Washington 2005: Or How We Killed Our Van

Here are some pictures from our trip to the great state of Washington, home of the Hanford Nuclear Facility, the World Trade Organization Riots in 1999, Birthplace of Starbucks (Thanks, Michael!), neighbour to our enemy to the north, Grunge music, and Jimi Hendrix.

We saw none of that.

We instead went to go see some of the family we have up there.

Off we go!

The kids in the back of the van. Look how small they are! Hey, can someone smell ham?
Stopped at Our Lady of Peace to offer a prayer for our trip, and buy books.
Stopping yet again, this time in San Francisco.

A rare cloud-free day in San Francisco. I can see Nancy Pelosi's house from here!

Yet another stop! This time in Vacaville at the jelly Belly factory. Here is a custom Motorcycle done up in the Jelly Belly scheme.

People waiting for the tour of the factory.

Kids love being on the border! Welcome to the People's Republic of Oregon! Don't bother pumping your own gas!

Wow, we just blew right through Oregon. We did go to Mass at the National Sactuary of Our Sorrowful Mother in Portland. The setting was beautiful, and Mass for the most part was alright.

We stopped at the Visitor's Center for Mt. St. Helen's.

You can see the part that blew off.

We finally meet the family up in Washington State!

They took us to this beautiful area nearby called Larrabee State Park. Throwing rocks into the Sound.

This is Lummi Island in the background, part of the San Juan Islands.

Ew! Crabs!

Not enough for a Crab Cake.

Off with Uncle to see the Tide Pools.

Her Uncle sure knows a lot about the Tide Pools!

We also went to another State Park, this called Deception Pass. It is just north of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.

Why do we live here on Whidbey Island, when we could live in Tahiti?

Walking with her Aunt.

Helicopter from NAS Whidbey Island.

Throwing rocks in the Sound.

How could we be these close to our northern neighbour and not find out the answer to our question: Canada, threat or foe?

(Attention les lecteurs forment le Canada, c'est une blague!)

You know you are in Canada when the local money has Hockey on it.

Somewhere, DaVinci's Inquest is being filmed nearby, or perhaps an Episode of the X-Files from the first 5 seasons, or just about any random show from the Sci-Fi Channel.

The hotel where we had our Honeymoon, the Vancouver Pan Pacific.

Holy Rosary Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Vancouver. This Cathedral is beautiful on the inside, and has been host to the Traditional Latin Mass at times.

The very day we were in Vancouver, we happened to turn onto a street that looked like it was blocked off for some reason, but no one stopped us. There was a Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Live Truck in front of this building that turned out to be a specially built Courtroom for the Air India 182 Bombing Trial. When we got back to the United States, we picked up the CBC Channel, and it turns out we were on TV nation-wide in Canada.

The Peace Arch on the border between Canada and the United States.

Making a run for the border. If you look in the background, there are houses on the Canadian side on the left that go right up to the border. Seems if you lost a ball throwing it to Fido, it could go into the United States.

Another sunny day in the Pacific Northwest. This picture was taken one minute...

...and literally two minutes later, the sky had started turning very dark.

Last visit with the family.

Stopping off at world famous Powell's books. This place is huge, and they don't mind showing you rare books, even if you look like you cannot afford them. Too bad the area around the Bookstore made Fallujah look appealing.

So off we went back to California. Nice trip, even if one of the kids had left their favourite pillow in a hotel in another state. Got to meet some nice relatives who put up with us, and they barbecued some awesome food. Now it was time to home, and make a brief stop in Sacramento to a party that my Compadre was having for the Feasts of Ss. Patrick and Joseph.

We did not know that our trip was about to come to a crashing end.

We had stopped for the night in Yreka, and were on our way to Sacramento to the aforementioned party. Just outside of Lake Shasta, the van started shaking, and slowing down ever so slowly. All of a sudden, we could see that the rear window was coated in what looked like oil. So we gradually came to a stop, and were able to make it to Lakehead, just north of Lake Shasta.

Here is our van being put on the Truck. the kids thought this was great!

Yeah, our van was getting a ride!

The people who towed us were kind enough to bring an SUV that was able to haul the entire family on down to Redding.

