Blogs from Fresno, California, United States, North America

2023: I visited the Nisei Farmers League again yesterday with a writer from Portland. He is researching a book to publish, some of which revolves around our family. 2021: I visited the Nisei Farmers League office last Thursday. The nail (first photo) is what the UFW used to sabotage the Nisei farmers equipment, tractors, vehicles. It is made of two nails that are welded together. The sign was used by the Nisei formers to identify themselves to the sheriff or other law enforcement. The lithos are originals from each of the Relocation camps around the country. I photographed only Arkansas and Arizona, where our family was sent. (Note: each litho is #6 of only 45. President Reagan received #5 of each camp litho.) I went to Gila area this past weekend, but it is closed now ... read more

For those of us who live in the great San Joaquin Valley, we learned a small, mostly inaccurate story about how this valley was named for Joaquin Murrieta. Let's see what we do not really know about this notorious "outlaw". The Robin Hood of El Dorado, as one of the most famous books about Murietta’s life describes him, was a Mexican immigrant who fought against unfair racial treatment in California. Born in Sonora, Mexico in 1830, Murietta moved to California to try his hand at prospecting. However, local authorities tried to drive out Mexican-Americans and pass legislation to limit their rights. Murietta became a champion of the oppressed by robbing stage coaches and holding up gold mines. However, his destructive tendencies caught the attention of the local law enforcement, who demanded his capture — dead... read more

Good Morning Everyone and welcome to fall. We're almost ready to leave on another adventure. We have flown over the islands of the South Pacific many times but...never set foot on one. So on October 23rd, we'll drive to Los Angeles, leave our car in Marina del Rey and Lyft down to the port in San Pedro where we will board the Emerald Princess for parts west and south. We'll blog along the way as we explore some places we've been before like, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii and Oahu... and make new friends in Pago Pago, American Samoa... Apia, Samoa... Moorea... Bora Bora and Tahiti. Hope you'll come along as we love getting your questions and comments. Jean and Cope... read more

Oh my gosh blogger friends....It seems that just yesterday we were in Asia and South America but alas it has been over a year. Today we start out on a new adventure heading to Italy and the British Isles. Once again we've managed to get everything into two bags... however, father time is catching up to us and we did have to add a small bag for insulin and meds LOL. NOT complaining, just saying... So, this afternoon my daughter Christine will take us to the airport and we'll wing off to Phoenix, just an hour and a half flight. You may remember Sharon and Dave from some of our other trips. They will pick us up from the Phoenix airport for a little visiting and dinner. You'll hear more about Sharon and Dave as we ... read more

Hi Friends, Well, the summer is not over for us... this week we're headed to 106 and the drought and fires continue here in California. Today the skies over Fresno were filled with ash from the Rough Fire just 40 miles to the east from Fresno. The sun never came out today as the smoke and ash from the fires filled the skies. According to ABC, the wildfire has grown to more than 119,000 acres and is only 29 percent contained. More than 2,200 personnel are battling the flames. Today action was taken to move big cats from a sanctuary near Dunlap to safer places with zoos and other preserves. http://abc30.com/news/big-cats-and-communities-on-edge-as-the-rough-fire-closes-in/976888/ We haven't seen rain here in a very long time. We have watering restrictions in place for our lawns and water usage. Selling your home? ... read more