A Couple of Things…

Posted on September 22, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

1. I had an excellent 4th row seat for the Brandi Carlile concert at the Santa Barbara Bowl this past weekend. She was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! She has such a strong presence and she’s totally in communication with her audience. And she’s a fan of the BIG notes! I love her so much!! #NewestFan

I was able to buy a single seat ticket up near the front via AXS and not the commie rat bastard company Ticketmaster which forces you to buy seats in twos.

2. I’m sure I’ve mentioned in the past that I’ve been a fan of the Big Bang Theory for many years and I tend to have it on in the background while doing household chores, or working on the computer. One of my all time favorite lines is when Sheldon asks Leonard while dining at Cal Tech’s cafeteria, “Do you know how I know we’re not in the Matrix? To which Leonard asks, “how?” And he says, “If we were, the food would be better.”

3. Typically I do not start a series before they wrap it up with a bow and all episodes are available to binge watch. Unfortunately, it was too late when I realized I made the mistake of starting the 4th season of Reacher while they were still rolling them out week by week. BUT!!! The grand finale was being offered on the big screen along with the premiere episode of Neagley. Plus you know I’m all about the popcorn so I attended. The cost was $20, but Cinemark gave you a $20 voucher to be used at the concession stand.
Seeing the finale on the big screen in XD was extraordinary! Happy I made it go right to attend. BTW, after seeing Neagley, I binged watched the whole season.

4. And keeping with the binge watching theme…when the hell is 3 Body Problem’s second season coming? If you haven’t watched the first season, here’s the synopsis: A fateful decision in the 1960s China echoes across space and time to a group of scientists in the present, forcing them to face humanity’s greatest threat.

The series debuted March 2024, and the second season still hasn’t been launched. I understand there will be two more seasons. I watched the fist season twice because there’s a lot of information to take in. I might watch it again before I watch season 2.
I dove in to investigate and found that there is a three-body problem in physics and this is the simplest explanation I could find from Live Science:

“In a system of only two bodies, like a planet and a star, calculating how they’ll move around each other is fairly straightforward: Most of the time, those two objects will orbit roughly in a circle around their center of mass, and they’ll come back to where they started each time. But add a third body, like another star, and things get a lot more complicated. The third body attracts the two orbiting each other, pulling them out of their predictable paths.”

I highly recommend the series found on Netflix.

5. I’m not saying this meme I found on social media is true, but it’s funny as shit!

True signs a woman like you:
eye contact, physical touch, compliments, nervousness, engages with you and asks questions, body language such as mirroring your movements, she says, “I like you.”

6. Thankful that GOD has St. Peter holding the line on yapping during concerts. I knew I wasn’t the only one who cared. #ThanksBigGuy

7. Hero or idiot?
Story posted on social media from local LA news station, KTLA:
“A man was arrested for allegedly pepper-spraying someone who was using their cellphone during a movie screening at a Burbank theater.
Details: https://ktla.com/…/man-arrested-pepper-spray-moviegoer…/“

Yapping during a movie is also rude behavior. #STFU

8. The Coastal Cleanup day has come and gone. As a rule, when I’m walking around the neighborhood or along the shore, I pick up trash already. But I checked it out to see if there were a lot of interested citizens to get out there and pick up trash. I would say, it was an “okay” turnout. But then again, I didn’t hang out all day. I’m happy that people do get involved and volunteer their time. #Grateful

9. I’m sorry to report that I saw my first incontinence commercial for men, except instead of calling it leakage, they called it dribbles. So I did a semi-deep dive on the internet and found this article from Harvard: What Can I Do About Urinary Dribbling?

I remember in the 90s being quite irritated with commercials about Viagra when it hit the market and it was being advertised with spokesperson Senator Bob Dole. It really creeped me out.

So this “dribble” product creeps me out as well, though I’d love to see our current sitting president be the face of it like Dole was, because you know he gets the dribbles. #HighlyLikely

Young teenager training on street court playing basketball

SIDENOTE:
when I went to find a photo to go with “male dribbling” rant, thankfully all photos were of men dribbling a basketball. #ThankYouGoogleImages

10. The Bill of Rights contain the first 10 Amendments of the Constitution. And just as a reminder or a teaching moment. The First Amendment of the our Constitution states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

From my favorite quotes file: “It is part of the price of leadership of this great and free nation to be the target of clever satirists.” – Lyndon B. Johnson

Thanks for listening!

A Couple of Things…

Posted on September 14, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

1. More and more I’m seeing AI pop up where I don’t want AI help. Specifically, when building websites. I know a lot of people are worried about AI and its potentially devastating consequences of handing over the human thought process to an automated autonomous entity.
Honestly for me, I enjoy using my brain and doing the research. But I can’t disagree with the gal behind the counter at my chiropractor’s office when she exclaimed, “Did no one see the Terminator?!!”

2. Because I really wanted to know if he thought the Republican Party is doing alright, I decided to see what former Vice President, Mike Pence, had to say about the Republican party when he was a guest speaker at the Reagan Library this past week. My take away: he would like civility back in the White House.
I do stay away from politics on this blog, but come on…both parties have to admit some of those late night tweets are embarrassing!
So while he didn’t really comment on the Republican party (except backhandedly at the current President), his latest book he’s touting is called, “What Conservatives Believe.”

