Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow

Two days ago my Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow bushes were in full bloom covered with a multitude of blossoms in lavender shades joined by white flowers. Their airy fragrance was light and delightful. Two of the three plants I had rooted from the original bush. They have since grown considerably taller than my over mid-five feet height.




I went outside this morning to take the flowers pictures only to discover they had reached the end of their blooming season this year. The pictures that follow are among the few remaining lavender blooms though the white blossoms remain as the last flowers. Perhaps the flowers condition is appropriate for this particular piece.

You may note the flower bushes name is the theme of this blog – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. At the end is a poem by an unknown author with the same title as the bushes. I’ve enjoyed reading the poem through the years – Along The Way.

Yesterday …..

Hard to believe the time that has passed since my husband of almost 43 years died. That unexpected occurrence sometimes seems to have happened yesterday, which it actually did three years ago. Other times that day seems to have been long ago, enveloped in an unreal world. I’ve intentionally wanted to avoid giving undo reference to the day in the following years, but the date unconsciously resonates in my mind. Unbidden memories of our life together have trickled forth into my consciousness. I recall now the busyness of my activities after his death beginning that morning and continuing well into the evening hours.

I must have set the pattern then, since for the next year or so I kept myself so occupied variously I often became over-involved and driven. I could sometimes feel a burden of guilt if I did not perform certain aspects of my self-imposed new activities that I thought I should. In retrospect I was rather like the squirrel I recall from my childhood. He was a neighbor’s pet allowed to exercise periodically in a caged large wheel he turned at an increasing rate as he ran in place faster and faster. I wonder if that handsome red squirrel with the elegantly fluffy tail was aware he wasn’t going anywhere? Or, maybe he knew, and he was going somewhere -- in his mind.

In my case, after long hours, days, weeks of absorbing perpetual CD music at home, I had periods of time when I immersed myself in reading. I spent exorbitant amounts of time with the computer, much of it in the blogosphere and some with some of you.

I thought I was coping quite well and very much in control of my situation – except I wasn’t taking care of much day to day business. I could always do those things another day, I thought. Inadvertently I allowed some personal business to slide past which had not occurred before. Somehow such matters seemed so insignificant and unimportant any more, yet I knew they were. This was the time to cater to my whims I had concluded. I did, maybe, over-indulge myself. Considering some of the alternatives I considered, dabbled with and could have adopted, perhaps everything I was choosing to do despite how imperfect an answer was the better choice.

My plans had for so many years been influenced by necessary considerations for my life companion and suddenly, in an instant, that was no longer true. I took classes. I was mentally and emotionally prime to attach myself to a project that was fresh and held promise for the future as I became immersed in computer related activities.

So much of what I did had a sense of urgency component for me to accomplish whatever it was, now. Yet I often spoke of patience. Still I recognized changes I desired even for myself were probably long term evolutions. I had such contradictory thoughts that occasionally were at war within myself. Words I used describing my state of being were often what I wanted to be the case, but the words did not make it so. This was likely a reflection of my strong belief in the power of words within me -- the messages I gave myself and others – an honest effort to convince myself all was well.

I functioned as though new friendships needed to be cemented now, since time had come to have a very limiting finite quality for me. By contrast I talked of living to one hundred years of age. On some level I recognized what I was doing. On the day to day level all I did seemed quite rational and logical to me.

For months I was restless in my own home. I would reach a point where I just had to leave the house. In fact, I often left the premises for many hours of the day into the night. Had I lived near a lake some sunset hours or moonlit nights I would likely have sought a boat to embrace me while rocking ever so gently on a calm water’s surface.

I was tempted at times to drive in the car and just keep going to some unknown destination, but quelled that impulse with the belief I must return home for the beginning of each new day. I wished I knew a private pilot with whom I could fly away just for awhile. I thought about trying to make one’s acquaintance by visiting one of the two nearby small local airports hoping I’d be offered a flight. Years past my husband and I sometimes ate at one of their restaurants, watched the touch and goes, the air traffic, and remembered our mid-west flying years.

I wanted to be alone with my thoughts, but there were erratic inconsistent limits to my tolerance of the uncommonly quiet of my own home. I could be loading the dishwasher, making the bed, reading the newspaper or performing a multitude of other ordinary tasks. An indefinable feeling would subtly spread through my body much like during early spring after a winter’s freeze when a maple tree’s life-giving juices, having been confined, gradually begin to flow from the trunk toward the barren branches.

I became uneasy not knowing how or why the restlessness started since my mind would be engaged with matters unrelated to my loss. The escalating feeling resulted in my sensing I needed to leave the house. Ironically, on other occasions when I was away from home, often driving purposefully in the car, I had an overwhelming sense I no longer wanted to finish my planned schedule and I must go home.

Sometimes I would spend excessive time in a book store’s big leather cushioned chair. Strangely, I could enjoy being alone in the semi-quiet of the crowd there. Ultimately I did not mind my quiet periodically interrupted when one of the friendly young clerks became casually attentive. I was surprised to eventually learn he was a musician about to embark on a short tour with a successful newly re-formed Indie/Pop/Rock Band. More memories of my husband’s music life were stimulated.

I sought out live jazz performances here and elsewhere,sometimes alone, sometimes with friends. Finally, I discovered I had a saturation point listening to numerous jazz groups performing in those various locations. I settled into attending less frequent performances focusing on one particular talented group with an equally gifted female vocalist. I added other music genres from folk to classical with much in between at concerts I shared with friends, old and new.

Today …..

Those erratic days became weeks that turned into months, then years. Along The Way – I have become content. My solitude is not only comfortable but welcome.


Tomorrow …..

I don’t know what tomorrow holds for me, but I look forward with great anticipation to that future day by day.


Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
There are two days in every week that we should not worry about, two days that should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed, forever beyond our control.

All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed. Nor can we erase a single word we've said - yesterday is gone!

The other day we shouldn't worry about is tomorrow, with its impossible adversaries, its burden, its hopeful promise and poor performance. Tomorrow is beyond our control.

Tomorrow's sun will rise either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds - but it will rise. And until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

This leaves only one day - today. Any person can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when we add the burdens of yesterday and tomorrow that we break down.

It is not the experience of today that drives people mad - it is the remorse of bitterness for something which happened yesterday, and the dread of what tomorrow may bring.

Let us, therefore, live one day at a time!

Author Unknown

Memories of Mother

Memories come to mind of my Mother born into the predominantly agrarian nineteenth century and her transition into the twentieth century industrial world. I wrote about some of her world last year on May 11th in “Mother’s Day Thoughts.”

