Bob's Corner
From our weekly issue dated May 06, 2009
Having recently returned (again) from Carlsbad in San Diego County, we have recovered from driving two days in each direction. Our car is quite comfortable, but as we get older, sometimes it hurts to sit in the same position for hours on end (no pun intended.) Upon alighting from said vehicle, our muscles and joints let us know they’re not happy.
And because we are “at that age,” we stop for the night about half-way down. Interstate 5 offers a good range of towns in which to spend the evening. Actually, I can’t recall where we stayed southbound, possibly Buttonwillow. And I think we stopped in Patterson on the way home.
The occasion for the trip was twofold. First, granddaughter Natalie, 6, was going to be in a horse show (as a rider). She’s been taking lessons, and her equine outfit was part of an equestrian event way up in North San Diego County. It was out Gopher Canyon Road, sort of on the way to Fallbrook. The temperature was 98 that day; reminded me of other hot, dry days in our native land.
Anyway, Natalie donned her riding helmet, boots, jodhpurs, special shirt and collar; and she rode. Took third place. Would have taken a higher rating, we’re sure, but her normally docile horse decided to kick up his heels, so to speak. Fortunately, the wrangler who was walking with her is excellent at his job working with youngsters, so he was a big help. And Natalie handled herself well, despite the horsey antics.
While in Carlsbad, we went to Kelly Elementary School, where Natalie’s class presented a dancing/singing program. They were great. And, of course, Natalie stood out (spoken like a true grandparent).
We also took “Nat” and her sister, Ella, who just turned 4, with their mom, Vicki, to see the movie, Monsters vs. Aliens. Actually, it’s a good film; we enjoyed it. For Ella, it was the first time she was able to sit through an entire flick. Well, she did get up near the end and walk around, but basically she was able to handle the entire presentation.
As for the second reason for our outing, some might recall that Scrappy the cat went south some months back as a companion for Charlie. Unfortunately, after a while they didn’t get along because Scrappy would not leave Charlie alone. He always wanted to play or pretend-fight. So Charlie began staying out late, and being extremely grumpy. Thus we, as Scrappy’s “parents,” went to bring him back to Cave Junction. He’s adapted pretty well so far.
We might be the only people around who will travel some 2,000 miles to get a cat.
Advertisement:
