So long … I’m outta here and you’ll never believe why!

July 28, 2025JT Twissel 44 Comments

The other day I received a communication of the utmost confidentiality and significance from a Mr. Pauwels Gaetan informing me that his client, Engr. Eldric Twissel, a distinguished business contractor for decades in Brussels had passed away due to a myocardial infarction shortly after the tragic loss of his entire family in a vehicular accident. In case you don’t believe me, here is that very same communication (with a bit of berry pie spilled on it I’m afraid.)

Reading further, I was stunned to learn that I am apparently the last living Twissel on the planet! And, as such, I am eligible to inherit good old Eldric’s 9,995,980.00 (Nine Million, Nine Hundred Ninety-Five Thousand, Nine Hundred Eighty Euros) which will make me – gasp – a billionaire? (I have no idea what the exchange rate is so I’m just guessing.)

After a month of fog, finally the sun! Oh, my happy days are here!

Unfortunately my friends, billionaires don’t blog. But I’ll remember each of you fondly on my yacht.

First … I suppose I’ll have to hire Pauwies to “assist” me through a “entirely legitimate” process with “no legal risks or exposure” to myself. All he expects in return is half of the 9,995, 980.00 Euros! What a gent!

Next, I guess I better head down to my bank to prepare them. Pauweis will undoubtedly want access to my account. You know, to make it easier to transfer the funds. Oh, and I better call my tax guy … perhaps I should relocate to Switzerland in order to avoid horrendous taxes? Oh dear, so many decisions. So much to prepare for!

A bench dedicated to Eldric and the Twissels?

Of course, I’ll have to do something to honor Eldric and all those poor unfortunate Twissels who met their demise in some ghastly vehicular accident. Any suggestions?

My tiny voice

July 20, 2025JT Twissel 30 Comments

For about four years I volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for the Juvenile Court Judges of Northern California. CASA candidates are rigorously screened and must complete at least forty hours of training (psychological, legal, sociological, medical and educational) before being sworn in. A CASA is required to:

Gain the confidence of the child assigned to them
Interview the child’s social worker, therapist, educational advisor, doctor, etc.
File a monthly report with the judge who was the child’s legal guardian
Attend all court sessions having to do with the child’s welfare as well as accompanying the child to a quarterly review of their case.

How foster children often view their court hearings and the judge.

CASAs are only assigned to at-risk foster children. During the years I spent as a CASA there weren’t nearly enough of us to make a dent in the demand.

Sean was in charge of all the CASA volunteers. Sean assigned available CASAs to children in need and made sure they had all the resources they needed. (There are all kinds of programs at a low cost or free to foster children as well as discount tickets to museums, theaters and parks.) Sean presented as a tall young man who wasn’t overly athletic but could probably outlast most people in an endurance contest. Sean’s sandy hair was cut short and Sean’s face was smooth with just a bit of baby fat. No stubble or five o’clock shadow. Sean always wore grey or tan slacks with a belt, cotton button down shirts (the type they used to sell at JC Penney’s) and brown hush puppies. Sean always reminded me of Donny Osmond. The young Donny Osmond.

You can probably guess where this is heading. After I found out that Sean had been a Melinda and that her/his first CASA child had been a female ( female foster children could only be assigned to a female CASAs) I badly wanted to ask “Do you prefer to be called him or her? Or even them?” because I’d rather die than in any way hurt or insult such a wonderful young person. But that was almost twenty years ago and I was raised to mind my own business. We can’t go back to those days of being afraid to ask, folks. Reject all the transphobia going on … it’s sheer insanity.

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second-rate version of somebody else. Judy Garland.

Sun Rise, Moon Set

July 14, 2025JT Twissel 25 Comments

One of the advantages to being an early riser is the sun,
arriving as cymbals clash,
or violins soar.
Never very shy, the sun.

Not so the moon, who tries to creep away.

I spotted you, hiding in the fog. Show your face before you go..

Thank you. Now adieu Moon as the clatter of the week arrives. The trucks rumble by, the sheets need washing, the garbage needs collecting. Monday.

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

William Shakespeare, Macbeth

Monday Movie Mysteries

July 7, 2025JT Twissel 31 Comments

Do you recognize this rooftop?

If you’re a Disney fan, you might. It’s rumored to have been the setting for the rooftop scene in one of their most famous movies. I doubt it really was but that’s the rumor.

It’s actually the roof of the oldest building on the campus of UC Berkeley, South Hall which was built in 1879. There used to be a corresponding North Hall but it is now the site of an ultra modern undergraduate library.

.Can you guess what field of interest this building houses? Perhaps philosophy or English? Some archaic field, no doubt. (I guess it depends on your way of thinking.)

