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True, Californians could probably do better conserving (we still have those thirsty golf courses - not to mention swimming pools!), but the conservation has exceeded the recommended levels, according to the Guv. We cut ours more than 50% in the past year. People are installing artificial lawns, native plants, and lots of people are converting to drip irrigation. We installed that when our house was built 13 years ago, and it was being regularaly used by many even back then. It's so desperate now, we are resorting to quick showers, restricted "flushing" - shall I say - and buckets in the shower. But I like the storm runoff idea from the Mississippi and Misssouri rivers - and how about using existing train tunnels through the Rockies???

11/22/14 12:07 AM

#1827

OK, so I can mess up moving water from the pitcher to the glass. I'm not the one to figure how to get it from a too wet place to a too dry place.

I spent time in Israel. They have the Mediterranean Sea on one side and the Dead Sea on the other, and not a drop of natural water in between. They get by.

I don't know, it just seems that something could be done, if anybody wanted to.

11/22/14 03:53 PM

#1828

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

We're losing a very good Senator (Carl Levin) and have lost a good Governor (Granholm); I vote for Terri and Jim as replacements.

11/22/14 07:19 PM

#1829

What'd ya say Terri? They do have water, and unlimited flushing.

Actually thanks, but no thanks Nancy. I'm considering a move to a country that has a nice king. Don't have to watch election commercials or to go through all that . . . stuff.

11/23/14 04:47 PM

#1830

Hmmmm - a nice king. Trying to recall if there is such a person around nowadays. But living in a benevolent monarchy would have its merits. Sorry you are losing good politicians in Wisconsin. They are rare birds these days. I think what helps us here in California to get things done is that the Governor and legislature are all the same party without all the bickering and lack of progress we're seeing in the U.S. government. But seriously, from working with my environmental group, I've had a glimpse into the workings of at least local government, and find it appalling! Everyone scratching everyone else's back, probably taking money from our Big Polluter, and it seems very few care anything about people's health. Garry's city council/mayor (Sunnyvale) are my heroes. They actually vote for things that protect the health and safety of their residents!

11/23/14 06:45 PM

#1831

I'm not sure if it was World History or Social Studies with Mr. Harris; he taught both and I took both. The different types of governments were discussed; and, a benevolent Monarchy is considered the ideal type of government.

We're 3/4's of the way to Arizona. We left Oklahoma City this morning and are now in Albuquerque. In 8 hours we have experienced very strong wind, rain, light and blinding snow, strong wind again, and partially sunny skies. Tomorrow is our last day on the road; hope that it is not a repeat of today.

11/25/14 06:03 PM

#1832

Melody Jones (Parker)

Sorry, I have been out of the loop lately due to being hospitalized with bilateral pulmonary emboli.

At home with O2 and coumadin. (Turned 70 in September, but feel like 90 right now.)

About watering the desert, Israel has done a miraculous job with their desalination (sp.) system. I read that an expert from Israel is coming to the San Juaquin valley to set up a system here for agricultural irrigation using the SFO Bay water. Our farmers will rejoice if this is successful. Once in place, we can keep pumping water from the Pacific Ocean and not worry about the rain anymore; and you Midwesterners can keep your lake water, no problem.

11/26/14 01:47 PM

#1833

This is us now. Enjoy your families and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

11/26/14 02:22 PM

#1834

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Thanks, Jim.

Just returned from some last-minute shopping, and needed a "sit". We were reminiscing about the many Thanksgivings we've had. Cooking here (Boulder) with a view of the mountains; many years we looked over mid- west back yards of swing sets and sandboxes; one year in a Chicago apartment (daughter's first one after college) rolling pie dough with a wine bottle; one year in Manhattan (other daughter - Zabars on Wednesday is a shopper's worst nightmare); one year in the boat - Cornish hens were a better fit for the galley; one year in Montevideo (where turkeys were as scarce as hen's teeth and nobody had ever heard of cranberries).

No matter the kitchen or the menu, the best part was always the many and varied faces around the table.

I hope you all enjoy the holiday and the faces around your tables.

11/27/14 01:40 PM

#1835

Happy Thanksgiving to you all, including all of you who are celebrating with the "white and drifted snow" outside. The turkey is roasing in the oven, my "grand-cat" is curled in my lap, children who arrived from L.A. at 6 a.m. are asleep. What could be better! Oh, by the way I am looking at a beautiful blue sky with sunshine and 77° outside.

11/27/14 04:45 PM

#1836

Nancy Davison (Boerger)

Melody, I hope you're feeling better by now. Nothing like being at home......

11/27/14 06:12 PM

#1837

Kenneth Pallaske

Happy Thanksgiving to ALL.....

11/28/14 12:12 PM

#1838

We finally made it to Arizona. and, a belated Happy Thanksgiving to all. Yesterday was 76; and, today is supposed to be 81. It was 11 degrees when we left Michigan. The first night was in Eureka, MO; 40 miles from Ferguson. But, it was a quiet night. The second night was in El Reno, OK, just west of Oklahoma City. Off and on rain between Eureka and El Reno. The third day started out with 30 mph wind with 50 mph crosswinds. Intermittent blinding snow between Tucumcari and Albuquerque . The last day was uneventful. In 4 days, we had everything but a heat wave and a tornado.

11/28/14 12:18 PM

#1839

Something that I just remembered. We moved into the house on 36th and Sheridan on Thanksgiving day in 1954; Nov. 25th. It was 62 degrees and raining. The house is a 107 years old; and, my older brother has been there for 60 years now; longer than anyone else.

11/28/14 02:36 PM

#1840

The guy on the news last night said the average Thanksgiving Day meal was 4500 calories.

. . . And every one tasted good and was worth it.

11/29/14 12:41 PM

#1841

Melody, hope you are feeling much, much better. Jim, you're right: every calorie worth it! - and thanks and apologies for swiping your Rockwell picture to post on Facebook :-) No puddles here, yet Garry. Our rain so far, as usual, is way below expectations. But my niece in Boulder Creek (up in the nearby mountains) said the sound of it on her roof was deafening; that's good news, because all that rain will fill the creeks, which will fill the reservoirs, which will fill our bathtubs!!!

12/05/14 05:22 PM

#1842

What Californians think of Wisconsin snow.

12/06/14 11:59 PM

#1843

Garry Sellers

I'm a sucker for almost any "flash mob" ... the surprise ... the energy ... the joy they can bring ... especially those involved with Holiday music. Pat McCarthy just sent me one invovling the Air Force orchestra from the Smithsonian that I somehow had missed. You might enjoy this timely event. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cKE8pyfcZc

Perhaps you somehow aren't among the 45 million who have listened to the "food court" flash mob, which I think I shared with you last year. If only I could sing like these folks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXh7JR9oKVE

Another of my favorites comes from the graduate business school at the University of Minnesota. I love it because who would suspect us b-school types would enjoy something this moving?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH8FvERQHtM

I have a list of another dozen or so from around the world. Just like a few of our classmates, they never seem to get old!

12/07/14 01:49 PM

#1844

OK Garry. So what's a "flash mob." Sounds like something you and your buddies do at the mall.

12/10/14 01:31 PM

#1845

onmilwaukee.com/myOMC/galleries/northridge

Jim, check out flash mobs on You Tube.

This is for those of you who remember Northridge Mall. This is from a post that my youngest daughter had on Facebook. She worked at KB Toys during the summer, while going to UW Madison. There is a short slide show, heading the article.

12/10/14 10:13 PM

#1846

Lauren, is that the one from the security camera showing Garry at the mall?

12/18/14 01:43 PM

#1847

Garry Sellers

We Californians would like to thank all of our Midwestern classmates who responded to the call for sending us a glass of water ... and maybe a pipeline from Lake Michigan. We, however, did not expect you to dump the entirety of the Great Lakes in our swimming pools, hot tubs, and freeways ... which are anything but "free"! We do look on the bright side of things (see below)!!! Reported as of this morning, the 18th, we are now only 4 TRILLION gallons below where we should be! Things are improving.

12/19/14 10:36 AM

#1848

I'm singing in the rain
Just singing in the rain
What a glorious feelin'
I'm happy again
I'm laughing at clouds
So dark up above
The sun's in my heart
And I'm ready for love
Let the stormy clouds chase
Everyone from the place
Come on with the rain
I've a smile on my face
I walk down the lane
With a happy refrain
Just singin',
Singin' in the rain

12/19/14 12:34 PM

#1849