We spent then night then in Redding, which we had not expected. Try finding a room for 6 in a hurry! What we did then was to get two rooms, one of which was the kid's room, and the other our crying room. We ordered out food from one of those services that delivers from different restaourants, and had a an overall good night. The van was towed to the local Ford dealership, and we thought we had seen the last of this van. The van had a broken Transaxle, which we thought was the end. Funny, the van had been checked out by our local dealership before we left on this trip!

From there, we called my Dad, who came the next day to pick us up, and drive us all back to Salinas.

At least Redding had these amazing clouds from an imcoming storm.

The van did make a reappearance. It seems like the Transaxle was able to be fixed, and we had it back three weeks later.

Overall, a really nice trip, one we would like to make again. Maybe visit Seattle, more of Portland. Maybe a National Park, like Craker Lake.

the best part of the trip was getting to see my Grandma, and having the kids meet her.

Please pray for the soul of Eleanor Ingram. Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother.

Eleanor Ingram

Requiscant in pace 1914-2007

Monastery Beach and 40 MPH Winds

Just some pictures from last weekend on the way to Big Sur to get some sunset pictures. We stopped at Monastery Beach because the waves looked really large.

Wow, the surf looks rough. that kid way off to the right kept trying to get into the surf with his Boogie Board, but the surf really was kind of rough, and the winds did get to 40 MPH. He gave up after 10 minutes.

The kids playing Old Testament "I will smite Thee!" I think she really wishes she had this power.... Oh, and world famous Bixby Bridge is in the background.

The only one willing to pose in the cold to get her picture taken! As you can see, Big Sur was a bust, as low clouds came in, and Fog parked itself off the coast.

Carmel Highlands After Sunset

Dragged the entire family out to get some pictures of the Coast. Here is one of the Coast at the Carmel Highlands, just south of Monterey. The exposure was 5 seconds, one half hour after sunset last weekend.

The Mendozas Have Been Chosen As Godparents!

To our new Compadre and Comadre, we have but this to say...



We were gonna lapse, by the way, but now it appears that we won't, just for you. Oh, and also to set a good example for our Ahijada, and to pray for her and stuff, I guess.

Plus it appears that someone we all know will chop me up into little pieces, and then murder the pieces if I lapse. He calls himself the Godparent Enforcer, so you are covered on that end!

Sunset Over Salinas Valley

Old Stage Road, outside of Salinas on 29, April 2010.

Land Lord FAIL! Parte Dos

Que onda loco? ¿Que pasion? Whassa matter? Why doncho you ever return phone calls, ese?

My compadre and comadre are right. You ARE a Flake!

My ruca was a little upset that you never called back so that we could rent that little casita up in Maine. My ruca would really like to visit up there. You see, my vieja and her little traviesos get tired of all the beauty around el Estado Dorado, the Golden State. It would be nice to visit around this great country of ours, and what could be more different than my barrio here on East side than York County, Maine?

Why didn't you ever call back, chavalo?

Is it because of the way I look?


Because I can tell you, 'mano, I have less tats than my oldest, and she's a chavala. I got my first gang tat when I was initiated at 7. No me digas que tienes miedo? Don't tell me you're afraid, loco? I'm a harmless little fuzzball, I would never hurt a fly, unless that fly never called me or my friends back de una casita that would be just right for them.


Is it because you think that I was born outside of the country? No es verdad, joto! My family has been what is presently the American state of Califas since 1820. When did they come over you say? The first of my ancianos came on over in the boat shortly after Cortes, que Dios lo bediga, in 1529.

Is it because you think I can't pay the rent? I would like to transfer within my company, and my jefes think i would be a good match for our TV station in Portland. Mira, here's a retrato of me at work.

I have even won an Emmy, buey!

Do you think we are going to be too loud for the neighbours? Neta, Holmes! We are a quiet family with quiet friends. Just ask my next door neighbours! We host little quiet parties, like the one in the picture right below....

This was my daughter's Quincenera, a small intimate gathering, as you can see. We put on chanclas, and danced for a couple of days. It was a toda madre, I tell you.

Mira, güero. I am not just some pachuco who came off the street. I won't leave the baikas from the kids out where the people can see them. no somos chafa, caborn. We are high class quality people. I will even leave my fuscas (guns) in Califas. Plus I am a Miclo (light-skinned Mexican-American), so I know I will fit right in in southern Maine, even though I am a little panzón (fat). I look pretty good, in fact!

