April, 2019

Wesley, Amanda and the mama at a Roman amphitheater

# 1 son visits!

Things can't be too bad when someone who has been here already decides to return. Our son Wesley was here 2 years ago when we took him all over Germany and surrounding countries. He decided to return this year with the love of his life [Amanda] to... (drum roll please)...meet the parents... 

YIKES!!!

They spent two weeks with us, so off to Rome and all asundry we went, to initiate her on her first trip to Europe. After a few days to acclimate to the 9 hour time zone change, we set off with our first stop in Italy at the (leaning) tower of Pisa. Next up, the Colosseum in Rome, Roman stuff galore everywhere, and the Vatican.

Tivoli gardens

This was followed by Hadrian's villa, Tivoli gardens and the Etruscan Necropolisis of Cerveteri tomb hunting. One of my favorite parts of our trip, this 'Indiana Jones in real life' experience, has been shared previously with daughter Mandy.

 There are over 1000 of these tombs that date to 700 BC, making them up to 2700 years old

Paintings inside some of the tombs

The tombs of Norchia that we also explored

Nope. The Holy Grail is not in here either!

The only access into Civita, known as 'The city in the sky' 

We wrapped up out trip by visiting Siena and stopping in Monaco on our way home.

Monte Carlo Casino

Chores? What chores?

Ok, I would have to make some up if we had not done any. Nothing exciting, really, just boring homeowner stuff.  I installed a second set of washers and dryers that would typically take a few hours to replace, but here required two days. Holes to drill through the wall to install a dryer vent, jack hammer part of the floor to allow for a stacked unit, door frames to remove and re-install to accommodate appliances that would not fit through the door... you know, little stuff.

Then there were a dozen air vents to drill through walls and window frames to allow ventilation to prevent moisture buildup and the formation of mould and tons of little repairs and maintenance. All necessary, but nothing sexy. Finally, I re-textured the walls and ceiling of our living room and dining room. I promised Janice that it was a 2- 3 day job, which only took me 2 1/2 weeks.

The long and the short of it is that with the amount of company we will have this season, we may- or may not- get around to do much to finish the lower garden level rooms (2nd kitchen, 2nd laundry, 5th bedroom and 3rd bathroom) that are still raw concrete boxes. No problem. Whatever we get done will get us one step closer.

Team Rubicon

The fellows must miss me. Having been back for less than 3 months from my disaster response deployment in Florida, I have been asked to deploy twice to two locations in California for fire recovery, to Nebraska for flood relief, to Houston Texas for home rebuilds after the hurricane there, Guatemala, Guyana and twice to Mozambique (a country in South East Africa) for cyclone and massive food shortages. The last one interested me but conflicts with committed company we will receive here at the end of the month. OK, so it is not Paris or Rome, but if I wanted to travel the world's most destitute areas, this would be the way to go.

When I first trained to be part of Team Rubicon, I wondered if they would ever actually use me. Now I am finding that it is a bit like making a donation to a charity or political party. You get on their list and they will be contacting you at every turn.

I am sure there will be many other opportunities to help.

Operation Dragoon

Higgins landing craft. We have visited the factory in New Orleans where they were built.

The longer we are here the more historical tid-bits we pick up on. We have known that the invasion of the French Riviera by US forces during WWII led to the pincer move that caught Nazi forces between the D-Day invasion on the beaches of Normandy from the north and this force from the south. There are little plaques and memorials near our home here, but this month we discovered the beach where the main landing took place.

The place is called Le Dramont and it was a costly military operation. 7,300 US troops were killed and a US cemetery in nearby Draguignant has 861 of them burried there.

Other bits

There is a Facebook page for folks who are keen on keeping up with the latest happenings in the Thousand Islands. People post articles, pictures and videos of interest and this month Janice noticed two new ones. One was about the many interesting homes and cabins in the area, and a friend showed us that the "Bee" was shown twice in a video. Then, just a week ago, there was a picture taken from a drone as seen below. There is still some ice on the river but all our docks look intact, awaiting our arrival to let the fun begin.

March. 2019

We would like to welcome Mr. Samuel Levi Lindor to the world and our family. Weighing in at 7 pounds, 4 ounces, this gentleman is the proud son of daughter Amy and husband Vance. He takes his place as # 11 in our grandchildren hit parade, and # 8 of their children. No, that was not a typo.

Computer blues

Last month, I wrote that I was writing the Epistle on a silly tablet. Criminy, we had been without our computer for 18 days after the hard drive crashed. This is France, you know, and few people are available to work on a US computer and put it back together so that things will be in English. US English. Not French or British English.

