The first days of school always like a new year to me. It doesn't matter if it is mid August (although it used to bother me because it wasn't September) the start of something new. The problem is August doesn't smell like September. Janell and Emily's adventure into book buying made me want to sign up for a class. HOWEVER the cost of books has gone so high I probably can't afford the class fees or the books.
Wow, you have had some weather. We are back into the triple digits here in the Sacramento valley. Of course it's State Fair time too and it has to be 100+ for that every year.
The Monarchs have their first playoff game tonight against San Antonio Stars. Go Monarchs!!!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Difficult questions
Difficult but thought prevoking.
6. The best and worst about being a woman?
The best: Growing a new life. I wish I had been as aware of what was going on as women are today. Of course that means knowing all the dangers as well as the joys. Being a mother, regardless of all the work. Then the reward of becoming a grandmother. Not so much work. Dressing up in a dress or skirt or even pants. Men don't get to wear nice dresses, usually.
The worst: Inequality in pay and choices of vocation or career. This is better for women today. There is also the bad old double standard. I had a list once of how different actions are positive for men and negative for women. A single man is eligible and a single woman is desperate. With gray hair-- He looks distinguished and she looks old. Speaking of old; that's when women become invisible.
That's enough of that quiz.
Janell, I know as a young girl playing with dolls; I seldom thought of them having a dad. Delaine tormented me with the phrase, "You'll never get a husband if... And I didn't really care. I remember standing in the hallway of the place we lived in Hawaii and having two thoughts: Tony is an alcoholic. If this marriage ends, I will not marry again. It wasn't that I would be single; it was that I was not going to be married.
6. The best and worst about being a woman?
The best: Growing a new life. I wish I had been as aware of what was going on as women are today. Of course that means knowing all the dangers as well as the joys. Being a mother, regardless of all the work. Then the reward of becoming a grandmother. Not so much work. Dressing up in a dress or skirt or even pants. Men don't get to wear nice dresses, usually.
The worst: Inequality in pay and choices of vocation or career. This is better for women today. There is also the bad old double standard. I had a list once of how different actions are positive for men and negative for women. A single man is eligible and a single woman is desperate. With gray hair-- He looks distinguished and she looks old. Speaking of old; that's when women become invisible.
That's enough of that quiz.
Janell, I know as a young girl playing with dolls; I seldom thought of them having a dad. Delaine tormented me with the phrase, "You'll never get a husband if... And I didn't really care. I remember standing in the hallway of the place we lived in Hawaii and having two thoughts: Tony is an alcoholic. If this marriage ends, I will not marry again. It wasn't that I would be single; it was that I was not going to be married.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
The questions
O.K. After writing about four pages in my journal about the first two I have something to write, I think. This has been hard.
A day or two after this list appeared; my horoscope said, "Write in your diary." So I wrote five pages about numbers 1 and 2.
Ho you probably don't want to read the whole reflections.
I start with 2.
2) Advice: I had to mull over the things the rest of you wrote. Here's what I wish someone had said to me: You don't have to get married. A woman can be single. I don't remember a time in my youth that it was not expected that I would get married. If I didn't I would be the dreaded "Old Maid" forever.
1) At eighteen I was married and would soon have the two kids I was suppose to have. I expected to live in different parts of the world with my Air Force husband or become the brave war widow like June Allison did in a movie I remember. Oh, yeah there was to be the split level home with perfect landscaping. Oh yes, staying at home with my perfect kids and a husband coming home for dinner at five or six.
Reality: I married twice and have been a widow for close thirty years. While I was trying to figure out how to rear perfect kids, keep them fed and clothed and sheltered, they grew up to be the independent individuals they are today. I'm afraid they aren't perfect. Of course neither am I. I live alone in a two bedroom,1 and a 1/2 baths on the second floor, in a 55+ apartment complex. There's a lot more to this story but you will have to buy the book when it comes out.
3) Best money: Education and travel or travel and education.
4) Not investing in AT&T in 1958. Not knowing how to manage money. Complete waste of money: All of the STUFF I have accumulated and moved and stored and then finally this summer had to dispose of one way or another. I did look at many things and think, "What a waste of money, time, and energy that went into this."
5) I have to pass on this one. See 2 and 1.
6) I'll get back to you on this one.
