Dan's Big Ol' Blog Buster

Super Bowl Sunday...we went somewhere else....

2012-02-06T22:50:00.000-08:00

This last weekend of Sunday, February the 5th, 2012...

Yes, I saw most of the Super Bowl....but we were busy having fun before all of that....

My daughter, Rachel, I was teaching her to be prepared if ever she got married...."Yes, Deer"......!!

Grandma Cruz and The Boy...Jessie, Grandboy.

Our Akita pup, about ten months old, now. Photo about 2 weeks ago.

There are still old things, out here, in the old west, of California....

--Dan, for now...

An older church, plus other stuff

2012-01-07T23:52:00.001-08:00

The Catholic Church at Guasti, California... I love this place
http://www.sansecondodasti/

The Church , inside

The confessionals, the church (Guasti), just before Christmas

Also, I must add...I love this place!

Lake Havasu City, Arizona, USA, London Bridge...from London!

Sunset, over my truck, Lake Havasu, Arizona, last days of December 2011.

More as soon as I can...

--Dan

New Old Stuff...but fun!

2011-11-07T20:22:00.000-08:00

I was at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the ONLY proof of me there, the great Colorado River, February, 1980, the photo is evening and overcast, probably in the 40's F. temperature...I was collecting water for purification and it was not very simple with all the sediment...it took hours for the stuff to settle. It was damned cold. Snow was not far above our elevation.

My front yard, mid 1990's, all my kids and me!

--Dan

The Dog

2011-11-06T10:58:00.000-08:00

Cruz and Luna, Sunday morning, November 6th, 2011.

--Dan

Many Things

2011-10-22T22:50:00.000-07:00

More from last week and Cruz's party! Hilton Hotel banquet hall posting.

My plate at party.....could not identify what this was....did not eat it! Nice thick steak is gone, though.

This was our TV screen info today showing crazy stuff listed as....HEALTH & FITNESS...!!!

Only the select know what this is about...google it, if ya wonder...

Also posting...

I tried to load a video....it would not work...arrrggg...but...oh well.

--Dan

Cruz to be 51, celebrates 50th anyway...???

2011-10-16T10:30:00.000-07:00

The birthday girl!

So, she was going to receive a marvelous gift from the family...a 50th birthday bash....but it came when the stars aligned, when things were practical, when it could. Yeah, almost a year gone by....but WOW!...it happened! Yes....she is STILL 50, but not on Monday (tomorrow), she turns 51. So yesterday was her official 50th bash, and tomorrow is her 51st birthday. No matter....birthday bash it was! Hilton Hotel, banquet room, etc. Great stuff....she was the guest of honor! Happy birthday Cruz....twice, even!

At the Hilton Hotel.

Opening gifts with our two oldest kids. I see a dvd playin on the screen behind her...it is full of old photos of Cruz.

Cruz, before turning 51.

Cruz, Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, May, 2011.

Abstract, off the topic...

Me, Cruz, at an air show a few years ago.

--Dan

Let's Post Today...hodge podge

2011-10-09T15:13:00.000-07:00

Luna, today.

Dan,me, 1980, Louisiana Bayou, just north of New Orleans, December.

Me, September, 2011. Hat from promotion at Bob's Big Boy to "dump him or save him"from 1980's.

Los Angeles County Fair, Oct., 2011. This was parked in an obscure area outside the main stream of public access.

Me, 1980's. You can just barely see our all-black longhaired German Shep. Our backyard.

--Dan

Get your kicks...on Route 66!

2011-09-17T11:33:00.000-07:00

Friday, 9/16/11, just after the show. No, I don't know who the kid is, it was just me and Allen, my neighbor at the event.

Cruising San Bernadino in a 1965 VW Notch (not my car), behind a '62 Chevy Nova. It took over one hour to do the whole downtown lap! Ever see American Grafitti?...Yes, it was all of that. We were suddenly invited to jump in and hit the road...and of course, we didn't say no!

The VW Notch as we jumped out of the car, looking back.

Allen, "Chuck Berry Duck Walk", before the show.

The Man, with a poorly used by me Nikon Coolpix L22 12 MegaPixel, on zoom from back of upper balcony in The California Theater, San Bernadino, Calif.

Chuck Berry, 3 MegaPixel cell phone camera.

I have some short vids, maybe post that later.

The biggest car show I have ever seen!

From the website:

Car buffs from all over the country gather in San Bernardino to get their “Kicks on Route 66.” The Stater Bros. Route 66 Rendezvous is a 4-day and 3-night cruisin’ classic car show that encompasses 35-blocks of downtown. Open to vehicles from 1900-1974, classics, muscle cars, hot rods, and trucks cruise the historic streets of San Bernardino.

Ref. http://www.route-66.org/

--Dan

Would ya still feed me...When I'm 54 ??

2011-09-08T11:33:00.000-07:00

Allen, our neighbor, and some old guy

Birthday party 2011, the day before the appointed day, but all the same...

Grandson, Jesse, my wife, Cruz.

--Dan

Dog Days of Summer and Beyond

2011-08-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

Luna, this week, 2011

Not sure when this was taken. Jesse, and the sea creature...

Jesse with his Mama at the beach...dunno when...

Cruz, in August, 2011

Cruz again...

Jesse, summer, 2011

Luna, August, 2011

Dan, Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas, 2011

--Dan

What happens in the Summer...July

2011-07-31T21:20:00.001-07:00

Cruz with Luna, the 4 month old Akita, about 3 weeks ago.

LUNA!

Cruz with grandson Jesse, in the pool! She has NEVER been able to be in the water with him his whole 5 years, due to her poor health! Also, her own first time in a pool since about....7-ish years!!! A great day!

Fr. Javier, his last day in our area, he has been so good and kind, and was the chaplain at our hospital....so very helpful to us in the last few years.

Cruz and Jesse, tonight, with a pile of laundry in the back!

So much more to post, so much more to report....time is....an issue.

--Dan

Just back from the Sierra Nevada Range...in the High Sierras

2011-06-21T11:53:00.000-07:00

At the great and amazingly peaceful Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery (Monday, June 20, 2011) that nearly burned to the ground one day after I last was there three years ago. A year later it was devastated in a flood caused by the fire, and nearly lost forever. It is now nearly fully recovered, at least visually, if not functionally. Note the high peaks with snow in background....it was the last day of spring (yesterday), 2011.

"Click" on any the photos for a great picture.

Manzanar, WWII relocation center for Japanese in the U.S. during the war. This is the cemetery at the "top" of the "camp" location.

I was with one of my daughters, Michelle.

Outdoor dinner, Father's Day, 2011, center of Lone Pine, California, in the shadow (literally!) of Mt. Whitney, as you can see. We are on an East facing patio as the sun sets, but it is not nearly sunset really, as the high peaks shadow the valley very early from the Western setting sun. The beer is som local brew called "Mojave..... ??... something or other" I cannot recall.

I am having trouble loading videos. I will keep trying.

At Trailhead, Onion Valley.

Brought back a nearly five foot long walking stick for my wife....look...where is his body???....AAAAHHHHGG!!!

--Dan

A wonderful evening in May

2011-05-22T10:40:00.001-07:00

What a great show it was...

Cruz waiting for the doors to open....!

Poor cell-phone-in-the-dark photo...but it works. That is Justin Hayward on the right. I think this was "Isn't Life Strange".

Speaking of Justin Hayward...the following was a post on my Blog back in about 2005 or 2006 in response to a photo of Prince Charles "playing" a guitar....the post was from Pete Townshend....yes, that Pete Townshend. He was then using the name The Boy Who Heard Music...

Now THAT was cool.

Finally...

