“Using this photo (below) as inspiration, write a short story, flash fiction, scene, poem; anything, really; even just a caption for the photograph. Either put it (or a link to it) in a comment or email it to me at keithchanning@gmail.com before 6pm next Sunday (if you aren’t sure what the time is where I live, this link will tell you). If you post it on your own blog or site, a link to this page would be appreciated, but please do also mention it in a comment here.
Go on. You know you want to. Let your creativity and imagination soar. I shall display the entries next Monday.”
This week marks the 135th anniversary of the first trainload of oranges to leave Los Angles for Eastern markets in 1886. The town of LA only had 11,000 inhabitants when the oranges were shipped. Mostly farmers and workers on farms tending the massive orchards around the city. We can’t pass up the opportunity to go west again when LA was young. This time we need to take a look at the agricultural side of things. As usual, we need to take our list of things not to do so that we don’t cause a problem in the time continuum. Let’s all get in James’s Oldsmobile. I call shotgun.
James Wainwright’s 1956 Oldsmobile from Eternal Road – The final stop. You should read this one on Amazon. Just click the car to go there. Hurry back.
Top Ten Things Not to Do at The First Trainload of Oranges to Leave Los Angles in 1886
10 If you go, do not show your “Save the Colorado River” shirt. If you do, at best, you’ll get a quizzical look. At worst, one of the farmers will ask you what it means. (You see, Manawydan in the 1880s irrigation was mostly tapped from the hills. It wasn’t until 1941 that the Colorado River Viaduct routed water to LA from the Parker Dam 250 miles away. So right now, there are no arguments about water from the river. That farmer looks like he likes you.)
9 If you go, do not ask Tiny, the WWF champ, if you can have an orange. If you do, at best, Tiny won’t be listening. At worst, Tiny will think you are trying to steal oranges. (Tiny was told by the bosses to be on the lookout for orange rustlers, Manfried. He was told to show no mercy. This, coupled with Tiny’s sociopath tendencies, means you will experience Tiny’s famous drop hold. Yeah, that’s a drop like in fall for ten feet. Maybe the concrete isn’t the best landing spot.)
8 If you go, do not sing Carol King’s song about the Earth moving under your feet. If you do, at best, everyone will be watching the oranges being loaded. At worst, the local sheriff will wonder what you are trying to accomplish. (Earthquakes have been recorded in the Los Angles area as early as 1812 in the Ventura area. These guys don’t take moving Earth Lightly, Manley. I think the Sheriff wants to talk to you.)
7 If you go, do not mention frozen or orange juice in a can. If you do, at best, you’ll be ignored. At worst, you’ll be overheard by a farmer. (Now you’ve done it, Mannie. Orange juice was first canned in the 1920s as a way to take up the slack posed by too much fruit being grown. As fresh fruit ages, its taste begins to deteriorate. It was thought by canning it, the abundant stocks could be saved and sold. You have to hope the guy you told is the one who came up with the idea. Otherwise, you have altered the time continuum.)
6. If you go, do not ask for a screwdriver. If you do, at best, you’ll get a tool. At worst, you will be asked to explain what you mean. (Given that Los Angles has plenty of oranges, Manny it seems natural that a little vodka could be added. Unfortunately for you, such a drink was not invented until the late 40s. Two stories exist about that invention. The first story is that American oil workers living in Saudi Arabia would add vodka to their orange juice and stir it with a screwdriver since spoons were in short supply. The second story is U.S. Marines came up with the drink and named it. In any case, you are way ahead of your time.)
5 If you go, do not suggest making orange sherbet. If you do, at best, no one will hear you. At worst, the entire crew will enthusiastically ask you to do it. (The use of ice and salt to enhance the making of frozen deserts came to America in the 18th century, Manolito. Orange sherbet is a natural. Get some ice, salt, milk, sugar, vanilla, and fresh orange juice, and you have it made. Of course, there is the arm breaking cranking of the ice cream machine. We’ll see you later.)
4 If you go, do not offer to go with the oranges to New York City. If you do, at best, you’ll be laughed out of the county. At worst, someone will let you get in a car. (I hope you have plenty of provisions Mansfield. It will take over three weeks for a freight train to make the trip. An express passenger trip can be made in 84 hours via the new Transcontinental line.)