Also, Pence stands by his actions on January 6, 2020 when he certified the election results. #GotThatRight

Photo of Pam and Mike Pence — Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Sept 9, 2026

3. A few days later on Saturday, September 12, I attended a fundraising dinner for the Ojai Raptor Center. They’re the organization where the famous bald eagle, Jackie was taken care of. This is the same place where I was gifted an owl release as a birthday gift from my friend Linda a few years ago.
Well the dinner was going well, and they had an owl release (see video at end of this blog), and then towards the end of the evening someone mention Martin Sheen was in attendance.

Okay, something I need to confess. I’m a huge West Wing fan. I’ve watch the series beginning to end at least a half dozen times. So when I heard he was there. I had to meet him. I don’t get star struck too often, but when I do, I try my best to appear like a normal human being. I feel I succeeded. I told him about my love of the West Wing, and I told him about my visit to the Reagan Library to hear Mike Pence speak. He was impressed by what the former Vice President said. Well at least those two points I mentioned above.

4. Alfred Hitchcock: Cheeky bastard, or seriously evil?

On a recent podcast, former child star, Billy Mumy (Lost in Space), shared a story working with Alfred Hitchcock and what the director told him when he was fidgeting while the crew worked on the lighting. Keep in mind, Mumy is now in his 70s, Hitchcock long dead. This occurred during a filming of an Alfred Hitchcock Presents episode. Mummy recounts this during the podcast of Pop Culture Retro Podcast

“So Alfred Hitchcock, who was a very physically imposing presence—I’m a little guy—Alfred Hitchcock was a big guy. He was always sweating. He gets up out of his chair, and he lumbers over to me on my mark, fidgeting around, and he bends down. And this is exactly what he said to me: ‘If you don’t stop moving about, I’m going to get a nail, and I’m going to nail your feet to your mark, and the blood will come pouring out of your feet like milk. So, stop moving.’ That’s exactly what he says to me.”

As a child, I was a huge fan of Lost in Space, and to this day I can still hear and sometimes quote, “Warning Will Robinson, Warning!”

And by the way, I go with seriously evil.

5. When you talk to yourself out loud and give affirmations such as:
Pam, you’re a strong, healthy woman.
Pam, you have such a great memory.
Pam, you’re a delight to others.
Can you just say it, or do you also have to mean it? Seriously, doesn’t your brain know the difference???
Also, if you’re doing affirmations, you already believe you aren’t those things. Am I wrong?
But it is safe to say, we all want to improve and what better way to manifest what we want by stating it out loud to ourselves. #CarryOn

artwork stating: Today I'll be a freaking ray of sunshine.

6. Giving credit where credit is due, I found a page with unique positive affirmations.
Here are a few of my favorites:

I am the boss of my own awkwardness.
I’m so witty, I could confuse a dictionary.
I’m proof that laughter is the best ab workout.
I’m a limited edition, not available in stores.
I am a burst of energy that even caffeine envies.
I attract good luck like a kid with a sticky hand.
I’m so charismatic, I could sell sand in a desert.
I’m so bright, I make the sun look like a flashlight.
I’m not clumsy; I’m just practicing interpretive dance.
I’m like a rare Pokémon—hard to find and absolutely legendary.
I’m a masterpiece in progress, a little messy, and utterly magnificent.
I attract good vibes like a magnet to a fridge.
I’m so fabulous, even my coffee has an attitude.
I am the CEO of my day, and business is booming.
I am a walking masterpiece of chaos and caffeine.
I’m so ready to adult today; pajamas are optional.
I am a pro at life, even when I don’t have my act together.
Today, I’ll be the superhero of my own story, cape or no cape.
I am a pro-multitasker, juggling tasks like a circus performer.
Today, I’ll handle situations like a pro—or at least like an adult.
I am the architect of my day, building it with laughter and smiles.
Today, I’ll be productive like a squirrel storing snacks for winter.

7. I attended the Los Angeles Chargers season opening on Sunday, September 13, at SoFi Stadium. The second half was quite embarrassing as the Chargers lost to the Cards, 14 – 26. But the tailgate party beforehand was super fun and we had an unexpected entertainment moment from the dude above who sneaked up behind me and said, “Ma’am, you’re need on the set.” He was hilarious. He kept pushing the button on the baby monitor and yelling, “COPY THAT.” #ShortShorts

photo of Chargers taking entering arena — View from our seats. Not bad!

8. The 25th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11 just passed. I found one of my posts on social media from 10 years ago in remembrance. It holds up today as well:

“The days and weeks following 9/11 I noticed people were looking each other in the eye; not in fear, but with kindness. I’d like to think of it as an automatic response to an outside attack on our survival, we were banning together as a community.

I truly believe man is basically good and the best response to anyone trying to undermine one’s survival (whether on a personal, national or even mankind level) is to flourish and prosper.”

