In My Dreams

Heading South

2009-11-16T05:12:00.000-08:00

Two hours south of me is Fresno, CA. Also two hours south is U.S. District Court. Today I am required to appear for jury selection. Jury selection first arrived on my doorstep two months ago. One delay later and I now must go. From my front door to the courthouse' front door, it is 84.3 miles. Lucky me; I get to stay at a hotel if I am selected. Several things really have me down about this but the two big ones are

1. possibly being away from work for an extended period of time; and
2. being away from my family.

I have had other thoughts flit through my mind mostly centering on the bad things of life that I might have to examine in detail. Okay. I can do that but, do I really want to? Hardly.

The interesting thing about this call is that I retire in seven months. After 22 years of working at the university, it is amazing to me that I have been call NOW. Had this happened after June 2010, I would have approached this with no reluctance at all. It would have been an adventure. But now, with all the budget problems, work required for this year, budget planning for next year, 120 students that need attention, 23 faculty to keep track of, and a concert season to keep track of, well, it's just plain difficult.

I don't have a laptop so my presence here may become sporatic. I'm sure the hotel has a computer so I can visit and post at from time to time but if you happen to notice my absence, this is why. So, stay tuned. I may have good news by the end of the day. If not . . . well, this will be just another curve ball that life has tossed my way and I'm very good at ducking and dodging.

Old Gasoline Pump

2009-11-13T16:23:00.001-08:00

Old Gasoline Pump, originally uploaded by AnnieElf.

Time stands still for no one.
Tears trail.
Lungs swell.
Age engulfs.

Something Lighthearted and Funny

2009-11-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

This is a little (well, actually WAAAYYYY) out of the norm for me but someone at work sent this to me this morning and I just couldn't resist.

Remembering

2009-11-11T08:51:00.000-08:00

,,
Today we honor and remember those who served and are now serving. If you would like to have someone remembered here, please leave a name and branch of service in the comments or send them to me in an email and I will add them to the list.

Russell C. Bastian, Navy, WWII, Pearl Harbor, and Korea.

Donald W. Jeffries, Navy, VietNam

Guido Echevarria, Sr, CIA-Naval Special Forces, Bay of Pigs, Cuba (1961)

Joseph R. Helfrich, Army, WWII, China/Burma/India
Curtis William Weaver, Navy, Viet Nam

Jon Robert MacCulloch, Air Force
Wesley Jon MacCulloch, Navy

Pat Tillman and his family - 75th Ranger Regiment - Iraq, Afghanistan - killed 2004.

Herman C. Corsnitz, Army, Korean Conflict

Jeff Wheeler, Navy and Army (UDT 22 Grenada;

82nd Airborne Operation Desert Storm,

Operation Desert Shield)
All members of the Civil Air Patrol (USAF Auxiliary) from WWII - present.

Kendal D. Croope, U.S. Army, WWII, China/Burma/India
Martin L. Krauss, U.S. Army, WWII, European Theatre

Maurice Thomase Ortiz, U.S. Army, WWII, European Theatre

Sepia Scenes - Locke

2009-11-10T08:33:00.001-08:00

Buildings in Locke, CA, originally uploaded by AnnieElf.

This sepia mosaic today comes to you from buildings in Locke, CA, my new favorite place to visit. If you click on the photo, it will bring you to my Flickr account where the original pictures are stored. Once you are there, you can cllick on the photo numbers or titles that appear below the picture and be able to explore the original pictures in color. Have fun.

Ruby Tuesday in Locke, CA

2009-11-10T00:10:00.001-08:00

Ruby Tuesday in Locke, CA, originally uploaded by AnnieElf.

The Chinese world is lush with color and the favorite is red. The color red is everywhere in Locke. The sampler above is a collection of buildings, businesses, residences, crazy interiors, amusing signs, and the ubiquitous line up of motorcycles that seem to grace small towns with popular watering holes. This particular hole, populated with the sound of friendly laughter, was a place called Al the Wop's. The deer head and decorated antlers tell you everything you need to know about this colorful place.

Mellow Yellow Monday - RAY OF LIGHT

2009-11-08T22:47:00.001-08:00

RAY OF LIGHT, originally uploaded by AnnieElf.

Old Building from Locke, CA - First and only town in the country expressly built for a Chinese population (at their request in 1920).

