SAN FRANCISCO FIRE NO CRACKERS CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE FEB. 19, 2011

This Chinese New Years Parade in San Francisco started out with a day of rain then early in the event that went away in favor of just plain cold and breathy dampness. It was a long happening and the floats loosely spaced out ... with no firecrackers this year (I suppose because of the trouble they have been experiencing with the noise makers in San Jose, CA this year) and that numbed out the usual adrelelin pump of the noise and smoke of the dragons. As I didn’t amble much further than the reviewing stand for a change, I am not really sure as to the amount of people who attended it as the route has been redirected in favor of an uphill challenge through China Town as opposed to its former straight shot down Market street which was easy to follow. For the first time ever, I also wimped out before the end of the parade in favor of my always-spot after the parade, Tad’s Steak House on Powell Street, and then back home to Muirsville to brandy and my fireplace. Be it another serene event next year, excepting the presence of sharp Dodge Ram 1500s as the float-pulling truck of choice, this parade will probably shrivel up and go boringly away along with the firecrackers. After all, a dragon without smoke and fire is just a big lizard. Oh well, there’s always The World Cup Races to look forward to in San Francisco

AN 18 POUND BLOCK OF JADE, KAMAROH'S POWER STONE!

I went to a Flea Market with Johnny Flowers a couple weeks ago. A man I know who is aware that I collect and wear jade took me to a stall where the fellow had a huge block of California Jade for sale; well the price was cool and I bought it in a heart beat. I put it on the table by my bed. I touch it when I go down for the night and when I get up in the morning and it is always cold but it is a power charge for me and reminds me of my Nebraska rock pickin' heritage!

JOHNNY FLOWERS HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAKE

THE CARROLL SHELBY STORY PLUS CHUCK YEAGER.

I had the good fortune to score this cool old book on EBay. It talks about Carroll Shelby's childhood, his days as a military pilot, his trial and error as a chicken entrepreneur; his road racing success chronicles; his retirement from racing into the Carroll Shelby Racing School in California; the development and production of the Shelby Cobra and the forming of his long relationship with Ford Motor Company. However it stops in 1967 just when your appetite is whetted for the story of the Shelby Cobra Mustang. I'd say the secret to his business success is being a gifted road racer and with the assistance of his famous name, and his smarts and his creativity, being able to attract powerful associates. I have discovered when I read this book that a relationship exists between Mr. Shelby and one of my California heroes, General Chuck Yeager; I understand that Chuck Yeager was one of Caroll Shelby's flight instructors when he was a pilot in the Army Air Force. I read a notation in this book of Chuck Yeager participating in road races in a Shelby; I will have to research that latter on. What is highly interesting to me is the inter-relationship between some of my heroes.

HAPPY KAMAROH BIRTHDAY!

BACHELOR CHRISTMAS EVE APPLE PIE IN STEPS!

CHRISTMAS IS THE HERO TIME OF THE YEAR!

To tap into one's highest and best self is tricky but my constant stumbling attempt to do do so,

is the reason I am sending out to you this holiday greeting to let you know that I am thinking of all of you warmly, sincerely, and fondly. And, that I wish you, family & pets, a Merry Christmas! and a Happy New Year!

Kamaroh P. Jones

PS: My friend Tom Zam of Rick's Studio did the photography with a cool old vintage camera which is one of many he owns.

WEST COAST SONG WRITERS IN MUIRSVILLE

MUIRSVILLE IS A NATURE'S WONDEROUS NESTING PLACE: