Hi Don & Lowell,

Lowell forgot that we had planned to go to Colorado and they had an earthquake, so that's the first of three.

As almost everyone knows the Parkfield Inn says, "sleep here when it happens" and the Parkfield Cafe which has a quake burger says "eat here when it happens." So we gotta go again and see if there's any chance of having the shakers while sleeping or eating, or maybe we could be really fortunate and have one in each place. That would be so kewl.

So to Parkfield we're actually going to go. We're gonna get out of Petaluma as soon as 5PM as possible, so we'll get to Parkfield by 11PM, barring any major traffic jams. One the list of things to do include checking out Middle Mountain where the past large quakes have occurred, if we can get to it. See if Parkfield has a cemetary and go read the headstones and also take a side trip to see Mission San Miguel. I've seen it on the freeway a few times, but this time I want to see the inside. We decided to side step the Carrizo Plain because snakes are a real problem and the heat would kill both of us.

Regarding that crispy fried chicken, by the time Don gets to eat it he'll be drooling. Remember, I was born in North Carolina and the old family cooking style only allows a crust to die for, terrific mashed potatoes and an absolutely marvelous country gravy. I usually put some of the gravy in a little bowl beside my plate and dip the chicken in. Then there's the homemade biscuits that are huge and often I just put gravy over the top of them and eat them....ooooo so good. As there is no time frame on this dinner, well, I think I'm going to wait until I move and make it one of the first things I cook in my new residence. Moving and having a new stove to cook on brings out the domesticated side of me and cooking and baking are moved closer to the top of the list. I hope Don gains ten pounds from my chicken meal.

When Don and I started becoming friends we used to play Rummy and he would beat me something fierce. I got quite angry at times and refused to play anymore. Then when I got it back together, we'd try again. I learned to learn how he played and now the beating me something fierce is a rare event.

I do rather dislike losing, but as Don has come to realize, he can win from time to time, but he best not jump up and make a physical display of victory as that's my thing.

So if Parkfield has something appreciable like a 4.2, I already know that can be heard like a freight train coming through and definitely felt and it will be interesting to see who fairs out better, he or I.

Petra