Hi All. I know my time here on this not so great Earth is getting short and I got to thinking about what I was going to with the time I have left. I thought I would share some ramblings with you in the hopes that you may get a laugh or two and maybe get you to think about what you are going to do when the time you have left.

I didn’t have to think very long about what I was going to do. I’m doing it now plus a few I never thought I would ever do. If you had told me I was going to be a part of a web site I would have laughed and told you you’re out of your mind. No way. Famous last words. Somehow Petra found me and the next thing I knew I was working with her. There’s a story in there somewhere, but she will tell it when the time comes.

I go where I want to and do what I want to when I want to, but with reservation of course. I’m not going hog wild. The pain in my back and legs pretty much limits what I can do and where I want to go. The one thing I want to do most is the one thing I can’t do anymore. That is to be able to climb a hill, or a mountain just so I can see what is on the other side.

Here in San Benito County where I live I have access to some horses so I can still get into some of the hills in this area. Outside this area is another thing. I though about getting a ATV, but with my luck I would run out of gas next to the middle of no where, or roll the darn thing over and break my dumb neck.

Many years ago while living in Japan I was knocked out of bed a couple of times by an earthquake. That was when I started to learn about them. That started in 1954 and I’m still learning about them.

I was living in Japan when the June 16, 1964 7.5Mj centered near Niigata. 26 people were killed and many of the oil storage tanks caught fire. I have never forgotten that quake, nor am I likely to forget the October 17, 1989 earthquake.

The better half is so afraid of earthquakes that she doesn’t want me to talk about them at all when she is around.

Then there is this lady by the name of Petra. Now she is one real weird lady. She wants to feel earthquakes. Not the kind that will bring the house down around your ears, but one that will get your attention. Would you believe she was upset because she didn’t feel the September 3, 2000 Yountville quake. She slept through it. Come to think of it I did to. Her daughter was awake and felt it and woke her Mother up. No one came to the couch I was sleeping on with the cats to wake me up. I don’t think they woke up either. If the quake didn’t wake me it was no big deal. It’s when they wake me up that it becomes a big deal.

I’m doing what I want to do. I’m learning about earthquakes. I have learned many things about them from many different people from all walks of life. I have seen what an earthquake can do. I can see how it can destroy a whole family in a matter of seconds. I have seen how it can bring a city to its knees. I have seen how it brings out the worse in people and I have seen how it can bring out the best. I hope to be among the best. I was in the past, I like to think I am now and I hope I will be in the future. You have heard the old saying “don’t worry about tomorrow for it may never come.” Wrong. Tomorrow has always came on time and will do so for sometime to come. Be there for it by preparing for it. Take Care…Don the short timer.