When There is a Power Outage at Your Cabin

 

People think of sunshine and the beach when visualizing California, but up in Wrightwood, we do have snow.  Those are Cedar trees on the right.  They are so spiritual.  I found deer tracks alongside that side of cabin.  It's fun to compare the footprints of all the animals that come to visit.  We get such a variety.

The other night we lost power.  It was getting late, so I took the hurricane lamps upstairs to the bedroom.  The dogs quickly grabbed their bones and ran up before me.  I thought it was funny that they carried their prized possessions with them to bed.  You can see their eyes glowing like coyotes.  

We only lost our power for about an hour.  The fireplace was filled with wood, and I set the temperature of the insert on low for the evening.  I got up a couple of times during the night to use the restroom and to add more wood.  I was glad that I had plenty of flashlights, matches and candles.  I found it more comfortable to stay in one room than to try to roam around the house in the dark.  I just did yoga and then the power returned.  I read a few chapters of John Muir's book, Travels in Alaska, and then fell fast asleep, under the canopy of the trees.  It is so calming to sleep out in nature.  There is such a different energy than in the city.

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Preparing For The Snow Up At The Cabin

 

Yesterday as I was setting my clock back, I dropped it on the floor.  Crash!  It broke.  I think it belonged to the original owner, and was  probably from the 1970's.  I drove down to Alice's Vintage Cottage and purchased one that I had been eyeing for months.  I climbed up on a kitchen chair, and carefully hung it on the wall.  It has hand painted pink roses and says "Paris"...it's so pretty.  I love the Roman numerals.

We have a snowstorm on the way, so I put the chains on the VW Beetle this morning.  It was still clear outside.  I wasn't sure if I would remember how to do it without watching a Youtube video as a refresher, but it all came back to me.  It's so much easier to fit them around the tire when it's not freezing cold and you aren't under any pressure or stress.  I got the dogs exercised as it began drizzling, too.  Weather has no bearing on their desire to go for a long walk.  

For the past several days I have been carrying several loads of firewood to my porch.  It's a secure feeling to have plenty of wood for the fireplace insert close to the house, stored in a dry place.  It's so much easier than lugging a snow-covered tarps and wood during a storm.  The weather can be extreme in the mountains.  We need the rain, and I am grateful that the snow is coming.  I am so glad that the house painters finished their work before this weather hit.  I also went to the grocery store on Saturday and stocked up on essentials and bought a large bag of dog food.

How about you? Are you prepared for the cold weather?

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I Had the Mountain Cabin Stained

 I finally found an excellent crew of painters to stain my cabin.  They were worth the wait.  Many locals paint theirs, because paint lasts for years.  I just love the look of the natural wood, though.  You have to have it reapplied more often, but to me it's totally worth it.  

They pressure washed it, used some chemicals to bring out the beauty of the wood, and then applied a natural-colored stain.  It's beyond what I had imagined.  I had been worried about the winter snow causing damage, and now the house is prepared.

I took the bedside lamp in to Alice's Vintage Cottage in Wrightwood, where I bought this set.  The handle felt stripped.  She took it apart and fixed it for me.  Now it's working perfectly again.  These are hand painted, and I love them.  Those are my mom's lace curtains in the window.  I gathered them up with some of her other treasures after my dad died.  I think she would like this room...

My mom used to have antique lamps all over our home on Edinburgh Street.   I begged her for one, but at thirteen, she said I was too young.  She was afraid I would break it.  They change the whole mood of a room.  I love to put the night lights on when it gets dark.  It creates such an atmosphere. 

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A Flat Tire on the Los Angeles Freeway

 

Last week, on my way up to Wrightwood, I got a blow out on the freeway.  I had allowed plenty of time to get there, but didn't anticipate a nail puncturing my tire.  As the steering wheel started to wobble, I put on my right blinker, turned on my hazard lights, and slowly pulled over to the shoulder. 

I was thankful that I had charged my cell phone that morning.  Both dogs were in the backseat, so I knew Jacques would be protective of us.  (It just comes naturally to him.)  I phoned Auto Club, and they told me that they were shorthanded.   They estimated that it would take forty minutes while for a driver to arrive. They suggested I call 311.  

As I was on the phone, a large white truck pulled up behind me.  It was CalTrans.  A smiling driver approached my window.  Jacques began barking violently.  I calmed him down, and the man stepped in back of my vehicle, giving us psychological space.

Because I had a spare tire in the trunk, the driver was able to remove the wheel, pump some air into my spare tire, attach it, and we were back on our way.  There was no charge.  I felt incredibly lucky to have such a helpful service during rush hour in LA.  I thanked him profusely and left a glowing review when I arrived home.

