The LA Riots, 30 Years Later

This post was written for the 20th Anniversary of the LA Riots. It is now 10 years (and 1 day) further down the road, and the memories don't change. One of the many things I lived through, working at a local TV Station in the Los Angeles market.

My Brother was in town.

In honor of that fact, we took him to a Dodger Game.

I watched the Rodney King verdict, before heading over to the ball park. It was sad, but I didn't think much of it.

It was a good game and before there were such things as cell phones, we were basically cut off from everything going on in the world, including the flashpoint of the riot at Florence and Normandy. Our first hint that something was up, was when the game ended they directed us all to not use the Harbor Freeway to get home that evening. We were confused, so we got to our car and listened to the radio, finding out that there was looting and burning going on in South Central LA. We live to the north, so we headed back to where I work, to pick up our other car and drove home. The radio kept yelling at us on the freeways to get off the road, the National Guard was coming. It was not the most pleasant drive I have ever had.

We made it home and since my brother was in town, I had taken the next day off. To say the least, I did not volunteer to go to work that day. We, my brother, baby and I, instead got out of town with a short drive to Ventura. It was a nice sanity thing to do and I am glad I did...because while we were gone, the rioting had moved into Hollywood and one of the prime places for looting was right across the street from my TV Station at the time. The Circuit City!

I have heard stories from the people who were there that day, that they watched the goings on from the top of the parking structure. The guards did not have that luxury. I did hear a story that one looter had a vcr in hand and slid it under the front (locked) gate and said to the guard, something like, hold this, I will be right back. Like that was going to happen. (shakes head)

In case you care, I worked on Friday, since the looting had moved into my bosses area of LA and she refused to leave her 2 very young children alone with a sitter that day. I totally agreed with her.

I remember my Mom from New York screaming at me not to go in and I told her I had a job to do.

My husband gave me our best car and off I went, city wide curfew and all.

Of course it was an awful day, work wise and work wasn't getting done for the weekend fast enough.

My Vice President said I could stay after dark to continue working, because he would give me a letter to give me safe passage home. This did not sound like a good idea to me, so I came back in on Saturday to finish what I couldn't do that Friday and then we brought my brother to the airport, for his flight home.

At my Mom's funeral later that year, my brother and I both mentioned that the whole thing felt like a terrible dream.

It was not my favorite time in LA and I hope we can avoid a reenactment of it.

My Garden At The End Of April

I just fertilized my garden on Wednesday and I noticed that I have yellow flowers sprouting on a couple of my baby bok choy plants.

So I went looking online and found out that this signifies that the plant has reached the end of its growing time. It is a cool weather plant.

Say what?

They say to either pick the flower off and eat it (it's edible) or throw it out.

What timing, IMHO.

The carrots I planted a few weeks ago, are coming up now, so it seems I forgot to plant them the first time.

It gives me something to look at, when I water the boxes in the evening.

My corn (not pictured) is doing fine.

A Cat In The Sun

It's that time of the year when the sun is on the floor in our walkway between rooms.

It's where the cat settles after dinner is over.

As I went to get to the door, so I could water the plants, she plopped down in front of me.

Camera in hand, you get to see Makenna laying in the sun.

Cats, you just never know what they are going to do.

Powerpoint

I am down to the wire. I have a Powerpoint presentation and Thesis defense due early next week.

I began setting up the Powerpoint part of the presentation last night.

They tell me it needs to be 20 minutes in length. As I mentioned before to my Sister, I have been down that road several times before.

I then (if I pass) can create the website I intend to use.

Seriously, I can't wait til I get to that part.

Drawer Troubles Again

Our silverware drawer died the other night.

The last time it died, was when I was in Oswego the last time...2013, maybe.

I remember that I am the only one who could reach all the way to the back, because I am left handed.

The problem is, I don't have the strength the men in my house have.

It has been years since it was fixed and it finally lost its two screws.

Hubby tried, but he can't reach. Yeah, I saw that coming.

I did get two screws into the back and they are longer, but I am sure they need more help.

We are being very careful and next trip to the hardware store, we will get another screw.

Kauai From 2020

My Water Post For Today.

It has been over 2 years since I visited Hawaii.

Beautiful blue water and dark black beaches, that is what we found as we exited the island of Kauai.

When they tell you about the beauty of the islands, this is what they are talking about.

So very different from some of the more occupied islands.

I hope you enjoy.

A Statue Of Tom Seaver

I was a big fan of Tom Seaver, when I lived in New York.

I admit I lost track of him, when he was traded to the Reds, but I never forgot him.

Citi Field got a new statue in front of it this season. Tom Terrific has now been permanently honored.

