The EIR is ready - finally

Here's a link to the final Environmental Impact Report from the Golden Gate Bridge Authority. Long, interesting (at least, the bits I've skimmed so far) and it comes to the conclusion that the 4 ft. rail isn't enough to deter people from jumping to their deaths. And it also concludes that the non-physical deterrents (crisis telephones and patrols) aren't enough, either.
Hmmm, took you guys a while to come to that conclusion, huh? And took a lot of money, too. How about doing something about it now?
http://www.ggbsuicidebarrier.org/studydocuments.php

I really wanted to write about my scarf making "frenzy" but there isn't enough time. The rain finally stopped and I really have to run errands. So, no time to takes pictures. Soon .....

31 jumped from the GGB in 2009

The title should be clickable, but, just in case it isn't, here's the link again:

http://www.bridgerail.org/pdf/BRF_Newsletter_Jan10.pdf

Ken Holmes released the numbers for 2009: 31; of those 20 bodies were recovered; 9 suicides without a body but witnesses (and I really don't envy those poor people); and 2 disappearances with evidence of suicide (such as a note or personal possessions left behind).

Too many!

And, yes, I do have an endless supply of pictures of that bridge.

A little update

So far, the Craft Hope etsy site has raised over $20,000. Not bad, is it? They have been totally overwhelmed with donations are have to take a little break (from accepting donations). The store is staying open while they regroup. Here's their blog post about it:

crafthope.com

Something I read on my daughter's blog: her group on ravelry raised $16,000 in a matter of days for Haiti. I don't remember who they are giving to but, no doubt, it's a worthwhile group.

www.oneprettything.com has a list of crafters donating in one way or another as well.

Pretty amazing what a bunch of women can do with needle, thread, fabric and yarn, isn't it?

For Haiti

It took me a while, but I've finally decided on ways I will be helping:
First of all, the proceeds from all sales in my etsy shop until the end of January (at least) will be donated to Doctors without Borders.

Secondly, I will be offering a couple of bags to Craft Hope (see button on right) to be listed in their etsy store. Proceeds there, too will be going to Doctors without Borders to help the people of Haiti.

Why did I pick this particular group? Because the son of a motivational speaker we saw and enjoyed tremendously a little of a year ago volunteered and (may still be helping) for this group.

So, please consider helping. You'd be doing something good and end up with a baggie in return. Thank you!

Happy 21st Birthday, Henry

Craft Hope for Haiti

The above title should link to the etsy site, but just in case it doesn't, here it is again:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/crafthope

It's kind of self-explanatory. Artists/artisans donate, others buy, the money goes to Doctors without Borders.

The good, the bad and the ugly/interesting

And you get to decide which is which.
After much pondering, we have decided to celebrate Henry's 21st birthday this Sunday by having his favorite food: pepperoni pizza, no green stuff. Actually, we'll be having pizza at least twice between now and then. It seems like a good way to remember him. I started a group on FB and asked people who knew him or know me to do the same.
Jerry, the little Shih Tzu, or, as he is known these days: the little sausage, may well have food allergies. His previous vet had diagnosed him with a skin fungus and given me a special shampoo to be used twice a week (and it needed to soak in for 10 minutes, major hassle) which didn't seem to do its job. He still itches, scratches, licks too much for my taste. So, when the old vet closed up shop and I had to find a new one, I used this as a reason to get to know him. No, he doesn't have skin fungus but quite likely a food allergy. So, it's the food elimination diet for him; nothing but a protein he has never had before and no corn, grain or whatever so many dogs are allergic to (and from what I've read on the web, it's kind of questionable whether that many dogs actually have food allergies). Nevermind, whatever, we'll try it. In addition, I'm supposed to give him Benadryl for the itching and nothing besides the special food. No more treats, no more sharing my breakfast etc. etc. I can see Jerry being very disappointed about all that. He has this way of looking at me with those big brown eyes that just makes me do whatever he wants. Well, no more. He also needs to loose 2 lbs. because there's a chance he'll develop disk problems if he doesn't.
After careful consideration, I decided to not post the ugly/interesting bit. I'd be happy to talk about it, just not for the whole world to see. :-)

