Yesterday I made my maiden voyage on freeways to Marina del Rey and Irvine from Moreno Valley and back. Fluffy white clouds in the skies. Dry roads from two to seven lanes wide...each way. Moving cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Exits galore. No wrong turns except into the parking lot stairwell. No exits from the stairwell...yikes. Saved by the cellphone, kind metals salesman, and car lock key button to locate my stranded spot behind the black door adjacent to my car parking space 12.
Worth the trip for a Roth IRA transfer to metals and a working lunch with faculty buddies at statewide conference. First time for having fun making financial choices.
Christmas Treat Tonight for my daughter Roxanne, son-in-law Don, and me:
Barbra Streisand outdoor concert at Hollywood Bowl with warmer air and less breeze--her first Hollywood Bowl dates in 40 years. Tonight marks my second in-person encounter, the first being Barbra as intermission act for a Liberace concert in Reno or Lake Tahoe. She wore an orange tent-dress as she belted, "Cry Me a River." What range and volume and emotion. She began her climb to the stars so many years ago.
Great anticipation!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Today my journey took me back to early days of teaching English at Enterprise High school, Redding, CA.
Reviewing attendance and counseling notes, I recalled many name while some brought faces to memory.
You can handle tripping backwards just so long...had to take a break.
In that ziplock of stored memories was an unmailed, unsigned card for my first great granchild Marty. In the card however was a photo of him and his passifier. Now that's he's four and ready for kindergarten this fall, I wonder how he may react to that picture and whether it brings a memory to him. I'll plan to find out just that information upon our meeting Thanksgiving in Moreno Valley, CA.
To families fighting colds and bronchitis, good luck in getting well and having quick recoveries. Deep sigh.
-30-
Reviewing attendance and counseling notes, I recalled many name while some brought faces to memory.
You can handle tripping backwards just so long...had to take a break.
In that ziplock of stored memories was an unmailed, unsigned card for my first great granchild Marty. In the card however was a photo of him and his passifier. Now that's he's four and ready for kindergarten this fall, I wonder how he may react to that picture and whether it brings a memory to him. I'll plan to find out just that information upon our meeting Thanksgiving in Moreno Valley, CA.
To families fighting colds and bronchitis, good luck in getting well and having quick recoveries. Deep sigh.
-30-
Monday, June 13, 2011
Day of Photos
Photos from graduation are on my son-in-law's Facebook, Don Drake, dad rather than Don Drake, son.
Starting out the day in my swimsuit, I have yet to jump in the pool. YET the day is still long, and shade is beginning to cover part of the pool, where I prefer to swim.
Spent time on LONG cellphone calls to make adjustments to my car data and payment. The real people who answered could not help, so I emailed at the Contact Us option. Uh huh, we shall see. Ugh.
Lunch poolside with Great Grandma Andrea Collins, Grandparents Roxanne,& Don, (so used to ampersand on iPhone that I had to search for it over the 7), Mom Katrina with darlings Marty-3 and Michaela-1, eating randomly from strawberries, raspberries, grapes,watermelon, blueberries. Especially popular with Michaela were the raspberries from her index finger. Marty swam extensively with grandparents after helping with watering and pruning in the gorgeous backyard surrounding the pool.
Later Uncle Don to M&M arrived at nap time. Now he's helping to entertain the waking Michaela while Marty continues to sleep of all things... uhh... perhaps resting with his famous Cars DVD. Meanwhile during naps, mom Katrina and uncle Don rested, read cellphone information, and/or snoozed then stuck to leather couch. Ouch on the upswing. HMMM.
Oops Michaela is not too happy, let's you know whether sad or glad without a doubt. Now OK with Mr. Bear, her crib friend from birth and drag-along partner throughout the daily adventures.
Maybe more later or not. SMILE in the Sunny Afternoon. Chimes are soothing the heart.
Special Note:
You may find that my punctuation style occasionally may be borrowed from one of my favorite poets having my same initials: e e cummings.
Now guess my name. SMILE So long for awhile as I have another open-faced sourdough french bread toast with butter and Andrea-made pomegranate-blueberry jam. A great, big YUM.
