See Dar Tree?

Okay, a bad pun. Seriously, have you ever noticed this very, very tall and beautiful cedar tree on Fifth Street?

Bertha Briggs (as in the Bertha Briggs Memorial Youth Center on Memorial Drive) planted the tree as a sapling in her front yard in the 1900s.  Sharlene of the San Benito County Historical Society said Mrs. Briggs brought the cedar sapling back from a trip to Lake Tahoe.

A Hollister native, Mrs. Briggs lived from April 3, 1874 to August 13, 1962. Her parents were Hollister pioneers William and Delia Johnson. Mrs. Briggs was known for her many wonderful community deeds, including donating generously to Hazel Hawkins Hospital and organizing the Girl Scouts and Women's Club in Hollister. You can read a bit more about Mrs. Bertha Briggs in the book Hollister by Joseph M. McMahon and Peter Sonne.

This is a Western Red Cedar tree, which is indigenous to Western North America. Experts say that this species can live over a thousand years old. Mrs. Briggs' tree is a baby. Wowza!

The Victorian "Pumpkin House"

This two-bedroom Victorian-style house on Fifth Street was built around 1900 for a young couple named L.H and Myrtle Barker, who were married the previous year.

The house is on the self-guided tour of historical houses in Hollister. It was recently on sale, and according to the property details, the Victorian was restored in 2003. It's known as the Pumpkin House because of its colors.

The Three R's

Recycle, repurpose, and reuse. This bicycle planter that the Husband and I saw on our walk in Downtown Hollister fits the bill. Trés cute, don't you think?

Some Three R's Resources 

• Recology San Benito County: Recycling
• Freecycle–Hollister Group
• DIY: Upcycle, Recycle, Repurpose, Reuse (on Pininterest)
• 30 Creative Ways to Repurpose and Reuse Old Stuff

Every Bit of Rain Helps

It rained, I was told. It was short but a very heavy pour.

I may not have heard or seen it, but I saw signs of rain on the flowers and on the cement and ground in our backyard this morning.  And, the clouds  almost looked like they were asking, "So, how'd you like that rain?"

I liked it a lot, thank you very much.

Train from Hollister

Yesterday afternoon, we waited for a train to cross Bolsa Road (aka Highway 25) on the track near the county line. Usually I see a train leave or enter Hollister by Burger Factory on San Benito Street. I can't recall the last time I saw a train anywhere else on that track to and from Hollister. What a treat!