It rained yesterday, a situation that seems to throw Californians into a tizzy. However, we braved the light drizzle and drove about 40 miles to Santa Clarita, to tour the home/museum of silent film western star, William S. Hart.
The house is at the top of a high hill and we got there by going up a winding trail. The place still has buffalos and we saw two of them grazing.
Hart was an animal lover and there's a dog graveyard, as well as a memorial and grave for his favorite horse. This is the kind of thing I enjoy a lot--don't ask me why--old-time movie stars and California history.
After, we went to Ellen's shoe store, which is going out of business, and she bought three pair at half price. We then went to George's Bistro for lunch and, as it was still raining, rented movies--"The Talented Mr. Ripley" for me and "Julia and Julie" for her--and Ellen made a delicious lentil/vegetable soup, which we had for dinner. Low-key, but still a nice day.
NOTE: I was sorry to hear from director Tara that she has to cast "Steel Magnolias" before I get back, so I can't audition for a part. She asked if I'd act as understudy for the two "older women" parts, which I want to do IF that means simply covering the parts during rehearsals during an absence, which I think it does. I don't want to have to memorize just on the assumption I could be needed if somebody gets hit by a truck or something. I'm pretty sure that's not what would be required,though.

Busy, productive, and a great fun day. Mike called on the web cam in the morning and we got to see Vivian and Violet in LaJolla. I was surprised to see a large Christmas tree and other decorations in the house they're renting. In code, Mike told us they were going to Disneyland--it was a surprise.
We spent the afternoon at Ellen's school, where we prepared for the next term, starting January 11. We took down the 2009 material and added 2010 stuff (yoicks, can 2010 really be coming up so soon?); erased and replaced "whiteboard" information; sharpened pencils, copied papers, and so on. Ellen wrote her lesson plan on the computer, copied a lot of material, worked out math problems, and did the multitude of other chores every teacher knows. I helped in various small ways and enjoyed doing it. We had brought sandwiches and took a break long enough to sit out in the warm sun and have lunch. The setting is lovely, with vegetable fields all around, lush foliage heavy with flowers, and the gracious green foothills in the background.
When we finished, we decided to go see "Up In The Air." Went to the theatre, but found we had missed an earlier showing, so bought tickets for 5:00. Went to Trader Joe's, a terrific whole foods/supermarket and got supplies. I bought a bottle of "Two Buck Chuck" White Zin, an incredible $2 a bottle bargain--no wonder there are so many alcoholics in California--then we went home and had a bite before going back for the movie. Boy, I loved it. I thought it was so funny and subtle, but bittersweet, too.
Got home about 8:00, then Ellen went to the store. She got me egg nog, which I put a stick in (Mike had left us a half bottle of rum), then went happily to bed and slept like a--yes, a log.

Spent yesterday running a multitude of errands, doing wash, and buying groceries. It was warm and sunny and we enjoyed downtown Ventura, then just vegged out. I confess I snoozed on the couch while Ellen prepared dinner. Discussed whether to attend the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, but probably won't. We want to go back to the Getty Museum and other places in and around L.A., but have plenty of time. Today, we'll go into Ellen's school and I'll assist in setting up her classroom for next semester.

Hey, we've been having so much fun and doing so much, I've had no chance to get back on this thing. Won't go into detail--too much to tell--but will mention a few highlights:
Had a glorious, child-filled Christmas. We adults were all up to see Vivian and Violet open their presents, and what fun that was. Vivi's favorite was a Barbie guitar. Because she's preparing for a career as a rock star, it's essential equipment, and boy, is it loud. Of course, Vivi is pretty loud herself, full of exuberance and 5-year-old assurance that all good things will come to her in life. May it be so. Violet repeated her appreciative comment of "Ba-ba" several times and loved playing with her new toys. Had the leftover turkey and ham for various meals; it was a good idea to have the big meal on Christmas Eve, and relax a bit more on The Day. In the afternoon, I know we went somewhere, but just can't remember if it was into Truckee or if that was another day. Anyway, loved it. We dismantled the tree in the evening, and got everything packed up. Mike sent most of the snow gear back to Singapore, as they were headed to San Diego to visit Paula's father.
El and I left about noon. It was enthralling to be in the deep snow of the Sierra Nevada mountains--the high Sierras*--for days and then, seemingly in the blink of an eye, back into mild weather. We got to brother Frank's in the late afternoon and had a great time visiting. Their daughters, Maureen and Francine, came over to see us, along with M.'s two little ones, and one of Francine's three boys. What a nice visit we had! Colleen Marybeth made pizza, of all things, for dinner, and we also had her fabulous soda bread, made from scratch, of course. Talked and talked, enjoyed some Chardonnay with MB, then turned in and slept like a log. After a big breakfast, we left about 9:00 am, with thanks to a dear brother and SIL whom we're always glad to see.
Made good time down from Alameda in the San Francisco area, then Ellen pointed out that we weren't far from Hearst Castle, so why didn't we go? Great idea, and we did!
I've been there several times before, but never get tired of it. As ever, it was enthralling to see the place where the rich--the really, really, incredibly rich--frolicked. I'm not saying I think it's right or fair or good that some have so much, while others have so little, but I love the place and want to move in.
It was after five before we left and we had the long ride home, but it went okay. We stopped at Andersen's for their famous pea soup, which I enjoyed, although the service was mediocre. Got back to El's after 10:00, and am so glad to be here, relaxed and happy, continuing a fabulous vacation, lucky me.
Don't know when I'll get back to this--so much going on and it's so absorbing and I'm having so much fun, I may just play hooky and neglect the damn blog again. Will play it by ear.
*The high Sierras! How romantic and mysterious and fascinating those words are. I didn't attempt to describe the soaring beauty of those snow-covered mountains around Truckee and Lake Tahoe because I don't have the skill. Nobody does--they just have to be seen.

