Food

Once a year I fast for a day and use that as a reminder to update our earthquake kit.  I donate the old food and replace it with more of the same, which means I look for food with expiration dates at least a year away.  Yuck.

A. asked why we kept powdered milk, which he has never had.  It seems like a better idea than powdered lemonade, but maybe we should have a trial run.  On the other hand, I don't have fond memories of drinking it so maybe it would be better to save it for an emergency.

I was reading material from a recent neighborhood planning-for-emergencies meeting and it encouraged adding some comfort food.  I don't think chocolate holds up well, despite new efforts to temper it.  Maybe powdered mashed potatoes?  Hard candy?

There is always more we could do, but having a few days worth of food and water is a good start.

Cool California Challenge

I am not quite sure how the cities are chosen for the Cool California Challenge, but Claremont was excited to participate in the program sponsored by the California government, including universities, and non-profits.  People compare their carbon footprints by tracking electricity and gas consumption along with driving habits (and not flying habits, thank goodness).

Midnight Monday night was the end and even though Claremont (population 37,459) was ahead of Riverside (population 313,673), it didn't finish that way.  It was a sad morning.  If you were wondering, Rancho Cucamonga's population is 170,746.

It was nice that our household was ranked sixth in the city.

It helped that we didn't use air conditioning,
but if we used solar power we could have done better.

You can't win 'em all.

Baseball

Look what I found on the bottom of the mail bowl!

March 30, 2014

I love saving the pre-season predictions and comparing it to the reality of the end of the season.  The L.A. Times predicted the Dodgers to win the division, but not the Angels.  In Cleveland's division they were also accurate, calling Detroit to win followed by Kansas City and Cleveland.

My hope is always for Cleveland to finish above .500, which they did this year.  If they couldn't make the playoffs I am happy to see other midwest teams.  It is a bit like the article encouraging people to cheer for Nigeria (greatest joy for people who care and need something to cheer for).

The best part about both L.A. teams making the playoffs is more baseball on the radio!

Another Fair Post

With the weather looking promising we decided the time was right for a quick visit to the fair.  I always love the variety of people.

The people who have their picture taken.

The people who take their own picture.

The people who believe.

The people who believe in something bigger.

The people who create art.

The people who create competitive table settings.
Can you name the holiday?

The people who can't resist the games of chance.

And the people who can't resist the maple bacon donuts.

Something for everyone!

Stuff

Remember when I wrote about getting this as part the adult summer reading challenge?I am not sure why I am so attracted to this size pouch.

I already have this one, which works just fine.

And I already had bought this one for when the other one wore out.

Not to mention buying this because it was so irresistible and so useful.
Good thing I like to carry change.

Studio Art Hall

In the future there will be a new art museum for Pomona College, but first they built a Studio Art Hall.

Mostly I had seen it from the back, which is near a running trail,

Let's hope this is tempered glass!

and from the side, which is just beyond the outfield.

The hall will have a wood shop, a sculpture studio, metals workshop, and a digital studios.  I am looking forward to open gallery events.

Signs of the Neighborhood

In my hometown yard signs were banned, although they are now allowed with some restrictions. These are the signs within a block or two of our house.

Here's the sign for the Friends of the Claremont Library's
selection for the On the Same Page program.

Each year the Claremont Educational Foundation solicits donations and
creates a yard sign.  I am guessing the new ones will be out soon. 

Prop 46
Should California require random drug testing of doctors, require doctors to check a
statewide database before prescribing certain drugs, and raise the cap
on noneconomic damages in medical negligence lawsuits?

Measure W (local)
Shall the City of Claremont be authorized to issue water revenue bonds up to $135 million
to pay for acquisition of the Claremont Water System and incidental
expenses payable only from the water system's revenues?

I would vote for fun!
LACF = Los Angeles County Fair

Eyes on Africa Initiative

From the facebook page:

Through guest speakers, performers and a visiting African scholar each spring, the five-year Pomona College “Africa Initiative” will highlight the continent’s ever-increasing importance, its emerging economies, and the vital role the region plays on the international stage.

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche was the book all first-year students were expected to read.  The author will come to campus next month to speak with students about her book.

 Around Marston Quad the light poles are decorated with flags promoting the initiative.

Events from last year included talks by Johnnie Carson, Hilary Clinton's Assistant Secretary of State for Africa during Obama's first term, and Adam Nossiter, the New York Times' Bureau Chief for West Africa.  There was also a Hip Hop group from Senegal and showing of the movie God Loves Uganda.

I can't find a lot of information on the Pomona site, but there is plenty on the special facebook page mentioned above.  Come visit and we can check out events together! 

Danish pastry

What most Americans call a Danish is called wienerbrød in Denmark, or Viennese bread.  What is authentically Danish are kringles, which is pastry dough shaped like a pretzel.

This was spotted in Trader Joe's this morning.  I didn't want to squish the package to determine the shape, but the pastries pictured on the company's website look like rings.  Even more odd is that it is a pumpkin caramel kringle, which seems un-Danish.  'Tis the season for all things pumpkin!

The Bowl

If someone offers you discounted tickets to see The Simpsons Take the Bowl, transportation included, you say yes!  We were among the few people not wearing Simpsons paraphernalia (costume, t-shirt, pins, purse) , but we still got into the spirit of the show.

We were happy not to ride or drive there, but even the bus can't zip through traffic jams.
photo credit zayzay.com

Highlights included Weird Al Yankovic,

the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles,

and the clever way the whole setting was used to evoke the show.
Above the stage is a Bart in sparklers, which doesn't look great despite the most clever fireworks show I have ever seen (fireworks time to go along with clips from the show).

