" did I realize what was happening. My rough and tumble boy was seeing stars! Blood and guts never phased him, but the mushy innards of a pumpkin were definitely his kryptonite!
Be afraid! Be very afraid!
My folks had a road trip to Oregon planned for this Fall. A sentimental journey of sorts to enjoy long overdue visits with relatives and old friends. When my dad broke his ribs in early September, I had some concern about them traveling alone. (Besides, I’ll dig for any excuse to do a road trip;) So with vacation time available from work, I offered to be their chauffeur and travel agent:)
Dallas and Doris (my parents) have been married for 58 years. They were wed on June 25, 1950, a date familiar to US History buffs as the day the Korean War began. My mother had not seen my father for a year when she arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii where he was stationed as a member of the US Navy. They were married with no relatives present, only friends: Mac was Best Man. Lil was Matron of Honor. They, too, were newlyweds (of only four months). Mac was in the Navy. Lil worked at Ship Service.
Ah, the twists and turns of fate. My dad needed to find an apartment before my mom arrived, so Mac mentioned that the one below he and Lil was available. Thus began an enduring friendship of four people, born in different parts of the country within 10 months of one another. An Iowan, Missourian, Idahoan, and Hawaiian became friends and neighbors on Palani Street in Honolulu, Hawaii.
My parents have always remembered and appreciated the kindness of their friends. Mom had no wedding dress for the marriage ceremony, so Lil borrowed one from another friend for her to wear. The couples socialized and celebrated holidays together for the two years they were neighbors. My dad spent an extra year in the Navy because of the war. Mac signed over and became a career man. Our family ultimately settled in Southern California. Their family lived in Washington, Oregon, California, and even Cuba for two years. We kept in communication mostly through letters, lost touch for a number of years, then, with the aid of the internet, began communicating again.
This past weekend I watched four people who hadn’t seen each other in 37 years reminisce without missing a beat. Names, places, and stories from the past were discussed, photos shared, and gaps of time brought up to date. I thoroughly enjoyed witnessing every moment of this event but must say that one particular discussion stood out above all others.
The day prior to our visit was Lil’s 80th birthday, making her the first of the four to reach that milestone. Always beautiful inside and out, sweet too, she still has that sharp little edge that makes her so interesting to talk with.
Lil was born and raised in Honolulu in a neighborhood near Diamond Head. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, she had just turned 13 years old. I felt so privileged to hear about this event from her perspective! A child’s point-of-view, so different from the military strategies of history books:)
She recounted that she remembered seeing the smoke rise from the harbor for days and also mentioned that they feared ground invasion from the Japanese. (Looking back, we know that the attack was only aerial, but if you are experiencing it in real time, how could you be certain?) Everyone was issued gas masks. She noted (as a 13 year old girl would;) that they were UGLY, heavy, and had a huge filter canister on them. Required to tote them everywhere, she gave up carrying a purse, and piled her belongings into the mask. Children are wonderful! She also noted the required blackouts in the days following the attack. Absolutely no light was allowed to leak from the houses at night. Her father was the warden in their neighborhood, too. He patrolled to make certain it was “Lights Out!”
On behalf of Dallas and Doris, I would like to thank Mac, Lil, Sharon, Debbie....and Mollie;) for their hospitality. This was a road trip like no other......
*Note: Photo Number 4 was taken at the Punchbowl Cemetery on Christmas Day 1950.
.....she said in her best British accent. No, not the alternative rock group (formed in Chi-town, BTW). It's October showcase time for the versatile pumpkin!Our pumpkins got an early start this year. After the seedlings were planted, vines took off across the yard and even up the fence. During the morning hours, bees were ecstatic over the blooms, showing no discrimination between male and female flowers. Soon tiny pumpkins appeared, then grew and grew till harvest time....My friend Jordi from Missouri (or Missoura, like my mom, a Missouri native, says) loves pumpkins (and gourds too). She occasionally looks to Martha Stewart Magazine for fun ideas, and discovered the Pumpkin Owls this year. They are quite easy to make, especially if you leave out the miniature lights.Jordi and I both get a giggle out of Martha (often the definition of perfectionism and its negatives). Martha did a televised special many years ago with Julia Child as guest. Watching loosey-goosey Julia frustrate Miss M (almost to the point of homicide) was incredibly entertaining. Someday Jordi and her sister will take over the Martha Stewart empire;) I hope it's hostile....Choose yer weapon, Martha! Spatulas it is!