Setlist, May 15, 2011 - Nokia Theater, Los Angeles, Calif. :

The Voice

The Day We Meet Again

Steppin" in a Slide Zone

Gypsy

Tuesday Afternoon

Lean on Me

Meanwhile

Peak Hour

I Know You're Out There Somewhere
The Story in your Eyes

--Break --

Your Wildest Dreams
Isn't Life Strange
The Other Side of Life
Driftwood
Higher and Higher
Are You Sitting Comfortably?
I'm Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band
Nights in White Satin
Question

Encore:

Ride My See Saw

--Dan

Those kids...

2011-04-30T23:45:00.000-07:00

Jesse, the Grandboy, flying a kite! He is 5 and some change....in age...can you feel the joy?

Time to update...

2011-04-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

Note: Trying my new camera...higher resolution, but some are still not too clear....still working on it, but when movement happens, oh well...

Some events of the last couple of weeks or so...we keep getting this rainbow many times the last few years...

Above: Across from my house, looking East

Above: About a mile from my house, looking Northwest

About a mile from my house looking West

Cruz and Grandboy visiting the forest

Jesse, the Grandboy, actually took this photo of me!

I took this picture of me and the grandpup...we are at the same forest station...he has a serious look on his face...he is always wanting to pretend to be the tough goodguy, Spiderman

--Dan

Ides of March

2011-03-15T23:31:00.000-07:00

AHHGG!!

It is the infamous Ides of March!

This the so-called day Julius Ceasar was betrayed...and killed. Well then, I offer better news...

How about way back in 2006, when our Grandboy was a litttle critter, and not much more...though he is 5 1/2 now...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Maw_HIkcB4c

Yeah......!

--Dan

Cruz with my sister, Gail, 1980's

2011-02-26T22:26:00.000-08:00

My wife, Cruz, and my sister, Gail, early 1980's, Los Osos area of California.

And....some ducks.

--Dan

New T.V. ???

2011-01-23T11:28:00.000-08:00

Mid 1980's...

The place we lived when married....this was the brand new T.V. Cruz bought!! ...Toshiba!

I am pretty sure the photo on the shelf in the "T.V" picture is this one.

--Dan

Westerns

2011-01-15T22:05:00.001-08:00

Great sound!!!! ...From a great movie...

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1-rHdSWZLpQ%26feature%3Drelated&h=ebe9a

A Visit To Chiraco Summit...Gen. George Patton Jr. Museum

2011-01-04T22:06:00.000-08:00

The tribute museum to Gen. George S. Patton Jr.

Outside the front of the museum, George is a statue.

Patton museum

German SS Helmet...very scarey..

Japanese 47 mm anti tank gun...a very rare gun, low production manufactured in Japan

My daughter, Rachel, in front of WWII era USA Sherman tank, like the over 48,000 made during WWII....though not a "great" tank....they were very, very, numerous, and went deep to help win the war

Dan....nuff said.

Cruz and Rachel, Sherman tank. LOTS more photos, many more tanks...

more to come...

--Dan

Merry Christmas, once again!

2010-12-25T10:09:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Jesse, the Grandson, 12/23/10

Even the cat can be "exhausted" during the rush to the shopping malls.

Have a great Christmas! The celebration of the birth of Christ starts today....that means the tree, the lights, the celebration continues for days to come! Yes!

--Dan

Photos from my Dad...

2010-10-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

May, 1951, Inchon, Korea. The tide is out, this Japanese LST is high and dry.

My Dad, right, Korea. He also served in WWII.

Cruz is turning...50!

2010-10-16T22:28:00.000-07:00

My sweet, sweet, wife...she is, on Sunday, 10/17/10,.....50!

Yay, for her!

At bottom...too hard to edit for proper form, here...

December, 1984, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans, in the swamps and bayous. Those two "other" folks, are my own dear Mother's Mom and Dad.

Thank you to those that wished her a happy birthday on the last post before this one.

Cruz and her Mom, who she lost in 1977.

The outside new Orleans photo. She was pregnant....we did not know yet. Our first was to come, we then have the grandboy, today.

--Dan

December, 1986, Morro Bay, California

2010-10-13T22:04:00.000-07:00

I just dug this one up....it is very cool, and I love it! We are on a boat in the harbor, approaching the open sea....but NOT getting to the edge of the breakwater...Morro Bay has a history of being a very, very, difficult place to enter and exit the bay. We were safe, it was just a tour. It was wet, it was cold, it was....COOL! We don't do this no more....wish we could....Cruz...she is absolutely lovely!

--Dan

My Mother's birthday is Oct. 16...

2010-10-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

We lost her in 1962. Here she is with my oldest brother, Francis Jr. , late 1940's.

Me, with my Grandparents, my Mom's Mom and Dad, 1980, near New Orleans, La.

Mom would have been 85 , on 10/16/10.

Mom would have LOVED the Grandboy, and so many more others in my family that all happened because of her.

--Dan

More....

2010-09-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

We did not catch the snake, but now "Spiderman" and "Grandpa-man" are ready for any more!

--Dan

The Mountains, ....the boy...

2010-09-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

Looking for snakes in the forest with the grandboy.....more to come.......

--Dan

Saturday Car Show

2010-08-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

First of all, Cruz is HOME! She is slowly recovering....much to do.

I was able to get away with one of my daughters to a car show after Mass on Saturday evening. We saw another daughter at the restaurant next to the car show. Here are some photos...

(NOTE: Neither myself, nor any of my family in these photos)

--Dan

Passing on the torch

2010-08-04T22:46:00.000-07:00

And, this is from....The OLD DAYS!....

My daughter, one of FOUR, was given a relic today. It was an old, old, shirt, from the 1970's. It seems to be in great shape, and I am superlatively happy to hand it over to her....she hikes a lot, we, me and her, have hiked a lot, it should be with her. I, no longer can wear what I wore when I was in my early twenties. She says it will fit her....!!! She is tall, but not wide, like me, nowadays. Amazing...!!

Same shirt...me, Mt. Whitney, I think 21st birthday, Lone Pine, California, mid 1970's!

--Dan

Looking Back to 1975....

2010-07-28T21:44:00.000-07:00

In 1975, I was with a couple of folks who decided to "climb" Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the USA (excepting Alaska's Mt. McKinley, now often known as Denali Peak). At well over 14,450 ft. high, it exceeds any of the Colorado Rockies, and anything else in North America not in Alaska.

Anyway....

To make the very long story very short, here is a photo of my tent, somehow on the summit. There were so many boulders....I dunno how I did that. There are many associated tales to tell....but this is just a photo....must be worth nearly a thousand words....? I have been to the summit more times since then, but that one time....was very special. I spent the night on the top. It was very, very, cool.

--Dan

The 4th of July and Beyond

2010-07-05T21:31:00.001-07:00

Last summer....we took a late summer photo of Grandpa and The Boy....Jesse...This summer, the 4th of July, a NEW photo of the same....he was THRILLED to be back in his pool again! Photo at left, Dan in brown shirt, was last year....

So much fun! The weather has been fantastic, the family is mostly well....SUPER!

--Dan

Father's Day

2010-06-21T20:29:00.000-07:00

First....I gave my Dad a couple of bottles of Dad's Root Beer....among other actually much more important things. He is a great Dad. He just turned 85, June 10th, and is looking well.

Here is what I got, as a Dad...The scanned photo is a mess....the actual framed picture is a ton better....I tried to make it look right, but there were issues. It was from amy oldest daughter, Serena, and the little Grandboy.

--Dan

Friday, tons of fun

2010-06-04T22:50:00.001-07:00

Rachel, our 3rd daughter, shooting the magnificent .50 BMG round!

Me, Dan, at the range, .50 caliber Barrett.

Allen, my neighbor, at the range, .50 caliber Barrett.

More later....

--Dan

Happy Birthday, Pete Townshend!

2010-05-19T21:29:00.000-07:00

My wife, and me, in the kitchen just after 9 PM, the Lakers won, she is home from dialysis, and it is Pete's Birthday! She rarely wears her WHO shirt, but today she flaunted it....and, HAD NO IDEA it was Pete's B-Day! Pete will affect YOU that way too!