No need to post a photo to remember what happened. If you were alive, it’s already ingrained your mind.

9. From my favorite quotes file: “Loyalty to country always. Loyalty to government, when it deserves it.” – Mark Twain

Thanks for listening!

A Couple of Things… Gloria Steinem

Posted on September 3, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

Gloria Steinem past away September 2, 2026 at age 92. To live a life to better conditions for others is a life to celebrate. Taking a look at her Wikipedia page, and watching all the news coverage, I will be forever in awe of her accomplishments. I remember reading Ms. Magazine and following her career. I volunteered in the 70s for my local chapter of NOW in no small part trying to live up to her example.
We’ve all seen changes for the better over the decades and changes for the worse. I’m grateful the younger generation joins in to help to fight the battles yet to be won. As with all people I admire, especially those who set such a great example for others, I don’t weep for the loss of this iconic woman, but rather celebrate the life and choices she made to help others and improve conditions for all.

Taken from Steinem’s speech in 1971, Address to the Women of America, she said:

“This is no simple reform. It really is a revolution. Sex and race because they are easy and visible differences have been the primary ways of organizing human beings into superior and inferior groups and into the cheap labor on which this system still depends. We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen or those earned. We are really talking about humanism.”

My friend Linda Le Brock once met Gloria so I asked her for her thoughts:

“When I was around 18 years old, Gloria Steinem came to speak at the local college. My mom got tickets for us both to attend. My mom, raised by a single mom of six during the depression, understood the importance of women’s equality.

“Gloria was erudite, witty, passionate and preternaturally cool.

“In 2014, a dear colleague, Marybeth Carty, invited me to a private reception held for Gloria Steinem. She spoke of the importance that each generation must expand feminism to include the most marginalized.

“After her talk, we stood in a receiving line and got to meet and get photos with her. I was introduced as publisher of the Business Times. She exclaimed, ‘Oh I was a publisher too!’ I couldn’t believe it. Here she was VERY generously comparing me, the publisher of a local business journal to being the co-founder (along with Dorothy Pittman Hughes) and publisher of Ms. Magazine! I was speechless. I just stammered thank you, and she gave me a little hug. I watched as she graciously met, and uplifted in some way, every woman there. The room was electric.

“Thank you, Gloria for everything. And thank you, mama.” – Linda Le Brock

Headlines describing Steinem:

“World Famous Feminist Leader” – People
“Feminist Icon and Ms. Magazine Trailblazer” – USA Today
“Fierce Feminist Trailblazer” – NBC News
“Trailblazing Journalist and Activist” – NPR
“Personification of the Feminist Movement” – NYTimes
“Feminist Icon and Founder Ms. Magazine” – CNN

Gloria Steinem quotes:

“Imagine we are linked not ranked.”
“The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off!”
“Once we give up searching for approval we often find it easier to earn respect.”
“Decisions are best made by the people affected by them.”
“A feminist is anyone who recognizes the equality and full humanity of women and men.”

Thank you Gloria!

A Couple of Things…

Posted on August 23, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

1. I recently took another trip up north. This time the destination was Graham, Washington for a baby shower. You know this has to be special to travel 1,116 miles…for a baby shower. Also, if you know me, it has to be special for me to attend ANY baby shower. Well it’s my dearest friend Linda’s son and wife’s first baby.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t 100% thrilled about going as I just went to Portland last month, but I’m so happy I did because I had a blast! For starters, we flew up to Portland out Santa Barbara which is a fuckin’ cakewalk. Then Linda’s sister, Candy picked us up and took us to her home where I finally got to meet her husband Morris. It was as if we had all been friends for years, no topic was taboo. Great food, drink and conversation!

Candy drove us the next day up to Graham, Washington where we spent a couple nights at a local Comfort Inn. and while the motel was clean and safe, the neighborhood not so much. Tip to the wise, GoogleMap your destination and use the street view to get a lay of the land.

photo at baby shower — Left to right: Mama to be Isabella, Linda, Candy, me with proud papa above, Nicolas

Nicolas tuning his sitar. — Nicolas did a performance for us on his sitar, totally self taught. It was beautiful. I wish I could share the video here.

It was great to catch up with Linda’s family and the baby shower turned out to be delightful. I was dreading the games, but they were short and not embarrassing at all; well at least not for me. During baby charades, I picked (slips of paper out of a bag), “baby’s first steps” which everyone got right away. Then Morris walked in just in time and we basically coerced him into playing and he picked “giving birth.” Yeah, you get the picture. He was a good sport about it, I’ll give him that!

While leaving Graham, WA, I took this photo of Mt. Rainer.

We arrived back in Portland Sunday afternoon and my daughter Sydney and mate, Nate came for dinner which was the icing on the cake! #AwesomeTrip

2. I found an article about the best and worst place to place your cat’s litter box and that reminded me of one of the perks of being pregnant, other than bringing a new life into existence, is that someone else needs to clean out the litter box.

Vets say this is the worst place to put your cat’s litter box

Pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes primarily due to the risk of toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection that can have serious health implications for both the mother and the unborn child.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in cat feces.

