“… blogging about life, travel, books, food and the outdoors”
Being back in the ballpark an invigorating experience
It felt good to actually be in the stands at a Giants game instead of a cardboard cutout like so many people were last year because of the pandemic. Baseball in person—as is true of most sports—is so much better than watching it on TV or listening to it on the radio....
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Book Review: ‘Book Thief’ starts slow, finishes strong
Having heard such wonderful things about “The Book Thief” (Alfred A. Knopf, 2005) led me to keep going even though I was close to moving on to the next book. It’s one of those books that didn’t grab me at the get-go. I’m so glad I persevered. This historical fiction...
read more Being back in the ballpark an invigorating experience
It felt good to actually be in the stands at a Giants game instead of a cardboard cutout like so many people were last year because of the pandemic. Baseball in person—as is true of most sports—is so much better than watching it on TV or listening to it on the radio....
read more
Beauty of Rabe Meadow never disappoints
It’s amazing how much beauty and history can be packed into a walk that is only about 2½ miles round trip. Such is the case with Rabe Meadow on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. Many people access Nevada Beach by driving in. It’s definitely faster, but it also...
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Live music provides fuel for the soul
“Live music is the most primal form of energy release you can share with other people besides having sex or taking drugs.” – Kurt Cobain This energy that music provides to performers and listeners is so powerful that even a pandemic could not stop it. Even though big...
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Mulberry Station on track delivering great beer and pizza
Breweries tend to do one thing well—make beer. Pizza places tend to specialize in making pies. Mulberry Station Brewing Company in Chico does both well. The beer is made on site and the pizzas are cooked to perfection in a wood fire oven. Owners have embraced...
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U.S. Forest Service blows it with fire burning near Tahoe
The U.S. Forest Service’s approach to fire management is a legacy of inconsistency that has not been rooted in science, nor has it always been good for the environment, wildlife or humans. Today, one has to question the wisdom of letting lightning started fires...
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Book Review: ‘New Jim Crow’ dissects U.S. criminal justice system
“The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness (10th anniversary edition)” (The New Press, 2020) is not easy to get through. But I’m glad I did. Michelle Alexander’s book was first published in 2010. It was considered revolutionary and...
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Fantastic floral display sprouts from Kennedy Meadows
A botanist I am not. My description of flowers is usually: “Oh, look at that pretty purple flower.” “That orange one is so unique.” And so on. Names of flowers escape me most of the time so I’m not the one to lead a wildflower trip, except maybe to get you there....
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St. Francis Winery worth a stop when in Sonoma Valley
Sipping the Chardonnay in the shade on the patio we were a long stone’s throw from where those grapes had been harvested. It was serene to imbibe in such a setting—looking at the vineyard that seemed to extend to the base of Hood Mountain. St. Francis Winery &...
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Mexican spice Tajin a citrusy delight for array of foods
In Mexico, limes became one of my go-to ways to season various dishes. That tanginess is different than a lemon. Plus, those tiny limes, not the ones sold in most U.S. supermarkets, come with more flavor. With my predilection to use limes, it’s not surprising that one...
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California says federal 'let it burn' policy reckless as wildfires rage - Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-08-01/california-federal-officials-disagree-letting-some-wildfires-burn