Roadtripping to Locke, CA - Part I

2009-11-07T13:25:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was my Furlough Friday Number Nine. It was another day to explore my world and environs with roadtripping buddy, Elaine.

Several years ago, Don and I had a Monday off and drove up to a little town we had heard about - Locke, CA - which is situated on the San Joaquin Delta. What we didn't know was that on Mondays, absolutely anything that could be open for business, wasn't. Locke sleeps on Monday. The rest of the time, Locke dozes and naps.

So on that visit we walked Main Street which is only about a quarter mile long, peeked in business windows, and respected the privacy of the residents. What we didn't figure out until much later is that the residential area of one long block of narrow roadway dividing buildings that faced each other wasn't really private. Like any neighborhood, it can be walked and like any neighborhood, you respect the residents' privacy. People DO actually live there.

As you walk down Main Street, you pass a regular series of walkway/alleys that join the businesses with the residences directly behind them.

Visit Between Friends

Old equipment seen in a side yard. Use unknown.

Pretty little corner at the bend in the road.

Sweet smelling outdoor plumbing.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF LOCKE

Locke was founded in 1915 after a fire broke out in the Chinese section of nearby Walnut Grove. The Chinese who lived in that area decided that it was time to establish a town of their own. A committee of Chinese merchants, led by Lee Bing, Chan Hing Sai, Tom Wai, Chan Dai Kee, Ng So Hat, Chan Wai Lum, Chow Hou Bun, and Suen Dat Suin was formed. They approached land owner George Locke and inquired if they could build on his land. An agreement was reached. The town was laid out by Chinese architects and industrious building ensued. The founding of Lockeport, later 'Locke', was a reality. By 1920 Locke stood essentially as you see it now.

Levee construction originally brought the Chinese to this area, but by the time Locke was built most of the work was in farm labor. Locke had many businesses that catered to the farm workers and residents of this region. In the 1940's restaurants, bakeries, herb shops, fish markets, gambling halls, boarding houses, brothels, grocery stores, a school, clothing stores, and the Star Theatre lined the bustling streets of Locke. At its peak 600 residents, and as many as 1500 people occupied the town of Locke.

On August 2, 1970, Locke was added to the registry of national historical places, by the Sacramento County Historical Society, because of its unique status as the only town in the United States built exclusively by the Chinese for the Chinese.

Locke is no tourist trap, nor is it a ghost town. Its unusual, out-of-the-way charm is genuine. Perhaps it is this authenticity, without any hypocritical overtones, which brings so many out of town visitors to its doors.

Currently, there are between 80 to 90 people live in Locke. Chinese population is down to about ten.

Text from locketown.com

Please be sure to stop by again to see Part II and Locke's Main Street.

Furlough Friday #9

2009-11-06T21:38:00.001-08:00

To Bed for Winter, originally uploaded by AnnieElf.

Elaine and I roadtripped today and drove to Locke, CA. Lots of history there and much to share. This shot is actually a marriage of two photos of the community garden that has been put to bed for the winter. Between now and Sunday, there will be much more to see.

Sepia Scenes - The hand

2009-11-03T21:46:00.001-08:00

The hand, originally uploaded by AnnieElf.

Her figure rested against the table
waiting for her coffee order to arrive.
Deep in thought, her chin rests against
her right hand, her left falls gracefully
across her lap. The day is young and yet
she has already been hard at work
running for her life.

Gratitude and Despair and Humility

2009-11-03T11:23:00.000-08:00

Quanah just called. After two years of unemployment, he has connected with a temp agency that apparently is actively involved in placing people to fill a variety of jobs.

After several days of substituting at various elementary schools, he went to a scheduled interview today for a temp position with what he thought was for a temp position with the Red Cross. Instead, he walked out with a job assembling 3-D glasses. I have to tell you, I didn't know what to say beyond "You're kidding?"

Nope, not kidding. As I think about it, I am torn between gratitude for the job, despair that his talents are seemingly wasted, and in the end, humility taking me by the hand and circling me back to thankfulness for this opportunity.

As I think of the hard time he has been going through and the lessons that God has been giving him about patience and trust and faith, I realize that I have been learning lessons too, the most important of which is letting your adult child stand on his own, help where you can and stand back when you must. Learning this lesson has made me a better parent, I think, and it has definitely made him a better adult.

