Black Outs Might Happen this Summer in California?

Sunny California might be in the dark... again (remember last Sept. 2011 So Cal?). This time from a "sidelined" San Onofre nuclear power plant -which is located on the coast near Camp Pendleton and in between Orange County and San Diego County, CA.

The investigators will be checking the tubing that holds/carries the water that is radioactive. During the Summer heat if the twin-reactor plant is offline than rotating blackouts might occur. Utility companies are trying to find back up power.

Read more...

Orange County CA Beach Conditions Surf Events

 

Croft And Barrow Fit For You Watercolor Swim Separates

Nike Triathlon 2 Men's Swim Trunks - Black, M

Southern California especially in Orange County, CA is known for surfing and surf events and other beach activities. South Orange County Beach Trestles is a popular surf location as well as the San Clemente Pier and Huntington Beach or other OC beach locations.

For information on beaches and surf events in Orange County click here.

Cinco De Mayo Celebrated in OC Mini Mall in Santa Ana

I was in Santa Ana, CA today. It is not my favorite area of Orange County, CA. Santa Ana, Anaheim and Garden Grove which connect together have some nice and not so nice areas. They may not be my favorite Orange County cities... But a little place called the Santa Ana Mini Mall (located off the 5 freeway and the 22W freeway at 3412 Westminster Ave, Santa Ana, 92703 CA) there was a little bit of fun going on as well as Good Stuff deals.
Mariachi bands with loud drums played in the entrance area of the indoor mini mall as a group of people in full costume and outlandish headdresses danced around each other, some children also in on the act. People enjoyed themselves and watched the fun. The indoor mall is not upscale, but there are some good sales. I got a few pairs of jeans for a total of $36.00. Not bad and one pair was worth $39.99. I paid cash with that seller, though other sellers may accept other payments. There was a cell phone booth, speakers section that my man headed straight for, and many other booths. Adjacent to the mall is mexican food. The parking lot is not that big, though the store building is not that large, and not overcrowded. It is worth a look if you're in the area, for some deals. There are other outlet stores nearby as well heading into Anaheim.
http://www.santaanaminimall.com/
Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Have You Ever Seen a Cockroach Fly?

Yesterday, my friend thought this was note worthy enough as Good Stuff news to share, ok, not really good stuff news, but news none the less. While at work with clients all scurrying to a corner of the room, my friend battled a cockroach with a broom as it crawled up the wall. Figuring she could knock it to the ground and, grossly sad, stump on the poor grotesque creature with her shoe, to kill it and ease the clients (and her) mind. Fortunately for the cockroach, she did not stump on it and squash the life from it, rather after a swipe of the broom the cockroach flew out the front door of the shop. Whoa... she never saw that coming, nor had she seen a cockroach fly!

Apparently, cockroaches do fly. There are flying cockroaches, even though they can, we don't see it often with the American Cockroach. The American Cockroach usually scurries along quickly, they can fly or glide usually from higher places, in this case from a wall to avoid a quick sweep of a broom.

Nice Areas of OC are also Not So Nice -Orange County CA Review

There are many known cities or areas that are nice and not so nice, even within the city. The other day in Garden Grove it seemed to need a little helping hand as far as cosmetics go. It was interesting to see Vietnamese-American shops etc. but nothing too special. The area of the city I saw was not kept up that well and did not seem like a very good neighborhood. The neighboring city, Anaheim, CA. one might think that this "Disneyland city", or the famous past name of the Anaheim Angels (which is now for publicity reasons I think, the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim" or something like that) must be a beauty, well it's not, at least not at every turn. There are nice parts of Anaheim, today I saw a very nice neighborhood with nice cozy homes, and outside the homes on the main streets only some gang related spray paint signs. But even the cities with good reviews have their share of gangs and riffraff. Illegal drug use, thefts and other crimes still happen even in posh neighborhoods, though most trouble occurs in the poorer, lower rent areas. That said, just because someone or a family for that matter is low income, does not mean they are probably a crime family. I have known many low income, hard working families that are trying legitimately to climb their way out of a struggling economy. California is in debt, and the expensive Orange County has it's own troubles, school budgets are tight, public bus system has also made cut backs in transportation, and health insurance for the poor is limited and little to no dental and mental health coverage for low income adults.

