The Neighborhood (Chapter 3)

On the day of the Esparanza Fire, streets in our little neighborhood were void of autos, school busses and even children. No one walked their dogs, no skateboarders, joggers or ice-cream vans graced our lanes. We deserted the village and escaped to our homes inside.

Mountain ranges were lost in the smoke that filled the air for three straigth days. Ashes fell without sound and we wondered what it had all been before they reached our back yard. Hard to breathe it was.

I do not know how the children concentrated on schoolwork but they did their best as they hosted the evacuees at Hemet High.

When night came and the air was a little easier to inhale, we saw the walls of fire climbing up our local mountains. A prayer for all the fire fighters were said in the still of the night. How the loss of their colleagues must have weighed so heavy on their hearts as they continued their duties. The media doesn't seem to have any information of the arsonists at this point.

Days have passed now and white puffy clouds have returned to our skies. It is not its usual blue as yet but the smoke has cleared and it seems that children have returned to playing on our front lawns. And on this night, the dreaded Halloween, only candy is sought.

It is not a "holiday" I agree with (there might have been one demonic visitor not of human origin) but it was a chance to keep the lights on to meet and greet more of our neighbors. Truly, we must know them all by now. I did miss a stroll through Hell House constructed in a local church parking lot, though I'm sure I shall hear all about it in the morrow.

It's a strange new day in our neighborhood. Thanksgiving will mean so much more this year thanks to the firefighters who kept the blaze one step away from us.

click for pictures of the Esparanza Fire:
Smoke
Breathing Smoke
Sun Through Smoke

The Lemon Drive

So months after Sarah's prized possession (her convertible Seabring) sprung a gas leak, blew a couple of tires, stressed out the transmission and had a gusher steam out of the radiator that would have made Old Faithful blush, we have finally found a bright spot. Yes, we did
Find local lemon law code and law firms here. Who knew there even was a lemon code law? Now . . . if only they could help us recover the text books stolen from the car, give her a new driver's side mirror, a hood that would actually close, a shiny new rear bumper, and take out the nasty dent that hit and run driver left on the front of the car. Thank God this child is still among the living.

A Prayer For Tiffany

May the Lord heal your broken heart and also your broken body. This evil they have perpetrated upon you will be avenged. None of them will go unpunished. You have only to rest under the shadow of His wings.

I pray for peace to flood your very soul and for tears to fade away. May you find that special friend to teach you how to trust again. Remember that God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.

Soon, dear Tiffany, soon when you are strong in heart, soul and spirit, you will lead others to that place of healing and rest. For now, may God's love and mine pull you through this darkness.

Happy Harvest

Here's something from our family cookbook, Come and Dine, to keep you warm when all those trick or treaters come by. Not so bad for your Thanksgiving table either. Enjoy!

Creamy Pumpkin Soup

2 C. finely chopped onions
1 bay leaf
1/2 C. finely chopped celery
1/2 tsp. curry powder

1/2 C. butter
1/4 tsp. ginger
3 (14oz.) cans of chicken broth
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

2 C. pumpkin puree
1/8 tsp. chili powder
1 can evaporated milk
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 C. grated Parmesan

Preparation:
In a large saucepan or stockpot, very lightly saute onions and celery in 1/4 cup of butter. Cook until onions begin to look translucent. Add broth, pumpkin, evaporated milk, Parmesan, spices, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper if needed. Stir in remaining butter. Pour hot soup into the prepared pumpkin shell. Top with grated Paremesan cheese and chopped fresh chives.

. . .Tommorrow we'll show you how to prepare the pumpkin shell . . .

The Trivial Things

Early this morning I surfed the internet to keep my mind of the smoke-filled skies here in Riverside County. I found some interesting trivia about California. Did you know that the world’s largest living tree stands in California at the Sequoia National Park? I think I actually took pictures of that tree. Let's pray that no fire will ever touch our mighty Sequoias.

It's actually a very clever and well written blog with lots of mind boggling trivia. You should go take a quick gander. By the way, days like this makes me think of other natural disasters like Katrina though I'm not sure an arson fire qualifies. There's some good information on hurricanes on their site too. All in all, it's helped my writing and given me food for thought. I pray that the many lives touched by tragedy will find healing soon. Allthough that might sound trivial in itself, I do think a lot about it all.

The Sky is Burning

My son woke up this morning and noticed the bleeding sky. It was pretty red and smokey. We wondered why the sun wasn't up in its usual spot.

Then, wow! Daylight was pretty much gone. I love snow and all but a layer of white ash just isn't the same. My car is covered with it, inside out. The day got worse when we heard that four firemen had died and that it was arson after all. I couldn't even express how sad and mad that made me.

