14 Out Of Every 10

"Research tell us that 14 out of every 10 individuals likes chocolate."

~Sandra Boynton

Go ahead. Eat. 

You know you want to!

Red Velvet Cake, With Vanilla Frosting 

And A Chocolate Dipped Strawberry!

Life Affirming Goodness!

Leaf Of The Day

October 17th 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Eternal Corrective

"Autumn is the eternal corrective. It is ripeness and color and a time of completion; but it is also breadth, and depth, and distance. What man can stand with autumn on a hilltop and fail to see

 the span of his world and the substance

 of the rolling hills that reach to the far horizon."

~Hal Borland

Just leaves today! I spent all day yesterday doing some local leaf peeping, and prepping the cameras for a hefty autumn workout this coming weekend! You'll see, but first Alan and I are going to do a lot of swimming in the new pool, and making some homemade cannoli. You'll see that too!

Stay Tuned!

Leaf Of The Day

October 16th 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Trick Or Treat... Let's Talk Halloween Candy

"You can't recapture your past anymore than you can speed up your future.

 Stop lamenting summer and stop trying to hurry winter. Just enjoy the fall."

~Debbie Viguie

The Fall Of Candy Corn

Halloween Candy. There are a million choices to hand out on the big night. Personally, I love candy corn, but because it's rarely available individually wrapped, you can't really hand it out to the kids. That's a shame I think. It's festive. It's yummy. But what can you do? So, in that candy corn isn't good for handing out, what makes for good treats on Halloween? Some form of chocolate is always good, but I have found that one must be careful about which chocolate candy one chooses. When I was a little girl I hated getting Reece's Peanut Butter cups. Not because I was allergic, or didn't like the flavor, but rather because they always seemed to melt on the outside chocolate part before I got home! Do you know how ugly a melted peanut butter cup can look to a 5 year old girl? LOL. Not appetizing. Not appetizing at all! So, no on the peanut butter cups!

Another thing to keep in mind... diets. Not the diets of the youngsters, the diets of the one handing out the yumminess! If you are dieting, do you deliberately purchase candy you would never eat personally in a million years so you won't be tempted? For me, the candy I would be least likely to hand out would be something completely covered in almonds. I am not a fan of the almond. But in truth, I don't hate it either. Just not my favorite. I am just not a fan. Nuts can be problematic. Either you like the taste of them, or you don't. It's that simple. But you might actually like the taste of peanuts or almonds, but you have an unfortunate allergy. That's bad news! So, do you stay away from putting candy that could pose a health risk in the plastic pumpkin?

I suppose Jolly Rancher candies are a good alternative. Or maybe beef jerky. That would be kinda cool! Right? It's not really candy, but it's unique! No other house on the street would pass that out to the wee goblins and ghosties, now would they? Hey, maybe I am on to something. Little gift bags of individually wrapped beef jerky. Maybe held together with an orange ribbon!? Nah, that might be too easy to tamper with also. Sigh. It would never work. Nope. So what would work? What's the top candy for passing out to trick or treaters? What candy is in truly high demand for it's yummy deliciousness?

Well, according to USA Today, chocolate still wins! Hershey's and Reese's lead the pack!

I still love my candy corn, but I will probably hand out Hershey's minis. 

They are a tasty classic. And besides, if for some reason we don't get any trick or treaters, they can be used to make S'Mores on Christmas Eve! 

Your turn!

Tell me, what is your favorite candy to hand out on the best holiday of the year? Halloween!

Leaf Of The Day

October 15th 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Night Stalker

"I have a stalker, a beautiful one... the sunset.

 Every day she is there, watching me, 

whether I am watch her or not."

~Jarod Kintz

This Book Has No Title

It's a strange sky... isn't it? Spooky, yet too beautiful to be afraid of. 

I love October!

Leaf Of The Day

October 14th 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Happy 25th Anniversary!

"You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep, 

because finally reality is better than your dreams."

~Dr. Suess

35 Years As Best Friends.

25 Years As Best Friends Who Got Married.

You ARE The Love Of My Life.

