tattling

I'm changing and it may not be for the better. With all that's happened to me within the last month (only some of which I've mentioned here), I feel like I'm becoming jaded. I guess it doesn't take much. I used to think that if you were nice to others, they would be nice in return. Now I've learned that it doesn't always work that way. Sometimes if people think they can get away with something, they'll try it.

Just today, I parked in a commercial parking lot and made a phone call before I got out of the car. All of a sudden, I see a jolt from the car parked next to me. The car had been hit! A car pulls into the space on the other side of the car and a girl wearing a "I (heart) N Y" shirt gets out, looks at the damage to the bumper of the car next to me, gets back in her car, and drives away. I get out of my car and read her license plate number into the voicemail of the person I was trying to reach. The owner of the vehicle walks up and I tell him what happened. We exchanged numbers and I called him with the license number after my friend returned my call. He said he was going to call the police about it.

The truth is, the damage was minor. I only took a quick look, but I think some buffering will fix the paint. She should have left a note. I have, in the past. I'm no saint. I did it because I knew someone saw me. My note was very lame, saying something about how I was very sorry and that I was a student and didn't have any money. I never got a call about that. I think the NY girl would have gotten away with a simple apology, but now she's going to get a call from the cops.

So how can I see good in people in this big, bad world? Only by extending the grace that's been given to me.

camping (day 3)

On Monday morning, we packed up our supplies and headed back to town. Our only planned stop was at the Firestone-Walker Brewing Co. in Buellton. We got there an hour before it opened. No worries, we went to the blueberry farm we saw on our drive up. It was the first time I had ever been blueberry picking and it was so much fun! You pay for either a plastic container or a bucket to fill and are allowed to eat as much as you want while you are there. The blueberries were plump and beautiful, so much better than anything you can buy at the grocery store. I think the pickers must do a lot of sampling :). Restoration Oaks Ranch does not use any pesticides or sprays. While I was picking, a lady said to me with a sad expression, "No water." I assume she meant to wash the berries before eating. I gave her a blank look and popped some more berries in my mouth.

We went back to the Brewery and the place was packed. They have a small menu, but the salads, soup, chili, and hot dogs we ordered were good. On the drive home, we made a pit stop that was full of its own adventures. Sometimes a three day weekend can feel like a vacation.


we consolidated our blueberries to fill one bucket ($20)


i ordered the daily special, a kobe beef hot dog topped with salsa fresca and avocado. it was very juicy and flavorful

camping (day 2)

Our campsite was right in front of the beach. In the morning, we walked along the sand to the tide pools. I collected a couple of sand dollars. In the afternoon, we drove down to Pismo Beach to see the sites, but mostly because someone had a craving for clam chowder in a bread bowl. From there, we went outlet shopping then wine tasting at Salisbury Vineyards and then to a Fruit Stand with a petting zoo, an ice cream shop, and roasted corn stand. Then, dinner back at the site.


i love sea anemones. i like to touch them and have them wrap around my finger with their little stingers. they are my favorite part of the tide pools





the best clam chowder in a bread bowl is at Splash Cafe. look at how they toast each part of the bread bowl separately. after we left, there was a line outside wrapping around the building.


peacock at the petting zoo


grilled skewers of beef, bacon, and veggies

camping (day 1)

When people invite me to go camping, they usually preface it with, "I don't know if you're the camping type, but ..." What? Who doesn't like camping? Based on the reactions I got when I told people I was going camping for Memorial Day weekend, it seems like a Lot of people. "What kind of camping? Sleeping bags and tents?" Absolutely! But then again, not everyone does camping the way my friends and I do camping.

Years ago, 5 of my high school friends and I went camping at Oceano right on the beach. We were so proud of ourselves for pitching our tents and cooking our meals in the great outdoors. We left our site during the day to go on excursions where we enjoyed horseback riding, wine tasting, and mineral spas. We returned to our site to find our tents askew from the wind and slowly, one at a time, our neighbors would come by to return our items that had blown into their sites.

Memorial Day weekend, 2007--Morro Strand State Beach.


all done! the Traveler's Special at Pea Soup Andersen's in Buellton is unlimited bowls of split pea soup. i finished two bowls, but our server said the record is 17.


our tent


morro means big rock/small hill


lovely sunsets, but next year maybe we'll camp where we can see stars?

crestline

I spent the weekend in the mountains for a retreat. We stayed in cabins, which is a warm-up for real camping next weekend. I think I'll get better sleep on the ground than on those bunk beds. Despite being sleep deprived, I had a great time communing with God, nature, and other folks. Normally it takes a while for me to open up to people, but I was able to do it almost on cue within my small group. Partly to fill in the silence, partly because it was expected of all of us, but mostly because there is a sense of trust with people who share your faith, whether or not it is correct.




charlie's angels

fueling up

This afternoon, I stopped for gas and parked behind a silver tC. On the back windshield, the words "Paul ... take me to PROM?" were written in green marker. Cute. When I saw the guy filling up the tank, I said, "Paul! Are you taking that girl to prom?," pointing to the windshield. He nodded yes. Before he left, he said, "Have a nice day." I said, "Thanks. Make sure you open the door for her!" He chuckled. Nice kid.

getting hit, again

No, I'm not talking about De La Hoya or Mayweather. This was supposed to be a post about geo-caching, because that's where I was headed when I got rear-ended. 10 years with a clean driving record and within the last year I'm in a head-on collision where my car got totaled and am rear-ended twice. Today I was driving in the slow lane of the freeway, almost at my exit, when a car ahead of me pulls off the shoulder and into my lane. I slam on my brakes and stop in time, but the car behind me doesn't.

Everyone was okay. My neck and left bicep are sore. Hopefully this time I'll have a much quicker recovery. My car suffered damage to the bumper, rear right spoiler, muffler, and rear body floor pan. Also, my airbag light is on, though the airbags didn't deploy. The mechanic says it's most likely a problem with a sensor, not the computer. Sucks. So, happy Cinco de Mayo and stay safe!


"yeah, i was in a fight, but you should see the other guy."


the other guy


her airbags deployed

the horse capitol

Today I went to a quilt fair sponsored by the Inland Empire Quilters Guild. It was held in Norco, which I'm told is the horse capitol of the United States. Really? I would have thought Texas. Anyway, I invited one of my high school teachers, an avid quilter, but she was unavailable. She's on holiday in Oahu. Yeah, retirement can't be all that hard :P.

There were vendors, raffles, a silent auction, and over 100 quilts on display. I bought a kimono pattern wallhanging kit. The pieces are already cut out and it comes with directions. I've never quilted before and this one is good for beginners. Hopefully i can start and finish it before I retire :).