At this moment, the opening of this door doesn't make a lot of sense to me but then, it is not my door to walk through. It is a door that will lead him to a sense of his manhood not being crushed anymore; it is a door that will lead him to other people, other connections; it is a door that will lead him to a stop-gap position that will give him time now to breathe, to plan, to get his and Erin's lives going in the direction of a solid foundation, not the quicksand they have been living on.

So - I feel great gratitude and a lot less despair now as I write this. Humility tells me to shed false pride. (Rom. 12:3) says - For by the grace given to me I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than one ought to think, but to think soberly, each according to the measure of faith that God has apportioned.

Wise words, indeed.

Ruby Tuesday - Fiery Sky

2009-11-02T14:08:00.000-08:00

I looked out my back door one evening last week and
was stunned by the beauty of the pink and blue sky.

I took several pictures and later was surprised to find the my sky blue and pink sky had turned into a

passionate and fiery ocean of clouds crowning a quiet, and windless night.

Mellow Yellow All Souls Day

2009-11-02T11:43:00.000-08:00

Prayer of St. Gertrude the Great

Eternal Father, I offer Thee the most precious blood of Thy Divine Son, Jesus, in union with the Masses said throughout the world today for all the Holy Souls in Purgatory.

Please remember Mandy

2009-11-02T09:05:00.000-08:00

I just received this email from my blog friend, Mandy.

I am not in good health
I shall be moving into a hospice shortly.
I shall be deleting my blog and closing down my email account in the next few days.
It has been nice knowing you
Please do not grieve for me I have had a grand life with no regrets
love and goodbye, Mandy
http://mandysmeanderings.blogspot.com/

It is hard not to grieve for the passing of a life well live. We so want the example of that life to live forever. Please take a moment to remember Mandy in your prayers. If and when I learn of her final passing, I will post again.

This Week in My World

2009-10-31T21:38:00.001-07:00

Click to see me bigger

I love to people watch and eavesdrop on my world. This week I saw a woman resting after an early morning run. She's waiting to be called that her coffee is ready. A little girl has a new gold fish. Stacked suitcases make a clever side table, the ultimate in reinvention. Sunset was brilliant out my back door a few nights ago. The detail of an old church door warrants close inspection and red and green berries erupt from a tree in front of the art building. Soon they will shrivel and harden into little brown nuts.

Let's End the Halloween Controversy

2009-10-28T11:59:00.000-07:00

I just found the most sensible article yet on Halloween and the controversy surrounding it's celebration. Please read below and let's put the FUN and the reverence back into Halloween. Many thanks to Taylor Marshall for allowing me to reprint this post here.

Top 10 Ways to Have a Catholic Halloween!

This time of year introduces several debates. Among conservative Protestants it's "Halloween or no Halloween?" which sometimes becomes "Halloween vs. Reformation Day," the latter being the celebration of the Martin Luther's posting of the 95 Theses on Oct 31. Even some Catholics are concerned that Halloween has become "evil." Well, here are ten ways to keep good ol' Halloween fun and sacred.

10. Don't call it "Satan's Holiday".

There are many Christians who have written off Halloween as some sort of diabolical black mass. It's the vigil of a Christian holy day: All Hallows' Eve or All Saints Eve. Has it been corrupted by our culture and consumer market? You bet. However, Christmas has also been derailed by the culture. Does that mean that we're going hand over Christmas? No way! Same goes for Halloween. The Church does not surrender what rightfully belongs to her - she wins it back!

9. Don't feel that you have to opt for an "Halloween alternative".

Many churches (particularly Protestant ones) are now how hosting "Fall Festivals" (or worse, "Reformation Day"). I've been to several and they are particularly good if you have toddlers who otherwise wouldn't enjoying walking around the neighborhood "trick or treating". Unless you have seriously hesitations about your neighborhood, why not join your neighbors? It could be a great opportunity to get to know them and spark up some relationships. I've gotten to know some neighborhood dads as we stand out on the curb and watch our kids go up and the ring the door bells of every house on the street.

8. Be safe.Check all the candy.
Have the kids wear glow sticks. Dress warm. Stick together.

7. Be hospitable - Why not host the neighborhood party?
Christians are supposed to be hospitable, right? Why not host a Trick or Treating after party at your house with hot chocolate and coffee for the adults. Open up your house or back yard for games. Remember bobbing for apples?

