DUNSMUIR SOLITUDE

Robert De Frees - Roughing It

Whatever else can be said of the old geezer, not being willing to rough it is not one of them.  The wee cottage put up at is not without it's drawbacks.  Least of which is lack of hot water.  Did you ever stop to think how grand it is to step into the shower in the morn and be greeted by endless flow of hot water?  Sort of makes for a lovely start to the coming day.

My shower is COLD, tempered only by my boiling water to splash on when the ice starts to form on head.  One learns rather quickly to not keep too long bathing.  One must tell true that it does get the motor running, straight for the kettle and a cuppa of hot tea.

Mind, the sofa makes out into a most comfy bed and a good night's sleep is had.  Removing the hearing device all but guarantees that the whistle of the arriving trains into Dunsmuir will not be heard, or anything else.

My solitude is not a burden, have always been able to entertain me self and there are books to read and NPR on the small radio.  This old geezer has had much to contemplate.  Like where he might land when The Big Kahuna returns and starts to tear up the cottage further.  Daily walks have of yet revealed no diggs that would suit and am beginning to wonder of my travels will take me east and Broadway...

The folks in Dunsmuir are grand, there is no complaint there.  You, who follow me adventures,are 'au fait' with me lame leg.  While greatly improved, it still can carry but so far before it lets me know that it can not bring me back if I continue.  Most of the spots found are out of town and with no vehicle, it it too great of a problem to overcome.  There was on place, a 4 floor walk-up and that simple is not possible.  One keeps looking, but the prospects are not too bright.  I have no desire to live in Mt. Shasta or Weed, as public transport is limited and winter will come sooner than later.

Many have sent emails to wondering why the flow of posts has slowed.  Partly due to library being open a limited number of days and hours.  Partly due to the old geezer not knowing what to impart without coming off as whining.  I do try to keep all happy and am ever so honoured that so many keep peeking and catching up on posts they might have missed in the past.

To sum up,I am completely clueless as to how this adventure will turn out OR where I may wind up next.

The Big Kahuna is of the opinion that the old geezer just likes to keep adding miles to his trainers and can not stay in one place too long.  Fancy that...

DUNSMUIR SIGHTS

Room with View

 The window caught the flash but you can still see that the view is one of being in a valley with many trees looking down on.  Is summer and is all quite green.  Come winter one can imagine the winter wonderland look the snap will have.

Pro-Active City Hall

Attending a garden party one hears of the recent recall of folks in City Hall.  Of a mayor who wanted to plant a 'pot' garden near City Hall.  It may not be the big city but folks took to streets and recalled the lot and put in place more comfy council members.

Dunsmuir Mural

 This mural appears on Dunsmuir Apartments, a place lived some 15 years ago.  Not much has changed save for some fresh paint.

St. John's - Catholic Church

 One has to be thankful for small favours.  Who would have thought there were enough papist to support a priest and church.

Local Merchant

Along with pushing bits and bobs at counter, the local merchant found time to co-authour a book on Dunsmuir.

Dunsmuir Avenue

Rather think Dunsmuir is a wee bit more than one horse town, not much more but still...

Winter on Dunsmuir Avenue

 The snap proves that winter will follow the warm weather and there will be lots of snow to contend with.

Lots of SNOW

Not sure how it all adds up but it gives one pause, all of the white stuff to come.  Did I mention the cold as well?

From all discovered so far, there is more 'there' in Dunsmuir that towns round.  Some how do not fancy having a post address of Weed, Ca...

DUNSMUIR HARPIST WOWS GARDEN PARTY

Dunsmuir Village Harpist - Patty

I pose the question, when is the last time you attended a garden party where a harpist was holding court?  Asked the Big Kahuna and he fessed up to never.  The old geezer must lived a charmed life and has attended many a gathering in UK where a harp was featured. Very big on chamber music they be across the pond.

The garden party was planned by a new neighbour to, Nancy, a lovely lady met at Senior Centre.  She was gracious to invite the old geezer and the thought of meeting more folks from Dunsmuir AND free eats was all it took to get washed up and over the fence.

The party started promptly a 6pm, and the guests were queued up in the drive way when I arrived.  There was a lovely lady manning the greeting table, on the was heavy with platters of ever so inviting finger food and dip.  Nancy rounded the corner and hoped that I would have no problem meeting some of the locals.  I did not.

Truth be told, many were well know to one another and did not bother to get between folks chatting.  I did meet a man and wife, he is on the local city council, another chap who had spent most of work life working in Hollywood and a lawyer.  There were a few others but in the main kept to the four who sat at table I ate at.

The purpose of the garden party was to welcome home a lady who had been living in China.  Seems she is back for a short spell and then returning to China.  Very "Berkeley" the lady seemed and she regaled the gathering with tales of life in China and her ability to order food in the cafeteria in Chinese.  Fancy that.

All seemed ever so clever and was reminded of the days when this old geezer hosted like garden parties in Walnut Creek and London.  Times are different now and the old geezer does not host, he just bellies up to the table and chow down the lovely eats and listen in on conversations.  It works.

Dunsmuir is a constant surprise.  Who would have thought?

My house sitting is til end of September, at which time the wee house will be much put upon and there will be no place to live.  Looking round Dunsmuir has not turned up and possible winter digs and and of the opinion a return to Hawaii might be in the cards.

The end of September is a wee bit off and am not viewing my return to Hawaii as a running away or a search for the perfect place, it is just familiar and might prove more easily settled in.

We will see how the cards fall...