Side note....Gonna go shooting WW I and WW II machine guns in a couple of weeks. Fun stuff. Gatling gun too. Love it.

--Dan

Air Show, March Air Reserve Base

2010-05-06T23:03:00.000-07:00

I was NOT at the airshow...I was very near to it! It was a neat trick, we knew. My wife, and...one of my daughters, we got to hear the ROAR of those cool planes, but no traffic, no walking nightmare...we briefly visited the area, and got very cool things to see and hear.

Lead by the WW II P-38 Lightning, the zoomed cell phone photo shows, at left, the new F-22 Raptor, at right of the Raptor is the fantastic front line F-15, and in the rear is the fabled F-86 Sabre....of the Korean War.

Note:

The P-38 was designed by the SAME GUY that designed the U-2, and the SR-71 Blackbird!

--Dan

Happy Easter!...and looking back at the past weeks

2010-04-03T23:52:00.000-07:00

Cruz and the little Grandboy, a couple of weeks ago.

Sidewalk chalk art from Rachel and the little boy.

Rachel, at the range for some target practice on Palm Sunday. That is my "Don't Tread on Me" flag. ....And yes, we did go to church first!

Happy Easter!

--Dan

March marches on

2010-03-07T08:06:00.000-08:00

I have often found the month of March to seem rather long....it takes a while to wander around in it, and through it...only to finally arrive in a similar month....APRIL. Now, all that being said, is it really already March 7th? Time flew a bit.

Speaking of MARCH...

March Air Reserve Base is scheduled to have an air show in early May. I may go, in May.

The photo above has only little in common with March ARB, but I thought it was cool. Dunno where I found it, somewhere on the net. It is from days gone by, back when the Blackbirds flew out of Beale AFB. They no longer fly, never will, since 1999. There is one on display at March ARB, or rather, not at the base, but next to it at the March Museum.

What, me post more photos? But I always do....

This photo (above), was probably taken in 2009. It is one of my most favorite local churches.

A couple of months back, some of us here, at the ranch, saw the movie ASTROBOY. I think I was the only one that connected, since I knew him when he was on the tube in the early sixties.

Notes:

Art Clokey, creator of GUMBY, died recently. He lived down the street from my sister. I was going to go and meet that man, but he was not well, and I never got there. He left us all a lot of fun.

My wife's uncle has also passed. He was much loved, will be much missed.

Lent continues, we change clocks next week, it has rained enough to get us out of much of the water shortages in the state.

Our cat is still like a dog.

Hope all who read this are well.

--Dan

February 14, and the rest of Valentine's Day

2010-02-14T21:28:00.000-08:00

And So, .....we went to March Air Reserve Base, and....it has the March Field Museum...The Boy, Grandma, and Auntie Rachel....with me, Grandpa, at the photog. Did I say SR-71 Blackbird in the back?

Did you, or anybody, know this sweet woman is my wife, Cruz is her name, her FIRST name,....my Valentine?

--Dan L.

The desert, the little boy, and all

2010-02-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

This is a rather popular, and now, even famous spot in the entrance to our eastern desert region in S. California., very near to Palm Springs, and on the way to Arizona. I see my daughter, Rachel, with grandpup, Jesse. "Click" on all images to see a bigger view, OK?

About a week or two ago, not far from home, just following a storm or two or three.

The little boy called this "a wedding". He, like many kids, loves dinosaurs. He also remembers my daughter's recent wedding. He arranged all the gang, here, for his version of....a wedding.

At the dinosaur place, Cabazon, California. Google it...and better yet, learn about how the dinosaurs were built...classic "out west" stuff. We have seen this place many times over the years, and it is more and more popular. Even the local Indians have opened a HUGE casino nearby. It used to be....desolate...with just about only the dinosaurs.

Upon arrival at Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center, located at 29 Palms, Calif. (there are more than one entrance to this large desert park, this one is in 29 Palms), my wife, Cruz, and the boy look at a fine display of how desert creatures live, and even under the eart....the great stuff of a child's imagination, and the real world...with Grandma, no less!

The boy, and his Auntie Michelle (my daughter), walking about the Oasis of Mara, and a great paved place to stroll through the desert landscape. Remember, this is January 31, so it is sorta cool....sorry, you Easterners...we live like this!

The boy and his mom, my daughter, Serena, walking the path.

Old things often found in the desert after a long, long, time.

One way some of us got there, my truck, now out in the park at Indian Cove.

Jesse, and his Mama, Serena, our eldest.

Me, Dan, and the boy. Serena did not really know how to use my "old" weak, digital camera, thus the blurrrrrrr.

Rachel, at sunset.

Back home, the "after party".

There was more, but this says enough for now.

--Dan

Sunday, 1/17/10

2010-01-19T23:33:00.000-08:00

Cruz, me, and the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Midway, now a museum ship, San Diego, CA.

--Dan

12/26/09, a Wedding

2009-12-27T22:35:00.000-08:00

My 2nd oldest, now married away...

Just before, a bit blurry, but cool...

During...

And after...

And even more after...

Now, just to tell you....I was hungry to get a breakfast that morning, and I ended up wandering way up into our local mountains, just about 2 hours short of needing to show up at the wedding. A PROFOUNDLY wunnurful meal it was! My neighbour, Allen, and meselfers....had a SUPERB chow down!

And it was all around Christmas, Sunday Mass, Wedding, reception, angst, nerves, health, etc. etc. etc....

Merry Christmas!

--Dan

Christmas is coming....

2009-12-20T19:03:00.000-08:00

Soon it will be CHRISTMAS!

Other than the fantastic birth of Christ....

Christmas often reminds me of the flight of Apollo 8, the one that first orbited the moon, but did not land. We saw it on TV, and loved it all, all around Christmas of 1968.

Here is the link:

http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/lunar/apollo8_xmas.html

Then, it all led up to Apllo 11....the first manned moon landing, in July of 1969...

I was fishing that day, the lunar landing, off a pier in Long Beach, Calif. I caught a Bonito fish, a tuna looking sorta thing...but I did see the landing on TV:

Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) .................................and a Flying Boy.

The test vehicle to teach the moon pilots on Earth how to fly a LEM on the moon....a tricky thing in Earth's heavier gravity. I saw this thing a few years ago at NASA in California. It was sort of sitting off to the side of a building outside, and surrounded by desert dirt and shrubs. I believe it now indoors.

On the moon, Apollo 11, LEM.

If I don't catch ya later, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

--Dan

Super Bowl now more super!

2009-11-27T11:32:00.000-08:00

The entertainment at this season's Super Bowl (NFL Football championship game) will be provided by The Who!

Flashback:

Me, my brother, Steve, and many friends at the snowy Grand Canyon, after a whole week down inside, December, late 1970's. We Noted that people from all over the world were there to see the canyon, but it was....FULL of clouds! I, Dan, am behind the backpack with the yellow thing, my brother is at my left (to the right in the photo).

The Friday after Thanksgiving, I walk with grandson, Jesse, on a road into a nearby National Forest.

Hope all had a great Thanksgiving!

--Dan

My Wife and I, 25 years married, and before that, we dated for 4!

2009-10-25T22:04:00.001-07:00

That was my wife in the first year or two! Yes, she hated having her photo taken.

Today, me, Dan, I went shooting guns. This is me, with a .50 caliber handgun....a big handful!

Right soon after our wedding, we went to New Orleans, the home of much of my family, and here is Cruz near the big stairway in the very old French Quarter house where much of my family was born.

On that day!

In the Southern California Desert, early 2009, we still are cookin"!

I know her health is poor, we all work so much with her, dialysis and all, but she is still herself, and we are inseparable!

