Made another quick pilgrimage to Fresno, yesterday. Terry was able to join Mom 'n' me for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen, which was totally cool (except that they haven't put Gorgonzola Pear back on the menu, yet)! I just love being able to swoop in and hang out for an afternoon. We laughed, like we usually do. That's all. But here's a photo. And I get to eat the other half of my pizza on the way back home. I held out until Ripon, this time.
Here are a few things happening locally--
It's spring, of course, and I've mentioned the daffodils. I actually tried to find a spot from which to photograph the freeway flowers, the other day, like the world would stop turning if I couldn't post a photo. I failed, potential outcry notwithstanding. But, here are a few from our own, rather paltry display (though I love them). I was far too conservative (!!) about planting, last fall, and I've learned my lesson. I also learned that all the iris I stuck in amongst the daffs (imagining the dazzling yellow/purple extravaganza we'd be experiencing this spring) don't want to wake up at the same time. So. Next year.
Meanwhile, the dogwoods haven't, yet, flowered at this altitude (they were in full bloom when we moved in, last April 11). I don't know if this is the norm, but there was quite a long notice on the front page of the Union, last week (about 9 column inches), warning everyone to "Watch Out For The Dogwood-Napper". The opening line was, "Do you remember last year when the nasty dogwood-napper was reported in numerous locations in the area, especially around Nevada City?". Apparently, though there is no description of the alleged limb-lopper, there's a guy who, for years, has been going around to cemeteries and private yards, waiting until no one is looking, or trying to convince home-owners that it's healthy for the trees (so not true!), and cutting large quantities of flowering branches. He confided to one person, it's reported, that he, then, sells the branches to florists down the hill. Who knew such serial botanical crime could lurk beneath the surface these quiet little towns?
Speaking of crime, it's time to catch up with the antics of the local population from the latest Police Blotter:
"3:02 p.m.--A man called from the 400 block of Cherry Lane to report two men were attempting to steal his recycle bins. The people left in a bronze-colored vehicle." ["Attempted"? How inept a thief are you if you fail at nabbing old, beat-up recycling bins left out by the street? Of course, folks around here ARE very serious about recycling...]
"1:08 a.m.--Deputies responded to a call of three juveniles running "amok" on the playground at Chicago Park School. Deputies were unable to locate them." [Kids running "amok" on a playground? Could the caller be a complete "idiot"?]
"8:50 a.m.--A caller from the Condon Park reported a possible peeping Tom. The man had a hood over his head and was crouching under a bush looking toward apartments with binoculars. Police contacted the man, who said he was watching wildlife in the park." [did he mean "wildlife"?]
"1:13 a.m.--Officers arrested a 33-year-old man on the 15000 block of Tyler Footed Rad on suspicion of threatening a crime, willfully following and harassing another person, possessing certain weapons, carrying a concealed dagger, evading a peace officer while operation a vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs." [ever have "one of those days"?]
"9:21a.m.--A woman called from Dog Bar Road to report someone shot an arrow into a tree next to her daughter, who was outside burning debris. The woman told a deputy she did not see the arrow shot into the tree. She just noticed it was there." [mere juxtaposition of an arrow to burning debris could mean, uh, something]
"3:19 a.m.--A caller from Quail Creek Road reported a man wearing black clothing and a white mask was standing in front of a residence. Deputies were unable to locate the man." [I hope it doesn't mean they're shooting another sequel to "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure", nearby. Really.]
"2:40 a.m.--A caller from the 100 block of Starling Circle reported someone was walking around in her kitchen. Responding officers could not locate anyone else in the home." [Even the caller isn't quite all there...]
"3:35 p.m.--Several callers from apartments on the 200 block of Sutton Way reported a woman threw a television over a railing. Police contacted the people, and all was fine." [In fact, it's the only possible response to Ashley's indiscretion with Josh after she had Andrew's baby after Andrew discovered that he was really Michael's biological son, and that his mother was a hit woman for the Santa Barbara mob and...]
Oh, yeah. And the International Silver Anniversary Teddy Bear Convention begins today at the fairgrounds.
