2015 Hike #2: Baltimore Canyon

I went back to Marin County for my Friday hike. This time I went to Larkspur's Baltimore Canyon; a forest in a suburban community. What I love most about this hike is the sounds of nature; the trickling water along the creek, the trees swaying with the wind, birds chirping. There were no urban sounds. 

Along the hike are several bridges. For some reason, I really love the sight of rustic bridges. They really are a great feature in a woodsy area. As I cross, I just stop and take in the entire scenery; towering trees, bright green leaves, the water flowing below. It's all just breathtaking. 

2015 Hike #1: Sawyer Camp Trail

Gadzooks! It has been four months since my last hike! Darn that knee injury. But I'm back at it; just as I am back to dancing again.

Today was such a beautiful day for a hike with mild temperatures and a clear blue sky. This time I ventured to the Sawyer Camp Trail. It's a relatively easy trail with mostly flat surface and a small incline at some points. I didn't want to jump immediately into a difficult trail after a long absence. The path is along the Crystal Springs Reservoir providing breath taking views. I don't think my pictures do it much justice.

I told you it was a lovely day.

Ugh! That fence just ruins the scenery.

Such a lovely pop of color.

I just love the sound of a waterfall. It's very soothing.

2015 Vintage Purchases #2: A Perfect Match!

This Valentine's Weekend was spent antique hunting with my family. My parents came up for a visit, and since they, too, enjoy the antique festivals circuit, they wanted to check out new (to them) shops. I took them to this place off Valencia and Duboce. The place is simply called Stuff.  It has a lot of stuff, indeed, and my parents loved it. Towards the end of our perusing, my dad said, "often times I forget to look up at ceiling or top shelves." As he said, I spied a chandelier that looked awfully familiar. I pointed and said, "doesn't that look like my sconce?" Just a few months prior, I purchased a 1930s wall sconce with beading. I quickly went through the pictures on the phone and found my sconce. Sure enough, it was a match. When I purchased my sconce, it had a pair that was sold a few months prior. They actually split apart. =(   So when I saw this chandelier, I knew I had to have it.

My sconce had cost me $200. I figured this chandelier would be twice that amount. In fact, the other chandeliers were going for at least $500. This one didn't have a tag so I inquired about its price. The store clerk priced it at $150. (STEAL) "I'll take it." I didn't even hesitate. It's in great shape, but it will need to have the wiring repaired; that's an easy fix.  Rarely do you ever find a matching antique fixture. 

Chandelier on the left. My sconce on the right.

Later, we ventured down to San Mateo to our favorite antique shop. I purchased another quilt fit for the upcoming spring season. I also found some great antique table mantels, but I'll get those next month. Now that I have a quilt for winter and spring, I'll need to find one each for summer and fall. 

Back in the Groove!

Back in October, I suffered a very painful knee injury. As I was walking down a flight of stairs, I kept my hand on the rail (as I always do) and came to a part that was detached. I lost my balance and my knee twisted. I felt and heard a loud pop! I had to keep it stabilized and walk with a cane. An MRI revealed that there were no tears. I only suffered a severe sprain. Whew! So after months of healing and physical therapy, I was given the clearance to live my active life again. 

In January, I got back on the dance floor slowly. I did my performance with my dance troupe, DJ'd our events, and then had two or three dances thereafter. I started going to the gym to strengthen the muscles around my knees. I considered going to Verdi, but I'd hesitate and sit it out another week thinking the following Tuesday would be the night to go. 

This past week, my friend, Burnie, asked me to DJ his event at Berkeley's Ashkenaz. I obliged and considered it a test-run of my endurance. It was also a live band performance so I made it a point to dance as the band played and not during my set. With pre-recorded music, you already know the duration, beats, stops, and the melodic shifts of each song. A live performance is unpredictable. I had several dances without missing a beat. The leaders complimented me on my grace. A few ladies approached me complimenting my dance skills. This has definitely motivated me to get back on the floor on a regular basis.

This morning I awoke and felt no soreness in or around my knee. I am completely healed! Yay!

At Ashkenaz - Band: Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers
The selfie was more about showing my tattoos more than the hair.

Shifting on to a related topic, Burnie had introduced me by several names since I have so many: First my real name, then The Painted Lady, RoseRed, Rosie etc. The Painted Lady is just a profile handle. RoseRed is my chorus girl name. I'm considering ditching the name Rosie all together and just using my true name. However, being introduced as "The Painted Lady...Noemi" has a good ring to it.

The dancers out there loved my setlist. The one song that wowed them the most was Lalo Guerrero's Chicas Patas Boogie. It is a Spanish language cover of Oh Babe. One of my friends asked if it was a modern cover. She was surprised to learn that the recording is actually much older. I informed her that Lalo Guerrero was a Chicano musician very prominent during the late 30s-50s, and he performed during the height of the Pachuco subculture. This song, itself, was recorded in 1950.

Here is my setlist from last night's dance good for Lindy Hop, EC Swing, Balboa, and Shag.