The Thigh Master

 

Last week I received my thigh master in the mail.  I have just started using it.  I bought it from Suzanne Somers' website.  I used to be a backup dancer for her at MGM.  She has the most beautiful legs!

I have only used it a few times, but already see and feel a difference.  It's a real workout.  Suzanne says it's like having a gym in your home.  I like that it's portable.  I can take it with me to both locations.  

I took the dogs on a long bike ride this morning.  There's nothing like intense cardio and fresh mountain air.  I passed some of my neighbors on the way and stopped to chat.  Jacques gets so many compliments.  He is a gorgeous dog.  His voice has deepened and matured.  

I got my taxes completed and paid.  Phew!  It's always a relief to get that done.  I will mail the returns tomorrow,  I have a fabulous accountant.  She's intelligent, kind and wise.  The older I get, the more I appreciate trustworthy personal and business relationships.  It makes life easier.

Have you done your taxes yet? 

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Living Near the Beach in Retirement

 

My bungalo is thirty miles from the ocean.  Although that sounds far, on the 405 South it is a fast and convenient trip.  (As long as you drive during off peak times.) 

Yesterday I took Jacques to Fisherman's Village, and discovered a new bike path.  It led us into Toe Beach, which is quiet, unpopulated and magnificent.  You could feel how excited everyone was to be there.  From the accents I heard,  it sounded like many of the visitors were tourists from Europe.  They were beautifully dressed and polite. I smiled at the women  I passed while parking my bicycle and entering the public restroom.   I could feel that they perceived I was a local.  I remember the chills I got on my first road trip to Santa Monica beach as a teenager.   I was a babysitter traveling with a family.  I knew then that I intended to live here someday.  

It can be much cheaper to live a short drive from the ocean.  Beach houses are extremely pricey.  There also is the issue of privacy.   I am so glad that I kept my first home for my old age.  It has plenty of parking, is close to the freeway, and is in a perfect area for bicycling.  Our bike paths on the west coast are thrilling.  The weather has been sunny and warm.  How fortunate we are to live in California.

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The Emotional Climate of Where You Retire

 One thing that is very important when choosing the place you will retire is the thought processes of the people around you.  Many people seek out small towns for their later years, citing the lower cost of living.  But what is the cost on other levels?

Will the locals in that place accept your lifestyle?  Are people open minded?  If you love art and culture, is there an abundance of that in the new place?  Is everyone the same religion?  Will they judge you if you practice yoga, are a Buddhist, or if your family is Jewish?  What if you're not married and you chose not to have children?

My favorite part about retirement is having the time to pursue hobbies.  I am close to fantastic kayaking spots, incredible hiking trails, and have access to live performances.  I love the symphony, museums, Broadway shows, the ballet, and fine restaurants.  I didn't realize how important this would be.  I have always worked with other professional artists in my field.  They are talented, disciplined and successful.  (the creme of the crop.) I still keep in touch with many of these people online and by phone.  We are a tribe.

Another thing to consider is your neighbors.  Are you comfortable where you are?  I have several people on my street who I enjoy chatting with and discussing how our lives are going.  There's an easy, relaxed vibe between us.  I like the familiarity and comfort of being here.  

Often people over fifty sell their homes to move closer to their adult children.  This doesn't always work out for them.  What if the kids get transferred?   There's no going back, once your house has sold.  If you are a private person, a city can give you some anonymity.  This may suit you better than a tiny town with a vigorous rumor mill. Moving is an expensive proposition, and sometimes it's better to stay where you are.

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A Home Alarm

 

I recently had a professional alarm system installed at my home.  The new "Smart Alarms" are exceptional.  They are so thorough.  Each time you open a door or window you hear the Alexa voice call out, "Front door open!"  "Sliding door open!"   It makes me chuckle.  

There are different settings, depending on your situation.  The most common mistake people make is to not set the alarm.  It has to be on in order to do its job.  I keep mine on all the time.  You can have a delay for when you enter and exit, (usually thirty to sixty seconds,) or you can program it for no delay.  You may also access the keypad from your phone or ipad.  They have an app that is easy to use.  

If you are using a certain door, or want to have a window open, you can enter that into the system so that it won't set off the alarm while you are home.  There are motion sensors that activate when you have it set on "Armed Away."  

There is also a setting without a delay that is useful to use if you are asleep or if you have been dealing with a stalker or trespasser.  Combined with the cameras, it gives the homeowner a secure feeling.  Of course, large dogs who bark are also excellent for alerting us to when people are on or near our property.  

