Happy Halloween, family! It's Carol Ozaki's birthday, to boot! Say hi if you get the chance!
Sal
-- Post From My iPhone
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
Santa Barbara
A quick pic from the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden just days before the Jesusita Fire.
-- Post From My iPhone
Sal and Tad in Santa Barbara
On April 30, 2009, Tad, Sally and Smart ventured off to Santa Barbara for five fun-filled nights in the beautiful town of Santa Barbara. So many Californians feel a special bond with that town, and I have often heard a familiar refrain, "That's my favorite town," when reminiscing on times spent in Santa Barbara and the surrounding towns and areas.
We arrived in town after taking a very round-a-bout way route, including a detour through Grover Beach, Guadalupe and the town of Lompoc. After Lompoc, we turned off onto Santa Rosa Road and went to the La Fond tasting room and had a lovely bit of wine. For $5 they give you your very own crystal wine glass and a tasting of 6 or so wines. Not a bad deal.
Arriving in Santa Barbara aroud 4pm, we locate our rental-The Painted Pony Bungalow. If nothing else, this rental had been named with me in mind! It was in a residential area 6 blocks off State Street toward the Santa Barbara Bowl. A fabulous 1920's era 2 bed, 1 bath home with a yard and hot tub. Who could even ask for more? The house met and exceeded expectations, as most rentals from vrbo.com do.
We shopped, stocking our beautiful kitchen with necessities for making ourselves at home. Later that night, we took a hot tub, and everyone was thrilled.
Jenny and Ian visited on Saturday, May 2nd. We had a great afternoon, and visited the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens (which is dog-friendly, I might add). It was a magical afternoon and the evening consisted of Tad's famous burgers and another hot tub.
Jen and Ian stayed over and on Sunday, after a hot tub (of course!) we travelled down to Carpinteria to the Corktree Bistro for a bit of brunch. They serve a lobster (with avocado, if you want) eggs benedict! Whoa! Yum! Ian and Tad went to the "World's Safest Beach," with Smart, and saw a lot of wildlife (including dolphins! The girls shopped and took it easy.
Our days in Santa Barbara were so fun, we decided to stay a sixth night. On that sixth day, however, we observed a fire starting up the hill from Santa Barbara. We had thought it was far up the mountain, maybe even in the Los Padres National Forest. The plume of smoke travelled miles out to see, towards Santa Cruz Island. We headed back through Montecito and drove around the ruins of the old Miramar Hotel.
For anyone my age or older, they should remember the Miramar Hotel. The property extended from Highway 101 to the ocean, with the train track going through the middle of it all. In the 1930's it was very fancy, and I have many memories of this place and all of them are good. Over the last 10 years or more, I realize I have not noticed this hotel as I have driven south. I just always assumed I had missed it--although it was hard to miss with its white buildings and blue, Asian style wave tiles along the rooflines.
Now, I know the sad story, and the tragic future of this one-of-a-kind property. It had been closed--sometime back when Jenny and I still rode horses. Environmental contraints and local neighborhood opposition has kept this fabulous property from being re-developed. Don't these people hate seeing the ruins of all those buildings? Don't they hold any disdain for the gang tagging, vandalism, and broken down dreams of a once-posh hotel? Don't they realize that all that neglect will bring them only more negativity and potential problems? It is very sad, in fact is a crime.
Trying to get over the shock of the abandoned ruins, we headed through the coast village part of Montecito and gave little thought to the signs at the gas station stating they were out of mid and high test gasoline. We merely thought it was a missed delivery and since we run high test in the truck, we continued back into Santa Barbara.
What a shock. The sky was orange, and ashes were raining down over everything. It smelled of smoke and all the anxiety from last year's Basin Complex Fire returned. We thought we could stick it out, since we had already arranged for the extra night. The power flickered off and on, and our trusty radio station KTYD kept going off-air.
We went on a water and candle snatch-mission to Trader Joe's, which had just barely re-opened when we arrived (due to power outages). We received a call from the owner of the Bungalow, stating he would need to install a landline in case of a reverse 911 call infoming us of immenent evacuation. He recommended we pack while it was still light, in case the call came in the night. Hmmmmmm. We decided we should probably just leave and drive back before all hell broke loose.
Then, the shock of actual urban crisis hit. The gas issue in Montecito had nothing to do with a missed delivery-the station, like most others in Santa Barbara, was actually OUT of gas. Residents had reflexively proceeded to the nearest gas station and purchased all the gas in the town. This was truly alarming. At the time, only 1200 houses had been evacuated and that fraction of the population of Santa Barbara was enough to impact the entire gas stores of the city. Imagine a crisis affecting the entire city.
God Bless Santa Barbara, and all its inhabitants and their homes. We truly hope all lives can be protected in such a time, and prayers go out to all.
