Happy Anniversary To Me

Like most people who blog, I forgot that this month marks my third year as sole writer and editor here at Athenamama. While I haven't stole a lot of reader's away from the big guys, I do have a few wonderful people who drop by and comment on a regular basis, and for them I am grateful.

So, I guess I will keep Athenamama around for a while because there are a few people who come by, and because I paid for the domain for another year.

By the way, if you want to cuss out the guy who got me started in blogging, head on over to On the Fritz. Fritz is a friend of mine from waaaaaaay back. He and his brother, Frank moved into my school district around the time I entered junior high, and we all struggled to survive through some of the hardest times in anyone's life; junior high, and high school. They are both good guys.

Happy Birthday Jacqueline

Saturday is Jacqueline's 3rd birthday. I have been working on the story of how my little sweetie-pie became part of our family, but I haven't been feeling well lately, and I am not sure I will have it done by Saturday.

So, in case I cannot get it completed in time, here is my mini tribute to my mini dog, Jackie...

Be sure to check out the Carnival of the Dogs at Mickey's Musings, and the Friday Ark at The Modulator for all sorts of critters.

All the Pets

Most often around here we see pictures of Jackie, Angel, Thalia, and every once in a while, Ebby and Salem. I usually don't post many pictures of our other dog, Mariah. There's a couple of reasons for this. First of all, Mariah isn't my dog, she belongs to my stepson. I still love her, and I think she's a great dog, but she lives outside, and most of the time I take pictures inside the house. It's just the way I am.

Mariah is good with the other pets. For instance, Mariah is very careful around Jackie. I think she understands she could really hurt Jackie if they were to play even mildly rough. Mariah also rounds up the cats should they somehow get outside. Most of the cats aren't allowed outside. They have all the room they need inside the house, and I feel they are much safer indoors. Sometimes Ebby is allowed outside because she can handle herself pretty well. Salem likes to go out back, and is so fat she doesn't even try to jump up onto the fence, much less over it. Mariah seems to understand this, too. If Salem is outside, she doesn't bother her, but on the few occasions when Thalia slips out back, Mariah rounds her up as if she were a sheep, and guides her back to the back door.

In any case, this week I thought I would post some pictures that include each of our pets.

So there you go, a post that included all of our pets. Return next week for more in the continuing adventures of Jacqueline and Angel. Until then, please go check out the Carnival of the Dogs at Mickey's Musings, and the Friday Ark at The Modulator for more interesting animals, and don't forget the Carnival of the Cats this Sunday.

Me and My Old Telephone

Among those who know me, one thing is clear about my personality. I tend to live in the past. At least that is their point of view. My point of view is that I value nostalgia.

I like TV shows that were popular when I was young, such as All in the Family, Barney Miller, and WKRP in Cincinnati. All of these shows premiered in the 1970s, (All in the Family 1971, Barney Miller 1975, and WKRP in Cincinnati 1978,) and while I do enjoy reminiscing over the more pleasant times I had during that decade, I also look back fondly on the 1960s, 1980s, and 1990s. Sure, there were some bad times in my life just like anyone else's, especially during the 70s when I was in junior high and high school. I wasn't the most popular nerd kid in school, and sometimes I paid for that in the currency of humiliation through the taunts of my peers, but we all have rough times in our past, that doesn't mean all of our past should be shoved under some emotional carpet in the dark recesses of our minds.

But, I am getting away from what I wanted to write about. Let's just say my point is, I enjoy looking back on the events of my life that were enjoyable to me, and there are things from my past that I hold on to simply because they remind me of those times.

I also enjoy old things in general. I am sort of a history buff, and as I grow older I find my affinity for old things and for history in general also grows. For instance, when I was in school I never cared much for the subject of World War II. Now, I can't get enough of that topic. My favorite channel on television is the History Channel, also known as the "WWII Channel". There is a ton of info concerning the war on the History Channel, and I look through the listings daily for stuff to Tivo.

I also read more about the war than I used to. I am currently reading Hitler: 1889-1936 Hubris by Ian Kershaw, the first of a two volume biography of one of the world's most monstrous murderers. Hitler is no doubt one of the most nefarious characters to ever come down the pike, but he is also one of the most fascinating. Kershaw not only discusses Hitler's life, but also goes into great detail about the political and social atmosphere of Germany during Hitler's life. It is probably the most comprehensive, and accurate biography of the man who is responsible for starting the greatest conflict of our time.

On the lighter side of history I enjoy the radio programs that were aired in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, such as Jack Benny, Fibber McGee and Molly , Our Miss Brooks, and X Minus One. So many radio shows were so much better than what even modern television has to offer. I can look through my relatively small selection of 150 television channels at almost any time of the day, and find nothing that interests me. On the other hand I can randomly chose any one of the thousands of radio mp3 recordings I have on my computer, and be entertained for thirty minutes to an hour without fail.

