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Sorry for the very long absence on this blog. If anyone is even still checking it, I'll just give an update:

Rick and I are both in Michigan now. Yay! I've been enjoying the weather and I'm really psyched for fall. I missed it so much last year. I've been seeing my nieces and nephews (some for the first time!) and other family and friends.

Our cats made the 5-day journey across the country quite well. No sedatives were needed. Our only scare was when Rowdy had been sleeping in one of the kennels and had not moved ALL DAY. I was nervous that he was unconsious or sick or something. Luckily, he was OK. I think the car put him in a trance.

I got a job at the Holland Sentinel newspaper as a copy editor/page designer. It's right up my ally, so it was an easy transition to make. The only down side is that I work a second shift *and* I work weekends. Boooo. But I'm thankful for a job, make no mistake about that.

Rick is still deep in the job search, but we are seeing a couple of options begin to surface. We're praying hard that something surfaces soon. It's a tough market out there.

We're trying to stay positive though, and in the big picture, we're doing well. We are healthy and blessed to have such great family and friends to come home to.

Behind the curve

I gave in. I joined Facebook, the social networking site that allows people to reconnect, or meet new friends. I was into the reconnecting thing, since I knew some of my old friends were members. It turns out, almost ALL of my old friends are members. I was just about the only one who wasn't.

Now, I always thought these types of Web sites were sort of dumb, but now that I'm living so far away from everyone, it really serves a purpose. I've missed knowing what all my friends are doing, and now I'm not so out-of-the-loop. I don't feel quite so all-alone anymore here on the other side of the country.

It only took me a few years to catch up with what everyone else was doing, but I seem to always be just behind the curve when it comes to things like fads and technology. I don't have an iPod yet, and my younger friends at work think it's ridiculous that the music industry is still selling CDs. They think that "nobody buys CDs anymore." It may be half-true, but I'm still buying them. For now anyway. Rick and I are definitely heading down the path that will some day lead to iPods, but we aren't there quite yet.

California burning

For anyone who hasn't heard, wildfires are ravaging California. Although our little corner of Northern California has been spared for much longer than the rest of the state, we're starting to see some evidence of the burning elsewhere. Air quality alerts have been issued for many places, but so far, Crescent City is OK. Our county's southern town of Klamath is expected to have an air quality alert issued this week though. I can see the dirty smoke and haze from fires hanging around the coastal mountain range. But today I saw the strangest sight. A gigantic plume of smoke was rising to the east, very visible, even from my house. Apparently it happened when, from about 3-5 p.m., fires were stoked from the dry heat in the Siskiyou Wilderness area. You can see it in this photo our photographer took.



I'll be happy to escape this burning state come August, but I still worry about it. I don't really know how folks can live with these wildfires year after year. So many people south of me are evacuating their homes, then returning, then evacuating again. And the air is so poor that people are urged to stay indoors. It seems like fires are a big a factor every year.

The heat here is also mild compared to the 100+ temps elsewhere in the state. Crescent City is topping out in the mid-70s or so. Hot for here!

Well, I'm enjoying the lovely parts of Del Norte County for my final month. Last weekend, a co-worker and I went beachcombing, but it was so windy we couldn't last longer than a half-hour or so. We also did an inland hike, which was much better.

Rick started his job on Monday, and all is going well. I miss him though :(

Why meeee?

Rowdy: "I went to the vet today because I've been having poop problems. What a nightmare! First they were poking me and prodding me, then they did something awful called 'taking a stool sample.' I'm OK, but as you can see, it wore me out!"

We're comin' home!

For those of you who haven't heard the news yet, Rick and I are moving back to Michigan! We've been looking for jobs for a few months now, and just recently Rick landed a job in the Kalamazoo area. It's a sales job, and we're confident it'll be a good fit for him. He's moving back in July, and I'll be following in August. We've enjoyed being on our own for a while in this beautiful corner of the country, but when all is said and done, we just don't like not being near our family and friends. Not to mention I actually miss having seasons ... even snow (sometimes). I can't wait to see everyone, but I think we'll need to change the name of our blog! Hmmm. I'll have to think a new name...

Birdwatching: A fun hobby

A glimpse of summer

I am 27 years old and last night I saw my very first drive-in movie. Rick and I went to see National Treasure-Book of Secrets at the local drive-in. It was fun, and it almost felt old fashioned. It also seemed like such a summery thing to do.

