Category: General

Early start for me this morning.

A cup of coffee then load the pups into the truck & take them to the groomer.

They enjoy it and come back all fluffy, trimmed claws,  and nice smelling. The elder of the two, will have to be treated with some care. He’s had some medical issues recently and I’ll have to make sure that the groomer knows about it.

I’m always amazed that at least one of them manages to put their full 80lbs on a bare foot, usually with a claw digging into my arch every so nicely.

While the dogs are occupied, I’m going to head up to a mountain and take some photos it’s a pretty morning up here.

I guess I should figure out if there are any new fires burning that will impact my day. 

Uggh that means turning on the news & hoping that there isn’t some tragedy of greater importance pre-empting local coverage.

The dogs are having a blast on the deck. 

Baby hummingbirds have taken flight this morning. I can hear them but can’t clearly see them the dogs are going to break their ears trying to keep up with sound. 

Baby humming birds make this weird sound. It’s like a machine sound, reminds me of metal on metal. It’s most pronounced during their first flights.

The only thing I can come up with is that their flight feathers and wings are smaller and they’re playing and diving more relying on their tail feathers to stop. The sound is very distinctive

Today has already been an eventful day.

I’ve had a nice drive down the hill with the top down. Traffic was as always a bitch mainly because of dumb ass driving. But until I got to the North end of San Bernardino I was having some serious fun.

Then of course there was an accident and the inevitable bullshit of everyone trying to fuck everyone else over just to get one stinking car length ahead.

I let them, I’m over the whole fuck everyone attitude. I used to actively try to prevent the assholes from getting their way, It was a matter of principle. But there are so many who play “Gotta get one car ahead” that It’s just not worth it anymore. I mean really, if it’s that important for you to sit right behind a gravel truck who’s dropping rocks and gravel on the front of your car… More power to you!

I noticed last year that that kind of behavior wasn’t all that common outside California. I don’t know if it was an aberration of the year or if that’s the norm. I’m hoping to take another trip in the near future to test the theory.

I’m sitting at the dealership while they replace some parts due to a recall. The recall isn’t going to cost me but the car seems to have known we were going to the dealership and decided to ask for more service. Fine… Now that it’s paid off I don’t mind spending a little money now and again on it.

It’s just too damn much fun to drive!

We’ve had Alarm follies today too.

The other half somehow managed to trigger a panic alarm. This results in an automatic police response. I wasn’t home at the time and when the alarm company called I couldn’t answer the phone. I tried, but the connection dropped the moment I answered.

I spent some time on the phone with the alarms company’s “Genuine People Personality Computer” God I hate those things! I just needed a person riki tic. Of course the system had to try to help me even after it understood that I needed a human being.

I still don’t know if the police showed up at the house or not. I tried to cancel them but I don’t know if I was successful or not.

Yet another time when I’ll have to ask the partner what happened. I swear I’ll get a call about the least little thing, but the major stuff? No word at all, It’s silent as a tomb.

Oh well…

Once I’m out of the Dealership I’ll read the news. Their WiFI is busted, and for that matter so are their hardlines in their “Customer Business Center”

I suppose I could start hacking… Just don’t know if it’s worth my time.

Who knows, maybe being out of the news cycle for a few more days will be a good thing.

Of course I’d hate to miss the latest scandal!

5 years ago an event which changed my life happened.

My house burnt down.

As life changing as that was, on this anniversary there was some question in my mind as to what the actual date was. I take that as a good sign, or perhaps as a sign that I’m getting Alzheimer’s. It’s said that often the 5th anniversary of a negative event hits hard. 

As I have my first cup of coffee this morning I’m in a pretty good space. 

I’m still reaching for tools and other things that aren’t there anymore. But it happens less & less frequently. This house no longer feels like something is “Off”.

Hindsight being 20/20 I wish I hadn’t rebuilt the house on the same floor plan as the original. Yes I made some changes but those changes only made the rebuild feel strange sometimes.

I’d have been better served going with a completely different floor plan. But those are choices I made then and I’m not going to second guess them now. 

We do the best we can and move on. Dwelling in the past, or  carrying anger or old hurts doesn’t do anything for you in the present and colors your future. 

I note this anniversary simply because I’ve noted the previous years. It’s a habit and seems to serve as a touchstone for where my head is at.

I’m OK. I could be a little richer, I could be a little poorer. But I’m still kicking which is always a good thing.

Jobs in my field are pretty much non-existent here. Contrary to the happy news that the media keeps floating about economic recovery.

I’m looking into alternatives to my former work and hope that I can pull something together damn quick.

I’m actually somewhat optimistic and ready to go back to work. 

Remember carrying anger, and hurt?

I’m getting to the point that I think I’m beyond it at least regarding employment.

Problem is that at my age (And this was true when I got laid off)  Few firms want to hire me and fewer HR departments will even talk to me. Yes it’s agism, it’s illegal, and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it.  Moving On…

That’s another blog post for another time.

For Today I’m content to take it easy and see where the day takes me.

Despite the fires burning, more or less in the area… it’s a nice comfortable day.

I’m sitting outside on the deck writing having my morning coffee.

According to the ‘net the Powerhouse fire has greatly increased in size over night and more evacuations have been ordered. I really feel for those people.

It’s no fun having to leave your house not knowing if you’re ever going to see it again. There’s no way to take all your possessions which leaves you trying to choose those items, & mementos that are most important.

I know, I’ve been there…

For me, it’s about grabbing the computer and backups first. Most of my pictures are digital anymore and to loose them would be as devastating as having lost all my negatives in 2008. Most of my books are digital and I can download them again. music is likewise mostly electronic. 

After the house burned, I consciously or subconsciously started making choices that led me to easy replacement of things like that. 

Sitting here typing my yard has been invaded by a covey of quail. Two parents and 4 to 6 chicks. A bunny has also come to the fence line eating tender shoots.  I do enjoy the mountain. 

Friday night the winds were kicking up enough that we could smell the smoke from the Powerhouse Fire. Last night and this morning we couldn’t. Looking out towards Victorville it’s really hazy.

I had to relocate. The sun was finally clear of the trees and not yet high enough for the umbrella to be effective. I was starting to feel it on my arms & legs. Before I burned I figured I’d best get to some cover.

Yeah, I’m a little random today. Sundays are for randomness and quiet. 

I couldn’t get a camera to take pictures of the critters in the yard. It was funny, as long as I didn’t look at them I could hear that they were going about their business. Rustling in the bushes, cheeps and other sounds. But the moment I turned my head to look at them they all froze.

When I got up to come inside every critter scattered. 

I guess I’ll have to be better prepared tomorrow.

Obviously, I’m purposely ignoring the scandals in Washington, and the Stupidity in Sacramento today. I really don’t want to get worked up.

I’m planning to handle a SMOG check on my truck this week and then I get to spend a ton of money on registrations for vehicles. OH JOY!

That’s business for tomorrow. My only business today is enjoying the birds in the trees.

I hope your Sunday is as restful and relaxing as mine is.