These days when so many experience difficulties encountered as a consequence of a nation and world economic upheaval unlike any in my lifetime, I often wonder what my mother would have to say on the subject. She had become a young married woman during the twenties heydays preceding the Great Depression. I recall her descriptions of a none too easy early married life that evolved into a more prosperous existence in later years as occurs with many couples.

She said the hardships during that financial downturn did not directly adversely affect our family. They occurred before I was born later in her life. Our immunity to severe hardship was primarily because my father’s work was associated with the newspaper business. Newspapers were the primary source of news, so were in much demand by almost everyone regardless of their financial situation. In fact, two of the most prominent state newspapers were vying for his services.

Radio was just beginning with unprecedented broadcasting power thanks to Powell Crosley and the ultimate “Nation’s Station” WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio.

There was no TV yet, much less computers and the Internet of today. Newspapers were a primary source listing employment opportunities for those seeking work. People placed ads to sell belongings so they could raise some desperately needed cash while others with limited cash sought bargain prices as they needed these items but had little cash themselves. Everyone wanted to subscribe or at least access a newspaper. This is hardly the situation that exists today in the newspaper business.

During the Depression my mother continued to be active in her womens religious group. They devoted themselves to helping others in need, an activity in which she engaged for many of those years and throughout her lifetime when she was able.

A few years after I was born our fortunes changed and my mother became a single parent in a time when a woman raising a family alone had a very difficult time. My immediate family had never lived extravagantly, but as I entered my early childhood years I was absorbing from my mother the lessons of needing to be even more practical and frugal.

She was a remarkable woman who in her later years in the face of adversity when she became legally blind and limited in visual activities created unique hooked rugs that became unexpectedly desired by others. This is a one-of-a-kind small rectangular throw rug which she experimented hooking before her vision deteriorated even further necessitating larger different geometric patterning. My photography does not do the colors justice. My mother would be amused the tips of my shoes appear.



My mother had an amazingly optimistic and positive attitude toward life. She made multiple transitions and adaptations to her varying circumstances. I marvel at how well she coped as she lived happily independently most of her remaining almost 90 years. I miss her.

Propagating Remote Control Units

(BTW everything is not as it appears in the photo.)

Following-up on the theme of some of my previous posts the past two months . . . .

One other tech change at my house especially pleasing to me occurred when the many remotes required to operate my television, recording and playback units were consolidated on to one universal remote. The addition of the digital converter box suddenly made me realize just how many of these remote gadgets had to be used for various functions. I wondered, where had all these remote control units come from? Similar to people, they seem to exist in all shapes and sizes. Confronted with so many I imagined when no one was around a covert coupling had occurred creating another remote unit. I have been assured this fantasy did not occur but still I wonder.

When the remote consolidation process began I watched with great trepidation when two remote control units were placed end to end, buttons were pushed and occasional light flashes could be seen. This additional similarity with human beings seemed uncanny. Perhaps, contrary to what I had been told, this was how remotes propagated and I would end up with even more units, not just the single one? No doubt others have been subjected to remote control propagation in their household and have had to cope with my same problem. I continued to experience some anxiety while observing this procedure, wondering what might occur. I was greatly relieved when the transfer process completed and I could see there were no additional remotes. Gloriously my need to use so many remote control units actually diminished in number.



I am concerned that one remote has assumed rather over-sized proportions as you can see and this isn’t trick photography. What are the implications of this and what does that portend for the future? Perhaps I need to install a secretive video system throughout the house just to keep track of what those remotes are doing. Maybe I should just take their batteries away.

Still an escalating number of batteries still seem to be required despite my remote consolidation process since other energy using gadgets keep invading my home. Imagine if more people shared my home bringing their own devices how many additional batteries and remotes there would be. Now that I think about it, as I get older maybe I should have more batteries. Life often seems to increasingly be filled with my trying to keep charged. So, make of that what you will.

Why doesn’t some engineering tech genius invent a small inexpensive portable solar unit for various size rechargeable batteries? I want a unit I can periodically set outside on a sunny day to fully charge, then have at the ready to recharge my various batteries as needed. Someday … maybe sooner than I realize … this will be possible. Someone somewhere is probably working on such a solar battery as I write this. Or, maybe such a charger and battery has already been invented and I simply haven’t learned about it.

Economic Pain/Movie/Cuba Story and Americas

Local Economics

Film -- "State of Play"

Cuba Story Recalled

Americas -- Continent


Time has slipped right past leaving my blogging behind. Coincidentally my work load lightened just in time to allow me to throw myself wholeheartedly into preparing my income tax. The task becomes easier and faster every year since I first took over this project a few years ago. That job completed I've been interested in what is happening with the business economics in my community.

I noticed one of the major car dealerships has changed dramatically again. Some time ago ownership changed from selling a U.S. brand to be replaced by foreign company models. Now, the block long car lot is empty, the buildings vacant. Then, there was the announcement a company that owns major Southern California high end shopping centers is filing for bankruptcy. A couple of the centers are The Galleria, South Coast Plaza for anyone familiar with the area. Reportedly they will not close.

My part time rehab work has come to a screeching halt as I read in the paper there is a nationwide overall decline in need for health care services. There has always been a fluctuation throughout the year in services needed so maybe this is just one of those slow times.

I also learned at one local branch of a national bank the institution had a period of time in March when their customers with mortgage loans could refinance with no points or closing costs to obtain a reduced interest percentage rate charged. I think there was one problem with that offer. Far too many customers were never made aware of this opportunity, including some who even worked at that bank. That failure to disclose seems a bit strange to me. I wonder if other banks across the country are doing the same? Expect this bank didn't really want to reduce rates for many customers.

My Borders bookstore is trimming their offerings by eliminating selling CDs and DVDs, but so far seems to be surviving otherwise. I realize they are also affected by the general changes with purchasing transitioning to the Internet.

I've rewarded myself by taking time to enjoy some movies. I appreciate having a reduced rate for special showings at our relatively new local theater. The most recent movie I enjoyed was "State of Play"
(trailer link.) Any movie with Helen Mirren catches my attention though she is not the star in this intriguing thriller starring Ben Affleck, Russell Crowe and Rachel McAdams. I was reminded of recent years government figures romantic liaisons with ensuing disastrous consequences and the challenges facing newspapers efforts to survive as the plot unfolded. At least one critic I read faulted the movie for those all too obvious story aspects, but I didn't find them objectionable. I simply wanted to be entertained and I was.