7) If there is a dream I will never fulfill, I have probably let it go without regret. I have new dreams all the time. I read a quote once something like this, "Reach for the stars and you'll always have a dream."
See the Gatewood blog for something else I have been thinking about the last two weeks.
A day or two after this list appeared; my horoscope said, "Write in your diary." So I wrote five pages about numbers 1 and 2.
Ho you probably don't want to read the whole reflections.
I start with 2.
2) Advice: I had to mull over the things the rest of you wrote. Here's what I wish someone had said to me: You don't have to get married. A woman can be single. I don't remember a time in my youth that it was not expected that I would get married. If I didn't I would be the dreaded "Old Maid" forever.
1) At eighteen I was married and would soon have the two kids I was suppose to have. I expected to live in different parts of the world with my Air Force husband or become the brave war widow like June Allison did in a movie I remember. Oh, yeah there was to be the split level home with perfect landscaping. Oh yes, staying at home with my perfect kids and a husband coming home for dinner at five or six.
Reality: I married twice and have been a widow for close thirty years. While I was trying to figure out how to rear perfect kids, keep them fed and clothed and sheltered, they grew up to be the independent individuals they are today. I'm afraid they aren't perfect. Of course neither am I. I live alone in a two bedroom,1 and a 1/2 baths on the second floor, in a 55+ apartment complex. There's a lot more to this story but you will have to buy the book when it comes out.
3) Best money: Education and travel or travel and education.
4) Not investing in AT&T in 1958. Not knowing how to manage money. Complete waste of money: All of the STUFF I have accumulated and moved and stored and then finally this summer had to dispose of one way or another. I did look at many things and think, "What a waste of money, time, and energy that went into this."
5) I have to pass on this one. See 2 and 1.
6) I'll get back to you on this one.
7) If there is a dream I will never fulfill, I have probably let it go without regret. I have new dreams all the time. I read a quote once something like this, "Reach for the stars and you'll always have a dream."
See the Gatewood blog for something else I have been thinking about the last two weeks.
Saturday, August 4, 2007
Saturday
The Monarchs "Settled Seattle" (quote from a sign in the arena) last night. I forget the score but we had more.
I hauled away a car load of stuff today after Paulette took what she wanted last night. I'm feeling lighter already.
I'm about finished with the laundry. It is folded on my bed so can't go to bed until I put it away.
I ordered a lamp shade on line, sure hope it works. It was cheap enough.
I hauled away a car load of stuff today after Paulette took what she wanted last night. I'm feeling lighter already.
I'm about finished with the laundry. It is folded on my bed so can't go to bed until I put it away.
I ordered a lamp shade on line, sure hope it works. It was cheap enough.
Friday, August 3, 2007
Friday Morning
Friday morning walk. I have regained my morning walk habit and it is cool enough to walk if I start before 7AM. The sun was a bit hazy thismorning, the water in the canal very still. At the small pond the jack rabbits were darting around in the dry grass. One of them stopped and imitated a stump for a while and then seemed to know it hadn't fooled me so bounded away. A duck on the pond quacked once and unseen birds chirped in the vegetation around the pond. Close to my apartment I spotted a hummingbird sitting on one of the evergreen trees. It tasted a needle or two and flew away on invisible wings.
Stuff update. This week I emptied two large plastic boxes that had been my "garage" since I moved here in December. These are now ready to be removed from my balcony. The stuff? Well some is sitting in the trunk of my car to be donated, some in a box for Paulette to look at, some went directly to the trash and the rest is taunting me with "You can't throw me away, can you?"
My response it, "I can unless I find a use or a place for you."
The weekend: Monarchs play the Storm from Seattle tonight, Saturday and Sunday are open for the moment.
Stuff update. This week I emptied two large plastic boxes that had been my "garage" since I moved here in December. These are now ready to be removed from my balcony. The stuff? Well some is sitting in the trunk of my car to be donated, some in a box for Paulette to look at, some went directly to the trash and the rest is taunting me with "You can't throw me away, can you?"
My response it, "I can unless I find a use or a place for you."
The weekend: Monarchs play the Storm from Seattle tonight, Saturday and Sunday are open for the moment.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Monday
I tidied up my blog on the website and you can now comment, even if there's not much to comment about.
Who remembers the clock that hung in our kitchen, forever? The one that didn't restart so we always knew when the lights went out.