Last night, the Christmas tree suddenly fell over. Not sure why, as no one was near it, but we righted it, swept up the smashed balls, and reattached the ornaments. Mike tied it up, so it won't happen again. Later, we put on the top the angel which has graced our Christmas tree for a full half-century. She's now only a ceramic head, with an improvised body of a cardboard tube and one of my silk scarves, but she's up there, having traveled all the way from Jersey, and she looks great.
The sleigh ride was just wonderful. Our driver was Katie, a Lake Tahoe native and expert skier, and our horse was Chance, who can pull two and a half times his weight and has been hauling sleigh-riders for 15 years.
It was great fun. Vivian rode in the front with Katie and the rest of us in the back with thick blankets over us. It was a very cold, but beautiful day--blue skies with hardly a cloud in it and brilliant sunshine. We stopped and got hot chocolate first, then piled in the sleigh and were transported around a flat area, singing "Jingle Bells" and lots of other holiday favorites. It was one of the most fun times of all.
We then went home and Paula put in a luscious turkey breast and a big, spiral-sliced ham. We left those to cook and Vicky stayed in with napping Viole while the rest of us went to the Donner museum. It's only a few miles away and commemorates the tragic story of the participants who were forced-to-cannibalize their fellow travelers during the harsh winter.
Went home to a delicious dinner and roaring fires. It's Christmas Eve and we're ready for Santa!

First time I've been able to get on the computer, and this will be short. Ellen and I stayed over in Sacramento, then arrived in Lake Tahoe yesterday at noon. The house Mike rented is gorgeous, very large, with three fireplaces, made mostly of wood and stone, beautifully furnished in the craftsman style, and with all kinds of luxury touches. The setting is, of course, overwhelming, considering the tons of snow, the mountains, and the trees.
Had a terrific time yesterday making cookies, then making pretend cookies as decorations for the Christmas tree, then decorating the tree--all with the active participation of Mike, Paula, Vickie, and Vivian, and the interested gaze of one-year-old Violet.
Today, we all went into town--Truckee, that is--and roamed the shops. It's something like a New Hope North, with lots of little cutesy merchandise, in this case, heavily north woods/timber wolf type. Came home for lunch--Paula made pizza NOT from a box--and we then went to Squaw Valley for a dog sled ride.
Ye-s-s, a dog sled ride. Mike conceived the notion that it would be fun and we went along. We left Violet with nanny Vickie--it's good to have a nanny--and took Vivian. Unfortunately, the dogs were already booked, so we couldn't go. However, there was a skating rink there, under the towering mountains and huge pines--and Mike took Vivi ice skating there.
Now, this five-year-old had never been on ice skates before and wow, is she a natural. She fell down a lot, of course, but she persisted and made it across and around the rink innumerable times. It was fun for the rest of us, too, watching them and taking pictures.
Tomorrow, all seven of us will go to the same place for a horse-drawn sleigh ride on Christmas Eve!

Well, today's the day--my actual (UGH!) birthday. I got e-cards from dear friends Lynne C. and Pat and Rich R., as well as neighbors, Judy and Roman. Also received birthday wishes from lots of family and friends on Facebook.
I'm not too happy to have arrived at the advanced age of 57 (oh, geez, what a lie; I'd LOVE to be 57!) or rather, at my present stage of decrepitude, but at least I'm healthy and in fairly good shape.
Yesterday, Mike picked up our little house guest, Vivian, and they all left for Tahoe. Ellen and I then we prepared for the trip, on which we'll embark this morning. Did wash, went to stores, and packed. El made me an excellent dinner of pasta and meatballs and I went to bed early. Had a curious dream about my good friend, Elaine M., who died 6 years ago. Won't describe it--there's nothing more boring than other people's dreams, unless it's a description of the T.V. show they saw last night--but I felt a slight melancholy when I woke up.
Called brother Frank in Alameda and we'll stop there on our way back home. Mike called Ellen after I went to bed and said snow "showers" were expected, so we'll stop overnight on our way. Heard from A. via e-mail--they had 18 inches of snow in Jersey, for heaven's sake, so we have nothing on them! I understand that Virginia, where my brother Jim lives, had the most snow recorded there--not sure how much.
At 7:10 am, Frank and Marybeth called to sing me the happy birthday song. Got birthday wishes from A., too, and lots of others.