--Dan

Yes, it's true. I'm 52

2009-09-06T09:10:00.000-07:00

With the sun at my back, taken only minutes ago, I still have the old fire in me!

But from the other side of the sun, yes, it's true...the fire is still burning!

And of course, Cruz, my wife, about a month ago (oops....I just posted this same photo recently....ah, well...yet again is fine). She see those happy images of me all the time...poor thing!

I have received a few messages congratulating me for being 52. I am not sure if that is a good thing or not (being older), but I actually have ALWAYS enjoyed getting to be another year older. Every since I was a little kid....like most kids I think, ...I wanted to "grow up"....you know, "I wanna be 10 years old someday".....that sort of thing. Well, it has never changed for me. I regret not yet another single year. I pray for more to come, but....not TOO many! Goodness, I am NOT one of those that would like to live forever.

and now, a special message to all....please turn up the volume....I think it was recorded with low volume.

--Dan

Been Slow, I know, but sounds poetic...???

2009-09-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

Evening, outside my door!

My front yard...it happens.

My daughter, Marion, has a GREAT fish tank! A lizard tank is next to it....a leopard gecko!

August 28, at a local museum, the SR 71 Blackbird looks so cool in a new paint job....106 degtrees F....it was HOT!

Our four year old grand boy.....his dinosaur world.

Marion, my youngest, though an adult....in her "lab"

Evening sun, summer at the house.

Twilight beauty at home....across the street from me

I believe I have updated a bit....I hope you enjoy...

--Dan

I had to post this...

2009-07-31T22:33:00.000-07:00

It was very spur of the moment (I was off work early today on vacation time to do some needed chores), me and the Grandboy in the little pool in the 94 degree afternoon, but it happened. I was soon to be all soaking wet in the bottom of the pool, with that little rascal dropping buckets of water on Grandpa's head....which he loved, thought was so very funny, and I, reluctantly....but HAPPILY agreed!!

....A moment in time, it was.

PS: 1969 news to come...I need time to focus...

--Dan

My sweet wife, Cruz, and other things

2009-07-28T23:45:00.000-07:00

Cruz, fighting for her health, and looking GOOD!

As for my last post...I do have something to say about 1969, and the moon, but it is late, and I say less at this hour....I'll try again later.

My daughter, Marion's fish tank...lizard tank behind that!

--Dan

1969 was cool!

2009-07-17T21:43:00.000-07:00

Photo courtesy of LIFE magazine, for personal, non- commercial use.

Well, I happen to recall the very first time our planet placed a man on the moon. It seems that LIFE magazine has put out out some photos for "personal, non-commercial use". I tribute them for the photo I post, it is truly a BLAST!

WOW, what a time and place to have been in that moment. I, personally, have a story or two to tell about my own weak connection(s) to that amazing place in time....but I might post that all later. It is not so important....

...but the moment itself, for me, for all the world, was the stuff of dreams from the beginning of time.

Oh, did you know this week was the 40th anniversary of the moon landing? I shoulda started with saying that. Whoops.

Me, Dan, and my Dad, a WWII and Korean War Navy officer, back in the era of the '69 moon landing, give or take a year or so.

--Dan

Musings

2009-06-28T07:57:00.000-07:00

Jesse is doing WHAT?
The grandboy is growing, and he is grander!

This is a photo of a cabin about a half an hour from our home (not counting the hike to get to it....add about half an hour more). I would almost call this a tree house....!!! A great place to take a mountain hike, the canyon where this house is has been a favorite of mine since about 1963 when I first walked up in there.

I did not take the picture, so wherever I got it from, and I do not recall....I credit you.

--Dan

Recent Happenings

2009-06-15T22:38:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day for my wife, Cruz.

Amazingly calm, yet brisk, and strikingly stunning spring weather!

Me, Dan, or what is left of me...totally enjoying the weather of the moment.

Love from us,

--Dan

Happy Mother's Day to ALL Mom's out there!

2009-05-09T22:37:00.000-07:00

Reflections on Lent, Holy Week

2009-04-04T12:09:00.000-07:00

With all the immense turmoil in the world today, we look back to ourselves, at what we have done, and what we will do about that. This is no game. It is spritual warfare. The clock is ticking. Do we not see what I spoke of in an earlier post? The unraveling is accelerating.

There is, of course, hope. By the glory of our Creator, the sun will rise again each day, He with us, us with Him...and we still have each other to tend to. As the journey towards the joy of Easter draws nearer, I wish all of you, whatever your affiliation, peace and love.

--Dan

Hospitals, and guns, of all things

2009-03-29T19:25:00.000-07:00

Yeah, yeah...this picture is NOT my wife, I know.

Well, my wife has been in dire straits before, and once again, she of multiple blood transfusions in three days, and now on dialysis for kidney failure, is still cooking along, among the many other complications. She, Cruz, is an absolute trooper! God Bless her sweet, sweet heart. We are there with her every single day, you betcha. I watched the end of the LA Laker basketball game with her (they LOST!), and she is really doing so much better....though not quite "out of the woods" yet.

Before the Laker game and all...I was able, in the midst of all the turmoil, to somehow get away a bit....my wife was simply getting the "process" done (dialysis), so, I went to the shooting range on a day off (Sunday), with her sweet blessing. We encountered many things there, including my first EVER chance to shoot an M1 Garand, the main battle rifle of US infantry in WWII. We also encountered a...CANNON! It was a black powered apparatus, that fired...of all things...BILLIARD BALLS....like as in POOL TABLES!

Thus the photos and video I post.

Long live the right to bear arms, by the way.

A very surgical hole in the paper target by an extremely fast moving billiard ball at 50 yards!Then, a photo of life at home, as the family continues with the grandson and his aunts (my daughters), without his dear grandma....we trust she comes home to us soon.

And finally, a fine picture of Cruz (not current, but from the archives, She was in the French Quarter with me (New Orleans) in 1984, just outside the door where my own Dad was born in 1925!...we want to see her home, and want to see her well...

--Dan

Basketball craziness

2009-03-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

I used to follow college basketball, but it is too much for me now. I also used to play the game a whole lot. In 1973, I was still in high school. Click to enlarge. Guess who I was.

Just about one year before the photo of team, these guys heavily inspired me.

We can all make a comeback.

--Dan

Winter in California, Summer in Australia, Lakers, guns, health, etc. etc.

2009-02-10T23:02:00.000-08:00

This winter has brought wonderful beautiful snow to our local mountains. I wish I could wish the same for those in Australia....the pain runs deep.

We, here, know well the horrible effects of wildfires....every single year. They too, are living the hell. God, please have mercy on them, I pray.

As I ponder these things, I also live as best I can....with my sports favorites.....though nowhere as deep in trouble as the people "down under", wow.

The Lakers are doing the job quite well. I have followed them since around 1965 or earlier.

Gun sales and ammunition are OFF THE CHARTS here....thanks to our world's very incredibly and wonderfully unconditionally loved new president...ahem. Why is that, do you suppose? You folks outside the loop, in other countries, would likely not understand. I do. It's not me....go check for yourself. I did not buy all that....but people are. Yes, he is my president, I do support that. No, I do not believe in his values, and it goes way way far beyond guns. There, some of you can be angry at me.

Three, count 'em, THREE (3) surgeries are coming for my household. Not the best of things. Never are, nope.

I wish I had a great photo of the recent deep snow in our mountains....but I will make up for it with....

Our somewhat new, a couple of months now....but reluctantly wanted dog (by me, reluctant), Holly (short for little jalapeno, as suggested by my neighbor, Allen).

--Dan

Near home, about a week ago, a video

2009-01-31T23:41:00.000-08:00

A very raw angle....from my face, at a stupid unflattering angle, ...right in my face....but I send this simple unpurified vid to my blog because it's so pure....yes, it is. It is a typical weekend visit we do, from time to time, near and in our local mountains.

Enjoy, or weep....you decide!

