Sunday, November 30, 2014

More Rain!


This morning I woke up to the sound of rain. That's two days in a row.  Yaaaaaaaay!

How good of a rain is it? Water is pushing the colorful dried leaves down to the storm drains!

If the weather forecasters are to be believed, it'll be raining over the next five days. Whooo-hooo! Maybe our drought won't be completely over, but this will certainly help!

Saturday, November 29, 2014

Afternoon Shadows


Taking photos allows me to get my exercise in the fresh air. How else would I have ever seen the shadows on the corrugated metal building near the railroad tracks on Hillcrest Road?

Check out black and white photos from other bloggers around the world at The Weekend in Black and White.


Friday, November 28, 2014

Seeing and Hearing Autumn


One of the best ways to experience autumn in Hollister is to take a walk through the neighborhood just a block west of Downtown Hollister. You can see the colors on the trees and hear the crunch of the leaves beneath your feet.




Thursday, November 27, 2014

Happy Thanksgiving!


Dear Take 25 to Hollister Readers,

It's a day of appreciation of our world—our family and friends, our communities, and our environment. I wish each of you peace, joy, love, and happiness.

Yours truly,

Su-sieee! Mac

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Coming Very Soon: The Lights On Celebration


It's starting to look rather festive in downtown Hollister. The Hollister Downtown Association has already strung the Yuletide boughs across San Benito Street. With the help of many volunteers, Hollister Downtown Association will have downtown ready for the annual Lights On Celebration this coming Saturday, November 29.

To learn more about the day and evening festivities, including the Lights On Parade, click on the poster below. Or, click here.

http://www.downtownhollister.org/holiday-lights-on-celebration/

I've joined other bloggers at Our World Tuesday. Click here to check out what's going in other parts of the world.

Monday, November 24, 2014

Skyscrapers in Hollister?


When I took this photo through one of the windows in the Country Rose Cafe, I did not see what looks like two skyscrapers in the distance. I just thought, "That's a cool photo of the trees and tiled roof."

I wonder what made the illusion of skyscrapers. Some kind of decal on the window, perhaps? Or, maybe, my camera caught a glance into the future high-rise campus of San Benito High School. Shades of The Twilight Zone, oh my.

Sunday, November 23, 2014

After a rain . . . Mushrooms!


The past couple weeks, I've noticed mushrooms growing in the most interesting of places around town. I've seen them in the lawn at the medical complex on Sunnyslope Road. I've even seen mushrooms in the gravel in front of the new courthouse. Amazing, isn't it?



Saturday, November 22, 2014

A Mooooooo-ving View


"Moooove along," said this cow on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. "There's nothing to see here."

I took the photo anyway. Ha!

Come check out other black and white photos from bloggers around the world. Click here to go to The Weekend in Black and White.

Friday, November 21, 2014

Looking at the Sky on Hillcrest Road


We've been having some rainy days the past two weeks Yaaay! The days following the rainy ones are often gorgeous, as you can see in the reflection of this puddle on Hillcrest Road.

Skywatch Friday is the meme for today. Come check out how the sky looks in other parts of the world by clicking here.

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Sweaty Shirts?


This sign in the Hollister Cleaners window cracks me up. I haven't had any need for dry cleaning service in a long while, but if the Husband's shirts ever get drenched in stinky sweat, I'll be sure to try this business.

Today, I'm linking up at the meme Signs, Signs. Come check out other interesting signs in the world by clicking here.

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

A Setting for Sitting


My favorite setting for sitting in downtown Hollister is the new county courthouse on Fourth Street. The beautifully landscaped grounds is like a little park. And, the benches, as well as the red chairs at the red tables, are comfortable seats.

The other morning, the Husband and I hung out there while we waited for our car to be fixed at a shop a few blocks away. It was quite pleasant, sitting on what's becoming "our" bench, reading and watching the cars and foot traffic go by. I'm looking forward to when the trees get bigger.

Today the letter is S at Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. That's where I'll be checking out posts of other bloggers from around the world. Click here to join me.

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Cows and Horses


On Sunday, the Husband and I hiked up to the one-mile post on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. Eventually, we'll get strong enough again to reach the bench at the crest of the mountain, which is about another two miles. It was a great hike. The cows and horses were out that day. The cows looked to be enjoying the view as much as us.