Given a choice, and I was not, I would have preferrred to be without power or water. After 18 days, I was going through DT's. Finally we found someone who was able to put Humpty Dumpty back together again and here we are. For the record, we have had an off site backup system called Carbonite (there are others) that we knew that 'someday' we would need to save our butts when it would all go to hell in a hand basket and we would need to return every document, picture and video we have accumulated since All Gore invented the internet.

France: the adventure

When we are in North America, we often miss news of happenings in Europe and elsewhere. Like the demonstrations that have been going on here, for instance. France, according to government statistics, has about 10,000 demonstrations a year. Few are prohibited by the government but all require pre-approval from the authorities. The government believes that they act as a sort of safety valve, allowing people to vent their frustrations over all manner of issues, blow off steam and then return to whatever they were doing in the first place. No harm, no foul. 

The largest current series of demonstrations involve the "yellow vests". This began as a protest over higher gasoline taxes slated to support environmental global warming programs of sorts. Protesters wear the yellow safety vests required by all vehicle occupants in the event of a breakdown or accident, as a visual tie into the issue.

As in all demonstrations, trouble makers and anarchists of all stripes join in, set cars on fire and smash business storefront windows in support of other causes. The government dispatched thousands of military and police to quell the troublemakers, people got hurt and some were killed. Meanwhile, the government assumed things would settle down and would go back to normal once the folks got it out of their system.

Problem is that this has been the 18th week-end in a row that the demonstrations have raised cane all over the country. Meanwhile, a huge number of vehicles on the road sport the yellow vests on their dashboards in a not so subtle support to the cause.

US? Well, we are aware that we are tourists with a house here, guests in the country (as we are in Canada) with no right to vote so we keep our opinions to ourselves. Still...
If that was not enough, right across the pond is the debacle that is occurring in the UK (England), with the Brexit meltdown. (They are leaving the European Union) It makes the worse of our dysfunctional US politics look like a walk in the park. High drama and interesting times.

Meanwhile, we went to a concert to think happy thoughts

See us on Netflix!

I have strutted our stuff many times in these pages with puff pieces written or filmed at the island, in California or here in Europe. Well, we inadvertedly came across a new one. We were watching a program called "Charly Luxton's homes by the Mediterranean" on Netflix when on season 1, episode two (there is only one season) where they were describing how magnificent the French Riviere is (it is a TV program after all) and claimed that fully 1/3 of all international tourism comes to this area.  

Then, 4 minutes and 30 seconds into the program, they feature a villa in our town called 'Les Issambres" across the bay from St Tropez. The kicker is that we can see the villa they featured from our terrace and the announcer gloated over the view that includes our home in the shot. If you are subscribed to Netflix, you can see it here: https://www.netflix.com/watch/81023647 

Maybe I should have gotten that Ferrari after all....

Venice Carnival

A year ago, our great friends, Ian and Lyne, decided to join us in Venice Italy this year for the internationally acclaimed Carnival. Think Mardi Gras on steroids. We have been to both, and Mardi Gras is more of a hard drinking party atmosphere whereas the Venice Carnival is more of a theatrical extravaganza. Some people rent elegant elaborate costumes (reportedly at up to a $1000. a day) to join the festivities.

Costumes for rent. You too can be Cleopatra.

 Lyne and Janice with the 4 compadres

 The view out of our bedroom window

We booked a place to stay in the center of the action a year ahead, knowing that there would be very limited availability as the time drew near. They flew in from Canada and made their way back to their home here in France when it was all over.

Practicing for my first sermon. Now if I only had a congregation to listen.

Janice and I drove from our place and broke the 8 hour trip with an overnight in Verona, Italy. There we visited the Duomo (Cathedral) built in 1189. It was right down the street from a 1st century Roman theatre. Then, since it was a short walk, we visited both Casa di Giulietta and, minutes away, Casa di Romeo. These, of course, are the 14th century homes of Romeo and Juliet of Shakespeare fame.

Juliet's balcony. While there, I resisted the old platitude of "Romeo, Romeo, where art thou?" "Down here in the bushes, stupid, the ladder broke"

 Proclaiming my love to my photographer at what was the entrance (to my right) of Romeo's house

Our return trip was given a breather by spending the day in Cremona Italy, home of the violin museum. Cremona, a World Heritage site, (The 135th one we have visited over the years) has a long history of being the capital in the world of master violin builders who still ply their craft making every component by hand. There were hundreds of rare instruments, but only 6 made by Stradivarious. The highest price paid for one was 45 million dollars at an auction in 2014. Yes, there was an armed guard standing next to the glass encased display I was ogling.

Oh ye of little faith....

