Snow and Blackhawk

Blusteringly cold today here in the flatlands. Snow and more snow at low elevations. We drove by Mt. Diablo on President's Day and saw a smattering of white stuff at the summit. But nothing has materialized here in the valley, although there my be some falling tonight.

Snow, snow, go away.
Don't come again, I hope and pray.
These aching bones are getting old
And absolutely hate the cold.

We met up with Don and Janet for lunch at Dean's Cafe in Pleasanton, then drove to Danville's Blackhawk Museum, a car-filled taste of eye candy for affectionados. Had a wonderful visit and browse (yes, it's a noun, too, folks) of rare, vintage vehicles. More proof of a God who granted creativity to those made in His image.

Barkleyville Barkers

It was our first visit to one of the local dog parks. Barkleyville Dog Park is about an acre in size, and there is room for about 15 cars to park on a narrow strip of asphalt. No room for us, though. Three or four vehicles were illegally parked in the lot, making it difficult to turn around and leave. So we drove over the bridge to the north and walked back to visit with Liz, Angel and Thomas, who had been there over an hour already.

Thomas had his three dogs with him. They added to the 30+ that were already tearing up the place with their running and retrieving. There were three fenced areas: one for small dogs and one for large, with a play/agility course in between them. Both a fun-for-all and free-for-all experience combined!

The sun hid behind the storm front clouds coming in, so not a lot of color going on in the pictures. Except for the slobbering German shepherd that ran up to me (while I was kneeling for a shot) and planted a kiss on my face and gave me an unexpected glasses cleaning, I enjoyed myself.

I'll continue to prize my non-slobbering kitty cat, Jackson. Sorry, canines everywhere.

Wasn't Christmas Two Months Ago?

In an effort to preserve the palm tree's prominence in Stockton, CA, and extend the Christmas lighting season throughout the year, three malls have donned blue lights on their palm trees.

Thankfully, this wasn't paid for with tax dollars!

Garage Art

Barb and I bought a Barska spotting scope this afternoon and drove out Woodbridge Road to test it. Great little scope and it will get lots of use here in bird country. We only saw three sandhill cranes, a few ducks and a few flocks of geese. Starting to warm up here in the delta and the birds are heading north.

Then we meandered into Lodi for an A&W rootbeer - a tall, frosty glass of classic sweetness that burns your throat on the way down. The place will soon be closed for remodeling. The restaurant in Lodi showcases vintage A&W artifacts since the rootbeer dynasty started here in this little whistle stop.

In back of the parking lot, across the alley is an old garage that has hosted its share of graffiti and clean-up paint. I like old wood patterns, especially if there's rusty metal here and there. When I started working this photo (which was taken while I was holding my camera above my head, resting it on a chain link fence), I didn't notice the fairer sex in the picture. Can you see her?

Sometimes, the last thing we expect appears right there where we didn't see it at first. We're blind to the obvious sometimes, too. Especially when it comes to spiritual things: "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God . . . the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." I Corinthians 1:18 and 2:14.

God opened my mind and heart to receive His truth in the Bible, not my deciding one day to believe. I was spiritually dead (Ephesians 2), a card-carrying atheist, and running away from God. Like Saul on Damascus road (Acts 9), it would take a miraculous application of God calling me personally, convicting me of my sin and stupidity, and freely forgiving my sins through the substitutionary death of His sinless son, Jesus.

I was blind, but now I see.

Noah and the Pet Shop

It was back to Coco's Restaurant today with Angel in tow for the first time. One of our favorite places to eat in Lodi, Coco's is always full of local old folks (especially after church) and young kids (cheap kid's menu). We were on the way to one of the city's reptile, bird, fish and insect stores. Our lunch included the senior chicken strips with broccoli, hamburger and fries and the junior chicken strips. Pretty cheap . . . only cost $30 with tip! Ha! Guess we should have gone across the street to MacDonalds for $15 (and free wi-fi for my iPod Touch).

We were hoping for bright sunshine today after the rain, but were rewarded with just a bit of afternoon sun. It will be back to the socked-in look tomorrow morning. We just keep the lights on at home and try not to think about the drippy wet drizzle outside. It's all under control, though. Not man's control as too many think, but God's providential supervision.


You're right, our lives are pretty boring apart from visiting overwhelmingly breath-taking pet shops. Breath-taking in the literal sense, where your initial inhalation includes a humid, stench-filled measure of oxygen, nitrogen and whatever else has been added by all these dirty creatures. But with a little patience, all is forgotten in a few minutes and you can enjoy the huge Doberman Pinscher, small golden terrier mix and juvenile rooster that greeted each visitor (well, not the rooster - he just did his own thing - mainly running from the bratty boys who chased him).

This is one CROWDED store with cages on top of cages, dozens of tarantulas and spiders in small clear plastic containers stacked behind the glass case by the cash register, parrots, other birds, large and small aquariums, lizards, geckos, and even large 3' monitor-type lizard. All in about a space equal to our living room and dining room combined. Yeow! Electric extention cords and lights everywhere. Pet food crammed here and there. Claustrophobic pets, beware!

It will be much easier to relate to Noah and his predicament now!

(all photos taken with iPod Touch - left the professional gear in the trunk)

A Tale of Two Twins

Someone posted this photo on dpreview.com for a friend of his who wanted it critiqued. The first reply to his post says, "The picture looks like it has some potential, but it just doesn't say anything to me. Your composition follows the rule of thirds but for some reason it just doesn't look interesting. Not sure what you were going for." I have to agree that although it is somewhat interesting, there just isn't anything that makes me want to put it up on my wall. It tells a story, but leaves too much unsaid.

Now, this would have grabbed me.

Kick-Starts A Necessity

These dark and dreary mornings, fog-filled drama under gray skies and cawing crows, demand strong coffee and a quick kick-start to get down the road.

This morning's sunrise looked more like a bright yellow-orange moon filtering through the haze. I turned off the Interstate at Turner Road to grab a shot before it got much higher. No solitary oak was available, and I stopped at the nearest turnout, an entrance to a gated winery. A long row of trees ran its border, north and south, but I couldn't brave the partly flooded field to get a better photo.




Then it was back on the highway, heading toward Cosumnes River Preserve where the water birds winter. The sun almost came out before I had to jump in the car and drive back to Stockton for breakfast with Barb and Angel. Nothing spectacular occurred, but I enjoyed the companionship of an elderly bird lover like myself and a batch of black-necked stilts.

Maybe I'll try again next Saturday.