A Mammoth Proposal

Seven years ago today, the best man I've ever met asked me to be his wife.  He proposed at the top of Mammoth Mountain in Mammoth Lakes, California. 

Our first date was twenty years ago on July 21, 2004.  Twenty years! 

And I knew after our first date that I wanted to marry him. 

And then I did.

It only took him thirteen years to pop the question, but better late than never!

I got my man!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: The Day Began With A Burst
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Delicioso Since 1969
2021: Monsoon Afternoon
2020: The Day Began With A Burst
2019: Sorry, no post on this day
2018: Sin In The Distance
2017: Often, The Trees Speak To Us
2016: How I'm Feeling Lately
2015: Ed Goes With The Flow
2014: Big Coin Was A Big Hit
2013: Painting The Serengeti
2012: Why Fig Newtons Will Always Be On My Shopping List
2011: Losing The Wallet At Your Convenience
2010: Bridge Over Troubled Roadway
2009: If Only The Streets Were Truly Paved With Gold
2008: She Reigns Supreme
2007: A Match Made In Heaven
2006: Proof
2005: Caped Crusaders

Royal Air

 

A Royal Air Force cargo plane on the tarmac at an airport somewhere in California.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Long In The Tongue
2018: The Dove On The Sea Of Cortez
2017: A Spicy Little Secret
2016: It's Uphill From Here
2015: A Place Of Rare Beauty
2014: Thumbs Up For A Real Bronx Tale
2013: A Mountain City Fit For A Queen
2012: Sprinkle Of Seaweed, Anyone?
2011: Shopping To The Maxx
2010: Ed Unloads An Oil Platform
2009: You Never Know When You Might Need It
2008: Eddie Climbs A Wall Friday
2007: What Showing Off For Your Kids Looks Like
2006: What’s It All About?
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The House That Kobe Built

 

The Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, California.  It was formerly known as the Staples Center.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Topped With Fallen Snow
2018: Urban Art
2017: Rockin' It
2016: Former Trees
2015: Birthday At The Blowhole
2014: Dreaming Of Blue Skies And Swaying Palms
2013: They Never Ask If You Have Invisible Ink
2012: I Didn’t Break A Leg, So I Guess I Can’t Regret Doing It
2011: Why Couldn’t It Have Been The Canola??
2010: I Like To Call Him The Kite Master
2009: Talk About Making Good Use Of Your Time
2008: Don’t Three Feet Equal One Yard?
2007: New And Improved
2006: Maybe I Don’t Need To Know Everything
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

White, Clean, Pure

 

Mount Shasta, peeking above the horizon, is clearly seen on a night with significant moonlight.

Mount Shasta is a potentially active volcano at the southern end of the Cascade Mountain Range.  It is the second-highest peak in the Cascades and the fifth-highest in the state of California.  

According to Wikipedia, the origin of the name "Shasta" is vague, perhaps from Russian meaning "white, clean, pure" or "happiness, luck, fortune, felicity" and given to the mountain by the early Russian settlers in California.  

I'll take either.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: I Don't Know How The Early Pioneers Did It
2018: Do Not Be Afraid
2017: Grounded
2016: The Zombie Apocalypse Could Be In Full Swing And I'd Never Know
2015: Creamery On Congress
2014: Eastern Influence In A Southern State
2013: The Wegmans Cheese Tour
2012: Balls In The Air
2011: Branded
2010: Don’t Lose The Fun 
2009: I’ll Get To It As Soon As I’m Done Churning The Butter, Dear.
2008: Trees At Sunset
2007: Giving Directions To This Place Is Easy
2006: A Cloud Of Words
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Spring Days Soon Will Reach Us

 

The English poet, Edwin Arnold, said, "Almond blossom, sent to teach us that spring days soon will reach us."

It's getting warmer, the snow is melting, the sun is shining.  Spring will fully blossom before we know it.   

This almond grove is in Arbuckle, California.  It's just one of the many areas of almond trees that we pass through when driving along Interstate 5.  California produces 80% of the world's almonds and 100% of the United States commercial supply.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Small Cabin In A Big Forest
2018: Forty-Seven Years Later, I Stood In Her Hood
2017: Giving New Meaning To "Letting The Dishes Soak"
2016: Shake And Rake
2015: Hawaiʻiloa's Favorite Son
2014: Into The Mouth Of A Lion
2013: A Barn Serving Steak Good Enough To Eat
2012: A Quick Update
2011: It Takes Nothing To Win A Contest
2010: Sorry, no post for this day.
2009: The Hags Hit The Big Time
2008: One Thing At A Time
2007: Snaking Across Broadway
2006: Psssst! Wanna Buy A Hot Dog Truck?
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Rare Minerals In The Mojave

 

This is Highway 395 in Boron, California, located on the western edge of the Mojave Desert. Desolate doesn't begin to describe this area.

