Have You Visited the Shadeland Ranch Museum Recently?

Have You Visited this Museum lately? I have not, Perhaps an Activity THD should Sponsor! A Rich Historical Tapestry- Shadelands Ranch Museum

Completed in 1903, Shadelands Ranch was originally the family home of Hiram Penniman, a pioneer of Walnut Creek who established extensive fruit and nut orchards across 500 acres in the Ygnacio Valley. The home, crafted in the Colonial Revival style, features distinctive architectural elements such as curved glass bay windows and classic white columns that highlight the craftsmanship of the early 1900s. Inside, the home is adorned with original family furnishings, giving visitors a true sense of stepping back into time.

This historical museum, which also serves as the headquarters for the Walnut Creek Historical Society, offers a glimpse into the lives of the Penniman family and the evolution of the area. From educational programs and museum tours to annual special events, Shadelands Ranch Museum is a treasure trove of local history and architecture.

Beyond the Museum

Beyond its historical significance, Shadelands serves as a picturesque venue for outdoor weddings and events, integrating the charm of its past with today’s celebrations. Additionally, the museum organizes Downtown walking tours, offering a broader view of Walnut Creek’s rich history.

Community at the Heart

The Walnut Creek Historical Society’s dedication to the community is evident through its educational initiatives and volunteer opportunities. Hosting field trips for local schools and offering scholarships for high school students, the society actively fosters a connection between the community and its history.

Exciting Events Ahead

The museum is excited to invite the community to its Classic Car Show on Sunday, June 9, 2024, and the Summer Market on August 11, 2024. These events promise to be a delightful blend of history and community spirit, suitable for families and enthusiasts alike.

Visit and Participate

The Walnut Creek Historical Society and Shadelands Ranch Museum invite everyone to explore this historic gem, participate in their events, or even join as a volunteer. For more information, to schedule a tour, or to inquire about hosting an event, please visit their website at wchistory.org or contact them directly at +1 925-935-7871.

With its rich history, community involvement, and dedication to preservation, Shadelands Ranch Museum remains a beloved cornerstone of Walnut Creek, continually bridging the past with the vibrant local culture of today. For details visit: https://wchistory.org/museum/ Meanwhile here' s a photo from my album...Have you visited this National Park? I have and enjoyed it very much.

Building A Second Brain though AI by Dave Katague from Australia

I found the following video on You-Tube the Other Day. It's a personal interview of Dave Katague, my Nephew and Namesake from Australia.  He is the only son of my younger brother, Efren. 

AI is in his current project. The video below💚 is a must view if you are curious on the subject of Artificial Intelligence. The video details how he utilizes A.I. to the point that he teaches it in some pretty solid masterminds

It’s conversation filled with insights, stories, and actionable strategies that will change the way you approach problem-solving, personal branding, and business growth in the age of A.I.

Dave Katague( Nephew), Me and David E Katague III (son)-RIP- 2022

💚https://youtu.be/2cJhunqd0yk?si=j4uU2SZO8VkvJPJI

For more details on his accomplishments visit:

https://www.davekatague.com/

Speaking of A.I.- will it take you job? 

https://nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/ai-threat-to-your-job-is-it-coming-from-ai-directly-or-from-competition-with-ai-skills-ai-singapore-microsoft-linkedin-work-trend-index-survey-knowledge-workers-artificial-intelligence-brookings-metro#

In yesterdays issue of the New York Times, Business Section the Headline was 

IF A.I. CAN DO YOUR JOB, MAYBE IT CAN ALSO REPLACE YOUR C.E.O. 

Here's a paragraph from the news: 

"The Chief Executive is increasingly imperiled by A.I. This is not just a prediction. A few successful companies have begun to publicly experiment with the notion of an A.I. leader. A.I. has been hyped as the solution to all corporate problems. Silicon Valley put $29 Billion last year into generative A.I. and is selling it hard. Even in its current rudimentary form, A.I. that mimics human reasoning is finding foothold among distressed companies with little to lose and lacking strong leadership".  