Meanwhile on the national and international arena all sorts of changes are evolving. Am delighted to see our President focusing attention on Central and South America. Certainly the issue of our relationship with Cuba has been long overdue for review.

Whenever I think of Cuba I am reminded of a young woman I met years ago when I returned to college. Several years after graduation she unexpectedly contacted me relative to further professional activities. The result had a positive indirect profound effect on my continuing career. We had no further contact after that and I no longer even recall her name, much less where she lives.

Earlier she had told me a story of her youthful actions primarily motivated by the relationship she had with a young man strongly opposed to our Government's actions banning American citizens traveling to Cuba. As she told me her story I could recall their student group was front page news with pictures in print and on broadcast media for weeks those many long years ago.

I don't intend to discuss that historical periods political issues pros and cons, but national and international opinions and feelings ran high on the topic. She spoke of being one person in a small group of young people who defied our Government's ban on travel to Cuba and visited there. She reported meeting Fidel Castro early in his ruling career and playing ping pong with him. Their student groups visit was not a very popular act with many in the U.S. at the time. She described repercussions these young students experienced when they returned home to the U.S. and some she perceived for many years after.

Several years ago in an hour long drive home from a more distant airport than a closer one which I prefer to use, a young college student was the only other passenger in the van. She said she was majoring in International Studies and had a specific interest in all the countries south of our border. She appeared to be of European descent so I was intrigued that she would care about these countries our nation has all too often given meager attention. She soon realized I shared her interest and concern. Her conversation became quite passionate as she spoke of the importance of these countries and the value of our nations relationships with theirs.

I wonder what these two women think of the efforts of our new President? I especially hope the latter young college student who would now be an upper classman, or graduate student, has pursued her dream of someday being in a position to facilitate the cohesiveness of all the nations on our continent, north and south that benefits us all.

Reeling from Digital Converter Box

Technology changes for me continue in addition to my new laptop computer adventures (beginning with previously described “Tech – Unintended Consequences,” followed by some frustrations described in “Technological Mysteries.”) Now I have been confronted with converting to digital television and combating propagating remote control units.

My analog television has been up dated with the addition of a digital converter box. This installation enables me to expand my reception to over seventy high definition television channels from less than twenty analog stations. I receive most all local TV digital channel broadcasts now. When the switch from analog to digital TV finally happens, presently scheduled for June 12, 2009, I’m ready to receive even more should there be additional digital broadcast channels and stations.

If anyone reading this who doesn’t have cable service or a high definition television (HDTV) hasn’t yet prepared for this change, you need to visit this digital TV government website, order a discount coupon ($40 value.) Allow several weeks for coupon receipt, then purchase and install a digital converter box available where you buy electronics i.e Best Buy, Costco, Sears, Radio Shack to name a few stores. Maybe there is someone in your community who is unable to obtain a discount coupon to whom you could donate yours if you don’t use it. I’ll write about coupon donation another time.

My previously existing roof antenna installed for analog reception when we moved here over a quarter century ago has required no adjustments. My younger TV accepts all the television stations digital broadcast signals I received in analog and a combination of many additional channels plus a few new stations now. Digital television programming with just my converter box is clearly a dynamic process as more channels and stations may be offered in the future.

An independent commercial station, “This,” has recently added a movie channel featuring classic movies and more current stars’ early movies. A listing of U.S. stations is on this Wikipedia link. I’m enjoying spontaneously being able to enjoy this entertainment fare when I’m in the mood for such film viewing.

Here are a couple examples of recent film offerings: “The Woman in the Window,” a 1945 film noir starring Edward G. Robinson and Joan Bennett with Raymond Massey, directed by Fritz Lang. Later film fare starred a youthful actor John Travolta in the 1981 thriller “Blow Out” with Dennis Franz, and John Lithgow, written and directed by Brian De Palma.

A couple of the traditional local affiliate major commercial networks offer additional channels including constantly updated local/national weather and news. In some ways I prefer their offerings to what I’ve seen on cable’s Weather Channel when I’ve visited Midwest and east coast cable households.

A few of these digital TV channels cater to our diverse Los Angeles, California area cultures by offering programming in a multi-variety of foreign languages. I’ve identified Spanish, Armenian, Korean, Chinese, Japanese languages so far. Those channels sometimes feature English, too, or English captions. I understand some non-English speakers in other countries have acquired English by watching American movies captioned in their language. It occurs to me these stations might offer an opportunity to familiarize myself with some other languages. Maybe I could even learn a few words and phrases in languages other than English.

Perhaps someday I’ll succumb to a cable television subscription, but so many of their programming basic stations don’t interest me. Often additional channels I might want must be purchased extra in addition to accepting so many of those unwanted basic stations. I realize I currently receive a few stations in which I have little interest, but so far they all come to me free over the airwaves we citizens own. I really have all the programs I have time to see now, anyway.

Technological Mysteries

I'm really disappointed that having purchased a new laptop computer I don't have a manual of any sort such as came with my digital camera so I can independently figure out and understand some basic technological symbols. I need a blueprint that shows all the slots and pictures on each side of this computer, then explains what they are, what they mean and how they can be used -- labels them.

Facing my laptop on the right hand side is a small rectangular solid silver square that may or may not push in and do something, but I'm not going to push it to find out.

Next are what I'm pretty certain are USB ports into which:
- the first port has the cord that controls the keyboard which works for either my laptop or the desktop -- or maybe it's not for the keyboard.
-the second port connects to my printer, I think.

There's a little round solid chrome circle, but I don't know if it is anything or does anything.

Next is a square open hole that's irregular and jagged across the bottom, so something interesting must go in there, but it's empty now.

Then there is a small open elongated horizontal circle for who knows what.

Next comes the light that's showing my computer is on and next to it is the cord connection to my electric power source, I believe.

Tonight I wanted to perform some downloading/uploading functions for a blog piece I thought I’d post here. Instead this is what I’m posting.

I encountered some problems trying to get to a usable USB portal. I risked making some disconnections and moving of cords and still was unable to accomplish my goal. After trying a number of actions, I discovered a function was lost despite my having putting everything back like it was. So, I decided to just write my own little personal guide for my computer, then send it to my tech guru and get all these laptop computer holes labeled for my permanent future reference. Continuing the exploration of the external features on my new laptop…..

Facing the left side of my computer the first thing I see is a really long open elongated horizontal circle for who knows what.

