Ann of the Left Coast - November 2, 2009

A wonderful weekend and lots of extra time to catch up on lost sleep as the hands of the clock, with every click, now point to the "real" time! Does anybody really know what time it is? Bill Clinton now has a statue in Kosovo honoring his heroic deeds for launching NATO’s bombing campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999 that stopped the brutal Serbian troops from achieving victory. I can only imagine what my old landlord, Savo, would have to say if his mind was capable of remembering anything as he is far into the throes of dementia from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. I read a good article in The New Yorker about brain injuries that are so prevalent in football and the immediate and long-term effects on the players. It truly is a barbaric sport, and one that the article compares to a dogfight because neither the dogs nor the players will give up, "...due to their desire to please and capitalize…" on the sport. Doctors are seeing brain damage at an alarming rate that results in suicides, unexpected and bizarre behaviors, memory loss and early dementia, to name a few of the negative effects. Oh, the price we pay. Open your wallet and purses as credit card fees are going up, up, up! But, go figure, GM reports a $1b profit and expects to be profitable by 2011! (Raise your hand if you want a bailout. ) There are definitely a lot of homeowners in California holding on by a thread as foreclosures continue every day and people make the choice to file bankruptcy and walk away from their dreams. And now, CIT, one of the biggest home lending operations, files bankruptcy after receiving $4.5b in emergency funds a month ago. What to do, what to do? First things first - finish coffee, eat breakfast and put one foot in front of the other.

Peace out!

Ann of the Left Coast - November 3, 2009

A cool, breeze blows through my open window and plants a big fat kiss upon my face, gently reminding me that it is a new morning on Planet Earth. Hello World! The Swine Flu pandemic is definitely that as the local news bytes share information from across the world in the Ukraine, and locally, where Sacramento officials report a 30 percent jump in the number of people hospitalized in just one week, and double the number of respiratory illness calls into the Fire Department. Another interesting story from Ethiopia as a 35-mile rift in the desert of Ethiopia will soon create a new ocean, causing the Red Sea to part, not by Moses, but by the "Arabian tectonic plate and the African plate that are moving away from each other, stretching the Earth's crust and widening the southern end of the Red Sea.". Just in time for 2012! No worries - everything is exactly how it is supposed to be -PERFECT! I must get ready for a full day. Enjoy.

Peace today and always...

Ann of the Left Coast - November 4, 2009

I'm exhausted (!) after spending three full days volunteering at "my" non-profit to get "our" mailing list together for an end-of-year donation request. Times are tough so wish "us" luck in our attempt to create a pool of unrestricted funds - monetary donations that are not tied to programs or grants, but are used to meet the needs of the organization, thus expanding our outreach. A friend of mine recently said "What would this country be like if all unemployed, able-bodied people volunteered their time assisting numerous, other organizations?" The truth is there are millions upon millions of volunteers who give their time and energy to organizations every day. It is amazing how your skills can easily benefit any organization. And, once you start, you'll never stop because the simple act of giving back gives more than you could ever imagine it could possibly give. I am becoming so very bored with the news. We are inundated with the silliest things and the only purpose is to grow profits and make you think you know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Actually, we all know the truth, we just need to stop the noise and sit in peace for a while so it can be revealed. So be it.

Eyes wide open!

Ann of the Left Coast - November 8, 2009

The weekend was full, fun and even a bit frivolous when all was said and done. I jump-started the weekend with a 3 mile run, then later in the afternoon, took a drive through Suisun Valley. I took advantage of many opportunities to enjoy the sun, blue skies and the nectar of the gods as I visited numerous wineries in hopes of getting raffle prizes for our upcoming Solano Turkey Trot event. The vintners are so gracious and happy to support our cause - one owner even offering up his winery for fund raising events and expecting very little in return. I recently read a newsbyte about a kingdom in Asia that measures "Gross National Happiness" as opposed to "Gross Domestic Product" or the "Consumer Confidence Index" or the "Misery Index" or anything else related to economics and capitalism in general. What a beautiful life! Are you ready? Saturday evening, Linda came for a visit and then the two of us, accompanied by my daughters went out for dinner and to hear some music. Another most exciting adventure in the 'burbs - I must say Linda is quite a trooper as I watched her hobble around the dance floor with her broken ankle, air cast intact, her body swaying to the music - not a care in the world. One small step for womankind! Hilarious!!! And, my daughters never cease to amaze me with their humor, intelligence and wit. Most definitely a good time was had by all. Little Anna turned 8 months old this weekend - how time flies!

