More California Trivia

I decided I'm not going to attempt to re-create the last posting that I lost. It was about our trip to Portland for the Patzer memorial service and all the old friends we briefly greeted. I see they are posting the service online and offer a printed version (although I didn't say much about the service).

So...here's some more California trivia while I take a break from working hard today. You can answer if you want to, just for fun.

Former questions and answers are:
Los Angeles lies farther east than Reno!!
California's largest lake was created in 1905 when the Colorado River flooded.
Tarzana got its name from the Tarzan stories; the author founded the town.
Anaheim was settled by immigrants from Rhineland...the city's German name means home by the river.

New Questions:
Where is the lowest elevation in the Western Hemisphere?
California's highest and lowest points are how far apart?
How many different kinds of fruits and vegetables are grown by California farmers?
In 1826 98% of the territory's population were Native Americans...what percent of CA's current population is Native American?
What is known as "the crookedest street in the world"?

Ok, who can give the right answer first??

Home Sweet Home

Well, I just deleted probably the longest post I've ever written...accidentally, of course. I am NOT going to recreate it now. I'm too ticked.

A Tribute to our Veterans!

This was written by my nephew. He wrote it about a generation of our family after losing several in death. But since this applies to many others, I thought you might like reading it since tomorrow is Veteran's Day.

ONE BY ONE
Phil Umek
January 15, 1996


One by one the men who are our heroes are passing on. The men who taught us so much about life. The men who are so strong, so big, so invincible, so determined to make this world a better place. One by one God calls them home.

They want so much for us to understand the importance of family, of friendship, true friendship. Oh…how this world needs to listen to them. Their smiles are brightest when children are playing…and we all want to be on their team. Now, one by one they are leaving us.

They helped us see that you don’t have to be tall to have strength, that you don’t have to shout for people to listen, that hard work is always better than just getting by. One by one they march. Proud, Loyal patriots who defended our country without being asked, knowing it was right! They ask for nothing, and they deserve everything! They don’t ever complain even when they have something to complain about. They endure pain with a smile and a concern for others. One by one they are passing.

Who will be there to teach our children to play ball? They made a back yard game seem like the world series. Who will be there to show them that fingers go inside the glove, not outside? Who will be there to remind them that a good bunt is as important as a home run, that you can pick up a chair by the back leg, that “near falls” don’t mean the match, that teamwork is unbeatable, and that you don’t have to apologize for winning? One by one we see them go.

Our hands are not small any more and we have learned to reach as high as we used to throw. Because of you we will teach them, remembering many of your words, reminding them of who you are and what you mean to us. One by one we have to say good bye.

We long to see you, to hear your laughter, to listen to just one more story, to hear your spoon clink against your coffee cup, to shake your hand just one more time and say “thank you for all you taught us. We are so proud of you and we love you!”

Be at peace and God…Please take care of them, one by one.

Latest Word from Vanessa

The latest from Vanessa is:

"...everything is really good. Adrian is very happy and doing well. He is now wearing a special brace on his hand to separate his fingers which tend to stick together. He is just about sitting up on his own though he doesn't roll over yet. Carter is back in school and though I miss him a ton, I am feeling much better about the whole thing than I have in a long time. I am working on getting registered for the winter semester at Lake Mich College. I have an appointment tomorrow with my advisor. Alan and I are really excited about that. We are doing really good. we are really happy and life is pretty uneventful. Which is good. I like the peace and quiet. It's a nice change."

Divide and Conquer

Tandita is finishing up her second year of the physical therapy assistant program and has some inservice training that she has to do this year. She is doing one in Niles and one in Benton Harbor back to back and will be staying with Vanessa while she does that. She is in the process of trying to work out the last one at the Paradise Adventist Hospital here in April/May. We are hoping it will all be worked out. The hospital has a pretty large physical therapy outpatient program. In fact that's where I went for the PT that I just finished. We're kinda excited about having her come. I thought you'd like to see this picture of her.

When we grocery shop, we use the divide and conquer method to get done. A few days ago we went to Chico and got groceries at WinCo, a discount store that also has bulk staples, etc. We first experienced this chain when we lived in Idaho. It was busy but not too crowded (as it sometimes is). Anyhow, Don sent me to find a couple of items while he scooped up some things in another section.

I was hurrying down the left side of the aisle with some canned milk in my hand. (Don had the cart) Suddenly a gentlemen stopped in front of me (coming from the opposite direction). I was kinda hemmed in and couldn't help but see what he was reaching for. He pulled one jar off the shelf, and I said "sauerkraut!"
Now, I haven't considered buying sauerkraut for many years. He looked at me as he reached for another, so feeling a little stupid for my comment said, "I love sauerkraut." He said, "so do I, it's good."

"I think I'll buy some, too." I decided. So he handed me the second jar as he took it off the shelf and thanked him. We both laughed, and I thanked him and went on my way. When I found Don, he was not impressed that I bought sauerkraut. "Don't fix any of that for me!" was his response. Well, with some big franks cut into it, I think I can have a couple great lunches. I'll let you know next week if it was as good as it looked.

I'm wondering if any of you remember having sauerkraut and if you liked it. I even remember my mom making it herself...but I don't remember how it turned out. But I do like it a lot.
This afternoon Don and I are going to the home of the Spencers for a short visit. (This is for the Boston connection) Don saw Gary at church, and Mary called us in the afternoon. I don't think I have ever met either one of them, but of course Don has.

Skeletons in my closet?

My family has an e-mail "family list" where we josh back and forth. Sometimes it gets interesting. (emphasis on the "sometimes") I wish I could get them to switch to this, cause the comments people make (reply all) often get all mixed up and it's hard for some to figure out what the comment means or refers to. This would take care of that, cause all the comments would be under the same posting.

Anyhow, I thought I'd post some of the latest insights you may find interesting...or not.

I guess "or not", cause I discovered it would take too long to find the right sequence of information-sharing. Oh well, no gossip for you today...BUT DID YOU VOTE?? We did. Don was the first one there, and he got to go around to all the ballot boxes to check to make sure they were empty (no cheating here). In Magalia, our voting is done in the fellowship hall of the Adventist church just up the road from us.

O me, O my!

You know you're old when all you have to talk about is doctor appointments! But the unheard of raises its voice whether you like it or not!

My first appointment was at 7:00 this morning!! It was physical therapy, tho, so it woke me up. That is going well, and the "good" arm has only 10% more range of motion than the "bad" arm...and probably 10% less pain!! Well, the good arm has no pain and the bad one is MUCH better.

Then from there I walked around the courtyard to the other side of the complex and reported for my 9:30 dermatologist appointment half an hour early. Since I've had a skin cancer issue once before, my new doc made arrangements to keep tabs on it. That's good since my GP removed the previous one and I was always a little edgy about not seeing a dermatologist later when everything I saw looked suspicious. LOL Anyhow, he looked me over from head to toe and didn't see anything worrysome. I asked him how much he would charge me to remove all those BOTHERsome hangy wangies around my throat that my grandbabies love to grab. He said "no charge", so I said, "great, do it!" Good thing my grandbabies aren't around now, cause the spots would certainly look intiguing now!

Tomorrow it's to the dentist...guess Don wants to get me in shape! Rightly so, cause I have a tendency to put things off. My mamogram isn't until next week, but I haven't had one of those in 4 years...yes, shame on me.

Well, I wish I had something more interesting to report, but ah the life of life with no kids or grandkids around. Or maybe blah the life. But I do love those "comments"!!