For All You Mothers Out There

So proud of my little sister Solveig. She's an inveterate gardener and today she shared some of the bounty, and lightened her load of vases to boot. No contact at her Sunol, California booth, of course. Just help yourself. Should brighten some days.

Filling in.

Vegetation around the pond is filling in at Hotel California. Note Jennifer's memorial tree in the back is in full bottle brush bloom.

Gone virtual!

Cousin Harold often shows one of his antique cars at his granddaughter's third grade Watford City classroom. The pandemic almost put a halt to all that. Out came the video camera and 21st Century Tech, and Harold was again ready for the informative unit on inventors and such. The outfit looks a bit fresh, but the gloves are obviously well-used. Harold maintains Model Ts, Model As and a 1927 Buick. His father's (my uncle Halvor's), work pants of choice was the bib overall modeled here. Harold not so much.

Talk about distance

I asked my little brother what he was doing to socially distance and still enjoy himself. He responded with no words, just this. Have fun Chris! Be safe, it's tempting to speed when there's nobody out there!

Idle moments

I knew nothing of the British Navy. I knew nothing of class warfare. I didn’t understand that it was folly to marry beneath your station, although I did know you should never marry a Catholic. And I did know that the Navy Uniform Mom sewed for me had no zipper in front. Like girl jeans.

When I was in the eighth grade, the junior high music classes put on the comic operetta, Gilbert and Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore.” Probably because Mom taught voice and timid Miss Voss figured she’d have to make me practice, I was chosen for a lead role “Sir Joseph Porter.”

The late Paul Strandberg was the Captain of the ship, docked at the Central High School stage.

I got to marry Hebe, played by Kathy Schultz, a cute ninth grader who was John Conrad’s girlfriend. That was nice. She was certainly above my station, as a lowly eighth grader. But for now I was a momentary rock star in, for me, an unforgettable moment.

Though the performance went off without a hitch, the Park Region Echo newspaper took no notice.

It’s been 60 years, and I have only vaguely heard mention of the operetta since.

The pandemic and Apple Music changed all that today.

Must have been a clue in the Saturday crossword that made me think of the H.M.S Pinafore. And with all the time in the world on my hands, I checked out a synopsis of the operetta in Wikipedia, as a way of relieving boredom. I was stunned by all the irony and the class warfare themes and messages in the script that had gone completely over my junior high head. Then I searched Apple Music for “he polished up the handle of the big front door” a chorus that still came to my mind from the solo mom had pounded into it. Don’t remember if my voice had even changed yet. Sure enough, up popped the venerable 1875 operetta with all the songs and tunes still familiar in my addled 72-year old grey matter.

There we were, Miss Voss pounding out the piano part, sailors and such in make-shift striped tee shirt costumes, and me in the swashbuckling British Navy First Lord outfit, with all its medals, fake sword and bright white pants. . . with no zipper.

Final touches

With the pandemic pause on, Hai has been able to work non-stop in the salon and finish the structure we began two years ago. The spaces between the units have been filled with foliage and tiny LED lights hidden throughout. Looks good on the picture he sent, alone in the salon today, but says it is spectacular when the real effect is on in person. When this pandemic is over, they'll be ready to go in the finest salon west of the Rockies!
The shop has been open for two years, successfully operating; the floral structure was put in place at the opening but was an incomplete design, with only the taller units were finished. Hai has been able to complete the spaces between them during the pandemic pause, as well as adding sneeze boards, some sanitation components and other "new normal" accoutrements.

Working it all together, now

Excitement today at the new Hotel California pond, with the emergence of two tentative tendrils from the water lilies planted 12 inches below the surface a month ago. Lily pads will make the pond more habitable for fish and other creatures, and help to balance the pond biology. The sun shines bright on the water surface here, and the pads will mitigate the negative effects of an over-supply of sun rays, as we seek a natural balance in the chemical-free environment. Meanwhile, water cycles through a mesh bag of spongy globs of good bacteria as it makes its way to the twin falls. Submerged rocks are developing a nutritious patina, waiting to feed micro-organisms and others. Above the falls, colorful new vines grow onto their adjacent panels, trained against the block wall, tiny grippers clinging tightly in the damp rainy spring, like good vines are supposed to do. It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

Last day here

What surprises will today bring? Preparing for departure.

Last one

Silence, just the sound of a babbling brook, has returned to the serene Hotel California pond, with the capture of this last unwanted guest. About a dozen frogs had presented a nightly cacophony that made even the most tolerant object. We much prefer the many geckos, quietly eating bugs and keeping to themselves, offering an occasional scamper, as if auditioning for a GEICO spot.
Staff frog catcher, Hai Dang, used the iPhone method to to capture and release the frogs over the six foot wall surrounding the new pond. He first played back recordings of their croaks, and got eager males to reply, thus betraying their locations in the darkness. A few stealthy moves, then our frogman flipped on his phone light, momentarily freezing the frog. Usually they were found half in and half out of water, which allows for the amplication of their obnoxious, flexing voice bladders. Snatch! One more over the fence.
We don't know who invited them in the first place, we're glad they've checked out.