Laugh, and the whole world laughs with you!

Ann of the Left Coast - November 9, 2009

A cool and slightly overcast day as the season of "fall" fades to winter, barren trees now more the norm as we bid adieu to another season and prepare for winter's cold and icy grip. The San Francisco Bay Bridge continues to have problems as a big rig lost control falling into the bay early this morning, taking the driver's life and of course, causing more commute issues. The new "S" curve has already caused ~50 accidents since September when the new span was connected to the bridge. Someone needs to re-think the design! And, merely placing flashing lights to warn drivers to slow down to 25 mph is obviously not working - especially for big rig drivers who are under duress to reach their destinations in time to assure a paycheck that is hopefully and slightly above minimum wage. When is a bridge too old? That is a serious subject as many are reporting on the ill health of our country's infrastructure yet the necessary dollars don't seem to be making it into state and federal budgets. Especially not here in California! Things only happen when constituents are rewarded, otherwise, forget about it! I have to laugh at Fox News being so insulted by Sesame Street's "attack" on their news organization, claiming that children's shows aren't the proper venue. Obviously, they are forgetting that cartoons have consistently sent political messages loud and clear to its audiences of children since the birth of television. And, maybe the news channels should take a look at television ads and other messages that consistently exploit our children, dulling their senses, purporting capitalism and providing access to images that seek to control. Kill your television...you're better off without it.

Peace out!

Ann of the Left Coast - November 12, 2009

Sunny skies welcome my arising this morning as did Little Ben who, upon opening my door, began pulling the warm blankets off of my sleepy body saying, "Get up, Grandma, get up, I'm hungry!" So, here I am, now, reflecting over the past couple of days and sipping on my first cup of java. Yummy, yummy, yummy! My daughters both have "the patience of Job" as my mother was fond of saying. They are so giving of themselves to their children and always doing all of the perfect things that mothers do so lovingly. It snowed in Lake Tahoe over night - not very much, but bring it on! We desperately need snowpack in the Sierras this winter, not to provide opportunities for skiers, but to assure water for Northern California, especially now that "Arnold and Constituents, LLC" have found a way to divert more water than required to the southland, regardless of the negative impact on the infrastructure of the delta and its tributaries. Same old story, different day! I was in the Veterans Day Parade yesterday. There is always a big turn-out with Travis Air Force base being located here in Solano County. I helped carry a banner, dressed up as a runner (go figure!) to promote the first annual Solano Turkey Trot. One of our committee members was dressed up as a giant turkey and the costume was very well done, so the children lining the parade route loved it! I had not been in a parade since high school - it was lots of fun! Hopefully, it will drum up even more supporters, too! Oh boy, scientists have zeroed in onthe key to long life. Science versus religion is always an interesting commentary to observe. Kudos to Obama for his patience in making a most-difficult decision on troop increases in Afghanistan.

Give peace a chance!

Ann of the Left Coast - November 13, 2009

I'm starting to get used to these early morning awakenings again. It provides a moment to stare into the great beyond at the first glimpse of the sunrise as it spreads its colors across the sky, the birds quietly waiting for that special moment when the world fully awakens to a new day. I like to visualize the nocturnal animals scurrying into the woods to find their homes beneath the ground, the deer taking their last drink from a stream before bounding into the forest to bed down for the day, and the Great Horned Owl swooping across the marsh hoping to find one more rodent before heading to his nest. And, the opposite is true for most of us who bask in the morning light for just a few more minutes before preparing for a day of work and hopefully some play at the end of the day. I have a meeting at the college this morning where the Solano Turkey Trot committee will meet with the local radio station for a recorded "coffee break" to share information about our event and our organizations. It should be fun! Good news that my sister, Hope, is coming to town just in time for Ben's third birthday in mid-December. She will be here for a conference in Berkeley so the timing is perfect! Maybe she'll bring her husband, too! I missed my run last night and I can feel it this morning.I got to the track on time but it was absolutely pitch black as all the lights were turned off, including those at the baseball field, and I did not have a flashlight with me, or a head-lamp clasped to my hat, so, my bad!Never assume! Oops!The RNC has quickly eliminated abortion coverage from its healthcare package!Poor AIG CEO Robert Benmosche is threatening to quit his job because $10.5 billion dollars is just not enough, and Peter Galbraith who helped re-write the Iraqi constitution as a U.S. diplomat is ready to make $100 million from his oil deal.Yes indeed, never assume.