Today is Our World Tuesday. That's where I'm hanging out, checking out posts by bloggers from around the world. Come join me by clicking here.



Monday, November 17, 2014

Good Morning, Tigers!


Nearly every school day, around 8 a.m., I hear the starting bell ring at Sunnyslope School and, a few seconds later, the noise of the PA system. A cheerful voice (I presume the principal) comes on and says, "Good Morning, Tigers!" When the weather is just right, I can also hear the announcements and  the daily joke, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by one of the Tigers. I love it!


Sunnyslope School is where I went to fourth and fifth grades in the ancient days. We had no school mascot. But, we did have more running and play space. Today, a lot of the open school yard and field that we played in are covered with buildings full of classrooms.

Yesterday, when the Husband and I walked by the school, we noticed the colorful murals hanging on the outside walls. Many of them look like the work of the Tigers. And, yes, I wish we could've painted outdoor murals back then.

 
Today, I'm linking up with Monday Mural hosted by Oakland Daily Photo. To see other murals from other parts of the world, please click here.



Sunday, November 16, 2014

One of a Kind


Rather unique tomato, don't you think?  I wonder if it was the butt of all jokes among its peers.

These organic tomatoes waited patiently to be bought at the Pinnacle Organic Saturday Farmstand.


Saturday, November 15, 2014

Stopping at Casa de Fruta


Casa de Fruta is a pit stop haven for drivers, including the men and women who operate those big rig trucks and trailers. Originally opened in 1908 as a fruit stand, Casa de Fruta is located on California Highway 152, several miles northeast of Hollister.

The fruit stand is still there, which sells fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts, dried fruits, jars of olives, bottles of hot sauce, pickled vegetables, and much, much more.  But, if you're hungry for a hot meal or a piece of pie,  head over to Casa de Restaurant. Just want to snack on candy and such, then try Casa de Sweets. Or, if you're not the designated driver, you might consider sampling Casa de Fruta's own wines at  Casa de Wine. The kids can have fun riding the Casa de Carousel and the Casa de Choo Choo, or pan for gold at the Casa de Sluice. If you need a place to rest your head, you can get a room at Casa de Fruta's Peacock Inn or a space at the RV Park.

The Casa de Fruta grounds is a good size, so you can get in a decent stretch if you walk from the fruit stand to the RV Park and back. And, if you walk by the trees on the east side of the choo-choo tracks, you can check out vintage tractors and other farm equipment. 

Oh, yeah, there is a gas station at Casa de Fruta, in which you'll find Casa de Burrito inside.

Today, I'm hooking up with The Weekend in Black and White. To see other B&W photos by bloggers around the world, please click here.

Friday, November 14, 2014

A Beautiful Day for Something


In this case, the something for someone was jumping out of an airplane last Sunday morning.

Nearly every weekend, you can see professional and novice skydivers float down under colorful parachutes above Tres Pinos.  It's cool to see. It's also awesome to be one of them. If you're interested, check out Skydive Hollister, which operates out of the Hollister Airport.

Today's link-up is with Skywatch Friday. Come along and view the skies in other parts of the world by clicking here.

Thursday, November 13, 2014

The Wiry Dragon of Hollister


Well, there are actually two wiry red dragons in downtown Hollister. Both fearsome, but friendly, metal creatures sit atop Cheung Sheng, the restaurant at the corner of Sixth and East Streets. 

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Rural. Rustic. And, Red.


This gorgeous scene is from the intersection of Bolado and Southside Roads, just below Tres Pinos.

I'm hooking up with Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. Today's letter (I bet you guessed correctly) is R. To check out other R posts, please click here.


Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Veterans Day

Veterans Day Ceremony

Several activities took place today to honor our U.S. Veterans, starting with a breakfast by LULAC at the high school and ending with the annual parade down San Benito Street. The Veterans Day ceremony and parade was organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9424.

Today, I'm hooking up with Our World Tuesday. To visit other blogs from around the world, please click here.  Of course, after you enjoy a few photos of today's parade.

Many thanks to all of you U.S. Veterans out there!











Monday, November 10, 2014

Changes


Downtown Hollister has been hopping the past few months. New businesses are springing up as well as old businesses are revamping themselves or moving locations.