We arrived in town after taking a very round-a-bout way route, including a detour through Grover Beach, Guadalupe and the town of Lompoc. After Lompoc, we turned off onto Santa Rosa Road and went to the La Fond tasting room and had a lovely bit of wine. For $5 they give you your very own crystal wine glass and a tasting of 6 or so wines. Not a bad deal.
Arriving in Santa Barbara aroud 4pm, we locate our rental-The Painted Pony Bungalow. If nothing else, this rental had been named with me in mind! It was in a residential area 6 blocks off State Street toward the Santa Barbara Bowl. A fabulous 1920's era 2 bed, 1 bath home with a yard and hot tub. Who could even ask for more? The house met and exceeded expectations, as most rentals from vrbo.com do.
We shopped, stocking our beautiful kitchen with necessities for making ourselves at home. Later that night, we took a hot tub, and everyone was thrilled.
Jenny and Ian visited on Saturday, May 2nd. We had a great afternoon, and visited the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens (which is dog-friendly, I might add). It was a magical afternoon and the evening consisted of Tad's famous burgers and another hot tub.
Jen and Ian stayed over and on Sunday, after a hot tub (of course!) we travelled down to Carpinteria to the Corktree Bistro for a bit of brunch. They serve a lobster (with avocado, if you want) eggs benedict! Whoa! Yum! Ian and Tad went to the "World's Safest Beach," with Smart, and saw a lot of wildlife (including dolphins! The girls shopped and took it easy.
Our days in Santa Barbara were so fun, we decided to stay a sixth night. On that sixth day, however, we observed a fire starting up the hill from Santa Barbara. We had thought it was far up the mountain, maybe even in the Los Padres National Forest. The plume of smoke travelled miles out to see, towards Santa Cruz Island. We headed back through Montecito and drove around the ruins of the old Miramar Hotel.
For anyone my age or older, they should remember the Miramar Hotel. The property extended from Highway 101 to the ocean, with the train track going through the middle of it all. In the 1930's it was very fancy, and I have many memories of this place and all of them are good. Over the last 10 years or more, I realize I have not noticed this hotel as I have driven south. I just always assumed I had missed it--although it was hard to miss with its white buildings and blue, Asian style wave tiles along the rooflines.
Now, I know the sad story, and the tragic future of this one-of-a-kind property. It had been closed--sometime back when Jenny and I still rode horses. Environmental contraints and local neighborhood opposition has kept this fabulous property from being re-developed. Don't these people hate seeing the ruins of all those buildings? Don't they hold any disdain for the gang tagging, vandalism, and broken down dreams of a once-posh hotel? Don't they realize that all that neglect will bring them only more negativity and potential problems? It is very sad, in fact is a crime.
Trying to get over the shock of the abandoned ruins, we headed through the coast village part of Montecito and gave little thought to the signs at the gas station stating they were out of mid and high test gasoline. We merely thought it was a missed delivery and since we run high test in the truck, we continued back into Santa Barbara.
What a shock. The sky was orange, and ashes were raining down over everything. It smelled of smoke and all the anxiety from last year's Basin Complex Fire returned. We thought we could stick it out, since we had already arranged for the extra night. The power flickered off and on, and our trusty radio station KTYD kept going off-air.
We went on a water and candle snatch-mission to Trader Joe's, which had just barely re-opened when we arrived (due to power outages). We received a call from the owner of the Bungalow, stating he would need to install a landline in case of a reverse 911 call infoming us of immenent evacuation. He recommended we pack while it was still light, in case the call came in the night. Hmmmmmm. We decided we should probably just leave and drive back before all hell broke loose.
Then, the shock of actual urban crisis hit. The gas issue in Montecito had nothing to do with a missed delivery-the station, like most others in Santa Barbara, was actually OUT of gas. Residents had reflexively proceeded to the nearest gas station and purchased all the gas in the town. This was truly alarming. At the time, only 1200 houses had been evacuated and that fraction of the population of Santa Barbara was enough to impact the entire gas stores of the city. Imagine a crisis affecting the entire city.
God Bless Santa Barbara, and all its inhabitants and their homes. We truly hope all lives can be protected in such a time, and prayers go out to all.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
1919
As I reflect on two beloved women in our lives (Rinko Ozaki and Mary Pritchett) who have reached their 90th birthday in perfect stride, I think about how the world was in the year of their birth.
So, as any technologically conditioned person in the Internet age would, I quickly referred to "Wikipedia," for some instant facts.
Did you know in 1919 both the 18th Ammendment ( prohibition of alcohol) and the 19th Ammendment (giving women the right to vote) were both passed into law?
The Treaty of Versailles was signed, putting to end World War I. In the same year, at the opposite end of the human experience, Bentley Motors was founded.
Internationally, the Irish War of Independence started, the League of Nations was formed, and Benito Mussolini started the facist party.
In a modern quantum leap, the Bauhaus architectural movement was born in Germany, and Europe began it's very marked modern transition in building style.