3. My good friend Maggie brought up a very good point recently about our mutual friend Carlos. He’s quite adept at being a Wingman but exceptional when it comes to being a Cockblocker when required. #WorthHisWeightInGold

4. Have you ever wondered what is the best sleep position? Well you can read this article I found on MSN.com. I looked it up after having a conversation with Morris (#1 above) who is a retired doctor who specialized in migraines. He mentioned that if you sleep on your left side, it help with your brain. The article backs this up. ““If you’re lying on your left side, it may actually be better for clearing the waste product in our brain,” he says [Dr. John Saito]. This is called the glymphatic system, a brain’s specialized waste clearance network that washes away harmful metabolic byproducts, including proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease, while we sleep.

I tend to start on my left, but it’s a crap shoot after I fall asleep.

5. I just heard the Los Angeles Lakers are being sold again for a record $12.5 billion, just 14 months after it was bought for $10 billion. I guess the NBA Board of Governors must still approve the sale (next meeting in September), but tell me this, doesn’t this sound like house flipping. And who will pay the price? Yep, the fans.

6. Speaking of basketball. I’ve started back with regular visits to my chiropractor earlier this month and he was determined to get me back on the court. He asked if I was still shooting and I told him no because I haven’t been able to hit a three-pointer since my knee replacement (10 years ago now!). He started working on my hips, knees, ankles and feet. I’m back on the court and first things first as I’m working on the muscle memories of just making a basket and little by little gaining more distance. We’ll see and you know I’ll report when it happens!

7. I’ve been taking full advantage of the summer weather here at the beach. Inland it’s a heatwave, at the beach…it’s just beautiful. Got Maggie out for a ride up the coast, and Linda out kayaking in the Channel Islands. One works your legs, the other your arms.

8. There are a number of tribute bands I enjoy and some I tolerate; however, you will never ever see me at an ABBA tribute band show. #PersonalChoice #TrueDat

9. Who the hell has seen the movie, The Drama? I need someone to discuss it with. You can see it on HBO Max. #CommentBelow

By the way, I no longer envision Edward Cullen when I see a Robert Pattinson movie. #ThankGod

9. The Hollywood Reporter reports “National Treasure 3” is finally real and the director confirmed they have a script. (see article)

I don’t know why I’ve seen the original and #2 so many times. I guess I find them ridiculously fun!

From my favorite quotes file: “Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” – Jim Rohn

A Couple of Things… Farewell Sweet Jackie

Posted on August 10, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

I’m terribly sad to report the worst case scenario for Jackie (Patient 26-519). On Monday, August 10, 2026, the Ojai Raptor Center’s official message started with…”It is with profound sadness that we share that Patient 26-519 passed away in the early hours of this morning, following more than three weeks of intensive medical care.” They also said their team is heartbroken as is all the followers of the Big Bear Eagle Cam. (Facebook) Their message continued with more details giving a better understanding of what happened, but after all is said and done, it is an extremely bittersweet moment losing this magnificent bald eagle as Jackie and Shadow made a huge impact on the lives of so many people who adored watching the Big Bear Eagle cam the last few years. We witnessed Jackie and Shadow lay their eggs and we waited for the eaglets to emerge. We saw how both parents kept them safe and provided fresh fish from the lake to feed on, and then we watched as their offspring left the nest.

It’s been a privilege to watch in real time wildlife in the real world as oppose to the zoo or wildlife refuge.

While Jackie’s passing is heartbreaking, we are reminded it is the circle of life. I find comfort that while Jackie could have been left to drown in the lake or worse, succumb to another attack, she was rescued by kind humans. She was fed and kept safe while the Ojai Raptor Center did their absolute best to treat her.

Also, never forget, the popularity of these eagles helped to raise the $10 million required to purchase the land at Big Bear Lake so developers couldn’t build on it. It will now be preserved for future generations of eagles to come.

I know I’ve shared the YouTube link before, but here it is again. Do note, the nest is empty for the season. Hopefully Shadow will return with a new mate this winter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4-L2nfGcuE

#SoarFreeJackie #RestEasyJackie

A Couple of Things…

Posted on August 3, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

1. Another year older, another year wiser…well maybe not, time will tell. The birthday dinner this year was share with my good friend Eve Mimiaga who is also a Leo, but her birthday isn’t until August 3. We had a delightful time and then while most went home, Carlos, Maggie and myself went out for a night of dancing (sorry no photography or video allowed for that!).

2. The Ventura County Fair opened this past week. The night before day one, I was invited for what they call a “Fair Tasting” event, so you know, they offered up a bunch of deep fried food and crap you wouldn’t normally eat. It was super fun and they even ran the Ferris wheel for all attendees for free.

3. While Jackie the Eagle continues treatment at the Ojai Raptor Center, other good news was revealed. Earlier this year, the non-profit organization, San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust had launched a grassroots fundraising campaign to raise $10 million by July 31, 2026, to save Moon Camp from development. They raised just about half the funds required when a gift from Anna and Greg Brockman (co-founder and president of Open AI) donated $5.5 million. Now the 63 acres will remain undisturbed forest and the planned luxury housing development of 50 homes is axed.
The SBMLT can now purchase the property and have remaining funds to cover closing costs, taxes, legal fees and maintain the land.