Are you prepared if you were to get a flat tire on the freeway?  I was glad that I didn't make the trip at night.

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Taking Amtrak's Pacific Coast Starlight Train Overnight From Seattle to Burbank

 

After spending the night at The Mayflower Park Hotel in Seattle, I devoured a savory breakfast in their downstairs restaurant.  The front desk arranged for a cab for me to the train station.  We arrived early and I sat on an old wooden bench in the lobby.  I was excited to board the next train headed to Los Angeles: The Pacific Coast Starlight.

In order to qualify for the cheapest rate, I had reserved a roomette several months in advance, through an Amtrak agent.  It was still pricey, (over $700.00, versus a cheap economy flight at $59.00.)  Sitting in Business Class or Coach would have been far more reasonable.   I wanted to have a bed, though, and to experience seeing the California coast from the train.  The trip took two full days and one night.  

The meals were delicious.  I had the first lunch delivered to my room, and ate the others in the dining car.  I enjoyed chatting with the travelers at my table about their trip.  One man had moved from England to Thailand, and spent most of his retirement planning trips and on the road.  He had just found out that his train to San Diego was inoperable, and was booking a bus.  They were repairing the tracks further South, including the Meto North line.  

Our train arrived in Los Angeles thirty minutes ahead of time!  I got off at Burbank Airport station.  In the future, I would probably get out at Van Nuys Station, which has a waiting room with an attendant.  There is also a luggage cart that will pick you up if you need assistance.  It's well lit, and many customers park their cars there and take the Fly Away Bus to LAX.

All in all, it was a very smooth and pleasant trip.  The view of the sunset in Santa Barbara was spectacular-a highlight of the journey.  I found it a little difficult to sit for so long, but was able to lay down, since I had reserved a roomette with bunk beds.

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Do You Get Seasick on Cruises?

 

Normally, I do not get seasick when I am enjoying a cruise.  This last Alaskan trip, however, was an exception.  The second night of our journey we hit some rough seas.  My stomach felt like it was dropping.  "Uh oh," I thought.  Since I had eaten a hearty breakfast and lunch, I skipped dinner and laid flat on my back in my bed.  As long as I was in that position, I didn't feel like I was going to vomit.  I went to bed early, and slept soundly.  

The next morning, I made a beeline for the gift shot and purchased some acupressure wrist bands for motion sickness. I also grabbed a box of medicine for seasickness.  I took one of the tablets as soon as I returned to my room, and placed the bracelets over my pulse points.  The relief was instantaneous!

The next morning, my kind room steward told me that the halls had been empty the previous night.  Apparently, many of the other passengers felt like I did.  The rest of the cruise was smooth sailing on calm waters.  I was still glad that I had bought those remedies, though.  I will pack them with me next time.

How about you? Do you ever get seasick or experience motion sickness on car and train rides?

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Photos From My Alaskan Cruise On NCL

 

I just returned from a glorious Alaskan cruise through the inside passage on the Norwegian Sun.  It was a mysterious and spiritual place.  I could also sense the danger, though.  The area is so remote.  There was something eerie about it.  I read about John Muir's adventures there in the 1800's as we sailed through the landscapes.  I found the book at the ship's library; it was in the trade section.  I always catch up on my reading when cruising.  I finished three books!

These trees looked so healthy and majestic.  All of that rain provides them with plenty of water and nutrients.  I had a balcony room, so I was able to enjoy nonstop views and scenery.  I spent a considerable amount of time up in the observation lounge.  It was the perfect place to relax. I sank into the comfortable couches and enjoy the panoramic views as we glided through the water.  This is also where we had our knitting group.  What a fun group of ladies that was.  We sat together and enjoyed chatting and cappuccinos. 

This is my dinner mate, Angela.  We met in one of the lounges, listening to our favorite onboard band, InOvation.  They were fabulous!  

My friend Richard Ambrose and the General Manager sent some lovely gifts to the room: a large fruit basket, a bottle of wine, and a tray of chocolate covered strawberries.  I felt so spoiled.  Richard is the Vice President of Entertainment. 

Hannah treated me to a dinner for two and a bottle of wine in one of their high-end specialty restaurants.  We wined and dined at Cagney's Steakhouse.  The service was impeccable, and the meal was divine.  too full to finish, I brought the luscious seven-layer chocolate cake back to my room, and enjoyed it for the following two days.  

We started and ended our cruise in Seattle.  This was the view from my balcony.  I took a ride on the Monorail and browsed through the items at Nordstrom's Rack.  