 If the states budget would help those helping themselves more, maybe they could get a step ahead and there could be less crime and less poverty. But the system designed to help through the social service system rarely rewards dilligent hard workers receiving cash or food assistance, for the earned income they make hardly gets them ahead of the low income game. It is not a game at all, but a struggle. Cash and food assistance gets depleated or stopped all together, so there is no getting ahead, but staying at a poverty level. Something to think about.


In the beauty of So Cal. there is also hardships, crime, and poverty.

Fireball in Flames Meteor Exploded over California

Meteor came to California on April 25, 2012...

Just heard from a friend about a mini-van sized meteor that came to my home state, over California! A meteor flaming through the earth's atmosphere over California exploded dropping meteorites in Northern California. The meteor was the size of a mini-van they say. NASA did not know it was coming due to it's overall small size, outer space speaking. I'd love to find a meteorite, but I won't be one of those who are searching. They say they are billions of years old I am guessing based on distance and type. Not sure how this age is figured, if it is figured by the big bang theory or just distance of light years etc. I'd still have to say it was probably very old though. So interesting to think of these coming actually down on to earth, which apparently happens more then we know, NASA and other researchers know. Lucky we do not here of tragedies from the outer space invasion! So much creation so far away...brought here. Any comments?

Local Orange County Weather News Does it rain in OC, California?

It's not always sunshine in Southern California!

Although this last year has primarily been a drought for southern California with still mostly brown hills and a lot less of my favorite wild mustard flowers... if you wonder if it rains in California... yes. Though So Cal. rain is not often and usually occurs as short lived rain storms or mild sprinkle rain with occasional mild thunder and lightening. It is actually welcomed by some as a change in the sunny weather pattern we usually have. Rained today and rain coming up again Friday April 13, 2012.

For current local Orange County, CA weather click here.

Driving in the rain 2011

Gloomy sky in south OC with the bright sun shining through. 2012

Gloomy but still gorgeous south OC beach 2011

Albertson's Wish Big Win Big or Win Small?

Are you one of many collecting Albertson's grocery store Wish Big Win Big stamps? I have a lunch size paper bag full of unneeded yet, collected stamps... up for grabs!

So far I have played along with the game since it's start, the more "grocery product" stamps I earned the more I wanted to shop, wishing to win big! I won $2.00 and didn't cash in. I won $2.00 - 2 more times. I gave one of my $2.00 gifts away to a friend needing a missing stamp. She said I was lucky when I won my first $2.00! It's something right?

There are a few that won bigger prizes, and one wished and won big. The family in need in Anaheim, CA. Got the nice $50,000.00 cash prize. That OC family needed the extra income and I couldn't be happier for them! Yet, I am still hoping it will be me!? Probably not.

My gambling, I hope in this case, Lord forgive me I try to win for goodness sake though. I know I play scratchers sometimes even praying for a win, and the Mega or Super Lotto... so far nothing, and if the California Lotto gives to schools, I haven't noticed it. Well, I have won occassionally with scratchers, not much though and usually a free ticket. I get Albertson's instant win tickets too, even an instant win can of vegetables... I had to laugh about this one.. I'm thinking, I'll pick artichokes if it's available. Albertson's has a good gimmick going, ha that's funny to say. I'm guessing the winning tickets could easily have gotten lost though too, like in a gutter somewhere... that $250,000.00 ticket could just be sitting there, accidentally dropped by an unaware shopper. I hope to find it!

What would I do with the money?
#1 Help my family, #2 Buy a home, #3 Invest, #4 Do something good for the homeless, including animals.

Before you spend like crazy to feed a gambling addiction, shop carefully, Albertson's prices are sometimes higher priced then other retailers. I suggest, a careful shop with coupons and sales.

Alysa Good Stuff Shopping to WIN Tips:

I got Albertson's ice cream with an instant coupon, and a Wish Big Win Big Coupon, plus the ice cream is (currently) on sale so it was a great deal. I also bought some favorite candy bars on sale with the Bonus ticket mark, at a dollar a piece and tripled tickets (tripled tickets until Jan.17th) this doesn't hurt the bank. My guess is the better tickets are after this date (Jan. 17) though. As far as trying to win, shop at different nearby Albertson's stores- that's what I'm doing. Save money, don't spend all your instant win tickets at once, but different times, when new tickets come in, my guess is maybe weekly.

