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…

Posted on September 8, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

1. If I could, I would…

Run a senior dog sanctuary for all dogs who had to be surrendered by their owners at no fault of their own…and perhaps even those at fault.
Run a singer/songwriter listening room.
Learn to surf.
Have a second home in Tuscany, Italy.

Best case scenario: home in Tuscany where I can house surrendered senior dogs, being able to ride my bicycle into town where I host singer/songwriter evening weekly…and travel back to Ventura to surf occasionally.

image of clean pot with noodles being cooked

2. I’m a big fan of watching cooking shows, and/or short cooking videos on YouTube or Instagram. What I don’t understand is how they keep their pans so they look like they’ve NEVER been used before. #HowsThatPossible

Though I do admit, I have seen a few with grungy looking cookware and those recipes are not as appetizing.

3. Who the hell coined the expression, “Make good choices!”?

4. I came across this incredible story on social media from the Santa Barbara Independent (click for full story). It’s been years since I’ve visited the Santa Barbara zoo, probably not since Sydney Rose was a little girl (she’s 32 now). But I remember the habitat for these incredible apes (not monkeys because they have no tails). One recently gave birth in front of visitors. The fact it happened for the few who were there to witness it is amazing. But it’s the face of the mom that cracks me up! Nature is truly wonderful. Any thoughts on a caption?

5. So proud of Linda! One of her projects is to collect children’s books (English & Spanish) and then stock a local outdoor neighborhood library book stand. This weekend she took it one step further. With the permission of a popular breakfast place, she set up a table and handed out books to anyone who wanted them! Inspiration comes from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. To date, the non-profit has gifted 332,411,218. From the website, “Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is dedicated to inspiring a love of reading by gifting books free of charge to children from birth to age five, through funding shared by Dolly Parton and local community partners in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and Republic of Ireland.”

Well Linda is doing her part in Fillmore, CA. Way to go Linda! Let me know if you’d like to donate $10 or so bucks so she can buy more books to give away.

6. My friend Carol adopted a senior pup from the San Bernardino animal shelter.
I’ve been saying for months that I’m going to wait until the end of the summer then I’ll start looking into adopting again. I guess I’m on the hunt now.

She’s thinking of naming this scrappy girl Rosey.

#ILoveHer

7. Warning: this entry is basically for women, but highly educational for men:

I was reflecting the other day about menstruation. And yeah, I guess I’m speaking to women because we can empathize. I remember when I was a little girl learning about the facts of life and how I couldn’t wait to get my first period so I could join the ranks of womanhood. It was thrilling when it it happened, but literally took less than two minutes to realize, this sucks!

Then it slowly dawns on you that you will be dealing with this the rest of your life…whether you choose to procreate or not.

And of course it’s not only the cramps, but the bright red blood that “discharges” from your uterine lining. The past seventy or so years have seen all kinds products to help with this messy and quite colorful problem. From sanitary pads that you attach to a belt around your waist (my mother’s time), to pads that have a peel-off sticky strip that sticks to your underwear. I saw a comedian doing a bit where he thought the sticky side attached to the women’s skin. Funny, but ew. Then came along tampons that you insert and then pull out once they’ve absorbed the flow, but you never know and you can under/over estimate this. And now, there are menstrual cups and something called a menstrual disc, both of which came out after I hit menopause. You insert reusable device so the flow is kept from escaping, and you wear up to 12 hours. I can only imagine what that would look like though. But, it seems better than the tampons.

While doing this research I found one more option called Period Underwear. They’re designed with built-in layers to absorb menstrual blood, which is supposed to keep you comfortable and dry all day long. In appearance and texture, they are identical to regular undies, but it is suggested one wear a couple of pairs on the “high flow” days.

Young women today have more options both economically and environmentally, which is great, but menstruation is still a big inconvenience. For me, menopause was awesome. No more periods!!! The hot flashes (for me, warm flushes) were worth it.

And, I have to admit, I smile every time I get to stroll past the feminine hygiene aisle at the grocery store.

