6/19/25

on

 Thought of the day


Hey! 
Look at us in our fancy clothes. 
I took a break from blogging last week as we headed west for my nephew's wedding. 
It was a good time. 
About 20 of us stayed in a fancy California home for about a week and soaked up all that sunshine.
The kids were also pretty happy that there was a pool and the beach wasn't too far away.



California is not for me.
The traffic is bonkers, and there are lots of people.
I don't mind visiting, but I am glad to be back home with my yellow lab, basset hound and bidet. 
I think Deedles is my only blogging pal from California.
Is there anyone else? 
Why do you love California, Deedles?
Do you have a place you like to visit but wouldn't want to live there? 

Thanks for stopping by, and I will talk to you soon.

Meme dump









I will persevere.
I will keep moving forward.
I will be the stream. 

Comments

  1. Margaret6/19/2025

    Great looking family! I love California but not to drive in. It also gets way too hot for me in the summer, at least where my Older Daughter lived for 6 years. (Santa Monica/West Hollywood) Loved the food, the beaches and the palm trees. Like you, I wouldn't want to live there though. I love to visit many places but wouldn't want to live there because my friends and family don't. :) Matt, I think your children are going to be taller than you. Had you already figured that out?
    The printer, YES. And the copy machine at school too.

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    Replies
    1. Mr. Shife6/19/2025

      Thanks, Margaret. Kyle is already taller than me and he lets me know about it all the time. It would be awesome if Hayden caught up to me but I am not sure yet if it is going to happen.

      Delete
    2. Mr. Shife6/19/2025

      I forgot to add that I had the higher ground in the photo for some reason. It also looks like I have a huge belly because of they way I was being positioned by Mrs. Shife. I was not happy when I first saw the photos.

      Delete
  2. Debby6/19/2025

    Good gravy, man! What happened to your little girl????!!! Hayden looks like a grown up. Kyle...I got over my shock at his growth spurt a couple years ago, but your girl... You have a beautiful family and that's not your belly...that's your chest all puffed with pride.

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    Replies
    1. Mr. Shife6/22/2025

      Thank you, Debby!! She has definitely blossomed.

      Delete
  3. Kathy G6/19/2025

    I hope you got over your dislike of the photo. I think it's a keeper!

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  4. Kelly6/19/2025

    Great family photo, Mr. Shife! Y'all are a good looking bunch.
    Love the dog meme. I always wonder what they think the dog and I might be doing in there.

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  5. Debra She Who Seeks6/19/2025

    Sounds like a great time, but I feel the same way when I go to Toronto. I enjoy it for about 3 days and then all the traffic and people start to get on my nerves and I want to go home.

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    Replies
    1. Mr. Shife6/22/2025

      Agreed. A week is about the perfect amount of time to be gone for us.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6/27/2025

      I live in Toronto and would not want to live anywhere else, but I never go downtown any more. I live close to the Subway so that is how i went downtown and it only took me 25 minutes. My daughter worked in a building next to the Eaton Center so I would go there often and have lunch with her. She works from home now and hated working downtown lots of crazy people hanging around down there. Gigi

      Delete
  6. Bob6/19/2025

    Nice Shifes!

    I grew up in California and loved it, but it is very crowded and very expensive.
    I like Miami after living there, but would never live there again; too crowded and the worst possible freeways!
    Have a great weekend.

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  7. Bijoux6/19/2025

    Great family photo! Looks like a wonderful time. I love visiting California. So much variety. But yeah, driving isn’t much fun.

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  8. Mike6/19/2025

    "like to visit but wouldn't want to live there?"
    Anyplace more than 10 miles from my house.

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  9. Ed6/20/2025

    Most California residents I know live there because of the weather. A never before published fact is that the Good Samaritan I have been writing about of late is an ex-Californian as of 18 months ago or so. Although I haven't really asked directly, I get a sense they were just looking for a quieter life which is why they moved to my neck of the woods with no family nearby. They definitely came to the right place.

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    Replies
    1. Mr. Shife6/22/2025

      Quite the adjustment weather-wise for the Good Samaritan with the humidity and the winters.

      Delete
  10. Sixpence Notthewiser6/20/2025

    Ohhh sounds like fun!
    I don't live in CA but I've visited and it can be hectic. Especially Los Angeles. I've never seen traffic like that and I live in Chicago!
    Love the family photo. Very, very nice.

    XOXO

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  11. Deedles6/20/2025

    I think I love California because I'm second generation San Diegan. I like the variety of stuff to do away from the cities. Camping, yay! Beaches, yay! Los Angeles, nooooooo! Big homebody here. I loved visiting Alaska while on a cruise. I couldn't live there though. I'm prone to depression when things are dark and gloomy. Balder Half originated in Chicago. I asked him yesterday why he likes California. He said it's because I'm here. I think I'll keep him for another fifty years.
    You have a beautiful family.

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    Replies
    1. Mr. Shife6/22/2025

      Thank you, Deedles. Balder Half is a keeper.

      Delete
  12. Mary Kirkland6/20/2025

    I'm from California. I grew up there and miss the beaches. But I like Las Vegas because it's not quite as expensive as California has gotten. The traffic in Cali is bonkers.

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  13. Bea6/20/2025

    That beach looks like my local. I'm from CA. and still live here. It wasn't always so choked with car traffic and people (many who behave badly). If my family and friends were not here, then maybe I'd go, but probably not, tbh. I'm glad you and your family had a good visit!

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    Replies
    1. Mr. Shife6/22/2025

      I forgot that you live in Northern California. Sorry, Bea!!

      Delete
  14. Dave R6/20/2025

    Wow! Your kids are so grown up! California's fine as long as you don't live near Los Angeles and you're going to have congested traffic anywhere within 5 miles of the beach. I lived there for a while.

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  15. jenny_o6/21/2025

    What are you talking about, that photo is WONDERFUL! I understand, though - we are all our own worst critics. That sounds like a great week minus the traffic. Where do I like to visit but wouldn't want to live there? The thrift store? lol. I don't visit much anywhere so it's hard to say. I like being with people I've known a long time, including family, and I more or less have that right here. My son lives with me, my daughter is ninety minutes away, and the rest of my family is in the next town over. I've had the same neighbours since the 90s. I'm lucky. Congrats on making it through the California driving!

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  16. kden6/22/2025

    That's a beautiful photo of you all! I'm glad you had a good time, but there's nothing like coming home.

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