How Many Almonds Can I Have Anyway?   One of the things that I enjoy doing is to give blood on a regular basis at the Marshall Community Blood Center. I feel that this is something that is much needed, not too inconvenient to do, and I’m fortunate to be able to give healthy blood. I don’t tell this for myself, but rather to share the fact that blood is needed in your community too.   One of the requirements when giving blood, by law, you must stay in the office for an additional 15 minutes after giving. At the Marshall Community Blood Center, you will be offered food and drink to help in the recovery from donating; Juices, water, and teas to drink, hot dogs, cookies, and snacks to eat. There were two new items this last trip to the Center – Almonds and Raisins.     So I grabbed a pack... 05/27/2013

      I get to drive through a fine horse property community in Placerville on a regular basis. It is nice to pass through and see the many acres of white fenced horse areas, the riding arena, and the many horse trails in Greenstone Country in Placerville, CA I took the opportunity to get this shot over the horse arena with one of the lakes in the background. These are the kind of views that Greenstone Country has to offer homeowners and visitors in this horse property community.       View Larger Map 05/21/2013

  The Rain Had Caught Me Off Guard This Morning.     An unexpected rain last night/early this morning came as a surprise in the Sierra Foothills. It was kind of inconvenient; I think I left my truck windows open. But it reminded me of a joke.   If April Showers bring May Flowers, what do May Flowers bring?       Pilgrims!   Enjoy this Day! 05/05/2013

    Weather you are buying a home in Placerville , or just improving your deck with colors, now is the time to be planting those planters. The spring planting can even make a guy like me look like a “green thumb”. The important thing is to get out there and plant some colorful plants for all to see.    View Larger Map 04/28/2013

    One of the things that I like best about getting up early is watching the sun peek over the Sierra Mountains to the East. It happens every day but if I’m ready, I will wait for that moment. There is something special about that moment that makes me think that there is a power out there, far greater than me.   04/26/2013

  I’m done complaining about taxes, let’s get back to work.   The whole tax season seems to get longer and longer every year. I start to worry about getting them done in October and the stress doesn’t end until late May.  J   There are a lot of responsibilities that we do as independent contractors, things that the average worker will never know. It must all be worth it though because we keep coming back for another year.   Maybe you hate paying taxes, I know I do. I was told many years ago – “The only people who pay taxes are those that earn money”. I’m sure you could find exceptions to that rule, but it holds up pretty well. I don’t mind paying more taxes, as long as I’m making more money.   Now, let’s get back to work!   04/15/2013

  Are you up against the clock? There are many deadlines that we face, and some can be overwhelming when looked at as a whole. It may be best to break down the projects into smaller manageable pieces and work at getting through the whole, one manageable piece at a time.   It always seems that the final hour may be the most productive.   04/14/2013

  Lots of changes in the work day today; the original plan wasn’t in the cards. What is it about Mondays and the need for acting quick on your feet? I got through it unharmed and looking forward to tomorrow. The weather had some changes too. It was pretty cloudy to start the day, than the last of the clouds for a few days drifted away.   04/01/2013

        A Good Day to Even the Score. It’s not always easy choosing what to be doing sometimes. Deadlines are approaching, holidays with the family, rest, responsibilities, taxes; their may not be any right answer. For me this Easter will be about spending quality time with the family. The boys are all in town and it’s a change to have some family fun. Happy Easter Everyone!   03/30/2013

  A Quiet Sunset by the Lake in Placerville     I lot can be said about the quiet end of the day; finding that spot and reflecting on the blessings that we have been given is something that we must experience. Sometimes, it’s the best part of the day in Placerville, CA.   How about you?   Do you have a quiet spot? 03/26/2013

  Looking More Like Spring Everyday in Placerville, CA   Just got back from a walk through the neighborhood, so many signs of spring; birds chirping, plants blooming, and the weather is quite pleasant in Placerville, CA this morning. What better way to start off the weekend?   Hope that you will be experiencing the same in your local area soon.     View Larger Map 03/23/2013

  Why Do They Have To Be In The Road?     I’m not real sure why the chicken crossed the road, but apparently in did cross the road. The turkeys in our neighborhood tend to stay in the road and it becomes a nuisance. I enjoy seeing the wildlife in our community, and certainly wish the wildlife would move to the unpaved surfaces. Until then, I guess I’ll drive slower and maybe take a shot of them.   03/20/2013

  A View from the Shore at Greenstone Country   The weather was certainly spring-like this weekend, a hint that spring is on its way. Temporature reaching into the 70’s with clear skies was a treat for us in Placerville, CA. Standing on the shore, the colors of early spring were photo-worthy. How about you? How was the weather in your local area?   03/17/2013

Lucy Is Learning From the Master – Her First Catch     I have a cat, Mr. Kitty, which is almost legendary in his hunting prowess. Our newest cat has spent most of her life in a spastic world of self-entertainment. But it looks like she is learning from Mr. Kitty; today I noticed her first “Catch”. She bagged a little lizard that was hours of enjoyment. I hope she will graduate to bigger game soon.   03/13/2013

  I was doing a little bit of reflecting on the edge of the lake. It is important to get to a quiet place on occasion, for me it was on the lake. Just sitting quietly for a few moments can do wonders for the mind. Hope you had a chance to get quiet today. 03/11/2013

  Get That Tree Off Your House.   This is a great time of year to start looking around the house for trees and shrubs that are in need of pruning and removing. The winter weather can put a lot of stress on plants and limbs; trimming things back in the early spring can save you trouble later on. One area of concern in El Dorado County is the large trees growing over and against the buildings. If you have a large tree that is brushing your home, now is the time to clean things up. Trees can do a lot of harm; it can break tiles, wear on siding, and clog gutters. Take a look around your house and make an assessment of what needs to be done and call a professional for help.   03/06/2013

  The skies of El Dorado County were filled with clouds throughout most of the day. We got a bit of rain, which is much needed. I had to get a shot of the sunset as I drove through the neighborhood. I hope that you had a chance to enjoy your views today. 03/06/2013

  Was That Snow in Placerville, CA Today?   Two days ago the weather was in the 70’s and spring seemed just around the corner; today we got a light sprinkling of snow with the temperature getting into the 20’s tonight. That’s quite a change in 48 hours. The snow got down to some pretty low elevations; low enough to make it to my neighborhood.   02/19/2013

  Just another special sunset - Photo   I think I would capture every sunset if I could. Every day seems to have something special to give the viewer. Clear skies, clouds, rain, fog, there are so many things that make up the sunset. Of course, there are the other things in the shot that can add to it too – trees, ocean, mountains. I’ve always thought that it would be great to take a shot of the sunset every day for a year; that would make for a fun album.   02/11/2013

    Fun Football Treat   We had a small gathering at the house for the Super Bowl this afternoon, a small group with plenty to eat. One of the guests brought these chocolate dipped strawberries with a twist. The white chocolate threads were perfect for the football gathering. Congratulations to the Baltimore Ravens for winning the Super Bowl!   02/03/2013