--Dan

2009-01-24T21:44:00.001-08:00

The old days, on a Ferris Wheel. My two eldest, with Daddy (me). They are now well into their twenties. My memories are not so old....it was only yesterday....yes, when shorts were....short! I know, I know.

--Dan

The year is already full of itself!

2009-01-15T22:00:00.000-08:00

Above:

First, a caricature of me and my wife about four or five years ago....too fun!

Here comes the great ramble:

We have visited the movie theater, and saw Gran Torino. We LOVED it!

The temperature around here has approached 90 degrees F. for over a week...in January! This very morning, it was 72 degrees at 6:00 AM!

We have had MANY medical fiascos. All are still walking this earth, after the very dusty dust has cleared, every single day has it's story, though...trust me.

We have a dog...I don't know why...it was not the dog we wanted, but they are dogs anyway, they know it.

We will soon be doing the unthinkable....driving a LEXUS!....a great deal was bestowed on us...albeit for only 12 months, but whoa....we will be in the "upper" world for a wackie year with a Lexus RX 400h hybrid 4WD... at less than the price of the van we drove from 2001 to 2004! Wow...and how! I got it for my sweet wife...though I will drive it for the first few months...I have very little money, but my job gave me the great connection for her. Trust me, we are eternally broke, but my job is a blessing times ten.

We visited the great and wonderful desert near us last week....WOW, as always!

Here is a photo op:

Yes, though it was quite warm, my wife is not well....see the jacket (coat), she runs "cold" a whole lot. Marion, my youngest daughter is, seated next to her.

I will try to be online more....

--Dan

This is the latest view from the ranch

2008-12-27T23:55:00.000-08:00

LOTS of snow above the abode!

Many thanks and words of joy, to all who visit here, and all who visit here often!

Please enjoy the photo of my home with neat-o Southern California weather....near the ocean, near the desert, near the giant redwoods, near the Grand Canyon, near Death Valley, near the home of Edwards AFB (home of Shuttle landings from space), near to Catalina Island, near to Hollywood (ugh), near to....blah blah blah...

...We live in heaven!

...But my wife is not well. Heaven will wait. We live for each other, and that is what it is.

To all visitors:
May God bless all of you, and all of your families this blessed season!

--Dan

Christmas!

2008-12-25T23:58:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!!!!

At the range, a fine day

2008-12-21T12:10:00.000-08:00

The day after Thanksgiving....

Allen (my neighbor) at right, with .45 caliber auto pistol. The one on the left is Rachel, one of my daughters, with .22 caliber bolt action rifle.

That was Allen shooting the .45 auto.

Below, Pete Townshend in action at his "range", The Concert for New York.

People enjoy life under God's sky in many ways, eh?

Now, we are closer to Christmas...Happy Advent!

...The thoughts turn more towards the heavens...

--Dan

Thanksgiving....a FAVORITE DAY!

2008-11-22T23:55:00.001-08:00

Well, afterall, I WAS around during the 1950's!

How about a video from almost two years ago....it was an experiment by me, and I love it! I hope you do too.....

The Fabric is Unraveling Faster Now

2008-11-16T15:12:00.000-08:00

A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law. - MLK

Remembering something sort of like this often said by a a great role model of mine, Fr. John Corapi (not a direct quote):
When we are in the darkness, it is harder to see. If we expect to see Truth in the dark, we are kidding ourselves. The only way to see what is true, is follow the Light.

I rarely get too political on this blog. It seems that it is too easy to get folks riled up, and some of that is certainly not intended, though I guess some still is...
=========================
"Today we have a similar spiritual battle in progress; a battle between theforces of good and evil, light and darkness, truth and lies, life and death. If we do not soon stop the genocide of abortion in the United States, we shall run the course of all those that prove by their actions that they are enemies of God; total collapse, economic, social, and national.The moral demise of a nation results in the ultimate demise of a nation.

The more than 48,000,000 abortions since Roe v. Wade in the United States constitute genocide by definition.The group singled out for death: unwanted, unborn children. No other issue, not all other issues taken together, can constitute a proportionate reason for voting for candidates that intend to preserve and defend this holocaust of innocent human life that is abortion."

--Fr. John Corapi
=============================

Our New President, our Vice President, our Speaker of the House...all favor abortion.

Guess who does not? You don't know?

...How about "Roe" from Roe v Wade! You can bet that is not well published! Her name is Norma McCorvey, and this has been known for years. What may be little known is that she opposes abortion.

The attack on the family continues....in California the vote to keep the definition of marriage as "between a man and a woman" was won, but somehow this sits wrong with those who seem to think it is a "right", as in a civil right, to marry...regardless of gender. Now I will say this: If a fish is a fish, can we call it a dog? If a cloud is a cloud, can we simply call it what it is....a cloud? Let us please be with some reason. The issue about marriage is not about hate as much as it is about what is real, and what is not. This is not to show ill will or lack of love for any gender or gender affiliations, it simply is what it is.

I will support our new president and government as the people of our nation that they are, though I will never agree to many of their stated principles. I will also pray for them, for the nasty folks in all political parties, and for all who bother to read this. Wow....now that means I have to spend time doing that....but I will.

I need prayers too, by the way. We are all in need of each other.

--Dan

What we did not know?

2008-11-02T19:51:00.000-08:00

Way, way, back...(early 1960's?)...was that...THAT long ago? The CIA had a thing going on. It was called the A-12. It was BEFORE the now famous SR-71 Blackbird spy plane....neither of which, by the way, flies anymore. Here is a neat-o photo of the early bunch of "super" planes...before they became black! The technology was WAY advanced, and has never, even today, been even closed to being matched. Not even close!

Planes, aircraft....they are one of my passionate interests. If you need know more....look me up! Flight is beautiful. High flight is even more so. I so, so much enjoy the story of flight in the sky above!

--Dan

India goes to the moon, and here at home, we live...on Earth

2008-10-19T21:21:00.000-07:00

So, India is shooting for the moon! I grew up watching and waiting for something...anything...to go to the moon. Here is a photo that pertains to what is soon to be...an attempt to visit the moon....though not yet by man...

On a more somber note...and really why I have had difficulty posting lately...My wife lost her father, her Daddy, on October 6th. He was 91. She, Cruz, my wife, is in very poor health herself, but doing OK. In the photo, Cruz is shown at the casket. I so much THANK all that sent words of love to us, and THANK all that would have if they knew...

--Dan

It's been a while, for me, but...

2008-10-01T21:26:00.000-07:00

My blog has mostly been aimed, by me, as being a timely, entertaining/imformative sort of thing. I must say, I have not been able to be much of any of that, lately. It seems that the health of my sweet wife, Cruz, as well as that of her Father (born in 1917!), have been the most recent focus of attention.

I have always been a believer in visual stuff...like photos, so I will throw some out there in this post. I love to emphasize the postive side of things, so....that is where I go!

Yet again...she comes home from the hospital!

Cruz with her Daddy, very early '60's.

That is all for now...

--Dan

Well, this is what the weekend on September 6th and 7th brought...

2008-09-07T21:09:00.000-07:00

OK, OK, I actually did turn 51 years OLD on Saturday, Sept. 6th. I also suffered the night before by being showered with a party-BB-Q... (I BB-Q'd...me, Dan).

And now for the rest of the story...

It seems somebody knew I needed a new flag to fly (yes, a birthday gift)....and my wife, Cruz, with the grandboy, Jesse, fit in quite well with that!

Yep, it was about 100 degrees F. today, yep, it was the little boy in the little pool!

Yes, that is my front yard, that is my pleasure to share this moment on a Sunday afternoon, Sept. 7th.

--Dan L.

The College Campus of today, Southern California, and Mary, mother of Jesus

2008-09-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

One of my daughters (all four are in college, one already with a four year degree!) sent me this fine cell phone picture message today. It is well worthy of this blog! Look carefully....Bruce Lee is in good company!

