Earth Hour Tonight

Turn the lights out at 8:30 pm tonight for an hour.  See the link below.  Pretty amazing!

http://www.worldwildlife.org/sites/earthhour/index.html

The Swans Are Dead

I have learned that the two awesome swans that spent several months in the pond area near the Cayucos pier have been killed.  They were found  approximately 20 miles north of Cayucos having been shot and left to die where they fell.  Why would anyone shoot and kill such majestic and beautiful birds?  Why would anyone kill any animal, bird, human or any living creature?  Is it for sport, for fun or just to see something die?  These two particular birds were mute swans which are herbivorous that sometimes eat small aquatic life.  How sad and unnecessary for these two amazing parts of life to be ended.  I am stunned, saddened and disgusted with the reckless, unfeeling and callous behavior of some so called humans.  Later.

Health & Fitness Expo

If you are near the central coast of California this weekend, check out the Health & Fitness Expo being held on the grounds of the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo.  If you have never been to the Madonna Inn, this is quite a place to see.  A very amazing and extraordinary facility.  They are always full and only advertise through word of mouth.

*http://slohealthandfitness.com

I am going to spend a few days on the California coast which is always a place for me to rejuvenate and breathe in all those negative ions.  It also gives me a chance to spend some time with good friends.  I will also get some dog therapy with a huge golden retriever "Duke."  Walks on  the beach during my last visit in January revealed two beautiful swans.  This took me back to my first visit to a zoo in Cincinnati.  When we first entered the zoo there was a wonderful water area and there were the swans.  I wanted to stay and watch them but I was moved along to see other things.  I remember how entranced I was by their size and how effortlessly they moved.  Quite a shock to see them on the California Central Coast.  I wonder if they will still be there and if they will have babies.

Of course, my visits to the coast always include local ice cream and sea food that is fresh and delicious.  Salt water taffy is usually on the menu too.  I can sit for hours just watching the ocean and the surf boarders doing their best to "catch a wave."  Time at the ocean is very special.

Snow!

I woke up to about an inch of snow on the tops of cars, bushes and trees. I live at 1500 feet elevation, so this is an uncommon event.   A little on the ground though I think it was too wet for it to stay.  I sat outside with the cat as it continued to snow lightly and then rain gently and it went back and forth for about an hour.  It is now about four hours later and the sun is trying to come out.  There are still major clouds so who knows what will happen. Almost all of the snow has melted now except  for some white on the branches of the apple trees.  Looks as though someone painted the tops of them.  Cold.

I'm On The Net!

Google has found me!  When I Google Search "A Roe Adventure" it comes up third listing down.  No longer need to type in the complete address.   :-)  Pretty exciting.


I continue to go through things.  Currently sorting lots of paperwork from my studies, teaching materials and prior student contact information.  It is amazing how many have relocated or I have just lost track of for now.  This is taking a lot longer than I anticipated.  One three inch stack took an hour.  Seeing photos I haven't seen for awhile, letters I previously wrote when I first moved to Auburn, something on elephants and lots of personal notes on classes and students.  I would love to keep it all, however, storage space is limited.  I am consolidating information which will reduce the paper a lot.

It has been raining since Tuesday and it is the kind of rain that reminds me of where I grew up in Ohio.  Summer rains there were warm and if we happened to be swimming when it would start, we just kept swimming unless there was lightning.  It is a peaceful and gentle rain that has urged me to continue going through things.  The orchard has standing water and the daffodils are bent over from the weight.  All in all, a very awesome day.

I have been having crazy, all night dreams.  Thinking it is the solar flares.  Hope this is what it is as I really need to get some sleep.  I feel as though I am awake all night dreaming.  And I am aware I am dreaming thinking why am I awake for this.  Usually I am asleep almost before my head hits the pillow and wake up when it starts to get light.  This whole time change thing hasn't helped a bit.  This morning I woke up at the old time, so now I am an hour behind.  Oh well, guess I'll just keep "breathing."

RV Hunting

This is a lot more fun than I thought it would be.  I went to an RV show over the weekend and went in about 15 coaches.  They were all in the same area so it was easy to go back to one I liked and check it out again.  Not at all the case when looking at homes.  Lots of driving and phone calling involved.

The people were all in a good mood and actually talking with each other.  Apparently one was so comfortable  she had kicked off her shoes and set her purse next to them  So when I entered the coach I thought someone had left them or was in the bathroom of the unit.  I was a bit taken back and the sales rep with me stepped in thinking something was wrong.  I then stepped further in and saw this woman comfortably sitting on the bed relaxing and wiggling her toes.  She wanted to make sure it felt comfortable because she was going to be taking her large dogs and possibly her large boy friend on her trip.  Here we all were in this motor home laughing and joking about the experience.  Car buying isn't anything similar to this either.

The rep was actually a real person.  I told him I was completely new to this and he explained so many things I came away in total overload.  I learned a lot from him and it has helped me recognize many of the features I want and need in the unit I choose.  All in all, a very stress free experience which is encouraging for my future outings.

It is raining today, snowing in the mountains and in parts of Oregon and the ants have decided to come in out of the rain.  Of course this was the morning I had an early meeting and errands.  So I just sprayed soapy water everywhere and left.  Hoping they would all get the idea and either bite the dust or vacate.  I'll have to dry the sheets in the dryer today.

Taxes are Finished

I wonder why I feel so much lighter after I have finished getting all of my tax information together and take it to the accountant.  It feels as though I have just completed a marathon.  To add to this I now have all of my tax info up to date for 2012.  This will change, I am sure.

Now I can get back to finding a motor home, continue to  go through and sort belongings and get to the post office.  It is funny that every time I pick up something to sort it takes me on a whole new path.  At this rate I am feeling very similar to a turtle.  Knowing, of course, I will complete the task at hand and eventually be on my way.  Thanks to all those providing motor home sightings.  The right one is getting close.  I also made a verbal slip up twice.  I was talking about cat food said dog food instead.  Perhaps I have a companion showing up as well.  It is all a mystery.

Fresh Air!

Amazing how wonderful everything smells after a good rain.  A great time to hang sheets outside to dry after washing them.  They smell so good and feel crisp and fresh.  Being able to open windows and let the air in after being closed during the cold winter is a treat.

My down sizing process continues and I think I am making progress.  I know where lots of things are going once I depart, so they are still sharing my space.  The garage has become a place of no return.  Several areas designated for different places when it is time.  Some days I am very energized with the process and other days I feel as though I am dragging my feet.  On days like today I want to be working in the yard.  Just keep moving.