We've been having near record-high temps around here lately, although I think the heat wave is on its way out. The location of Crescent City is such that it stays relatively cool, even when surrounding areas are heating up. For example, on Thursday it was 100+ degrees in the towns all around Crescent City, even at the coast just north of here. In CC temperatures were hovering around 70 at that same time (it got to a high of 81 that day at 10 a.m.). The all-time high for CC is something like 93 degrees.

Well, despite the modest temps, it's still been sunny enough to make it feel as warm as summer. In fact, I went to the beach on Saturday with a co-worker and I got very burned. Ooops! Rick's been calling me red lobster!

In cat news ... the kittens are scheduled to be fixed on Tuesday! Yeah! I'm ready to get that over with. All the cats are still getting along, and I think they even like each other! Yesterday, I caught Weezie cleaning Chloe. So cute.

Cat trifecta

In the Rico house, happiness is three cats living in harmony.

Cat world

Our life lately has been consumed by cats. Trying to acclimate the kittens, and then trying to get Weezie used to them and vice-versa has been quite a job. Things are getting better. The kittens and Weezie are not exactly friends yet, but they are definitly getting used to being around each other and are curious about one another. It's a really interesting process learning about the socialization of cats. Weezie has acted in some ways that we never would have expected, and so have the kittens! Rowdy is the least scared of Weezie, and sometimes gets a bop on the head because of it. But at the same time, I think Weezie likes him more because he's not scared of her.


One of the main things we've learned though, is that office accessories make excellent cat toys if you know how to rig them up just right.

Welcome home, kittens

We finally brought our two little kittens home on Saturday, and they've been adjusting well. We've named them Rowdy and Chloe. Although you all had some really great names, we chose Chloe because it seemed like a cute little name ... cute and little just like her. And we had been watching episodes of the Smallville TV show, and Chloe is one of our favorite characters. And many of you know that Smallville is one of our favorite shows.


This is Chloe. At first she was very shy and timid. Not sure about Rick and me or her new home. She's smart though. More of a thinker. Just one or two days after she arrived here, she became the ring-leader of the brother/sister duo. She finds things to climb and new places to explore ... whether we want her to or not!



Rowdy is living up to his name. He is such a boy! He is perfectly happy to eat, play, poop, play, sleep and then play some more. He's so funny to watch; jumping and dodging and pouncing on his sister-toy-sister-other toy-sister-blanket-sister. I think he's going to be a cuddler. He likes to be petted right now more than Chloe does.



As for Weezie ... she's the least thrilled of us all. She's getting a little better each day though. She watches us play with the kittens and she watches them play together, but she doesn't want to get too close to them yet. She's interested in the kittens, but she doesn't exactly like them yet. Luckily, she hasn't acted out in a bad way and she's still loving toward Rick and me. I think she'll come around.

Pet diaries

OK ... I took the video off because obviously it was not working right. By the way, we get to bring the kitties home mid-April. Yeah!

The following is a funny e-mail forward that Rick got from his sister, Amanda. I laughed so hard I cried when Rick read it to me. Maybe it was the cat voice he used...

Dog Diary

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite!

11:00 am - Went to the vet. Bummer.

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite!

5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite!


Cat Diary
Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects.

They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for these rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape.

In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomited on the carpet.

Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am.

Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies'. I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move.

My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe ... HEH HEH HEH, for now!

New additions to the family

These two kittens are going to be the newest members of our little family. Right now they are too young to come home with us, but in a few weeks they'll be ready.


The creamy-orange one is a boy, and we've decided to name him Rowdy. The name is after Rowdy Creek, a little tributary in our area. We wanted to name him after something out here because that's where we got him!


The torti-colored kitty is a girl, and she was sort of an after-thought. When Rick and I went to the humane society to see Rowdy, we thought she was just so cute that we had to get her. Actually, Rick couldn't resist her, and he talked me into it. She *is* super cute though. As of now, the girl kitty doesn't have a name. We just can't decide on one. We'd like to take suggestions. So everyone give us your best girl kitty names.


I know everyone is wondering, "What about Weezie?"
She'll be OK because the kittens are so young. And with two of them, they'll be less likely to pester her when they're acting like frisky little kittens. Weezie still likes to play, but she also likes to cat-nap and relax more than she used to. We're hoping she takes on a motherly role with them.

flowers & seashells

The signs of spring...



Here is my collection of seashells, rocks and a few agates and sea glass. I was talking with my sister Mandy about how to use the shells to make something(s). I'll have to research shell crafts.