6. Don't be turned off by the ghoulish-ness of Halloween.
Every great Catholic cathedral has gargoyles carved into its stone work. Illuminated manuscripts are also full of ghouls in the margins. Catholics are into this kind of stuff. Why? Because Christ has conquered death and the devil. After Christ, death has lost its sting. Also, All Saints day is followed by All Souls day so it's okay to be a little macabre. (By the way the word "macabre" comes from Maccabees - those two books in the Catholic Bible that Protestants threw out.) And if you live in an Hispanic area like I do, you've got the whole Dia de Muertos to play up.

5. Have fun, don't force converts.
Look, nobody likes to get a religious tract in their candy sack. Don't pass out religious literature. Give out big handfuls of candy and the extra large candy bars, if you can. In the long run, you will make more converts with your charity. After all, you'll be known as "the house that always gives out good candy".

4. Have a bonfire!
We Catholics used to specialize in bonfires. If you have the land and it's legal, stoke up a blaze. If you're kids are older why not set out a bunch of glowing jack-o-lanterns and roast marshmallows over a blazing-hot fire? If someone can play the fiddle, all the better.

3. Carve some fine looking Jack-O-Lanterns.
This is a no-brainer. Download some fancy cutting patterns from the web. Spend time as a family carving out some pumpkins. Put some candles in them and let them burn outside your house for a week or so before Halloween. My kids always like to see who has jack-o-lanterns in front of their house. Do you want to make friends in the neighborhood? Have a carving party and give a prize to the best jack-o-lantern.

2. Visit the graves of your loved ones.
This applies more to All Souls Day (Nov 2) than it does to All Saints Day (Nov 1). Still the point is to remember our loved ones and to pray for those who have died marked with the sign of faith. Death is not the last word. Christ has overcome death by His own sorrowful passion and death through the resurrection. That is is the source of our hope and strength of all the saints.

1. Be holy.
If you persevere in the love and grace of God, you too shall be a saint. The whole point of "All Hallows" is to remind us to be "hallowed" or "sanctified". Most of us won't have our own particular feast day and so All Saints Day will be our feast day. It is the feast day for most of the Church's saints, those who lived peaceably, followed Christ, loved their families, accomplished their duties in life and passed on to the next life. May their prayers be with us.Have other Halloween ideas? Share them in the comment box.

Sepia Scenes - Windmill at the Ranch

2009-10-27T21:59:00.001-07:00

Windmill at the Ranch, originally uploaded by AnnieElf.

Wind swirling
Branches flying
Mill spinning
Confusion reigns.

Giving a shout Out

2009-10-27T12:17:00.000-07:00

I am so happy and excited to give a shout out to my good and long time friend, Barbara. She is my Apple Hills buddy and we have literally raised our children together going through the gamut of births, marriages, migration into grandparenthood and deaths.

Now Barbara is writing a book that will chronicle her experience with her diabetic son at the craziness of sixth grade camp just as he was coming out of the honeymoon stage of dealing with his disease, and what she has learned over the years about keeping her diabetic child healthy and whole. You can read about it here at Bye-Bye BVDs.

Ruby Tuesday

2009-10-26T14:54:00.000-07:00

Five years ago His Holiness, Pope John Paul II died in Rome after a long and uncomplaining battle with Parkinson's Disease. Quanah happened to be studying in Rome that Spring semester and was privileged to be a witness to historic events.

In one of many surprises that happened during that period, this photo, taken by an AP photographer, emerged. The focus is clearly on the colorful and traditionally garbed Swiss Guardsman, kneeling in salute.

But something remarkable and deeply personal is happening for me in this picture. I know at least nine people in this photo. They are all members of my former parish in Modesto, CA and were on pilgrimage to Rome when Holy Father passed away.

But, the most remarkable thing of all is that at the center of this picture and totally separate from the pilgrimage, is my son, Quanah. He happened to run into the group while they were in Rome (I guess that is really possible) and they all attended this Mass together honoring the memory of Holy Father. Quanah is right at the center of this picture, his head above the nun kneeling next to the man with white hair.

Sunday Sorrow on Mellow Yellow Monday

2009-10-25T15:31:00.000-07:00

Cloudless sky

Gentle Breeze

Warm sun kisses my arms

The rustle of dried leaves

Creates music in the air.

Sunday morning was filled with possibilities. The quiet of Borders was just right at opening. The vacuum purred; books and gift items rolled out in carts onto the sidewalk and into the entryway; the coffee was hot and delish.