Peace, love and happiness!

Ann of the Left Coast - November 16, 2009

Today brings blue skies and sunshine but don't be fooled as the week's forecast brings heavy rain for the valley and snowfall in the Sierra Mountain range. This seems to be a pattern over the past few years where we get early snowfalls but the snow pack never reaches the levels required to assure the rivers and lakes and streams achieve sustainability. A great weekend is now behind and the moment is "now" so we must make the best of it. I had a good run on Saturday morning, then got to see Karlie's last swimming event of the day before driving to Linda's house. She and I ran errands and then attended a hockey game that night. It was fun as I had not been to a hockey game for quite a few years. Brute force! Our seas are in dire straits as rising sea levels and warm water temperatures continue to kill off many species of fish and other sea creatures, such as jelly fish that are "...blamed for decimating fishing industries in the Bering and Black seas, forcing the shutdown of seaside power and desalination plants in Japan, the Middle East and Africa, and terrorizing beachgoers worldwide according to the U.S. National Science Foundation." Sigh, what will it look like 50 or 100 years from now? But, "now" is key and that is where I will try to remain for the rest of this moment and the next.

Peaceful moments beget more peaceful moments!

Ann of the Left Coast - November 17, 2009

A first look to the east brings a colorful sky of gold and silver and pink and orange as I witness the glorious unfurling of the morning sunrise on another day on Planet Earth. Perhaps you were fortunate to awaken early and catch a glimpse of the Leonid Meteor shower as you walked to the curb for your morning paper, or perhaps an errant meteor or two decided to give you a special viewing as you walked to your car in the early morning light? Well, if not, there is always another time, but predictably, 33 years from now. Too bad Sarah Palin didn't wait for 33 years to come out with her book that yet again shows her true nature by targeting her "enemies" who dared to question her motives and abilities, yet lauds her "friends" to assure a future in the limelight of politics even though they turned their backs on her throughout the campaign. Whatever - she will make millions upon millions from her book. Time has escaped me already this morning - have a wonderful day.

Peace on earth.

Ann of the Left Coast - November 16, 2009

Peaceful moments beget more peaceful moments!

Ann of the Left Coast - November 17, 2009

Peace on earth.

Ann of the Left Coast - November 18, 2009

So much can change in the blink of an eye! Angie and Robin's sister-in-law is in CCU after two days in the hospital for extreme back and stomach pain. It turns out she has stomach ulcers that then ruptured in the middle of the night causing gas to become trapped between the small intestine and the stomach. She remains in dire straits and on a respirator but the prognosis appears to be good. Many, many prayers to Stacie, her family and family members - we all love you! Many, many prayers to Corinne whose father is hospitalized with pneumonia and appears to be losing his battle - we love you Phil! A good father he has been to Corinne and John, a wonderful husband to Lois, and well-loved by all who have been so fortunate to know him. Our prayers are with you. On a much lighter note but definitely life changing, the Army Corps of Engineers is deemed negligent in their handling of Hurricane Katrina. My goodness, it takes a flood, death, destruction, corruption, extreme loss, inaction, neglect, stupidity and blindness to flippin' admit what everyone has known since the day the music died. But, with or without them, recovery continues and the gulf coast continues to rebuild and survive. This much I know is true. Here in the valley, many fear the day when we may be singing our own delta blues. God help us! I feel a little blue myself - the circle of life is sometimes hard to witness, but I have faith in knowing that all of us are just passing by and we will definitely meet again. "And the seasons, they go round and round, and the painted ponies go up and down...."

Love, love, love...

