Deal or No Deal - No Deal!

Well, I had decided to give it a try getting on "Deal Or No Deal" because there was a local tryout - right here in little old Folsom. But when I arrived (or got as close as I could) the traffic was backed up for a mile and the police were out directing traffic. People were hiking in from the transit station with their collapsible chairs on their backs. Long waits aren't really my thing - so instead I washed my clothes at a laundromat for the first time in years and years and then went to lunch with my folks. Not quite the excitement of Howie and the girls, but oh well. What can you expect from a woman whose favorite place is in the nest pictured here? I love it - warm, cozy and a good view of my neighbors, when there are some.

Have a spectacular week! See, those of you who choose to check in get a special blessing!

The Artist - Dinner at my sister's house

Well, my family is keeping me well-fed. I've only had to provide my own dinners twice since I arrive in Sacramento! Last night, I had the pleasure of a wonderful pasta dish created by my sister, Laura and prepared in part by my brother-in-law, John. Two glasses of wine and a full belly later, I started taking some pictures of Laura's artwork. I think she's really good, but convincing her of that is another story.

Besides these over-sized flowers, she has done these tiny little pictures of roosters and fish. Very, very detailed and each one only about 2 inches tall - if that. If you think she's good too, please respond here. It will boost her confidence. Then I can help her market her talent and get rich off the agent fees!

My Hangout - The Folsom Library

As I sit here in the Folsom Library, hoping that I will be working on Monday, I am alternately planning my claim to fame. I'm going to try out for "Deal or No Deal" on Saturday. They are having auditions right here in River City (I mean Folsom!).

In and Around Folsom

So, for the past three days I've gone to the Folsom Library to look for a job online. The trip from my campsite to this wonderful library is 3.5 miles. On the way, I get to go over a bridge across the American River, drive through a portion of downtown Folsom, pass by incredible, historical homes and finally arrive at a comfortable, state-of-the-art new library, where all my needs are fulfilled (job hunting anyway!).

The beginning of my journey here has been wonderful. I have an interview tomorrow and will probably have another by the end of the day. So, things are looking up.

This morning I was woken up at the campsite by wild turkeys gobbling and making their way through the brush. As I had my morning coffee, I watched a squirrel eating an acorn.

To all, a good day!

My front yard

Was just dying to get this up! Can't get more relaxing can it!

From Folsom Lake to where?

I've landed in Sacramento, and today I'm trying to get my head around that. I've signed up for a campground for two weeks and spent last night there. It was so peaceful and nice. I'm surrounded by oak trees.

Vanessa, my daughter, and I had a long, uneventful trip up, with only one incident. It scared me a bit, but she kept her head. We were looking for a Wal-Mart and got lost. Turned down a dead-end street and couldn't turn Wanda and the tow-dolly around. I got the Yaris stuck by trying to give the chains around the tires a little slack and rolling right over the barrier to the other side of the dolly. Bad Kathy! We prevailed on a nice man who lived in this upscale neighborhood and he helped us get Bebe (my Yaris) off the dolly, turn the dolly around by hand and reload Bebe. We gave him a nice bottle of wine and many, many hugs and were on our way.

Vanessa got to visit with family for one night and a morning and then flew back to Arizona. I have been doing the rounds with family ever since. Last night was the first time on my own. This morning and afternoon has been spent trying to figure out mail and jobs. I'm getting a handle on it. Really I am.

About the trip - 17 hours of driving - but it really wasn't bad. I find there aren't that many people ready to jump into an RV and take off. I'm collecting strange looks from everyone, including one of my sisters, who didn't realize I was actually planning on living in Wanda permanently. When I told her, she arched one brow and said, "Reeaallly?"

So, wish me luck temporary job hunting tomorrow. I'll need it. May your days be filled with quiet moments of revere.

The World is my oyster

I'm about to leave little old Maricopa. Only 12 days left and one more newspaper to put out. I have very mixed feelings about the whole thing.

I'm incredibly excited about taking up a new adventure, but sad to be leaving people who I've come to know and care about. I'm really sad to leave a city in so much disarray. For the past week or so, there has been a string of people coming through my door or calling me on the phone to express dismay at my leaving.

It would take a huge ego to accept all of that as a credit to me personally. I am grateful, however, that there are those who feel I've contributed something here. I really did try hard.

As overwhelming as things are right now, I hope that Maricopans will stay involved. Ultimately, the only thing that will keep these people, the City Council and their staff, on the straight and narrow is the attention of their constituents.

I'm off to start a new endeavor and anxious to get underway. I'm headed for Sacramento, California, but not about to stop there. I'm moving into a motorhome named Wanda, and will be tooling around the West Coast and then onto the rest of the country.

As I go, I'm going to uploading pictures and giving a little travel log about my journey. But I'm also going to be keeping an eye on Maricopa. I'm sure I'll have a little bit to say about what's going on.

Signing off for now - Kathy L. Hall - Citizen of the Universe