CEDARHILL

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009

It was a quiet day and I thoroughly enjoyed the hours spent with coffee, computer and cats.I love company. And I also appreciate those rare moments when the house is totally quiet...and empty.

Listening to the weather reports elsewhere in country I thank my lucky stars for a few clouds and temperatures above 40deg.

A few highpoints included an amazing Reindeer butler made from scratch- including the painting!- from my life-saver of a handyman-JD. Who Knew the man could paint!

Flowers from brother John

A thoroughly entertaining late lunch at Marianne's and getting to meet Lucille...who I plan to write about in the next GMT.Both of them are women who live outside of the Box...a trait I've always appreciated!

 

The JOY of ...Learning

Spent another 3 hours at the Apple store today learning about all things MAC. The hours seem to fly by as I shared the expertise of a 20-something mac genius with two other people. Today I was trying to clear up some problems I had with upoading MAC iweb pages, and a problem with DVD intros. But like most of my little workshop experiences, it is the sidebars which produce the long ranging additions to my Web saavy. IE: I learned how to take Screen Shots. This is simple for most, but I never knew how to do it...and now that I do, you'll see the result on my blog for local news: www.gmtnewsnviews.com. See Merchant Pages.

I sat next to a woman in her 60's who was doing a website for her family/geneology et all.

We were both jazzed by the things that MAC allows us to do. Part of it is simply learning something new. It is good to challenge the mind and discover you CAN... yes you CAN...And for me, it is a matter of building my professional skills which might be used to progress business in the small rural communities of Globe-Miami. I find that worthwhile. And it is nice to be engaged in things with a "satisfaction-factor".

Beef Bourguignon

Image via Wikipedia

There are some movies that STICK with you and Julie/Julia is one of them for me. Maybe it's the fact that it has blogging as a leading character. Maybe it's because I learned to love Julia Childs- her spirit and verve- for life and a passionate appreciation of food. So...I've been thinking about cooking more and more. Not sure I have the patience of either Julie or Julia...but for a good cause I'd give it a go. And it seems the FIRST dish I should try would be her famous Boeuf Bourguignon. I can see a dinner party- small- on the horizon. Because one cannot cook Boef Bourguignon for one.

Leslie's Apple Pie

  I was reading Leslie's Facebook this morning and she talked about baking some of her infamous Apple pies. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of one of Leslie's pies knows that these are the original-just- like-Grandma G-ross'-southern-baked-apple pie.

You know, the kind where you don't skimp on the butter and sugar. The kind that makes you trade any diet plans you may have just made for the sheer delight of one bite.

Yes- THAT kind of pie.

So I made a comment on her facebook about "lucky,lucky people who get one of those pies." Really, I wasn't angling for one! Just stating fact.

Well- I get a call from Leslie about an hour later and she says she and the girls are running around town dropping off presents and they have something for me.

Yep- you guessed it. It was an apple pie. Leslie says she never read my comment. Had just baked some with the idea that whoever was home FIRST and could take one of the pies...is who got one.

And I was home to receive it! Lucky Me!

Catchin' Up with BJ

  I  had a nice surprise this last weekend when I got call from BJ, an old friend of mine from my Tucson-days. He came up to visit me and we caught up on nearly a ten year hiatus. We had lost touch and like LIFE anywhere when you start recounting the things that had happened in ten years you find out that quite a bit of living went on in those ten years. Who Knew! Anyway- it was good to catch up. 

Part of the Season...you could say. 

OOps... forgot to include the pic of Bryan and I at the new and improved movie theater!

 

The Day After Project

 This was the weekend of the Acers Christmas Party and then the DAY AFTER project. Paula has a very dear friend in Kingman who is a Greek woman with a big heart and little means. Her little trailer was leaking cold air through window frames and her yard had long since  been given over to an accumulation of leaves,weeds and misc.

So, Paula "invites" all the party goers from the night before to ascend on Despina's house with shovels, rakes and caulking guns. And Christmas lights.

There is something about Paula's invitations - she makes them sound fun...and it is a 'club' you just want to hang with...

The group included all the Acer girls of course, plus friends who are fighter pilots out of Luke, some Kingman friends and family - and Neil, Jim's long-time friend from Kansas, who now lives in Colorado. Oh- plus Paula's dad Ed, who is well over 80 and was running a wheelbarrow with the best of them.  The whole thing took about 2 hours and it was a great way to wrap up the Acer weekend. I am hoping Despina can make it to Globe sometime in 2010 to cook for a Greek Night at Cedarhill.The woman has had a fascinating life including the Big Screen in Greece.