Lastly, Yesterday's National Senior Fitness Day was A Success. Kudos to Cydney and Galen. 

I was one of the Winner in the Raffle at the end of the Program.

New Beginnings and Childhood Memories by John Larimore

Today's Blog is from Guest Writer- John Larimore.

Earlier today, as Carol and I were walking through the lobby from Newton's toward our apartment, we saw Jenny sitting with a couple we had not seen before.  Jenny introduced us to Chuck and Doreen, a couple who will be moving to THD in two months and were in the process of signing their lease.  They were a delightful couple, and they are excited at the prospect of moving here.   Chuck shared with us that the chief reason for joining THD was to become part of a community.

This clearly represents a new beginning for Chuck and Doreen and meeting them led me to reflect on some "new beginnings in my own life as well as the thoughts and emotions that accompanied them.

Here are some examples that many of us may relate to:

1) My First Day of Kindergarten--I felt scared and sort of in a fog, disoriented.  I had never even seen the school before, and I knew no one there.  It was a special school for children with cerebral palsy, and I was transported there by taxicab from my home in Berkeley.  Out of my miasma of confusion, bewilderment, and disorientation appeared the teacher, Mrs. Mofeldt, who said, "I'm Mrs. Mofeldt".  Those words of introduction eased my mind.  The sense of lostness left me, I enjoyed the rest of the day.  I got to know the kids, and the school, and spent 3 happy years there.

Postscript:  When I was 35 years old, my twin brother Stephen and I were having lunch in a Chinese restaurant in Berkeley.  An older lady came into the restaurant, walked up to me and said, "hi John!".  I said hello back to her but I had absolutely no idea who she was.  She then said, "I'm Mrs. Mofeldt!"  I was shocked that she recognized me after 30 years.  I guess I hadn't changed that much!

2) My First Move to a New Home--It happened on my first day of school, when I was 6 years old and going into first grade.  On this occasion, too, I felt disoriented and bewildered.  In addition, I felt shocked and incredulous.  Here's what happened:  I left my familiar home for school by taxi, as usual, with the same driver as always.  Everything seemed normal enough, except that my brother and I had stayed an extra day at our grandma's home in San Francisco, which, I remember thinking, seemed odd to me because we typically stayed with her two days instead of three.  Anyway, I didn't attach much significance to the extra-long stay when I left for school.

I have no particular memory of the school day itself.  I was picked up, as usual by my taxi driver, whom I knew well from my kindergarten year, and proceeded on the ride home.  Everything seemed fine to me until, when driving down the street where my house was, the driver didn't stop to let me out, but instead kept going.  I was terrified!  I asked him why we didn't stop at my house.  His exact words were, "you don't live here anymore."  Numb with shock and disbelief, I was driven to another house about five blocks away, where the driver let me out.  I walked up the steps and into the house.  I found my mom and a friend of hers in the kitchen talking, and I burst into tears.  Mom seemed stunned by my reaction.  She explained that we had moved and that this was our new home.

I recalled then that we had visited the house as a family two months previously, but at that time I didn't have any idea why.  I didn't ask and my parents didn't tell me.  When the news of our move sank in, I realized why my brother and I had stayed an extra day at our grandma's place--Mom and Dad needed three days without us kids to prepare for the move.

Once the shock wore off and I got used to our new home, I loved it.  I lived there with my parents until I was 23 years old and in my first year of law school.

3) My first day on the job--In an article I wrote a number of weeks ago, entitled "You Just Never Know", I described how, through some completely unexpected events, I got a job with the Regional Public Affairs Office of Social Security in Richmond, California.  I loved that job and had it for 16 years, prior to my retirement in 2012.  Some of you may recall that part of the article.  What I didn't mention was how my tenure there began.