We are pretty much living in a thick cloud of smoke right now, but no evacuation orders as yet. Our local high school is housing a few hundred evacuees from Gabazon right now. I can't imagine what they're going through.

At around 4:00pm the choppers stopped coming around. We wondered if they were getting water from our lake. They are sooooo welcome to it. But they've stopped coming. Maybe that's a good sign. And still there are over 400 including fire fighters still trapped in a trailer park. We can only pray.

TT Ed #6

Thirteen Things I did with, or for my kids since last Thursday

1. Transferred money to my college girl

2. Drove my son eighty miles to his youth group at church and shared some fries and ice-cream on the way home.

3. Had lengthy conversations with college girl through IMs.

4. Watched the World Series: we still love David Eckstein and Jeff Weaver

5. Went to church with both of my kids. That's always sweet and wonderful.

6. Had lunch and went to HomeBrew to have caramel frap

7. Stayed in a hotel in bad part of town: prayer really does work.

8. Drove over one hundred miles to get to movie location

9. Played and worked on Zuma Beach, Malibu

10. Took my son to the bank to learn how to deposit and withdraw money

11. Chased our run-a-way dogs over the Expressway: they make beautiful puppies but no more!

12. Talked about tithing: tough subject but they'll learn it's all for good

13. Prayed together




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Surfer Girl

There was a lot of clunking in our garage today. Dad was re-arranging the clutter. I forgot we still had Sarah's surf board in there. We decided, of course, to store it for her since we knew she'll wind up living on some beach somewhere after college. If she had her way, and I'm sure she will, she won't settle for nothing less but a Maui Wedding.

We tried to change her into a mountain girl once: snow boarding and all that. Not a chance. She's just a surfer girl. Hawaii is just in her blood. Evidence: I just uploaded over fifty pictures she took on her third trip to the islands.

Okay, Princess, hopefully by the time you have your Maui Wedding I can actually afford it. In the meantime can you get your surf board out of the garage?

Action :Stage Malibu

Sarah, my sweet college girl, gave up her Sunday afternoon to spend some time with her aging momma. We were supposed to see "One Night With the King," but instead she hangs with us boring adults in a local coffee shop and handles the booking of a hotel for Layne and I so that we'll be closer to where they're shooting Ben Stiller's new movie.

Motel 6 is becoming our second home, slightly straining our budget. Layne has offered to pay, but I am trying to keep every cent he makes for college.

Six o'clock in Van Nuys was a peaceful sort of confusion--a rooster woke us. This brought back memories of the home we left in El Monte. By 6:30 we were on the 101 freeway, then PCH heading for Zuma Beach in Malibu. Very little traffic. Stay with me now. A sandy office with white foamy waves, a gentle sun and an ocean breeze. Tough day.

We got to the set a half hour early and acquanted ourselves with the necesary people. Layne was quickly introduced to the teacher and proceeded with schoolwork. They actually provided WIFI for him. Then it was off meeting Ben Stiller's co-star, Michelle Monaghan, with whom Layne would be working that day.

He played the part of a young friend who was teaching her how to skim-board. She actually had a real skim-boarder give her on-the-spot lessons early in the morning. She fell quite a bit and Layne, the gentleman that he is, helped her up many times. Michelle, btw, is a very sweet girl.

So I watched my budding star playing, I mean working on the beach in Malibu being splashed by a Hollywood starlett. Here come the teaching moments, right? Besides Michelle there were so many pretty girls on that set I did found myself praying. For what? Come on, you get the picture.

Michelle was the only star there that covered herself with a robe when director man yelled "Cut." Then, knowing she was working with a young boy she offered to wear a shirt over her bikini. They obliged. What say ye?

I reminded Layne about respecting women. He rolled his eyes but held my hand and said very softly, "I know mom, don't you worry."

All in all it was a great day: for Layne work was play, and I got a chance to take in God's glory and commune with Him before the breaking waves under a perfect baby blue sky. Pretty amazing. Each person including the caterers were prayed for that day. I wonder if any of them knew that, or even felt God's presence?

Single Moms and Money

So I've seen an Instant Payday Loan Company pop up here and there. I've never used one but I sometimes wonder how it works. Feedback anyone? I don't want to sound desperate but wow, sometimes a girl needs a paycheck before pay day actually comes around.

The Neighborhood (Chapter 2)

I stare out my dusty windows and witness the gentle swaying of our baby apple tree. A black trash bag shields the small blossoms of the cherry tree and traps the passing breeze--chimes clang away. Saturday morning in San Jacinto is peaceful, not even the purring of a car's engine is heard. Freakishly peaceful. The house is clean--spotless--nah, there's a few hints here and there that we're actually living. But even the house is still, nothing stirs except my fingers on the keyboards. Oh wait, I hear the ticking of the kitchen clock.