When a college student’s laptop takes it’s last breath and there’s a 7-cent balance in his checking account, life isn’t good. Fortunately, a loaner-laptop was available for use; unfortunately, it was at home, not school. For the second weekend in a row, Mom’s Delivery Service to the rescue (and another trip to the Fangorn Forest as reward!)Remember the Lord of the Rings (Movie) Trilogy? Definitely a favorite, funny how an unexpected trigger can bring back fond memories. My son was in his early teens when the first LOTR movie was released. He saw it with friends then insisted that I see it too. Instantly hooked, I could hardly wait to see the next two movies. The characters; wonderful acting; interesting images; classic good vs. evil; Sam, my favorite hobbit; how could I possibly forget?After stopping at the University on Saturday, this Pixie headed uphill to fish and to enjoy the Western Junipers. Thick and twisted with age, these trees are able to survive flash floods while protecting the soil from erosion. Jeffrey Pines are tall, majestic, and favorite homes to Western Gray Squirrels. (Smell the bark to enjoy a delicious aroma of vanilla.) Pinyon Pines, California Black Oaks, and Willows round out my version of the Fangorn Forest.....Notice too, the smile:-)A felled tree once blocked this trail, so forestry workers removed the offending portion. Exposed ends were turned into opposing seats (resting places for weary hikers). The worker with a sense of humor (and creativity) carved a happy face on one seat (not quite Treebeard of The Two Towers fame, but cute!). Yes, the forest can be magical....Let us not forget the Monty Python song either....LOL
Normally, Moms get a little frustrated when their college-student children are forgetful or disorganized (especially in regards to moving back to the dorm). This year I was kinda glad when my son forgot some items, because I got to take a hike;)
Mom’s Delivery Service made the trip to Redlands early Saturday morning. Hugs and kisses for my little one, here’s your stuff, let me use your bathroom, and then See Mom Run! Highway 38 (aka the back way to Big Bear) was calling me!
Fifty-plus miles of scenic driving from Redlands to Big Bear Lake (which the City of Redlands owns, BTW). The road makes a fairly steep ascent once it passes the turn-off to Forest Falls, and climbs to over 9000-feet before dropping into Big Bear City (6700-feet). This stretch of highway passes through Angelus Oaks and Barton Flats, with a side loop to Jenks Lake, and many campgrounds, dirt roads and hiking trails to be found along the way.
The Big Bear area has lots to offer, but today we visited the Discovery Center then donned the hiking boots to search for critters. The Acorn Woodpeckers were busy, as were lizards, squirrels, and even a couple of Gray Foxes. I was hoping to see hummingbirds, especially the Calliope Hummingbird. It’s North America's smallest bird and is usually found at the higher elevations of the western mountains. We heard hummingbirds, but as we approached, they became quiet. (Mountain hummingbirds must be shyer than their urban cousins.) Obviously there for the flowers, Hummingbird Trumpet was in bloom everywhere!
Summer is waning and ski operators are probably praying for early snows, but this trip to our local mountains was perfect. Hmmmmm. Wonder what the child will need delivered next weekend? ;)
While I’m not one to be a loyal planter of veggie gardens, every Spring I plant tomatoes (except the few years that “volunteers” have saved me;) It’s tradition. My ritual. Home-grown ‘maters to eat and share. Yum!In the past, we have grown various varieties, but lately my choice has been Grape tomatoes, namely, Roma Grapes. No knives needed, they are the perfect size for salads or snacks. This year produced a bountiful harvest, so I’m trying this roasted tomato recipe. The aroma in the kitchen is wonderful....Our little section of Southern California stays pretty mild year round, so tomato plants can be wintered over with some luck and plastic “pup tents”:) Kinda cheating, don’t you think? Turn, Turn, Turn. To everything, There is a season.....A time to plant, a time to reap.Soon I will join Autumn for some house-cleaning. Her winds will strip the trees of leaves while I empty the planting beds, say goodbye to the stragglers, and store the cages till next year...Come Spring, I will ritualize...once again;)
My Daddy;)
He will celebrate his 80th birthday in January of 2009.....
“Johnsons” are tough....especially the ones from Northwestern Iowa. The eldest of six children, he lost his mom when he was only 14 years old. The family struggled financially so he had to work on neighboring farms for his room and board while finishing high school.
Now he’s a retired LA County Fireman who plays golf twice a week in Chino Hills, California with fellow retirees. Last week he was finishing the back nine, pulled the flag pin for a fellow golfer, and passed out. Initially, the other golfers thought he had fallen, but he knew otherwise. In pain, he played four more holes (including a bogey on a par 4) and rode the last two. His reasoning to me: “Terri! I had such a great front nine, I just couldn’t quit!”
The pain became unbearable the last couple of holes and his friends wanted to summon help, but he refused. His friend John wanted to drive him home. No! He would drive himself, and did so....the entire 35 miles. When my mother arrived home, she found him in excruciating pain and wanted to call 911. No!
He took his carotid pulse and noticed a flutter, so finally agreed to go to the Emergency Room. Diagnosis: Four broken ribs, numbers 5, 6, 7 & 8 with indications of heart issues and a collapsing left lung. He spent two nights in the hospital.
Initial tests indicate that his heart is good, but he’ll have a chemical stress test next week to see how it reacts under a load. Partial blockages in the subclavian artery will need to be dealt with too.
My dad is my hero. He gave me the Johnson-gene of exploration and adventure; an appreciation and respect of nature and the outdoors; a love of birds; and, hopefully, he shared just a little bit of his tough gene too;)
But right now, he's just itchin' to play a little more cow-pasture pool!
Halloween! All Hallow's Eve! Dia De Los Muertos! The day of candy corn, jack-o-lanterns, costumes, ghouls, goblins, fun, and generally SCARY STUFF!