Some people might be afflicted with chronic nostalgia much as I am, and might say that they were born in the wrong decade, or century. I wouldn't say that about myself. I can't imagine what era I would like to have been born in if I had the opportunity to chose, because there are so many great times to have lived in, each with their own unique style or set of events. I guess that is why I just like the past in general; you can find something fascinating from almost every part of recorded human history.

I guess along with loving the past comes an affinity for antiques, and I think in my case my love of antiques also comes from my interest in time in general. There are so many things from the past that have survived through the ages. I love going to the Getty Museum here in California, and just losing myself in the varieties of Roman sculptures on display there. When I look at a sculpture I think of the person who created it, all the people who have enjoyed them since, and wonder of the events the sculpture has witnessed. It's almost like being in my own special time machine. Or maybe I am just crazy, I don't know.

One of my favorite old things to collect is much more affordable, and in some ways even more mysterious than ancient sculptures; coins. I LOVE old coins! I have a very modest collection of coins dating back to the Romans, but mainly it consists of coins from the 19th and 20th centuries. The reason I like old coins is because they could have been owned by anyone. For instance, I have a 1859 "Seated Liberty" US silver dollar. That coin could have been in Lincoln's pocket! He could have been rolling that very coin over his knuckles while debating war strategy, or who knows, maybe he tossed this very coin when deciding whether or not to free the slaves!

OK, maybe not, but you get my point. Coins are the sort of things that pass through time and can literally be in the possession of anyone. I think that's pretty cool.

I said all that to get to the next few of pictures. These pictures are of my phone. I found it at a thrift store a few years ago, and when I bought it I took it straight home and plugged it in. To my delight, it works, but it doesn't ring. That makes it rough when trying to figure out if someone is calling me or not. But, that's OK because I don't really use it any more since I have my cell phone.

We didn't have a phone like this at my house when I was a kid. We did have a newer model dial telephone, but the one in the pictures below was the type my grandmother had. I bought the phone because it reminded me of my grandmothers. It also was a great price. Thirty bucks!

So there is one of my little treasures that ties me to the past. My grandson was over not long ago and was very interested in this phone. Do you know he picked up the receiver and started dialing it all on his own? He is 16 months old and has only seen cellphones before!

I guess it isn't all that surprising. His mother had a telephone glued to her head all through her teens. Literally.

Wagon Wheel Motel and Restaurant

I have been wanting to write this post up for quite some time, but kept putting it off for one reason or another. Today I sat me down and made me stay at the keyboard until I was finished. Too bad I wasn’t as good a disciplinarian with myself back when I was in school. I probably would have had a job I enjoyed a hell of a lot more. But, that’s another topic for another blog entry. Let’s get back to the subject of my earlier procrastination.

There is this quaint little almost truck-stop between Ventura and Oxnard that any local will immediately recognize as simply "Wagon Wheel". That is the abbreviated name for a motel and restaurant complex that has gone by the name of The Wagon Wheel Restaurant and Hotel for over sixty years. It officially closed a few months ago, but its fate is still up in the air. There are rumors that it might be declared a historic landmark, but for now what was once an iconic roadside attraction and rest spot for more than half a century sits silently and sadly neglected along a frontage road next to the 101 freeway.

The kitschy motel and restaurant was built in 1947. You could even say it was "relocated" because the man whose dream of a roadside motel that ultimately became the Wagon Wheel Motel put the place together piece by piece from surplus World War II barracks.

Martin Vance 'Bud' Smith won the surplus Sea-Bee barracks at an auction in nearby Port Hueneme, and after having them transported to the site had them arranged in a sort of horseshoe shape, and converted others into a restaurant and motel office. Legend holds that shortly after purchasing the property, Smith found several branding irons in the dirt. Bud figured the land was at one time used by a cattle rancher, and decided on a western theme for his motel and restaurant.

When my family first moved to Ventura in 1967 the large, neon wagon wheel sign was the most identifiable landmark in the entire county. It was so prominent that people would base their directions to Oxnard and Ventura by telling travelers to exit the freeway just south of the large, turning wagon wheel to get to Oxnard, or just north of it for Ventura.

It was high enough, large enough, and bright enough that when lit up at night the animated wagon wheel could be seen from all over these here parts. It was a fantastic piece of neon artwork that rivaled its Las Vegas contemporaries. As it rotated on its base, the wheel appeared to be rolling along, and one by one each letter in "Wagon Wheel" would light up until both words were fully illuminated. Then they would all go out, and then come back on all at once. It was quite a sight. There was also another animated neon sign of a horse-drawn buckboard which appeared to be racing across the prairie. A smaller version of that sign still exists. (At least I think it is a smaller version. It might be the original.)