You Are My Everything.

You Are My Alan.

Happy Anniversary Darling... I adore you!

Love,

 That Woman You Married!

Leaf Of The Day

October 13th 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Love From The Kitchen

"Cooking is at once child's play and adult joy. 

And cooking done with love is an act of love."

-Craig Claiborne

I made some homemade pizzas for Alan yesterday, a small snack after work. He does a brutal turnaround shift on Sundays, so I try to make the long commute as easy as possible, by having something tasty and nutritious waiting for him before he gets some sleep! 

Heirloom tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, sweet bell peppers, and a dash of sun-dried tomato Parmesan cheese! It was really good if I do say so myself. LOL. There is just nothing like cooking up something special for someone you really love!

Leaf Of The Day

October 12th, 2015

Mood: Happy

Me :)

In Every Change...

"In every change, in every fallen leaf there is

 some pain,

 some beauty. 

And that's the way new leave grow."

~Amit Ray

Vacation officially begins on Tuesday morning, our 25th wedding anniversary, and we will be celebrating for the next 3 weeks or so. The day trips are planned, and the cameras are on standby. Plumas will probably be the longest trip in terms of distance and time spent on the road, but this year is simply a must! Not only are the leaves all lit up and ready for photographing, but there is an added feature to visiting Plumas County... the quilt barns! Over 70 barns, throughout the county, will be decorated with different squares of colorful quilt patterns! It's like one big public art project sprinkled all over the county! I can't wait! My cameras will be getting an extra workout this October in Plumas. The leaves, the quilt barns and the Halloween decorations. A true feast for the weary photographer! 

But don't think our vacation is all about the trips here and there, it's also a wonderful chance for Alan and I to get into the kitchen with some delicious, organic ingredients, and cook up a storm! I have been wanting to make some cannoli and some risotto, and I know Alan has a few culinary ideas up his sleeve. And then there is the time we need to spend on the continuing project of unpacking, and getting the house in order... finally! So there will be days when we will just stop. Clean out a box. Paint a wall. Swim in the pool! You know... just enjoy our new home. Wine and fondue. A decadent dessert. Midnight swims. Long autumn naps.

 What more could I ask for? 

Life Is Good!

Leaf Of The Day

October 11th, 2015 

Mood: Excited

~Me :)

A Face In The Crowd: HWY 580

"Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile,

 but rather sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy."

~Thich Nhat Hanh

Just when I really need to stop taking life so serious, along comes something that makes me smile. Like the smile on the back of this truck. I don't think it's a smile on purpose, but rather that just happens to be the way that particular container is close. But then again, maybe the manufacturer saw the chance to make the product serve two purposes. It's original purpose, and then why not make folks smile if they have to look at the back of a commercial truck in heavy traffic? Sure. Why not? It's a good idea. I know it put a smile on my face, and it made the traffic a lot less daunting. Cool. Right?

By any chance, do you know what the original purpose

 of the smile container/object/tool is?

 If you do, please feel free to chime in! 

"If I saw you hitchhiking, I'd smile and return your thumbs up, 

just for doing such a good job of being

 a positive roadside influence."

~Jarod Kintz

Leaf Of The Day

October 10th, 2015

 Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Boehner Of Their Existence

"If a man harbors any sort of fear,

 it makes him landlord to a ghost."

~Lloyd Douglas

Forget Halloween, the world of American politics is plenty scary these days! Can you feel surprised, and not surprised at the same time? Because I have been feeling that way when it comes to the latest Washington doings, specifically in regards to John Boehner and the issue of who will replace him as Speaker of the House. I was genuinely surprised when Boehner stepped down as speaker, and truth be told, I felt sorry for him. I really thought when he rose to that position, he would be strong enough to serve, well, until things changed through the people's voice. I never thought in a million years he would resign the office due to pressure from the wingnuts in the GOP, AKA the Tea Party teabaggers, and their demands for the selfish and unreasonable. You know... things like shutting down the government until we make Dixie the national anthem, and Sarah Palin their Goddess. 