The event was entertaining, but the traffic was too much.  Today's paper featured the fall theater season and I just had to avert my eyes lest I become tempted, only to be frustrated again.  I will see what is happening in Pasadena instead.

The Fair

I have written about the county fair (here and here).  I can write about a totally new perspective since I was moved to volunteer my time as a chaperone for the school field trip.

Despite my advice to my children not to do so, I worried ahead of time.  I certainly worried about the weather, but there was plenty of shade and not one child complained about the heat.  I worried about the children complaining about other things, too, but there were so many activities and so many free samples of sugar that there was hardly enough time to complain.

After a short tram ride our first stop was the farm to see the goats being milked, to pet the sheep, and get a free sample of milk (100% of the kids chose chocolate).

We walked through the garden and saw real grapes and real squash.  The bee colony was not very healthy, but we were able to see the queen bee and get a honey stick.  No free samples at the blacksmith station, but the kids seemed to enjoy the presentation.

We had an invitation from the real Dr. Bob to visit his ice cream factory.  The hairnets were donned and the kids loved sampling the ice cream and seeing where it went through the liquid nitrogen cooler.  A quick visit to the walk-in freezer was just what we needed before heading back out.

A lot of time was spent in the wilderness section, learning about wild animals, forest fires, and how the first people used the local plants.  Another bit of wood made its way home, but at least it smells good.

After lunch we had a quick visit to the flower and garden pavilion, which featured the plants and animals of China, although a Burmese python was the display the kids were attracted to.

And that was it!  So easy!  It was off to meet the class and get on the bus.  A. stayed with a friend and his mom, which I considered doing.  I am at the tail end of my back-to-school cold so I went back to the school and then hit the shower at home.  I am already plotting my return!

Update #4

For D. this was the summer of being on the road.  It began with a conference in Washington, D. C., accompanied by his trusty folding bike.  June included a trip to Idaho to raft the Lochsa River, which gave him a chance to brush up on his rafting skills, which don't get a lot of use in landlocked Claremont.  D. and bicycle made it to Biddeford, Maine for a Gordon Conference, which creates a wonderful balance between science and outdoor fun.

The big trip was rafting through the Grand Canyon, which was so special that I promise it will get its own post sooner than later.  D. is still settling finances and sorting photos so we can invite people over for a slide show.

Back at school he is still department chair, still enjoying the progress of the updated Millikan Hall, and busy with an unusually large of number of people enrolled in physics classes.  I am always impressed how he makes time to help kids with homework, help everyone with housework, and do it all while whistling a merry tune (or more likely singing a song).

Here is to a good year for all!

Update #3

In we are going in order of age I am up next.

My school year is a lot like last year.  I hang out with Z. while her mom teaches 60% time at the school down the street.  The great news is that she is comfortable in the bike trailer so now we explore!  We usually visit our neighbor's hens, then maybe look for turtles at the botanic gardens, color and have a snack at Trader Joe's, and maybe spend time at the library after visiting mom during recess to have some milk.  I love playing with the old toys, reading favorite books, and getting paid for having fun.

spring 1993

September 2014

It is always busy with back-to-school stuff  around our anniversary, but I took time to look through the wedding album (and wedding scrapbook and pre-wedding scrapbook).

My days are also filled with shuttling of children, volunteer duties with the schools, observing the school board, and editing the newsletter for the League of Women Voters.  It is true that I waste time on Facebook, reading other blogs, and reading about potential sabbatical leave cities.

Add a little grocery shopping, laundry, and dealing with the mail and you have a full day, but there is still time to host visitors so let me know when you're headed this way!

Update #2

The teenager is still driving (as mentioned here), including on the freeway and at night.  The requirement is to take a total of six hours of formal instruction and have fifty hours of practice, including ten hours at night, before taking the test.  It will be a while before she has those hours, but there is no rush.

Classes this year include physics, calculus, computer science, English, history of the Americas, and German.  This semester she has an open period during which she tutors math, but next semester she will have Theory of Knowledge (taught by the husband of A.'s art teacher - small town), which is part of the two-year International Baccalaureate program at the high school.  Her claim-to-fame may be graduating without ever taking a first period class (start time is 6:50 a.m.).

R. has been swapping driving time with grandparents for tech support and has been able to offer some help with her grandmother's computer programming class.  Mock Trial has started again and this season's case is about art theft.  She continues to arrange and host weekly Pathfinder sessions, which will continue despite the leader's departure for college.

College is a bit on our minds, but not dominating dinnertime discussions yet.  Right now she is creating a list of places to visit and preparing to take the PSAT.  I am in no rush for this stage, either.

Update #1

A sure sign that summer is over is the lack of posting from here.  I'll give a little update on each of us.

Look what happens when I let someone take a nap too close to my ipod!

Despite the heat the youngest is playing a game with friends up on the garage roof.  He is in his last year of elementary school and Wednesday is early dismissal day.  Being the oldest means he was among a few selected to work with the person in charge of the sound system during school events.  He may apply for LEEP (Leadership in Environmental Education Program) and go with the school for a week in the mountains during Outdoor Science School.  Even better, he gets to help choose the soccer teams for recess!

Beyond school he has soccer (still playing goalkeeper, which is hard for me to watch), art class, cello, and prep for his Bar Mitzvah.  Even with all that he has three animal-care jobs this weekend and manages to squeeze in an awful lot of sleepovers.  Not a bad life.