¿ My carrucha? I know it will fit right in in the state of Maine! I will put it in the garage ALL the time!
Come on, get yourself some canicas, and rent to me or my friends.

¿Me entiendes, Méndez?

Ay te Wacho (Be seeing you!)!

Kramer Sighting! Florida Edition

It's time for another edition of Kramer sighting!

This time, our roving correspondent went to the Sunshine State, where it only took her 12 hours to get to the Panhandle section, and one in flight scare out of Atlanta!

Let's go to the videotape!

This house certainly looks large enough to house all the Kramers. Plenty of room to do all their laundry and that of Fort Bragg combined. Pretty nice. there is even a HUGE WHITE BUS (yes, it is a bus according to its paperwork) parked in the front. Could this be them? Let's take a closer look....

The interior floor of this particular Bus certainly looks like it is used to haul kids around, and possibly may even be home to tropical amazon life. however, those kids in this particular Bus don't look anything like the Kramer children. They appear to be much too old to be the ones we knew in California. Plus there does not appear to be any boys around.

This Cutie Pie cannot possibly be the youngest Kramer! Although very cute, this young lady is much too big and has WAY too much curly hair to be the one we know. this young lady also seems to be walking very well, while the one we know was not walking too much way back in September.

Believability Rating: 37%. The problems with this sighting, even though this blog went to the expense of sending a correspondent all the way to Florida, here is what is wrong. first all, the house on second thought, does seem a little small to house all 132 Kramers.

Secondly, the children we did get pictures of are too different from the ones we remember. Lastly, the young lady we did get a picture of had really long curly hair, bangs, and was walking just too well to be the Cutie Pie we remember. Plus, no one whacked the correspondent in the knee, hobbling her for life.

So, the search continues, although the trip to Florida was not entirely fruitless. Our correspondent spent nearly a week in the Panhandle of Florida, in the Spring Break capital , and very nearly partied with thousands!

Tune in again sometime later on this week! There are reports Naval Officers have been spotted not just in California, but on the Central Coast, and even at Mission San Juan Bautista!!!

WE WILL FIND YOU, KRAMERS!

On That Jesus - Borg Connection...

I knew it had to happen sometime, I guess.

"You will be assimilated. Your biological and technological distinctiveness will be added to our own."

To those who attack the Church: "Small words from a small being, trying to attack what it doesn't understand."

Stormy Sunset on the Central Coast of California

Sunset on the Central Coast of California during a Spring Storm.

It cannot be told from the picture, but the winds were gusting up to 40 Miles Per Hour.

Now That Is Hardcore Traditionalism

It's not easy being a hardocre Traditionalist Young lady. You want to practice the Faith and worship as your ancestors did, but you still want to keep a healthy, active lifestyle. What do you do?

Have Mom make you a Sunday Dress that can also go with any exercise equipment!

If only Our World Was As Beautiful As Pandora!

HAPPY EARTH DAY, EVERYBODY!!!


Enjoy a picture of our little tree Hugger!

In honour of Earth Day, this blogger will not be showering or using toilet paper all day tomorrow!

Happy Earth Day! Remember, YOU are killing the Planet, and you are making Al Gore cry!

Land Lord FAIL!

Are you in the mood to get jacked around by people who have nefarious connections with Senators Reid and Daschle?

Do you want to deal with people who don't return your calls to rent you a property but then renege on it?

Do you really want to deal with someone who is going to the new 10th Circle of Hell?

Well, then look no further than a Certain Place with Media in its name, along with that street that is between 17th and 19th.

You produced a video for the Democratic National Committe about Bush's broken promises, but then you say that no one has contacted you for two days? Yeah, right. I guess you would know about broken promises. You are pretty much an expert in the area!

This blog tried to contact the porducer for this Media whore, but was only able to procure a picture:

The flake was unavailable for comment.

Hey, a better rental will be found! We are praying for it!

Easter Dresses

Here are a couple of dresses that were made for the girls. They are from Sense and Sensibility Patterns. Here are just three pictures to show some progress.

The Bodice for the smaller dress.

The nice straight edging for the larger dress. So proud of this!

