July 28 - Picture of the Week

Times are getting harder, the price of gas is going up, and more people are staying home. It looks like someone couldn’t afford the price of gas, so they just left the car at the pump and walked off

This picture reminds me of a time when people literally did get out and pump their own gas. They didn’t have credit cards and if they didn’t have cash they could probably barter with the station owner. When my grandfather needed to fill up, he would go out to the chicken coup, catch a couple of chickens, lop their heads off and trade them for a tank of gas. When I asked grandma what grandpa was doing and she told me I thought, “You can really do that?”

Fortunately we have been able to do a little traveling this summer. Even though the price of gas is high, it is the only time we have to visit with so many friends and family. So, we literally have to pay the price. I hope your summer is going well.

July 21 — Picture of the Week

Here we are, the middle of July and what have we accomplished? That is the perfect introduction from a type “A” personality. (I’m not, I’m not, I’m not, well I don’t want to be) .

We have been working at relaxing. Now there is an oxymoron for you, here’s another good one, “Good morning”.

We have visited family and friends, Lake Tahoe, read some books, and we just returned from a week long photography class in Mendocino. I had to take a class to renew my credential. Plus, I needed a fresh supply of pictures for my picture of the week e-mails.

This weeks picture symbolizes the essence of summer freedom, cruising down the highway, the wind in your face with not a care in the world, destinations unknown. Ahhh, such freedom.

I love motorcycles, but I prefer to cruise down the highway with the air conditioning on, my leather seat adjusted just the way I like it, with my stereo playing the music of my choice and let the wind and bugs hit the windshield, not my face. I can clean the windshield later.

I hope everyone is having a good summer. Let me know how your summer is going and I will post them next week:)

– Ron and Bonnie

June 9 — Picture of the Week

Greetings Everyone,

I hope all is well. This is graduation week. We get to see all the hard work and dedication pay off. It is an exciting week for the students, families and teachers.

This weeks picture is of Crater Lake. According to legend, Crater Lake was “discovered” by white man in the mid 1800’s quite by accident. There were some cowboys driving a herd of cattle nearby and some of the cattle had strayed off. The foreman sent a cowpoke off to look for them. Apparently he had been riding for quite a while, because he fell asleep in the saddle. After a while the horse came to an abrupt stop, which woke the cowboy up. The horse stopped right at the edge of the crater. Can you imagine the shock as the cowboy opened his eyes and saw this gorgeous blue lake right at his feet?

How many times has God sent us in search of something, only to have us fall asleep in the saddle? Then He jars us awake with something fantastic. We need to be watching, God wants to reveal his love, creativity, and majesty to us everyday. Stay awake and let me know what God shows to you.

Have a great week,
Ron

All photography featured in Picture of the Week, photographed by Ron.

Bonnie’s Passion for Starbucks

Several years ago, Bonnie and I left early one morning to go skiing. I was cold and I just could not get warm. When we got to Angels Camp I said, “I’m going to go into Starbucks and get a mocha.”

Bonnie began this tirade, “Starbucks? Why are you going to stop at Starbucks? You don’t drink coffee! What in the world are you doing? I can’t believe you are going to stop at Starbucks and get coffee.”

“I’m going to get a mocha, it’s like coffee and hot chocolate, would you like one?”

“No! I don’t drink coffee and neither do you. I can’t believe you are stopping here.”

I went inside and decided to order a large mocha. (Venti). I took it back to the car, took a couple of sips, then headed up the road to the ski area. I said, “Go ahead, try it, it tastes pretty good.”

Well, if I was a drug pusher I would be in jail for life. Bonnie tried it and she liked it. She finished the drink off and said, “That was pretty good.” That was the beginning of a long love affair with Starbucks for Bonnie.

It wasn’t long before I was hearing comments like: “They don’t make them hot enough.” “All the chocolate stays on the bottom.” “They put too much whipped cream on it.”

The next thing I know I was standing in line with her and she was barking out orders like, “Venti mocha, one extra shot, 170 degrees, stirred, no whip.”

“Okay Bonnie, coming right up.”

Now, I am saying, “What was that all about?”

Bonnie the perfectionest has called corporate headquarters in Seattle several times to let them know how they can improve their product.

How many of you remember the TV show Cheers? Do you remember when Norm walked into the bar and everyone yelled out, “Noorrrm!”

Well, when Bonnie walks into our local Starbucks, all the employees yell out, “Bonnie!”

Last summer we took a vacation to the northwest. We went to Seattle to visit the very first Starbucks. Bonnie was very excited about the experience. She took it all in, she ordered her favorite mocha, then she didn’t want to leave. It was like returning to mecca for her. It was quite an experience. We both had a good time.