2015 Hike #4: San Pedro Park

This weekend's hike brought me back to Pacifica. This time to San Pedro Park. There are several hiking trails available, and I chose the Valley View Trail. It was a windy loop trail up a hill from which you can view the ocean. There was various wildlife such as deer, hare, different bird species, and lizards. Supposedly there were mountain lions, but I didn't encounter any. It was quite serene particularly when listening to the trickling waters along the trail.

Picture bottom right is a view of Devil's Slide.

Glorious view of the hills 

A family of deer snacking on the grassy knoll.

Bursts of color along the trail

Always remember to look up at the trees.

2015 Purchase #3: 1930s Gown

After a disappointing Fall show, I still went to the Vintage Expo at Golden Gate Park. This season was actually quite impressive. There were more vendors dedicated to pre-1960 wardrobe.

Finally! More 1920s inventory

 I was only supposed to have a look around; no purchases. But I relented. Though I had stated that I wouldn't make any vintage clothing purchases until May, I bought a 1930s gown. It is a lovely pale pink with embroidered flowers. It will a need a slight alteration since the gown is very low-cut. A Gatsby Afternoon Picnic dress? Perhaps.

My latest acquisition

2015 Hike #3: Sugarloaf Open Space

This hike is a little closer to home. I ventured Laurelwood Park in San Mateo. The trail traversed a hill that stopped at a summit overlooking the bay. The view from top was absolutely gorgeous.

Overlooking the bay from Marin to Fremont

Descansa en Paz

Today I was informed that my tía Josie passed away this morning at the age of 69 following a short battle with cancer. She was my dad's eldest sister. It makes me sad the thought of losing a sibling. I called my brother this evening to let him know that I love him. Our time on earth is precious. Cherish the people in your life both family and friends. 

May you Rest in Peace tía Josie. I know that you are watching over us from heaven with Grandma, Grandpa, and tía Carmen (who was tragically killed in a car accident in 1967). Give them all a kiss for me. I love you.

With my grandmother Maria

Josefina Perez Silva

1945-2015

2015 Vintage Purchase #3: Glassware

After replacing my truck's battery, I headed out to Alameda Antique Faire. I'm holding true to my "no clothing until May" rule. I decided that the only time I'd buy vintage clothing is during the Alameda Vintage Fashion Faire, which occurs only twice a year. On my antique shopping list: home decor, kitchen wares, bathroom fixtures.

I may not find much; sometimes I buy nothing at all. What I enjoy most is strolling about the market on a gorgeous, sunny day. I love to see antiques on display, and more often than not, sellers will design there spot like a shop window.

I did find just ONE thing. What I really want are tall drinking glasses with poodles or cats. But I thought this glass was just too cute to leave on the table. One side of the glass is a couple sitting in the country side. The other side has lyrics to a song When You and I were Young, Maggie. I have this song in my library, and it's a 1930s jazz standard. However, when I researched this song, it actually dates further back. The lyrics come from a poem written in 1864 by a Canadian school teacher who fell in love with a young lady named Maggie. They married, but she died of an illness the following year. *sigh* It was then set to music and performed around 1870 before first being recorded in 1905. It has been covered several times.

Grease Monkey

It's the first Sunday of the month and that means Alameda Antique Faire! (Post to follow) I usually leave around 8:30 when there's less of a crowd. So I head out toward my truck and click the remote to unlock the doors. Nothing. Hmmm...I guess my remote needs a new battery. So I opened the door the old fashioned way =) and I notice that the dome light didn't turn on. Odd. So I put the key in the ignition and turn. NOTHING. My battery is dead. 

I knew I needed a new battery eventually. Back in October, I had to get a jump. When I had the oil changed at Toyota, they tested my battery at 50%. So the day arrived that I had to replace it. I figured I could do it myself. All those years that I watched my dad P.M. his truck, change the break pads, change the battery, etc...I MUST have learned something.

I texted my friend that I'd have to meet him later because of the battery. I got a Lyft and rode straight to AutoZone and purchased a new battery.

It was pretty easy. Just loosen the bolts, replace the battery, red to red, black to black and tighten the bolts. The only thing hard about it is lifting the battery; it weighs damn near 40 pounds! 

But I did it! All by myself! Wearing a dress! Daddy would be proud!

Old Battery; Removal; Dirty Hands; And all done in a dress!

Transcript: First time changing a battery all by myself. Thank you, daddy for having been such a great teacher. And I did it in a dress!

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.