Then there's one of those small solid chrome squares that may or may not be something.

Next there is a USB port into which a "Logitech" thing with a real cute little hieroglyphic on it is inserted. I recall having explained to me what that was and to remove it when I want to use the laptop as a portable unit (it’s hooked up to power, now.) I just don’t remember what it does though I thought sure at the time that I would. Guess there just were too many other operational things to think about and lots of other technological experiences have gone on in the meantime, too. I think I know what it is, but I'm not sure, so I'm not about to remove it since I want to stay connected to electrical power, much less move it into the portal next to it to see if I can get the card reader in the portal it currently occupies.

So, situated beside that Logitech thing is the USB port (I think) I mentioned above. I can't get my card reader in there because it doesn't seem to fit. I think I need to turn the card reader over, but that means the memory card protrudes and there isn't room with the Logitech thing beside it.

Next comes an opening about the same size of the USB portal I described above, but this hole is rather irregularly shaped for who knows what to be inserted.

Beside that empty hole is another empty hole that is square and accommodates some other unknown connection for something I guess I don’t have.

Next comes a longgg rectangular opening filled with a solid indentation in the center of which is a somewhat shorter but long horizontal solid chrome piece that protrudes to line up with the outer edge of that external longgg rectangular opening. Now that center piece looks like it could be something that has been inserted, or it may just be a permanent fixture that may or may not be something that can be pushed to do something or other.

Finally, we have an odd-shaped rectangle with rounded sides that is longer horizontally across the top than at the bottom. That hole is filled solid with a slightly smaller chrome button-like piece which has three horizontal rows of 5 or 6 teeny tiny holes as though it's designed to have some sort of plug inserted for what must be something really special.

I have observed that a lot of these holes on both sides of the computer have hieroglyphics, picture codes or symbols created so the simple-minded who can't read and understand written technological materials can, perhaps, decipher these pictures. Unfortunately, I don't have the code to know what the pictures mean. There are even some alphabet letters, but all of these and the pictures are so small, that even if I knew what they meant, I can barely see them with my reading glasses, a magnifying glass and a high powered flashlight.

Yes, I am frustrated, but I've grown accustomed to being in this state with computers. That said, I'm sure my operating skills will all soon become more refined and I'll move on to the next technological aggravation. Actually I experience my "computering" as quite challenging, but when I'm tired, it's late and I haven't been able to accomplish what I wanted, despite starting early to allow for the unexpected, I feel like jettisoning everything. I won't, of course.

I had occasion this past weekend to examine a notebook computer. I didn’t like the keyboard on that older unit, but I surely did like the little gem's light weight and size. Hmmm! Maybe some of the newer units are improved. On the other hand, I hadn’t encountered this laptop problem yet, so I didn’t think to see just how many different size holes and connections there were to deal with on the notebook. Surely there won’t be as many to master as on the larger laptop. I'm sure I'll eventually learn some of the pictograph's meanings. Hmmm! Maybe, sometime in the future I should put a notebook computer on my wish list – after I figure out how to operate this laptop better.

I'm going to bed now before I lose my cool, pull all the plugs on this tech equipment and dump it in a box in the garage for the next hazardous waste disposal collection.

Morally and Ethically Impaired

I propose we establish a categorical term for individuals evidencing morally and ethically impaired behavior. We can refer to them by the acronym “MEI,” pronounced “me,” that ironically reflects their primary orientation.

MEIs have not been formally identified as a subculture in our nation, but they have increasingly come to the forefront. Recently, their actions have so blatantly adversely affected our financial world that I think we need to acknowledge and formally recognize this group’s existence, so we can provide the attention they deserve.

MEIs tend to secretiveness, deceit and exploitation of other human beings so can be difficult to expose. Their morals and ethics are self-oriented and directed toward only themselves, plus a selected few others with whom they are emotionally entangled or whose favor they curry. MEIs really do not care what happens to the rest of us, rather like sociopaths.

In recent years, unlike any other era in our lifetime, circumstances are forcing these MEIs into the spotlight of public scrutiny. We need to take note of who they are and aggressively seek to identify others like them. I want them held accountable publicly and professionally. Furthermore, I want some restitution from their undeserved financial gains as individuals, companies and financial institutions.

We need to initiate some behavioral changes in these MEIs. I’d like to believe this group is beginning to have trouble thriving during these difficult times. Perhaps they’re having serious adjustment problems since we are more frequently condemning their MEI behaviors. I think it’s increasingly obvious that if we do not intervene with these individuals our own lives will continue to be seriously disrupted as will our nation’s and the world’s economy.

I’ve pondered whether a MEI education process could succeed and just how to undertake such a therapeutic intervention. I’ve wondered if MEIs would respond to a story such as The Nation of Moresville, a morality tale I thought of writing. The story would start like this. Once upon a time there was a nation populated by people who constantly wanted more – more food, more possessions and more money. Some of their number were willing to acquire more in any way possible without regard for moral and ethical considerations. Well, I think we all could easily write how that story unfolds.

I would want MEIs to know that through the years not everyone became obsessed with those pursuits, though admit clearly some of us have. I would strongly emphasize that we’re all finally reaping the consequences of these behaviors in one way or another regardless of whether or not we were irrationally and excessively materialistic. I would want them to reflect on their own behaviors.

Also, I would want to provide MEIs graphic specific examples stressing that for some the current financial crisis results are severe as the unemployed ranks grow, people lose their homes, and young people see their dreams of college evaporate. Visiting homes where refrigerators are bare and many other necessities of life are absent from the lives of young and old might register with some MEIs. I would like to believe this exposure might have some positive benefits.

Such true life situations have been on TV and in the news, but despite this exposure, it seems many of these fellow countrypersons are deaf, dumb and blind to the economic state of our country and even the world. These are the MEIs, some of whom are literally giving us all the finger while simultaneously pleading for us to save their companies, then gleefully accepting our tax monies while skimming huge bites for bonuses.

I’m sorely tempted to write for the MEIs about how morality, ethics and greed have intertwined to threaten the financial stability of not just our nation but the world, but I doubt they would read it. If only I could force each of them to write on that topic. Wiser heads and better writers than I are busily exploring these issues with powerful eloquent words that pinpoint the issues. At best, anything I might say would simply echo what so many others are expressing. Yet, I cannot resist making note of my anger, frustration and sadness that so many individuals have betrayed basic human values.

There are only so many of others reactionary accounts I can make time to read, much less write about. I derive little pleasure in reading the same basic complaints everywhere as they become depressingly enraging, but I believe it’s important that we each state our objections. Our written voices must be an ongoing ripple that contributes to a tidal wave creating a tsunami that allows our views to be known. Hopefully, many ears and eyes in a position to take corrective actions will receive our messages and rectify the situation.

Our Congressional Representatives and Senators and other key government administration figures need to be ongoing recipients of our views. We must continue pressuring and demanding – accountability, Accountability, ACCOUNTABILITY!

Just when I think the most gross individual exploitations have been exposed, another story emerges. I greet each new week with great apprehension, wondering what next and how many more MEIs will surface?

I think of the Savings and Loan Crisis many years ago, then there was Enron and the MEIs there. Years later, closer to home I recall more MEIs and the monies stolen from California via the electrical grids – how little our government did to correct that inequity. The words still ring in my ears from one of the morally bankrupt electrical grid workers whose company (probably his own wallet, too) financially benefited from out of control destructive forest fires. He was recorded gleefully shouting “Burn, baby, burn,” though these fires endangered lives in addition to power lines. I guess you know where I hope he will spend any afterlife if he believes in such, or maybe he could have a taste of hardship here and now. Perhaps some MEIs from all of those groups and the current individuals surfacing need to share a few life difficulties with him.

Meanwhile, I’m not convinced our government is loaning my tax money to some of these MEIs at a rate designed to maximize the U.S. Treasury’s return over that of those doing the borrowing. I want some accountability on that issue, too.

Tech - Unintended Consequences

Lots of tech changes for me, family visits, and activities with friends partially account for the lapse in new posts here. I have a new laptop computer. A wireless setup I’ve long desired is now operative and I’ve changed Internet Service Providers. Hopefully, Internet connectivity problems that have plagued this blog for many months have ceased or, at least, won’t occur as they have in the past. I’ve also changed my phone package but will keep my land line and can now make free local toll calls and long distance calls anywhere in the fifty U.S. States and Canada. My cell phone continues to allow me free calls with other same provider subscribers.

I elected to finally purchase a new computer when family members began cautioning me that my older desktop computer was giving signals it might crash at any time. So I, finally, hastily copied my hard drive for back up. Incidentally, sometimes I, too, have noted symptoms that could be interpreted that I was crashing. If anyone has any suggestions about how I might back up my bodies hard drive, please let me know. Actually, my hard drive has gone a little soft, but I’m doing the best I can. I’m already taking vitamins, but think I read recently that’s a waste of time and money.

On a more important note, when my son and his wife visited from out of state, they delivered my new laptop computer I had earlier arranged to be sent to him for special programming. One feature I now have that I didn’t have previously allows me to give him control of my computer. This should simplify trouble shooting and other assistance I might need in the future. Once he arrived, he made certain I have a secure wireless system here at home. He also cleaned/scrubbed the hard drive on my old desktop (or however you describe that sort of refurbishing.) The old desktop functions more efficiently, so I’ll be able to continue using it on a limited basis in addition to my laptop. I plan to download a free Word-like program there later since I have Word on the laptop.

I didn’t work while family members were here, so when they made an overnight San Diego trip, I went along part way and visited friends of mine, excitedly taking my laptop. While there I received a beginning crash course in Excel courtesy of the husband. Later, the wife and I excitedly perched side by side on the sofa with our laptops, joking that this must be how modern day friends interact. I realize now that activity is out of date, as we should be twittering on our cell phones. Also, I keep getting invites to Facebook and other social networks, but can hardly keep up writing my blog so haven’t accepted any.

The technological togetherness of my friends and I began a night the three of us will long remember. A simple act of connecting my laptop to their wireless network somehow went awry. Suddenly, their laptop and desktop computers had relinquished control of their system to my laptop. For some reason my friends weren’t too happy about this! Since one of them had engineered this unintentional event, my conscience was clear and I was guilt-free.

In addition to my laptop having control of their computers personal and other information, I was now the sole operator of their large screen HDTV’s new spectacular Apple audio and video system. Colorful detailed family photos and travel scenes sailing across the screen had mesmerized us only moments earlier as we anticipated more viewing delights. We hadn’t even gotten around to exploring all the other features including some from the Internet that were available through their new system

When their efforts to undo this inadvertent technological power transfer were unsuccessful I was held hostage as they threatened I could not leave their premises with my laptop. I determined to keep my cell phone secreted in the event I might need to SOS my son to come rescue me. I didn’t think they would resort to violence, but one never knows in hostage situations. Finally we had to resort to phoning their tech savvy son who had assisted their initial setting up of the system they operated with their computers and one television remote. I thought about how much we require others with whom to trouble shoot in order to use all our new electronic gadgets and technology.

Despite their sons long distance efforts, ultimately, we resorted to calling help, which you may not be surprised to hear connected us to India. Indian technical workers finally determined they could resolve our problem. Unfortunately, my friends free service plan expired a few days earlier. I think it seems often the case that service, sooner or later, is usually needed but only after such contracts expire. The tech rep said, not unexpectedly, that now service charges would apply to reverse this convoluted mix of user names, passwords and secret codes to resolve our dilemma.

After brief deliberation, my friends selected another short term service contract. The tech experts successfully provided the instructions restoring appropriate computer control to each of us and putting the television system operation again under my friends control only. My laptop was now impotent and unable to control their operations, but could access their wireless Internet system which is all we wanted in the first place. Our friendship was saved. Violence was avoided.

We were exhausted, noted the hour was after midnight and commiserated with each other that this was not how we had planned to spend our evening. Furthermore, we had expected to retire much earlier in the evening to be well rested for the next days schedule when they had plans and I would be returning home -- “The best-laid schemes o’ mice an ‘men Gang aft agley…” (Robert Burns.)

Throughout those hours some waiting time between transfers to various technical consultants allowed small talk with the tech service guru. In one instance my friends mentioned the Indian home city of one of their immediate family members relatives. I was reminded of what a small world we’ve come to inhabit in my lifetime; how our families and friends encompass an interesting variety of nationalities, and social groups.

I thought about how my friends family is an absolutely wonderful fascinating blend of several varied cultures, a fact incidental to the caring and affection all feel toward one another. How lucky I am to have such friends, to know their family, I realize. I also recalled when some years earlier my friends told me of unexpectedly being subjected to covert exclusionary discrimination following a workplace social situation when they casually mentioned one of them was of minority heritage. I thought again, that still today, we human beings inhabiting this world still have much to learn with a need for acceptance and tolerance toward all.

