January in E Nicolaus

Everything looks so different in the winter at Justin's house.  Only a few leaves left on the walnut trees.

Good-neighbor Justin dog-sat for Jaime & Lety.

The white hedge roses did quite well, but the red ones in between didn't keep up with the expected pace of growth ... so out they came, and were replaced today with a different variety.

A few flowers and many rose hips remain.  If I was going to stay any longer, I'd try making rose hip jelly.

Today, Justin had to turn on the water for the walnut trees.  It hasn't rained for 7 weeks (except for 1/10th inch which doesn't count for anything, Justin said).

Cuatro de Mayo, formerly known as Catnip

The boat is about to go back in the water and the big question is, "Where is the waterline?" This picture, taken in Rincon de Guaybitos, Mexico, in December 2008, shows some of the black stripe (boot stripe?).  However this boat still had 700 pounds of diesel engine and hydraulics weighing her down.  

Our boat has been renamed, following all of the proper procedures and rituals, and is now yellow.  Soon I hope I can post a new picture of her ON the water, but for now, I hope Dick can figure out where to paint the boot stripe.

Sophia, Avery and family

Tonight was dinner at Thais's house. Sophia did a great job of spelling her name using magnetized letters.

Watching Dora the Explorer requires one's full attention:

"Giddyup, horsey."

This picture was taken at the end of September at Lake Tahoe:

Kellen & Odin

I had dinner tonight with Doug, Stacey, Kellen, and Odin. 

Odin likes to make funny faces. Here, he said, "Heh?"

Marvin the entertainer

Marvin comes to El Camino Gardens every two weeks to entertain the residents. He plays classic old-timey songs and the ladies in the crowd seem to really enjoy his visits.

Mom said, "He doesn't have any music."

Marvin overheard and responded, "She's right, I just have the lyrics on my music stand. The rest is all in my head."

One of the staff members was nearby and muttered, "And that says a lot."

Mom discharged from hospital

This afternoon, Mom went back to Atria El Camino Gardens.  

Happy New Year

For many years before I met Dick, I would go over to Phyl & Dave's house for New Year's Eve. This year, circumstances have provided that opportunity once again. It's a night of hor d'oeuvres - Phyl makes the best stuffed mushrooms,

watch movies - "The Help" and "Cowboys & Aliens," and drink champagne. I always spend the night and we almost never make it to midnight.

After breakfast in the morning, Phyl and I walked from her house to Robla School using the nearby bike trail.

Who knows when I'll be able to spend New Year's Eve with Dave & Phyl again? Thanks D&P for including me at the last minute. I had a great time.