The heat, the heat, and the HEAT!

Today I can't stop thinking about heat!  I just booked a flight to Puerto Vallarta for next February. While it may not be hot in San Jose at that time, it's going to be wonderful in Mexico. The highs should be around 82 with a low of 63.  I'd call that almost perfect.

Then my mind races to what is in store for this week in San Jose. The ugly nineties!  UGH!  I can't stand the heat, and I'm not in my kitchen!  I love 75 to 82 degrees.  I hate, (I know, that's a strong word) anything over 82 degrees!  Luckily, I don't have too many really hot days in San Jose.

My nights are a different matter!  I'm now starting to have the dreaded NIGHT SWEATS!  No fun, no fun indeed!  I can't understand why I have them regardless of what I'm wearing. I can be wearing next to nothing, and yet they arrive!  I can't remember the last time I actually slept through the entire night!  This is my "new normal" and I don't want to be "Normal!"

I haven't even started having the official "hot flash" and God help me and those around me. It's not going to be a smooth ride. I'm telling you now that the "BITCH" will come out!  I may have a big smile on my face, but don't let that fool you!  I can be horrid!

I guess I'm just going to have to be on board with it. I'm aging, and I can't do much about it.  But, if anyone knows the magic cure, please don't be shy.  Tell me!  I said, TELL ME!" Don't keep me in the dark.

I hate the heat. I'm getting ready to remodel my kitchen.  Perhaps, I need to give a real thought to the idea of having a meat locker!  Now that's something I would use all the time to cool off.  I'd probably use it more often than I use my actual oven. Of course, I'm not going to actually design this.  For now my salvation will be relegated to sticking my head in the freezer.  A mad woman must do what she must do!

Well, enough said and written. I need to go cool off! I'm sticking my head in the freezer. Oh and I'm having a margarita on ice!

It's Freezer Time!

It's Margarita Time!

Cheers!

Sylvia

Oh the sweet smell of roses!

View of Jackie's Condo from the Rose Garden

Today I took a walk with my daughter through a little treasure land: The Heritage Rose Garden right off of Taylor Street in downtown San Jose.  I've lived so close my entire life, but never been before.  It's a very easy stroll through the garden and the smells were potent, but in a wonderful way. 

I think I took even more enjoyment in the names of some of the roses, than the actual roses themselves.  Armed with my iPhone I took photos and then captured the names in my notes app.

Imagine my surprise when I even found my namesake: Lady Sylvia.  She was a beauty! I'd expect nothing less! (Just kidding.)

Sylvia meet "Lady Sylvia"

Other treasures included "Carefree Wonder," "Perfect Moment," "Thanksgiving," "Betty Boop," "First Kiss," "Golden Glow," and "Picasso." 

"Carefree Wonder"

"Tina Turner" and "Reba McEntire"

"Perfect Moment"

"Thanksgiving"

"Betty Boop"

"First Kiss"

Don't know the name, but it was beautiful!

"Golden Glow"

"Picasso"

All this beauty got me to thinking about famous quotes about roses. With the help of the Internet I found these treasures:

Gertrude Stein's poem Sacred Emily written in 1913 and published in 1922 had this line:

 "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose."

William Shakespeare had Juliet say this:

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose

By any other name would smell as sweet."

"I ONCE HAD A ROSE NAMED AFTER ME AND I WAS VERY FLATTERED. BUT I WAS NOT PLEASED TO READ THE DESCRIPTION IN THE CATALOGUE: NO GOOD IN A BED, BUT FINE UP AGAINST A WALL." - ELEANOR ROOSEVELT

And here is my new quote, " Some may be simple, some more complex, but all so sweet to my senses." My sight and my smell were tickled today!

And might I not forget to add, that afterward my taste buds were delighted.  I went to Chili's with Jackie and enjoyed a Skinny Margarita!  

Cheers to a wonderful day in nature!

Lady Sylvia

Five dollars and some walking power took me right back into San Jose history!

Today was too nice of a day to stay indoors so I decided to take a walk.  I wanted to go somewhere I hadn't been before, so I got in the car and drove to the Discovery Museum in downtown San Jose.  That wasn't my destination, it just had a cheap parking lot that cost only $5.00 for a day pass.

I purchased a day pass at a little after 1p.m. and then took off by foot on a journey around the Guadalupe River Park and Gardens. I had a map that listed several points of interest and I made it my mission to see 1-14.