Who remembers the mirror that hung beside the front door of Grandma Anderson's house?
And finally who remembers the photo of our cousin Bjorn, on a beach in Sweden?
Who remembers the clock that hung in our kitchen, forever? The one that didn't restart so we always knew when the lights went out.
Who remembers the mirror that hung beside the front door of Grandma Anderson's house?
And finally who remembers the photo of our cousin Bjorn, on a beach in Sweden?
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
odyssey final word
I knew there was more to the Odyssey and I came across the notes today so here the rest of the story.
WEDNESDAY CWS, CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AND FAITH'S BALLGAME.
Shirley and I drop Bob and David off on an off-ramp near Rosenblatt stadium for one more baseball game. (D do not recommend this practice of stopping on off-ramps) We continue on with Skyler and Shae to the museum where we meet Debbie, Derek and Dillon. The first thing I notice about the museum is the noise, lots of noise and it is happy noise of chldren having fun.
We start with the Bob the Builder exhibit with lifesize Bob the Builder machines, tools buildings and a garden. The kids scatter and the three adults try to keep at least on in sight at all times. The kids try out as many of the activities as possible and then ask to go to the main floor. I have never seen anything like the main room. There are tubes and chutes and things I have no word to describe. Then there are the balls the hundreds of balls of various bright colors that are being moved around this construction. Well you have to see it to understand. Shirley said to me, "What sick mind dreamed this up?" I noticed, however she became as intrigued as Skyler playing with the levers and wheels.
After that Shae found the store and shopping basket and went shopping for the play groceries. She filled a basket and said we had to have all of this stuff for a party. While Shae shopped, Skyler tried his hand at engineering with tubes and connectors in a water table. Shae also tried milking the cow.
While we were in the gift shop looking for a suitable souvenir, Bob called and said the gme was over and we could pick them up. (not on the freeway). Back at the Nebel house we re-group, add Adam to the crowd and set out for Lyons. Cassie and Alex follow in their car.
We were on our way to Lyons to see Faith play and Scott coach a softball game. We set out believing we had time to get there and have dinner at the Highway Cafe. Enroute we are contacted by cell phone that the game is at six not 8:00 as we had planned. Since we are more than halfway there we continue on our way. Janell's pick-up is outside the cafe when we arrive. David goes in to alert them to the change in game time. We arrive at about the fourth inning and watch the rest of the game. There are now about fifteen hungry family members gathered at the Lyons park. It is about 8:15pm the cafe closes at 9:00pm. We knew they would serve us if we made it by 8:30pm. Into the vans, pick-ups and cars and five minutes later we have taken over the large dining room.
Side story: Only once in about the last fifteen years, have I entered the Highway Cafe without seeing Cheryl (Bacon) Hoffman and sure enough there she is with her husband. We talk for a few minutes.
All of the employees know us as the Gatewood kids or Rachel's kids, since Mother worked as cook for a number of years. Orders are taken, we eat and we are gone by 9:15 much to the relief of the cook, waitress and Marilyn, the owner. She has health problems and sits in a booth with her oxygen tank next to her. This place is part of our history, a big part.
On the drive back to Omaha through the rural landscape we are treated to a light show from the fireflies aka lightening bugs. The side of the road is filled with flashing lights, very small but very visible even at 60mph. Looking out across the fields it appears that blinking Christmas lights have been spread out on the plants.
THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Thursday morning we load the van, carjole two tired, homesick children into their carseats as the temperature climbs to 85 degrees. By nine we wave goodbye to Shirley, Bob, Adam and Milo the cat. Maybe Husker Hound is open. says David. We drive to the Husker Hound (where they sell everything red and Nebraska branded). It doesn't open until 10. We drive t Lincoln and find the university bookstore, which is open. We spend an hour and almost $100 and everyone seems happy. Finally we are on the road west. The day progresses through good times and tears, and lunch, and ice-cream. We stop in Cheyenne and there is swimming, dinner, reading and sleep. We are all ready to be home. Day two we roll along I 80, everyone ready to be home. We stop, I read to the kids they play their kazoos, and then I drivee f rom Rawlins, Wyoming to Elko, Nevada while David and the kids watch videos. In Elko we stop at the Shilo Inn and after swimming and dinner we sleep. Saturday morning, David is awake early anda so are the rest of us. After we eat breakfast, David takes the wheel and we arrive in Reno about noon. The odyssey is complete.
I drove home from Reno, alone for the first time in three weeks. It was strange. Would I do it again? YES!
Now I fell finished with the writing of the odyssey.
WEDNESDAY CWS, CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AND FAITH'S BALLGAME.
Shirley and I drop Bob and David off on an off-ramp near Rosenblatt stadium for one more baseball game. (D do not recommend this practice of stopping on off-ramps) We continue on with Skyler and Shae to the museum where we meet Debbie, Derek and Dillon. The first thing I notice about the museum is the noise, lots of noise and it is happy noise of chldren having fun.
We start with the Bob the Builder exhibit with lifesize Bob the Builder machines, tools buildings and a garden. The kids scatter and the three adults try to keep at least on in sight at all times. The kids try out as many of the activities as possible and then ask to go to the main floor. I have never seen anything like the main room. There are tubes and chutes and things I have no word to describe. Then there are the balls the hundreds of balls of various bright colors that are being moved around this construction. Well you have to see it to understand. Shirley said to me, "What sick mind dreamed this up?" I noticed, however she became as intrigued as Skyler playing with the levers and wheels.
After that Shae found the store and shopping basket and went shopping for the play groceries. She filled a basket and said we had to have all of this stuff for a party. While Shae shopped, Skyler tried his hand at engineering with tubes and connectors in a water table. Shae also tried milking the cow.
While we were in the gift shop looking for a suitable souvenir, Bob called and said the gme was over and we could pick them up. (not on the freeway). Back at the Nebel house we re-group, add Adam to the crowd and set out for Lyons. Cassie and Alex follow in their car.
We were on our way to Lyons to see Faith play and Scott coach a softball game. We set out believing we had time to get there and have dinner at the Highway Cafe. Enroute we are contacted by cell phone that the game is at six not 8:00 as we had planned. Since we are more than halfway there we continue on our way. Janell's pick-up is outside the cafe when we arrive. David goes in to alert them to the change in game time. We arrive at about the fourth inning and watch the rest of the game. There are now about fifteen hungry family members gathered at the Lyons park. It is about 8:15pm the cafe closes at 9:00pm. We knew they would serve us if we made it by 8:30pm. Into the vans, pick-ups and cars and five minutes later we have taken over the large dining room.
Side story: Only once in about the last fifteen years, have I entered the Highway Cafe without seeing Cheryl (Bacon) Hoffman and sure enough there she is with her husband. We talk for a few minutes.
All of the employees know us as the Gatewood kids or Rachel's kids, since Mother worked as cook for a number of years. Orders are taken, we eat and we are gone by 9:15 much to the relief of the cook, waitress and Marilyn, the owner. She has health problems and sits in a booth with her oxygen tank next to her. This place is part of our history, a big part.
On the drive back to Omaha through the rural landscape we are treated to a light show from the fireflies aka lightening bugs. The side of the road is filled with flashing lights, very small but very visible even at 60mph. Looking out across the fields it appears that blinking Christmas lights have been spread out on the plants.
THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY
Thursday morning we load the van, carjole two tired, homesick children into their carseats as the temperature climbs to 85 degrees. By nine we wave goodbye to Shirley, Bob, Adam and Milo the cat. Maybe Husker Hound is open. says David. We drive to the Husker Hound (where they sell everything red and Nebraska branded). It doesn't open until 10. We drive t Lincoln and find the university bookstore, which is open. We spend an hour and almost $100 and everyone seems happy. Finally we are on the road west. The day progresses through good times and tears, and lunch, and ice-cream. We stop in Cheyenne and there is swimming, dinner, reading and sleep. We are all ready to be home. Day two we roll along I 80, everyone ready to be home. We stop, I read to the kids they play their kazoos, and then I drivee f rom Rawlins, Wyoming to Elko, Nevada while David and the kids watch videos. In Elko we stop at the Shilo Inn and after swimming and dinner we sleep. Saturday morning, David is awake early anda so are the rest of us. After we eat breakfast, David takes the wheel and we arrive in Reno about noon. The odyssey is complete.
I drove home from Reno, alone for the first time in three weeks. It was strange. Would I do it again? YES!
Now I fell finished with the writing of the odyssey.
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