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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Local Book Authors of San Benito County

So, we turned back the clocks an hour today, which to me is another sign of huddling in for the cooler and, hopefully, rainy days and nights. And, that means cozy times for reading a good book. That said, ever wonder if we have any book authors in San Benito County?

Well, here you go: A list of fiction and non-fiction books written by some authors who live in our county. If you know of others, please leave a comment.

• These titles were penned by John Chadwell: Hunt of the Sea Wolves, Pershing -- The Soldiers' General, Major Crime Unit: Operation Casablanca, Werewolves of New Idria: Holly Warriors, Legends and Liars, and Last Sunrise. You can find a couple of his titles at San Benito Bene.
• The Book of Jones by Rob Campbell. This is an anthology of comic strips about an old-school biker named Jones. Check out Campbell's description of the dude here. The book is also available at San Benito Bene.
• Widows Peek and Ya Wanna Watch? I'll Let Ya! by Renette Torres. You can find these books at San Benito Bene, too.
• Miracles and Grace in an Unlikely Place by Charisse Tyson, who is also the owner of Johnny's Bar & Grill.
• Secure the Ranch, Read My Lipstick, Shaking in Her Flip-Flops, Beetles in the Boxcar, and Cuckoo Clock Caper are titles in the Josephine Stuart Mystery series by Joyce Oroz.
• Richard McDavid and Susan Echaore-McDavid have authored career titles, some of which are still in print, such as Career Opportunities in Forensic Science and Career Opportunities in Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources. Click here for more info. By the way, these authors are the Husband and me.

To put it nicely, Jones is a freeloadin’, cheatin’, lyin’, booze swillin’ scooter fiend of the old school variety.  There was a time when bikers of his kind made up a larger percentage of Harley riders, maybe minus some of the freeloadin’, cheatin’ and lyin’.  This ended somewhere in the eighties or nineties with the advent of the Rich Urban Biker, or Rubbie.  Jones is a holdout from pre-rub days. - See more at: http://www.cartoonthunder.net/landing/#sthash.3vIuAXbG.dpuf

To put it nicely, Jones is a freeloadin’, cheatin’, lyin’, booze swillin’ scooter fiend of the old school variety.  There was a time when bikers of his kind made up a larger percentage of Harley riders, maybe minus some of the freeloadin’, cheatin’ and lyin’.  This ended somewhere in the eighties or nineties with the advent of the Rich Urban Biker, or Rubbie.  Jones is a holdout from pre-rub days. - See more at: http://www.cartoonthunder.net/landing/#sthash.3vIuAXbG.dpuf

Big, Fat Plops of Rain!

It rained! And, rained! And, rained some more!

It rained steadily through the afternoon and into the night. I think it was also raining this morning because I woke up refreshed and a couple hours late, which happens when it's raining.

This is the first good, steady rain that we've had since I can't remember when. Hopefully, this rain is the beginning of coming out of this drought. Pretty please. 

I'm hooking up at The Weekend in Black and White. To check out B&W photos by bloggers and photographers around the world, please click here.

The Ding a Ling Cafe

The owner of the Ding a Ling Cafe at 696 Fourth Street is a former Haybaler. And, it shows. Part of her restaurant's decor is a tribute to the mighty fine Balers. My favorites are the tables painted with the block H.

The Ding a Ling Cafe has been a mainstay of Hollister breakfast restaurants for over 50 years. The restaurant has relocated several times since, including a long stay at the Hollister Airport. When I was a kid, I remember the restaurant being further east on Fourth Street near Fremont School. I always liked repeating "Ding a Ling" a bunch of time whenever I saw its sign. What kid wouldn't, right? Someone once told me that the restaurant got its name from the little bell that hung above the door.

The Ding a Ling Cafe is open every day for breakfast and lunch. The food is delicious and the portions are generous, including the mini-plates. The service is friendly, prompt, and courteous.

Sacred Heart Church Steeple

This view of the Sacred Heart Church steeple is from Briggs Alley (near Line Street). I wonder if the church still rings the bells. Anyone know?

The View to the East from Vista Park Hill

Vista Park Hill is a curiously that rises above downtown Hollister by Third Street. It's a lone hill which the Calaveras Fault skirts along the west of it.  The other day the Husband and I walked up the hill, but this time instead of turning left, we went right to check out the county buildings and what was behind them.

Whoo-weee! Behold the peaks of the Diablo Range to the east of Hollister. 

Today, the letter P is being featured on Mrs. Nesbitt's ABC Wednesday. Click here to read other P posts by bloggers from around the world.

Happy Halloween!

Mwa-ha-ha-haaaa!

Seeing the Halloween decorations in front yards is making walking a treat lately.  I also enjoy the Halloween decor in some of the shops and businesses around town.

And, the jack-o-lanterns! Wowza!

I spied the scariest sight the other day when I was driving into my neighborhood.  Some folks had already put up their Christmas decorations! Shudder. 

Today, I'm linking up at Our World Tuesday. Come check out what's going on in other parts of the world by clicking here. 

Happy Halloween! Mwa-ha-ha-haaaa!