Hidden Beach trail

I went hiking today with two of the reporters I work with, Nick and Kelley. Rick had to work, so he couldn't come. We took a section of the coastal trail, which runs from Crescent City south to the mouth of the Klamath River. We did the last section (called Hidden Beach trail), which was about four miles, and ended at the mouth of the Klamath. The weather was nice, but smokey fog hung along the coast all day. Nevertheless, we had some good views. The pictures are in chronological order, so they progress from us at Hidden Beach to the mouth of the Klamath overlook.

Four years

On February 7th, Rick and I celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary! Four years is long and not very long all at the same time. This was a happy time for us though, especially since we appreciated being together and on our own more than ever this year. It also means we've had Weezie for almost four years! Rick was tricky and bought me this beautiful necklace after he said he wasn't going to be able to get me anything.

Of course he gave it to me the day he came into possession of it, which was a few days before our actual anniversary. He can never wait to give a gift. That's OK though, I'm not so good at waiting myself.

Speaking of waiting...Rick finally got his diploma! It was a long time coming and we were both glad to see it. Congrats Rick!

Beached whale

A large, yet juvenile, sperm whale washed ashore on one of our beaches just last week. Sperm whales are not common around here. The whales in the pictures below are gray whales. The cause of the sperm whale's death isn't certain, but fish netting was found in its stomach. That probably didn't help. I went out on Friday with a coworker to check out the whale. We pulled up along the roadside and already we could smell the stench. My coworker started gagging in my car, so I told him he'd better not puke in my car! We held some tissues over our noses and got out of the car. People were flocking to the whale, despite the smell. In my picture, which unfortunately was the only one I got since my battery died immediately after, you can see two people standing by the whale pointing things out with sticks. They are from Humboldt State University and they're pointing out the whale's features to the folks gathered. Just the other day, they hacked up the whale and the county is burying the bones. They'll dig them up again in a year or two and exhibit them here in Crescent City. That'll be neat!

Thar she blows!

Many whales passing through this week. They're fun to watch for, and lots of people do it around here. You can see them by the spray of water out of their blow holes when they come up for a breath. It's not as easy to see in my photos, but it's very easy to spot in person. The first photo has two whales spouting at the same time; they look like little puffs of smoke. People gather at the overlooks with their cameras and binoculars to catch a glimpse of the migrating giants.

At the Seashore

On Saturday, one of my co-workers and I went beachcombing at Point St. George. It was a beautiful day, and we both marveled at how it doesn't seem like January. The only sign is the snowcapped mountains in the distance.
Rick had to work, so he wasn't able to poke around the beach with us. He had a good day though, selling lots of furniture. He likes his job, and is good at it.

Some photos

This is our family Christmas photo

Stormy days blew through the coast last week. It caused quite a bit of damage, but all was OK with our house.


Just think "Mine! Mine!" from Finding Nemo... I was sitting in my car and rolled down my window and this guy started squawking away at me like I was going to feed him.

Leave a comment!!!

Hello, this is my first time actually posting anything as I am not one to write much, but I would like to ask that if you happen to read our blog, leave a comment, Please! I enjoy reading the comments! Again, I cannot stress enough how important it is for you to leave a comment! Thanks! Take care all.

Rick Rico

p.s. I love you all and realize that you might not have time to leave one at the time you read it, so come back when you do and then leave the commment! Thanks in advance for your understanding, cooperation, and COMMENT!

p.p.s. Okay, maybe I was a little excessive, ha ha. I was only half serious. But your comments are the only link I have to all you Michiganders, plus it's is just fun to read. I'm mostly joking and goofing around—which I do a lot—so I hope that no one takes it too seriously.

All's well

Happy New Year everyone! The new year is bringing some changes for Rick and me.
A new editor started working at the paper this week, and it's such a relief to have someone else at the helm for now. I was making do, but it was really wearing me down and stressing me out. As everyone tells me though, it was good experience. I ended up being the temporary editor for six months, and I had only started two months before that! Thank God for editors...
Rick started his new job at Barron's Home Furnishings in Brookings, Ore. today. He really likes it already and had a great first day. Yeah!
Well, I guess those are the only changes, but they're pretty big ones for us. Weezie is happy to have her dad (Rick) home. Now she gets twice the spoiling. I included this picture we took with our new camera (thanks M&D!). She looks a little loopy in the picture because she had been getting high on catnip (behind her in the leopard print mouse).

Crescent City is bracing for another round of wind and rain this week. The weekend was pleasant, and on Tuesday is was just beautiful. Sunny and in the upper 50s. I had the day off and Rick and I took a stroll on the beach.