February, 2019

On the road again...

It's February, so it is time to hit the road before the bills come due in California. First stop was in Astoria, Oregon to visit daughter Cassie's family.

My roller skating date. Grand daughter Kayla.

Then, I survived a 4th grade lunchroom visit.

Next stop: Anacortes Washington to visit daughter Amy's family.

Hiding inside our inflatable fort in the living room with James.

Janice with Amy who is the director of a home school program 

On my way to get a driving lesson from Maddie ..or is it the other way around?

The eagle has landed

Looking out our living and dining rooms at the snow capped French Alps in the distance

I am writing this blog on a goofy little tablet as a result of my laptop taking a dive. All but impossible. The good news is that we got here in one piece and the house is fine.

We spent the first week aclamating to the 9 hour time difference, then got busy with the usual maintenance any house needs after an 8 month absence. We are now bracing ourselves for lot of company that will be showing up in the next few months ahead.

                             Refinishing the texture on the dining and living room walls.

                   Taking a break and having lunch in a converted olive pressing mill.

And now, the car story.

Ok, I get it. We are not car people. We have a plain little pick up at the island, a decent but “not rock your world” Honda Accord in California, and an unmentionable here. We bought our car brand new when we first came, but that was 14 years ago. We rode it hard and put it away wet doing all maner of construction, disrespecting it at every turn. It had all of the comfort of sitting on a hard wood bench. Then, we drove it 110,000 miles ( 175,00 km) all over Europe, exploring every corner 4 months at a time.

I figured that driving it only 4 months a year meant that in reality is was only 5 years old, right? Ok, so it was only a cheap entry level car to start with. Big deal.  (Our car is a Toyota Yaris Verso, not for sale on the North American market, I think) Except that after 15 years it was not only a beater, but more like a tin can on wheels fit for a high school students first car.

Then, I kept hearing stories about “if we can afford a plane…”Ok, time to repent and get a grown up vehicle. Off we went, scouring every dealership within driving distance.  I looked at a few Ferraris and Maseratis but Janice said we could get it if we sold the house in California and the plane. (so that was a non starter.) We settled on a Hyundai Tucson Executive with the so called "ultimate" package that has every option known to man, including a few I did not know existed. (Maybe air conditioning through the fabric of the seats for your hot buns is standard for you, but it is new to us little people) When delivered, it should be a fine addition to our travels, and less of an embarrassment for our guests.

The best part is that I get to keep the plane.

    My Valentine date

January, 2019

So many vineyards, so little time.

This month, we had my favorite uncle Pierre and aunt Kimberly come and spend a few days with us before we fly the coop. They live in Phoenix Arizona, a mere two -hour flight from our little airport.

While here, we managed to attend a SpaceX Dragon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base nearby, where 10 Iridium satellites were put in orbit. A first for both of us, it was awesome. If you are a science or space buff, you too would be impressed with the fact that once again, the first stage of the rocket was safely landed for reuse 7 minutes after takeoff, on a barge in the Pacific. Below is a 1 minute video of the takeoff and the release of the 10 satellites.

https://www.cnbc.com/video/2019/01/11/watch-spacex-launch-and-land-its-first-mission-of-2019.html  

We also got to host a luncheon for Janice's mom's friends

Say it isn't so!




After being drugged and made to drink the Kool Aid...

                          ...I was taken to the Apple indoctrinat ... eh...'re-education' camp.

I won't say that I was forced, but let's just say some kicking and screaming was involved. Not to beat it into the ground, but it is a well-known fact among close friends and family that I have never been a fan of smartphones. Don’t get me wrong, I recognize and appreciate their staggering capabilities but – for me - are not worth the initial cost and ongoing maintenance. Unlike, say…an airplane.

Recently, Janice decided that for her, it was. So, off the Apple store we went to get her a simple iPhone XS. Of course, having come from a flip phone like I have, this required an hour a day in classes for over a week to get a grip on all of its workings. Realistically, I know there will be times I will avail myself to some of its conveniences. It is capable of solving endless problems, just not any I actually have or cannot use a reasonable substitute. After all, I do have a flip phone to call, a camera to take pictures and a GPS in every car to guide me.

OK, except for Siri. If she had been around when I was single, I would have married her in a heartbeat because that chick knows everything! Janice is quite capable of doing almost anything she wants on various devices, and only occasionally asks for a helping hand. Reason enough for me to have joined her in all her classes to keep her company 'just in case'. 