It had been at least twenty years since I’d visited my Alma Mater but it is only fifteen minutes from my house. And so when out-of-town visitors wanted a tour, I stepped up to the challenge. I opted for a walking tour of the older part of the campus which is flatter by far than the rest and also passes this iconic landmark.

We always called it The Campanile but I guess its actual name is Sather Tower.

We were lucky because the tower was open and, for a small fee, we could climb up to the top.

The Campanile was closed for most of the time I was at Cal to install the suicide barrier which now blocks its sensational views.

Behind these two lovelies you can see the skyline of San Francisco, the Bay and just barely the Marin Headlands. From the tower we could also see the entire campus – north, south, east and west – which negated the need for further walking. I could just point out landmarks and other notable buildings giving us time for a visit to Yogurt Park.

The eight year old was happy because we’d arrived at precisely three o’clock and got to witness (and hear) the ringing of the bells.

Oh what a thrill. Afterward he staggered around pretending to have been deafened by the sound.

Any guesses on the famous Disney movie which contains a roof-top scene? How about the secrets of South Hall?

The Slow Month

July 2, 2025JT Twissel 17 Comments

I’m a day late but Welcome to the Seventh Month. This month the only national holiday in Japan is July 21 or Marine Day. According to Wiki, Marine Day falls on the third Monday of July, a time which coincides with the ending of the rainy season and the beginning of the hot weather. They take this day to honor the oceans which provide them with so much.

A few days ago I promised to reveal the identity of the town called Slow. San Luis Obispo is about two hours north of Santa Barbara and is home to this lovely mission.

Unlike the “Queen,” this mission is in the middle of town and surrounded by quaint shops and restaurants. It was named for Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse France, who gave up the life of a prince to become a Franciscan (he’s generally pictured with a crown at his feet). He wore himself out serving the poor, sick and downtrodden and died at age 23.

San Luis Obispo is basically a college town. It’s a bit inland from the ocean and so they don’t get the kind of tourists that nearby Pismo Beach, Morro Bay or Hearst Castle get. Thus it’s nickname Slo.

After SLO, Highway 101 veers inland and you spend hours passing field after field of crops growing at various stages between the Sierra de Salinas and the Gavilan Range, and towns where it helps to know a bit of Spanish!

I wish every American could see the valleys of California – the mile after mile of crops tended to and harvested by people who are not criminal and who are not illegal and without whom we would starve.

i Madonnari at the Queen

July 1, 2025July 1, 2025JT Twissel 7 Comments

There are 21 missions in the state of California and most of them have the reputation for being haunted. By faceless monks primarily.

As an interesting aside, Santa Barbara was named for Saint Barbara who was beheaded by her father for her Christian faith. But, soon after that deadly deed, he was struck by lightening making her the guardian saint of firearms. And lightening of course.

The mission in Santa Barbara is called the Queen of the Missions probably because it’s one of the biggest missions that I’ve seen. It’s on a slope above the city, surrounded by gardens. At one time it must have had a magnificent view of the Pacific Ocean.

We were there at the end of day as the sun was going down and the kiddos needed food … yet again. I only had time for a quick look around.

These people insisted on being in the picture. I don’t know why. The mournful miss of my earlier post is the statue on the roof to the left. Can you see her? Perhaps she’s St. Barbara. Don’t know who was on the right.

A month before our arrival, the festival of i Madonnari had taken part in the large plaza in front of mission. Several pieces were still intact.

I could have stayed and taken pictures forever of the incredible art work but the growling beasts demanded to be fed. Yet … again. Here’s a delightful video with more information about the festival. Enjoy!

Oh my. I’ve forgotten Slow. Next time ….

Alta California

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025JT Twissel 15 Comments

Having seen most of the state of California, I must admit I feel sorry for anyone who’s never been here. Most people are partial to the southern part of the state where the weather is generally warmer and beaches, long and sandy and crowded with Bay Watch beauties of both sexes, but I prefer the cooler weather. Those tanned and muscled surfers and volley ball players no longer ring my ring-a-ding-ding (I can’t remember if they ever did … that’s how bad it’s getting, folks!)

To many Southern Californians, Santa Barbara is the beginning of the transition from SoCal lifestyle to NorCal lifestyle. I like to tell my daughter that’s because some people in Santa Barbara have actually visited a library.

Boo on Santa Barbara’s pier. She doesn’t think I’m funny.

SB is famous for its Spanish style architecture. There are tons of mosaics.

One of the entrances to the Tide Pool. I believe these are former condos that are now short term rentals but there was no lobby so who knows. I was chasing an eight year old and my phone was dying.

Below are tile mosaics on the wall surrounding the “whirlpool” at our motel. I guess a whirlpool is a partially enclosed hot tub. Who knows? It was an old motel.