 

 

Group Shot of Despina's Crew

The Clean Up Crew in Kingman

    December 20, 2009

Acer's 25th Christmas in Kingman

This was the 25th Acer Christmas Party and it attracts most of Kingman every year.

One of the common denominators seems to be kids. This is a large group of parents who have raised kids together through the years. Swim meets, senior Proms, family outings to cut christmas trees, hike Havasupai, and such.

The other denominator is animals. Paula and her partner, Robin, have treated every furry, scaly, hairless, wooly, and feathered pet in Kingman and that translates into alot of long-standing relationships with the human side of the equation as well.

So an Acer Christmas party includes adults...and lots of kids of all ages- and a variety of dogs. Sarah rented a 15 passenger van to bring a bunch of people from Phoenix to Kingman, along with her fav dog Maverick - which is an Irish Wolfhound. I understand Mav took up the back bench seat in the van . No kidding! 

The Acers house is large and in charge... but you get 300 people, and pets running around the place and it almost seems small. One of the big events leading up to this is selecting & cutting a tree and Jim says that the tree this year isn't as big as last years...but it is more ROBUST. (my word - not his). Anyway..you can see by this pic that it would have been no small feat to get this 25' plus bad boy home and set up...

And- I regret to say I did not get a photo of Santa this year who is a fixture at the Acer's party and has a fabulous Kris Kringle face. Maybe someone will send me one so I can post it. He patiently sits in his throne at the front of the house all night long so kids - big and small...and old...can all get their picture with...Santa.

Truly... a merry Christmas event.

 

#^%* my Dad Says

I discovered this site at the podcamp workshop in November and have enjoyed it since. It reminds me of things my dad would say but I never had the inspiration to write everything down. This is a twitter account, where the author lives with his elderly father and he tweets about the things his dad says. see @shitmydadsays.

The Queens of Freeville

I'm reading The Queens of Freeville now and it makes me look forward to every night I can crawl into bed with the author and share her stories and her reflections. Author, Amy Dickinson is THE person who was chosen among thousands to replace the indomitable Ann Landers. This book is her story of growing up in a family of strong women and learning to be her own self-sufficient-single-mother-unit-of-two when her husband left her with a small child. It offers up many moments of truth which echo through my own experience, my mothers life and that of friends and family.

It is heartwarming, laugh out loud funny and sticky. What she says - sticks with you.

Take this passage where she talks about the immediate aftermath of her own father leaving the house.

"it's an old-fashioned notion to even try to maintain one's dignity in the face of outrage, but I watched my mother do her best. Exercising her only marketable skill, she got a job as a typist in an office. She was forty-two and had been a full-time farm wife and mother for twenty-two years. At night she would come home from work and lie down on her bed still wearing her coat, holding her purse across her stomach.

"I just need twenty minutes," she would say. Then she would hoist herself up, walk into the kitchen and start cooking supper. After years of preparing large meals featuring homegrown produce and homemade breads and preserves- always followed by a baked dessert- my mother stepped down to hot dogs served on buns pulled from plastic sleeves, accompanied by potato chips.

My father had limited interest in his children, so there was no question of custody. My mother never pursued him for any sort of financial support- and he didn't offer it.

She simply prevailed. Prevailing is underrated. People have the idea that unless they win, they lose. But sometimes surviving is enough. My mother knew this, and I learned it by watching her.

Yep- Prevailing seems to be a pretty good term these days.

Pure Smiles

I love the movie julie/Julia!

Muscle mutiny over 50

Recently I've discovered how many muscle groups it takes to make up one rotator cuff. The answer is several. I learned this only after deciding that my increasingly sore and immobile shoulder was not getting any better. And I gave it 2 months to do so before seeking a second opinion. Turns out it was not a matter of having slept on it wrong. Nor was it a matter of spending too many hours on the computer or lifting too many newspapers. 

Nope- it was muscle mutiny.

The whole thing has made me feel old. I don't know how really old people handle their infirmities. Crankiness, I'm sure, helps. Misery loves company.

I must have done it the night I found myself digging a drainage ditch in the back yard as rainwater piled higher and higher and threatened to back up in the laundry room. I must be too old to be swinging a pick-axe. I refuse to believe that - but the recovery time is much longer than I remember and I might reconsider next time.