This week's labor was difficult, the beginning especially. Monday I spent alone. Indeed, I looked forward to it. Apparently my spirit was not. We were lonely. And crying, though softly, seemed to be my fate for the day. Ah, but alas, it was healing.

Midweek brought chaos and I seriously debated whether I should sell my son back to his father. I might have used a few cuss words, which of course, are now imprinted on his heart. Woa is me. Thank God for Diane--she prayed, she counseled, she loved. I got on my knees, asked for wisdom and graciously God accepted my plea for forgiveness. Keeping my son is worth the heartache. We talked, I cried, he whispered, we prayed and somehow we got to okay again.

I stood in front of the house on Thursday waiting for Father. My battery is loose and we have a couple of hours to spare before church. Sweet neighbor to the right comes over and keeps me company. She has learned that anxiety takes away hours of your life and makes you physically sick. That was quite a lesson on our way to the clinic the week before. It serves us humans well when we heed to the warnings of God.

"Slow down. Don't work so hard. Rest. Don't make Me come down there!"

What goes on in the pretty row of houses of our desert neighborhood is a story waiting to be told, I'm sure.

We've lost someone. The house with an American flag has faced tragedy. It might well be our first. A young mother of two was violently taken in a car accident. The lights have also died in that house. It's been dim for a while. Neighbor to the right and across the street have talked about sending food. We shall.

A new kind of neighbor has graced our community. Shall we say, party! Either five or so brothers have moved in together, or they are all roomies. Either way, they don't seem to fit. Or do they? They look like gangsters dressed in tattoos, with their hummers and motorcycles, and their hip hop clothing but as I drove by, they waved and smiled. Mmmmm. Let's not judge.

Then under the cover of darkness a young child is taken to the hospital. No word for us, just a rumor--he couldn't breathe. Pray, I say, just pray.

Home Improvement Dreams

What to add to my garden now? The trees are there, flowers are getting their bloom on, and the sprinkler system is in place. Oh, if money was no object I would nestle a small pool in between the cherry and apple tree. Wouldn't that be a sweet home improvement ? And I'm thinking a pool house or maybe a waterfall at the deep end that you could swim under and wind up inside the pool house.

Of course, there has to be a gazebo with a jacuzzi surrounded by lillies and bouganvillea. Can you picture that? I think I would like a stereo system near the jacuzzi and have access to a flat-screen TV. Can't miss out on that Seahawk superbowl win. So close.

Oh wait . . . while we're at it, my last dreamy home improvement project would be to convert our attic into a glorious rec room complete with sky lights and a slide into the pool. I'm sure. And when it's done, you're all invited.

Boo Hoo, Someone's Mad

Nasty, I say, nasty is the comment somebody left me over at Triond. He's pretending to be Jesus. I know he's not. Honestly, if Jesus was mad at me he wouldn't need to use Triond to tell me.

For all those wonderful people who know me, you know I would never start my own cult would I? I've been accused of starting my own religion over at Triond. LOL. I'm not smart enough to do that and definitely don't have the charisma to get people to . . .follow me. YIKES!! That's kind of scary. Who'd want to follow me??

Oh well . . . he commented on Mike's (my X-man) lyrics to "Running From the Night." It's an old song and he gave me permission to post it. Have a look at the comment by "Jesus" and let me know what you think. Yes, I might need some lovin' after this.

I Need Chocolate

I really do need chocolate. Enough said. Yes, I'm moody again. Mellow moody though. Frankly speaking, I deserve chocolate. Christmas 2005, I believe, was the last time I really dug into some good quality mouth watering chocolate. My doctor always says that when I crave something it's because my body needs it. You know, like sleep, or strawberries. Mmmm, chocolate and strawberries. Yes, that's what my body needs. Just following doctor's orders.

So here's the thing. Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolate should be in a taste test against Mrs. See's chocolate. I, of course, would volunteer for this job. Maybe I should make a short chocolate film.
Humor me will you? Picture this: It's early afternoon, the wind is rustling just enough to make my apple tree sway ever so gently. A soft rain begins to fall. remember it's been a long hot summer, this is good for the earth. The mountains are still in view but it's covered with a thin layer of mist. The fireplace is lit and singing that crackly song and I reach for a cup of hot cocoa and a box filled with, hmmm, let me see . . . oh yeah, nuts and chews!