The old neon sign has been gone for years, and the motel and restaurant has fallen on hard times, but the place is still beautiful if you ask me. Just take a look at these pictures...

(Remember, click on the pictures for a larger version.)

So there you have it, some pictures of a dilapidated motel and restaurant that might one day be mowed down in the name of progress, and transformed into just another cookie-cutter strip mall. What a shame that would be.

So far, though, no determination has been made regarding the fate of the property. As I mentioned earlier, there are talks of preserving the old place. I personally would like to see that happen. The architecture and craftsmanship that went into these buildings in stunning to see in person; my pictures do not do them justice.

Beyond the aesthetics of the buildings is the history that resides in their walls. I have heard that such luminaries as Clark Gable and Jack Nicholson have stayed there. I for one would be very interested in learning more about the history of Wagon Wheel, and I hope one day that history will be made available to the public, on the property, in a roadside museum tribute to the wonderful old Wagon Wheel Motel and Restaurant.

Feeling Better

Jackie's eye is completely healed. I was checking it out the other day and couldn't see any sign of the ulcer that had been there last week. She flinched when I pretended to punch her, so I gave her a noogie, and then a treat.

Angle has shown no sign of discomfort since the day he went to the vet. He tries to play with Jackie, and wants me to play fetch with him, but I keep him clam by distracting him in other ways so as not to aggravate his back.

Other than that, it has been a rather uneventful week around here. But, I do have some pictures...

So there ends another exciting chapter of The Adventures of Angel and Jacqueline. Until then, please go check out the Carnival of the Dogs at Mickey's Musings, and the Friday Ark at The Modulator for more interesting animals.

Thalia and Her Good Friend Yoda

Yesterday Yoda stopped by to see his old pal Thalia. They met years ago at a Ninja/Jedi convention during a class that helps Ninja and Jedi masters brush up on their sword techniques. As you might remember, Thalia is a Siamese Ninja Master, and of course Yoda is a Jedi.

Here are the two friends as they sit and talk about whatever secret stuff two masters talk about. Thalia was trying out the "Jedi Mind Trick" on me. You can tell by the look in her eyes.

More cats can be found at the Friday Ark at The Modulator, and the Carnival of the Cats this Sunday.

And Now For Something Completely Different

You may have noticed that there is nary a picture of your's truly to be found anywhere on this site. In fact, you would be hard pressed to find a picture of me anywhere, including my own house. The reason for this isn't paranoia, it's consideration. Athenamama has few readers as it is, and I wouldn't want to scare that small, eclectic crowd away by forcing them to gaze upon my ugliness.

But that is all going to change today. Below the fold is a picture of me, and the only reason I am posting it for you today is because I am so very proud of the person who is in the picture with me. He is a person I hold in very high regard, and is also one of the few people I would lay down my life for. And, he is also one of a handful of people whose can be in the same picture as me, and neutralize the effects of my hideousness.

And I know I am not the ugliest person on earth, I am just very humble. Probably the humblest person you know.

Things are Looking Up, Sort Of

Whata week.

First Jackie scratches her eye, then we find out Angel has arthritis, and now this morning Jackie was looking a little sick! She didn't want to eat her breakfast, which is very strange for her, and she looked just out of sorts in general. She did eventually eat her food, and she was resting fine when I left for work, but I am still a little concerned about her. luckily my wife has the day off, so she will make sure Jackie is taken care of for the day.

On the upside, Jackie's eye is much better, and I discontinued her eye drops after the first day. Here eye is bright, responsive, and clear of the gunk that mucked it up.

Angel has been doing much better also. He wants to play fetch, though, and he doesn't understand why I won't play with him. I feel sorry for the little guy, so I have tossed his toy down the hall for him, but I don't engage in the tug-o-war afterwards for the possession of the toy. That is his favorite part of playing fetch, and since I won't try to take the toy from him, he tries to force me to take it by pressing the toy against my hand. When that fails, he drops it in front of me. He has never done that before, and it surprised me the first time he did it, but it was just a ploy. As soon as I went to pick the toy up so I could throw it for him, he lunged for it, and snatched it up off of the carpet! When I wouldn't try to take it from him again, he did the same thing, dropped it in front of me as bait. He's a smart little guy.

Below are a couple of camera-phone pictures. The first is of Jackie licking Angel's back last night. The reason I took it is because Jackie has this uncanny way of finding where you are hurting on your body, and then licking it. She does it to me all the time by licking my lower back at exactly the spot that gives me the most trouble. I watched as she licked Papa's back for him last night, and I was in awe because she has never licked his back before, and she licked it at exactly the location where the vet pressed on Angel's spine and got a reaction out of him.

Amazing.

So there we have another installment of The Adventures of Angel and Jacqueline. Until then, please go check out the Carnival of the Dogs at Mickey's Musings, and the Friday Ark at The Modulator for more interesting animals.