I managed to read my way through the eight pages of assigned reading for my Monday night class and tucked in a phone call to my sister in between. Good news and not so good was shared and soon enough the call to head home sirened in my mind.

The sun felt so good on my arms as I walked to my car. The air smelled so fresh and the breeze tickled. I was ready for a good rest of the day. But . . .

. . . a call arrived that turned the peace of the day upside down. Two tight families are suffering twin tragedies. Krista's mil-to-be suffered the sudden and unexpected loss of her much loved brother, Ernie. Suddenly family was pouring in from throughout California and Arizona. No sooner was that known then Chad's (Ernie's nephew and Krista's beau) best friend's father was also felled by a stroke. Two strokes. Two family men. One weekend. One death. And one, Tony, fighting for survival in Georgia (where he was visiting for a few days).

How does one cope with such sudden and striking catastrophe? Two families, both so tightly intertwined together. Ashley, Tony's daughter, is like Krista; a presumed to be future daughter-in-law when educations are completed and two brothers (Chad and Chandler) are settled. And Anthony, best friend to Chad and Chandler.

I feel all this from a distance, connected through Krista's love for Chad and her closeness to Ashley and her family and our own respect and good feelings for these families. I can't help thinking about how hard and confusing life is going to be for these people for a while.

Please remember Ernie and pray for the repose of his soul. Also please pray for Tony that he will recover and in quick time be able to return home. And remember their families, so closely intertwined with ties of love and friendship.

Furlough Friday #8

2009-10-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

It's funny how all the plans of a day wash out. I had planned to go to a restorative yoga class today with Biene but then Biene called and she wasn't coming into town. Then I started waiting for Elaine to call and HER plans changed too. So much for doing anything, but, no matter.

It wasn't a total lose. I went to morning Mass with Kris and we had coffee at HOJ after. Then we went to take care of an oil change and she ended up buying a couple of tires too. Since my afternoon plans had washed out, I stayed close to home and loved it.

I mended the beading on one of Krista's favorite t-shirts and since I was on a mending roll, I also fixed the tear in a crocheted tablecloth. I used invisible thread to mend the hole and that, as they say, was that. Together it took less than an hour to do both but I waited months to do them. I think my guardian angel's name is "When the Spirit Moves Me".

Dinner was turkey leftover from last night, yams, and salad with tomatoes, radishes, and cucumbers. Blue cheese dressing topped it. I think we are going out later to have a dish of ice cream and maybe hang at Borders for a while. Food issues remain on track. I am noticing that my body is getting used to the diminished carb intake and my sugar cravings have lessened considerably.

Quanah called with some heartening news. He was called twice this week to substitute. He could not take the first job but the same school called back again today and he got four hours in. Then the Red Cross called. He had submitted his resume there as well and he is have a preliminary interview tomorrow. Finally - some movement. Thank you God.

And so ends the first day of my three-day weekend. Another Furlough Friday has come and gone. I'm feeling good.

Spirits

2009-10-22T16:14:00.001-07:00

Spirits, originally uploaded by AnnieElf.

I finally did it. I subscribed to the premium editing program at Picnic.com. I love it. I love my new toy.

Sepia Scenes - Looking Forward/Looking Back

2009-10-21T11:28:00.001-07:00

Looking Forward/Looking Back, originally uploaded by AnnieElf.

Looking forward with joy,
I reflect on my past sins.
Thank you God for hope.

A Warm Feeling

2009-10-20T09:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Quanah sent me this picture of this chapel in St. Peter's Basilica. It's called Blessed Sacrament Chapel. He sent it to me because he went to Mass multiple times in this chapel when he was studying in Rome. He believes the tabernacle was done by Bernini.

I think we must all know of places in the world we have never been, and yet we see pictures and they have meaning and perhaps warmth and comfort and reassurance. This chapel is such a place for me.

I look at this beautiful interior, and the people worshipping there and I can imagine Quanah in this holy space. It comforts me that there was a time his life led him here. Such places give me hope in a world filled with so many trials and horrors. The impact of such beauty, the knowledge that we humans are capable of creating such beauty and sustaining it through the centuries, gives me hope for our future.

Day Seventeen of My Weight-loss Journey

2009-10-19T08:28:00.000-07:00

I've lost five pounds!