Craving level is on high right now. I better stop. But here's my question for the day. Why do women crave chocolate? Do men crave it? They're not talking, but I have my suspicions. Most of the men I know like dark chocolate. Milk chocolate is what does it for me. And never put chocolate in the fridge. Oh no, chocolate is meant to be smooth, and gooey is fine with me. I have a second question. When was chocolate discovered and who did this to us?

How about we settle for a pound of sugarless Mrs. Cavanaugh's Chocolate? I did some research and the packaged deal is looking pretty good over there. Oh bother, me doing research?
Okay, I know this sounds bad, nonetheless, I might have to try some soon. ASAP soon.

Well, it really is misty outside. My thirty-dollar windchimes are clanging and I'm home alone with a warm cup of french-vanillia-flavored coffee not feeling too bad I might add. Must be the chocolate.

Review: Arms of Deliverance

I'm not quite sure what it is I did to win a copy of this book but it was really sweet when I received this in the mail from Gina (I believe) from WriterInterrupted. Here's my little review (mind you I'm a Sci-Fi/Fantasy fan) on Tricia Goyer's Arms of Deliverance: A Story of Promise which is kind of a WWII/romance/adventure.

It is a totally unedited review (not professional, I know) so don't get all snippity that I'm not following "review" procedure. Here we go. . .

Can a Jewish girl date a German officer in WWII? Death to the officer if he was found out. No worry, even he doesn't know she's Jewish. Will female reporters (one who writes for a fashion magazine, the other to prove something to her father) ever reach the front lines, and live to write about it? Or can a boy from Montana save America's sweetheart in the middle of a fearce battle?

When I first opened the book I quickly learned there were quite a few characters. Something I have a hard time with. Too many POV's. This shouldn't be done I first thought. Tricia quickly proved me wrong. Well, at least, she knows how to do this correctly. I never had to turn back a page to find out who Katrine was, or even Vinny (a minor character). As a matter of fact I looked forward to each break so I could catch up with another character.

The whole story flowed and each person's account was connected to the other even though they didn't know each other. It just all came perfectly together at the end of each chapter, not to mention the end of the book.

Tricia is able to get that "Oh! Aha! Right on!" reaction from her readers. Not to mention, a few tears here and there. That was quite annoying (in a very good way, of course).

As I read each page it is obvious that research was done. Unless she knew all about B17's and its crews, flight crew apparal, flight formations, intricate details of the inside of one, dates of certain battles (and we could go on), Tricia Goyer could probably teach a class on how to do research or why to do it. Lord knows I need to learn and find discipline to do it. Bottom line: it makes the whole story believable, no questions asked.

So in the midst of a world war, Tricia weaves in a beautiful love story and convincingly shows how destiny is God's design on our lives. He truly, truly has worked out each step and has purpose for every human being he has ever created (that would be all of us, people). Mrs. Goyer must have experienced this in her own life or she could not have written it down so well. Of course, the woman might just be gifted.

I would love to write about each character in this review, or how each of them grew into heroes and heroins, but I think you should read the book for yourself. This reader highly recommends it. Arms of Deliverance: A Story of Promise

One Night With The King

Luke Goss

Friday the 13th is opening day for One Night With The King: The Story of Esther.

I love this story but I'm always a little wary of films associated with TBN. This one has Matthew Crouch's little fingerprints all over it. Nonetheless, I've heard nothing but good reviews so far. Friday night, all alone, no date in sight . . . I guess this is a good time as ever to see a movie all by myself (this would be a first).

It does have a very distinguished cast including John Noble (LOTR), James Callis (BattleStar Galactaca), John Rhys-Davies (LOTR), Peter O'Toole and Omar Shariff to name a few.

The following is from their website:
ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING SYNOPSIS: Gener8Xion Entertainment presents the beloved Old Testament story of Esther as never seen before. One Night With the King is an epic motion picture set in an ancient and exotic world of adventure, intrigue and romance, that follows a young Jewish orphan who rises from peasant to Queen of Persia only to face the annihilation of her people.

At the height of ancient Persia, lovely Hadassah grows up in Susa, capitol of the empire, sheltered under the watchful eye of her Uncle Mordecai, a scribe in the royal palace. Orphaned by the murder of her parents at a young age, she spends her days reading to the local children and dreaming of returning to Israel, the homeland of her people.

Unbeknownst to Hadassah and Mordecai, Haman the Agagite, descendant of the Jews mortal enemy and the man responsible for the slaughter of her parents, capitalizes on a palace culture beset by treachery and intrigue, setting in motion a series of events that will bring about a centuries old blood quest to destroy the Jews. Using the ruthless plotting of the princes to his advantage, Haman baits them into trapping King Xerxes into banishing the Queen for her stance against a looming war with Greece.
Read the rest here.

