Central San Joaquin Valley morning ag report: Sunrise about 0630 or 0635, ten or fifteen minutes earlier than two weeks ago and a little before I set out on the road. Grain growing well, aveage height about a foot and a half. I see some alfalfa starting to grow now, and the drip-irrigated plants I saw two weeks ago in the two-leaf stage have proven to be (processor) tomatoes. Most of the way the weather was clear (temperature about 45 degrees), but I saw soldier blackbirds and a large hawk perched on the fence in the (light) fog watching the fields of the dairy that seems particularly ecological. Same place the cattle harvest their own food by grazing and where I see the ibis from time to time. Neither the grape vines nor the pistachios have leafed out yet.
Never been to Arizona. I did spend about tow weeks in Honolulu in the Spring of 1970. Unfortunately time and brain damage have conspired to erase or de-focus my memories.
I think I have been back and forth through the airport at Phoenix two or three times. Once or twice it was just off the arriving plane, over to the neighboring bunch of gates and immediately onto the departing plane. The other time I had a layover each way, and realized the place is WEIRD. An “international” airport with signs and announcements exclusively in English for starters; I had been there for a good hour before I heard anyone speaking any other language than English—a couple speaking Italian between themselves. The fast food places were almost exclusively staffed by black people—and their behavior jetted me right back to the 1960’s; it was absolutely obvious they were not accustomed to anything like equal or respectful treatment by whites. Latinos were keeping a very low profile, presumably for their social health. Let’s see, when was that—checking….checking…checking…it was in 1998. Well, a lot could have happened since then. But I suspect I would still feel very uncomfortable there.
RE: Madeline and The Castle Number Nine, if I ever get sufficiently organized to get that turntable that plugs into the computer, I'll try to upload some of the stories. Looking forward to that turntable, but won't be able to get it for a while.
BTW the new DVD player arrived. I hope we can get it set up this weekend.
Just finished The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett. It's a love story, a literary detective story, a murder mystery and includes an idyllic Oxfordshire village and visits to London. What's not to love?
It was beautiful here today, mild (high of 46) and sunny.
This afternoon Mum patiently read me the liner notes for a newly acquired greatest hits CD by The Carpenters. But she had to inject that she never liked them - found them bland. I'm still in shock. The beautiful, unique voice of Karen Carpenter, bland? She could sing the proverbial phone book and it would have been great! Back her with one of Richard's arrangements and it probably would have been a top ten hit.:) Bland? I just don't understand my mother. *shrug* It might be a generational thing. For all I know, you guys feel the same way about The Carpenters. For my part, as a kid I used to stop whatever I was doing when a Carpenters record came on the radio and stood or sat stalk still, just drinking in Karen's voice. Of course, listening to her now makes me a little sad, but the wonder, the magic is pretty much undiminished.
I think I found the Carpenters *songs* a bit on the bland side compared to, say, Seeger or Belafonte. But I'm reacting to something quite different from what you did. And I definitely preferred them to Sinatra or Crosby or the Andrews Sisters.
Intertwined, like us and The Governor?
ReplyDeleteCentral San Joaquin Valley morning ag report:
Sunrise about 0630 or 0635, ten or fifteen minutes earlier than two weeks ago and a little before I set out on the road. Grain growing well, aveage height about a foot and a half. I see some alfalfa starting to grow now, and the drip-irrigated plants I saw two weeks ago in the two-leaf stage have proven to be (processor) tomatoes. Most of the way the weather was clear (temperature about 45 degrees), but I saw soldier blackbirds and a large hawk perched on the fence in the (light) fog watching the fields of the dairy that seems particularly ecological. Same place the cattle harvest their own food by grazing and where I see the ibis from time to time. Neither the grape vines nor the pistachios have leafed out yet.
—Alan
Never been to Arizona. I did spend about tow weeks in Honolulu in the Spring of 1970. Unfortunately time and brain damage have conspired to erase or de-focus my memories.
ReplyDeleteI think I have been back and forth through the airport at Phoenix two or three times. Once or twice it was just off the arriving plane, over to the neighboring bunch of gates and immediately onto the departing plane. The other time I had a layover each way, and realized the place is WEIRD. An “international” airport with signs and announcements exclusively in English for starters; I had been there for a good hour before I heard anyone speaking any other language than English—a couple speaking Italian between themselves. The fast food places were almost exclusively staffed by black people—and their behavior jetted me right back to the 1960’s; it was absolutely obvious they were not accustomed to anything like equal or respectful treatment by whites. Latinos were keeping a very low profile, presumably for their social health. Let’s see, when was that—checking….checking…checking…it was in 1998. Well, a lot could have happened since then. But I suspect I would still feel very uncomfortable there.
Delete—Alan
RE: Madeline and The Castle Number Nine, if I ever get sufficiently organized to get that turntable that plugs into the computer, I'll try to upload some of the stories. Looking forward to that turntable, but won't be able to get it for a while.
ReplyDeleteBTW the new DVD player arrived. I hope we can get it set up this weekend.
Good luck! (Says the guy who hopes he gave a good recommendation…)
Delete—Alan
Set my clock ahead last night; was pure joy to see the last of the light at a quarter to eight tonight. . . . ♥
ReplyDeleteI find light so late in the evening disconcerting. Makes me think I have more time to get things done than I do.
DeleteI know what you mean. Even so, I much prefer the light lingering than darkness falling at 4:00.
DeleteJust finished The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett. It's a love story, a literary detective story, a murder mystery and includes an idyllic Oxfordshire village and visits to London. What's not to love?
ReplyDeleteIt was beautiful here today, mild (high of 46) and sunny.
ReplyDeleteThis afternoon Mum patiently read me the liner notes for a newly acquired greatest hits CD by The Carpenters. But she had to inject that she never liked them - found them bland. I'm still in shock. The beautiful, unique voice of Karen Carpenter, bland? She could sing the proverbial phone book and it would have been great! Back her with one of Richard's arrangements and it probably would have been a top ten hit.:) Bland? I just don't understand my mother. *shrug* It might be a generational thing. For all I know, you guys feel the same way about The Carpenters. For my part, as a kid I used to stop whatever I was doing when a Carpenters record came on the radio and stood or sat stalk still, just drinking in Karen's voice. Of course, listening to her now makes me a little sad, but the wonder, the magic is pretty much undiminished.
I think I found the Carpenters *songs* a bit on the bland side compared to, say, Seeger or Belafonte. But I'm reacting to something quite different from what you did. And I definitely preferred them to Sinatra or Crosby or the Andrews Sisters.
Delete