Boron, California is named after the element Boron and is the location of the world's largest source of boric acid.  

U.S. Borax operates the largest open pit mine in the state, which has one of the richest borate deposits on the planet.  They meet a third of the world's refined boron demands. According to the Rio Tinto website:

Boron is a naturally-occurring element
Trace amounts are found in soil, water, plants and animals. The element boron does not exist by itself in nature. It combines with oxygen and other elements to form salts called borates.

Boron (B) was isolated as an element in 1808
It is the fifth element in the periodic table.

The first confirmed use of borates was in the 8th century
Arabian gold and silversmiths used them. It is thought that ancient Babylonian goldsmiths could have used borates as far back as 2,000 BCE.

Boron deposits are rare
Boron is present everywhere in the environment but substantial deposits of borates are relatively rare. In fact, ores that contain boron are among the rarest minerals on Earth.

Boron is essential for plant life
It is integral to a plant's reproductive cycle, aiding with flowering, pollen production, germination, and seed and fruit development. 

Borates play a critical role in high-tech products
Such as the tough cover heat-resistant glass in smartphones, tablets, and other electronic displays.

Borates are an important ingredient in insulation fiberglass
This is the largest single use for the mineral worldwide. 

Borates are used in space travel
They coat the ceramic tiles on the underside of a space shuttle to help it withstand the thermal shock of re-entry. Thermal shock occurs when temperatures change suddenly, as when the shuttle leaves the freezing temperatures of space and re-enters the Earth’s atmosphere.

Borates are used in cleaning
Borates’ unique properties enhance stain removal, whiten and brighten fabrics, and soften water, which is why they are used to produce laundry detergents, household or industrial cleaners, and personal care products.

20 Mule Team Borax is a product some of you might be familiar with.  In 1881, Borates were discovered in Death Valley and Teams of mules were used to move them from the mines to the railroad.  That's how this brand got its name.  

The website says, "Teams of mules were used to move millions of pounds of Borax from remote mines in inaccessible Death Valley to the railroad at Mojave.  Originally, teams of eight and ten mules were used, but the trek proved too much.  A man named Ed Stiles came up with the idea of hitching two 10-mule teams together - twice the normal amount - resulting in a 100-foot-long team that took 10 days to carry 10 tons of borax one way across the desert. In 1894, a steam engine named "Dinah" was brought in to replace the mules, but Dinah was no match for the epic 20-mule team's power.  She broke down and was towed back to town by the very mules she tried to replace."

Wow.  Interesting.  Well, there you go.  You know more today than you did yesterday.  You're welcome.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.  
2019: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2018: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year. 

2017: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2016: Leaping Over Urban Blight
2015: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.

2014: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2013: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2012: I Love You Newman E. Drake
2011: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2010: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2009: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2008: Sorry, no post on this day.  For some reason, I just didn't write one.
2007: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2006: Sorry, no post on this day.  Only 28 days in the month this year.
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

Box Seats

 

Ed and went to see the Harlem Globetrotters this week at the Crypto Arena in downtown Los Angeles.  He bought one of the suites for us - it was inexpensive, not the thousands of dollars they charge for real games and concerts - which had a great view and was very private.  We were alone for a while until a family of four came in.  You can see the suite in these pictures.  

It was an interesting way to spend an afternoon.  I'm not much for sports but I do like to people-watch.

Oh, and I like me a little Sweet Georgia Brown, too.  Now that's something that makes a good earworm.  

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Few And Far Between
2019: Salz Und Pfeffer
2018: Hot And Sweet
2017: My Kind Of Salad
2016: In Disguise
2015: Hawaii Five-O
2014: I Like Big Boteros And I Cannot Lie
2013: The Young Never Have Trouble Screwing
2012: Making Tracks Across The Country
2011: Eddie Is The King Of The Dome
2010: Do It For Half An Hour A Day
2009: Sipping In Nyack
2008: The Tink Tink Tinkle Of Recycling
2007: Ralph’s Service Station
2006: The Isle Of Capri
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

The Giver Of Much Delight

 

The Star of India (originally named Euterpe) is seen in the harbor of San Diego.

