Break Time

From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, my dad irrigated many of the farm fields in San Benito County, including some off Bolsa Road, aka Highway 25. He and the fields were my babysitter when I was a small kid.  Sometimes at the end of the day he would let my tiny chubby hands turn off that cartoon-looking pump that somehow fed water to all those irrigation pipes.

To this day I love the lay of the fields as they sprawl towards the hills. The quietness that I remember of the fields still translates whenever I look at them. And, yes, there are days when I drive the Bolsa that I can see me, the little girl playing alongside the irrigation ditches as her father does his work.

Okay, enough of the sentimentality. This here blogger is taking a rest from posting on Take 25 for a a week, maybe two.  Enjoy the summer days and nights.

Until later, dear readers,
Su-sieee! Mac

Who You Gonna Call?

Within Hollister?  That would be the Hollister Police Department.  Outside of city limits? That jurisdiction belongs to the San Benito County Sheriff's Office.

Hollister Neighborhood Watch Meeting
There will be a Hollister Neighborhood Watch Meeting with Police Chief David Westrick on Tuesday, June 12, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. It will be at held at the Hollister Police Department at 395 Apollo Court, which is in the Hollister Business Park, across from the Hollister Airport. The meeting is open to all.

Local Law Enforcement Web sites

Hollister Police Department
San Benito County Sheriff's Office
Nixle Wire: Local Police Alerts
Hollister Police Department Facebook page
Hollister Neigbhorhood Watch Group: Police Chief Westrick actually answers questions posted by group members. Holding the upcoming Neighborhood Watch Meeting was a result of the Chief posting back and forth with folks at the page.

204 Fourth Street

Here's a little bit more of Hollister for you.

2012 Memorial Day

Who says old gals can't learn new things. Here are some facts I just learned about Memorial Day:

• Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day. First celebrated on May 30, 1868, the day was established to honor all Union and Confederate solders who died in Civil War. The day was chosen because it did not signify a day of any battle.
• Over time, Memorial Day became the day to commemorate the deaths of all U.S. military personnel who served in any U.S. skirmish, battle, war, and other military conflict.
• Memorial Day officially became a federal holiday in 1971.

Got you curious? Check out these links for more info:
Memorial Day (History Channel)
Memorial Day (Wikipedia)
Memorial Day History

As a kid, I remember the local American Legion and Vets organizations holding an annual Memorial Day commemoration at the cemetery on Hillcrest Road. I have no idea if it's still happening. If anyone knows, please leave a comment.

Weekend Events

Two big events are happening this weekend. There is the annual Hollister Air Show (May 26 and May 27) at the Hollister Airport. Lots of daring do's in the sky will be taking place.

And, there is the Portuguese Festival.  The crowning of the queen and her court will take place on Saturday evening (May 26). The following morning, the annual parade will start off Sunday's full day and evening of festivities.

To learn about other events going on this weekend (and later), check out San Benito Today's calendar.

The Annular Solar Eclipse

May 20, 2012: The Annular Solar Eclipse in Hollister, California

How many of you noticed the sky suddenly looking dark for a short while late Sunday afternoon?

Did anyone notice that the birds stopped chirping for a little bit?

And, how many of you went outside and watched the annular solar eclipse? Not directly, of course.

The Husband pricked a hole in a piece of notepaper and held it up to another piece of paper. I thought it was quite impressive, both the pin-hole viewer and the eclipse. So, I can just imagine how supercalifragilisticly magnificent it would have been to see the ring of fire. But then that would be the last thing I would see.

As the Husband gazed at the image of the eclipse on the paper, I poked my camera towards the sky. (No, I didn't look at the sun.) I was shooting in color but the image came out in black-and-white. I guess that's how dark it really was at that moment. By the way, if you want to know the scientific particulars about the annular solar eclipse last Sunday, check out this link at the National Geographic.

May 20, 2012: The Annular Solar Eclipse in Hollister, California