4. Issues with bugs? Avoid introducing toxins in your home and try this out.
Homemade roach/ant spray
2 cups of vinegar, distilled
2 cups of water
3 tablespoon dishwashing liquid
3 tablespoons table salt
Spray Bottle
Mix ingredients together, add to a spray bottle; shake well before spraying each time.
Source: https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/pest-repeller/homemade-roach-spray-good-for-ants-and-other-bugs-too-43527424

5. I’ve always been a lover of radio since I was a little girl. The sense of community and music I loved was always a source of endless joy. Radio, whether it be AM or FM, has changed over the decades with most people opting for paid music services such as Sirius…but not me. I love local radio. This mime explains it all:

My own career in radio in the 80s and 90s was not just about music that people loved, but it was about being a part of the community. #MissItDearly

6. While watching previews before seeing The Odyssey, my friend Mr. Mimiaga noted the upcoming scary movie, “Other Mommy” staring Jessica Chastain, should be “Other Mother” because that would rhythm. #TrueDat #MissedOpportunity

7. So yes, I saw The Odyssey. My main concern was the length of the movie vs the size of my bladder. I took a per-emptive tinkle and I did just fine. I will avoid spoiler alerts, so must the basics. With the movie just under three hours I was delighted to find I never almost dozed off as the pace kept me engaged. I was impressed by the acting by such a stellar cast. I did not see it on an IMAX screen, but did pay the extra $3 dollars for XD (Xtreme Digital) at the local Cinemark in Oxnard and it was fabulous. I will definitely watch it again when it comes available on streaming services. #Worthy #OscarBuzz

8. I had a conversation with male friend about how I’ve never been a fan of movies such as Troy, Braveheart, Black Hawk Down, 300, Gladiator, and I guess I need to include Lord of the Rings (I tried watching it several times and always fell asleep within 15 minutes; the same can be said for 2001: A Space Odyssey).
But there are testosterone driven movies such as Fight Club, The Accountant, and now The Odyssey which I do love. #GoFigure

9. One more side note…Though I haven’t yet read The Odyssey, I felt I’d seen a lot of the supernatural events previously. It turns out the same themes and monsters in a mythical land were used in the 1958 fantasy film, 7th Voyage of Sinbad. It used to run on TV weekend afternoons and I’d be fascinated by it as a child.

From my favorite quotes file: “The main reason women are crazy, is that men are stupid.” – George Carlin.

A Couple of Things…

Posted on July 19, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

Road trip to Portland, Oregon

The last time I saw my daughter, Sydney Rose, was last summer when she brought her new beau, Nate, to visit here in Ventura. They stayed a week and it was fabulous. As you may remember, my daughter earned her Masters degree in Food Science earlier this year from Oregon State, and she recently landed a new job up in Portland (where said beau also lives). She invited me to visit her new place before other roommates moved in. She didn’t have to ask twice.

With a lot of time on my hands, I decided to road trip it and take my time. Also I learned it is much cheaper to fly than drive…but you live and learn and I got to visit several friends and check out new places.

Redding, California: Sundial Bridge

I left on a Thursday with a schedule overnight stay in Redding, California. I was told by my good friend Maggie, that the Sundial Bridge is worthy of a visit and it was! Apparently the giant sundial is set for the Summer Solstice when its shadow moves 1 foot per minute between 11 am and 3pm. Otherwise, it’s non functional, but pretty to look at. That pylon at the end (the sundial) is 217 feet high and requires a red, aircraft-warning light. The floor is translucent, but not see-through. It allows light to reach the water to protect salmon during spawning season.

Shasta Caverns

The next day I planned to leave Redding for Medford but it was only a two and half hour drive and I had four hours between check out time in Redding (11 am) and check in time in Medford (3 pm). While I was driving through the Shasta-Trinity National Forest, I kept seeing signs for the Shasta Caverns, so I thought I’d check that out. Now while it’s a national natural landmark, it’s privately owned and the crew were all super friendly. I asked how long the tour was and I was told two hours which included a thirty minute boat ride across the lake and a shuttle ride up the mountain to the entrance. I was sold.

The tour inside was fascinating but a bit grueling as at one point you had to climb over 85 steps, none of which were standard sized stairs. But with the weather outside almost 100 degrees, the coolness inside was a welcomed reprieve. The caverns are constantly 58 degrees Fahrenheit with a high humidity level of 90 to 95% which raises the temperature to about 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. I super appreciative that I don’t get claustrophobic because there were some tight quarters at times. But it was very educational (I took geology at Ventura Collage ten years ago, and put what little knowledge I retained to good use) and the folks on my tour were very nice. I chatted up several couples (from Seattle, Nevada and Colorado) and I met a single young man who was scouting property nearby to purchase. He ended up grasping my hand and helping me up the final stairs after returning to home base. I was sincerely grateful.