This is a painting of Mary and the child Jesus. I love it to death. I don't know who painted it, but it is a famous one. I think you will find it very different, and very touchingly close to home.

--Dan

Doings around and about...

2008-08-16T12:09:00.000-07:00

My sister gave me a birthday gift a bit early. It is a fine framed photo of some guy in the air.

One day, my neighbor, Allen (far left), was cleaning his van at his garage. Here is my daughter, Rachel (left), his daughter, Violet (the smaller one), and a guest from Germany, Annika. it is very blurred, sorry, but still worth a laugh.

The sun was going, going, gone as this photo was taken...

It is (from left) my wife, Cruz, myself, and two old friends that I have seen only twice in about 25 years. It was very, very fun to see them again. It is a long story, but I was exceedingly uplifted.

--Dan

Wholigans and Grandpups

2008-08-03T12:57:00.000-07:00

I received my Wholigan shirt yesterday as per membership at the website of The Who. It will fit 'till I wash it and it shrinks, even in cold water and hang dry. Oh well, they don't hand out bigger than 2X, I need 3X! I might try shrinking too.

Here is a video of the Grand boy, Jesse with my wife, Cruz, about two weeks or so ago. I am using my cell phone recorder, and it is my voice speaking to him. He is 2 1/2 yrs. old now. Time has flown, weeds are growing.

--Dan

Man or Mouse?

2008-07-19T09:39:00.000-07:00

And so, to the point....

Beginning of an article from USA Today:

ref.

http:www.usatoday.com/tech/science/genetics/2008-07-17-spine-genetic-map_N.htm

"Scientists exploring the blasted terrain of nerves that give rise to crippling ailments like Lou Gehrig's disease now have an atlas to guide them.
The Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle unveiled the first phase of the world's first genetic atlas of the mouse spine today on the Internet, posting it alongside an atlas of genes in the mouse brain completed two years ago."

==================

So now we have a true map of the spine of a mouse. I look forward to bigger things. I hope they find a spine in many humans that may seem lacking in that capacity.

As for me, I am better than a mouse, last I checked.

--Dan

Rock Honors

2008-07-13T13:28:00.000-07:00

UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.

It's just a cell phone picture, so sorry for the quality. We were about 75 ft. from Pete, about 20 feet above.

What a night!

Pete was very put out by sound problems on his side. After quite a bit of gesturing to the side, at about 2/3 thru of "You Better You Better...." He cut from the song, frustratingly fiddles with the amps, then signals "no more". They then proceded to fix the things that needed fixing. The magic of TV editing will then likely happen, and you will see them do the song a second time. Pete was a blast, Roger was pristine! The rest of the band as we now know them, were all great! Even Rabbit was there, Zak & Simon too.

The Foo Fighters are incredible. Incubus played I Can See For Miles...YES! The Flaming Lips, Jack Black, etc. etc. I enjoyed so much of the whole show! My daughter, Michelle, was very struck as well. We saw the guy from X-Files speak, Adam Sandler played a ditty, Sean Penn spoke, etc. etc. You will see.

Great job to all!

There was mention of another "cable channel" that "sold out". Even though THE WHO SELL OUT was mentioned, it was also added that THE WHO never really sold out. Thanks to VH1 for not going the way of M-T-....rhymes with "scree".

Watch the show when it comes.

--Dan

Huntington Beach

2008-07-01T23:03:00.001-07:00

My wife and one of my daughters, at the sea. you can distinctly see the rolling hills of Catalina Island in the distance...beneath the gray, offshore moisture.

Me, Dan. Very scarey, I know!

Cruz!

Looking Northwest, towards the peir.

Maybe more later...

--Dan

Guitars and big time music folks

2008-06-21T22:40:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 21, the longest day of the year, here in this part of our Earth.

And so...

I was visiting the Guitar Center in San Bernardino, CA, and took these fine photos...(Koos, are YOU seeing this?)

Here are some FINE youtube links to this stuff...you will even hear mention of one famous Pete Townshend...

Clapton:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZhxEHDS3KU

Stevie Ray Vaughn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_uuU81cwVw

San Bernardino is not too far away, and has hosted the likes of Zappa, the Rolling Stones, Elvis, ....and was the logistics center for the USAF SR-71 Blackbird, etc., etc...

Before you see the stuff on this blog, you absolutely MUST first visit the link I offer HERE:

http://gc.guitarcenter.com/legends/index.cfm

Above: This is the actual Stevie Ray Vaughn "Lenny" guitar. WOW! It was displayed with a security guard, glass case, and what likely was an alarm sensor. There were other guitars there, also displayed in the same manner...

The guitar used by Eric Clapton (Gibson ES-335) for so many years since 1964, and used to record the great "Crossroads" song. The back of the headstock had a little "stamp" looking thing that said "Hare Krishna". Story is: It so happens that George Harrison (Beatles) gave that to Eric, and so it was then stuck on his guitar.

This is the well worn backside of Eric Clapton's "Blackie" Fender Sratocaster that was used to record many of his most famous songs. I totally forgot to get a photo of this guitar from the entire front side....I was so overwhelmed. My sweet wife, Cruz, was by my side. Maybe that is why I was so distracted! I love her.

A beautiful, well aged Gibson Les Paul, used by The Edge (of U2 fame).

Loads of fun!

--Dan

Going to a show, and today is a birthday

2008-06-06T10:29:00.000-07:00

Myself and our second daughter, Michelle, will be at the VH1 event honoring The Who. It will happen in July. We are very happy!

Above is a photo from a deli that we will be visiting this evening. Marion, our youngest, turns 18 years old today! She will order a nice sandwhich there! The folks holding the chow are Sean and Danielle, the deli owners.

Marion, at left, and my wife, Cruz. That was in february, 2008, Wrightwood, California.

--Dan

We went to the desert, and now Memorial Day

2008-05-24T19:09:00.001-07:00

Monday in the USA is Memorial Day. We remember all those that gave the ultimate sacrifice.

On May 30, 1918, Memorial Day services in Washington, D.C., culminated with casting flowers into the Potomac River in memory of those who perished on the Lusitania.

Ref. http://www.hq.usace.army.mil/history/Vignettes/Vignette_51.htm

Last Sunday we hit the road about 100 miles east of us...then...
...JP grabs a chuckawalla.

The cracks in the rocks...that is where those big lizards hide. They have a mechanism whereby they inhale, and they bloat up HUGE...to wedge themselves into a crack. There are, as you likely cannot see, TWO chuckawallas in this crack...male and female...the female is the one JP just had in his hand.

Rachel, Dan, Cruz and Marion. It was 97 degrees F. in the desert, but at my house it was 102...go figure!

Yesterday it only hit 50 degrees here, and there were tornados, snow and lightning the day before that.

Dan and JP, Joshua Tree area.

My wife, Cruz, waits in the car as the search for wildlife carries on. The tree is the type known as the "Joshua Tree", for which the area is so named. There is snow in the yonder moutains, though I cannot yet tell if it shows in the blown up photo...you try to see, if you wish.

Cruz is seen outside the car, in the heat! She was afraid of snakes. Smart woman! We were looking for them, and she knew it!

Allen, my next-door-neighbor, plays "Funk 49" Friday night, yesterday.

--Dan

It's that time of year

2008-05-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

The vast desert regions out here are filled with living things. Our friend, J.P., recently went to visit some of them...

A chuckawalla reptile, hard to catch one of these, but J.P. did it! Yes, he released it soon after, as he did all of the fine desert creatures of the day's find. Chuckawallas are famous for scurrying quickly under rocks and expanding their bodies to wedge themselves in. It is said that the only way to remove one that is wedged is to either terminate them, or break up the rocks! I would not consider either.

A red racer snake! He wanted to bite!

