California's curvy, curly, captivating roads

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

Zing and I drove to the country today to see Patrick and Steph and their dogs. I’m getting comfortable looping about the Sierra Nevada foothills. These roads, compared to Florida’s straight shots, embody the difference between curly hair and straight. I’m beginning to find the hills and valleys peaceful. Captivated, I pulled over to take these photos in Amador County on the way home this afternoon.

Love,

k

That looks like grapes, top right

Davis farmers market: entered through the exit

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

This morning Zing and I went to the Davis farmers market. I’ve heard it’s a great one. Davis is that college town 15-20 minutes west of here where Zing and I went to see the behavioral veterinarians. (Haven’t been back in the several months since then.) The market is on the edge of a community park in the center of town. Not knowing better, we walked in the back way and finished up in front — which is where we saw the “No Dogs in the market area, Please!” sign. So Zing was slightly illegal all along, but it didn’t seem to matter. Everyone petted him and coo-ed.On the edges there are booths that don’t sell food, and at one of them I bought a photograph. The artist — Dee Conway is her name — said I can leave Zing with her anytime I want to shop in the “NO DOG” zone. I’m going to take her up on that, because the market is great, and the whole community around there is vibrant. 

Love,

k

These musicians were playing classical and pop music

while people walked all around

The market is under the umbrellas beyond them, 

and the grassy park was behind me as I took the photo

A statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the park

There are a zillion bees around these flowers, 

and you can’t see a single one in my photograph!

Truckee and Lake Tahoe: Quick, before the July 4 crowd!

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

If you tell someone (Patrick, Steph, Keith) you are going to go to Lake Tahoe, chances are you will actually do it. That’s what happened today. This morning Zing! and I drove the couple hours to Truckee, a town not far from the lake, and then on to the water. The road through the Sierra Nevada (or the foothills? — still not sure) curved up on the way out, and down back to home. Signs said 3,000 ft. elevation, then 5,000 feet. On the way back it said 9% slope, then 6%. We saw streaks of snow on the tops of the tallest distant mountains, but it was warm (80's) in Truckee.

Truckee is supposed to be a high-end hippie place, but I didn’t see that. It’s forthright vacationland + service center for surrounding territory. No traffic light. Friendly, western vibe, and although the area is known for skiing, it was plenty busy this summertime holiday. The restaurant where I had a spinach omelet at a sidewalk table had an NRA flyer in the window. The omelet was good. I dropped toast bits down to Zing at my feet, and later, on my way down the sidewalk, a man who'd observed us chided me for this.

Until now I’ve pooh-poohed any body of water out this way — nothing can match the Gulf of Mexico! Lake Tahoe might be close. Lots of power boats, to be sure, but the water is blue, blue, blue. We will  return.

Love,

k

Truckee tracks
You can take Amtrak from Sacramento to Truckee

Clark would like the Truckee transit system
You can take a bus to Lake Tahoe

Truckee River from the bridge in the center of town

Up the hill from the center of Truckee
That building in front is for sale

Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe is at my back as I take this photo

Sacramento = Poems + Art

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

I just got back from a poetry reading at the Crocker Museum. More than 100 people were there in a gallery full of exciting art. Lots read their own own poems. I’m thrilled to live four blocks from this. 

Love,

And this couch is covered with crochet!
I need one!!

A simple instrument

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

Ukuleles are on my mind. Clark loved the instrument. I’m drawing one for Meredith, and — even though they crowded our shelves and even though I heard plenty of Clark’s ukulele back in Tallahassee — I’d never looked closely at the instrument. 

I love to draw things in front of me, so I tried to rent a ukulele to take home for a while… I went to three shops ... No luck. But Guitar City let me sit in this big room full of stringed instruments. I went to the ukulele corner, grabbed a stool, picked up a ukulele, and drew it. And then another… What a moody place! All around me young men were trying out guitars they might buy, playing snatches of song. Zing collapsed at my feet. (I think he might be a bit noise-sensitive.) I needed more, but we had to leave, and then I realized I could ask Keith to lend me a uke.

Yesterday we rendezvoused in the Safeway parking lot. I was putting groceries in Rosa. "Hey, Lady, want a ukulele?" Keith called, stopping behind my car in the F-150 he is testing. At first I didn't realize it was him, but Zing did. He loves Keith, and he loves F-150s. Keith handed over the instrument, and I took it home and have been sketching in free moments ever since, stroking the beautiful wood, crying a bit, and loving my ukulele memories. I'm studying the proportions, depth, and the way the strings are wound. All the while listening to ukulele on Pandora,

The ukulele is a simple instrument, yes. But not for me.

Love

k

At a friend's table

Yesterday:

A friend and I were going to have dinner at a popular restaurant (Waterboy). Then something came up and we couldn't. Instead we shared leftovers at Janie's place, and I made oatmeal cookies.  It was just as much fun.

Oatmeal cookies
(from Gourmet cookbook)

Beat together until fluffy:

10 T. butter, softened
1/3 C. light brown sugar
1/4 C. granulated sugar

Mix in:
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Add and mix until just combined:
1 3/4 C. rolled oats (not quick variety)
3/4 C. flour
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. soda
1/2 tsp. salt

At this point it's all done. But you can add chocolate chips, fruits, etc. I used about a cup of toasted walnuts and 1/2 C. dried cranberries.

The recipe says make huge cookies of 1 heaping tablespoon each. I made smaller cookies. Put on parchment-covered baking sheets. Run your fingers under water and press each cookie down lightly. Bake at 375° about 12 minutes.

Not barking -- banking!

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

I try to do money stuff on Monday. It kind of rhymes. I’m getting more relaxed about it, learning the vocabulary, keeping tabs on mortgage, etc., trusting that every small move I make won’t end in financial disaster. Family and friends are helping me keep an even keel. Thank you! 

That was a lead-in to this photo. Zing was at the bank today, and not at all anxious. (I worried he might be asked to wait outside.) The bankers loved him, and he even met two other canine clients, on the left.

Love,

k