California Fun

We've had a great week in California, visiting Howard's family. We've visited the Monterey Aquarium, gone to the beach (no chance of a sunburn -- it was FOGGY there up until today as we left!), visited, played, relaxed, Knit (me), laughed, and had a good time.

The B & B where we stayed part of the time is owned by a knitter, which added to the fun. She machine and hand knits, as well as crochets. A delightful lady, the time slipped away as we talked.

Yesterday we went to the Farmer's Market in San Luis Obispo. That was so much fun, and yet very different. So many blocks of booths, and such a crowd of people! I bought a new variety of avocados (bought hard ones so they should ripen after we get home) and some artichokes. I'm hoping that the hot weather bere in Fresno doesn't prove to be too much for them. Oh, and also some dried figs. I usually don't like dried figs, but the vendor gave one to me to sample and it was delicious.

I THINK Nancy's vest is finally done. I'd had to frog it back almost to the beginning again, and I was starting to despair of my ability to finish it. But today I did the armhold edgings on the drive from the coast back to Fresno. All that needs to be done is weaving in the ends, wash and see how it turns out! In celebration, I cast on a pair of socks. Something simple and brainless.

More when we get home, we need dinner!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy 92nd Birthday to my Dad yesterday!

High School Graduation
College Graduation
Undated -- 1950s?

Now

He's seen a lot of changes in his lifetime! He went to school with his siblings in a wagon pulled by a horse. His circuit riding minister father bought the first Model T in the county to make going between charges easier. He worked his way through the last year in high school, all of college and seminary. To pay his way, he was a migrant worker in the summers, harvesting crops and saving his money for the next school year.

He served churches in Ohio, Illinois, Missouri and Utah before taking early retirement because of a massive stroke.

Dad race-walked "just for fun" and just recently hung up his racing shoes. It wasn't nearly as much fun when he wasn't winning! The senior division has too broad of a range, from 65 on up -- he can't compete with them! But he was named Jefferson County Racewalker of the Month while he was competing.

Here's to the man with a wicked sense of humor, who's never given up.

Love you Dad!

Books

You know, there is something about packing books. And packing books. One keeps doing it, and the bookcases don't seem to appreciably empty! Well, they do, but it takes a LOT of boxes to empty a bookcase.

I don't remember counting the number of book boxes the last two moves. So, the last firm number of boxes of books for the family was 63 in 1987, and that included children books and Howard's office books. Now you realize that the children are out of the house, they are adults! We got rid of books before we moved this last time. Howard's office books are not being moved at this point. And I have 20 FREAKING PAPER BOXES FULL OF BOOKS SO FAR AND I HAVEN'T MADE A DENT IN THE BOOKS! In fact, I have 6 bookcases left to go! That doesn't count the books that are scattered around the house that aren't IN bookcases.

When I say paper boxes, I mean the ones that reams of paper come in.

This Old House

The vote taken today decided the fate of this house. It is to be torn down and the lot will be a parking lot for the church. There are just too many things wrong structurally. So, it is time to start looking for a new place around town, and to PACK! Can you say EEEEKKKKKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!!! I understand you have to pack just as well for a cross-town move as for a long distance one. Oh well...a good time to clear out...again.