Starting out the day in my swimsuit, I have yet to jump in the pool. YET the day is still long, and shade is beginning to cover part of the pool, where I prefer to swim.
Spent time on LONG cellphone calls to make adjustments to my car data and payment. The real people who answered could not help, so I emailed at the Contact Us option. Uh huh, we shall see. Ugh.
Lunch poolside with Great Grandma Andrea Collins, Grandparents Roxanne,& Don, (so used to ampersand on iPhone that I had to search for it over the 7), Mom Katrina with darlings Marty-3 and Michaela-1, eating randomly from strawberries, raspberries, grapes,watermelon, blueberries. Especially popular with Michaela were the raspberries from her index finger. Marty swam extensively with grandparents after helping with watering and pruning in the gorgeous backyard surrounding the pool.
Later Uncle Don to M&M arrived at nap time. Now he's helping to entertain the waking Michaela while Marty continues to sleep of all things... uhh... perhaps resting with his famous Cars DVD. Meanwhile during naps, mom Katrina and uncle Don rested, read cellphone information, and/or snoozed then stuck to leather couch. Ouch on the upswing. HMMM.
Oops Michaela is not too happy, let's you know whether sad or glad without a doubt. Now OK with Mr. Bear, her crib friend from birth and drag-along partner throughout the daily adventures.
Maybe more later or not. SMILE in the Sunny Afternoon. Chimes are soothing the heart.
Special Note:
You may find that my punctuation style occasionally may be borrowed from one of my favorite poets having my same initials: e e cummings.
Now guess my name. SMILE So long for awhile as I have another open-faced sourdough french bread toast with butter and Andrea-made pomegranate-blueberry jam. A great, big YUM.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
TONY'S GRADUATION JUNE 12, 2001
Well, hello Gypsy Grandma and Whoever your are.
My youngest grandson Tony was graduated magna cum laude from Cal Poly Pomona today. As valedictorian for the computer engineering department, he lead his class in their procession, holding a blue/banner and leader of the pack. In sunglasses, naturally, on a bright and warm/hat/eventually shady day in the Quad.
He and his parents gave their first row seats to his girlfriend Melanie and his grandparents, Glenn and Andrea, and ME, his mother's mother. WhooHoo. Pictures up front and personal. Watching the parade of shoes and occasional mortar board attachment and one hard hat replacement. As they left the shaded stage down a ramp, past the yellow carnation CPP and yellow carnation 2011 decorating either side of the ramp, most were wearing sunglasses to avoid the blinding sun setting in the west. A few jumped the ramp, nearly falling but ushers moved the large colorful planter to stop the tripping graduates. A few beach balls flurried in the wind and then met with grasping hands of the ushers.
Quite a day waiting for one name among more than 900 in the School of Engineering, loudest among which were the graduating mechanical engineers.
Attending the graduation were the following all in special order of mention:
Tony, Melanie,his parents Roxanne and Don, her parents Luda and Richard, his grandparents (dad's parents) Glenn and Andrea and grandmother (mom's mother) Estella.
Tony's siblings Donny, Katrina, and Nick with his girlfriend Lauren.
Tony's uncle Mike (dad's brother) and aunt Laurie with niece Amanda
Brunch on the pool patio at Tony's mom and dad's house was a big morning hit, attended by the following lovely guests:
Tony and Melanie, Tony's mom/dad Roxanne/Don, Melanie's mom and dad (Luda and Richard), Tony's siblings Katrina/Nick and Katrina's children Marty (3) and Michaela (1), and Anne (Katrina's mother-in-law). Order of the morning: Great food and gifts for Tony and for Nick, completing course work on his master's from CPP.
Prior to begin graduated, Tony was honored at a reception for family, where he received his certificate as computer engineering's valedictorian. In addition, he was one of five of the 900 school of engineering graduates to earn dual majors, his being in computer engineering and electrical engineering.
So, are you sufficiently exhausted just thinking about all of those hours of homework and testing and notes galore? Certainly, I am; nevertheless, I needed to document the day's events before drifting off to sleep without even proofreading.