Ann of the Left Coast - November 20, 2009

The morning train welcomes my awakening as it passes through our little town on its way to places great and small. After a nice, long stretch and a kiss for Kona, I find my way to the kitchen to make my first cup of coffee, its liquid now warming my body as I sit in quiet repose,welcoming another day in paradise. A short week for some as many celebrate Thanksgiving Day across America, on foreign shores, in war zones across the world, and perhaps in peace zones that must exist somewhere out there. The Solano Turkey Trot committee is dancing with glee as we have almost 900 registrants for our first, annual event, and we expect a big line at the race-day registration booth, hoping to top 1000 registrants when all is said and done. I have one more run with my group prior to the event but I am sure we “newbies” will have the race-day jitters on Thanksgiving morning! When all is said and done, a good time will be had by all! “Well, the house is a-rockin, don’t bother knockin’” as the Senate continues to debate the $959 billion health care reform bill. The lines in the sand are drawn as Republicans warn of a drag on the economy and Democrats beg for lawmakers to “come together” because the “health care system is broken.” Regardless, the Republicans are on the attack, their only goal to create public doubt and block abortion funding, access to insurance for illegal immigrants, and the possibility of raising taxes for the rich, while Democrats are pegged as being pompous and arrogant in their approach. In the meantime, the rest of us continue paying more out-of-pocket expenses due to a failing and/or greedy infrastructure while others across our nation struggle to assure healthcare and services for seniors, children and families, never missing a step when all is crumbling around them. It is comforting to know so many people continuously focus upon the greater good. Giving is not hard and the rewards are many. Safe travels to all and count your blessings!

Peace.

Ann of the Left Coast - November 24, 2009

Big Ben opens my door at 6:15 a.m. this morning, flips on the light, opens my blinds and says "Get up Grandma, get up!" He and Little Anna decided they both wanted the comfort of mama and papa's bed off and on throughout the night but Ben must have grown tired of the "squeeze play" and said "enough of this!" I truly enjoy my time with him in the mornings. I opened the family room curtains to show him the beautiful red and orange colors sitting just above the horizon, explaining that soon the sun would rise and the day would be full of sunshine. All he cared about was filling his stomach with cereal so he could turn on the DVD afterwards to watch the Little People video for the 1000th time over the past three days! My world is full of simple comforts and many blessings. I attended a Turkey Trot committee meeting last night and everyone, including the chip timing race coordinator and our race sponsor are amazed at the high number of people who have signed up for our event. We are elated and scrambling to assure we can accommodate 3000 people standing around watching 1000 people running and walking for a good cause. The first year of an event such as this one does not normally bring in that many people. But, I am not surprised because Suisun Valley is a beautiful place and as our future event expands to include a marathon and half-marathon, attendance will increase even more, which will be a very good thing for the vintners and growers who reside there. I am so excite! But, much to do and I must get started. If you haven't already, please drop some food off at your local food banks, churches, shelters, missions and anywhere that you see a need - times are tough this year across our nation.

Blessings!

Ann of the Left Coast - November 27, 2009

The Solano Turkey Trot was a great success! We had over 1300 registrants for our first, annual event!!! Not to mention the number of people who came to watch the race and support their friends and family members. The weather was chilly but perfect for a race. Feedback from the runners was totally positive and everyone seemed to enjoy scenic Suisun Valley Road with its horse farms, vintners and growers amid a pastoral and comforting setting. My children and grandchildren participated in the 5k walk, pushing strollers and running across the finish line like they had won the race! I was also proud of myself as I took second place in my age group - I felt like a teenager! That was more than I ever imagined, but I must admit, after arriving at 5:30 a.m. to set up the booths, running the 5k, and staying until noon to clean up, I was pooped, yet totally pumped!!! Needless to say, Grandma was in bed at 7:30 p.m. and didn't move until I awakened this morning. Wonderful news from afar that my special friend is going to be a grandmother!!! I have decided to leave out her name so I don't spoil her surprise, but you know who you are and CONGRATULATIONS! I hope the long weekend continues to bring you grace and comfort.

Peace to all!

Ann of the Left Coast - November 30, 2009

The month of November bows to December as it beckons from its winter stage, a performance of lights and laughter, children singing, families joining together as generations revel in the spirit of Christmas, Hannakah, Kawaanza and the Winter Solstice. I love the spirit of the holiday season, the gatherings, the parties, the excitement, the camaraderie, the giving and the "giving back" to those who continue to require support and food as winter takes its toll. The spirit is truly in the giving. Prayers for the East Coast family as Sharon's father passed away on Thanksgiving Day. My weekend included some much needed rest and recovery - a run with a friend, a visit with our Oregon-based family members, and even a little bit of holiday shopping as Black Friday presented lighter crowds for the remainder of the weekend. We had high winds over the weekend that toppled trees and fences around town as the Sierra Mountains received lots of snow, creating poor driving conditions but happy skiers and snowboarders. Time to get the grandkids to the snow! It's also time for me to get moving as we are having a post-race meeting today to tie up loose ends and start planning for next year's race. On Saturday, I get to pour wine at a fundraising event for Mission Solano - that should be fun! Never a dull moment in the life of a volunteer!

Peace on earth.