Have fun, but don't be bummed if you don't win. :)

Homeless in North Orange County, CA Murdered

I recently learned of murders of 3 homeless people in Orange County, CA. Serial killer murders. This is sad to hear. Any murder is wrong and it is difficult to accept that this occurs, that life is not regarded as the gift that it is, and to take it from someone is not acceptable. It saddens me and reminds me that this is not our final home. Earth in all it's beauty has much sadness, destruction, and turmoil.

God bless the families affected by such indecent and hurtful acts, god bless all of humanity poor, ill, or hurting. God forgive and help those compelled to act out in crimes such as this to save all lives and remind us all of the beauty in your love, that in hard times, one day we will have the opportunity to live eternally with you. In Christ. Amen.

A good article from the president of the OC Rescue Mission Shelter: http://letters.ocregister.com/2012/01/07/homeless-homicides-bring-needs-to-light/

Moving Truck Ford F350 on Fire San Clemente, CA

I drove by and saw an older man pouring a small bottle of water on flames from under the hood of a Ford F350 I believe, pulling a trailer from Pack Rat Moving company. It had driven and stopped atop a hill near some residential homes. I drove by and came back around a minute later and could see liquid or possibly oil or fuel under the truck with some flames under the truck. I pulled up to talk to the man pouring more water under the hood. I stopped next to the truck and the whole interior was on flames, the  man unaware as the hood blocked the windshield view. I yelled to get back, the truck could blow! He backed up.

A couple ladies were on their cell phones calling it in to the fire department. I yelled to one woman to tell the other moving truck to move up, and got out to yell the same to the other man. I pulled over nearby and after a couple more minutes a fire truck pulled up and immediately hosed the truck with some type of extinguishing spray. By this time there was a large plume of smoke. A couple ladies with their dogs waited and watched.

Vehicle Fire Tips:
As I learned, water is not good for a vehicle fire. Keep an extinguisher for emergencies, it is best to get everyone out of the vehicle and out of the way if there is a vehicle fire, stand 100 feet away at least and call 911. Water is not the right thing to put out this fire, check with your fire department what to do. More importantly, do not stand close to a vehicle in flames, it is very dangerous as many deaths have occurred from vehicle fires. I am very glad the people and homes nearby were not injured or damaged, as well as the possible belongings in the trailer seemed to be unharmed. I feel for the movers that had to deal with the ordeal, hopefully the truck was covered by insurance. I do not know what caused the fire.

Vehicle Fires

Marines and War Games in Camp Pendleton Southern California

Life Near Camp Pendleton Marine Base

Marines come to Camp Pendleton from all over the United States. It is common to see the marines in local cities such as North San Diego County and South Orange County, California. Many marines are spotted in the city of San Clemente. Which is adjacent to the Camp Pendleton Marine base.

Marine Monument Statue and In Memory Wall.

San Clemente, CA Pier bowl area.

Fairly new constructed statue in memory and for tribute for those that give of themselves to serve our country.

In memory of a local marine.

Recently, I saw a controlled fire in the hills at the marine base, Camp Pendleton. I have seen many fires and smelt or seen smoke numerous times. As I was checking out the flames on the hill from a distance, I saw red. A red lit up cloud that was very low, right above a hill it seemed. I didn't realize it was the moon until I could make out the round shape. The photo came out much more red than it looked by eye. If there weren't clouds in the sky it would have been even more beautiful. 

Watch out, don't mess with the US! ;)

It is surreal to be so close to war games and hear or even feel the shaking land, rattling our homes, and the ear echoing bombs, "Kaboom ba boom", and gun fire or even see smoke or fires or flares that some how just sit in mid air. 

Could not make out the fire in photo. Camp Pendleton Marine base at night.