According to their website, The Star of India is the world’s oldest active sailing ship. She began her life on the stocks at Ramsey Shipyard on the Isle of Man in 1863. Iron ships were experiments of sorts then, with most vessels still being built of wood. Within five months of laying her keel, the ship was launched into her element. She bore the name Euterpe, after the Greek muse of music and poetry.

Interesting facts about The Star of India:

* Launched five days before Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

* Sailed twenty-one times around the world

* Never fitted with auxiliary power

* Went aground in Hawaii

* Became an “American” ship by Act of Congress

* Trapped in ice in Alaska

* Still sails in the ocean by a volunteer crew

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Winter Tree Warning
2018: The Dog From The State Of Sonora
2017: More Like A Submarine Sandwich
2016: Good Stuff, Maynard!
2015: Spiky On The Outside, Sinfully Delicious Inside
2014: The Most Awkward Descent Down A Snow Covered Hill. Ever.
2013: At The Top Of My Favorite Cities List
2012: Not Looking Anymore
2011: There Is Hope
2010: Where The Bunnies Of The Desert Hang Out
2009: The Marion County Shirt Factory Incident
2008: Eddie Roams The Mayan Ruins Friday
2007: Self Service Antiques
2006: Begin At Once
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

I'm A Sucker For A Nice Hotel With A View

 

The day before our cruise to Mexico, we stayed at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront.  What a great hotel!

We walked along the waterfront and went to a seafood place for dinner, then came back to the fabulous view from our room on the 27th floor.

The view during the day wasn't so bad either.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: One Thousand Grams Of Flour
2018: The Land Of Little Water
2017: Urban Creep
2016: Ed's View
2015: Place Of Refuge
2014: A Story Told In Stone
2013: Eddie Sandwich
2012: Finally – Freight To Buzz About!
2011: For The Crybabies
2010: Chillin’ In Utah
2009: Taking The Peas For A Ride In A Cozy Little Shell
2008: Wyth Jane’s Kin In Wytheville
2007: Color In Architecture
2006: Living On
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

No One Was Run Over By A Reindeer At This Shindig

 

A few months ago our lawyer invited us to a party at the San Francisco Yacht Club to celebrate his 70th birthday and the 20th wedding anniversary of him and his wife.

We stayed at a cute little lodge in Tiburon, California, and attended the party at the yacht club.  There were about 90 people in attendance, a live band, great food, and an opportunity to speak with some really nice people.  I was lucky enough to be seated next to a friend of our lawyer who had known him since they were little kids.  He was interesting and chatty - a great dinner partner.

And to top the evening off, we were treated to Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer, sung by the original artist, Elmo Shropshire, who is a former client and personal friend of our lawyer.

A good time was definitely had by all!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Yellow Gaze
2019: The Beautiful Cabbage Flower
2018: Waiting In Wilmington
2017: The Wild Life Of Trucking
2016: Special Order
2015: Clooney Was Not At The End Of The Pier
2014: Where They Build Palaces Out Of Corn
2013: Modern Market Girl
2012: A Berry Good Time
2011: Traveling Through Mountain Ranch
2010: Backroads
2009: If Only I Could Fit All Of This Information On A Bumper Sticker…
2008: Gambling Haze
2007: Published
2006: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Cool Air

Casual rider on the air train at the San Francisco International Airport.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: A Big Kid Races The Clock
2018: Cycle On Down For A Taco Or Two
2017: If Only I Could Bottle This...
2016: Climbing The Regal Horned Lizard
2015: The Valley Of The Temples
2014: The Day The South Fell Apart...Again
2013: Island Graffiti 
2012: Four Seasons Of Food To Conquer 
2011: Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head 
2010: As Seen On TV 
2009: Eddie Polishing His Chrome Friday 
2008: Traveling With Your Cat 
2007: Getting Wet In The Next County 
2006: Down With O.P.P. 
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Coming About

 

This fountain sculpture is called Coming About and was made by husband-and-wife team Jeffrey Read and Jennifer Madden.  It's located in the center of downtown Tiburon, California.

