Space Shuttle Sighting

So, like we heard on the news tonight that we would be able to see the space shuttle on the horizon looking west at 8:45 pm tonight! I set our timer to remind us, because I did not want to miss this opportunity. Wow, that would be something, aye? The timer went off and we started out the door and down the street to an area where we could actually see the "horizon".

We watched...could see that it was raining in the distance (probably dissipated before hitting the ground...)

Oh, is that it? No, it's the moon!

One of our neighbor's flies his flag 24/7...awesome reminder of what a great country we live in!

"Oh, look, Cliff!! It's coming! See it? It's coming right toward us!!!" We were amazed...in awe...petrified by it's blinding light!! Funny thing, it didn't sound anything like we thought it would. It got closer and closer... "Gayle! Gayle!! GAYLE!!" My heart was beating, faster and faster and faster. I was so excited! "GAYLE!" Cliff said. I looked again and it was...was...why it was a little Cessna puttering over head. It was not the space shuttle. We laughed and a little later, we laughed again at our enthusiasm!


I was very stubborn and wanted to wait just a little bit longer. I wanted so to see the space shuttle so badly. We waited, but a sighting for us just wasn't going to happen. So, we ventured back home.

Rats! That's all I can say about the whole thing! Oh, I think I hear that Cessna again. Nothing like pouring salt on the wound!

By the way, we are still laughing!

Gilbert & Ashlee's 7th Wedding Anniversary Today!

HAPPY 7th ANNIVERSARY GILBERT & ASHLEE!!

White Nectarines

Since we have returned from our Oregon trip 3 weeks ago, we have been munching on nectarines from our trees. They are VERY sweet and VERY crunchy, just how I like them!! We have had a bumper crop this year and I eat 2-3 a day.

We are getting closer to the end of our season for our backyard nectarines and Cliff picked a few before we would lose them to the ground. Lacee brought them in.

They almost look like an apple, don't they?!

Believe me, these won't last long before we eat them all up!!

My Cow Poo Hero!

Immediately after Cliff arrived home from a long and very hot day (triple digit) at work today, he settled onto the coffee table (not the sofa...remember where he's been...cow poo) with a new issue of Sunset Magazine. Sunset has been an all time favorite of both of ours. We actually have been to many places they suggest visiting and seeing. We have not been disappointed yet. Today, Cliff needed a refreshing getaway even though it was just for a moment, and a moment in his mind.

As a photographer (and I use that title loosely), I see things as photographs and photographs with stories. The natural light coming through the window brought shadows and emotion to Cliff and I just had to shoot him! He was so intently consumed by his literary dreaming.

My family are my favorite subjects to photograph and they have learned to just ignore me and go on with their life. I especially like those wild stash hairs jetting out from Cliff's left lip! Don't you?!


Cliff tries to avoid eye contact with me and allows himself to glance at the TV even though he really wasn't interested in the programing. Kind of a sign that says, "yes, I know you are here, but if I ignore you long enough, you just might go away," sign.

But the truth is, I never go away...no siree! I just keep shooting no matter what direction my subject is looking!!

Although, I do love that my family ignores me as I shoot them, I also like to get just one shot of them looking at me. In my gratitude I said, "Honey, I love you!" And, his response, "You and a million other people!" Now that's a guy with confidence or perhaps a guy putting up with his wife's obsession. I vote confidence!

Stooges or Musketeers?

I hosted a little coffee and coffee cake morning with my good friends, Cherie and Judy. Only, I think I need to learn to host better as they brought their own coffee, coffee-mate and soda. But, check it out...they did a number on the coffee cake! I'll give myself 50% on hostess points!!

Oh Cherie, are you nuts or what?

Yikes, Judy! Get a grip!!

Awwww, now that's better...they're not so strange after all!

There we are! Although I would love to have a beautiful patio set of furniture, my friends were quite happy in my little fold up lawn chairs. We did have a conversation about our priority list, after all...