On a less serious note, I’ve since spent another weekend with them. This time we celebrated the wife’s earlier in the week birthday. The event reminded her that she had moved slightly past that landmark classic retirement age. I gained a new experience as she shared her new birthday gift. In fact, they were merciless challenging someone older in age, such as me, to battle my way through competitive Wii Sports with them. We tackled only bowling and a bit of baseball – I kept striking out, but was a wicked pitcher. Beginners luck did apply, much as in my real life sports experience. I’m glad to report I emerged from the games with my pride intact and my physical being uninjured.

Bloggers Meet Outside Virtual World

The other day I met in person, Bob Frank, who writes at "Eclectic World." He was previously known to me only in the blogosphere. This was the first time either of us had ever met another blogger as a result of our only contact having occurred through blogging. We both probably had various anticipatory feelings. I was in my own hometown, at a restaurant with known faces, so was quite at ease being in a familiar setting. My thoughts did marvel that I was actually engaged in meeting another blogger in person, since I had expressed reservations about ever doing so when I first began blogging.

I entered the restaurant to surprisingly find every table filled, but knew to look for Bob and his friend. We had no pre-arranged signal, but as I began gazing around the room they must have observed my searching manner and their waving hands quickly caught my attention. Fortunately, as we exchanged greetings we quickly established we each were who the other thought we were. Bob's friend soon left our company for the local library, a convenient block away, to use the computer. Before relating more about our meeting, I want to give you some background.

Early in 2005, having just received my first desktop computer a few months earlier, I became aware of "blogs," and undertook to determine what exactly they were. I read various blogs, but soon discovered "Time Goes By" (TGB) by blogger Ronni Bennett. Her exceptional writing and blog content captured my attention. I began to read her more frequently, then gradually explored TGB blog links to other bloggers, now known as Elderbloggers,

Contrary to the prevailing attitudes of fear and mistrust of the Internet I encountered from most others in my bricks and mortar community, my blogging activities led me to conclude I could have a positive experience in the blogosphere. My young adult children supported my interest and curiosity as they supplemented information I might need to best navigate safely on the Internet. I gradually determined exercising common sense and due diligence in the blogosphere could yield information, pleasurable fun and even new "virtual" friends. Ultimately, I embraced the suggestion that blogging offered special benefits, including to the elder population, and made communicating this message to others my mission.

Blogging beneficiaries, I realized, can include those who are separated from loved ones and friends; those who may have lived longer than their family members and friends but are now alone; and those with limitations preventing their usual community socialization. These are just some types of individuals I recall reading Ronni Bennett describe as potential bloggers. When I unexpectedly became a new widow I developed an added interest in blogging. Coupled with my awareness of some of the needs of the primarily older population with which I worked and my special interest in language and communication, promoting blogging ideas especially resonated with me.

I had long been dedicated to the value and importance of communication and had thought even then of ways in which to facilitate this for others. I now became a strong advocate for blogging. Regretfully, these past few years I have met with little genuine adoption of elderblogging locally, or at least I'm unaware of any who have joined our blogging community as a result of my promotion.

One of my disappointments on this self-adopted project during these years has been encountering the continued prevalence of those same blogging-as-dangerous false perceptions held by others since I first began blogging, despite my extensive efforts to demonstrate otherwise – and I do mean extensive in terms of time I have expended and education I've provided others. I became doubly dedicated to this goal following my husband's death, to the exclusion of some other matters requiring my attention. This activity may have been healthy by serving as a distraction from my situation. Whatever -- I've since concluded that if I hadn't been focusing on elderblogging promotion, I likely would have found something else to avoid taking personal actions I needed to be taking.

I extended myself in this elder blogging promotion effort on a personal level in full knowledge, given the suspicious attitudes toward blogging I encountered, that doing so could adversely affect my professional credibility with some, though I tried to carefully differentiate between the personal and the professional. Fortunately, so far, I have experienced no evidence of negative effects in attitude toward me professionally. On a personal level I experience from some others an indulgent somewhat subtle jocular reaction conveying one of superior tolerance toward what they regard as my idiosyncratic behavior and possible poor judgment with regard to my actually blogging.

Not because of the attitudes I encounter, but I have since stopped deliberate blogging promotion after several years directly trying to facilitate interest and adoption of blogging in some elder settings. I am sure most know by now I offer my support should they ever wish to pursue the matter. I have detected in others an increasing awareness and acknowledgment that blogging might be an interesting respectable activity as they note more and more traditional broadcast news and print media personalities promoting their own blogs.

Yet recently, I had a conversation with an intelligent professional person I've known for years who has periodically expressed interest in my blogging experience. The person has previously requested my assistance locating my blog and others to read. Yet, what I heard expressed was vague language, again, about the threats and dangers lurking in the blogosphere. When pressed for specifics, the stories of the few exploited by the press were cited as justification to condemn all blogging. My hope for eventual support from this person and others to facilitate aspects of blogging in one prime elder setting clearly is still not present. In another, where I had some success, any plans are on an indeterminate time line hold given the current economic situation.

While I didn't discuss the above with Bob, we did note a shared lack of interest in blogging for a variety of reasons by so many with whom we individually interact in our separate lives and locales.

Returning to the story of my entry into the blogosphere, what precipitated my first blog comment months before I started my own blog, and why it's significant to my choosing to actually meet another blogger .....

I was reading TGB's November 2005 post "The Nature of Blog Friends" and comments about meeting other bloggers in person as a consequence of contact through blogging. I was suddenly strongly motivated to make a comment. I still was apprehensive about having my name on the Internet, so I quickly contrived a blog name under which I could post. I felt some concern that in order even to do that, I did have to input into the system verification of my email address, but trusted the information would remain confidential as promised.

I wrote my first blog comment basically expressing reservations about ever meeting another blogger in person:

"I feel some reticence when it comes to security and privacy issues. Additionally, I believe I could be quite content to limit contact to just through blogs."

Three years plus have passed since then. My thoughts and beliefs have evolved through increased knowledge and experience. I've written many comments on numerous blogs, exchanged private email with a few bloggers, and even spoken by phone with another. I felt pleased a year ago to be invited to meet in person with another Southern California blogger whose blog's personal memoir writings and professional photos I enjoy. I have been unable to arrange that visit due to personal scheduling complications, but still look forward to doing so in the future if the offer continues to be extended after all this time.

