Hopping On Hibbard

Howdy! We don't have the internet yet at our new address. Here's an update. We've moved in and settled down , moved out of San Francisco. Finally have been able to extract most of our things from Hyde Street with just a little more to do, and now consider ourselves residents of Alameda.  Yes, more to do before we feel completely at ease but we've been able to step back and catch our breath and enjoy life again.

Here's some photos from the house with bookshelves Maria built from recycled materials ($10!), a gum ball machine filled with super balls, and to the right of the photo is a fish tank in progress (now the residents are in and doing well)

working on the turtle pond

releasing goldfish into the pond

Fortunately the turtles are too slow to get any of the goldfish; by last count, we still have 12 fish. After all their lives in various tanks we brought the turtles (Bud and Lou) to this upgrade of an existence with thoughts of them immediately loving it.  It seems within hours they wandered off probably a nesting/mating instinct and with great sadness we were resigned to the loss. I walked blocks just in case Lou was strolling around the corner, and thought about knocking on the doors of our neighbors, "Hi we're your new neighbors- and have you seen a 25 year old turtle wandering by?"
Over a period of two days, both were found, and both are healthy and doing what water turtles do; swim, eat, and sunning.

Slip 'n Slide is now an option

 Last Monday we drove up to the Saratoga Winery in a concert venue that is probably the prettiest place we have ever enjoyed music.  Can't report what it is like on a rainy night but on this night, in perfect warmth and air, and excellent sound and feel all around, it was a good good night, indeed. Nickel Creek and the Secret Sisters gave us all we could ask for and the drive, though far was worthwhile and special.

Plus we sat right by the sound and light boards which was a large plus for Dexter.  The Secret Sisters released their second record, Put Your Needle Down is one of our favorite spins currently!

Thunder and Lightning settled into the new house better than expected, although Lightning slept under a bed and hid some of the first day.  It's a better place for them with more sun space, a yard to explore and with us with them all the time we are there.  We are settling in.