I completed my task in about 1 hour 38 minutes.

It was fun and educational at the same time.  I saw a few items not on the detailed map (like homeless people) but I'm sure they had some history to tell as well.

I would recommend this trail for anyone who wants a fairly easy walk (from Discovery Museum to HP Pavilion and back) and likes public art.  I had no idea we had so much art to see in downtown San Jose.  Surprises at almost every corner!

Big shoes to fill!

Monopoly in the Park

Parade of Animals

Veterans Memorial 

Okayama, Japan Sister City Plaza

One of the most interesting facts I learned today was about the Muwekma Ohlone Tribute. The Native Americans, who once lived along the Guadalupe River,  are honored with animal sculptures important to their tradition on the Park Avenue Bridge. These include the Coyote, the Hummingbird, and the Eagle. The four flags that fly from atop the bridge represent the past and present governments of the area: Spain, Mexico, California and the United States.  According to the Muwekma Ohlone creation story, the Coyote was the father of the human race who was responsible for creating people and teaching them how to live properly. Hummingbird was wise and clever. The Eagle was a leader.

I don't usually like insects, but I had to admit these sculptures were pretty cool.

Wildlife of the Guadalupe River

View of Jackie's Condo while on the trail

Vietnam War Memorial

Another Art piece celebrates the Costanoan-Ohlone Peoples, especially the Tamien Ohlone Indians who inhabited the land along the Guadalupe River where the sculpture is located. The Weavers' Gifts is a site-specific artwork composed of four elements: the names of the 54 Ohlone tribal groups who inhabited California in the late eighteenth century, inscribed on pre-existing grant seat walls; a four-foot high carved-granite basket representing a functional and creative part of the Ohlone culture; a five-foot high carved granite mortor, broken to represent broken tradition; and a stone representation of an unfinished coiled basket inlaid into the paving with inscribed text that speaks to the history of the Ohlone people.

The Weavers' Gifts

Near the HP Pavillion is the Five Skater's Art Piece depicting Peggy Fleming, Debi Thomas, Brian Boitano, Kristi Yamaguchi and Rudy Galindo.

A trip through history wouldn't be complete without paying homage to the rich soil in this valley. I found the Remembering Agriculture art piece that recreates the distinctive shapes of farm buildings. These structures include a water tank tower, a windmill, a barn and small shed.

One last piece of art worth mentioning was at the Center for Performing Arts. I'm not sure what it is named.  

As I was heading back to the parking lot, I looked back in time to see a plane fly overhead. I'm not quite sure what creature was adorning the Discovery Museum. I'm kind of partial to the yellow rubber ducky!

 Now that I've mastered this part of the Guadalupe trail, I think next time I will go check out items 15 and 16, and then the Guadalupe Gardens and Heritage Rose Garden.

With tired feet but a new sense of the importance of San Jose I say Adios!

Sylvia

I'll Walk With You My Friend!

Yesterday I was reminded that time plays no factor in how deep a friendship can be. I have only known my good friend for a few years, due to us working on the Decennial Census together. But, this is a deep and rewarding friendship.

Sure, she takes me to the mall and shows me where to get all the free stuff. And I pointed out the $2.00 tops on sale, but I'm really not talking about monetary rewards. I'm speaking about the reward you get when you just go out exploring with no expectations and by days end, you feel so fulfilled.  Those are the days I've been experiencing with my special friend.

I feel like she's my "kindred spirit" and I can't really pinpoint why.  So, I'm not going to over analyze things, I'm just going to let it be.

My friend  and I spent yesterday in Capitola. I haven't been there much, but she knows it like the back of her hand. So entrusting in her wisdom, I let her be my tour guide.  I didn't know what I would see or feel.  Thanks to my iPhone, I was able to take spontaneous photos whenever the moment felt right.  Here are a few of my favorites.

Mural on Wharf Road

Someone got their priorities straight!

Tiles at the Capitola Beach!

Enjoying the birds, people, and beach!

Beautiful California Poppies!

Letting music fill us up!

After our walk we went back to her sister's condo, and I learned something I didn't know about her. She comes from a very talented and artistic family. She shared with me that she used to write and sing songs on her guitar.  In a moment of pure joy, she picked up her nephew's guitar and started playing some of her original music. One she composed for a funeral, the other for a wedding.  It struck the perfect cord with me!  Music can heal us, and make a major life moment even deeper.

