Today, we had a rather nice afternoon when the low clouds and fog finally burned off. We had been planning to cook on the outdoor grill, so the weather cooperated with us today.

We grilled pork chops, steamed broccoli and baked a squash. Other than the BBQ beans (which were heated in the microwave), the whole meal was cooked outdoors.

Today is the first time we cooked our home-grown Kabocha squash (Japanese pumpkin). We were unsure what we would get since there is a Kabuki dance involved after picking to keep the squash warm for two weeks and then store it in a cool dry place for several more weeks. We might have been a little too early, but when we ate it it was really good! We spread butter and cinnamon on it and baked in aluminum foil over the closed grill set to 400° for 45 minutes. They stayed on the grill’s heating rack while we grilled the chops and steamed the broccoli.

We have a half dozen of these left this season, so other than keeping one or two for ourselves, we’re going to give them to family.

Click on the image to enlarge.

About a year ago, we rented a trailer from Cruise America and took a trip up the California coastline as far as Monterey and came back down US 101 through Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo. We visited several missions and stayed at RV parks along the way.

When were camping at Paso Robles, I took a pair of images for a possible 3D picture of the rented trailer. I found those pictures in an archive and decided to combine them into a 3D image this evening. Click on the image to enlarge - you will need your pair of 3D glasses to see the stereo effect.

Of course, if you don’t have your 3D glasses, you can view the 2D image here.

After Bear was diagnosed with a urinary tract and skin infection we discussed what might have been the cause. We came to the conclusion that the dirt patch serving as a dog run might to be to blame. We have occasionally seen Bear laying in the sun on the bare dirt.

Image - Verna watering Bear’s grass - click to enlarge

We thought that if we installed some sod over the bare dirt that it would be less of a health hazard for Bear. So, last week we went to Lowe’s and bought enough sod to cover the dog run. Verna does her best to keep it green and we both make sure that messes are promptly cleaned up. Bear seems to like it better too.

It has been over a week since I had surgery on my tummy. The vet lady called to tell us there wasn’t any cancer and that I am going to be OK. Next week, I get my stitches out and then I get a bath and trim.

The Daddy says we’re going to go on another trip in the SUV. I like to go with the hoomins to where they will build my new house. Click on my picture to make me big.

Back in the early 1980s, I had the pleasure of serving as flight instructor to primary student Fraser Heston. A mutual friend and former student, Ralph, introduced Fraser to me and wanted to have Fraser take his primary instruction in Ralph’s Piper PA-18 Super Cub, a descendant of Piper’s Venerable J3 Cub. I was one of the few taildragger instructors at SMO then, so I got the job.

Clickable image: Fraser Heston posing by Ralph’s Super Cub (found during the big house cleaning)

One of the big events was when Fraser was to have his first solo flight. His Father, the immortal Charlton Heston brought the family to witness the event. After a few trips around the traffic pattern as dual instruction, Fraser was ready to make his three take-offs and landings to a full stop (touch and go landings don’t count for taildraggers). I got out of the airplane near the gas pit where there was an observation deck. I introduced myself to “Chuck” and his family as Fraser taxied out for take-off.

Fraser’s three trips around the pattern were flawless. His landings were smooth and uneventful - which is a good thing. We cheered from the observation deck as Fraser taxied back for each subsequent takeoff. after the last landing, Fraser taxied to the tie-down area next to the observation deck and we all met him there.

Chuck proposed a toast to the event. The family brought a bottle of champagne and several little plastic champagne glasses. Chuck had to pour the champagne into glasses on the horizontal stabilizer of an adjacent Cessna since Ralph’s airplane’s horizontal stabilizers aren’t horizontal on the ground. We toasted to Fraser’s perfect first solo flight. The family then adjourned to have brunch in Westwood Village.

Verna and I were honored to be invited to the screening of “Mother Lode” a few weeks later. We both met with Charlton Heston, the star of the film, and with Fraser, the writer and producer. On the way out, Verna (literally) bumped into Lou Ferigno, star of “The Incredible Hulk.” That was a fun night.

I am very proud to have these events in my pilot logbook. I still brag about having this experience from time to time. This is one of those times.

Our builder in Arizona went out to our new lot and installed some stakes to mark the corners of the new house. We met with him and discusses some of the options available to us. While we were there, I took several images of the lot to stitch together into this panoramic view from the east view of the building pad to the north view. Hopefully, we will be able to post more panoramas an progress on the new house is made. Click on the thumbnail to see the whole panorama, stakes and all.

Well, not the proverbial attic, but rather all of the nooks and crannys and cubby holes where we have stored pictures and documents over the years. Since we’re now committed to building our home in Arizona, we’re starting to dig out stuff we’re NOT taking with us and either dispose of it, shred it or give it to family.

Verna has been at it since a few days ago, going through our vast collection of photographs (non-digital hard-copies), sorting into keepers and non-keepers piles. Today, I got into some old boxes and cabinets upstairs and discovered documents such as my original application for employment to Hughes Aircraft (now Raytheon), tax records, old trust deeds, legal papers of all descriptions, some not fond memories, I must admit, and a set of plans to add on to our California home 25 years ago. I even found my original DD214 Navy discharge papers. Talk about a trip down memory lane.

Some of the old papers went into the safe but most went into the shredder. Many of the old photos were sorted into several large envelopes by Verna, destined for family to see and dispose as they see fit. A lot of old kid pix of nieces and nephews who now have their own kids. I still have a crap load of old 35mm slides in the garage - they’re next.

We have really a lot of stuff to clean out over the next months and we’re transitioning to Arizona. We’ve only scratched the surface of 30+ years accumulation of stuff in our California house.