I will never make a good "Valken".

Or gangsta (Cherie, pay attention!! Where's your "peace" sign, girl?)

We are so darn cute lookin', aint we???

Thanks, Cherie and Judy, for the fun morning!

Weekend Bliss

Sometimes weekends feel like resort vacationing with no agenda, great scenery and fabulous food! Take a close look and you will see Master Fish (the big...got his name from Maycin) peeking up at us from the pond. Cliff is settled into eating mode and has a good start on the two types of grilled steak (Tri-tip and Rib-eye), green salad, bake potato (from our garden...Yukon Gold), grilled white nectarines right off of our tree, topped with red wine for Cliff and blush for me. I'm not a wine connoisseur and appreciate ice in my wine when all possible!!

Although this was near perfect of a dinner meal, the flies came to visit and the white paper towel in the foreground was covering my plate up while I took the shot.

Done! And...a few scraps (steak fat) for Bailey. Please no hate mail for feeding our dog table scraps. Oh and I might add the company was pretty fantastic!!

Oregon 2009

I guess I could post all kinds of photos that I took when traveling to and from Eastern Oregon (returning a week ago), but I decided to choose just one photo. This is Phillips Reservoir near Sumpter Oregon (in Eastern Oregon). Cliff and I have passed this lake many, many times from our trips to visit my parents, and most times it would be very low. But, not this year! This year it was not only very full, but very green and it was just so beautiful! I have grown to appreciate what I don't have oh so much more than I did in my youth. Living in the Central Valley, California, we just don't have anything that comes close to this kind of beauty. I could have just pulled out my lawn chair in the trunk of the car, planted my bum in it and just enjoyed the smells, sights and sounds here...well, for the entire year!! But, we needed to hit the road. Thank goodness for digital imagery... It pulls me back to this place...and it brings a certain joy knowing these beautiful places were placed here by God for us to enjoy. God is so awesome, isn't He?!

The 4th...ASHLEE'S BIRTHDAY

Happy 27th Ashlee!!! (6 months old)

2 years old

Ashlee (10 years old) & Lacee

10 years old (another hat)

10 years old...she did like her hats at that age!

11 years old...stylin' hat

15 years old (patriotic hat...after all her birthday is on the 4th)

Ashlee's caricature self portrait

Gilbert and Ashlee (age 20)

Maycin & Ashlee (age 21)

Gilbert, Ashlee (26), Margo & Maycin

Ashlee (most recent photo) and Margo

It's been an absolute pleasure being your parents, Ashlee! You have grown into a fabulous young lady, with an awesome family, sharing your God given talent with so many. We love you! Happy Birthday Ashee Yokee!

I was there too...

I was there too, me and my crocks, with Cliff and his chips at McClure lake...what a life!!

Cliff's Father's Day

All Cliff wanted on Father's Day was a little drive to McClure lake. Sitting...watching boaters...

...a bag of Kettle Cooked Sea Salt and Cracked Pepper chips and a cool drink...it was a good day!

While there (we were actually parked in a vacant camping spot), Cliff ventured to near by camping spaces to check out for future get-aways and came upon this sign. Someone had planted a tomato plant asking people to water it in their absence. Perhaps if it does survive through our scorching summer heat, a family will feast on it's fruit.

Diverse Cattle Community

It was Cliff's day...Father's Day, and he decided he'd like to go for a short drive just to get away from the house a bit. So, we headed toward Snelling. Some of you know that on the way, there is a dairy that also is the home to some exotic livestock, like these Watusi Cattle (native to Africa) and the Dutch Belted cow resting next to them.

It was interesting to me that they gathered so closely on a warm day...so close that any slight movement with their heads would send off clunking sounds off their horns when they would meet. Those horns were amazingly humongous!!

In the back of the Watusi was a lone Scottish Highlander sharing the shade. I always feel for him with the heat here in the Central Valley.

The Watusi, Dutch Belted and Scottish Highlander seem to do community well.