02.23.11

Posted in Politics at 7:02 PM by Ann Hornbeck

It has been quite a while since I checked in with all of you. Here in the Bay Area, we are expecting snow at 1000 feet on Friday and Saturday. Snow running? Possibly, unless I wimp out. Over the weekend, I ran in 30-something weather – with rain! Man oh man – I was chilled to the bone and even cramped up from the intense cold.  It still felt great, but definitely hard. On Sunday, a friend and I hiked Pena Adobe in partial sun, but the wind got pretty intense at times. So, the upcoming weekend will be a cold one too, but I will do my best to not whine so much!  I was really, really aching for a visit to the coast too, but I will wait for sunnier days before I make a trek to visit all of my friends. On Monday, I had a blast at the local “wine bar” listening and dancing to the blues. It’s always a fun gig ‘cuz you never know what to expect. Funny, I spent the whole day on Monday reading a new book, then ended up dancing until 11pm knowing I had to go to work the next day. Whatever – I definitely don’t do that very often anymore!  It was a fun time. Besides, it’s my son-in-law’s fault – he’s the one that made me do it!  Much is happening across the globe. Funny how that happens, isn’t it.

Peace.

02.17.11

Posted in Politics at 8:14 PM by Ann Hornbeck

Rain, rain, rain – where have you been and when will you leave! The clouds were black and ominous, tracking their distance to the north, hanging low just above that point where the sky ends and the landscape begins, unstoppable, determined. The seagulls flying eastward as fast as their wings can carry them, the delta waters creating pools of water beside the roads and highways, darkness near, and now black and peaceful as I sit in my room, my belly full, the curtains closed, iTunes sharing the glorious sounds of those who think from a deep place that I too can understand.  How glorious this day, and now the night that soon will bid adieu to all thoughts of then and now, and just remain somewhere in-between. Here I am. And how blessed the moment!  Music – the soul of the earth, harmony, release, and the answer to any problem! So, perhaps a run tomorrow, and if it continues to storm, then an opportunity to read my book, spend time with the grandchildren, or perhaps, time with just me. Prayers to all who believe in freedom and walk in peace; who hear only words that speak of truth; who join the struggle because there is no fight; who believe in possibilities and know wrong from right. (And understand crazy people like me, who just can’t believe that one must  grow up and give up. Peter Pan, where are you?)

“Downpour”

I’m like the rain in a downpour

I wash away what you long for

And I wave goodbye with the sun in my eyes

I wish I could be there tonight

I’m like the wind in the canyon

I’m there when I’m gone in a second

You’re growing older in peace where you’re at

I wish I could be there for that

But I’ve moved on

Like a rolling stone

In a crowded room

I’m alone

I’m like the rain in a downpour

I wash away what you long for

And I wave goodbye with the sun in my eyes

I wish I could be there tonight

Oh, oh, yeah

You’re like the tide in the deep blue

Cause you’re always there when I need you

And when you need someone to carry you through

I’m gonna be there for you

I’m gonna be there for you

- Brandi Carlile

02.13.11

Posted in Politics at 4:07 PM by Ann Hornbeck

I had a great birthday weekend!  The family celebrated at a great restaurant, and on Saturday night, Angie, Robin, Ben and me attended a concert at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville featuring the Vienna Boys Choir.  What a treat!  Boys began singing at the court of the Holy Roman Emperor in the early 15th century and did not quit singing exclusively for the Imperial Court until 1918. Many masters from centuries past were musicians and choristers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, and the brothers Joseph and Michael Haydn to name a few.  The night was a total joy. They even sang Michael Jackson’s “We are the World” and a very cute piece that was done via yodeling.  Today, I did a nice hike/walk/run on the trail at Pena Adobe.  It is a beautiful day, but the rest of the week will be cold and rainy.  I don’t like running in cold rain – warm rain, fine, cold rain not so fine! We shall see. I am really into my exercise again – it feels good to be consistent and devoted, and it is good for the brain! And man, anything to help my brain is a GOOD thing!

Peace out!

02.08.11

Posted in Just Me at 9:04 PM by Ann Hornbeck

Well, I am three runs into my 10k training.  Tonight, even though throughout the previous night and all day I continued coughing and blowing my nose from a cold, I was able to run at a good clip.  It has been really, really windy here all day long, so at times, what seemed like gale force winds added a little excitement to the night. I almost tripped on uneven pavement, but that’s what I get for not carrying a flashlight. I know better!  Big Ben fell off his skateboard onto the hard pavement while playing outside with a friend.  He has two giant scabs on his knees.  He is fine but he sure loves the attention tonight! I remember taking my so-called skateboard down many a hill in my hometown.  The skateboards were so rickety that the slightest turn typically resulted in a spill and an opportunity to pick little cinder rocks out of my kneecaps for the next few days.  I was such a tomboy! Martha Pugh was right there with me.  My life in that little West Virginia town sure was an easy place to grow up, and then it wasn’t for a while, and then everything changed, and then I changed some more, and now, I realize those Appalachian mountains let me go just so I could always find my way back home. And oh, how beautiful those memories of home!

Peace.

02.04.11

Posted in Politics at 7:34 AM by Ann Hornbeck

Oh my, what a beautiful forecast for the Greater Sacramento and Bay Area with 70 degrees on Saturday and Sunday and sun, sun, sun.  ”And we’ll have fun, fun, fun, ’til my daddy takes the T-bird away!” I am thinking of a trip to the coast – probably the same thing 30,000 other people are thinking! It looks like Mubarak is not yet budging, but it is only a matter of time as cabinet members, dignitaries and world leaders continue to add pressure. We shall see. I received a very, very nice email last night from a young woman who I had worked with at a previous job, thanking me from the bottom of her heart for the two years we worked together and how much I supported her.  That is the reason I love managing people – to see them blossom and rise to the top.  She is an amazing young woman and I wish her the best. Unfortunately, even the “best” don’t always weigh in for top male executives.  The glass ceiling is cracking and in need of repair! Today, I will go for a hike and tomorrow I begin my 10k training. My right leg has not been happy in the cold and fog, so perhaps a hike today will help me loosen up a bit, along with a lot of stretching! Thanks to a Facebook friend, I got to watch an Al Stewart video last night, singing “The Year of the Cat.”  Gotta love those blasts from the past!

Peace out!

02.01.11

Posted in Just Me at 8:14 PM by Ann Hornbeck

God Bless you Juliani Cardenas.