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Surveillance Cameras

 Hello, Everyone!  I'm sorry that I haven't been posting here for a while.  I am back.  I have been busy having an alarm and surveillance system installed.   I also have been working diligently with Jacques. He is incredibly smart, and is a fantastic companion dog.  He learns extremely quickly and is eager to train and practice.  He and Lula spend hours together, playing.  I also run him alongside my bicycle on the Walkydog for several miles each day.  That tires him out so that he naps and is relaxed during the afternoon.   As the saying goes, "A tired dog is a happy dog."

I am very impressed with the cameras and alarm that I had put on my land and around my home.  The pictures are clear, and I can see and play back what has been going on at all times, from anywhere.  It's amazing how much you don't realize is happening when you are indoors.  

Cameras are helpful to see all of the cars, people, and activity on your street.  I can see why law enforcement relies on them for solving crimes.  They pick up everything!  (Including wild animals like coyotes, mountain lions and bobcats.)  Even if you are on vacation, or away from home, you can always review the tape.  You will immediately see who has been near your place and on your street.   They are a fantastic tool, and well worth the expense.  

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Finishing Knitting Projects

 

This week I have been working on my third Carbeth sweater.  The two that I already own are my favorites.  They are so warm and cozy.  One is knit out of an alpaca wool blend, and the other is made  of Icelandic wool.  The warmth, consistency and steadfastness of these pullovers really pleases me.  I also love their solid colors.   They will last for years and years to come.

This time, I'm using some stash yarn that was given to me by a knitter from a knitting group I used to attend.  (She also gave me the grey yarn that I used for the first one.)  The color is taupe.  It's a natural neutral.  I think it will go nicely with the tan alpaca hat that I completed last week.

I had put this project aside for a long while.  I was concerned about running out of yarn.  I realized that if I do, I can shorten the body, and reuse that yarn for the upper chest and neck portion.  Right now I am working on the second sleeve.  It feels fantastic to be knitting a garment again.  I am using wooden dpn's for this section of the pattern.  It's simple, steady knitting.  So satisfying!  

I also finished another hat yesterday.  This one is made out of emerald green llama yarn.  I decided to rip it back and make it a bit bigger.  I found a small ball of extra yarn in my drawer.  It's just enough to add a few more rows, which is what I need.  It's like the one in the above photo.

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PBS documentary - San Francisco: The Way It Was

Getting Grounded

 The last few days I have been doing a lot of cooking, baking, exercising and knitting.  All of these activities are very grounding.  I feel calm and relaxed after completing them.  A few days ago, I made homemade pizza from scratch.  I love the rhythm of kneading the dough, letting it rise, and keeping it in the fridge overnight. That way it becomes easy to handle and elastic.  Delicious food takes time to prepare, but the results are well worth the effort.

I added fresh herbs from my garden to the sauce.  I bought some Italian crushed tomatoes on sale, since the cans were slightly dented.  It came out really well.  I had forgotten to buy more tomato paste, so I just left out the water and tomato paste in my pizza sauce recipe.  It was still flavorful and tasty.

I baked a lemon pudding cake using Meyer lemons from my tree. It's one of my favorite vintage recipes.  I used goat's milk in place of the regular milk.   It's a treat to have a freshly made dessert sitting on the kitchen counter. 

I picked a bag of homegrown Algerian tangerines, Navel oranges, and Meyer lemons and dropped them off at my neighbor's house.  She loves citrus, and runs a wonderful co-op for us in Wrightwood,  I knew she would appreciate their organic goodness and flavor.  Fruit is expensive these days, too.  

I have been biking Jacques on one of our local trails.  It's safe from cars, and the mountain scenery is gorgeous.  I like being around the other locals who walk or run each day.  Daily exercise is such preventive medicine.  Being out in the fresh air is an added bonus, too.  Home cooked meals have been tasting so good to me lately.  Maybe it's all of the time outdoors and the cardio.  I have been kayaking and walking the dogs regularly, too. 

How about you?  Are you able to get outside where you live? 

Knitting To Reduce Stress and Get Centered

 

This morning I got comfortable on the couch with a cup of coffee, two delicious smelling pillar beeswax candles, and my knitting.  I found this beanie pattern online, and decided to plough through it.  I had a skein of soft alpaca chunky yarn in my stash.  I thought it would be perfect.

It is a simple ribbed pattern, and I did the straight needle version.  It brought me back to my early knitting days.  I knit many dishcloths on these secondhand vintage needles that I purchased at a local church thrift shop.  I had it completed and on my head by early afternoon.  Yesterday I finished a pair of wool socks that I began over a year ago!  

