The Buzz

Very much enjoyed hosting Gary Hinze aka Clod Headgate on my Thursday KAHI CONNECTIONS program.  Gary played the accordian and guitar combined with sound effects and even changed the words on Paul Simon's and Bob Dylan's songs, with a fun spin.  On a cloudy, cold day, the sun was shing at the KAHI studio and I enjoyed hosting make-it-all-so-simple Cherry Island instructor Tim Berg who gave a free lesson to caller Jim Linsdau, owner/publisher of  the Foresthill Messenger.  Headed over to Courthouse Coffee to talk with the Round Tablers and enjoyed the rest of the morning catching up with owner Linda Lareau.  Don't leave home.

Enjoyed the company of  radio guest Susan Grant,  jumbo-jet pilot/best-selling author who joined pal Donna Arz, Barry Stigers, Diana Farr and others at our Round Table gathering at our fav coffee spot, Courthouse Coffee.  Everyone seemed to enjoy the connection and I look forward to continuing with the spontaneous group and next week will host musician Clod Headgate and golfing instructor Tim Berg along with Spa Dujour owner Maria Torres.  Stay tuned.

A friend recently sent me a video of  Robin Williams; and while I am a fan of Williams, I absolutely abhor crude vulgarity and profanity-- even in the privacy of my home.  I closed down the video and emailed my friend my reaction whereby the friend defended the profanity, saying Williams was very funny.  We all have choices and I choose not to immerse myself in films and literature that are polluted by coarse, crude language.  I absolutely believe in free speech and am free to put down the book peppered with vulgar descriptions;  turn the channel when I see graphic violence or walk away from individuals who choose to spew profanity; but what a better scene it would be when we don't have to find ourselves dodging the profane, course and vulgar. 

After my Thursday radio program wherein I hosted golfer Terry Love and actor Perry King, we headed over to Courthouse Coffee and joined Beverly Lewis, Donna Arz and Diana Farr where the conversation quickly sequed into marriage/divorce.  Actor King talked about his disappointment with his two failed marriages and the pain of  divorce all the while I was feeling somewhat proud of myself for managing to navigate over thirty-nine years of what many call the most difficult of relationships, marriage.    I really do liken marriage to my newest found passion, golf, in that when you stay the course and look back at the field littered with the bodies who have been felled, there is that glorious feeling of accomplishment in simply beating the odds.  I am amused when the excuses come up such as "we grew apart" as if this has to be the end of all.   As a veteran of a long-lasting marriage, I have learned much; and one important truth is that marriage is like a successful business in that in order for the marriage to work there must be a mutual respect/regard for the other; humor definitely helps and there must be space in the togetherness.    I have learned, like in business, discussion and negotiation of  issues is one of the keys to success.  If you run hollering and hysterical out of a meeting, it's probably a deal breaker and it only makes more of an emotional mess on the domestic scene.   So, like in pre-school, when tempers flare and old issues become button-pushers, time-outs are a good idea so the parties can retreat to their separt havens until the dust settles.  I'm patting myself on the back as I approach yet another milestone at the end of this month, another year of marriage.  Yes, it can work; but there is always work to be done, always change to adapt to.   I say celebrate the achievement and reward yourself for staying the course. .. 

Was it Shakespear that said "All the world's a stage"?  I choose to bring colorful characters to my Auburn radio stage and this coming Thursday I will host actor Perry King who has starred in Lords of The Flatbush and Slaughterhouse Five and scored in Riptide on televison.  King is a unpretentious, humble individual and it will be good to re-connect with him after two years since he last guested on KAHI.  My guests are local and King is just that in that his daughter lives in Cool and is often visited by her father.  On the golf segment, the carefree Terry Love from Dark Horse, will bring his colorful persona to the game of golf.  It is fun to interreact and connect with vibrant, colorful characters connected with our community.  Applause.

Local author and former stuntwoman Chris Enss guested today on KAHI CONNECTIONS and talked up colorful women and men of the Old West, many of which are mentioned in Enss'  reader-friendly books which can be found on her website.  Enss always provides a lively program and was well received today by KAHI engineer Barry Stigers and golfer Dave Bedell.  Enss has also authored a book on the Young Duke aka John Wayne and has written a screenplay about Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans.  Hope to connect with Enss next year with her current book.  After the program I headed over to Court House Coffee where I met Dave Bedell who met owner Linda Lareau and we chatted about golf and the community.  For lunch I met up with Dark Horse golfer Terry Love at the splendidly decorated dining room at The Ridge;  and GM Jonathon Martinsen dropped by to say hi and enjoyed meeting Love.  What an enjoyable day was had broadcasting and meeting and connecting.  Thank you, Auburn.

Enjoyed a friendly lunch Thursday after a lively radio program hosting the talented thrush Jane Rivar who enjoyed coffee post-program with her producer Mark and owner Linda Lareau who played Jane's serene CD  Friends Donna Arz and Syl Bruce joined me at the Monkey Cat where I dove into a tasty Crab Melt followed with a shared chocolate dessert with Arz.  Server Trish did a good job of serving the table and we left sated/satisfied, not having seen Jim Brill who works dinners and mentioned when I talked to him later that he will be serving on Christmas Eve.  Jim is a cordial host and worked for many years at Fior D' Italia in San Francisco; so I can say Jim has humility and has made the transition from the big city to our small town.

Kudos to KAHI Manager Jerry Henry who pulled off quite a nice happening at the Monkey Cat restaurant in Downtown Auburn.  Most of the KAHI staff/programmers were on hand for a lively gift exchange overseen by the over-the-top radio talent Dave Rosenthal and for a most delicious dining experience complete with a decadent chocolate dessert.  Gold stars to owner Jim Bril who shared kitchen duties and greeted the guests.  I made an exception as I resist groups/gatherings/meetings; but I thoroughly enjoyed the good company, cameraderie, tasty meal, and long-time-no-see connection with the cordial Owner Jim Bril.   I also enjoyed conversation with Christina and Stewart Schur, owners of Dr. PC, our tablemates.  Now I'll be walking/swinging the sticks with determination to lose those calories and hit the target.  Fore!

Hosted banjo player/singer Debby McClatchy of the Sacramento Bee family.  Debby lives in Dutch Flat and plays a mean banjo while singing the Old Time music, which was thoroughly enjoyed by the KAHI staff, myself and owner of Court House Coffee Linda Lareau,  among others.  My other guest was Jim Linsdau, publisher of the Forest Hill Messenger who brought me up to date on golf, community and newspaper happenings in his neck of the woods.  After the radio program, we all met for coffee and chat at Court House while listening to McCatchy's CD play in the background--perfect setting on a rainy day with a fire in the fireplace providing a cozy warmth. 

Experienced the very best in healthcare in my own backyard, literally, putting husband Jack and myself in the satisfied company of fellow residents Paula Mahan McCrary and Jim Ruffelo, who put their health in the hands of the capable staff at Auburn Sutter Hospital.  Special thanks to the Emergency staff headed up by Dr. I, "Angel" and Carmel.  Stress is always up as a patient in any hospital but due to the compassionate staff at Auburn Sutter,  the experience was very much tempered.  I am given yet one more reason to feel gratitude for choosing, living, and thriving in this community.