His resignation wasn't good for anyone, but lets be clear, I am not a fan of Boehner. Nope. But he did have something going for him, he was a Reagan republican, meaning he didn't go about bashing members of his own party, and he did the best he could to represent all of the GOP, and not just the agendas of a few, crazy, unreasonable, selfish individuals. I think the time of the true Reagan republican has probably come to an end. Since the rise of Sarah Palin to the national stage, we have seen a dark time in America. The age of the stupid and mean spirited agenda is upon us. It's never again going to be enough to have accomplished something, no, now you have to have a political kill on your resume, even, and sometimes especially, if the kill is within the GOP's own party. And the GOP has no one to blame for this current predicament but themselves.

They built the house of cards that will come down upon them.

It also didn't much surprise me when House Majority leader, Kevin McCarthy, took himself out of the running for replacing Boehner. He, again, is a lot like Boehner in political style, and in his speech yesterday, he hinted strongly that his decision to step back was based at least partially because he wasn't willing to bow to the far right of his party, when it comes to the fight over the debt ceiling. The Tea Party has already said they would not support Boehner or anyone else who votes to raise the debt ceiling again, which means, in effect, they plan to shut the government down when the vote comes up again in December. 

Sigh.

The ignorance is simply unbelievable. The possible damage will be deep, and far reaching, and once it happens it will be devastating and difficult to repair. America will never be the same again, and when it happens it will happen to all of us, not just those who hunger for the downfall that's coming! I fear watching that devastation. I hate that those selfish tea party politicians are serving themselves, while deceiving their own constituents into thinking they are representing their best interests. After it happens, and the devastation is felt by all, their every day voting supporters will see them for what they are. I hope. But I do wonder what will happen when the Tea Partiers in office finally realize the consequences of what they are about to do? Will they suddenly grow a conscience? Or is it possible that the ghost of Ronald Reagan visit them in the middle of the night just prior to the debt ceiling vote and warn them of the imminent visitation of 3 more ghosts of the past, present and future? 

Who knows?

All I know is these are scary times. And their is a lot to fear.

 And that means ghosts are everywhere!

Hold on, it's going to be a bumpy, scary ride!

Leaf Of The Day

October 9th, 2015

Mood: Curious

~Me :)

Falling...

"It was a beautiful, bright autumn day with air like cider 

and a sky so blue you could drown in it."

~Diana Ganaldon

Outlander 

It's a little difficult to post a "Leaf Of The Day" project to your blog, if you have an ISP that has issues causing it to go out several times a week. That's what's been happening in my world lately, most recently, Monday evening. I don't know what's going on with AT&T Uverse in the Stockton area, but since I had it installed, about a month ago, the service has gone out several times. I have had 8 repair/technicians in my house in just this last month. They always shrug and say... "I dunno." And as they have replaced the gateway, the DVR box and most recently, yesterday, they replaced the entire line out of the house to the main pole. Hopefully that will take care of the issue, but I think I would like to see a full month, without an issue, before I will breath easily. 

Shrug.

I have to admit, it hasn't been making my current blue mood any less blue, which is why Alan suggested that he and I get out of the house for the day yesterday, and head down to Berkeley. We walked out in the sunshine and cool air of Tilden. I did some leaf peeping and photos by my favorite little foot bridge, and we picked up lots and lots of cheese from the Cheese Board Collective down on Shattuck, in the heart of the Gourmet Ghetto. It's always an amazing treat to stop in there. I will be posting some photos later this week of the cheeses we purchased, because cheese is almost as photogenic as autumn leaves!

It was good for me to get out with the camera, and clear my head a bit. It's been one hell of a year, but ruminating on things isn't doing me any good, in fact it is only deepening the sadness I have been feeling. So, I got the cameras ready, and off we went! Berkeley isn't quite filled with autumn splendor just yet, but there are gorgeous pops of color here and there that just made my heart dance! The trip home reminded me that autumn is here, and it's time to plan some day trips for us to go on. Apple Hill. Lake Tahoe. Carson City, Nevada. Plumas National Forest. Monterey and Carmel! It's all waiting for me and the camera! So, that's what I will be doing the next few days, planning some trips to take during the next few weeks. Our vacation officially begins on Tuesday, which is also our 25th Wedding Anniversary, and I don't want to waste a minute on anything as useless as depression!