To my delight, it fits perfectly!  I love how the light-colored caramel yarn shows off the ribbing.  The older I get, the more I prefer neutrals, in natural colors from the sheep and alpacas.  Mother Nature knows what she's doing.  

This will get a lot of use.  I think these would make great gifts, as well.  My kind of project: easy, fun and practical!

Kayaking With Your Dog Not Recommended

 

Yesterday I decided to take Jacques kayaking.  He has been so obedient that I thought he had the perfect temperament to sit quietly.  I imagined us as a team as I paddled.  He could gaze peacefully ahead as we skimmed along the water together. (like in the advertisment.) 

What happened was a different story.  After lugging my supplies to the water, and unfolding and setting up my Oru, a woman with a small, hyperactive, dog that was running loose appeared.   Jacques wanted to play with him. "No!" I told him sharply.  I pulled Jacques towards me and explained to her that I was trying him out in the kayak for the first time.  I hoped she would make some attempt to contain her dog, who ran right up to us.  "He's fine," she told me.  I could feel this wasn't going well.  

I coaxed Jacques into the kayak.  It started to rock.  I eased myself onto the seat, and he started to panic.  The kayak flipped to the left, and he was immediately in the water, upset and frightened.  The woman watched us, floundering.   Somehow the boat tipped me out of it to the right, and I was swimming, fully clothed, while frantically pushing the boat back to shore.  The leash was underneath us, Jacques was still on the choke chain, and my olive sundress was now soaking wet,  the lower half floating beside me in the water.

Fortunately, we were right near the shoreline.  It had a sudden and extreme drop off, which I hadn't anticipated.  Conditions are different this time of year.  The tide was much further out than normal.

I dragged the kayak back onto the sand, walked Jacques back to the car, and put him in the backseat.  I pretended like it was perfectly normal for a woman in her late fifties to be walking her dog in a sopping wet, olive green, flowered sun dress.  (Which was now trailing down to my ankles.)

I returned to the kayak, relieved that I had underdressed a leopard print one piece bathing suit, tied the drenched dress to my storage area, and paddled out through the marina.  I admired the boats, enjoyed the calm water and lack of people, and ate my lunch in one of the picturesque canals.  

Neither Lula nor Jacques have done well in the kayak.  It seems very dangerous to me.  The balance is too tricky.  You really need to keep your weight centered, to avoid tipping.  Your head has to be over your navel.  A moving dog will cause you to topple.  It's very disorienting, and your kayak could capsize.  I had my Oru floaties tucked into position, which I think helped.  I was also wearing a snug fitting life vest.  My plan was to just sit in the kayak, in the shallow end, to get Jackques acclimated, but it didn't work.  

All's well that ends well. 

A New German Shepherd

 Today I adopted a young male German Shepherd at one of our local animal shelters.  He is amazing.  He has such a regal presence, and is very aware and observant.  I had forgotten how much I love this breed.  They are the perfect dog for protection and companionship.  He commands respect.  I haven't chosen a name for him yet.  I have tried several. and he doesn't answer to any of them.  Maybe King.  

He has been neutered, microchipped, wormed, vaccinated and given flea treatment.  I was so impressed with all they had done.  They even gave me a collar and leash for him.  He and Lula get along famously. He has already bonded to me.  He came and checked on me when I was soaking in the bathtub.  He gave me a couple of kisses, then went back to his post of guarding the entrance.  He has a wonderful, mature and protective presence.

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please leave replies in English.  I am sorry but comments with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated.  

Mulched the Front Yard to Prevent Flooding

 We have had a significant amount of rain recently.  It is wonderful for the soil and plants, but I live in a flood zone.  If I don't apply straw mulch in my front yard and on my porch, I will end up with a soggy living room carpet.  

After arriving home, I noticed a small patch of wetness by my front door. It concerned me.  I placed towels on it and walked on them to absorb the moisture.  I had to do this several times.  I sprinkled baking soda on the affected area this morning and vacuumed it up eight hours later...I don't want any moldy or musty smells.  

There is always something that needs doing when you own a house.  The straw breaks down over the winter and really nourishes the soil.  It makes the tangerines burst with flavor, and the irises burst into colorful bloom.  

How was your Christmas?  Did you have fun?

Thank you for your comments.  They add so much talent and energy to the blog.  Please reply in English.  I'm sorry, those with links will not be published.  If you enjoy the posts here, please share them.  Comments may take a few days to appear; they are moderated. 

MAME - JULIET PROWSE and GRETCHEN WYLER (FULL SHOW)