Medford, Oregon

With the caverns behind, I arrived in Medford around 4 pm and scheduled dinner with Sydney’s best friend Eli. I took a rideshare to the restaurant knowing wine would be involved. At one point, another waitress came by and set an appetizer on our table and left. We looked at each other knowing we didn’t order it. So I caught the waitress’s eye and motioned her back to the table and told her we didn’t order the deep friend mozzarella sticks. She apologized and picked them up, so I quickly told her Eli already licked them. We all laughed and she asked if we wanted them because regardless of whether they were licked or not, they would have to throw them away. So we opted for the free appetizer.
A little over three hours and a bottle and a half of wine, we said our goodbyes. Sorry to say I forgot to get a photo of us…perhaps the wine played a hand in that.

Side note: There was a fire about 15 miles from my hotel. Looked scary, but the wind dissipated overnight and it wasn’t a threat.

Portland, Oregon

On Saturday, I arrived at the house Sydney is renting early afternoon and we quickly caught up. We decided to catch a movie (not Toy Story 5) and Sydney thought I would enjoy Backrooms. It’s received a lot of online chatter and has had a long run in theaters because of it. It’s a small production indie film which came from a viral creepypasta which expanded on a web series. And yes, “creepypasta” is a real word defined as a genre of short horror stories shared online.
That being said, I still don’t quite know what happened. I don’t know if anyone can clearly explain it. IMDB says, “The film blends psychological horror with science fiction, emphasizing atmosphere and the feeling of being trapped in a nonsensical space.”

The film leaves you with an ambiguous understanding at the ending and from I understand, one can spend hours going down the rabbit hole of fan theories. #I’mGood

Portland with Sydney and Nate

We caught up with Nate on Sunday and got lunch then spent hours thrift shopping, one of Nate’s favorite past times. Sydney needed a TV stand and after a handful of stores we finally found one she absolutely loved. Nate then brought up the subject of a spa he is a member of and which Sydney goes with him several times a week and asked if I would be interested in visiting it. He also said it’s clothing optional and promised both he and Sydney would be in swimsuits (which normally they are “in the buff”). We did and it was quite relaxing between the wet sauna, dry sauna, lounging spaces, jacuzzi and ice plunge tubs. I did not opt for the latter, but everything else was great.
We then headed out for Wings, beer and fries. Nate is wonderful and the two of them are cute as buttons.

Roseburg, Oregon

I left Sydney early Monday and headed to Roseburg for a visit with Loree Pryce. We met a number of years ago when she worked at City Hall in the same Engineering division as me. She’s a big lover of live music so we had that in common right away. She bought property off the beaten path in Roseburg. I was put up in her RV parked outside.

We took about a mile walk to the Umpqua River and took a quick dip as temperatures were in the 90s. I thought the water would be freezing, but it was very comfortable.
After dinner, we had some wine and relaxed in her hot tub in the back.
Next time I hope to spend more time to explore Roseburg.

Sacramento, California

It was boiling hot by the time I arrived in the state capital on Tuesday. Flags were at half staff in honor of the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, a big proponent of “he who shall not be named.” I ventured out long enough to walk up the street to get dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. One of my long-standing rules is to eat local cuisine rather than chain restaurants like Applebees. I do have to admit several of the ones I choose smelt of septic tanks.

I got a good enough night’s rest and left for home. Google Maps said six hours, but it turned out to be a bit more because there was a crash on the Tejon Pass adding an hour delay. Signs recommended turning off air conditioning because of the high grade and 100+ temperature. To add insult to injury, Google Maps gave me the warning of a crash ahead after the last place to stop for water and/or a bathroom break.

But I made it home with lots of happy memories, but next time I’m flying!

A Couple of Things…

Posted on July 7, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

1. A few blogs ago I shared about how I detach my camera from my desktop computer and that I would cover the lens on my laptop to avoid any possible malware spying called camfecting or camhacking. I was checking my texts recently when I broke out in a cold sweat and realized my phone also has a camera, and after a quick search, yes, the commie rat bastards can also spy via your phone’s len.
And while Norton wants to sell you their anti-virus software, they do provide tips on what to look for on their blog (click here).
My tip, never leave the camera in “selfie” mode.

2. Sunday, June 28, one of the Big Bear eaglets, Sandy, accidentally fell from the nest. I saw a video showing the fall where the eaglet landed on a lower branch and then one of the parents quickly arrived to monitor the situation to make sure she is protected and fed. It was reported Sandy took flight to a nearby tree so she is fine.

The next day, the second eaglet, Luna, took flight to a nearby branch, where one of the parents kept tabs.

The eaglets return to the nest nightly for now. See story: https://youtu.be/6sKl7bQ_JNc?si=pvl3qw3yXW9UBq9N

Nature is brilliant!

3. As I’m sure with everyone who saw the report, I’m extremely sad to learn that actor Danny Glover was given an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. If you check out his resume of films and television, you can’t deny he had a full life and has been one of our most prolific actors with over 200 credited roles. Some of my favorites are Death at a Funeral, the Royal Tenenbaums, Angels in the Outfield, the Color Purple, and of course the Lethal Weapon series. IMDB.com has a career retrospective you can watch. I was surprised to see he was in the movie Saw. Too scary for me.