My issue with smartphones starts with my not wanting to carry stuff in my hands. I wear no jewelry (watches, rings, necklaces or bracelets) and can barely stand the lumps that my flip phone and wallet make in my pockets. A larger smartphone would be a nonstarter. Then, there is the issue of watching many of their users and not wanting to become like them. Many people seem to become part automatons around their devices. Having a smartphone yourself, you might not have noticed that other users are virtually glued to their screens. They walk around everywhere with them in their hand as though it was a cross between a portable oxygen machine and a security blanket. They text, talk or use them while they drive, walk across the street, in stores, restaurants, waiting for the bus, in the doctor's office, while they socialize, absolutely everywhere. Children have them at the park while they swing. Young lovers ignore each other and stare at their own screens.

We have had visitors in the past who keep their phones on the table next to them while we ate, excusing themselves to 'check' on pointless incoming messages. The message was clear: we were second in importance to their attention, their damn phone was first. Surely I am exaggerating, right? Perhaps, but look around you and see how many inches away you are from your phone? And, how many times you checked it while reading this.

I rest my case.

Our Lighthouse 

Founded in 1890, the Point San Luis Light Station has served as the beacon over San Luis Bay for 128 years and is the only surviving Prairie Victorian model lighthouse that remains in existence on the West Coast of the United States. The coast Guard still maintains the light at the station, which blinks every night and is visible up to 17 miles away. Interestingly, Port San Luis was the largest oil exporting port in the world by the 1920's before the Saudis got into the act.

Located 20 minutes away from us, it is one of those treasures that until this month, we never seemed to have the time to visit. Life got in the way and besides, there are things to go see halfway around the world. Silly us, I guess.

                              New projects

Us? New projects? Duh! 

OK, so our season here is ending, and while we have had company for some periods and I was deployed for two weeks, we still made time for a few projects. In between visits and deployments, I tore out carpeting in our master bedroom, office and sunken living room and  laid nearly 400 sq feet of Travertine stone flooring, a little over two 3-foot-high pallets full. 

Meanwhile, we fell in love with a desk we saw online called a 'river desk'. In my spare time, we found some Walnut live edge wood locally, and built the one of a kind piece of furniture.

As seen in the pic, the idea is that the center of the desk has two 'live edge' pieces of Walnut. 

                         Then you draw a pattern in the shape of the gap in the middle.

Finally, you cut a piece of blue colored glass with a 50,000 PSI water jet to the live edge pattern for the 'river'. 

Ta-Da!

The ones we have seen online run in the $3,500 to $5,500 range but this one cost us about $500 in materials. And a little work.... It has been some time since I have been able to devote myself to building exotic hardwood furniture but I really miss it.

Finally, we had a little something that we have had in storage in my workshop for over 20 years. We bought it in Sedona Arizona on a family trip with the kids, knowing that we would do 'something' with it but not knowing exactly what. After many reinventions, the decision was to display it how it wanted to be all along: a Saguaro Cactus tree skeleton. 

The 'drip' pan below it is a 3-foot wide (1M), heavy cast solid Bronze 'Urhli' bowl from India. Typically, it served as a ceremonial feeding vessel for a large group, allowing those around it to reach in and scoop a portion of its contents onto their plate. It currently serves as the world’s most expensive drip pan. 

I wish I could say that this was the only project we have had tucked away for decades awaiting completion, but alas, it is not. Take our 3000-gallon Chardonnay wine cask that we will eventually turn into a sauna for instance...

  Life in Arroyo Grande

On a lighter note, I often like to share pictures or videos of where we live because the areas are so cool and it is hard to explain to friends who have not been. I have found a new one of this area that I wanted to share. Virtually everything you see in the video below is within 10 minutes of our house, so we are there often.

OK, so I have made a few pointed remarks in the past about living in California but here are some tongue in cheek aspects attributed to us by others.

You're from California if...

1. You make over $300,000 and still can't afford a house.

2. You take a bus and are shocked at two people are carrying on a conversation in English.

3. Your child's 3rd-grade teacher has purple hair, a nose ring, and is named Flower.

4. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?

5. You've been to a baby shower that has two mothers and a sperm donor.

6. A really great parking space can totally move you to tears.

7. Gas costs $1.50 per gallon more than anywhere else in the U.S.

8. Your car insurance costs as much as your house payment.

9. You can't remember . . . is pot illegal?

10. It's barely sprinkling rain and there's a report on every news station: "STORM WATCH."

11. You pass an elementary school playground and the children are all busy with their cell phones.

12. HEY!!!! Is pot illegal????

13. Both you AND your dog have therapists, psychics, personal trainers and cosmetic surgeons.

14. The Terminator was your governor.

15. If you drive illegally, they take your driver's license. If you’re here illegally, they want to give you one.

Just living the dream