The horned toad lizard...a very colorful fellow! These fellows are quite friendly and easy to handle.

I did not take any of these photos, indeed, I was not even there at the time. However, I love to frequent that part of our California deserts, and plan to meet J.P. out there very, very soon. Neither of us live out there, but we just enjoy the visit.

Here is a photo taken several years ago in the same general desert area as the reptile photos. Those are my two youngest daughters, though now they are in college! Notice the clothing...it can get quite cold out there in other months! The picture was taken with the rising sun.

It's very hot here these days, but at least I don't quite live out in the big desert.

To better view any photo, "click" and it looks bigger...most of the time, anyway.

--Dan

Air Shows...we love 'em! March ARB, Riverside, CA

2008-05-04T21:52:00.000-07:00

The utterly magnificent, incredible, United States Air Force F-22 Raptor, in flight.

My sweet wife, Cruz, and my youngest daughter, Marion (almost 18!), at the show.

Allen, my next door neighbor, working the vendor booth for shaved ice.

The "business end" of the "Warthog", otherwise known as the USAF A-10 Thunderbolt II, a tank killer. "Click" to view.

The remote controlled "Predator"! used in Iraq and Afghanistan, I have seen this thing fly in RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY CAR in the remote area known as California's Mojave Desert.

Looking over the shoulder of Predator.

More of Predator. Note the covered propeller.

F/A-18 Hornet.

USAF C-5.

Looking inside the volumous C-5 USAF Transport plane, the largest in the USAF inventory.

WW II era P-40 Warhawk, it is flyable.

There was a whole lot, lot more, but maybe I'll post more another day....

--Dan

March Air Museum

2008-04-26T11:52:00.000-07:00

About two weeks ago, I visited yet again, March Air museum at the March ARB in Riverside, CA.

This SR-71 Blackbird (serial no. ...975) was used in the movie Space Cowboys with Clint Eastwood. "Click" on the image, and you almost really there...it gets bigger.

Two of my daughters, and a guest were with me.

The Air Museum is located right at March ARB, where there will be an air show next weekend! I likely won't be at that show, but they won't be needing me to have all of the fun. By the way, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds with their F-16's will be performing.

--Dan

Music, yet again

2008-04-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of my wife, Cruz, taken sometime in the 1960's. We still have an accordian in the house, though it is apparently a different one.

I now offer here, on my blog, a very recent cell phone fuzzy video of Cruz playing (trying to play) the accordian, with our Grandson, Jesse, also in the mix...

Cannons and Canon, with trout thrown in

2008-04-12T12:21:00.000-07:00

While we were visiting the San Gabriel Mission a few weeks ago, I commented to a fellow working there...

Do you know what that cannon is used for?" He said, "Oh, just for looks, celebrations and things, I suspect"...

I siad, "Well, I happen to know it is used to enforce Canon Law".

Well, that is a Catholic type joke, but I thought it was funny.

Here is the cannon picture I took.

Lastly, here is a photo I took while on a honeymoon roadtrip. Markleeville, California, Sierra Nevada range. They made the most out of their business venture, didn't they?

--Dan

Once again, the Earth groans...Charlton Heston has passed on at age 84

2008-04-05T22:54:00.000-07:00

Yet another great loss as the rest of us soldier on...

Charlton Heston, as Moses, in The Ten Commandments

He was very real. No fluff, no fake.

I bought this book for my wife while she was in the hospital. It was fairly current at the time. I have read it myself. It is a real class act.

Who could resist the chariot race scene in Ben Hur? Wow!

I once saw him live at a play in Los Angeles back in around 1972 0r '73. That play was The Crucible.

What a great guy he was, on the screen, off the screen. Rest in peace, Charlton!

--Dan

My old jeep, and other things

2008-03-29T23:45:00.001-07:00

Me and my old friend....a Jeep, back in the 1970's. I miss that old crate!

Me and my youngest daughter, about 1993 or so. Look at the expressions....are they not speaking volumes? Those of you that see this and know about your children...you know what I mean! Others with no kids...you can tell too!

My Mother, sometime when my Dad was in the Navy...dunno what year, or where she is. He was in WWII and Korea. She is working hard! She passed away in the very early 1960's.

--Dan

Happy Easter, and here are some recents happenings

2008-03-22T22:20:00.000-07:00

We Celebrate the Risen Christ!

On Saturday, four of my family visited Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, the 4th of 21 Missions established in the earlier days of California. It was a beautiful day! As is customary, the tabernacle in the Mission Chapel was empty on Holy Saturday.

Daughter Marion, and Cruz, my wife.

The Mission Chapel Sanctuary.

In the Mission Cemetery, here is the final resting place of a faithful servant of God and family friend for many years, Fr. Aloysius Ellacuria, CMF. We sure do miss him. There were also others in this place...that I saw...and I once knew. I have little doubt that they have all gone home to God.

Dan and Cruz, at the front door.

"Click" on the photos for a better view.

Happy Easter!

--Dan

Palm Sunday is upon us

2008-03-15T12:36:00.000-07:00

The final steps on the road begin this week. Look at the crown in the picture. The meaning is immense.

--Dan

I see you...

2008-03-09T22:13:00.000-07:00

A lot of communities around here are reluctant to be inundated with cell phone towers. The alternative trend is to make a financial arrangement with whoever it needs to be made with...(the cell phone companies galore) and build a "likeable" alternative. I laugh at the results...I have even seen fake redwood trees in the absolute middle of nowhere...though this photo is one of the more happy results, it just does not do it for me. Ah, it is the way of things now.

I SEE YOU hiding, little tree!

"click" on it, you will see it better.

The cell phone "tree tower" picture was taken as we were going to our favorite pizza joint...so here is a photo of the some of us (we are more than this number, but we are what we were) arriving there, this Sunday afternoon for lunch.

Lastly, here is a video of Allen and his daughter in his garage. You may know that he is my next door neighbor, and we sometimes play guitar music there, among many other things. Listen carefully to the sound in the clip...you "older" folks may recognize some song. If you, Koos, an occasional visitor, read this, you will know, most particularly.

--Dan

The passing of a very, very interesting man

2008-03-01T11:12:00.000-08:00

William F. Buckley Jr.

Though I did not always agree with him, he was a ton of fun. William F. Buckley Jr. died while seemingly at work, in his study, at age 82.

Photo ref. N.Y. Times on the Web

www.nytimes.com/.../07/16/specials/buckley.html

There are many articles available on the web regarding him...for those that wish to know more.

On a lighter note...Happy Birthday, Roger!

--Dan

Excursions and sky stuff

2008-02-23T22:01:00.000-08:00

My daughter, Rachel, and the elephant coming through the wall. More later in this post...

Fires in recent years decimated much of the landscape in this area not far from my home. A replanting effort to add growth to the forest area, trees are spaced neatly near and around around the U.S. Forest Service station.

Yes folks, this is February in a mountain region of Southern California! Not far away, at a higher elevation (not in the photo), is snow which is actually quite deep! This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago, early in the month.

Yet another of my daughters, Michelle (above, left), has now turned 21!

Dad (me), celebrates Michelle's day with Bass Ale.

The grandboy thinks we celebrate for him! He is only 2. My wife (his Grandma, Cruz), is holding him.

My meal...I could not finish it! It was great!

Scene of the dinner/birthday party, this is a restaurant, not a bar, but named a bar anyway.

And now, this was today, Saturday, the 23rd...

Two Navy F-18 Hornets, two Air Force F-16 Falcons (smaller planes) circled the house for nearly an hour today (in the evening) for an apparent appearance at a local NASCAR racing event. The skies were very storm threatening by this time, and raining.

Just a few hours earlier, the sky was brilliant blue, as these WWII era fighters passed by. There is a P-38 Lockheed Lightning (large plane out in front of the others), a P-40 Warhawk (painted as a "Flying Tiger" plane from the early WWII effort in China campaign), and a P-51 Mustang (the bottom plane). WOW! What a day in my neighborhood!