Thursday Thirteen Ed # 5

Thirteen Pretties & Yummies We Planted in the Garden This Week
1. Passion Fruit (you know that purple pruny-looking fruit that looks like snot inside). Deelish!

2. Pomegranite Apple. A little annoying to eat but good nonetheless.

3. Papaya. I think the roots can break through cement. We shall see.

4. Lemon tree--can't do without it.

5. Cherry Tree. Till now I never knew that cherries grew on a tree. Hummm.

6. Apple Tree. Should do well through a cold winter.

7. Persimmons--the Japanese one.

8. Jasmine. The scent brings back memories of a happy something . . . I can't remember what exactly. It just makes me smile and get warm fuzzies in tummy. Oh Sap!

9. Naval Orange. Makes really good orange juice, although I might have liked the blood red oranges better.

10. Bougainvillea. Oooh, the pretty mess. I heard that this tree must suffer for it's beauty. Too much water and it won't bloom.

11. Coffee Beans. We have big plans for Starbucks.

12. Blood Red Roses. I'd love to grow black ones. Is there such a thing as a black rose.

13. And to top of our garden is everyone's favorite . . . the Grape Vine--seedless green grapes. Lovin' it!


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Mugs and Poetry

1. Our California Sunset Mug is available at CafePress. Photograph taken by Sarah A. Isn't it time for some Christmas shopping?


2. My Poetry, Inner Self, published on Triond. Good reading, no?

The Monthly Family Update

Hear ye, hear ye!! Cousin Cindi in Washington cannot get her toes warm. We shall send socks, donations are welcome. She will take new or used ones, it makes no difference to her at this point. She also has great need of helpers to scatter the bark (wood chips?) over her back yard which, mind you, is dangerously hilly and one might get pommeled by a very unsappy, floury, sour apple.

Cousin Cindy up North (boo those darn A's) is apparently seeking a new place of employment. Good luck with that one. Yes, it appears she has taken a step into the unknown and is quite happy about it.

Cousin Debby (that's me) is currently back in school to become the amazing writer she was meant to be, ahum. And is enjoying the company of her mother's childhood friends from New Guinea. Yes, we have visitors. They are delightful. Cousin Debby is also in dire need of people leaving a comment and say "Hi" so that she knows there really are people out there in blog high society.

That's the update, now back to our regular blog. Part two of the Neighborhood Chronicles will come when I can actually keep my eyes open. Albeit we don't come close to the secret lifes of Desperate Housewives, we are quite as intriguing. Don't forget to say, Hi.

Vintage Photographs: The New Guinea Collection

I found these old photographs in photo albums that were falling apart. It tells our family story post WWII and Indonesian Civil War. New Guinea must have been paradise after they spent their childhood in a POW camp. Thanks for letting me share.

A Princess Wedding

Motoring Through Jungle Paths

WWII: A Moment In Time--The New Guinea Shoreline

" For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land--a land with streams and pools of water, with springs flowing in the valleys and hills; a land with wheat and barley, vines and fig trees . . . and you will lack nothing . . . (Deuteronomy 7-9 NIV)."

Thursday Thirteen Ed # 4, I think.

Thirteen XMen in the Bible

So bear with me, I'm going on memory here.

1. Lot's wife. She only did it once but she can turn into a pillar of salt.

2. Moses. Let's see; he can part an ocean/sea, squeeze water from a rock, make the heavens rain food and so on. Yes, I know God had something to do with it but nobody else was doing it.

3. Joshua. Stopped the sun in its tracks for about 24 hours I believe.

4. Samson. Well, you know! Strongest man ever.

5. Joseph. He could read your mind. Well, at least, he could interpret dreams and was right every time.

6. David. Teenager who killed a giant and I think he killed a lion with his bare hands too.

7. Jonathan. David's best friend. Killed 20 men by himself. Okay, he had a little help from his arm bearer.

8. Peter. He walked on water.

9. Philip. Traveled through time.

10. Daniel. Can walk through fire, and actually sit in it for a while.

11. Enoch was immortal.

12. John travelled through time and foretold the future.

13. Jesus. O, where to start. Could read your mind, walk on water, put your cut-off ear back on, control the weather, calm the seas, etc. etc. and . . . conquer death!

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Is It Fall Yet?

Being a Christian is like being a pumpkin. God lifts you up, takes you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. He opens you up, touches you deep inside and scoops out all the yucky stuff -- including the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside you to shine for all the world to see.

This was one of those emails sent by cute friends (Jeannie). I liked this one. Author unknown, I think.