Goodnight, sweet bloggers. Go to or go back to college whenever or if ever you become bored.
My youngest grandson Tony was graduated magna cum laude from Cal Poly Pomona today. As valedictorian for the computer engineering department, he lead his class in their procession, holding a blue/banner and leader of the pack. In sunglasses, naturally, on a bright and warm/hat/eventually shady day in the Quad.
He and his parents gave their first row seats to his girlfriend Melanie and his grandparents, Glenn and Andrea, and ME, his mother's mother. WhooHoo. Pictures up front and personal. Watching the parade of shoes and occasional mortar board attachment and one hard hat replacement. As they left the shaded stage down a ramp, past the yellow carnation CPP and yellow carnation 2011 decorating either side of the ramp, most were wearing sunglasses to avoid the blinding sun setting in the west. A few jumped the ramp, nearly falling but ushers moved the large colorful planter to stop the tripping graduates. A few beach balls flurried in the wind and then met with grasping hands of the ushers.
Quite a day waiting for one name among more than 900 in the School of Engineering, loudest among which were the graduating mechanical engineers.
Attending the graduation were the following all in special order of mention:
Tony, Melanie,his parents Roxanne and Don, her parents Luda and Richard, his grandparents (dad's parents) Glenn and Andrea and grandmother (mom's mother) Estella.
Tony's siblings Donny, Katrina, and Nick with his girlfriend Lauren.
Tony's uncle Mike (dad's brother) and aunt Laurie with niece Amanda
Brunch on the pool patio at Tony's mom and dad's house was a big morning hit, attended by the following lovely guests:
Tony and Melanie, Tony's mom/dad Roxanne/Don, Melanie's mom and dad (Luda and Richard), Tony's siblings Katrina/Nick and Katrina's children Marty (3) and Michaela (1), and Anne (Katrina's mother-in-law). Order of the morning: Great food and gifts for Tony and for Nick, completing course work on his master's from CPP.
Prior to begin graduated, Tony was honored at a reception for family, where he received his certificate as computer engineering's valedictorian. In addition, he was one of five of the 900 school of engineering graduates to earn dual majors, his being in computer engineering and electrical engineering.
So, are you sufficiently exhausted just thinking about all of those hours of homework and testing and notes galore? Certainly, I am; nevertheless, I needed to document the day's events before drifting off to sleep without even proofreading.
Goodnight, sweet bloggers. Go to or go back to college whenever or if ever you become bored.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
First Ever Blog
Hello, readers. Probably only I will be the reader for some time to come. Who knows?
Today my granddaughter Katrina set up my first blog regarding daily activities, et al. Other necessary participants included my grandson Nick and his friend Lauren, daughter Roxanne, and son-in-law Don, plus yours truly.
Here's trusting that both my spellchecker and my grammar checker are turned on in addition to the ones in my brain.
Officially my grades were completed when I mailed three incomplete form notices Friday last.
Now that I am not teaching summer school online, I have time to do chores, catch up on mail, write a blog, and likely buy a color notebook for reading about travel and children's literature.
Yesterday the family played most of the day at Castle Park in Riverside, CA, with great grandson Marty (3) and his sister Michaela (1). Other theme park riders include granddaughter Katrina, her mom, my daughter Roxanne, and her dad, my son-in-law Don. Even Gypsy Grandma Stella rode along twice...safe rides on the merry-go-round and the train. Bravely I rode the up-and-down carousel white pony with multicolored strappings. Michaela rode with head on mom's shoulder and later off in her arms...her first yet short pony ride. Most everyone slept well, especially the baby darlings in their car seats on the ride home over crowded highways back to Moreno Valley after p.m. on Friday. Katrina maneuvered well.