Stay Tuned For Vacation Updates!

Leaf Of The Day

( October 6th, 2015 )

Leaf Of The Day

( October 7th, 2015 )

Leaf Of The Day

October 8th, 2015

Mood: Hopeful

~Me :)

The Cat In The Window

"I am what I am. I would tell you what you want to know if I could, for you have been kind to me. But I am a cat, and no cat anywhere ever gave anyone a straight answer."

~Peter S. Beagle

The Last Unicorn

That kitty in the window is my Joey. He is Alan's Joey too, of course, but it's me he snuggles when it's time for bed. At least he used to. You see, we moved the little guy into a big house. It's the biggest space he has ever lived in. The cottage in Berkeley was a one bedroom, with a tiny office space. The hotel room was almost the same size as the cottage, only laid out slightly differently, but this place is 3 bedrooms, and two bathrooms, and a big family room/laundry area and it's all quite overwhelming for him sometimes. Truth be told, it's overwhelming for me as well! I don't know if I want to live here forever. It's a lot to deal with. Ideally, one day I will be able to comeback to the Bay Area. I am not picky, about where I am, as long as we are all happy. 

At the moment, I am restless. I don't know if the emotional end of this adventure is finally catching up with me, or what it is, but I am blue. Sad meanies. It's been a hell of a year, I am ready to just stop for a while, which it seems we have, it's just since we moved in here, Joey has refused to come into our room at night. He won't go down the long hallway that leads to the bedroom. Dylan and Hendrix do, they are by my side every night, but Joey will have none of it! NOPE. WON'T DISCUSS IT! I just miss my boy. So that is adding to my mood. I trying to be patient. I know he will work through it at some point, but until then, I just wish everything was back to normal. I wish Joey would come sleep with me tonight. I miss his big, warm paws.

I suppose we are just in a period of adjustment.

This too shall pass.

Leaf Of The Day

October 5th, 2015

Mood: Happy But Sad

~Me :)

Blessings Be On This House

"Blessings be on this house", Granny said, perfunctorily. It was always a good opening remark for a witch. It concentrated people's minds on what other things might be on this house."

~Terry Pratchett

Witches Abroad

Isn't she lovely? That stylish little witch is my very first bit of Halloween decoration for the house this year! She came yesterday, in a box from Amazon.com. I kinda dig her pearls, and that cute purple dress. She has a mind of her own. She's shy. She absolutely refuses to face the neighborhood, favoring instead to fly repeatedly into the kitchen window. LOL. A good witch does have a mind of her own methinks. She makes us smile anyway, and so whatever she says goes. No since pissing off a witch this close to Halloween... right?

Bwahahahahahahahahahahaha!

Leaf Of The Day

October 4th, 2015

Mood Happy

~Me :)

That's No Ghost Lady, That's A Raccoon

"Can you imagine life without the horror genre? 

There would be no monsters, only assholes."

~Michael A. Arnzen

Alan and I bought a new house. Well, it's new to us, but in reality it is 53 years old. The same age Alan and I are. And as a 53 year old it has some problems with plumbing, and waking up in the morning, and remembering. Yes, I said it, remembering. The automatic timers are a bit eccentric. We moved in on the 1st of September, and all seemed normal, then one night, a couple weeks ago, we heard it. That sound. That strange, disembodied sound of something wet... and terrible...moving around the house.

Glooop, GlOOPY GLOOP GLOOP.

Me: Alan! Did you hear that?

Alan: Hear what?

Me: That Gloop sound.

Alan: No, honey, I don't hear a gloop... snore. SNORE!

Me: ALAN! LISTEN!

Alan: SNORE. SNORT. I will check it tomorrow.