Meanwhile, this past week, upon learning a blogger, Bob, from the Midwest Great Lakes area would possibly be near my community, I expressed interest and willingness to meet in person with him should his schedule allow this meeting. Accommodatingly and coincidentally, my work schedule modulated so I had the necessary flexibility to adjust to his uncertain travel time schedule so we could meet.

My first contact with Bob a year or two ago occurred after I re-visited "Ageless Project" and on a whim thought I'd randomly contact bloggers listed there with my same birth year. His blog is one I've since enjoyed reading when he periodically publishes. We've commented on each others blogs, and exchanged short infrequent but occasional emails. He wrote reassuringly of having successfully filled his personal life after major life changes. I've found this to be encouraging that I, too, could continue on life's journey fulfilling my own new life. So, when we recently actually met we had this limited but significant background as one facet of our known lives.

So, one day this past week between rain storms (known here as "California sunshine,") we shared coffee and conversation for an hour or two, though I truly lost track of time, at a casual restaurant where my communities locals and visitors congregate. I enjoyed meeting him and his travel buddy. Our nearby local library provided needed computer access for his friend while we talked, and later for him. I was quite comfortable and at ease the entire time. To some extent I sensed Bob was someone I already knew by virtue of our prior contact through blogging. I felt no awkwardness with the conversation that flowed rapidly.

We could easily reference previously exchanged information much as friends might, expand on other matters we might have only briefly mentioned before and introduce new topics. I learned of some of Bob's special service activities and other interests shared with a long time friend who wasn't on this trip, and his family as we skipped from topic to topic. There seemed hardly time to explore specific accounts of his most recent outdoors activities that had drawn him and his friend to Southern California. Perhaps he'll write about them, if he has time, once he returns home, but his trip is far from over yet.

When we parted I had the sense that we could easily have continued talking longer about a variety of subjects. Our shared time was short since he and his travel companion needed to be on their way. More heavy rain storms were coming from the coast. Further up the West Coast where Bob was headed they needed to drive through elevated passes where snow was predicted as low as the 3000 ft level. I knew often that highway had to be closed in such circumstances, so time was of the essence for them to travel through before sundown or snow intensified.

Meeting Bob was a delightful experience as was the brief contact I had with his travel friend. I'm glad we had the opportunity to meet in person. I have no doubt that bloggers can meet outside the blogosphere's virtual world and enjoy friendship.

Rose Parade 2009 Finale

Our Rose Parade's pictures and videos now conclude after the January opening account entitled Rose Parade 2009 Anticipation, then Rose Parade 2009 Part II, followed by the preceding Rose Parade 2009 Part III. More unique flower covered floats and spectacular marching bands came our way on Pasadena's Colorado Blvd.

"Believe in Music" emphasizes the proven benefits of playing music in their float's message from NAMM (International Music Products Assn.,) Sesame Workshop and Music For All. We caught sight of familiar Sesame Street characters including Big Bird and original cast member, Bob McGrath. Joining the group later was Oscar the Grouch peering from his trash can abode.




"Bands of America Honor Band" supported by the same groups above brings together more than 300 highly talented students from 200 high schools for this opportunity to march in the Rose Parade led by Indianapolis, Indiana Band Director, George Parks.

"Entertaining Dreams for a Century" celebrates Roseville, California's Centennial with a nearly life-size replica of a 1909 Union Pacific engine that made a historic trip from that city to Sacramento. This is their first Rose Parade float. They include tribute to their Indian community, nature and spectacular environment at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.


"The Making of an Epic" pays tribute to Hollywood's Golden Era courtesy of the longest running float entrant for the 56th year by FTD.



Puebla, Mexico's Aguilas Doradas Marching Band with Director, Profesor Luis Alberto Mendoza Gomez is considered one of the best in Mexico. The 200 strong members wear elaborate gold eagle helmets with their signature blue, white and gold uniforms.





"Surf City USA" from the City of Huntington Beach features a family riding a huge ocean wave. The surfer was partially hidden from us due to the trees, so we had to wait until the Blvd. corner was rounded to fully appreciate the float.





Liberty High School Grenadier Band, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Directed by Gregory MacGill has performed in London, throughout the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada. Their uniform includes Royal Stewart tartan imported from Scotland for the bagpipers' kilts and majorettes' skirts.



There were 89 Rose Parade entries listed in the official program. I haven't shown all the parade photos we took, nor were we even able to take pictures of all the floats and bands, especially toward the parade's end. My daughter's own photo shots were often hampered by a lady in front of us who frequently and suddenly raised her arm high in a constant 180 degree wave to everyone in the parade. Entry 67 of the Grenadier Band above was our last photo or video, so there were many more memorable sights and sounds we didn't record.

You can access Tournament of Roses 2009 highlights from the Parade.

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association awarded twenty-four trophies. You can view photos of each 2009 award winner when you scroll down to the link "Begin."

A Few More Personal Comments and Observations.....

If there is a specific float for which someone desires to know what decorative vegetation, flowers, seeds, etc. were used, I can provide some information from my official Rose Parade Program. Leave your request in a comment or send an email to the "Contact Joared" address noted on this blog home page.

I have read reports the Rose Parade officials limited participant entry numbers to fewer in number than in past years. This was allegedly due to adjustments made to accommodate shortened television coverage time, especially during a time when commercial sponsorships lessen and our economy undergoes challenges.

There was no parade route viewer space to spare anywhere I looked. Many onlookers had camped out overnight along both sides of the parade route. There were crowds up and down the Boulevards with several people deep standing and others seated in stands such as those across the street from us.

The right side of the parade route often seems to be catered to by float performers since that's the location of television cameras at the parade's start.

The five and a half miles distance down Colorado and Sierra Madre Blvds. took its toll on those paraders on foot, including most of the marching bands. Their parade-beginning straight column lines we saw on the TV rebroadcast we watched after lunch, and returning home, were a contrast to the somewhat wavy horizontal lines we observed live when the marchers reached us just before their final turn onto Sierra Madre Blvd.

I noted at our end of the parade the animal-droppings-cleanup-scoopers I observed on television previous years were nowhere to be seen, but maybe they were just wherever the cameras were. We assumed this scooper brigade was either lacking in number to reach our part of the parade route, were all "scooped out," or erroneously concluded the animals, at least one of the horses, had no further business to unload. That assumption would have been wrong!

We watched with great apprehension as marchers with their eyes straight ahead sometimes "cut their foot" (a phrase whose meaning I recall learning in a farm's barnyard shared by cattle and horses.) Viewers in the parade stands could only sympathize from afar with each unfortunate marcher's plight. Later, further down the route we noticed an empty tennis shoe laying in the street and thought that individual's motivation must be strong to part with his or her shoe.