Today, people swam and ate and rested while watching movies at home as opposed to home movies although Don took videos of Castle Park action yesterday. Beautiful day there then. Sun and air just right and really short lines. Yea. And yes, allusion to Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a fair one as a new version of the old favorite book has been read several times this weekend, a hard copy book including three bear hand puppets to encourage the attention span of our darling one-year-old and her adorable brother, whose attention span is LONG already when it comes to books and monster trucks or trucks of any kind, for that matter. What treats her mom Katrina and dad George brought to their families, friends, and most importantly to themselves. OK for me to say. I am the great gypsy grandma, free to roam, ride, read, right for myself mainly. SIGHING and SMILING
My LONG-time friend Robert in Spokane called to tell me about his adventure with his lawn mower in tall grass. He cut his hand adjusting his lawn mower last Tuesday and faces surgery this Tuesday to restore the seriously injured finger on his right hand--yes, that one. Ugh. Someone else will mow the lawn now--his initial plan anyway.
Enough for the first day...maybe. Could return, you know. Back to watching movies with Don and Roxanne, who busily quilts and watches, taking food and swim breaks.
A good Saturday in Southern California. Presently I am feeling the breeze and listening to clear chimes from the pool area outside the dining room bay window as the sun is slipping behind tall trees in the neighbor's yard, just beyond the flowering pomegranate trees. Now you know how to spell pomegranate, yes, -ate; and if you have ever eaten one entire one, you will want another one.
My grandson Tony will be graduated tomorrow from Cal Poly Pomona, where his mother also was graduated a day or so ago--something like 10,585 days ago. Also this semester at Cal Poly Pomona, grandson Nick has completed his course work for a master's degree--thesis in progress.
Today my granddaughter Katrina set up my first blog regarding daily activities, et al. Other necessary participants included my grandson Nick and his friend Lauren, daughter Roxanne, and son-in-law Don, plus yours truly.
Here's trusting that both my spellchecker and my grammar checker are turned on in addition to the ones in my brain.
Officially my grades were completed when I mailed three incomplete form notices Friday last.
Now that I am not teaching summer school online, I have time to do chores, catch up on mail, write a blog, and likely buy a color notebook for reading about travel and children's literature.
Yesterday the family played most of the day at Castle Park in Riverside, CA, with great grandson Marty (3) and his sister Michaela (1). Other theme park riders include granddaughter Katrina, her mom, my daughter Roxanne, and her dad, my son-in-law Don. Even Gypsy Grandma Stella rode along twice...safe rides on the merry-go-round and the train. Bravely I rode the up-and-down carousel white pony with multicolored strappings. Michaela rode with head on mom's shoulder and later off in her arms...her first yet short pony ride. Most everyone slept well, especially the baby darlings in their car seats on the ride home over crowded highways back to Moreno Valley after p.m. on Friday. Katrina maneuvered well.
Today, people swam and ate and rested while watching movies at home as opposed to home movies although Don took videos of Castle Park action yesterday. Beautiful day there then. Sun and air just right and really short lines. Yea. And yes, allusion to Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a fair one as a new version of the old favorite book has been read several times this weekend, a hard copy book including three bear hand puppets to encourage the attention span of our darling one-year-old and her adorable brother, whose attention span is LONG already when it comes to books and monster trucks or trucks of any kind, for that matter. What treats her mom Katrina and dad George brought to their families, friends, and most importantly to themselves. OK for me to say. I am the great gypsy grandma, free to roam, ride, read, right for myself mainly. SIGHING and SMILING
My LONG-time friend Robert in Spokane called to tell me about his adventure with his lawn mower in tall grass. He cut his hand adjusting his lawn mower last Tuesday and faces surgery this Tuesday to restore the seriously injured finger on his right hand--yes, that one. Ugh. Someone else will mow the lawn now--his initial plan anyway.
Enough for the first day...maybe. Could return, you know. Back to watching movies with Don and Roxanne, who busily quilts and watches, taking food and swim breaks.
A good Saturday in Southern California. Presently I am feeling the breeze and listening to clear chimes from the pool area outside the dining room bay window as the sun is slipping behind tall trees in the neighbor's yard, just beyond the flowering pomegranate trees. Now you know how to spell pomegranate, yes, -ate; and if you have ever eaten one entire one, you will want another one.
My grandson Tony will be graduated tomorrow from Cal Poly Pomona, where his mother also was graduated a day or so ago--something like 10,585 days ago. Also this semester at Cal Poly Pomona, grandson Nick has completed his course work for a master's degree--thesis in progress.
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