I met with my friend Sherry for dinner at The Mayflower Hotel.  She and I both danced at MGM, and she now resides in Seattle.  We devoured the food at Anacapa.  It was fabulous!  The hotel is an old building from the 1920's that has a lot of charm and character.  

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The Simple Home with Rhonda Hetzel and Morag Gamble - Podcast Episode 8

Getting Organized

 

Today I went to the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles, for those of you not in America.)  I needed to update the registration on the car that belonged to my dad before he died.  I didn't realize that it had expired.  He had paid it the month that he died, and then time just flew by with Covid.  The DMV was closed when I first tried to fix the issue.  I wasn't able to resolve it online.

Anyway, to make a long story short, I had to write them a check for $1,300.00 to pay for the back fees.  My brother had transferred the title to me, but because of a glitch, it was showing up in the computer as still belonging to the trust.  An expensive lesson learned.  

I switched my health insurance up to the mountains, because it is one hundred dollars cheaper each month that way.  I also changed my address on my car registration and driver's license.  I hadn't been able to do part of that online, either.  What a relief to have it all completed.  My car passed the smog test, so that was another item ticked off of the list.

I was impressed with the new equipment at the DMV.  They have booths for you to punch in your information for any changes or updates to your license.  It's very efficient and easy to use.  I already had gotten a Real i.d.  Those are needed for travel in the US in 2023.  

I finished my socks.  They fit perfectly, and I have been getting a lot of use out of them.  I am working on another pair with Noro sock yarn.  The photo at the top is of my friend Patrick and I.  I went to see him in the Broadway touring company of The Prom.  He had a huge role, and was marvelous.  I was so proud of him.  We enjoyed catching up over lunch outside at The Music Center.  We shared a delicious piece of chocolate cake for dessert.  

How about you?  What's new and exciting?

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Leaf Litter and Butterflies

 

The other day, one of my neighbors stopped by as I was sipping coffee near my roses, and asked me about my trees.  He said that the fire department had issued him a notice.   He raked up his yard, and now his pine trees are dying.  I nodded in agreement.  This is happening all over California.  We have been experiencing raging forest fires, and are in the midst of a drought.  

I explained that we are allowed to have some mulch on the ground.  We have to keep our weeds trimmed below four inches, but when bare soil is bone dry, it becomes hard as a rock and can't absorb the water.  

Today I watched a documentary explaining how native plants help butterflies produce.  That's part of the reason why my land is so productive.  It is filled with lilacs, oak trees, and bright red Indian paintbrush wildflowers.  The tiny hummingbirds flit from flower to flower, soaking up the nectar.   My land is filled with them.  I let the seeds dry on the stems, and then spread them each September.  The soil remains undisturbed, except for the wildlife.  I stay on my path when walking up and down the mountain with friends,  neighbors or my dogs. 

This afternoon I harvested the coffee berries.  They are a flavorful fruit that resembles a blueberry.  The taste is almost like licorice.  They contain seeds, like a Concord grape.  They start out green, turn red, and then become almost black.  The plants were here when I bought the cabin, and are native to the area.  

So, as the ecosystem hums along, without sprays or chemicals, people feel the buzz of life as they walk by; everyone who visits comments on the trees. They look up in amazement.  Trees are life, and oaks are spectacular.  My dad taught me that you can't put a price on mature trees in a neighborhood.  

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Italy's one euro homes | Full Episode | SBS Dateline

Back to Knitting Socks

 

I have been knitting another pair of socks with my favorite sock yarn, Austermann.  I love these colors.  I have just finished the heel on the second sock, and should have the pair completed by tomorrow.  I am planning on finishing another sweater, too.

Today I got some support on the phone from Lenovo.  I have an Ideapad that I purchased from them at Costco.  For some reason, my camera app disappeared.  I tried a few techniques from Youtube, then called the help line.  I wasn't able to figure out where it went, but the technician who assisted me was superb.  

I gave her my serial number, and she went into the system and quickly started pushing buttons.  In a minute of two, I saw my reflection on the screen.  I looked amazed and happier than I can ever remember. "You're a genius! I praised her.  "And such a good teacher."  Computers can seem so complex at times.  I thanked her profusely and wrote her an excellent review.

Now I will be able to attend my next Zoom meeting.  I love Zoom.  What have you been up to lately?

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A Happy and Healthy Coyote

 

I have seen a few coyotes in my yard.  They look and act almost playful.  I think they are getting plenty to eat.  I love having a wildlife habitat in my front and backyard.  One skipped down my steps, and returned a few minutes later with a limp squirrel hanging out of his mouth.   There are nearby lakes and streams that still have water.  

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