The French Connection

There is a delightful young man visiting us this week. His name is Mathias and he is from France. He and about a dozen other students are staying with area families for ten days, as part of an educational experience.

This is not our first time as hosts for this type of thing. We have enjoyed two previous French students over the past few years. In fact, we still have contact with one and hope to visit him and his family some day.

On a visit to the grocery store, Mathias wondered if he could purchase a particular type of cookie that is very popular in France. He wondered if I had ever heard of "Chocolate Chunk" cookies. I assured him there were many types of cookies that he could choose from.

When we got to the cookie aisle, his eyes grew wide with the selection. He told me he would like to come back, before he heads for home, to load up his suitcase with packages of Pepperridge Farm Chocolate Chunk cookies. He went on to explain how he and his sister love to put them into the microwave for 20 seconds, and then eat them warm with a glass of milk.

I was stunned. Aren't French pastries famous? You'd think a kid who grew up in Paris would turn his nose up at a pre-packaged cookie? Guess not. As it turns out, Mathias told me that French cookies are hard and crisp. Not gooey, soft and melty.

What's next? Maybe he'll tell me he's heard that California wines are better too.............. oh wait, that's a already been established.

Remember Roseann Roseanna Dana?

Gilda Radner created an unforgettable character in the early days of SNL: Roseann Roseanna Dana. This middle-aged single woman, with out-of-control hair, would rant on and on about anything.

Roseann would begin her diatribe with a particular subject in mind, but then as she delivered her very unique perspective, her mind would wander and somehow the audience would hear about a little drop of sweat precariously dangling from someone's nose as they prepared her pizza!

No matter how ridiculous her story was, she always ended it with the following words:

"It just goes to show.........it's always something."

That sentiment is simple and very true.

If it's not GPAC, it's planning commission. If it's not Walgreen's, it's Wal-Mart. If it's not the State budget, it's the State drought. There's plenty to keep a body spinning.

The trick is to find humor in the little annoyances. Realize that what may seem HUGE today, will morph into routine tomorrow. And when it seems like there's just one challenge after another to rely on the words of wisdom from an unlikely hero:

"It just goes to show..............it's always something."


RIP - Gilda

Survey says.............

Our little poll indicates there's a lot more people who want a Wal-Mart than those who do not. So ok- I'm listening (er, reading) Let me hear from you if you support the Wal-Mart Super Store coming into Patterson, and why.

Faithful Wal-Mart shoppers that I've spoken to say the one on McHenry in Modesto, is clean and attractive. I want to go and check it out.

If our council can negotiate the deal to benefit the downtown, that would help.

Can the employees expect to ALL BE PATTERSON RESIDENTS? That would help.

So let's get a real conversation going on this, and let the council know what you think.

Say it isn't so.........

My husband and I disagree on very little. But on the subject of Wal-Mart, we don't see eye-to-eye.
Being open minded is something I work at almost daily. So when Gary told me that he thinks Wal-Mart isn't the huge threat I consider it to be..........I listened. It's hard to disagree with some of his points:
Earning minimum wage with no benefits may be the only job some people are qualified for. For those folks, working at Wal-Mart would be a blessing. Or maybe a family needs a second income, that too would be helpful.
But what if those same people could get a job at - oh I don't know, let's say - Trader Joe's. They pay very well, plus benefits including retirement. How about Starbucks? They offer their employees more than minimum AND benefits.
Here's some other concerns.
Traffic problems in and around the area.
Trash - ever noticed how the parking lots are maintained (or not)
Will the residents have the opportunity to "weigh in" on this matter?

Wal-Mart is coming to town?

You better watch out
You better not buy
You better not shop,
I'm telling you why........

Wal-Mart is coming to town..........

Before making up your mind on how happy you will be to have a Wal-Mart in town, please take a few minutes to read some of the research that's been gathered over the past few years.

http://www.walmartmovie.com/facts.php

Think about some of the shops in town that will be gravely affected. Your friends, neighbors and family who own or work at auto parts shops, hardward stores, convenience markets, and even some grocers.
These local businesses that support our local schools and clubs, will be forced out. Will Wal-Mart contribute to our youth sports or the local arts scene? Can Patterson FFA expect Wal-Mart to donate to their fundraisers?

Think about it........

Goodbye to 2008.......

Growing up, time crawled by slowly. There was always something just out of reach, that only the passage of time would allow me to grasp. My next birthday, Christmas, graduating from high school, waiting for my wedding day, the birth of my children. All these moments just couldn't arrive fast enough!
But now that I've reached my fifties - time is like a bullet train! I can't believe how quickly this year has sped by.
Next year will be even quicker and there is so much happening in Patterson in 2009.
Here's to a healthy and prosperous 2009 for our little bit of the world -

Let's move forward now

We've come a long way, baby! Has there ever been an election that was filled with so much emotion? Locally, state wide and of course, our presidential election seemed to all have elements that touched us more personally, more deeply than ever before.

For Patterson, there's no less work to be done than in Washington DC. What happens here is as just as important to our everyday lives. After all, we are all members of this community, this circle city that we all call home.

My wish is that the new energy that the challengers brought to the campaign, the new ideas and involvement from new residents will continue. So let's move forward, together, east and west, new residents and natives, businesses and consumers to move Patterson into a new age of thriving prosperity and small town charm.