Opening at 730A San Benito Street will be Forno, a pizza restaurant. Yes, the same Forno that sold pizza at the Hollister Farmers Market. Currently, the owners are remodeling the store front where Conchita's Bakery used to be.  As for the bakery, it moved to 710B San Benito Street, at the corner of Seventh Street.



Sunday, November 9, 2014

Heading Home on Fourth Street

Fourth Street Bridge

I like it when the Husband drives because I can take photos out the car windows. And, that's what I did a week ago Saturday, as we drove back into Hollister via Fourth Street. Enjoy the sights.

Mi Ranchito Market

Gateway Palms Apartments

Lupita's Supermarket

Coming into central Downtown Hollister

Today's meme is Sundays in My City, hosted by Unknown Mami. And, that's where I'm heading. Come join me by clicking here.

Saturday, November 8, 2014

On Top of Park Hill


That's Santa Ana Peak in the distance. Quite a different look from this angle on top of Park Hill in downtown Hollister.

I'm hooking up at The Weekend in Black and White, hosted by Dragonstar. Click here to check out other monochrome photos by bloggers around the world.

Friday, November 7, 2014

Another Time and Place


The Husband and I both agree that stepping into some alleys in Hollister is like going to another time and place. This is Briggs Alley, between Powell and West streets. Take out that modern lamp post, the covered car, and the electric wires from the scene; voila, early 20th century, perhaps.

Thursday, November 6, 2014

A Sign Thou Shouldst Heed


I sighted this sign at the site of the original Hazel Hawkins Hospital on Monterey Street in historical downtown Hollister.

I'm hooking up at Signs, Signs today. Come check out signs from other parts of the world by clicking here.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Q is for Quite Quaintly


Here's a look of another bit of quaintness that the Husband and I experienced as we walked along Monterey Street the other day in historical downtown Hollister. If you'd like to see a quaint contrast, check out yesterday's post.

Today is Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. Check out what other bloggers have posted about the featured letter Q by clicking here.


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Huge, Old Gorgeous Trees


The trees in front of the old Hazel Hawkins Hospital are sooooo big, I couldn't fit them in the photo. Well, I could've stepped back a couple more feet or put the camera setting on panorama. Maybe next time the Husband and I walk this way on Monterey Street in historical downtown Hollister.

We have no idea what kind of trees they are. The Husband thinks they're more than a 100 years old. Perhaps they were planted at the same time the former hospital was built, which would've been around 1907.

Today is Our World Tuesday. Come check out what other bloggers around the world are posting by clicking here.  See you tomorrow.


Monday, November 3, 2014

A Sunday Concert


Yesterday, the Rancho-Maze Band and the Pacific Brass Band joined together to give an enjoyable afternoon concert at the Rancho San Justo gymnasium.  It was a fundraiser for the Hollister middle school band composed of student musicians from Rancho San Justo and Marguerite Maze Middle School.


Performing first was the Pacific Brass Band . It's an authentic British-style brass band, one of a few in the western United States. The band plays traditional brass band songs, as well as marches, rags, American folk songs, and songs from musicals.  The band is composed of musicians from San Benito, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara, and Monterey counties.

My favorite piece of the seven songs they played yesterday was The Old Grumbly Bear (Der Alte Brummbar), which featured the tuba. If the smoothness of butter could have a sound, it would be the loveliness that comes out of the tuba.


The Rancho-Maze Band performed four songs under the direction of Mr. Ruben Morales. The student musicians held their own alongside the Pacific Brass Band. The clarinet section had me wanting to learn the instrument. And, I really dug the spirit of the Cymbal Girl.

America the Beautiful was the last piece of the afternoon, performed joyously by both the Rancho-Maze Band and the Pacific Brass Band.


December Fundraisers

Mark your calendar for two awesome fundraisers in December for the Rancho-Maze Band.

On December 6 and 7, the Rancho-Maze Band will be taking part in the Barnes & Noble Book Fair in Gilroy, as well as the Barnes & Noble Online Book Fair through December 12. A percentage of your purchases made at the store or online will go to the band. For more details, click here

On December 10, at 7 p.m., the Rancho Maze Holiday Concert will take place at the Rancho San Justo gymnasium. The band will hold a raffle for such items as a candy basket, Kendamas, golf passes, tickets to the Monterey County Symphony, Happy Hollow passes, and much, much more. The Grand Prize is worth $600: four one-day hopper passes to Disneyland.  You must be present to win. For more details, click here.


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