I went with Justin on some errands in Yuba City/Marysville today. We had lunch at
which used to be a successful brothel long ago.
Darn those out-of-focus pictures! I must try to do better.
Author Archives: arletelouise
Post-Halloween party
At Trisha and Richard’s house.
Trisha
Beth and Phyl:
This party only happens every 3 years because it takes a couple of months to build the catacombs, passageways, rooms, cemeteries, and decorate everything in incredible detail across two backyards. The big party was a week ago. Tonight was a smaller, more kid- and family-oriented.
Sheik Jon Thompson, who lives next door to Trisha and Richard.
Sierra Elementary Bike Club
We met in Placerville at
in library parking lot.
Staff advisor Alyson Fox arranged for an engraved lock which will go on the train trestle bridge, our turn-around point.
(Check back here to see our group picture. None of mine turned out. I hope Alyson has a good one she can share.)
On the ride back there was some dirt-trail riding – harder than it looks, but enjoyed by everyone who tried it – and totem building.
Alyson and Tristan enjoyed a post-ride ice cream.
As of this afternoon, ALL my jobs are done and there is nothing on the horizon for employment. It’s been a hectic two months so the upcoming break is quite welcome.
Friends from Bend OR
Alan and Caroline were on their way to their winter home in Tucson and spent last night in E Nicolaus.
This morning, Caroline and I gathered walnuts. With Caroline knocking them out of the trees and me picking them up, we got 12 pounds rather quickly.
A final visit to the pigs – they’re going to the butcher next Monday.
Sierra Elementary Bike Club
I went early today so I could ride the route we will be using for our final club ride. The road crossing to the bike trail is somewhat tricky – because of the curving road, I don’t think a left turn from the left lane position is a good idea, so students will ride on the right side, stop, then cross when it’s safe.
I made an old-fashioned (ha! from the 50s-70s) newspaper delivery bag for a new bicycling fun activity that looked something like this:
Because the asphalt part of the playground was in use, I set up 5 boxes among the trees. It was HARD to ride on soggy dirt and attempt to throw newpapers at the target. Almost everyone had to stop, throw the paper, then ride on. Attempting to catch the newspapers was almost as much fun.
This is our last on-campus club meeting. Tomorrow is the street ride.
Project Ride Smart ends
Lesson 7: all riding, on the street or on trails. To maximize our time, every morning Doug and I moved all 40 bicycles from the classroom where they were stored to the front of the cafeteria. It took 45 minutes and we each walked 2 miles (I checked), but it was worth it. Monday:
Tuesday. Guntej: “Miss Artlete, I want to be in your group.” You’re a very good rider and should go with Mr. Doug in the blue group. “I’d rather be in the red group.” I had room, so it was ok. Then Shamira made the same request, also ok to join. Aha! a group of friends managed to be together, only Elijah and I did not speak Punjabi, and my name was changed permanently to Miss Artlete. They were all delightful.
Wednesday. There was a shortage of volunteers to ride sweep for the groups. For the first time in 3 years, I led a street ride with the blue group. All competent and confident riders and a great way to end.
Just one time down the slide then it’s back to the bikes!
Project Ride Smart is the best bicycle-driving education program in the Sacramento region. I’m lucky to be a part of it.
Meanwhile in E Nicolaus
Landscaping project finished. On to the next: turning available land into pasture. Neighbor Jaime prepared the ground and seeded. Justin cobbled together irrigation pipe to flood the rows.
Making sure the water spreads evenly.
Happy Halloween
Thais and Lenin hosted a neighborhood get-together.
Postscript: I didn’t need a costume this year, but had an easy one ready, just in case. Only Phyllis got to experience the full effect of Cloudy with a Chance of Rain =) 
… and what looks like a giant black pearl earring is actually the doorknob on the cabinet!
Soccer at St Ignatius
Project Ride Smart – week 3
LCI Pollyanna joined us this week. She gave instructions at the starting point while Doug and I watched and evaluated students at the other end.
The most complicated maneuver is the multi-step left turn: scan, signal, scan, merge to left position, stop signal, brake evenly at the limit line, scan left/right and give left turn signal, go according to right-of-way rules. Students are scored 0-3, then grouped for street rides by ability.
I always take the red group and we stay on the bike trail and park paths. This north Natomas neighborhood has a series of connected parks with many bike paths. I tell my group how lucky they are because we have more fun and ride more. 
arletelouise 