Thank you

Thank you to my faithful readers, you know who you are, the ones who read and leave comments. I'm not very good at responding to comments; not sure what the blog etiquette is there.
But I have to respond the the latest ones and I'm doing it with a new post.
I don't know if you all realize how much it means to me to have you in my life. You have all been so supportive and you've born with me when I went on and on with things I had to get out of my system.
There have been many people who came into my life in May 2007. They all helped, some so much I would have been utterly lost without them. I am grateful to all of them. Just about all of those people have disappeared from my life again and I'm okay with that. There are undoubtedly other people who need their help.
I am glad you all understood what I was trying to say (I suck with words, really. Never could write a decent essay in school.) and I appreciate your insights and your input.
I truly am trying to move on. Not sure how and where, we'll see. And I'm sure I'll write about it.
I was a bit reluctant to write the previous post, it was/is so personal but it seemed necessary. I often compose things in my head while driving. Yes, I'm careful and pay attention to other cars if not necessarily to where I am going. That's probably how I almost ended up in Novato when I was actually intending to drive to Petaluma a few weeks ago. Caught myself before I actually drove all the way to Novato but it was quite a detour. Oops.
Thank you!

A new beginning

For the last few days, I've felt a certain lightness of being. I pondered this for a while, as I am wont to do - husband says I live in my head too much. Who knows?
I might have come to a conclusion and I've made a couple of decisions, all, of course, Henry related. I am going to stop beating myself up over things I did or didn't do right and/or wrong. I think I did the best I could with the information I had at the time and missing a key ingredient - the drug use - made it almost impossible to see what was really going on.
I will also stop asking his "friends"/classmates for answers to questions I still have. It's pointless, only one has ever come to us on his own accord and he helped tremendously, the others are doing their best to stay far, far away from us. I've approached several over the last year and a half and have gotten an answer or two but most of them were either evasive or lying. That kind of tells me something. Anyway, I'm done. I'll live with what I know.
Now, all of that doesn't mean I won't be going back into that "dark place" from time to time but I really hope those time will be fewer and much further apart than they have been.
And isn't it an interesting coincidence that his school sent us a letter today asking if we'd continue with the scholarship. Yes, we will, but not at your school, darlings. Last time this year, next year we'll move to the New Tech High School. And that's the last thing .... I'm not going to read their newsletter anymore and will throw all solicitations for money into the trash unread (if they still send them after I asked them to quit).
Ooooh, still a bit bitter, aren't we? :-)
There will be one more Henry related post coming in May and, of course, there will still be suicide awareness and a bit of drug education here and there, but, otherwise, it'll be all sweetness and light. Yeah, right!

Happy Birthday to Me

We interrupt the originally scheduled bathroom cleaning session to bring you the following pictures:


My birthday was 3 days ago, but the presents are still rolling in - I could get used to this.
On Monday, I received a beautiful shawl my daughter knit for me and two bags I'd bought on etsy, yesterday came things I bought off ebay from South Korea, and today I received a huge package from my B4B buddy. I have no idea who gifted me this year, but I am thrilled to bits about all the treasures I received. Thank you so much, whoever you are.

Back to the Headlands again

Battery Construction 129, never given a name because by the time construction was completed after 2 years and the guns had been delivered, it was decided that the Japanese weren't going to attack here after all and the whole thing was abandoned.













Pictures taken around Point Bonita lighthouse. We didn't actually get to visit the lighthouse because it's only open for 3 hours in the afternoon from Saturday to Monday and we were too early, but we still enjoyed the hike.
This is an abandoned Lifesaving Station below Point Bonita. It was abandoned in 1940 when more efficient methods were employed.


Battery Wallace from across the hill.









The house I'd like to live in and, in the last picture, Rodeo Beach from far across the Headlands.

Ms L went to the flea market ............

...... on a cold morning in January and saw interesting people


the fireman wannaba


the man in overalls











the dedicated shopper,





the soon to be homeless husband because as he was pulling his new treasure out the gate, one of his daughters was overheard saying, "I can't believe you bought that, Dad."












Lunch was sausage - finally. Our favorite sausage place wasn't there last time we went.






I resisted the mini donuts, even though they looked absolutely delicious.








Unfortunately, my favorite vendor who sells vintage fabric wasn't there, but I did find a few treasures. All in all, a good visit and it did warm up and the sun came out and I didn't have to dress like Nanook of the not so far North.

And if you're my friend on FB, you'll have seen all of the above and I apologize for repeating myself. Even though it's my birthday, I'm not old enough just yet to say or do the same thing repeatedly, but I'm getting there.
And I also apologize for the wonky lay-out. Blogger is giving me fits and I now remember one of the reasons why I haven't blogged for so long. Sorry!