Pumpkin Island 2010 Take 2

Summer in Oakland has finaly arrived

I feel like summer has finally arrived. The fog was missing when we awoke early, and its warm enough to tramp around the house without slippers and a robe. We leave renovations behind for a few weeks and go exploring to points east. Testing the new macro mode on the small camera....

From Vacation Images

McGee Creek -

Starting to expand my working knowledge of Photoshop. Here is an example of a composite image I captured and assembled from McGee Creek in the Eastern Sierra. Click on thumbnail image to view larger version.

Poem - Goin' to the depot

Goin' to the depot

and I'm

Goin' to spend money, honey

Goin' to the depot

one more time

Goin' to the depot

to stand in line

Goin' to the depot

cause I'm short one small part

goin' to the depot

knew it from the start

Goin' to the depot

cause the color just aint right

goin' to the depot

my house is such a sight

Goin' to the dept

cause Ikea left me dry

can't make a day without it

no matter how hard I try

The lady in returns

knows me by my damm first name

The guy in hardware knows

that I am just so lame

The kid in paints

with pants all splattered

just shakes his head,

his patience shattered

The special order desk

keeps mine on top

cause they have learned

each day I shop

I'll stop by to say hello

to find out if

my order's slow

I'm struggling hard

to stay on track

to finish projects

in my stack

My wallet's thin

from such abuse

the guy in hardware's so obtuse

But soldier on

add Visa's bill

to depot's lot

my dream to fill

Goin' to the depot

and I'm

Goin' to spend money, honey

Goin' to the depot

one more time

Goin' to the depot

to stand in line

Speed is...

"Speed is irrelevant if you are traveling in the wrong direction"

- David Wann from "Simple Prosperity - Finding real wealth is a sustainable lifestyle"

Pasta Salad (Entree)

(From Beth Yurman)
Serves 4

1 pound angel hair pasta
Sun dried tomatoes in oil, cut in bite sized pieces
Feta cheese, crumbled
Olives of your choice, cut in pieces
cherry tomatoes
sugar snap peas
small amount of finely chopped red onion (optional)
Some oil from the tomatoes
Chopped fresh basil

Cook pasta, al dente
Mix with above ingredients, amounts depending on preference
Add salt/pepper to taste

May serve at room temperature or cold

Sauteed chicken, in bite size pieces may be added, if desired

Margaret's BBQ corn recipe - yummy twist on summer staple

fresh corn - take off husk
put butter, salt, and lime on corn
wrap in tin foil and
put on barbecue and cook for 30 minutes turning regularly

it will turn golden and have a wonderfully nutty flavor.

Updated the EMT Flashcard program to run on PC and MAC

Following up on requests from our community, considering the budget limitations of many EMT-B students, and recognizing that there are many computing platforms besides the iPhone and iPad, I am exited to announce the release of a version of the populated EMT Flashcard program for both the MAC and the PC.

These programs both come included with a runtime version of FilemakerPro, so no additional software is required to operate the over 650 index cards chock full of EMT vocabulary, anatomy, and medical emergency assessment background. (You may recall that the iPhone/iPad app requires that you also purchase the Filemaker Go program for $20.00)

For the introductory price of just $9.95 you'll get the whole application, over 650 populated cards with questions, and answers, with no additional membership fees, registration fees or hidden costs. You can add your own cards to the deck, modify or delete our questions and answers. Just look for the platform appropriate Buy Now button on the right side of the page.

Follow this link to learn more...

The MAC version will run on any MAC with OS 10.4 and beyond.
The PC version will run on any windows version from XP and beyond.
No extraordinary hardware requirements.

Pt. Reyes National Seashore - Elk Preserve

At the far tip of Point Reyes National Seashore, when the fog is burned away by the late summer sunshine, a magic domain of the elk is exposed....

From 2010 Pt Reyes Elk preserve

Groups of elk forage undisturbed by roads, or cars, or cattle and separate into "harems" - each managed by a single dominant male animal.

From 2010 Pt Reyes Elk preserve

At the peripheral areas, more juvenile males look on in envy, but if they venture too close, the dominant male moves the harem, or drives the other males away.

From 2010 Pt Reyes Elk preserve

From 2010 Pt Reyes Elk preserve

Sharing the coastal grassy hillsides are Great blue herons, egrets, golden eagles, gulls, and turkey vultures. We even saw what we think is a Foxote - a genetic cross between a coyote and a fox that seems to be growing is domain on the west coast.

From 2010 Pt Reyes Elk preserve

Some of the vintage 1850's diary farms still operate on National Seashore property, but some of the structures are in disuse and are being recolonized by the native plants.

From 2010 Pt Reyes Elk preserve

If you want to go - be sure to watch the weather carefully - especially the fog forecast. When it is clear, it tends to be very windy. If a sunny spell is called for, head on out to the very end of the road on the north tip of Point Reyes National Seashore, and don't forget your binoculars. There is lots of poison oak in the grasses, so bring something to protect yourself if you plan to sit and watch the wildlife. National Seashore web site