At home in Nevada City, California

Well, almost at home... we have the home, just not much of anything in it yet.... We fly back to AL in a few days to pick up our furniture and bring it to our new home by way of a rental truck. This is something we knew we'd have to do and, by gum, tho we're not looking forward to a four- or five-day grind in a Penske truck across the Southern tier of states to NorCal, we're up for it. Be hot, tho!

Right now we have Tergel parked smack dab in front of the house and use it as a home base (on wheels). We'll move it after we return with the rental truck. Tonite we fixed our first meal (using a new recipe - yummy Swiss chard quesadillas) on the excellent gas stove in the new house, and ate in the kitchen at the butcher block table sitting on two bar stools we bought at a garage sale (2 for $5). Very nice!

I'm happy to report we have a much better Internet connection than we had at the temporary site in Grass Valley. I had to go to a coffee shop to add my last couple of postings on this blog.

A bit of a downer for me is the pollen attack I've had all month morphed into sinusitis. Went to a doctor this morning (yes, on a Sunday) and got a 'script, so I will be better soon. Been in "sick bay." At the same time, trying to wash kitchen shelves & drawers, rip out the old shelf paper and put on new with a tissue in one hand and a trash can at my feet was a bit of a challenge. Or doing much of anything.

Nevertheless, we are quite happy to be here!

This pretty bloomer is all over our out-of-control yard. Hypericum_calycinum (Aaron's beard) .

I like seeing foxglove in the side yard. More yellow bloomers (in bud) show below the foxglove.

Lovely gas fireplace in the living room. Back deck spans the length of the house; section on the right is screened.

The deck portion that's not screened.

The previous owner left us these little gems. Jimmy wonders what they're for?
to be continued, you think?

And while we wait to move in... first week in June 2012

In the past month, while parked in Grass Valley CA, we have seen three AMAZING sky phenomenon - the beautiful, huge full pink moon on May 5th, a - WOW! - "ring of fire" solar eclipse on May 20th, and now the Transit of Venus late yesterday afternoon - photo below. (What would the ancient Mayans say about this?) Lucky we caught this last one, 'cause the next one isn't till December 2117. Just as cool: We got pictures of each occurrence!

Venus looks like a wart on the sun, but seeing this thru a telescope was an extraordinary experience! The smaller dark spots are sunspots!

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A great little movie house on Mill Street in downtown Grass Valley, where we saw Men in Black III in 3D. Good flick, especially after Jimmy explained the ending to me. Mill Street is also where other events take place, such as Thursday Night Marketplace - food, fun, and music - nice! Since we have time on our hands, we also went to see The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel at the Sutton Theater in Grass Valley. Really liked that movie! Recommend it!

We had to look up the busking word - it means the practice of performing in public places, for gratuities. The sign didn't work - we saw two "buskers" last Thursday!

So many beautiful bouquets for sale at every grower's market. When we move into our house, I'll buy a bouquet!

Today is June 6th (D-Day) and our realtor (and new friend!), Lynn Griggs of Coldwell-Banker, Grass Roots Realty, just handed us the keys to our house in Nevada City! Oh, yay! The waiting game is over - we can move in! We are so EXCITED!