In preparation for our trip to Mule Days in Bishop, I went to the Clovis Rodeo for the first time in ages. It was 98 degrees Friday but the sun soon went down. I've been working on my photography with the help of my friend, Duane, in Bakersfield. Here's my best shot of the action. I'm trying to learn Photoshop but there's so many things it can do; I'm a bit overwhelmed.

These little cowboys were so cute I couldn't resist taking their picture. They all rode later in the Mutton Busting contest and were in the best dressed cowboy & cowgirl competition. The one in the white hat won the mutton busting run.

Since it was so hot MaryLou opted to stay home in the shade. This is a friend of mine, Dori, who wasn't prepared to have her picture taken. We used to work together at county mental health; she's still there struggling with all the changes. She's never been to a rodeo before and said she enjoyed it.

Mule Days will be like a rodeo but more toward an auction and chuck wagon races. There will be a western art show, crafts and of course, lots of food vendors.

Spring events

Our most recent trip took us to San Luis Creek campground behind the San Luis fore bay. Is was where our dogs discovered cottontail rabbits & enjoyed chasing them. I rode my bike over to the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery & was shocked to discover over 30,000 people were buried there. It was a very dramatic place with the Korean War memorial there, too. We went to one of our favorite beached at Moss Landing where the dogs ran on the beach & we had a great fish dinner.

Closer to home, Mom celebrated her 91st birthday by coming over to my house & having strawberries & ice cream with Larry, Donna & Carolyn joining us. We sat outside enjoying a soft breeze. Our flowers are beginning to bloom and our peach tree has tiny peaches already.

Last week our black standard poodle was bitten at the dog park and had to have 6 staples to close the wound...traumatic. He has to wear a tee shirt to keep him from licking it.

Happy Easter with all my love to you all!

February events

Our trip to San Simeon state park was great except for the hard rain one night. We saw a great blue heron, quail, hawks, rabbits, elephant seals and unfortunately for the dogs lots of ticks.

We went to see the second Tour of California bike race. Last year they zoomed by in 8 seconds; this year was no different. I could only get 2 pictures of the riders. We visited the official finish line but didn't stay for the finish due to the huge crowd & impeding rain.

The other big event around here this month was that Mom got her new leg. She's already walked forward & backward with it and is gaining strength. Here's two pictures.

She'll be 91 March 26 & we're hoping she'll be strong enough to be able to get into one of our cars & go out for a party.

RV trip

My first trip this year was to Bullhead City, Az to check out the Colorado river area. We used BHC as a base and explored the area as far south as Lake Havasu City with London Bridge; east to Oatman for an old west shoot out; north to Lake Mojave and west to Laughlin with it's classic car collection. We were looking for sun but found cold and wind; it even snowed in Needles the day we left.

Christmas

Well, Christmas was a blooming success; just look at our Christmas cactus. Here's our tree in our newly painted and rearranged living room. Our outdoor decorations light up the foggy morning we had. We went out to Larry's for dinner; the whole gang was there plus Donna's sister's family. Hope you had a great day, too.

New Start

Here's my first effort at blogging. I hope it keeps the family up on what's up with me and helps you follow my travels. I'm trying to add pictures for Christmas. Our last trip was to Bass Lake to see the snow before getting our tree. Here's some pictures. That's Sherman, my standard poodle, sitting on the dock. Marylou's prepared for the cold.