Anyway, my solution has been to give my shoulder over to my ace massage therapist Deb who works on it  She also explained the many muscles which make up a rotator cuff. I will never take my shoulder for granted again. Deb has been great at finding the sore spots and then applying pressure until the body rushes blood to that area and force feeds circulation. It's working. I'm impressed. The arm is beginning to move again.

And I'm feeling younger.

Thanksgiving 2009

This Thanksgiving we almost didn't have a Turkey. The person who was going to cook one for us backed out at the last minute, and since I have never cooked one! Amazing how one can get as old as I am and never done that, but it's true. So I was preparing to roast some chickens instead when I got a call at 8am Thursday morning from Julie and Don who said Don was cooking a 23 lb turkey and would be here in time for the Big Spread. This made Mikes daughter very happy since she was initially dismayed by the thought of having a turkey-less Thanksgiving.

We had a nice combination of new and old friends and a household of kids this time from about 5 to 17. Mike and Kids started a bonfire and spend a good deal of time around the fire and new CedarHill friends - Todd and Cindi- joined me this year and Vi came to visit Guy and they stayed for dinner. Very nice.

I like Thanksgivings which kinda evolve with the day. We have just enough structure in the day to know when we are eating. From there.... it's seems to kinda build.  
 


 
We had been invited over to the Old Depot for a Sing Along at 7-ish. This is because Kip and Molly were hosting a sit down dinner for their family which was in town, but when we got there, they were just sitting down to dinner so they insisted that Todd, Cindi and I all sit down too. So we ate TWO very good dinners. The table had been laid with great care by both Kip and Molly and it could have been out of Phoenix Home and Gardens!  Then Steve who is a conductor with the Copper Spike played piano and people who could sing..did so. I took pics. Nice ending to the day!

 

Got to hang out with some of my favorite people and eat decadent food..and listen to live piano music... all within walking distance of my house and without pulling out my wallet. What a nice time!

This is the Christmas tree in front of the Arts Center we passed on our way home last night.     

PodcampAz-Social Media for 20+ and over 50!

So this weekend was unexpected in that I came for one conference (on WordPress) and stayed for a 2-day event involving Podcasting which I didn't think was in my sphere of interest - and found much to capture my interest, imagination and respect. The Social Media community came together in Phoenix and put on a "non-conference" which meant they had great speakers, but access was free, and everyone participated to make the event a success. Instead of a top-down "hosting" event...it was a large media-fest of people either doing things - or wanting to do things.

Although there was good deal of Gen X there, there was an almost  equal number of baby boomers, with laptops in tow- who were trying to get a handle on this new ....paradigm with all its choices and new skill sets.

All because the new methods have proven to be pretty powerful at getting the world at large to sit up and notice. I definitely converted this weekend from someone who believed that Twitter and Facebook were just not for me because they were just another version of the teenage-yak-fest, to believing they have relevance not only to me, but to people like me...and their communities.

Which brings me to rural communities like the one I live in and work at making a living. This will become a subject which will occupy much of my future posts...

cooking freestyle

So today was a good day to cook. The banks and Post Office were closed. And traffic all over town came to a standstill. I decided rent a good movie and cook.

Soups are one of the most creative things to do - especially the way I cook, since I start with a basic recipe idea and then modify as my current kitchen ingredients and mood demands.

I chose to go with a Seafood medley which started with whitefish, clams and shrimp and white wine. I substituted salmon for whitefish, and mussles for clams. Then I added some chicken stock, bacon grease,...and yes, even alittle Limeade from the fridge which was waay to "limey" to drink - but seems to add zest to anything you're cooking.

Course, you always have to have onions, celery and garlic is almost anything.

Finished it off with a Big splash of white wine, spinach.Let that simmer and topped the whole thing off with a few frozen mussels in butter sauce.  Mmmm. I surprise even myself sometimes. 

Launch of News-n-Views

 
The news continues to be alittle grim when it comes to print newspapers. This last week we heard that the East Valley Tribune - which has been in business for 118 years- is officially closing its doors after Christmas. They had tried to cut back to 4 days and less circulation and that didn't solve the problem. It just costs alot to print/produce a weekly paper with good content. The Trib had even gotten a Pulitzer for their writing! They had many good, quality people.Yet, the ad revenues were not enough to pay all the overhead. What is the solution? I'm not sure. It will involve some combination of New Media which is a collection of print/on-line/social networking. All of the people involved in disseminating information are trying to find the right mix which works for their market. I'm doing the same. Recently, I pulled together a word press blog which will feature local news and views on a weekly basis. This site is embedded into the Web Portal GMTeConnect.