Marine military base helicopters often fly loudly overhead during practice flights which can be bothersome to nearby residents that do not live on Camp Pendleton's base. Why can't they fly nearby over the base, instead of also flying over cars and rooftops? This is no bueno. A couple years ago, at my family's home, I was startled to see a jet fly overhead low enough that I could make out the shapes of the missiles underneath it! Interesting to see, but definitely not good stuff. Homes nearby the marine base sometimes hear the loud gunfire, especially homes in the hills near the base. The gunfire can be rapid and so long that when I myself have heard it, I felt like my ear drums were fluttering when it lasted too long. Homes and nearby business building windows rattle, and also, cats hate it! Funny to think that over the many years of hearing it, you actually grow accustomed to it though. Like enjoying the horn of the train somehow becomes a comforting routine sound, or living near the highway, the sound of the freeway at times actually mimic the sound of the ocean waves breaking on shore. Well, this is all just part of the really, real life in the southernmost part of OC California anyway.

Camp Pendleton, CA Restricted area, hillside.

Camp Pendleton helicopters lift off

Many fires have been seen blazing the hilltops here. Usually they are controlled.

 

Close Helicopter.

 

 

 

 

Rosecrans Cemetery, San Diego, CA. Family Member and other grave sites of those that served.

 

A Tribute 9/11 like a 911 call we need Psalms 91:1

It is almost the anniversary of 9/11 when I am writing this. I remember that morning still. I was working as an executive assistant and came into work as usual. My employer came in notifying me about something serious going on. He brought in a mini television and from there, I watched the horrifying news and a second plane strike the tower. The towers collapsing. I thought of bible prophesy. The dawn of the end... end times in bible prophecy that is. Wars and famines.

My young child was away from me at school. I wanted to get to her, but I worked through my day anyway. I felt a sunk feeling in the deep of my heart. I went to the beach before sunset to reflect on those hurting. It was then that I noticed on the sand, a large beached tree trunk perched in the sand and in that trunk, a pole waving the American flag. This memorial on the west coast continues right there on the sand for those on the east coast. Some people may not remember how this flag came to be on this local beach and why it is still there, but I remember every time I see it. I don't know who put it there, or who replaces the flag. I am glad it stands even after rainstorms and after high tides.

Forgetting all the politics, America is about freedom, we the free people. A lot of times politics, and corruption gets in the way of this. Religion gets in the way of life. I do not consider myself religious. "Religion is what kills innocent men, women and children..." someone said. In the case of 9/11 this qoute rings true. I believe in Jesus! I'm not afraid to say it. I don't want to preach it at anyone, but in such a time of hardship and suffering as this world often proves to be full of, yes, even here in sunny old California (it rained and thundered a little today), life can surely be tough and it's by Jesus I want to be. Thank God, that He cares, even if we the people, sometimes have doubted it, we even cursed Him without thought, even accused- Why God, over and over. He still hears, He still cares. God bless those that are hurting and those that have enemies and those that are.. enemies, have mercy. Terrorism even happens on our homeland, by our own people. Terrorism happens. I pray it ceases. John Lennon said, "Give peace a chance..." and we the people, in America feel it too that, "all we are saying is, give peace a chance." One day... I'm thinking though, it's in the next world.

God heal and bless America, the land that I love. 
God help its leaders, those that we need. 

People love each other, in our land. 
People love one another, in other lands.

It's now, September 11 in 2011.

For those that died, for those that hurt...

Psalm 91:1 

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Zoom in until you see the street/sand.
Move the map up until you see the tree stump and you will see the shadow of the flag.
click here to view on google maps

View Larger Map

September 8, 2011 BLACK OUT! My power's back on so I can blog. Real OC News

A little after 3:30 pm PST in South Orange County, CA: Electricity gone.

Arizona, California, and Mexico affected by a major black out. September 8, 2011 

Blinking lights by San Clemente High School; traffic and stressed drivers.

A little too scary for the town of San Clemente, that just yesterday dealt with a bomb threat at a local high school. Turned out no explosives were found. Now on the second day of school here in Orange County, California a major black out occured this afternoon until about 8pm tonight and in many parts the electricity is out still all over Orange County, San Diego County, parts of the state of Arizona, and even in Mexico.

Heavy traffic and stressed drivers in OC after black out.

Grocery store employee informs customers that store is closed.