For us non-sailors, “coming about" is a sailing maneuver by which a sailing craft, whose next destination is into the wind, turns its bow toward and through the wind so that the direction from which the wind blows changes from one side of the boat to the other, allowing progress in the desired direction.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: I Can't Contain Myself
2018: Laugh Out Loud
2017: American Power
2016: I'd Rather Be Listening To This All Day
2015: North Shore Surfin'
2014: Calling It A Day
2013: Eight Ways To Take It Easy
2012: Dinner With Friends
2011: This Is What Sheer Joy Looks Like
2010: I’ll Have The Tootsie Rolls And The Butterfinger And The Lollipop And The Gummi Bears And The Hershey Kisses And The Snickers Bar And The M&M’s And…
2009: Meals On Wheels
2008: Mercury Dropping
2007: James Cameron For $79.99 A Night
2006: The Town That Big Tobacco Built
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005

A Vintage Ride

 

The interior of one of the vintage historic streetcars in San Francisco, California. 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2023: Sorry, no post on this day.
2022: Sorry, no post on this day.
2021: Sorry, no post on this day.
2020: Sorry, no post on this day.
2019: Access To Pleasure Crafts Just Got Easier
2018: Parked For The Night
2017: Red Lamp District
2016: Walking Along The Canyon Of Gold
2015: Aloooooooha
2014: Better Than No Touch Freight
2013: The First Step Is To Admit You Have A Problem
2012: The Top Five Sweet Scents In My World
2011: A Weekend Full Of Bright Stars And Not Much Else
2010: I’m Floored
2009: Two Worlds Collide
2008: Girl Crush
2007: Silly Boys
2006: It’s Nowhere Near Mexico, Y’all
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

It's All About The Eyebrows

Don’t you just love this Frida Kahlo vase? So colorful and quirky. Really fits the Palm Springs vibe.

I saw it in the window of the Andecor, a store on the main drag in Palm Springs, priced at $69.95. Christmas is right around the corner…wouldn’t it make a great gift?

FYI:  The unibrow was intentional.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2021: Sorry, no post on this day
2020: Sorry, no post on this day
2019: Sorry, no post on this day
2018: Medieval Gateway To Luxury
2017: Talking To The Toms
2016: Hand Truckin'
2015: Zero Tolerance
2014: Twenty Minutes On The Water
2013: 1960s First Aid
2012: Far From The Soaking Of The East
2011: Inspired
2010: Lucky To Be A Woman
2009: I Feel Like A Thief
2008: Emulating The Brazilian Bombshell
2007: HMMWVs
2006: She’s Still Learning
2005: Woof

Marilyn Gets Around

Road Trip! Ed, my mother, and I headed to Palm Springs, California today for a little mini vacation. We went to see the son of a friend play a show at the Agua Caliente Casino there. He’s a drummer in a band that specializes in music from the 20s, 30s, and 40s (more on them to come).

While there we saw this statue, called Forever Marilyn, currently standing tall right off the main drag in downtown Palm Springs, in front of the Palm Springs Art Museum. She’s 26 feet tall and made of painted stainless steel and aluminum.

She’s been displayed in various locations over the last 11 years - Chicago, Connecticut, Australia, and New Jersey.

She was designed by John Seward Johnson II (the grandson of the co-founder of Johnson & Johnson). He was an artist known for his bronze statues and was also the founder of Grounds For Sculpture, a 42-acre sculpture park and museum located in Hamilton Township, NJ. Ed and I visited there in the winter of 2017. It was a pretty fabulous place.

A little fun tidbit - in 2011, Ed and I saw the leg portion of this sculpture being transported on a flatbed truck.

After Chicago, the Marilyn statue went to Palm Springs for a year before traveling around the country. Now she’s back in Palm Springs, greeting the people who are there to tour the former homes of stars, dine out, golf, relax in the sun, and take in all of the fabulous mid-century modern architecture.

Looking forward to the next few days!



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

2021:  Sorry, no post on this day
2020:  Sorry, no post on this day
2019:  Sorry, no post on this day
2018: Country House
2017: I Experience Fall Via The Internet
2016: Sizzling Hot Balls Of Meat
2015: How To Get On The Do Not Call List
2014: Gazing At The Stargazers
2013: Oh, How We Love Our La-Z-Boys
2012: The Road To Luminosity
2011: Old School Meets New School
2010: There For The Climbing…If You’re So Inclined
2009: I Need A Thing That Ain’t No Big Thing
2008: Race To The Head
2007: Eddie Fresh From A Nap Friday
2006: Forever Yours
2005: Blur