Seeing Pompeii

Thursday after work, I'm going to Pompeii with my friend Carole.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition of artifacts found buried under 60 feet of ashes in this ancient Roman city.


Pictures by Michael Cole

Destroyed by a volcano in 79 A.D., Pompeii was rediscovered in the 1700's and provides a fascinating look into what life was like in ancient Rome. Here is Pompeii's version of McDonald's. This was actually a fast-food place.(above)



This is a temple to the "gods".

Carole and I will be viewing sculptures, paintings and mosaics, as well as other artifacts.

It's interesting that Pompeii fell shortly after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. Titus, who was responsible for the former, was still in power when Pompeii went under.

Lately I've been studying the "end-times" in the book of Revelation. And exploring some of the controversies regarding...Did the tribulation already happen? Of course I also must look at Isaiah, Daniel and a few other books. I'm glad this opportunity came up to see Pompeii because it fits into what I'm reading about.

I recently read the account by first century historian, Josephus, about the fall of Jerusalem. He was an eyewitness. It was not easy to read in parts...quite violent. I can see how some people thought (and think) this was the "tribulation". But I won't get into that right now...or this will be a long post!

I got through my busy week (see former post), and the hearing I spoke of caused some anxiety, but it went well. And God's grace and help were both evident.

IN MY HOME POST (PREVIOUS) WHEN I WROTE "THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME", some of you may have thought that I photographed my own home. But that is not my home. It was just a warm and friendly home that I liked--thus the comment.

I'll show you around my own home someday!

Dwelling Places

There are some advantages to being a caregiver. Sometimes my lady friend goes to physical therapy…so I go for a walk.



Looking at homes keeps me entertained.



The homes are quite eclectic in Southern California.



Cute.



Ola!



"In my father's house are many dwelling places."


What's this?



Click on the picture to see the oranges hanging from the trees. In the background do you see the roof of a 100-year-old Victorian?



This brand-new home is actually from another neighborhood. I went through it the other day...its up for sale for a million. And it's on a busy street!



Ah...there's no place like home!
(correction: not my home...but someone's cute "home-sweet-home.")



May your homes be peaceful this week.

"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout the generations." Psalm 90:1

Trying to Stay on the Path

In the coming weeks I'm going into a busy time. The road I travel will be going through appointment(s) with a lawyer and a difficult hearing, will wind through teaching math and reading to challenging (but fun) students, and it will propel me to the jungles of Kauai. (That's the best part!)

I'll doing some short posts...because I want to stay in touch!

Today's short post.

I'm putting together my grocery list again.

So far...

Saturday: Barbecued boneless skinless chicken breasts--bought on sale at Sam's Club. I bought lots' of them!

Sunday: Caesar Chicken Salad (using the left over chicken breasts)

Monday: Tortilla soup (using the left over chicken)

Tuesday: I'm still working on this--something with my ground turkey

Okay...I'm going to finish my list and go out this morning and try to keep the bill LOW.

Just as a side note...when I have time I'm working on a family history album...and writing brief biographies of grand-parents and great-grand parents.
Here is a picture of my great-grandmother Matilda and her three children in their Southern California home very close to Los Angeles in about 1917. My grand-father is the tall skinny one.



And here is a picture of my writer's critique group. We met at Jane's home last week and had a great time!


"The Lord will never leave you or forsake you".

Eating on a Shoestring

We’re on a shoestring budget this week.

I’ve carved out these dinners from things I have on hand. I did have to visit the store and only spent $45.00 for this week…and that includes 2 boxes of Reynold’s Wrap! (sale- 2 for $4.00)

I will say upfront…I am not a cook. And I like things to be fast and easy. The longest things were the potato salad and boiling a chicken, but I don’t work 2 afternoons per week, so that was a good time to prepare.

It’s actually fun to creatively cut down on the grocery bill.



Friday:
El Pollo Loco Chicken (from our local fast food place.)
Potato salad (I made this Thursday afternoon—because I was off work)
Zucchini from my garden…sliced thin, seasoned, microwaved

Saturday:
Gorton’s grilled Salmon (2 boxes for $6.00) bake for 15 minutes
Left over potato salad
Fresh cooked broccoli



Sunday:
boil one whole chicken—read a good article/relax while it boils and cools.
Pull off meat place in a ziplock bag.
This will be used for 2 or 3 meals.
Easy Chicken and Rice dish
(use one or two bags of “rice sides” by Knorr $1 each)
Add chicken pieces and extra broccoli

Monday:
Chicken Enchiladas. (use leftover chicken from last night)



Tuesday:
Chicken Tacos (if you still have chicken left over)

Wednesday:
Chili & Cornbread
Envelope of Lawry’s Chili seasoning mix (or any kind)
Follow instructions on back of envelope
add cheap steak, cut up…fry and add to chili
(double the recipe…or make a little more)
Make easy cornbread from a mix



Thursday:
Taco Salad
Use leftover chili
chips, lettuce, tomatoes, olives, cheese



bon appetit!


Fire Update - Sept. 5th, Sat.

The "Station Fire" is 42 percent contained after burning 154,655 acres and destroying at least 76 homes.

Today..."The fire was moving through tall, thick brush in steep terrain at the eastern edge of the San Gabriel Wilderness in Los Angeles County, Incident Commander Mike Dietrich told the Los Angeles Times." in a story published Saturday.

Our Mountains are on Fire

Wednesday Sept. 2 UPDATE
MT. WILSON MADE IT THROUGH and as the newspapers say "...is ready for another one hundred years of astronomy." But it was not without hard work. Here is a picture of back-fires being lit...in preparation for the real fire.


Below is how our mountains looked Tuesday, Sept. 1

Picture: AP

Tuesday, Sept. 1--
You are looking at the "station fire". It has burned 127,000 acres and in a matter of minutes it will approach the top of Mt. Wilson, where the historic observatory awaits its fate. Nearby, dozens of critical TV/radio antennas—a communication hub—for Los Angeles, are vulnerable. (see picture below)

Apparently, firemen wanted to go up there and prepare for the fire, but they were delayed due to certain "authorities" who wanted to wait for the "right time". They were finally deployed.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Steve Martin said. “We are going to burn, cut, foam and gel. And if that doesn’t work, we’re going to pray. This place is worth a lot, but it’s not worth dying for. ”

In a worst-case scenario, firefighters will flee to the concrete and steel basement of the 105-year-old, 100-inch telescope observatory.

I took a bike ride at dusk and was relieved to only see smoke (no flames) around Mt. Wilson. But just before riding home I saw a flash of bright orange which looked like a tongue licking the side of ridge close the area of the antennas.

This is a picture I took a couple weeks ago when we were up at the top. Today they chain-sawed the area, so I doubt those trees are still there.


The good news is the fire is 22% contained. This is due to the cooler weather today. It was in the 90's instead of 100's.

Special thanks to "Dailymail" for their information.
If you want to see some great pictures---google "dailymail station fire pictures"

(The area where we live is safe.)