Based on news reports that I heard a major electrical line in Arizona was damaged. This caused widespread electrical outage. But the fear of things here in Orange County, especially after a bomb threat, makes people anxious, especially close to upcoming 9-11, a remembrance day, the day when the Twin Towers were destroyed in New York and thousands of US citizens died. I immediately bought bags of ice as they were melting already all over the store of the grocery store that had 20 minutes of electrical generator going for people to shop quick. Not knowing yet what was going on.. expect that the power was out "...all over." Finally I heard a radio station reporting on the situation (here in Orange County it is on station 101.5 fm), my neighbor listening attentively. They don't know if it was intentional damage to the power or not. Some people in southern California also had to conserve water, due to water pump situation if they live at higher elevation. It eased my mind later to hear all should be well by tomorrow sometime. The school district in my home area sent an automated phone message that there will be no school tomorrow, September 9th. Some areas do not have power and also the difficulty to get gas.

Sheriff patrolling San Clemente, CA area.

While I felt almost prepared for the evening, my food packed with ice, I hand lit my stove to heat up some left overs, and my candles shining, the neighborhood kids had fun under a beautiful full moon, God knew we needed the extra light tonight. A group of kids role played outside in the dark, under the moonlight with swords (of the plastic nature). I came out with my flashlight... someone needed to be sheriff. Of course, I was just wanting to have fun too! It was nice to see the kids embracing the change: no TV, computer or video games. 

Good Stuff Store: Everything 99 kept business going with a few lights/pay by cash.

Then in the middle of making dinner, after slicing celery in the dark, poof! The lights were on in my neighborhood. It was like a horray! Then, awe... I was having fun though! I had just searched for all my candles and was just about ready to make it through the night. My man scurried just about all over Orange County to get more supplies and gas for his can and mine. Earlier, I actually saw a handful of cars that were stuck at a gas station hoping to get a hold of someone that could bring them gas. I myself was right at "E". Word of mouth was going around about where to go, I just backed my car out and headed home before I ended up stuck. Hope this all gets fixed and we get some normalcy here in OC soon.
Update 9-9-11, black out fixed in SDGE service areas here.

 

God lit up the night sky, the stars could be seen better without the street lights.

• http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110908/california-onofre-nuclear-plant-power-outage-110908/
• Update 9-9-2011  http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/09/09/blackout-affected-5-million-people-in-california-agency-says/
• See related Alysa Good Stuff blog post: Sept. 7, 2011 Bomb Threat at San Clemente High School; The Real Orange County, CA

Sept. 7, 2011 Bomb Threat at San Clemente High School; The Real Orange County, CA

Real Orange County, California special report:

San Clemente High School, home of the "Tritans", was evacuated on the first day of school due to bomb threat.

San Clemente High School

Orange County doesn't have a curtain from crime like some think. Orange County, California is for the most part a rather safe place to live. Today, declared there is no safe place for the students at a local high school, San Clemente High school. Bomb threat! On the first day of School, September 7, 2011, 3,200 students and 180 school employees were evacuated.

Why did this happen? Was it possibly a call for attention that a man from the United States Navy plotted this? A Navy medic that had gone AWOL, did not show up for work so they searched his barracks in Camp Pendleton (South Orange County/North San Diego area) and found a note or multiple notes about leaving bombs at the campus of San Clemente High School.

Today was a hot day in San Clemente and students were not allowed in class today, 

News reporter outside the High School

 instead they were instructed to go to the football field and were finally brought some water bottles, some complained it was not enough done for them as they waited while Swat and bombsquads (Orange County Sherrifs Special Weapons and Tactics) searched the entire campus today for explosives. One high school student thought a couple were found, though, media sources say no explosives were found.

The Navy man, 22 year old Daniel Morgan was missing, then later turned himself in and is being questioned by military police. I met one parent who was working and said she was nervous about her child who just started school as a freshman. Another students father I spoke with waited at a nearby McDonald's and called his son, instructing him where to go if an explosive was found or went off. He also said that sheriffs pulled kids off the street that were walking by the high school and they were told to go to the football field, even though they did not go to that school.

Outside San Clemente High School

Finally, around 1pm, students were slowly dismissed early. Some students waited at a nearby grocery store for parents to pick them up, others walked or drove home. Many cars were being searched, I saw one sheriff digging through a trunk of a car parked on the main street. It looked like cars on the main street were lined with yellow tape.

Fire Authority truck carried water for students that waited in the heat.