My first day was Monday, April 4th, 1995.  The crux of my work was to answer phone calls and respond to correspondence from Social Security claimants, beneficiaries, and congressional offices regarding whatever issue the caller or writer might raise pertaining to Social Security programs, benefits, and policies.  At the time I started my job, the disability program was the only one I was familiar with, based on my previous federal employment.  When the phone rang at my desk that early April day, I panicked, frantically calling out to the co-worker Philip, who was sitting next to me, "What do I do?"   He calmly replied, "Answer the phone."  Hiding my fear as best I could, I did so.  I remember that the caller asked about an overpayment notice he had received.  I had no idea what to tell the person because I knew nothing about that subject.  I responded honestly by saying that I didn't know the answer but would find out and relay the information as soon as possible.  The caller seemed satisfied.

What I glean from these recollections of new beginnings in my life is that, as scary and disorienting as they were, I could and would grow and prosper through the experiences if I hung in there, learned as I went, and trusted that things would work out.

💚We all might find it illuminating to reflect upon our own new beginnings.

💚My Response: Yes, Indeed!

Meanwhile here's my Photo of the Day -my own life memories in one of my books along with my son's first novel, Cloyne Court available at Amazons'. 

My Own Childhood Memories: 

https://discover.hubpages.com/literature/my-childhood-memories-of-world-war-2

Eighteen Interesting Facts About the Philippines

https://sugbo.ph/2022/hollywood-celebrities-filipino-blood/

I received the following article in my E-mail last year.  There was no author, but as a Filipino-American, reading this makes me very proud of my ancestry and roots.💚

WE HAVE TO KNOW THIS AS FILIPINOS.  Pure and Mixed FILIPINOS DESERVE TO KNOW ALL OF THESE AND BE PROUD TO have FILIPINO blood in your ancestry. 

1. In the Philippines, Filipinos were introduced to the English language in 1762 by British invaders, not Americans.

2. What is the world's 3rd largest English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK?.... The Philippines.

3. The USA bought the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam from Spain in 1898. Los Angeles, California was co-founded in 1781 by a Filipino named Antonio Miranda Rodriguez, along with 43 Latinos from Mexico sent by the Spanish 
government.

4. What antibiotic did Filipino doctor Abelardo Aguilar co-discover? Hint: Brand is Ilosone, named after Iloilo -- Erythromycin.

5. The one-chip video camera was first made by Marc Loinaz, a Filipino inventor from New Jersey.

6. This son of two Filipino physicians scored over 700 on the verbal portion of the Standardized Achievement Test (SAT) before age 13 - Kiwi Danao Camara of Punahou School, Hawaii.

7. Who was the Filipino-American dancer who scored a perfect 1600 on the SAT?.....Joyce Monteverde of California.

8. Who invented the fluorescent lamp? Thomas Edison discovered the electric light bulb and the fluorescent lighting was thought up by Nikola Tesla - a Filipino. But the fluorescent lamp we use today was invented by Agapito Flores (a Cebu man named Benigno Flores of Bantayan Island, according to the Philippine Daily inquirer), a Filipino scientist. Americans helped then-Philippine leader Ramon Magsaysay to develop it for worldwide commerce.

9. Yes! Many foreigners have noted that the Filipino population has Asia's highest rates of inventors and international beauty queens. Two Filipina beauties, Gloria Diaz and Margie Moran, were chosen as Miss Universe in 1969 and 1973.

10. Pure- or part-Filipino celebrities in American showbiz include Von Flores,Tia Carrere, Paolo Montalban, Lea Salonga, Ernie Reyes Jr., Nia Peeples, Julio Iglesias Jr., Enrique Iglesias, Lou Diamond Phillips, Phoebe Cates and Rob Schneider.

11. The first Filipino act to land a top hit on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in the 1960s was the group Rocky Fellers of Manila.

12. Sugar Pie de Santo (father was from the Philippines), The Artist formerly known as Prince (according to the October 1984 article "Prince in Exile" by Scott Isler in the magazine Musician), Jaya, Foxy Brown and Enrique Iglesias followed.

13. Besides gracing fashion magazine covers, this international supermodel from Manila had walked the runways since the 1970s for all the major designers, like Calvin Klein, Chanel, Christian Dior, Christian Lacroix,
Donna Karan, Gianni Versace and Yves Saint Laurent - Anna Bayle.