Holy Saturday in Santa Clara. They came out so well! Finishing them was a bit tricky, as the button holes were only finished on Holy Saturday, in the car, just past Gilroy, and that child had to change at the restroom at Our Lady of Peace!

Hitler finds out who the new Archbishop of LA is....

and he is not happy....

Vigil of the Pasch, 2010

In the tradition of the Eastern Catholic Church, Easter is called the Pasch. here are some images of the Vigil of the Pasch that took place at St. Basil's Eastern Catholic Church in Los Gatos. It is part of the Ruthenian Eparchy of Van Nuys, and Fr. Anthony Hernandez is the Pastor.

The service started at 730 PM with the Office of Nahdrobroje, and then went into the Resurrection Matins. The Church is mostly dark. It appears like there is much more light as the exposure was nearly 1 second. The Tomb of Jesus Christ is symbolized by a Shroud.

Everybody in the Church, starting with the Priests (there were two) and the Servers, makes two prostrations before the Tomb / Shroud of Jesus.

The Paschal Candle is lit, and the Faithful light their candles.

The Church starts to become brighter.

A Procession begins to form. We will all Process around the Church while singing and chanting "Christos voskrese iz mertvych! (Christ is risen from the dead!).

An Acolyte with a Triple Candlestick stands behind the Lector of the Epistle.

The Gospel is Chanted by Father Anthony.

The two Priests begin the Anaphora, or Canon of the Divine Liturgy.

After the Divine Liturgy, Easter Baskets are blessed in the Parish Hall. These Baskets will have foods that Eastern Catholics have given up for the the Great Lent, such as Milk, Cheese, Meats, and other delicacies.

Father Anthony (third from the right), Father Michael (second from the left), and most of the servers. Forgot to get one of the Servers in the Picture!

If you have never been to an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy, is is well worth going to see what it is like, to paraphrase Pope John Paul II, to breathe with the other lung. It is beautiful, to put it simply. One prays along with the same Liturgy as St. John Chysostom, whose is the author of this particular Liturgy.

To hear the chants at this Church is again, beautiful, as everybody chants.

Father Anthony comes to Salinas twice a month for the Divine Liturgy. You can find out more information at their website, www.stbasil.org .

A Blessed Easter To All!

Surrexit Dominus vere, Alleluia!

Христос Вoскресе!

Christ is Risen!

Cristo ha Resusitado!

Andrew Ingram: Requiescat in pace

Please pray for the soul of Andrew Ingram, beloved son, cousin, nephew and friend.

I wish that we could have gotten to know you better, Andrew, but things always seemed to get in the way, little things that now seem inconsequential. As is most often the case, your friends gave a fine testimony of how your life impacted all those around you, and what a kind and humerous person you were. We will miss that about you.

You told us back in 2007 that you wee going to work for an Electric Car company, and the people there loved you. They truly are amazing cars.

I also know you loved nature. I hope that these pictures will remind me once in a while of you.

Speakers that you made yourself.

We will always pray for your soul, Andrew. We pray that the Lord Jesus Christ look upon and grant you a place of refreshment, happiness, light, and peace.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine:

et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,

and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Congratulations To Lt. Eddie Kramer!

Let us all congratulate Lt. Eddie Kramer, for today he is the Honor Graduate of his class at Panama City 10-10 MEDO Dive School!

Congratulations!!!

It is an amazingly tough Dive School, as you can tell by the video below of another Dive Class at Panama City.



You who are in service to our country, you do an amazing job. God bless you for your service. You write a check payable to your country for the value up to and including your life. Thank you so much for what you do. Those of you in the military who have blessed us by assisting at the Traditional Latin Mass at Mission San Juan Bautista, may God bless you.

Sancte Adjutor, ora pro nobis.

Saint Adjutor, patron of Swimmers, pray for us!

Last Year Versus This Year At Bear Gulch Resevoir

Last week onour trip to the Pinnacles, we took this picture of where we had eaten chips. Here is that photo again.

There is still rock going further on down. Had forgotten just how far we had gone in. Here is a picture we took in June of 2009, and you can see just how far the water level had gone down.

No, we are not sure who the other people in the photo are. If anyone can identify who these people are, or their current whereabouts, let us know.