I counted over 15 news vans and cars lined on the main street, Many Firetrucks, ambulances, sheriffs cars and a sheriff's motorcycle, and Special Weapons and Tactics truck. Never, did I think there would be a bomb threat in this area. Students will resume at school tomorrow as regularly scheduled. What a way to start the new year. Could this Navy man be only seeking for a way out of the Navy? Could he really be a terrorist in his own country, and why kids? Possibly because it's a lot of people in one place near the military base. But, why would he leave a note easily found anyway? Good thing the military and city officials were on top of this incident before a more serious one occurred.

I witnessed a Sheriff searching through the trunk of this car and others nearby.

Hill Marks the number 12 (2011-2012 school year? maybe)

 

 

News vans outside San Clemente High School

News reporter at shopping center were some students were picked up.

• USA Today News Report about the bomb threat at San Clemente High School
• AWOL Navy Medic in Custody
• abc News Search of San Clemente High Ends...  
• Update 9-8-2011: Associated Press News- Military Investigating Navy Medic

Funny Free Ads On Craigslist in Orange County, CA

I have seen a monkey for free on Craigslist in Orange County, and I still remember the ad for a whole living room set of high-end furniture listed because husband and wife wanted new furniture!
Today a funny ad for Honey! But seriously, I hope this honey bee hive goes to someone that knows how to transport bees and collect the honey, wow Craigslist is entertaining at times...
Free Bees in San Clemente http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/zip/2000845829.html
10-9 Make $25 for picking up free wood crates in San Clemente http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/zip/1997608447.html

Drew Barrymore Wears $25 Thrift Store Dress on Red Carpet

Go Drew! She is so cute and I believe has such a genuinely sweet nature. I love thrift store finds! Drew looks retro gorgeous in a metallic sparkle mod dress. I bet she could have pulled off Payless pumps even and still look great (her pumps worth over $700). See the photo of her and article here:   http://shine.yahoo.com/event/the-thread/drew-barrymores-25-red-carpet-hit-2302282/

Visit my growing eBay Store (bookmark... new store still stocking shelves) for home decor, some bargains and retro clothing: www.retrobrightboutique.com

Yellow in the Ocean? T Street Beach San Clemente, California- Orange County

Yesterday was a gorgeous beach day in San Clemente, CA. At T-Street Beach the water was warm and shallow enough to walk out swim and boogie board. Only a couple cautions, warm water also brought a string ray that may have stung someone earlier in the day where we were now splashing, later there was some concern of rip currents. But the spotted yellow flag was not the only yellow spotted at the beach. The biggest concern in my opinion was the bright yellow we could see first from the cliff above T-Street. The yellow colored water streaked moving south from the San Clemente Pier and south of T-Street. People swam and splashed anyway. After a few hours the yellow was finally pushed south and spread and you could no longer see notice it. There are piles and piles of a long seaweed bed that is stretched across the coastline making the ocean blue somewhat brown. Is this related to the yellow, was this yellow dumped into our water? This yellow as bright as paint, what was it? Glad there are showers at the beach.

Comments welcomed.

5.4 Earthquake San Diego, CA 7-7-2010 Rockin in my Chair Orange County

I was just wondering the other day... we haven't had an earthquake recently, I wonder when we are going to have another one. Well as I am working here at my desk with my feet up on a chair, slouchy style, both chairs decided to rock with me in them in a sort of rumbly fashion. So I checked the earthquake site, it wasn't up yet... and then a call from a sister who saw it on the news and here it is on the earthquake site:
5.4 Magnitude in the desert inland area of San Diego near Borrego Springs. Those earthquakes are scooting there way up towards my house! Check it out:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/ci10736069.html

I posted an earthquake response "Did you feel it?" survey. They said my area was felt as a 4 magnitude otherwise called MMI 4 intensity felt. Which was higher than some of the LA and San Diego areas. Pretty much the earthquake was a little south and west of South Orange County. Eeek! I will assume we will have more, it seems at the rate of uh, monthly? -here in the south-land.
This rumbling feels like my frustration I had today... the earth gave a preemptive "errr-ahh moment" before my day got difficult. 