 I'll be writing more about the process of navigating this new process. Check out the new addition!

PS: On another note - the B&B has been very busy since Fall began. A welcome change. Plus we are now listed on Trip Advisor in the Top Rated B&Bs thanks to our guests who are now logging on and posting reviews. Thank You.

First Friday @ Vida E Cafe

              Just when I decide to plant myself in front of my computer until I get all my posts updated, the events calendar loaded, the bills paid, the articles written for the new, upcoming "News n Views" an opportunity comes along like listening to my friend Bill Bell perform at First Friday at Vida E Cafe.

First - it is just a pleasant one block walk from my house. Second- first Fridays are free entertainment and a chance to visit with people you don't normally get to hang with. Tonight I ran into Fernando (that would be Mayor Fernando, who had just gotten back from the State Legislature where he - as part of the executive committee of the Cities of Leagues and Towns- just agreed to sue the State over HB 2008. Fernando is one of the most well-versed, interesting leaders I've met and I always learn more than I ever knew I was even interested in - when talking to him. More on that later...where I'll be writing a reg. monthly column on the Mayor.

Third, my friend Bill Bell and his wife Toti (who is a wonderful artist) are now enjoying some time in the area after spending many many years working in Calif. and driving out here to care for an aging parent. One of the key things Bill and I found we shared. Anyway, he is quite the musical talent and was performing with the 2nd love of his life- after Toti- his 170yr old violin.

He has produced a CD:  The Vicar's Son which has is sold here and I've included a cut from that CD. As he joked tonight, this is the first performance he's given without a contingent of other musicians, but I don't think the audience cared.  Thanks Bill, for sharing your music!

06 Neil Gow's Lament For The Death Of His Second Wife

 

What I did for my 16th.

Hmmm, typepad has posted this question for the week.

What did you do for your 16th Birthday? Do you remember clear back then?

I don't really, but I suspect it had something to do with riding horses and watching movies with friends. Mother was operating the Laramie house which was a Big boarding house for international students and I shared "space" with so many . It was not a traditional childhood - but a very good one. No over-the-top Sweet 16 parties here. Does anyone else find these just a tad bit WRONG?  I mean I can see acknowleding the 40 milepost and the 50 milepost. But 16? Geeze...that just means a training license for your drivers license. Right?

Pictures on the Porch

       

This is why I love Pictures on the Porch!  Walker (cowboy) was new this year. His folks brought him by on Friday. We ALL had fun watching him "take his hat off for the ladies" - but he didn't always get it back on straight. Then there was the little Chicken. Yes, those feet are made of rubber maid gloves and the eggs...are real! And Joe- one of my favorites every year came as a "Jack in the Box" complete with a pop-up routine which would entertain even the biggest curmudgeon!

We were set  up outside this year and that seemed to work well since people could see what we were doing and wanted to be a part of POP. We did over 85 portraits and 500 pics this year.  

I even found an Indian garb which will serve me well for next Spring's Bollywood party. And friend, Debbie who does so much for me on my many business ventures volunteered her time to man the DESK and write up receipts and take money. She says her shirt is TRUE.

i know that not all my friends will understand why I can't join them for Halloween...but if you're in GLOBE you get it. Halloween is a big deal here and God Bless my friend Molly, she keeps making it a must-go-to-event every year. Of which, fullcirclephotoworks has become an engaging participant.  

To view all the images from the evening please visit us at  PicturesOnthePorch.    

Deb, my partner, and Pattie who volunteers every year with husband Bert (from Tucson) are part of the crew who help to make Halloween and Pictures on the Porch Fab...

Patti says they are considering moving up here and all I say is - WHEN!  we can put them to work on so many more things than JUST Halloween!

Hope YOUR Halloween was fab! Ours was terrific!

~L

  

POP -Fall Festival

  This year Molly and I decided to offer Pictures on the Porch (or more accurately..in the street) on both Friday and Saturday. Friday is -"Fall Festival" which Molly launched 4 years ago as a downtown event. She is persistent and persuasive and it has grown every year.

This year the Copper Rim folks added their events to the Downtown events which brought over 20 booths from the Popsicle-pull (don't ask), to food booths which raised money for the school, and then there were long lines for the Prison of Terror, the haunted house event in the Old Jail.