8. I’m fairly certain about this, when you call an older person young lady or young man, it sounds condescending.

9. This photo was taken today at lunch. What you don’t see are dozens of more pigeons outside the frame. It was crazy! Though I don’t yet have a caption for #4 above, I do for this one. “Some people will do anything for attention.” #Birdman #PromenadeVentura

Man feeding birds on promenade in Ventura

10. From my favorite quotes file: “Everyone likes birds. What wild creature is more accessible to our eyes and ears, as close to us and everyone in the world, as universal as a bird?” – David Attenborough.

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…

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 25, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

1. I took in a matinee to see Toy Story 5. As expected, it was delightful, and I had a chuckle or two hearing little kids talk back to the big screen. Sydney did that when she was a wee tot when I took her to see Barney’s Great Adventure in 1998. Barney is a purple dinosaur and about as geeky and sweet as you can get when it comes to children’s programming. On the big screen Barney is searching for an something (off to the side of the set) as he put his hand above his eyes and the kids in the audience (including Sydney) were screaming, “It’s over there, Barney!!!”
In any case, Toy Story 5 was sweet, but for adults without kids, you might want to wait for it to come out on a streaming platform.
I do admit how sweet it was that everyone stayed to listen to the Taylor Swift song at the end. I did not.
Next up, The Odyssey.

Fake sign at Taco Bell — Relax, I’m sure this is a joke 😉

2. After hearing for weeks about the Cyclospora outbreak causing explosive diarrhea, it was finally tracked back to lettuce which Taco Bell used from Taylor Farms. The outbreak to date was traced back to nine states: Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.
Of course, the supplier could have shipped said contaminated lettuce to other restaurants. To be honest, I’ve always thought Taco Bell’s lettuce tasted odd.

I’m a fan of their Crunchwrap Supreme made with black beans. I will order without lettuce moving forward. I hear the enchirito is back. By the way, did you know you can ask for such add ons such as pico de gallo, purple cabbage, rice, onion and cilantro blend? Check out their on-line menu:
https://www.tacobell.com/food/specialties/enchirito

3. I was recently doing research for https://venturarocks.com/ calendar of events when I saw that Stanley Simmons is playing the Ventura Music Hall next month. The name sound familiar? Turns out it the sons of Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons. I figure I saw their pops play several times in the 70s, I might as check them out and see they’re chips off the old blocks. But alas…two days later, the show was cancelled/postponed. #Standby

4. Things took a horrible turn with the Big Bear Valley Eagles when one of the parents, Jackie, was seen on video being attacked by other eagles (out of towners). Shortly after, an eagle was filmed being scooped out of the lake, clearly in distress. Eventually taken to the Ojai Raptor Center (I love these guys, same organization where I was gifted an owl release), Jackie is good hands. The bad news, she is on the critical list as she is experiencing severe anemia and inflammation affecting the kidneys. The good news, she had the condition before the eagle attack which proved she was strong enough to fend off the attack. She is alert and eating, but only time will tell. #FingersCrossed #PrayForJackie #SendPositveVibes

5. Sending congratulations to Spain for winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup beating Argentina 1-0 after extra-time. The World Cup happens every four years. The Women’s will be next year and from what I understand in 2023, Spain beat England 1-0 in the final game.
https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023

6. Am I the only one who has trouble getting a doctor appointment, and then once I get it (typically weeks if not months out), I get a call to reschedule it? WTF????

7. Okay, looks like I’ll be getting my hair done more often now! This is Mouse, and he enjoys sitting on your lap while you get your hair cut.

He and his sister had a run of the place which is to say they make their rounds apparently monitoring to make sure everyone behaves themselves.

Brilliant!

8. Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is the name of the show, and if you ask me, the title needs “Spoil Alert” ahead of it. It’s streaming on HBO Max, spinoff of The Big Bang Theory. I saw the first episode and I’m not quite sold on it, but will give it a few more episodes.

