Tuesday, January 30, 2007

One million dollar bill?


One million dollar bill?
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
Torn up one million dollar bill? If it seems too good to be true it probably is. This bill is really a religious tract. Someone in our neighborhood leaves them on sidewalks and I periodically spot one on my walk with Murray. Someone must not have been happy with their find.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Blue heron


Blue heron
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
I was surprised how close this one let me get before taking off.

Sunday, January 28, 2007

Neal machining robot parts


Neal machining robot parts
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
It's that time of year! Neal's time is occupied with helping the students at San Ramon Valley High School build a robot for the robotics competition.

Saturday, January 27, 2007

New lamp post and winter tree

They put new street lights up in the neighborhood. They look much nicer than the old ones.

Trees in the mist


Trees in the mist
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
A little rain along the arroyo. Murray's philosophy is that a little rain doesn't hurt anyone. He doesn't mind going for a walk in it.

Friday, January 26, 2007

Winter sky at sunset


Winter sky at sunset
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
Taken a half an hour later.

Winter sky


Winter sky
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
Gray day.

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Turkey vulture in flight


Swooping
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.

These birds are hard to capture with the camera but I keep trying.
Turkey Vulture Soaring

In flight

Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Water Birds

Geese strolling.


Geese strolling
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.

Or should I say struting? Miller/Knox Regional Park in Point Richmond.

Birds Wading

Wading Bird Bird wading

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Golden Gate Bridge


Golden Gate Bridge
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
Taken from Miller/Knox Regional Park in Point Richmond.

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Sunset on the lake and bay


Sunset on the lake and bay
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
San Francisco Bay is in the background. The lake is at Miller/Knox Regional Park in Point Richmond.

San Rafael Bridge at Sunset


San Rafael Bridge at Sunset
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
Taken from Miller/Knox Regional Park in Point Richmond.

San Rafael Bridge


San Rafael Bridge
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
This was taken from Grethe's house in Point Richmond.

Monday, January 15, 2007

Pleasanton Canal Freezes

Amazingly it is still frozen at noon time. Usually it has melted by then.

Frosty canal

Ice on the Canal

Ice chunks

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Frosted maple leaf


Frosted maple leaf
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
Cold snap has hit Northern California. The kids made frost balls today at recess.

Tuesday, January 9, 2007

Sugar Cookie


Sugar Cookie
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
The frost is back! This leaf looks like a cookie sprinkled with sugar.

Sunday, January 7, 2007

Pleasanton Canal

Everything is so green in January!

Pleasanton Canal
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.

Eyewitness News shows up


Eyewitness news shows up
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
We came home to find Eyewitness News parked in front of our house. The camera man was filming the house that was condemned. We later saw it on channel 5 and saw our neighbor across the street interviewed.

Saturday, January 6, 2007

Egret in the grass


Egret in the grass
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
Along the Pleasanton Canal

Condemned House

The fire department, PG&E, and police show up to condemn the house where the recent drug bust took place.
Excitement on the court

There is so much junk in the house that it is a fire hazard and not safe for occupancy
Condemned House

The official notice
Official notice

The good news is that the kids are back with their parents (who are not the owners of the house) and charges were dropped against them. They are currently all living with the grandparents until they can find a new apartment.

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

Additional Highlights 2006

New classroom on August 5
Foundation for new classroom
foundation goes in

Several days later
Classroom in
August 9

Grass is in!
Lawn at last!

Meanwhile, Neal has a construction project of his own
Neal and crew
With teenage helpers he is laying a foundation for a shed for the backyard

Highlights of 2006

Anacortes
Lindsay, Marilynn, Gwen, and Ginny in a tree

Half M00n Bay
Ginny

Virginia
Monticello


Washington DC
Bread Line Hotel Room

San DiegoJessica heading out
Tour of UC Santa CruzUC Santa Cruz tour

Scene of the crime


Neighborhood Watch
Originally uploaded by Ginny Winblad.
It has been reported by neighborhood watchers that cars would park at the end of other courts and cut through the park to purchase drugs at this house down the street from us. Recently the police arrested 7 people at this house and put the two children in protective services. We long suspected drugs but neighbors have also been irritated by the upkeep on this house. We are all sorry for the two kids who are very well behaved and sweet children and played regularly with their neighbor friends.

Monday, January 1, 2007

Neal finds it hard to use his mouse


New doggie doors!

Neal replacing the dog doors with new ones.
Neal replacing dog doors

Murray says "Thank you!"
Thank you!