I was so happy to see her let loose on that guitar. She hasn't been well so she stopped playing. My hope is now that she will start to play her guitar and write some new songs.  Because music can be a friend too!

I don't know where our next adventure will be, but I'm counting on it to be just as fun.

I'll walk with you my friend...

Sylvia

Robots Are Taking Over Our Corners!

Perhaps we will still see a tax signer for a few months!

Robots are taking over our corners and ruining my cheap entertainment. By that I mean there are less and less minimum wage folks holding advertisement signs for businesses.  I found these people quite amusing. Some were so into their music that they didn't even realize that they were holding the signs upside down. Most knew how to groove to their music. They certainly made my traffic light stops more enjoyable.  Now, the trend is underway to kick these "real people" to the curb and replace them with robots.  I'm sad. These robots don't change up their routine. They are predictable. What fun is that? 

So nice to see a real person!

Subway signer

Anyway, I spotted one of these robots the other day while driving. I had to take a second glance to make sure it wasn't a real person. It's hard to tell from a moving car.  Today, when I stopped and got up close there was no comparison to a real person. They look fake, and act fake, and I don't know how that's supposed to bring more people into a business. However, it does make sense from a money viewpoint. The gal at Little Caesar's told me she thought the robot cost around $3500.  Even if a business is paying someone minimum wage to hold the sign, they will be ahead of the game in a matter of months.

Today in my pursuit to find this fake person, I spotted several real signers.  None of them were really getting into it.  Perhaps word is out on the street that their days are numbered.  I spotted the usual suspects:  The gold guy, Subway mascot, Round Table pizza, and thank god, The Liberty Tax promoter.  It's good to know we still have Liberty!

The first robot I ever spotted was for New Balance.  She's a hot mess!  Today when I stopped she wasn't even holding her sign. And one foot was out of it's shoe. I mean, how is this an improvement from a real person? She's moving in a precise way but with no sign to advertise the business.  I guess this robot doesn't come with any intelligence to tell it the sign has dropped! Perhaps she can click her Ruby shoes and morph back into the perfect robot.

Look, I'm efficient but where's my sign?

What do you mean shoes are for feet?

For the time being we will just have to put up with dueling signers. We will have the Round Table Pizza signer at one corner and the New Balance robot on the opposite street corner.  It's not as much fun as dueling pianos!  

Well I leave you with a bit of nostalgia. Give me Liberty........

Sylvia

Saying Goodbye to Childhood!

There comes a time in every one's life when they must move on from their childhood comforts and move into adulthood. Sometimes this is done in one full swoop, and other times we keep mementos to help us hold on to our childhood.

Mitch's bedroom set

Jackie's daybed

ready to dismantle

Desk before it moved to Adam's room

The last of Jackie's stuff

Today, both Mitch and I are tossing out stuff!  For Mitch, he is saying goodbye to the bedroom set he had since he was a little child. That furniture lasted not only through his childhood, but also our son, Adam's.  Adam is now 21 and it was time for an update. So, we moved the oak furniture in my daughter's room into his.  She has moved on to her own condo.  Her daybed will be dismantled soon and offered up to the highest bidder.  She has already given away stuffed animals and other childhood collections she didn't want to make part of her new home.

Before I moved the oak dresser from Jackie's room to Adam's I took out the drawers to aid in the move. Imagine my surprise when I saw baby wrapping paper. I had forgotten that I had lined the dresser drawers with the paper I received from baby showers! This oak dresser has seen Jackie through 24 years and now it will get more use in Adam's room.  Steady as an Oak!

Wrapping paper from my baby shower

We put Adam's furniture out to the curb, and I'm happy to report that the chair, desk, hutch and one dresser have already been snatched up for someone else to enjoy.  The only thing remaining is one dresser with a broken drawer.  I'm hoping someone handy sees the value in the piece and will take it and give it new life!

It's worn but it still can have a purpose!

I've also packed up a lot of Adam's treasures. These include lots of trophies from sports, and yearbooks, etc.  At some point I will have Adam weed through the boxes in his closet and decide what he wants to keep or toss.

We are getting the kids' rooms painted which was the impetus to clean out the clutter.

So, we are clutter-free today, but still feeling a little sad.  Our kids have grown up, and so too must their possessions.

The new and improved room!

Sylvia