Well, tomorrow came and as you might guess, no gloop sound. Then three days pass without even a peep, when once again, GLOOOOOOOOP. GLOOOP. Bubble, bubble, bubble. Like a witches cauldron. Only this time it happened on a night when Alan was working the graveyard shift. Perfect! It was absolutely perfect. There was a gloop, gloop ghost, or witch, and I was home alone! So what could I do? I did the only thing I could do. I turned on every single light in the house, and 3 TV's! The ghost/witch was so frightened, it gave up and went wherever wet ghosts/witches go. 

The gloop sound came and went over the next few weeks. Sometimes in the daytime, but mostly at night. Late at night. Now, fast forward to a couple days ago, when the whole spooky situation came to a logical and embarrassing conclusion. You see, that is when we had the first visit with our professional pool person. He explained that the gloop, gloop sound was nothing more than an ill timed pump, that was on a timer, because, you see, Stockton has certain days of the week, and times of day, when you are allowed to water plants and add water to pools. 

Alan: HA HA HA. A ghost? Ha Ha Ha.

Me: I don't know, it could still be a ghost, look at what I caught on camera!

(See Above)

Pool Guy: Um, that's not a ghost lady, that's a raccoon!

Alan: HA HA HA HA HA.

Me:*?%#^^%!@&! (Censored)

Thanks A Lot Alan!

Leaf Of The Day

October 3rd, 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

The Key To Ridding Yourself Of Vampires

"Theres nothing worse than waiting not knowing

 what'll happen to you. 

Your own imagination can be crueler than any captor."

~Rochelle Meade

Frostbite

Vampires. If we don't know any personally, we probably know someone who does. Maybe they are real, maybe they were just folks who suck our will dry. Vampires are needy. They are also demanding, charismatic, annoying, they keep odd ours, and they, if allowed, will suck you dry of compassion and common sense. I have known a few in my lifetime, but one day I grew up and learned the word NO. NO is a lot like holy water, or a pretty sterling silver cross, but not quite as lethal to the dear vampire as a wooden stake through the heart.  Funny thing about vampires, when they realize they don't frighten you anymore they lose all their power. They actually become mortal. I slayed a vampire this past summer, and it felt mighty good. Oh I had some help... an Angell actually, of the Angell Law Firm. LOL. It helps to have an Angell on your shoulder when evil comes calling!

The memory of that slaying brought another fond memory to mind. Last year, during our vacation, Alan and I visited Ripley's Believe It Or Not, at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. It was filled with all kinds of curious things, but the Vampire Killing Kit was my favorite of all the exhibits. I took as many photos of it as I could that day, specifically to do a post this October. Did some part of me see my vampire encounter coming? Nah... I don't think so. How could I? No, I think I just found it fascinating that someone would go so far as to actually create a full kit for riding the world of that kind of evil. But when you really ponder it, it makes sense. If something is bothering you, you create a way to make it go away! Vampires aren't a new thing, and getting rid of them will always be a challenge, but like I said, sometimes looking them square in the eye, and saying, "NO! YOU DON'T SCARE ME. I HAVE AN ANGELL ON MY SHOULDER. BE GONE EVIL ONE!"... works pretty darn well!

So, what's the key to ridding yourself of vampires?

Tell The NO.

If All Else Fails...

 Find the right lawyer to tell them to go away!

Leaf Of The Day

October 2nd, 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

A Look Back At The Summer And September 2015

"They say to never look back.

But sometimes I do.

It's gratifying to see how far I have come."

~Richelle Goodrich

Making Wishes: Quotes, Thoughts And A Little Poetry For Every Day Of The Year

Despite all the drama, I had this little pockets of fun this past summer. I didn't do a lot of photography, but I was happy with the end result of my time with the camera. I missed blogging regularly. I missed being online, but the connection through the hotel was less than stellar. Anyway, September got me back into the swing of things, and as a result, I have a nice retrospective of some of my favorite summer photos, and a collection of what I photographed in September.

So, onward...

Summer 2015

September 2015

The Leaf Of The Day

October 1st, 2015

Mood: Happy

~Me :)