Round about the cauldron go; 
ll pieces...
be well ev
eryone! Tj.
A new lady and her teenage children started coming to my water aerobics classes about 3 weeks ago. She looked a little familiar to me, but a lot of people do in my class. We introduced ourselves, her name is Mary. Mary, I thought to myself, looks like someone who worked for the same agency I do some time ago. Years really. But I didn't say anything, she didn't seem to know me. So, we see each other in class a few times a week. Last night she said to me, you look so much like someone from my work. Hum… where do you work I asked? HA! Yep, we both still work for CalPERS! Different divisions, and she doesn't do the delivery run that she did all those years ago. We have not seen each other in years, and NEVER wet in our swim suits! We had a good laugh that neither of us figured it out sooner!! Funny stuff happens as you get old(er)! :)
The next I zoomed out. You can see the top of the dead tree, he is now closer to the bottom of the photo. He cut that tree right there, and it fell down right on top of the roof of the front apartment! Ouch!! The guy on the ground with the rope didn't seem to pull at all. Did they mean to do that?? I have no idea. Tj.
True life story # 197
Our home sits half a block from the Southside park where concerts and all kinds of events take place, I zoomed out as if you are sitting on my front steps looking toward the park. I am 5 blocks from my office. We are about a mile from Old Sacramento, the Capitol, the K street mall, the Sacramento Convention Center and much more. It's a great place to be! Tj.
No YMCA last night. There are no water classes on Wednesdays. Joe wasn't home, Wednesdays he teaches then straight to a gig. Lindsey is in rehearsal for Bat Boy the Musical, so she wasn't home. I took a 2 hour nap with my GrandDogger! I went to bed too late on Monday and Tuesday, so I was tired last night. I fell asleep watching TV with Pixi sleeping on my lap. We both woke up around 9 and I decided to paint. I am almost done with the 2nd laundry painting so I'll have something to share soon! Ah, lazy night. 
Driving home from the YMCA last night, Eric Clapton's song "Let it Rain" was playing on my radio. 
running out of hot water during her showers. Bla… ok the hot water heater downstairs is about 10 years old. Expect the worse. It probably needs replacing. So start with the basics, drain some water from it and see what it looks like. So, my hubby and I go downstairs yesterday, hook up the hose and get out the bucket. We thought ok, lets drain just a bucket full before we decide to turn off the gas and drain the whole tank. Much to our surprise the water was clear! No sediment came through at all, thank you Sac water! So, hum… what then? Ok, Joe notices the temp was turned way down almost to just the low warm setting. So we crank it up and voila!!! Hot water again. Whew… that was easy! Just love it when that happens!!!! 
My altar is complete! I am very please with how it all came together. It is believed that during the Day of the Dead, it is easier for the souls of the departed to visit the living. The altar containing photos, memorabilia, favorite food is intended to encourage visits by the souls so they will hear the prayers and comments of the living directed to them. It is meant to be a celebration of the departed, a day of joyous remembrance, not of sadness. I sure did feel like I was celebrating them as I was putting it all together. I am glad to be able to honor, my mom and dad Rita and Bill Kemp, pictured in their wedding photo. My sons father and my first husband, Clark Adams pictured by himself on the right of the altar. And my birth parents Joan and James Bjorklund, pictured in the little double frame. I added many of my parents favorite things. One of my dads golf clubs, a golf ball and tee. His old eye glasses. And a glass that he used to drink from full of water, part of the altar tradition. My mom's old ashtray, much of her jewelry, a spool of thread from her sewing and some of her ceramics. She was an amazing ceramic artist. The little pig pitcher she made when I was very small, I drank from it, kind of like one of the first sippy cups. Also I added my little baby bracelet that the hospital put on me when I was born, it is on top of the photo of Joan and James. Traditionally you offer favorite foods or candy, I have hard candies because my dad loved to have hard candy around. Items like the paper flags, the paper marigolds I made, marigolds known as flor de muerto (flower of the dead) and are used to adorn the altar, and bread, fruit, scented candles are all traditional items. The smell of the candle is supposed to guide the spirits home to their loved ones. I also added a bride and groom catrina (skeletons), a sacred flaming heart and a skull plus some other things. Oh and of course my art! It was an interesting experience, brought back many happy memories. I am happy to be able to participate in it! Be well. Tj..jpg)
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