Stuck in Bakersfield

Have you ever been in Bakersfield, California? I spent a few days there one afternoon. The Amtrak train from the San Francisco Bay area has two routes to the southern part of the state. The Coast Starlight follows the coast some of the way. It's a long distance double decker train, a pretty route, a longer route, and more expensive. The San Joaquin route goes through the middle of the state. A commuter type train from the north to Bakersfield then a bus down Route 5, over the Grapevine into the Los Angeles area. This is a faster, less comfortable, no scenery, cheaper route.

Yesterday I got a message from daughter Rebecca. She and husband Tim had been visiting her mother and step-dad in Santa Rosa (north of S.F.) for part of the holiday. They took the train up and on the way back got stuck in Bakersfield. The Grapevine is in the mountains. I am going to guess it's 5,000 feet? So, the road was closed as happens at times, due to weather. No buses going out of Bakersfield, when we talked they had been there over one night, going on night two. They were smart enough to get right over (or call) the closest Best Western and get a room. They were spared sleeping on a train station floor. I haven't heard from them today but expect they're home, or soon will be.

I got to thinking, what is the worst place I've been stuck spending time in? I think it's got to be the laundromat.

Still no move on the television. My research person, Harriet called me earlier today with some information. She and Paul were on the way out the door for some shopping of their own when she called. I will call her later to hear about the latest Consumer Report magazine.

By the way, the kitty in yesterday's entry is Tucker. He belongs, as much as a cat belongs, to the Vampire Daughter, Rebecca. The first night I spent at their house last trip in I fell asleep sort of sitting up. I guess I had been reading when I dozed off. I woke up and Tucker was standing with his front paws on my chest, nose about three inches from mine. If cats could talk I know he would have said, "who are you and what are you doing in my room?"

I have many more great things to share but since my working wife just got home, it's time to take a break.

A big salad and tomato soup later, just about  half of the Sugar Bowl, Ohio State 28 Arkansas 7, and I'm ready to go.

It's not just me and Wanda. This afternoon when Harriet called me, she said, "I wanted to make sure you weren't out  buying a TV." I heard, "I wanted to make sure you weren't dying of TB."

I really have a difficult time with our language. I can't imagine what it must be like for folks who relocate here.

There is an old, old joke that comes from, I think, Danny Thomas. Or, it might have been told to him by Hans Conreid who played his Uncle Tanoose on the TV show. A man came to this country, didn't speak the language at all, his friend taught him how to order some food. Now, he went into a diner and said to the waitperson (back then it would have been a waitress but I'm trying to be politically correct). "Apple pie and coffee." This went on for a couple of weeks until he was getting sick of apple pie and coffee. He asked his friend if he would teach him something else, so he did. He taught him how to order a ham and cheese sandwich. The following day the guy went into the same diner and said, "Ham and cheese sandwich." to which the waitPERSON said, "Do you want that on white or rye?" and the man said, "Apple pie and coffee." I told you it was old.

So  many things to know and remember. Do you use pair, or pairs?
Is it toward, or towards?
When do you use ie, or ing?
How about adding an s, or adding a 's, or adding an s'?
Is it diner or dinner?
desert or dessert?

Wanda told me a great way to remember the desert or dessert question. What would you rather have more of, sand or pie? You can figure that one out yourself  I'm sure.

We don't have a smart phone. Does that mean ours are dumb?

Does anyone have a solution for this? I recently started using coffee "cream" stuff.  The label reads to keep it in the fridge. When I use it I am pouring cold liquid in hot coffee. Then I have to put the coffee in the microwave. Help.

The W.C. Fields movie, "The Bank Dick" his name is Edward Souse, accent a grave over the e! That makes a big difference since with it his name is pronounced Sue-Say. Without it his name is pronounced just like it looks, Sow-s.

It's time for the second half. Hope you all are enjoying whatever you happen to be doing.