"Click" on the pictures, they get larger to view! The first photo with the elephant is lower resolution, thus less clear.

A clip of my car at a mountain stream and the surrounding area in January or February, 2008.

--Dan

46 years ago she entered eternal life

2008-02-12T20:15:00.000-08:00

My mother, 1925-1962.

It is now 46 years ago that she left this life. I am glad to believe I won't likely be waiting 46 more to see her again.

That is me, below, walking with her...she is at far left.

OK, to "Happy" this post up a bit...On a much brighter note...and bright it truly is, this is a photo of my house, Allen's house (he is my neighbor)...(with the white Prius), and the nearly 9,000 ft. peak that graces our skyline...fresh with snow from the storms of late January/early February. Click on this picture...it is cool! Ah, Southern California...we are so close to the beach, so close to the mountains, so close to the desert...AND so close to all that is Hollywood, Disney, The old west, etc...

--Dan

Some travels and a story

2008-02-02T11:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, that says nothing is happening for 100 miles. Several years ago, Our whole household of six (at that time) was headed this way on our journey to camp at the Grand canyon in Arizona. We were only 100 or so miles from home (still well inside California), and it was night time. As we approached this sign, my 3/4 ton 1979 4 wheel-drive Suburban "Urban Assault Vehicle" stopped engaing the transmission gears. It simply would go no further. I tried, and I tried. It would go in reverse, but NOT forward. I was caravaning with a friend of mine (an Arizona Sheriff ), and he had to get home, so he went onward...but we could not! I truned around, drove back into town and stayed at a hotel, wondering how to get all these girls home. Well, that next day, I drove all the way home, no problem, but for a stuttering about a mile from my house. I drove that vehicle many miles after that event, but never again tried to take it to Arizona. We eventually went to Grand Canyon a few years later in a new van, but sadly missed that one vaction that was not to be. You explain it...what was going on?

I took these photos in January, 2008. Click 'em to see them better. They were all taken near 29 palms, Calif.

Looking back to my car and the folks inside.

Oasis seen at left, background to Rachel, Marion and Cruz.

--Dan

Clearing storm

2008-01-27T10:54:00.000-08:00

Above, viewing Northeast, I went to college at the foot of those hills about 5 million years ago...well, maybe 4.

Above, looking West towards the Pacific Ocean, about 50-ish miles away.

The endless wire, looking Southwest (in the direction of Orange County).

The locked gate to nowhere. Why the lock?

Marion, my youngest daughter, prowling for photos with her 1970's era Yashica with black and white film. She is a photography student. The car is mine. View is to North to Northeast.

Cick on them for a bigger view!

At about 9:30 this morning I scampered out about 5 minutes from my house to take these pictures. I know they are not sensational...I also had some pretty hopefully nice sunset pictures from last evening, but I somehow hit the wrong button on my computer, and...zzzzzzzzzzz...I never saw them...and now never will. Also, 427 other photos, though most of which were now, thankfully, mostly disposable and copied elsywheres (that was my word, leave it alone).

There was a ton of snow up there, so low too. This last strorm was not as frigid, so the snowline crept up a bit, thus releasing a lot of wah wah. I am planning on maybe going up to the canyons to see the big run-off from all the snow upstairs. I'll post 'em as they float in.

--Dan

Sunday, Joshua Tree National Park

2008-01-20T23:01:00.000-08:00

Here is where I was, with my sweet wife, Cruz,... in the desert of Southern California, as most of the games unfolded...though I was able to watch a chunk of the Green Bay loss.

So sorry, Green Bay! So sorry, San Diego!..

The football world will likely be owned by the Patriots of New England. I am NOT a "Pats" fan, but Green Bay shoulda won that playoff game....though I do not believe they can...or could have....beat the Patriots.

Cruz, and our youngest daughter, now not so young, same day.

Rachel, daughter number three of four, up in the rocks.

--Dan

The game, Green Bay, and a ukelele

2008-01-19T21:32:00.000-08:00

I am getting ready for the game on Sunday (it's now Saturday night), of Green Bay vs. New York. The winner goes to the Super Bowl. I may not catch the whole game, but my heart is there with the Packers. It goes all the way back to Lombardi and Starr, folks. See the helmet on my TV? See the Governer of California in T-3? So much at once!

A photo taken around Christmas in Allen's Garage (my neighbor). The ukelele is a gift to my wife for Christmas. Allen was tuning it for me. The photo was fun.

--Dan

Rest in Peace, Edmund and Tenzing

2008-01-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

A great sadness overwhelms me. They have now, both of them, gone to God.

Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay, rest in peace. I hope to see you some day, but not quite yet.

--Dan

Sludging through a January

2008-01-05T10:56:00.000-08:00

The Child Jesus with His Mother, Mary.

USS Hull, DD 945 (destroyer). I was aboard this ship in the early 1970's on a visit during a stay in port. It was in the middle of service with operations in Vietnam.

A youthful Einstein.

There, a few pictures of note. It is raining here, but we really need rain a lot, so that is a good thing. Sludging wet, it's January!

Happy New year!

--Dan

A bit to last month...A November Moment

2007-12-29T23:30:00.000-08:00

Me, My Dad, My two older brothers...Frank and Steve. The first time we stand together for almost 40 years!

--Dan

Christmas present, music, and Christmas past

2007-12-22T21:50:00.000-08:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

An usual painting of the Nativity, since Christ is not centered. It is a different perspective, though He is central to the whole story, nontheless.

It is Saturday. I was in a fabulous little music store this evening. I came home with a ukelele for my wife! As these pictures were snapped off with my cell phone camera, my dinner was on the table at a restaurant a couple of blocks away, wife and daughter waiting for me and another daughter. I made it back OK. Christmas is fun!

The site of my Dad's birth in New Orleans (French Quarter), this photo was taken by me right after Christmas in 1984. The property is longer in the family, as his parents (my Grandparents) are long passed on, and it was their home. I enjoyed visiting there on several occasions, and miss the old days...though I would never wish to live in that part of the country.

--Dan

December happenings & other moments PLUS a LATE ENTRY...

2007-12-15T22:43:00.000-08:00

As of November 3rd, the little boy (grandson of me) has been 2 years old. Here he is with my oldest daughter (his mom), Serena, just this very month.

A blurry image of my wife, Cruz, with her Mom, sometime in the 1970's. Her mother passed on in 1977. She would have LOVED that grandboy.

Cruz, this very evening, by the tree for Christmas.

The Kinks.

I only just now went to Virgin music (or whatever the name is) and got a substitute for my old LP. I wanted "Apeman" (studio version), not available on ITunes.

Let's retro to about two years ago on my blog, eh?...

Justin Kreutzmann and myself were fiddling around to each others email one night, and he invented this from an image of me, and one of Pete. That was fun. As you can see, Pete and seem quite happy, all strapped in on the front seat, but in reality, we fight over the car radio a whole lot.

12/17/07 article in CALENDAR section, L.A. Times....about VH1 Classic Channel episodes to air about the history of rock.

--Dan

Preparing for Christmas, and the Pumpkin Past

2007-12-08T10:15:00.000-08:00

Here, in our home, we are preparing for the celebration of Christmas. Click on it for a larger image.

Reference:
Philippe de Champaigne

The Annunciation, ca.1644

oil on panel28 x 28.75 inches (71 x 73 cm.)

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

photograph courtesy

Michael Weinberg Photography,

Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania

Though as Catholics, we here celebrate the Immaculate Conception on this day (Dec. 8th), I post an image of the famous biblical event known as The Annunciation, because it is on my mind.

In another light...

Our little Rachel (not so little anymore), on a Halloween seasonal romp among the pumkins, many years ago. She is running with the eternal joy and innocence of youth.

--Dan