If these smaller but large earthquakes are only God's land mumbling in its anger... boy, do I want to be up in the air (with all my family) when it really lets loose!? Will it this year- here and big? Feeling this many earthquakes is not usually what So Cal is like. Yeah we have them, but it's more of maybe a year or two between feeling them as we are now, feeling so many.
My little poem...

 With earthquakes abroad and close, with the leaking oil on our coast...

Will God heal our land? 

"America, America God shed his light on thee, 

and crown us good with brotherhood 

from Sea to shining Sea." 

Forgive us- some of us know not what we do, 

some of us do.

Send us your Grace

in so many mistakes.

America freedoms and many dreams, keep us together knit at the seams.

"We all well know, we're gonna reap what we sow, 

but Grace, we all know, can take the place of all we owe, 

so why not let's Forgive

everyone, everywhere, everything..." mewithoutYou

Ezekiel 38:20-22 (New Living Translation)

²⁰ All living things—the fish in the sea, the birds of the sky, the animals of the field, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and all the people on earth—will quake in terror at my presence. Mountains will be thrown down; cliffs will crumble; walls will fall to the earth. ²¹ I will summon the sword against you on all the hills of Israel, says the Sovereign Lord. Your men will turn their swords against each other. ²² I will punish you and your armies with disease and bloodshed; I will send torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and burning sulfur!

James 5:9
Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

Yet Another Earthquake 6-14-2010 Southern California

I was working on my blog when I felt some rumbling below my feet and my desk shaking. Very minor in my area felt more like a 2-3 magnitude. I gathered my children and stopped at the front door, just like my last "earthquake dream", in it I stopped before we went out the door. Except in my dream, I felt/heard the voice of God telling me to be prepared. We do need to be prepared as this is more earthquakes in such a close time (all over the world too) than I can remember in all the years growing up here. Are we really prepared? We have some bottles of water, can food, band-aids, and... what about our souls, are they prepared for any unexpected events that may bring life change? We got to live for Him. Keep the faith.

6-14-2010 9:26 pm Earthquake 5.7 magnitude in Southern California, near Ocotillo. Southeast from Orange County and San Diego near the Mexico border. More around the area.
For more details and to report if you felt it click here. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/ci14745580.php#details

photo from: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsus/Quakes/ci14745580.php#details

Click here to see the recent lists of earthquakes in the same areas. You can see the smaller earthquakes over a period of time before a larger one, then again smaller after shocks occur.
 

mewithoutYou at Chain Reaction Anaheim, CA June 2010 Music Review Orange County

Went to mewithoutYou show at Chain Reaction in Anaheim, CA. Chain Reaction club - a punk like trashed club decor of graffiti styled walls, textured with A.B.C. gum, and curse words. But how nice the treasure of seeing and hearing an uplifting poetic band play in such a place and such a band as mewithoutYou. I also very much enjoyed Rubik, a band I haven't heard before. They were very instrumentally fun to watch and uniquely played a combination of instruments including maracas and slide trombones, still with a little edgy rock and unique sound lead vocalist. I will be checking out more about them. David Bazan also played, a guitar soloist, though not my taste, some seemed to enjoy.

I first heard mewithoutYou, via online thanks to my brother, this song- and still my favorite song, In a Sweater Poorly Knit. It caught my attention immediately and I have enjoyed their unique music since. I love the album, Brother, Sister and the new album mewithoutYou it's all crazy! it's all false! it's all a dream it's alright is very well done musically and lyrically with deep thought, and uniquely provoking me to dance. They do not claim to be a "Christian band", Aaron Weiss the lead singer is though, and their songs have a Christian message with other influences, and a very unique way of storytelling; a poetically lyrical way to reach their audience. At times, you have to carefully listen to what is being said in their lyrics. Lyrics include a sneaky clever fox, a quick crow, a king beetle, "a Stick, a Carrot, and String".

I am so glad I caught their show and in such a small place as to see them perform a few feet away. It was a joy to see their simple hippie styled motor-home bus (of which they had glued newspapers around the tires), and in a simple small place in an otherwise materialistic Orange County, Cali. I only wish I asked for them to sign my shirt! I look forward to seeing them play again! mwY- hope your coming back soon?!

Click here- Article with more information about mewithoutYou and a good mwY music review


Click here for an interview (2004) with Aaron Weiss (lead singer)

Video below of show June 11, 2010 at Chain Reaction.