14. Who is the personal physician of former U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton? Eleanor "Connie" Concepcion Mariano, a Filipina doctor who was the youngest captain in the US Navy.

15. Founded in 1595 by Spaniards, the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, Philippines is older than Harvard and is the oldest university in Asia. University of Santo Tomas in Manila, established in 1611, is Asia's second oldest.

16. Who was the first Asian and/or Filipino to snatch America's Pulitzer Prize?- Philippines Herald war journalist Carlos P. Romulo in 1941.(He was also first Asian to become UN President.) The first two Filipino-Americans to garner the same award 56 years later were Seattle Times' Alex Tizon and Byron Acohido, who is part-Korean.

17. Filipino writer Jose Rizal could read and write at age 2, and grew up to speak more than 20 languages, including Latin, Greek, German, French and Chinese. What were his last words? "Consummatum est!"("It is done!")

18. "What's still most impressive to me about the Philippines is the friendliness of the people, their sense of humor." wrote Honolulu journalist John Griffin in a 1998 visit to Manila.

PASS THIS ON TO OTHER FILPINOS/FILIPINAS_Be Proud of your Pinoy Ancestry.

Meanwhile, here's a latest photo of me with my red Mexican Sombrero matching my red 49er Wind-Breaker Jacket taken during THD Cinco de Mayo Celebration, May 3, 2024. Photo Credit: Gaylen Corson

💚Indeed, I am very, very proud of my Filipino Ancestry and Roots! 

Introducing Dusan Pecka- New THD Resident

This a continuation of My Blog Series- Knowing Your New THD Co-Residents. 

Last May 2,  I saw Dusan eating alone at Newton's. I know he was a new resident. I introduced myself to him and we had a nice 2 minute talk. Later on I manage to talk to him again. I told him if he does not mind, Could I introduced him to THD residents via my blogs series- Knowing your Fellow Residents. He responded with Not Now. 

 I told him I found something in the Internet about his previous work. He told me I could repost it in my blog since it is already public Knowledge. Again, It is with pleasure to Introduce Dusan to our THD community and hopefully you feel welcome here.   

Here's what I found about him in the Internet.💚💚  Again, Welcome to THD.     

Introducing Dusan C. Pecka, Ph.D.

Dr. Pecka is a very experienced financial advisor, and Chief Associate at Wealth & Tax Planners (WTP).   He held the Certified Financial Planner™(CFP®), a designation granted by the Board of Standards for Certified Financial Planners, Inc., and is an Investment Advisory Representative with Wealth & Tax Planners. Dr. Pecka.

Dusan brings a wealth of business experience to the firm with over twenty years of technical and management experience in the Defense and High Technology Sector. Prior to joining WTP he was Senior Vice President of Operations and Marketing for Systems Control Technology, Inc. of Palo Alto, with direct responsibility for the profit/loss of this $20 Million dollar company. Earlier he held executive positions with Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. and The Aerospace Corporation.

He holds a Master's Degree in Financial Planning from Golden Gate University where he received a citation for outstanding academic achievement. He has also attended Executive Programs in Business Administration at the University of California, Berkeley, and Columbia University in New York.

His strong analytical and business background, combined with a Ph.D. in Physics, has enabled him to specialize in the application of Modern Portfolio techniques to asset allocation and managed asset accounts. During the past eleven years, Dusan has applied this expertise to develop optimal retirement accumulation and spending strategies, aided by conventional and Monte Carlo Simulation techniques.

He holds additional licenses in securities and insurance.  Dusan also has instructed Retirement Planning at  JFK University and CalState University, Hayward. For Details visit:

💚💚https://indyfin.com/financial-advisor/california/walnut-creek/dusan-pecka-2246478/

You Are Dying Slowly If....

From My Face Book Today: 

You start dying slowly ;

if you do not travel,

if you do not read,

If you do not listen to the sounds of life,

If you do not appreciate yourself.