I am so proud and hope someday to see it in person.

He was a great ball player and he is missed.

Note: A friend shared this photo with me. I have no idea who took it.

I Wish I Had This Photo On Easter Sunday

My laptop computer is back in its normal location, after spending about 3 weeks in the computer repair shop.

This was the night of its first use, after returning to the house.

I sat down and connected to my friends in the PBS world.

The cat decided to join me and when I turned around, this is what I saw.

Isn't she perfect for an Easter photo?

Bearded Irises

A neighbor I had at the very beginning of my years living at the angel house, gave me these plants.

As they say, for free take for buy waste time.

Not many of them bloom, and as a matter of fact, only one bloomed last year.

Colors would have been nice, but all I have is white.

Glad to see them popping up.

No Pysanky Eggs...Yet

It has been a zoo in my house, these past few weeks.

Writing papers and (of course) the Thesis part of my Applied Project.

I am on the home stretch and in anticipation of that fact, I started working on my Pysanky eggs that I bought last year.

I got as far as sketching on both of them and then life got in the way.

They will be in the colors of the Ukraine. Yellow and Blue.

Grandpa With His Grandsons

My brother managed to get all three families together for Easter.

I was glad to hear it and he made my day when he sent this photo of him with his two newest grandsons.

They are already growing up so fast.

Happy Easter from a branch of my family.

Perfect Roasted Potatoes

This was the only thing I made on Easter Sunday. I had a roasted chicken from Vons that was $5. A few vegetables and we were set.

Well, minus a vanilla pudding pie I made.

These potatoes were not difficult and they were delicious.

Highly recommended.

Cookieandkate dot com is the website.

Perfect Roasted Potatoes

These golden roasted potatoes are the perfect side dish! The fresh herbs are optional, but quite nice. Recipe yields about 4 generous side servings (see note for multiplying the recipe).

Ingredients • 2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes and/or red potatoes, scrubbed clean
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon fine salt
• Optional: 1 tablespoon finely snipped rosemary (from about 3 sprigs)
• Optional garnish: 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit with a rack in the middle of the oven. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the potatoes from sticking.
2. Slice the potatoes into 2-inch chunks (slice small potatoes in half, larger potatoes into quarters, and so on). Place them on the prepared baking sheet.
3. Drizzle the olive oil over the potatoes, then sprinkle on the garlic powder, salt, and rosemary, if using. Toss with your hands until the potatoes are evenly coated in the mixture (it might seem like you don’t have enough oil, but you do—keep going!). Arrange the potatoes in an even layer across the pan with their flat edges against the pan.
4. Roast the potatoes for 40 to 45 minutes, stirring halfway, until the potatoes are deeply golden (check the undersides) and easily pierced through by a fork. Stir in the parsley, if using, and season to taste with additional salt and some black pepper (careful, the potatoes are hot).
Serve promptly.

Notes

Storage suggestions: Potatoes are best when freshly roasted, but will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Gently reheat in the oven or microwave.
How to scale: You can bake up to three pounds of potatoes on a half-sheet pan if you increase the other quantities by 50 percent (the potatoes) might not get quite as crisp and will likely need a few extra minutes in the oven).
Do not uses over three pounds of potatoes per baking sheet, or the potatoes will steam rather than roast. You can, however, roast two pans at once by placing the racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven. When you toss the potatoes halfway, swap the pans’ positions (the pan on the upper rack goes to the lower rack and vice versa). Keep an eye on them as one pan, typically on the upper rack, may finish baking a bit sooner than the other.

Glacier Bay

My Water Post For Today.

Always and forever, Glacier Bay.

Coming up on 3 years ago, that I experienced this area of the United States.

A wonderful place and worth seeing once in a life.

Enjoy the beauty.

Easter (2022)

As I mentioned back a month or so ago, I am making THIS bread for Easter.

It looks so easy, compared to the one I normally make.

I used the new bread machine to make the dough and it came out wonderful. I am happy with my purchase, in this regard.

I made my normal Pizza Rustica (meat pie), though my Husband and I cut the meats, the day before baking. That worked out well.

I will let you know how the bread came out, after I eat it. (The answer is: It was totally yummy).

My Garden, Mid April (2022)

The Garden!

Still there are some small plants growing, but look at my corn in box #3. It is going to be pretty impressive and they should be taller than the ones from last year.

I can see the radishes are getting big in the second box, they are row 1.

My carrots never turned up, so I just planted them (again) this week. We will see what happens with that. They are the first row in box #1. Maybe I forgot to plant the seeds last time.

As they say, something to check out each day.