3 If you go, do not ask the farmers about Florida oranges. If you do, at best, the tractor noise will drown out your question. At worse, the biggest farmer will hear you. (Since the beginning of time, Manuelo, there has been a rivalry between Florida and California. You now will see how the big Californian Farmer feels about his oranges.)
2 If you go, do not take bets on how many pounds of oranges will be produced in 2021. If you do, at best, everyone will think you have lost your head. At worst, you’ll have no way to pay the bet since it will be 135 years in the future. (Be that as it may, Manvil. If someone guessed 25 billion pounds, they are a winner. I think you should give everyone their money back.)
1 If you go, do not argue with anyone about the original source of the sweet orange. If you do, at best, they won’t care. At worst, you will argue with someone who wants to win. (The original source for the sweet orange was China, Manzo. They were brought to America in the 1500s by the Spanish explorers. You need to go and offer that guy who is sharpening his knife an apology since that was his position. Yeah, maybe you ought to let him coll off a while. Here have an orange.)
This week is a Storybook Walk – Valentines edition. The book on the walk is “I’d Know You Anywhere My Love” by Nancy Tillman. We will be taking the bus to the Lakeway Activities Center and then disembark to have lunch on the walk grounds. We have a tent and electrical – hook-ups, so our meal will be hot where it needs to be hot and cold where it needs to be cold.
For an appetizer, we are serving cold stone crab and parm and tomato crostini. For the main course, you have a choice of Shrimp Étoufée, Dirty Rice, Roasted Brussels Sprouts. or Beef Wellingtondemi-glace, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, and broccolini. Both are served with spinach Salad cranberries, feta cheese, candied pecans, heirloom tomatoes, and red wine vinaigrette. For dessert, we are offering warm turtle brownies, and tres leches cake. Home churned vanilla bean ice cream is available. In addition to the Top Shelf liquors, we are serving a 2016 Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico Riserva for the red wine and a 2018 Hall Sauvignon Blanc Knights Valley for the white. Our entertainment for today will be The Seekers.
So hop on the bus, and let’s go. When we get there, we will take a stroll.
There’s the sign post.
The book cover.
A footbridge to cross
A pledge to know you no matter what you become.
Your smile will give you away.
The gleam in your eyes will be a tip-off.
How about your grin?
Or maybe your chinny chin.
A leftover from the Walk of Lights
A bench ready for Valentine’s Day.
Love messages in the trees.
A panda and giraffe being friends.
Messages left on the back of the Panda and Giraffe mural.
If you were a bear-cub.
I’d know you by your nose.
Your give away feet.
Your snowy owl wings say it’s you.
I would know your roar.
A lovely message for Valintine’s Day
Thank you for a visit. I couldn’t hope to show you all the pages of the book, but I hope you got a flavor. Now relax and have some food and drink and enjoy the Seekers.
It is Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and I pulled a postcard out of the mail today. To my surprise, Linda Hill did not make a trip to deliver the prompt. She sent it on this card instead. After reading the prompt I can see why. This week’s prompt, as written by Linda, is:
Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “flag.” Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!
This one sure didn’t need a box or large envelop for sure. If you would like to participate in the fun, go to Linda’s blog and read how to do that very thing. (Was hard not to end that sentence with a preposition) Here is a link to Linda’s place.
“It’s Friday Lucy.” “I see it is by the clock on the wall.” “Let’s ruckus.”
Well, here we are on Friday again. It has seemed like a short week for some reason. I can’t explain why. Maybe it’s busy.
Taxes took up a bit of time this week. I spent 2 1/2 hours on Turbo Tax customer support to fix a problem caused by Microsoft. When I booted up Turbo Tax, I couldn’t get the software updates. I let this situation go several times, but since I bought the disk a while ago, I knew I needed them. I really don’t know what the problem was, but a Microsoft bulletin suggested a couple of fixes that didn’t work. Finally, The tech and I uninstalled the program and then eliminated some programs that looked to be interfering. Long story short, all is well. I had previously saved my work, so nothing was lost except time.
This is Super Bowl weekend, and I always look forward to the commercials. Of course, having two quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady playing against each other should be entertaining. I guess I’m not alone. The sports pundits are calling this the greatest match-up ever. Who am I to argue. I don’t have a favorite, so I guess whoever plays the best game should win. (DUH John)
Still more executive orders out of Washington. We shall see.
This week’s JohnKu talks about having fun. I hope you all have a great weekend. This week’s view of the neighborhood is a Story walk. See you there.
