WHY POWER WAS OUT LAST SUN/MON

Got a few inquiries on the power outage, so I did some snooping. Here is what Kent Rees tells me (he lives across the street from me, also on the "flight line.")
Sunday at about 1pm, a Suburu Forrester with 2 adult males came over the hill (which was not indicated as "closed") and soon lost control, careening down the hill and hit the power pole at Joel Meghills house (the last house on right as you go up hill). They hit so hard that though they severed the pole, their car continued to hold it in place. Could have been worse, as they may have been crushed or electrocuted if the pole had fallen. PGE came out and determined that the car was supporting the pole, so brought a truck with boom in to further stabilize the pole until a new one could be installed on Monday. The power was out for about 4 hrs while they did that work. On Monday, about 4pm, they came out with a new pole, and transferred the lines. This took power down for another 4-5 hours. Kent said though the men were a bit sore and rattled by the accident, they stayed and TRIED to control traffic while emergency crews tried to do repairs. The hill was closed completely on both ends Monday while the new pole was installed. The personal toll is really unfortunate, as Kent said that the two were coming down to CS for one more load of house items, as their house was in foreclosure, and they were moving. Also, the Suburu was their only vehicle at this time. So, if you had a better week than these guys, count your blessing. Again, the hill was technically "Open" when they arrived at the top. The county cannot always get out here right away to turn the sign to closed, especially when conditions can worsen by the minute. Don't be one of the big hill statistics.
This report dedicated to Roy.

IT IS BOO-TEA-FULL!

I was in the Bay Area Sun - Wed, doing the San Fran thing. Tuesday was one of those classic Bay Area Days, 30 degrees in the am, 50 at noon, back to 40 in the evening. Phil and I barted over to Embarcadero station and walked the length of Market St. to Union Square, popping into hotel and office lobbies checking out the Christmas displays. The Poinsettia Tree at the foot of Sutter and Market, amazing, the Polar Bear pond across the street on Market was enchanting. They ice rink was set up at Union Square, and Cirque de Solei had MANY costumed performers dancing about promoting their show playing at ATT park. So San Fran. We went to the Cheesecake Factory on the 7th floor of the Macy's building and shared a Tiramisu Cheesecake (yes, a moment on the lips, forever on the hips) while standing on the balcony taking in the whole Union Square scene. After and great deal of window shopping and no buying (I'm the worst shopper ever) and made our way back to Embarcadero and shared the train with all the commuters. I worked in that neighborhood for 9 years, and it still feels like and 2nd home to me . . .
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Arrived home Wed at 4PM to about 8" of the most beautifully FLUFFY white stuff. The hill was closed, so we cruised out Pasquale, which was icy but safe. Folks seemed to be in no rush. The widened turns from last summers road work greatly improved visibility and travel. It is warm today (40ish) much better than the 15degrees Bill Carter reported to me on Monday. So, now the tree is up, pine cones painted gold, ribbons and branches EVERYWHERE, and looking forward to decorating the firehouse tomorrow for the kids and SANTA on Saturday. Be sure to come on down for punch and snacks, and watch the kids have fun, and tell a friend or neighbor.
Happy Holidays!
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The hill is being used today, but only by the very brave. It's still a bit slick, though blushing up a bit.

Have you found Jesus?

No kidding, in the Union Prospector Thu. the Abundant Life Community Church reports that someone has taken the hand carved baby Jesus from their manger. They are hoping he will be returned by their Dec 2nd program. So, if anyone from ALCC asks if you've found Jesus . . . . .
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Not that I want to help "cheaters" but really folks, in light of all the busted husbands lately, can someone come up with a "CHEATERS SURVIVAL GUIDE." Chapter 1 NO leaving messages on your girlfriends cell phone (that she can play over and over and over, to anyone!). Chapter 2: ONCE ON THE WEB, FOREVER OVER YOUR HEAD, The internet is NOT your friend. There is no "valtrex" for emails. Chapter 3: The obvious dangers of cheating on your Mistress, aka Hell has no wrath . . . . .Chapter 4: Cocktail waitresses, can they REALLY be trusted????? Chapter 5: Texting, aka Sexting, just DON"T go there (PS: see chapter 1). Chapter 7: NO, there is no "attorney/doctor/client type privilege between you and your HOOKER. I tell ya, it's a sad day when a Stanford Grad, a Governor and a former DA doesn't know any of this . . . . .
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Brace yourself. Some weather predictors say we'll be getting snow Mon-Friday. Oh boy, White Christmas. Enjoy this weekend, dry but COLD. I love Victorian Christmas in the snow. Hope to see you there Wednesday. There also will be Victorian Christmas 2 Sundays this year, the 13th and 20th.

Tiger, what up?

If you haven't turned on the news or read a paper in the past few days, you probably don't know that the usually "untouchable" Tiger Woods had a predicament at home last weekend. For unknown reasons, he left his estate at 2:30am in the Caddy SUV, and immediately hit a fire plug and a tree. His wife used a golf club to break the rear window and get the semi-conscious golfer out of the car. He's not talking. Which begs the questions, Tig, where ya going at 2:30, and why did wifie have a golf club in hand? On Rachel Maddow last night, a reporter put this out there: "Well, apparently the wife was mad about something, and went after him with a 4 iron. Tiger tried to flee. The cops asked him how many times the wife clobbered him. His reply, "I think 6 times, but put her down for 4." Best line I've heard yet. Golfers will get it . . . .