I wouldn’t wish this disease on anyone.

4. The Fourth of July was a hoot. The City of Ventura held a fireworks show on Friday, July 3 atop the downtown parking garage. The actual holiday featured their annual Pushem/Pullen parade which I contend is the only parade with more people in it than watching it, followed by the Downtown Holiday Street Fair. Both days brought thousands of people downtown.

5. I went kayaking in the Channel Islands Harbor with Maggie. Saw a dozen or so sea lions lounging in the sun, tons of birds including a Blue Heron and a very large pelican whom I called you’re majesty as we paddled by.

6. I’ll admit I caught a bit of the World Cup fever until “He who won’t be named” intervened. I thought it would have been classy for the red tagged USA player, Balogun, to still not play even though FIFA overturned the penalty. But alas, he did. Some call it Karma, others say USA just didn’t play with heart; regardless, they lost to Belgium.

Side note: the FIFA World Cup trophy is made of solid gold and is kept at the FIFA World Football Museum in Zurich, Switzerland but leaves for special occasions. Wikipedia states, “Only a selected few are officially allowed to touch the trophy with bare hands, including players and managers who have won the competition, heads of state, and FIFA officials.”

7. I’m excited to see The Odyssey when it comes out which I’ll try to see on an IMAX screen. Meanwhile I guess I’ll take in Toy Story 5. #CravingPopcorn

8. I’ll be visiting my daughter in Portland soon. Stories to follow!

9. From my favorite quotes file: “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

A Couple of Things…

Posted on June 28, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

1. Why do people make wishes at 11:11? They have two chances every single day, 365 days a year.
Google says:
* Cultural Significance: Many cultures associate 11:11 with good luck and positive energy.
* Numerology: The number 11 is often seen as a master number, symbolizing intuition and enlightenment.
* Mindfulness Moment: Wishing at 11:11 serves as a reminder to pause and reflect on one’s desires.
* Collective Belief: The shared practice creates a sense of community among those who participate.
* Spiritual Connection: Some believe it’s a time when the universe is more receptive to their intentions.
* Habitual Ritual: For many, it has become a fun and lighthearted tradition to make a wish at this time.

Pam says:
* It’s poppycock
* It’s bull puckey
* It’s malarkey
* It’s bullcrap
* But then again…It’s better safe than sorry

2. This week, JR Richards (original lead singer for Dishwalla) played an intimate show at an Italian restaurant in Moorpark, CA, called Carrara’s. It was a solo acoustic on either guitar or keyboards and he absolutely nailed it! He has such a beautiful voice, so well preserved after all these years.
I interviewed JR in 2002 for Buzzine Magazine. The interview was conducted after a photo shoot in Santa Barbara in JR’s car. He remembered the interview when I asked him to sign my copy.

3. I try to keep my opinion to myself when it comes to art whether it be in the form of paintings, music, jewelry, etc… But while walking past a booth at an Arts and Crafts fair recently, I really had to bear down and work on keeping my face composed (showing no opinion whatsoever) as the paintings were truly…”not my cup of tea.” I couldn’t help but glance around to see if others had the same opinion, but as the booth was devoid of shoppers, I guess I wasn’t the only one.

I still believe putting down an artist is evil. So I keep my opinions to myself…or to a close network of friends 😉

4. In one of my recent posts, I wrote about an article regarding women over a certain age should stop doing or wearing. Well I found one entitled, “10 Outdated Things That People Over 60 Should NEVER Have in their Homes.” Yes the “never” was in all caps. It was a blog written by Julia Guerra.
A few of the items were a matter of opinion, but others make sense for our aging community such as
* Bathroom tripping hazards
* Stairs without proper handrails
* Low-slung sofas sectionals
But other items regarding bulking entertainment centers, or formal dining spaces or holding on to relics from your children’s bedroom should continue to be a matter of choice.

5. May I make a recommendation if you subscribe to HBO Max? The series is called Rooster staring Steve Carell. HBO says, “…the new comedy series focuses on the complicated relationship between a successful author and his daughter.” So cleverly written, directed and the actors are spot on. I can’t praise it enough!
See more…

6. While on a recent phone call with a close friend, I told her to guess what I was doing, specifying it was something I really hated. She guessed group texting. I laughed and said, something I hate almost as much…clothes shopping.

7. Have you ever seen the Weiniemobile out in the wild? I did once in the late 80s driving down the Conejo grade in Camarillo, CA.

I spotted it, took a double take, and thought, “Am I trippin’?” I wondered if this was finally the flashback I was warned about over fifty years ago.

According to the Oscar Mayer official website, you can track it, and even invite it to your next party though they don’t specify how much that would be.

It seems that every January, Heinz (parent company) offers applications to recent college graduations for a one-year employment to drive one of their six Weiniemobiles on cross-country road trips attending hundreds of events. Saddens me that it’s open to only recent college grads and not to recent retirees because that sounds like a bucket list item to me.

