If you’ll allow me, one extra today. You’d never know by looking at what I wear anymore, but I really love beautiful clothes. Long story short....(I’m sorry, I babble sometimes)....my mom, ages ago, worked for a super duper wealthy woman. A blue blood. Occasionally she would offer my mom some dresses she was getting rid of, for my older sis. My sister had zero interest. YAY! I was only around 10 or so (sister was 20) but I loved them. I’ve kept them stored in my mom’s closet. My younger daughter loves them. She’s tall enough to pull this one off. In my mind, it’s a work of art. I know it may seem weird to some, but my daughter with her long dark hair would turn heads. It’s all silk. Lined. Just gorgeous.

"Elmer, the reason they get so much snow and bad weather there is because of all the moist air coming off the ocean....." That's what I said and tried to be brief. I've spent my life in the state immediately to the south, where through the 700+ miles from there to the Mexican border, all areas are affected by that very same phenomenon on a much greater scale. Rain and snow on the west facing sides, deserts to the east of mountains in the lee. I actually had a class in university on the subject, The Geography and Regions of California. Weather variations are significant and are a prominent factor that influences differences from one part to another. . Didn't you see Fun2BHere's photo a few days ago with the palm trees in Newport Beach in the foreground and snow on the mountains in the not too distant background?

Annie - it was a well-kept secret for nearly 40 years. The gears were worn and wonky and if you accidentally bumped the case in a certain way it often stopped the movement. We never told the kids about the compartment to make sure they didn't play around with the door. When we moved our clock repair fellow moved all the antique clocks and then installed and serviced them at the new house. Now that I think about it I'm curious if we ever told them.....

Beauty, manners. courage and spunk in one package. She's sugar and spice and everything nice.