- Do you know those little squares of scribbles that can be scanned to take you to a website? They are called QR Codes. Do you know that QR means “quick response”? Simple name for weird techie magic.
- Central Valley Holocaust Memorial in Bakersfield now has a wall made of 6 million buttons. Read about it here. A friend’s mother-in-law learned about the project and began collecting buttons. The idea is that upcoming generations don’t know about the holocaust, and the number 6,000,000 is just incomprehensible without a visual aid. This photo was taken by my friend of her mother-in-law. (Hi Carol and Fran!)
- Instead of simply burying my kitchen waste, I learned a new way of composting. This one uses a vertically buried 8-10″ diameter PVC pipe (about 1 foot tall), randomly drilled with holes. After an undetermined length of time, you end up with worm castings, which are considered gold for the garden. Time will tell.
- I experienced inflation in a live and shocking encounter. An 18-pack of eggs was $5.00 in the summer in Visalia, California, while it was still $2.50 in Salem, Oregon. In December, it was $6.78 at Winco in Visalia. And Trail Guy paid $9.99 for a package of 3 romaine lettuce hearts in Three Rivers. Holy guacamole!
- Acta is the name of the yearbook for Exeter Union High School. A friend sent me the photo from the 1957 version to ask if I knew where it was taken. I told him it was Vandever, the peak on the right side of Farewell Gap. But it was bothering me, because something was off. When I showed Trail Guy, we both saw it: the photo was flipped horizontally! When I flipped it over, it became the right version. It puzzles me how I was able to recognize it despite the backward orientation.
- I puzzled through why so many of my friends don’t read my blog, coming up with the following reasons, all guesses on my part and many overlapping: too busy, non-techie, overloaded with too many other things on their little machines, accustomed to more exciting things, annoyed that the photos don’t show up on their phones, already hear enough from me in person, not interested in art, not interested in Mineral King, they forget I have a blog, don’t know what a blog is, or find it to be boring. I am touched when people actually read it. THANK YOU!
- Some friends in Texas have a house in escrow on about 4 acres of land, in something called an “ag extension“. This means they have to do some paperwork about raising “meat animals”, actually raise some of those animals, and then they get their property taxes greatly reduced. So interesting. . . I cannot picture these friends raising anything except children (currently have 4 while planning for numbers 5 and 6), nor can I understand why Texas has such a program. If it were me, I’d raise chickens for the eggs and never be able to kill a single living creature except for some bugs (which I would not eat).
- The day before Christmas Eve (sometimes called Christmas Eve Eve) is called Christmas Adam. This makes me smile every time I think about it.
What did you learn in December?
18 Comments
Hi. This is a friend reading your blog. 🙂 I actually read it often (admittedly not always) and very much enjoy your musings and perspective. This one was particularly educational. And I am impressed that you recognized that mountain ridge from a backward photo!
Hello, The Other Melinda, most definitely a friend! How kind of you to check in and let me know you enjoy my blog. Likewise, I appreciate your musings and perspective, and feel so much gratitude for our renewed friendship over the past handful of years!
I look forward to seeing and reading your Blog during the week, it is very enjoyed!
Thank you, Virginia. I am enjoying the freedom to ramble on any subject. Of course I could do that any time, because I am The Boss. . . but it supposed to be about my art business with some MK thrown in, because that is one of my greatest sources of inspiration.
Enjoy your blog!!
Thank you, Anonymous! (Do we know each other in real life?)
Hi Jana….I LOVE your blog! Your insights are fascinating and thought provoking. I can hear you talking through your blog! Thank you for sharing your wisdom! Happy 2023!
CATHY! So nice to hear from you. Thank you for your kind words, and Happy 2023 to you!
I learned my taste in blogs evidently is not universal? I almost never miss yours!
Aw shucks, thank you Louise! On Monday the post will list 5 other blogs that I enjoy. Maybe some of them will speak to you. Happy 2023!
Jana, I’ve been reading your blog ever since I moved from the Valley to the coast. Thank you for a good read each day that keeps me connected to my many years over there. Recently we spent a couple of days in 3 Rivers and Sequoia and it was wonderful. Sadly, though, Kaweah Arts was closed so I missed seeing some of your work in person. Oh well, your blog never closes!
Sara! How nice to hear from you. I think about you whenever I buy romaine hearts (and feel guilty about it). Thank you for checking in, and for trying to visit Kaweah Arts. The proprietor wears many hats, so sometimes hours get squeezed out. Love that “your blog never closes” line. . . my mind never seems to shut off, and I wonder if the continual stream of chatter wears out the readers.Happy New Year!
#5 – What does “Acta” mean?
#7 – In our area a similar program is called the Williamson Act. You fill out lots of paperwork and pay lots of fees, then if the Board of Supervisors approves, you can get a contract for your agricultural property. You agree to continue farming your property for ten years in exchange for reduced property taxes. These programs are designed to encourage people to continue farming their land, and here at least, the property tax savings are substantial.
Happy New Year, Marjie!
I also have wondered what “Acta” means, and if I get an answer, I will share it with you.
Thank you for explaining the Williamson Act. I have wondered about that, and have heard it referred to with happiness and also with vitriol, but never understood.
1. I knew they are QR Codes, but I didn’t know what “QR” stands for. So that’s one thing I learned in December!
2. Very sobering. I’ll read the article after I finish here.
4. I don’t even look at prices anymore. I would get too discouraged.
5. But, but . . . the avalanche is on the east side of the valley, down Potato Hill. I don’t remember seeing an avalanche scar on the west side. ???
6. Not applicable!
Happy New Year’s Adam!
And Happy New Year’s Adam to you, Sharon!
I didn’t really learn this; I actually experience it almost every year. I get all excited about decorating for the holidays. I don’t go all out, but there is a lot of red! But on the eve of Christmas Day it looks tired and I can’t wait to pack it up.
I prefer containers of pine cones rather than flashy decor.
Having a special Christmas requires an open heart to the wonder of the season. A gift alone won’t do it. You can’t buy Christmas joy.
Contentment is highly underrated.
The only time your hair is decent, your nails aren’t all chipped, your weight is close to adequate and you have jeans that fit is when you are home alone.
You get to a certain age when no one is watching you, which is rather freeing.
Each year I actually believe I can change some behavior in the coming year!!!! Ha ha ha
Happy New Year
Anne, I SO appreciate your wisdom!
In particular, I also prefer containers of pine cones, and will always prefer beautiful rocks and shells to shiny plastic stuff for any season.
And joy, contentment, not worrying about other people’s opinions on one’s appearance, are all gifts that often only arrive with maturity.
Happy New Year to you, my Birthday Twin!
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