“Since it is Wednesday can we take a nap?” “Of course Little One. Why would you ask?” “I just wouldn’t want to sleep through Friday.”
It is Wednesday Story Day again, and last week, Pricilla got a call from Cortez’s men advising her that they will want to trade Carolyn for Lazar. We also know she has her techie working on Stennis’s phone to see if any of the numbers he called could lead them to Cortez’s men. Andrew, Larry, and Pricilla are in a small room at the Highway Patrol headquarters. I think we ought to go there now and see if there has been another phone call from Cortez’s team.
“I think we ought to get out of here and go to my office.”
“You not comfortable that the place is full of bugs?”
“Let’s just say If I want to be overheard, I’ll talk in a crowd.”
“Andrew and I are at your service, Pricilla.”
“Yeah, I appreciate that too. You guys want to ride with me?”
“That would be swell since we got here in Lieutenant Mayfield’s car.”
“I’ve wanted to ask you. You have any gut feelings about Mayfield.”
“Gut feelings?”
“Yeah. You’re a detective. You know what I mean by gut feelings.”
“Should we be talking about that here?”
“Maybe you’re right. I keep forgetting this is Mayfield’s domain. Let’s say our goodbyes to the Lieutenant and go downtown.”
“Do you think Cortez’s men will have a problem with you being separated from Lazar?”
“They shouldn’t. Besides, how are they going to know.”
“Let’s hope they don’t know. If they find out then, that will tell you something.”
“I get that for sure. Let’s go.”
“After you, Pricilla.”
“You two wait here. I’ll go say goodbye to Mayfield.”
“We’ll be here.”
“Larry.”
“Hold on, Andrew. Wait till Pricilla is out of earshot. Okay, what is it?”
“Talk about gut feelings. I’ve got alarm bells going off all over the place.”
“Yeah, me too. What the hell is wrong with everyone anyway. I’m not sure, but I don’t think there is a straight shooter on this side of the keyboard.”
“Keyboard?”
“Never mind. I’m as nervous about Pricilla as I am about Stennis and the Lieutenant. I get this feeling we are in a big game of Clue. I’m waiting for Colonel Mustard to step out.”
“That’s pretty funny, but I know what you mean. I just don’t have a handle on who’s who.”
“We need to get to the bottom of the reason we came here. We got the Sandusky cold case and the supposed murder of Alexis Rafferty. Now we could just cut out losses and go back to Boston and forget we ever got caught in this mess.”
“I don’t recommend that, Larry. For heaven’s sake, Janis Rafferty and Ned Dixon would get away with murder. We don’t want that. Here comes Pricilla.”
“Okay, guys, we are ready to go.”
“We are with you.”
“Yeah, I’m counting on that. The lieutenant says good-by and hope you have success with your case.”
Harvey Wilcox – Registered Hollywood in 1887. Wikipedia image
Today marks the 134th anniversary of Hollywood’s official registration with the Los Angles County recorders office in 1887. I know I would like to go there and see what the beginning looks like. We need to take out the top ten list to avoid any tear in the time continuum. James’s Oldsmobile is ready so let’s get going.
James’s Oldsmobile from Eternal Road – The final stop
10 If you go, do not say anything bad about Kansas. If you do, at best, no one will hear you. At worst, Harvey Wilcox will be standing right behind you. (For your information, Mahpee, Harvy, the guy who registered Hollywood, came to Southern California from Kansas. I think I would say “go Jayhawkers,” and walk away.)
9 If you go, do not ask Tiny, the WWF champ, for directions to the Walk of Fame. If you do, at best, Tiny will be on his lunch break and not hear you for the chewing. At worst, Tiny will realize he has no idea where the Walk of Fame is located since it is not in place yet since it was built in 1953. (you must know what happens when Tiny gets confused, Maichail. I would just lay back and enjoy the pinwheel drop. We have plenty of Ben-Gay.)
8 If you go, do not use any curse words. If you do, at best, Wilcox won’t hear you. At worst, you will look up after hitting your thumb with a hammer, and he’ll be there. (Harvey Wilcox came from Topeka to establish a utopian vice free community. Your blue language has his ears burning, Maitland. Speaking of burning, I wonder how Harvey’s eyes feel boring into yours?)