9. KTLA Saturday morning news, reported that the TSA reminds us that to help the stress of layovers, hammocks are allowed in the terminals. The reporters quipped it sounded like an April Fool’s joke. I couldn’t agree more so I search online and it’s certainly a story circulating. I found this article, but just google TSA & Hammock and a whole bunch of stories can be found: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/tsa-reminds-travelers-that-this-item-used-for-naps-is-allowed/ar-AA28xN5Y

10. From my favorite quotes file: “Every man dies, not every man really lives.” – William Wallace

(William Wallace was a Scottish knight and national hero who led the resistance against English rule during the First War of Scottish Independence)

Thanks for listening!

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 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 1, 2026 by A Couple of Things by Pam Baumgardner

Here now, a Public Service Announcement: When you are at a live music event such as a concert or listening room and you’re talking to a friend, I am telling you under no uncertain terms that those around you CAN hear you and you are 100% ruining their experience. So please take your conversation elsewhere or just shut the fuck up!
Bars, wineries and breweries are the exception to the rule. Though at least you could lower your voice.
Thank you.

2. The California Strawberry Festival was fun. Took the shuttle which was located just around the corner from me and spent a few hours looking at a bunch of crap…I mean arts and crafts from all the vendors. We listened to live music from Jayden Secor and a Queen tribute band, the Kings of Queen. Left without eating a single strawberry whether it be in the form of a strawberry shortcake, or a strawberry margarita.

3. It’s been decided, the meerkat is my spirit animal. They’re highly social living in cooperative groups which are called (wait for it)…mobs. Luckily for me, it is illegal to own them as pets. One blogger said, “…meerkats belong digging tunnels under the sun with their clan, not stuck in a human home.” I get it, but damn, how cute are they?

4. My first paying job was via a high school work permit at another school’s remittance office. This was back when typewriters were barely electric (I believe they were IBM Selectric), and the filing system was extremely low tech. But the upside was you really became proficient at alphabetizing.

Bike riders in front of Ventura City Hall.

5. Transportation photo op from 14 years ago in front of City Hall promoting and validating those who ride their bikes to work. It’s the best ride ever…up the coast, right hand turn at California Street and you’re there! For me it was less than 3 miles.

6. If I were on the committee to select the next James Bond, Jacob Elordi would be at the top of my 007 list. I’ve heard the candidate needs to be young, fit, convey lethality, charm and vulnerability and should be British. Elordi is Australian, but is that a big stretch to the American ear? Unfortunately, I’m sure it is to Brits. #FingersCrossed

7. This story posted on social media by the local highway patrol and it caught my eye because it happened around the block from where I live:
“While patrolling the area of US-101 and Seaward Avenue, officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for expired registration. Upon closer inspection, officers discovered the driver had taken a very “creative” approach to the vehicle’s registration tabs. Unfortunately, artistic ability does not replace valid registration. The vehicle was impounded.”
#Creative #A4Effort #TrueStory

8. My friend Steve has an undying love of all things Grateful Dead. I’m a newbie, and can’t quite say I’m a fan yet, but I’m recognizing more and more of their deeper cuts. We attended the three-day It Must Be the Roses festival this past weekend here in town. The opening act was Jackson Gillies band,Jax Plays Dead. It was a great way to start the event, I’ve been a fan of Jackson for some time catching several of his gigs up in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria.He was also a contestant on American Idol…I believe Season 18.

Full disclosure…I danced more than I thought I would all weekend and, Item #1 above still applies.

9. From my favorite quotes file: “Music is life itself. What would this world be without good music? No Matter what kind it is.” – Louie Armstrong

Thanks for listening!

	A Couple of Things b… on A Couple of Things…
	John Vance on A Couple of Things…
	A Couple of Things b… on A Couple of Things…
	MikeOnMusic on A Couple of Things…
	A Couple of Things b… on A Couple of Things…

A Couple of Things…

A thought or two from Pam Baumgardner

Tag Archives: writing

A Couple of Things…

A Couple of Things…

A Couple of Things… Gloria Steinem

A Couple of Things…

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.

A Couple of Things…

A Couple of Things…

A Couple of Things…

A Couple of Things…

A Couple of Things…