Back in the states, the Grand Canyon was earning it's respective spot as a National Park. The Theory of Relativity was proven and UCLA was founded!
Just when you thought this is a crazy time in history, we can look back and realize the World Series was being "thrown," in the Black Sox Scandal! The domestic anarchist bombings were just starting up, and there were a number of riots and marches (most notably in Cleveland and Winnepeg).
And wouldn't you know, the first state to levy a tax on gas was none other than Oregon!
South-of-the-border, Pancho Villa was causing a great amount of trouble, and made history all the while.
So when I think about grandma Pritchett and great-aunty Rinko, I think back to the time they grew up in (as did J.D. Salinger, Andy Rooney, Jackie Robinson, Eva Gabor, Nat King Cole, Eva Gabor and Jack Palance-just to name a few!). It makes me feel like that is why they seem unfazed by current goings-on. They have seen and lived through so much, these days are no big sweat!
Thank you Maryand Rinko!
-- Post From My iPhone
So, as any technologically conditioned person in the Internet age would, I quickly referred to "Wikipedia," for some instant facts.
Did you know in 1919 both the 18th Ammendment ( prohibition of alcohol) and the 19th Ammendment (giving women the right to vote) were both passed into law?
The Treaty of Versailles was signed, putting to end World War I. In the same year, at the opposite end of the human experience, Bentley Motors was founded.
Internationally, the Irish War of Independence started, the League of Nations was formed, and Benito Mussolini started the facist party.
In a modern quantum leap, the Bauhaus architectural movement was born in Germany, and Europe began it's very marked modern transition in building style.
Back in the states, the Grand Canyon was earning it's respective spot as a National Park. The Theory of Relativity was proven and UCLA was founded!
Just when you thought this is a crazy time in history, we can look back and realize the World Series was being "thrown," in the Black Sox Scandal! The domestic anarchist bombings were just starting up, and there were a number of riots and marches (most notably in Cleveland and Winnepeg).
And wouldn't you know, the first state to levy a tax on gas was none other than Oregon!
South-of-the-border, Pancho Villa was causing a great amount of trouble, and made history all the while.
So when I think about grandma Pritchett and great-aunty Rinko, I think back to the time they grew up in (as did J.D. Salinger, Andy Rooney, Jackie Robinson, Eva Gabor, Nat King Cole, Eva Gabor and Jack Palance-just to name a few!). It makes me feel like that is why they seem unfazed by current goings-on. They have seen and lived through so much, these days are no big sweat!
Thank you Maryand Rinko!
-- Post From My iPhone
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Upcoming Event on the Pritchett Corner of the Ranch!
Tomorrow, April 1st, Mary Pritchett arrives in Placentia for a much anticipated visit! She will be accompanied by her daughter, Donna. She will be staying at Lew and Barbara Pritchett's house! All the southern California family will be having a great visit! More details to follow!
-- Post From My iPhone
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Gathering the Details
Yeah! I'd love to have all folks related post family info here! All you need is a gmail account and forward to Sally at cvbornandraised@gmail.com to be added as an author! Fabulous!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
What is the meaning of "Back on the Ranch?"
This blog has been created as a meeting post, a central location for members of several interconnected families to get together, get updated, or even discover each other from around the country.
The symbology of the "ranch" is one of a cherished place in one's past, a place we all love to retreat to and revisit at times in our busy lives. When we are living out our daily activities, it sometimes is nice to stop and wonder, "What's happening in the rest of the family?" or, "What's happening back on the ranch?"
Although a ranch may not be your image of that cherished place in our past, it represents a term that can represent that feeling of reconnecting to the family. No matter how remote or far away family members are from one another, this web blog is a way to stay in touch.
We may not e-mail, call or write to all parts of the family frequently, but we can catch a glimpse of happenings and celebrations all over the country-just by coming back to the ranch!
Any participation from any part of this family network is welcomed and gratefully anticipated! Enjoy the blog and forgive any grammar and/or spelling errors that may occur along the way!
This blog has been created as a meeting post, a central location for members of several interconnected families to get together, get updated, or even discover each other from around the country.
The symbology of the "ranch" is one of a cherished place in one's past, a place we all love to retreat to and revisit at times in our busy lives. When we are living out our daily activities, it sometimes is nice to stop and wonder, "What's happening in the rest of the family?" or, "What's happening back on the ranch?"
Although a ranch may not be your image of that cherished place in our past, it represents a term that can represent that feeling of reconnecting to the family. No matter how remote or far away family members are from one another, this web blog is a way to stay in touch.
We may not e-mail, call or write to all parts of the family frequently, but we can catch a glimpse of happenings and celebrations all over the country-just by coming back to the ranch!
Any participation from any part of this family network is welcomed and gratefully anticipated! Enjoy the blog and forgive any grammar and/or spelling errors that may occur along the way!
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