7 If you go, do not mention alcohol. If you do, at best, Daeida Wilcox will be otherwise distracted. At worst, she and Harvey will think you need saving. (The two of them are prohibitionists, Makaio. You can now look forward to an interdiction and 24 hours’ worth of instruction on the evils of alcohol.)
6 If you go, do not scoff at the name Hollywood. If you do, at best, the Wilcocks will be in the city. At worst, they will overhear you. (Since Daeida came up with the name, Makin, Harvey wants satisfaction. His second just hit you with a glove made of armor. When you wake up the whole thing may have blown over. doubt it.)
5 If you go, do not ask about where the Hollywood sign went. If you do, at best, no one will care. At worst, Wilcox will think it a great idea. (Now you have altered time, Maks. The Hollywood sign was erected in the hills in 1923 and originally advertised a new community called Hollywoodland. The sign originally said Hollywoodland but was shortened in 1943. What are we going to do with this sign in the middle of town?)
4 If you go, do not mention film making. If you do, at best, only the workers will hear you. At worst, Wilcox will want to know what you are talking about. (You better not detail that in 1900 filmmakers fled the State of New Jersey to get away from Thomas Edison’s attempts to monopolize the industry. If you do, Malek old Wilcox will have a heart attack. Works of the devil in his mind.)
3 If you go, do not talk about the Oscars. If you do, at best, people will think you are talking about your uncle. At worst, Wilcox will get wind of your conversation. (Sure enough, Mallory, Wilcox wants you in jail. The idea of promoting film making he believes to be a sin. Since the first Oscars were awarded in 1929, you could have skipped the discussion. I guess it is too late. Here comes two of Hollywood’s finest.)
2 If you go, do not comment on the streets of Hollywood. If you do, at best, you won’t be heard. At worst, Wilcox will be right there when you make your statement. (Wilcox was the guy who laid out the dirt streets lined with pepper trees, Maloney. Although not appealing to everyone, they had a certain sparseness he favored. He is giving you a chance to run. I would take it.)
1 If you go, do not recommend planting English holly to back up the name Hollywood. If you do, at best, the guy planting pepper trees will ignore you. At worst, Wilcox will like the idea. (Unfortunately, Malyn English Holly needs more water than that available in Los Angles’ desert climate. Now that Wilcox planted all that holly, he is looking to you to find a way to irrigate it. Put down that watering can. You are going to need more than that.)
Today we are going to see several things that are more or less random. We will need to get on the bus and make sure we have enough to eat and drink for this little excursion.
We will be having a choice of crispy chicken parm egg rolls or baked brie and sourdough crostini for the appetizer course. The main course today is either Rosemary Braised Lamb Shanks or Coquilles Saint-Jacques. The lamb is served on a bed of garlic mashed Yukon gold potatoes and the Coquilles Saint-Jacques with jasmine rice. Both have a side of fresh steamed asparagus. There is brown betty with freshly churned ice cream or New York Style cheesecake drizzled with homemade dark chocolate sauce for dessert. In addition to top-shelf drinks, we have a 1981 Reata Chardonnay Sonoma Coast for the white wine and for red a 2017 Mount Veeder Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley.
Today’s entertainment is The Eagles.
Jump on the bus.
Our first stop in the park, and we have a shot of the shuffleboard. I know, I know pretty tame stuff.
Next is a view of a wren house ready for the next lodgers.
Check this out. A birdhouse that looks like a bunch of lights at the football stadium.
Another group of birdhouses imitating light fixtures.
I couldn’t help putting this one on the route. I hope he is happy to have that in his front yard for the weekend.
Another park and a giant chessboard. Anyone want to play?
Here is an outside photo of a bird blind.
An interior photo of the blind
This is the view from the blind. Notice all the feeders around. I’ll bet there are some good pictures taken from here.
Another birdhouse on a pole with Lake Travis as a backdrop.
A rough birdhouse in the woods.
Well, that’s it for this tour. I hope you have a great week and will stay and have some more food and listen to the Eagles.
The end of the week signals Stream of Consciousness Saturday, and I see Linda Hill has decided to leave a big package at the curb. I don’t blame her since it looks heavy. The sign on the side says Prompt so, I guess this is it. Man, this is heavy.
Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “the beginning, the end.” Write about the beginning of something and the end of something. Bonus points if your first sentence contains “the end” and your last sentence contains “the beginning.” <– Read that again. Have fun!
