A View from Sunset Drive

I usually think of Sunset Drive in Hollister as the street where Hazel Hawkins Hospital and various medical offices are located. So, I'm always surprised at the sights when I'm walking or pedaling my bicycle on the eastern end of Sunset Drive. For example:

The view of St. Benedict Church from Sunset Drive.

How Far is the Ocean?

See the white sailboat.

See the mountain peak above it. That's Fremont Peak in San Benito County. The peak stands 3,169 feet high, according to the Fremont Peak State Park Web site.

For all you Hollister, California clothing fans, the real (inland) Hollister, California is the county seat of San Benito County, which is several miles east of Fremont Peak.

 I've taken this photo from West Cliff Drive, next to the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum in Santa Cruz. Between where I stood and Fremont Peak is about 32 miles. That is, as the crow flies.

Orchards in Bloom

I was craving for a taste of wild mustard last Saturday. So, on our way home from the Pinnacle Farmstand, the Husband humored me and pulled over at an apple orchard. I happily traipsed through the orchard to gather a few handfuls of young mustard leaves.

The mustard leaves were first parboiled, then sauteed in olive oil, lots of garlic, and a couple of splashes of soy sauce. The result: The mustard was disappointingly quite mild. Oh, well.

I'm still craving a taste of wild mustard.

What I Am All About

Dear Take 25 to Hollister Readers,

I'm a bit early for my Sunday's post, but what's time when something needs to be said pronto.

Some of you have been with me since I began this blog, way back in 2008. I truly appreciate each and every one of you for your return visits.

Some of you have just discovered me today, whether it be today, the date of this post, or some time in the future. Hmm, sounds strange, but I think you understand what I mean. To you, I say: Welcome! Thank you for stopping by. I hope you go check out other pages after reading this lengthy, wordy post.

Here goes: It was brought to my attention that a person has been upset because I had posted my photo of a public display she had created for a public institution a couple of years ago. Because she had not contacted me directly about her concern, I have no idea what her exact issues are. Please know, everyone, that I am approachable. I don't bite. I was told though that she did not understand how I can sell copies of my photo of her public display. And there, dear readers, popped my dumbfounded "Huh?"

So, because of this, it's important that I let you all know:

1. I write this blog for fun. Take 25 to Hollister is my own creation, my baby. The blog is not connected to any organization. I do this blog alone.
2. Sometimes I get suggestions for topics, which I appreciate. Every so often, a person will ask me if I could do a post about a future event his or her organization has planned, and usually I will.
3. I don't get paid for writing Take 25 to Hollister. In other words, I receive neither money nor gifts from restaurants, shops, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, or individuals about events, products, or services that I write about. Should I receive some form of compensation, I would post that information because FCC requires that I do.
4. Once, I received $5 in my virtual tip jar. Thank you, ocean girl!
5. Unless otherwise stated, the photos on Take 25 to Hollister are mine. I took them. Yep. So, that means I own the copyrights to all my photographs, just as each of you own the copyrights to your photos. Unless I've misinterpreted copyright law, a photograph that one takes of a building, a display, or, even of a picture is the intellectual property of the photographer who took the photograph.
6. I don't sell my photos—the ones that I post on Take 25 to Hollister. One day, I would like to sell my photos. But that day is not here. Besides, if I did sell my photos, I would advertise it quite openly on my blog.
   
   If someone has bought a photo that comes from Take 25 to Hollister, please email me immediately: susieeemac at gmail dot com. Someone is pretending to be me! I hope I don't hear from anyone, because I don't want to have to deal with such a problem. So, maybe don't tell me. But, let the person from whom you bought the photo know that a) you know that she isn't the real Su-sieee! Mac and b) she owes me money now!
7. As many of you know, it is quite easy for unscrupulous people to "steal" photographs and words from Web sites and pretend those photos and words are theirs. So, I've made it a habit to put a watermark on each photo that I post on Take 25 to Hollister. The watermark may be my copyright, www.take25tohollister.com, or both. I place the watermark in a spot where it would most likely ruin the image if a thief tried to erase it.

There you have it, dear readers.  This is what I'm all about, as I write about and photograph my hometown and surrounding area.  I hope that the person who is upset has read this and is no longer upset. Whatever she thought I had done to wrong her—whatever it may be—was inadvertently done. And, to ensure that everything is put to rest for her, I have removed both my photos of the public display from the Web.

Thank you, dear readers, for your support over the years.

Sincerely,
Su-sieee! Mac


Post Script

I am writing this about 15 hours after having published this post. I learned a big something about myself today. My short-term memory is shot! Is this what comes from growing older?

It turns out that somewhere near the beginning of this blog's time I created a copyright alert that pops up whenever someone right clicks on one of my photos. The alert reminds you not to "steal" my photo. There was also a message about sending me an e-mail if you would like to purchase the photo. When I started producing Take 25 to Hollister,  I thought I would sell my photos. I forgot about that. I also forgot about the copyright alert. I deprogrammed (or whatever the correct term is) the right-click feature on my mouse because I find it a nuisance. In short, out of my sight, out of my mind.

So, today, after much protesting that I don't know about any copyright alert message, the husband calmly showed it to me. It took awhile to find the gadget that produces the message, and in so doing, I finally recalled that it was me who put up that notice about selling photos. Way back when. Hmmm, that could be why someone asked to purchase a photo last year. I had declined because I wasn't set up to sell photos. Hahahahah. Is this what growing older is all about? Oh, I already asked that, didn't I?

As for the copyright alert, it's still there. I just revised the message.

Roaming Peacocks

Casa de Fruta is a fun place to walk around. Both in its various shops and on the grounds. Old farm machinery and equipment are on display, as are roaming ducks and peacocks.