That's Gonna Leave A Mark

Today while driving between Coalinga and Lemoore I saw a State Park named "Hickey Park." I looked around for "Make Out Point," but since the land is as flat as the eye can see in that area, there really are no points. There are, however, lots of crops with uniform rows, orchards full of blosoms, and fields of cows wafting with stink -- and Hickey Park.

Hangin' Out

Our cat Chloe, most known as "Girl Kitty."

Work has called me away to the Central Valley of California, namely Fresno, for the next four days. When I get back, I'll be craving some hangin' out time. See you soon!

Lunar Eclipse of My Heart

My tiny pocket-sized camera did not capture the beauty of the lunar eclipse very well, but my naked eye did. Of course, not recalling what caused the shaded, slightly-red moon to hang in the sky, I was busy looking up this information on the internet when Cole announced, "Mom, it's here, you can see the lunar eclipse!"

Since my high-end, large telephoto-lensed camera with tripod was in the shop, the retail shop waiting for a buyer, I only had my senses and inept camera to capture the moment. But the perfect alignment of the earth blocking the sun's rays from directly hitting the moon never looked so beautiful. . .

Birthday Boy

Just in case you were sad that maybe there weren't going to be reasons soon for Fifi (aka Stephanie, my talented sister) to make cupcakes -- you don't need to be sad any longer. Cole had his 13th b-day recently and you know what, Steph made camouflage cupcakes for his special day.

But more importantly, we got the boy a MOTORCYCLE for his 13th birthday. It's a tiny motorcycle albeit, but it is a motorcycle. It's a 50cc trail bike (and if you know about bikes, this one is a replica of the Honda 50cc trail bike that hasn't been in production since the 70's. We found this 2004 version for sale on Craig's List).This bike is so much fun, I even take my turn riding it. Our favorite places to ride are up on my parent's property in Meadow Vista (the bike fits in the back of my car) and on a dirt track behind our neighborhood. The boys are schooling me on shifting. Although this bike is called an automatic, it has three gears, but no clutch. I guess that's what makes it an automatic. It's been at least 27 years since I've driven a motorcycle. It comes back fast, however, like riding a bike!So far, Cole is being very responsible with his bike and it seems to be feeding his budding masculine soul well. I am keeping the medicine chest stocked with bandages however.Now, in case you need more cupcake photos, you may have to wait a while because I am sugared out and hoping for no more reasons for cupcakes. Although, does one ever need a reason for cupcakes? I think not. I'm off to ride now!

Solitude

"Can't see the forest for the trees" is an idiom that means one is paying too much attention to the details and can not understand the big picture. Here's the big picture of a forest that had burned down many years ago. I can't remember when.Looking up at a burned tree.Looking way up.

Turning the camera on myself.
Unflattering self-portrait lying in the snow, taken at the Yuba Gab exit, a couple miles hiked in the middle of nowhere, all by myself, California, USA.

Be Mine, Cupcake

My talented sister, Stephanie, made us Valentine's Day Cupcakes. She's quite the cupcake maker! I would love to see her open a trendy cupcakery in town . . . (I don't think "cupcake maker" and "cupcakery" are real words, but they sure are mmmmm, delicious sounding).

More photos of snowboarding:

I hate to do this to you (I guess I don't or else I wouldn't), but I took more photos at Hannah's practice this last Saturday.You Go Girl! Hannah, cutting close to the gate.

I hiked up the mountain and parked myself in an incognito spot behind two skinny pine trees and spied on the team with my camera.I felt like I was in a 007 movie with an all out attack of snowboarders descending on my secret lair (click on photo to check out the madness, and the boarder who is in a sitting position with scissor arms). . .. . . with Hannah's coach bringing up the pack.

Snowboard Meet

Below are some photos that I took at Hannah's meet on Monday at Squaw Valley, Calif.:

Below are some photos that Hannah took after the meet was over while riding around the park. Wowee Hannah!:

Nice job on the meet too, dear.

Good n' Muddy

It was a great ride this Sunday morning.

B's B-Day

Hannah turned 15. Happy B-Day B! 

(Her nickname became 'B' after Hannah became Hannah-Banana, which became Banana, which simply became 'B').

Hannah and I are exploring our new relationship to each other, with her being a full blown teenager and all. Whew!
I am hoping she stays as sweet as these fabulous cupcakes her Aunt Stephanie (most famously known as "Aunt Fifi") made for her party. I can see that Hannah is trying to find her place in the world right now, although her main concerns on the forefront seem to be friends and fun.
I don't blame her, friends and fun are very important. But there is a strange balance going on right now where sometimes she pulls at the tether that keeps us connected until it feels like it will break. Then other times she's reeled in as tight as she was when she was a toddler.
I suppose the best thing we can do is hold on steadily and enjoy all the sweetness we can find around us.