NATURES PRUNING AGAIN!

WOW, were you here for the wind storm Saturday morn? It was blowin' as good as I've ever seen it. Power was out from about 8am till 2pm (thanks PG&E, you got things going quick considering). I haven't seen any big trees down in CS, but heard a few fell in town. There is however about 2" of evergreen branches all over the yard. I figure it's just God's way of telling me it's time to make wreaths! It was plenty freaky sitting in the house hearing the snapping of LARGE branches all morning. In contrast, today was calm with a beautiful gentle warm breeze stirring about. I was trying to do cleanup today, and came face to face with a beautiful doe, just 2 or 3 feet from me before we realized each other was there! There was a fence between us, but still, it was wonderful to be so close to such a beautiful girl. I have seen more wildlife in the past few weeks than I did all summer. Deer, bear, fox and wild turkeys. Be careful out there. Share the road (also with those kamikaze bike riders). The union reported 3 bears have been hit by cars in the Brunswinck/Idaho Maryland area recently. Sad for the bear, sad for the driver. Those bears can jump in front of your car faster than you think. Wouldn't hurt for us all to slow down . . .
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It was a perfect day to put up Christmas lights, etc. and I stopped to watch Bill Carter putting his up (masterfully, of course). Walked by the store to see if I could catch the new owners . . . no one there yet. Talked to Carol Carter on the way back. Discussed the Christmas Party at the Firehouse on Dec. 12th. Santa will be there again. Be sure to bring the little ones. It's a great time for all, and good photo op. Always free, as sponsored by Cascade Shores Women's Club.

Thrift tip of the week

Went to the Zion Cancer Thrift to pick up a few decorations. In the parking lot, I noticed 6 artificial Christmas Trees, still in their original boxes. All were 6 ft. or better, in the $20 - $25 range, and looked to be in perfect condition. Then went to B & C, and observed a woman purchasing a same tree new for $199! Just in case you're in the market . . . . . there were many, many lovely decorations and ornaments to choose from . . . . all the thrifts have their years collections of Christmas stuff out. Isn't it nicer to help a local charitably organization out with a purchase than a corp? (though I consider B&C a local business, and yes, I do try to shop local).
FYI, anything you see in the parking lot of the Zion Thrift is 1/2 price.
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Next Wed is the first Victorian Christmas Fair in Nevada City. I think that this Friday night is the first Cornish Christmas in Grass Valley. This Friday night also is the Miners (NU High School Football) home game playing a championship playoff game. Lots o f fun, and good burgers! Go Miners. NU girls volleyball is kickin' butt too. Go Lady Miners! We went to game's last year to watch Henry Harrison play (his senior year). The Harrisons (Brian and Lisa and kids) live down in Gas Canyon around the corner from Lost Mine Lake. Henry is now at University of So. Oregon and getting some playtime I hear. Brian Harrison did a 500 sq. ft. addition on our house last year. We added a beautiful cathedral ceiling living room, front porch and extended the back deck. Brian was an amazing contractor. He gave us the exact room we wanted, on time, on budget and was a complete professional, and totally nice guy. If you ever need work done, he's the man (you can find his info on our service provider list cascadeshore.org). Thanks Brian. We're decorating for our 2nd Christmas in the "new room" and it looks mah-va-lous. There is not one thing I would change.
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Friar Tucks has a Monday Night football menu that's good, and inexpensive. Fun place to watch the game! I'm still a sucker for their fondue's.

my cousin Sally

just called to ask why I'm not blogging anymore. Well, my desktop computer was acting up (despite the many talks we had about that) and my new laptop wasn't connected yet. But now I'm connected and WIRELESS for the first time in my life . . . so, back in business. Sally, who lives in Atlanta, Ga. says she likes to read about our "small town living." So this is for you Sal.
Today is Keith and Patricia's last day owning Cascade Shores General Store. The new owners will be giving it a go in the very new future. I plan to go get the "skinny" from them as soon as I see life there . . . curious what their business plan will be.
My friends Shera and Terry took me to town for birthday lunch today. We walked Mill St. in GV to get into the Christmas mood. Man, those stores change hands often, as we visited a half dozen shops I didn't know were there. Anyway, went into the Bamboo store. Have you had a chance to feel the fabric they make from bamboo? Heavenly!!! There is a specialty store on Mill by Main "Florio's" owned by a young local guy, Neil Sarchett. He has a wonderful selection of olive oil and flavored balsamic vinegar that you can taste test. The pear, fig, and strawberry balsamic's were good enough to drink! We bought some and even dip bread into in instead of butter or oil, or dress a salad with no need for oil. He bottles it for you right out of the jugs. It makes a great gift. Yuba Blue if just full of wonderful new gift items. Their buyer sure has a good eye.
If you weren't here, we got our first snow last Friday. Funny, it snowed on the lake side of store, but not over here on our side. Mike Inglis told me he was moving his boat to town when it came down, and almost didn't make it out Pasquale for the slipping and sliding.
Phil and I were just coming down the steep part of the big hill the other day when a medium sized bear jumped in front of us crossing the road. That part of the hill is a regular bear crossing, so be careful out there. He was sure fat and jiggly, and quite beautiful. I don't think our bears hibernate, they seem to be active all winter.
Propane season is here. Remember, if you want to save 20-30% on your Suburban bill, join the CSHA and you'll get the member discount.
Thaaaaat's all folks. Happy Thanksgiving to all.