FIRE!

The last time we had a fire anywhere near our house... it was in our kitchen. Probably 15 years ago something caught fire on the stove and did some very minor damage to cabinets and things. It was actually a good thing, because the insurance money covered some needed improvements.

But this afternoon it got a little exciting outside the house. We smelled smoke about 2 o'clock, but figured it was just burning leaves or something. A couple of hours later Mom came in from the backyard and said: I think there's really a fire close by.

There was a lot of smoke and ash dropping from the sky. I looked over the back fence and sure enough, the dry field of weeds in back of our place that belongs to Siller Brothers Trucking was ablaze - and headed our way.

We got a couple of hoses out and I was getting ready to wet everything down behind the fence, when I heard sirens. Two firetrucks drove into the field and started putting the fire out. There wasn't much to see (as you can tell from the photos below). 

 And in other news. . . everyone was so good to me for Fathers Day, and even Rich brought me some special soda.

It wasn't as good as you might think. And it you think it wouldn't be very good at all, well you're right.

Fathers Day 2013

This has been a great day so far (and we haven't even gone to Church yet), though we did have a visit from the missionaries - from another church.

As they always do, our kids have sent  funny, thoughtful Fathers day cards and gifts. Below is a sampling of what has come so far. No particular order, I just think they're all fun:

From Kim & Nate

(and Nate added: You are, my biggest fan. from "That Thing You Do." Good knowledge.)

From Michelle & Trevor

From Grant                                                                and Lucy

 I love the "I wood eat you" line. Perfect!

From Molly                                                                and HG

  

Molly always has the over-sized bow in her hair, and I'm surprised Henry held still long enough to trace his hand.

and from my Sweetheart

  

Pam sent chocolate dipped  (by hand) cinnamon bears, Michelle sent a shirt I saw a long time ago and

was impressed by, and Mom bought me special food treats like cheese and bread and stuff. Very nice.

School's Out for the Summer

Mom & I took off after work Friday (the last day of school for us) and headed down to Sacramento. I know, not a huge trip, but anywhere away was good enough. We ate an English style restaurant downtown that we had never been to before. Mom had a three-salad combination plate (why don't more places do that?) and I had the English Ploughman's Repast (two wedges of cheese, fruit, pickled baby onions, and a loaf of fresh bread (yumm!). Then we strolled around Old Sac for a while, and shared a huge ice cream cone (in 100 deg heat, with hot fudge topping).

Some of the things we saw:

Looking through the window of the reconstructed one-room school house, and the Tower Draw bridge.

The Delta King stern-wheel paddle boat, and some of the shops.

After some swimming in the hotel pool (well, Mom just hit the hot tub), we relaxed with a movie in the room.

The next morning I brought Melody breakfast in bed - which just means that I went down to the free continental breakfast room and brought up some things that she'd like so she wouldn't have to leave the room. Then we drove to Bodega Bay (by a new route) to escape the 110 deg heat. Apparently everyone else did too. I've never, ever seen it son crowded over there. Some scenes from the coast:

The sea as viewed from Bodega Head

 The prettiest girl on the beach!

The rather interesting memorial, and the plaque describing it's intent.

(actually, I like it)

Mom thought this was a nice shot of just how steep and deep the cliffs were.

 Yep. That's me about to go over the edge. (you always knew it would come to this one day...)

The incredibly crowded beach at Salmon creek, and the great looking waves. I should have taken my board.

Mom takes a picture of me while I take a picture of her.

David and Kimberly will remember this place the best perhaps, but I think Chris and Lorna are familiar with it too. This is the home of the world's best clam chowder - hands down! They also have great shrimp sandwiches, and excruciatingly good grab cakes. The only problem is that the crab cakes are only available on Sat & Sun (we're usually there mid-week to escape the crowds) and they aren't ready till 1pm (rats!). Any other time of the week you'll see maybe 6 people there. This photo was taken at 1pm on Sat. And I couldn't get the dozens of people who were waiting in line in the shot 

The funny story about this place is that a couple of years ago David, Kim, and Mom & I were eating here when a free-lance photographer asked to take our pictures for a magazine. After a couple of shots she wanted a few close ups of just Kim eating. (Kim being the most "model-like" member of our group). And for those who know Kim, she hates sea food. But she was a trooper, ate a few bites of clam chowder, and had he picture taken. (None of us made it into the magazine. They decided a picture of the owner was more important for some reason).

We had loads of fun, relaxation, and cool weather.