Sights I hadn't recalled seeing in previous years television viewing, but saw and heard in person, included a multitude of law enforcement vehicles driving by at the end of the parade. Emergency trucks and flatbeds followed bearing the names of more such businesses than I ever knew existed. Drivers of all of them were waving and sounding their horns creating a deafening cacophony of sound saying "Look at me!" I thought the auditory assault would never end. The vehicles were needed to transport all the floats to and from the parade as well as be available should they need to rescue any float breakdowns along the route. (We weren't aware of any such SOS needs.) By this time the stands were emptying and we were headed to our bus parked directly behind the stands, happy to have the noisy sounding horns muffled when we climbed aboard, then rode home.

Attending the 2009 Rose Parade was an enjoyable fun stress-free experience. We knew some people have their own camper or rent one they park overnight, but we appreciated not doing any driving for this event. I had splurged in the summer when we made our reservations and purchased inexpensive cushioned bleacher seats with backs, a very worthwhile investment I highly recommend.

We did learn of alternative ways we might be able to attend the Rose Parade in the future. We could drive part way, walk some short distances, use Metrolink/Metrorail, possibly independently reserve seats located in bleachers toward the beginning of the parade route near the television stands.

You may visit www.tournamentofroses.com for the latest official news as preparation begins for the 2010 Rose Parade.

Rose Parade 2009 Part III

The Rose Parade continues following the January opening blog piece titledRose Parade 2009 AnticipationthenRose Parade 2009 Part II.

Keep in mind all these colorful float displays consist of a variety of vegetation including fruit, seeds, bark, grasses, and flowers. Many more than the traditional flowers such as roses, marigolds, and mums with which we're quite familiar are used to decorate these floats.

"Bollywood Dreams" salutes the most prolific film industry, the cinema of India, courtesy of the city of Sierra Madre.




"Hats Off To New Mexico – BEEP, BEEP!" from that State was one of my favorites with the Roadrunner zooming down old Route 66 or Foothill Blvd. as the highway is known in many communities east of Los Angeles.


The Grand Marshal of this 120th Anniversary Rose Parade was Emmy- and Oscar winning actress, Cloris Leachman. She is "no spring chicken" as best described by one of my mother's favorite expressions. See a recent photo of her at this link to "The Insider." I was impressed that after Ms. Leachman's two hour ride down the parade route when she reached the final turn just past where we were seated she was still kicking her shapely leg high, but we weren't quick enough to get a picture.


"Natural Entertainers" was a float I wanted to see with its skateboard-riding bulldogs joined by actor Dick Van Patten. Tillman and his pal, Tyson, ran on a 55-foot-long oval track but were out of our sight and I would think exhausted by the time they reached us.


If you haven't seen these dogs here's an earlier YouTube video of Tillman
and Tyson

City of Long Beach paid a colorful flower covered float tribute to "Renaissance Revival."


A tribute to "Broadway's Golden Age" complete with a spiral staircase and a grand piano filling the air with music was this elaborate self-built float by the city of Downey.


"Sharing the Great Outdoors" captured that entertainment venue on this beautiful Kiwanis International float.


"Propel Your Dreams" showcases a fantastic flying machine depicting the active lives of those living a healthy lifestyle.


Pennsylvania State University Blue Band, Cheerleaders generated enthusiasm from the crowd for their Rose Bowl football team playing later in the afternoon. The colorful tall flags in the bands midst represent The Big Ten Conference schools. The University of Michigan is clearly visible as is Ohio State University, several times from different angles.















"Mad Hatter's Tea Party" presented by the City of Torrance was a whimsical eye-catching sight.


"Hooray For Hollywood" celebrated the film industry courtesy of the city of West Covina.


Another band whose appearance attracted our attention as still sounding strong and holding their formation well toward the end of this long tiring parade route was the 56th entry Homewood Patriot Band from Homeward, Alabama whose band director is Ron Pence, making their third Rose Parade appearance.


The Homewood Patriot Band has performed in two Presidential Inaugural parades and have won numerous awards including the "Grand Championship" and "Most Entertaining Band" at 2007's Heart of Dixie Band Competition. Coincidentally, the next day when my family was flying home they discovered they were sharing the flight with these musicians who were also 2006 finalists for Grammys in our Schools.

The Cal Poly Universities float that came into view next was one we most especially wanted to view.


Background information is that a few days before the Rose Parade, for the third time in recent years, my granddaughter and daughter devoted several hours helping decorate the Cal Poly float. Their grandfather/father (my husband) retired from Cal Poly. His relationship to the University when he was still living had attracted them to first volunteer helping with that particular float. A Cal Poly University website explains:

"The Cal Poly float is the only entry in the annual Tournament of Roses parade that is designed, built, and decorated solely by students and volunteers -- a tradition that dates back to 1949. Students at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo and California State Polytechnic University Pomona design and build the float each year. Students in the Rose Float programs at each campus build half of the float, which is trucked to the Pomona campus every November. The students spend their weekends assembling the float in Pomona. Students, parents, alumni and volunteers put the finishing touches -- including flowers -- on the float in Pasadena during 'Deco Week' before the New Year's Parade."

The float's theme "Seaside Amusement" won local Los Angeles TV station KTLA's Viewers Choice Award. Pasadena Rose Parade Assoc. announced this was the first time ever they've had this Viewers Choice Award. The Cal Poly news item described the float:
"It featured a working ferris wheel, a roller coaster and a parachute drop. Cal Poly planted more than 2,000 marigolds and asters to use on the float." This 2009 float was the 57th entry in the parade, said Cal Poly Rose Float Club Coordinator Josh D'Acquisto.

I do want to note the little green car and and the little red one perched on the front of the Cal Poly float were the recipients of my family members decorative gluing efforts. My daughter described labor intensive and time consuming hours working in a necessary flower preserving cold environment.

"On the red bumper car, we applied seaweed to the bumper. On the green bumper car, we applied green mums along the back, sides. Your granddaughter applied them above the bumper around the bumper car and I applied oleander leaves along the sides of the car."

The green car proved to be on the right side of the float and we were on the left side of the parade route, so caught only a real time brief glimpse of their handiwork. We were able to view Cal Poly float's red and green bumper cars more clearly on TV later as seen in this YouTube video.


Our 2009 Rose Parade finale will be published next time.