Happy Halloween!

This year I have definitely NOT been in the Halloween spirit. I did love the haunted library the Sacramento Central Public Library put on and the presentation the Old City Cemetery put on at the State Library, but that's been the extent of all Halloween enthusiasm. Next year, if I find myself still here in Sacramento I am definitely buying tickets to the Old City Cemetery's Lantern Tour!!  

Apple Hill

This Saturday involved a lovely trip to Apple Hill. I'm still not sure I've realized yet that it is Fall, but it feels a little closer.

Apple doughnuts and fresh apple juice. 

Balcony

I have been anxiously awaiting the onset of cooler weather, when it would be pleasant to sit outside on my balcony. Finally I found the perfect chairs. $16 each. I love them.

It is daily growing darker at early hours, but I've still managed to get quite a bit of reading done outside. 

Sea Ranch

A few weeks ago I was desperately wanting to get away. Funny, since I really had just recently gotten back. I took up an offer to go with some friends to Sea Ranch. S's parents were renting a house there with some friends. We took a 4 mile walk along the coast to reach our destination - where they fed us generously.

It was beautiful. I wanted a deck, and a chair, and a book.

I know between holidays and vacation I have over a month off every year, but it would be so lovely to rent a place by the ocean and camp out for a month straight.

Who is that??

J, the babes and I are in the car. We've just returned to Sac from a lengthy drive where the babes were given books to keep them occupied.

As I reach in to remove Q from the vehicle I see she is looking intently at a photo. I believe she might have even been babbling at it. When I gain possession of the photo all I can think is who are these people, and how in the world did she come into possession of this family relic. 

I hand the photo to J, who bursts out laughing. We contemplate for a moment and then realize - the book. Weeks before the Svozil's had housed small mountains of books for donation to Kaiser, of course, being the book hoarders we are everyone had gleaned the piles before they were sent off. I am sure the individuals in this photo were very disappointed when it went missing, it's so flattering. The hair, the facial expressions. Great moment. Thanks Q!

Go Kart Racing

Now I have raced the karts at Scandia several times, but this was something new. Back in July for K's bachelor party I found my self in asphalt competition with 10 males. I was feeling the pressure as the sole representative of my gender not to make a complete embarrassment of my entire sex. K did not help the general sexist teasing I was the subject of when he joked, in front of the entire group, that his stipulation on my attendance at the "bachelor party" was that I had to come topless.

Sadly, you are required to wear the full-body suit provided. I was initially horrified to have to wear it (I eve refused to wear the white jumpsuit at my baptism and made my mother purchase a dress), but ignoring the elastic ankle bands, it turned a nice figure and had a great collar. Was looking pretty cute if I say so myself - which was helpful because 3 races, indoors, with exhaust, wearing a full body suit, a head sock, and a racing helmet does not keep an individual cool or dry.

While there was no way I was going to win I was quite pleased after the second lap, when they pulled us out of our cars for a 15 min break, to see my name ranked 4th on the score board. Even though that was not a reflection of my overall performance, that was the ranking that all those men sat staring at and agonizing over for 15 min.

Eat that boys!

Boise #2

I can't even begin to describe my enthusiasm for visiting the old Boise prison. It closed in the 1970's after some riots ended with two buildings having their insides burned out. 

This is inside one of the earliest cell blocks - build 1899. Stacked 4 levels. 

The industrial laundry facilities. 

Solitary confinement. Which apparently was not all that solitary - in early years they packed several people in these little rooms. With creepy doors. 

Burned out chapel.

Burned out kitchen and dining hall. 

Can we please bring back loafing over loitering? 

After the prison, up table rock we went. Lovely views of the city. 

It was an absolutely fantastic time!

Wilco

Have I told you of my great love of Wilco? Their latest CD has been a perfect accompaniment for the onset of the Fall weather.