8. I saw that comedian, Anthony Jeselnik, was performing at a nearby comedy club in the Collection in Oxnard, so I snagged a couple of tickets and we took in an early show. No topic was off limits though I cringed at a lot of his off-color humor. I mean it was reeeally REALLY dark. It kinda delights me he hasn’t been “Cancelled” yet! Good for him!!

9. While doing research for a new dutch oven for my sourdough baking journey, the image above was one of the several photos advertising the product. Just who do you think is their target audience? It has to be either straight male sourdough bakers, or lesbians. Am I wrong? Or just maybe…the ad suggests if you buy this product you will be as attractive as the woman shaping the sourdough. #FoodForThought

10. From my favorite quotes file: “I love a Hebrew National hot dog with an ice cold Corona – no lime. If the phone rings, I won’t answer until I’m done.” – Maya Angelou

A Couple of Things…

Posted on June 19, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

So…I started a “A Couple of Things” Facebook page. Please follow!
https://www.facebook.com/ACoupleofThings

And if you’re on Instagram, I’m there too, but guess what? You can’t add a clickable link on the posts…so that sucks. But follow anyways: @acoupleofthings.us

2. As you may, or may not know, I adopted two senior pups about six months before the pandemic hit. It was perfect timing. I did my best to give them their best lives thinking I’d have one maybe two years with each of them. Barnie lived three years longer and Missy nearly six years, I called her my super senior pup. I won’t lie, while I miss them something terrible, it’s nice to not have to be home to feed and/or walk them a couple times a day. They only thing I have to rush home to feed is my sourdough starter.

That being said, I can’t help but linger over posts about dogs needing adoption. I prefer smaller dogs under 15 pounds for a number of reasons such as easy to carry up and down the stairs if necessary (and it was necessary for both the senior pups at one point), plus they eat less which means less poop to clean up. After Barnie and Missy, I thought I would continue to adopt seniors…but I’m allowed to change my mind as long as they’re scrappy. All four of the dogs below are available for adoption, all under 15 pounds. All are potty trained (Fonzi is working on it), they all are social with other dogs, cats and people, and they all walk well on a leash. I kinda feel like Piper is in the lead.
Thoughts???

photo of dog — Piper – 2 1/2 years old.
Yorkie Poodle mix

I did get to spend some time with this little fluffball at a music event last night. She’s just a couple of months old and she would soon fall asleep inside my jacket. #NotMyDog

3. Recently I caught Steven Spielberg’s latest film, Disclosure Day. Emily Blunt was amazing. My friend Steve declared Blunt a national treasure, and when I reminded him that she’s British, we agreed to upgrade her as a global treasure. I read an article that Blunt turned down Spielberg’s offer to use AI for that weird clicky noise she makes while doing a weather broadcast. No spoil alert needed, it’s in all the advertisements and previews for the movie. #Props4Emily

Regarding AI and specifically ChatGPT for writers, Microsoft’s Copilot has this to say, “ChatGPT is not recommended for writing because it lacks true creativity, personal voice, and nuanced understanding, often producing formulaic or robotic content.

So trust me, I will never use ChatGPT for my writing, but I do research a lot using Google and it’s generated answers now called Copilot search. I like to give credit where credit is deserved, and I link to the original source when possible.

4. I’ve always enjoyed watching the camaraderie between the Obamas and George W. Bush and his wife Laura. (See People Magazine article) I never realized Bush had such a great sense of humor until I saw the viral memo below. Conservatives do have a sense of humor! #WhoKnew

5. And on that note…Congratulations to our former president, Barrack Obama on the opening of his new presidential center which opened this week in Chicago. It seems my invitation must have gotten lost in the mail. Regardless, if I ever do visit the windy city, I will not miss visiting this one.

6. To cover or not to cover, that is the question. Do you cover the camera on your computer when you’re not using it? I use to when I worked on a laptop, but I now use my desktop and it’s an attachable camera that remains in the drawer when not in use.
The webcam cyberattack is known as “camfecting” which is a person maliciously gains access to your device. It’s real and it does happen. One article explains why attackers target webcams: “The motivations for these attacks are varied and alarming. They range from corporate espionage, where competitors seek to steal proprietary information discussed in meetings, to blackmail schemes where attackers record compromising footage. In many cases, it is simply invasive voyeurism.” (website)

Hence, my public service announcement: “Cover your camera!”

7. Does everyone have a “The one who got away” story?

8. It’s Father’s Day weekend, 2026, and of course I can’t help but think of my dad. All those hours spent flying homemade kites, playing in the water at Huntington Beach and building sand castles together, Daddy Daughter dances, racing slot cars, vacations, giving me my first car (1967 VW bug), and of course listening to music at home, in the car, at concerts and at jazz clubs. His love for music and his favorite pets were only surpassed by his love for friends and especially family.
I created a blog in his honor leading up to his passing so he could reminisce with me over what a great life he had. Gilbert R Sanchez |
Happy Father’s Day Dad!!! Miss you so much!

9. From my favorite quotes file, “Any fool can have a child. That doesn’t make you a father. It’s the courage to raise a child that makes you a father.” – Barack Obama

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