You start dying slowly :

When you kill your self-esteem,

When you do not let others help you.

You start dying slowly ;

If you become a slave of your habits,

Walking everyday on the same paths…

If you do not change your routine,

If you do not wear different colours

Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.

You start dying slowly :

If you avoid to feel passion

And their turbulent emotions;

Those which make your eyes glisten

And your heart beat fast.

You start dying slowly :

If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain

If you do not go after a dream

If you do not allow yourself

At least once in your lifetime

To run away from sensible advice

Don't let yourself die slowly

Do not forget to be happy!

~ Pablo Neruda♡

Chilean poet who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971

Meanwhile Here's my Picture of the Day

The Heron- From the Fairmount Tower Wall Mural (THD) by Trenton Gregory

Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Today is Memorial Day-💚Remember our Heroes and thus this Posting!

Macrine(RIP) and I had joined a guided tour of the Arlington Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and had watched the Changing of the Guards when we were still residing in Maryland from 1990 to 2002. It was a solemn occasion one can never forget. This is really an awesome sight to watch.

 

💚

From My Face Book Page Today: On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was, How many steps does the guard take during their walk across the Tomb of the Unknowns Soldier ? ------ All three missed it ---

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during their walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? 21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long do they hesitate after their about face to begin their return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are their gloves wet?

Their gloves are moistened to prevent losing their grip on the rifle.

4. Do they carry their rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not? They carry the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After their march across the path, they execute an about face and move the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, they must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and their waist size cannot exceed 30.' Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty.

They cannot swear in public and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only a little over 600 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules while serving as guards or for the rest of their lives if they choose.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off-duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis (the boxer) and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, (the most decorated soldier of WWII) of Hollywood fame. Every guard spends five hours a day getting their uniforms ready for guard duty. ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment.

They respectfully declined the offer, 'No way, Sir!' Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson.

The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930. God Bless and Keep Them

I don't usually suggest that many posts be reshared, but I'd be very proud if this one reached as many people as possible. We can be very proud of our young men and women in the service no matter where they serve. Duty - Honor - Country. IN GOD WE TRUST

For Details visit: https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Monuments-and-Memorials/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier

Last Night Candlelight Concert was a Musical Success

This was my first Candlelight Concert held once a month on Saturday Evening that I attended here at THD. I enjoyed it very much, because we were allowed to request songs and sing along with it. The Guest performer was Rodney Burge ( see flyer above) on the Piano.  It was held at the Fireside Lounge instead of the Yoga Room as advertised.  

Some of the songs we sang along with were Some Enchanting Evening, Bali Hai, Unforgettable and Impossible Dream.  Richard Bottom sang solo some of the songs.  The Favorite of the evning was I could have Danced All Night from the Broadway Musical, My Fair Lady. Here are three photos I took during the Concert.

Sandi Green and Farna Sewell- Steve Kam ( legs and shoes)

Jan McGowan, Mary Alice Rathbun and Galen Corson ( Activity Director)- Back of Pat Dunn and Cossette Mitchell 

Marsha Kefer, Norman Nelson and Galen and Pianist Rodney Burge

I had 2 glasses of Champagne and 2 Dark Chocolate Signature Reserve Sea Salt Truffles. The chocolate was delicious and the Champagne bubbly. I enjoyed both very very much.   

Meanwhile here's my favorite quotes on music.

Music Quotes

• One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. ... 
• Music is a moral law. ... 
• Where words fail, music speaks. ... 
• I think music in itself is healing. ... 
• Without music, life would be a mistake. ... 
• Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.

Richard and Linda Botton were also in attendance. There was a new resident ( first time I saw her) that attended but left after 5 minutes.  Galen announced that our next Saturday concert will feature an opera singer. Looking forward for the next Saturday Candlelight Concert.  Tune-In for additional photos from Galen.  Have a Great Sunday!

 Lastly, here's my article on whether musical/artistic ability is inherited or not.  

https://chateaudumer.blogspot.com/2022/08/is-musical-talent-or-artistic-ability.html