Today unfolded beautifully 😁
I got up prepared to start getting things prepared for moving Wednesday … but when I staggered downstairs, shielding my eyes from the bright sunlight pouring into the livingroom from the open front door, Holland said, "Don't bother doing anything today - there's another storm blowing in; the pineapple express. So, We'll sit tight until March 1st."
I bit my tongue from blurting out, "Yippie!" But Holland wasn't fooled. He said, "I know you're pleased, but we have got to be on the move on the 1st, no matter what."
And I know he's anxious to be on the move northward: his knees are very painful, and he needs to get some relief - CA will not honor his WA Insurance coverage. And truth be told, I am getting concerned with the level of his pain. We need to head north. And when we get up there, we'll be there until what needs doing gets done - he needs pain relief ⚕️💉.
{{Pineapple Express To Flood CA With Warm Air & Rain
~by Anthony Edwards - San Francisco Chronicle
A long, narrow corridor of atmospheric moisture extending from the tropics to the West Coast, known as a Pineapple Express, is forecast to bring above-normal temperatures and rain to Northern California this week. The Pineapple Express is expected to be missing a key ingredient to convert the water vapor to heavy rain in the Bay Area. (Baron/Lynx)
A Pineapple Express type of atmospheric river storm will bring mostly rain to Northern California through Wednesday, potentially triggering flooding in areas that received snow last week.
Pineapple Expresses are long, narrow plumes of water vapor in the atmosphere with origins near Hawaii or other parts of the tropical Pacific. Because of their warm origins, Pineapple Expresses often bring above-normal temperatures to California and push the rain-snow line above most Sierra Nevada ski resorts.
This week's Pineapple Express will send the rain-snow line as high as 10,000 feet in the Tahoe region, meaning most of the precipitation will fall as rain.
Monday's showers are expected to be limited to the North Coast, Trinity Alps and Klamath Range. By Tuesday, rain will push toward the Northern Sierra, Bay Area and Sacramento Valley.
Forecast rainfall totals are greatest in mountainous areas of Northern California, with 1 to 3 inches in most areas. Normally, this amount of rain would present no problems, but the unusually low-elevation snowfall last week is raising the risk of rapid melting and localized flooding. The National Weather Service forecasts a slight (level 2 of 4) risk of excessive rainfall resulting in flooding in the Northern Sierra on Tuesday.
Rainfall on top of a fresh snowpack may be enough to cause flooding Tuesday, particularly in the Northern Sierra Nevada. (Baron/Lynx)
"The combination of heavy rainfall and snowmelt may result in localized flash flooding along small streams as well as in poor drainage areas," the weather service said.
Even if rain doesn't cause flooding, it'll add weight to the fresh snowpack around the Tahoe area. Heavy snow could cause roofs or other structures to cave in. Residents should use Monday to prepare for Tuesday's potentially messy conditions.
The Sierra Avalanche Center said that high avalanche danger is anticipated in the backcountry from Monday night into Wednesday morning for the greater Lake Tahoe region, including the area where the deadly avalanche occurred last week.
While the Sierra contends with flooding concerns, the Bay Area should avoid the worst of the impacts with this Pineapple Express.
The origins of this Pineapple Express are deep in the tropics, meaning it'll be working with copious amounts of moisture. But moisture in the atmosphere doesn't always result in heavy precipitation. Upward motion is needed to convert water vapor to rain or snow. Without a strong low-pressure system nearby this week to provide that lift, mountains will do most of the work.
That means places such as Mount Tamalpais could pick up more than 2 inches of rain when San Francisco receives a half-inch or less
Forecast rainfall totals through Wednesday are greatest along the North Coast and in the Northern Sierra Nevada. San Francisco and cities to its south are forecast to pick up less than a half-inch of rain. (Baron/Lynx)
It's still unclear exactly how much rain will fall in the Bay Area on Tuesday, but it should not be a significant amount relative to recent storms. Light showers may linger Wednesday, but dry weather is forecast to prevail by Thursday.
In the Bay Area, the main impact from the Pineapple Express will be on temperatures.
The system will wipe out the chilly air mass that brought low-elevation snow to the region's peaks last week and replace it with a mild one. Highs will reach the 60s Monday and soar into the low 70s in parts of the region by Thursday after clouds and precipitation clear out.
High temperatures are forecast to reach the mid-60s to low 70s in the Bay Area on Thursday. (Baron/Lynx)
Pineapple Express to flood California with warm air, rain: https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/extreme-weather-events/pineapple-express-to-flood-california-with-warm-air-rain/ar-AA1WTKo8?ocid=BingNewsSerp}}
We'll be heading north over the Siskiyou's 🚘🏔️, via the Redding-CA route 🗺️: praying 🙏 the beastly weather 💧🌊❄️ hasn't done - and will not do beastly damage that will muck up our northward travel.
But this morning, we were enjoying the beautiful, sunny weather we were favored with 🌞, as we climbed into Beast Betsy and drove into Coalinga; to do some light grocery shopping.
Coalinga-CA from The Almond Tree Oasis RV Park; 12 min's via W Jayne Ave, CA-33
Coalinga Plaza-CA = downtown.
When we got there, Holland said, "You know what? We really don't need to get anything here until later on - before we get ready to pull stakes; how about we go for a short drive? Let's drive a bit out of town and see what you can nab for pictures" 📸
So, that's what we did.
The sunshine felt wonderful on our skin.
The hillsides have greened up beautifully, following the recent rainfalls.
We chit-chatted, and enjoyed a serene drive - no screaming big-hair bands or heavy metal static; just the steady hum of pumping jack activity (they look like giant metal praying mantis' 😂🤣 as they go about their silent business of sucking oil up out of the ground). We noticed a huge white cross, that we'd not seen before, placed atop a hill overlooking a homestead 👀 We watched cattle munching the green grass covering a hillside. We listened to the country silence of the mountainous region.
It was a soothing, contemplative drive along that serpentine crossover roadway. We were both enjoying the peacefulness of the enjoyable Day; knowing we won't be coming back this way, again.
The fields are full of these little pumping Jacks - continually going up & down.
Large white cross W Hwy #198-CA; outside of Coalinga-CA
W Hwy #198-CA & Curry Mountain foothills; outside of Coalinga-CA
W Hwy #198-CA & Curry Mountain foothills, outside of Coalinga-CA; about 30 minutes.
Cows grazing the green grasses of W Hwy #198-CA & Curry Mountain foothills; outside of Coalinga-CA
Backtracking through Coalinga, Holland suggested we lengthen our drive and meander through Avenal - I readily agreed. I like Avenal … and I like the crossover backroad we sometimes take, too: today, we took it & explored a dirt road through a field that led to a cattle corral. And pretty flowers. Spring was springing in the Lost Hills 👍😊 And we also saw that the bridge under construction is now finished, and the wash is being lined with big boulders where we are assuming the flood waters when they come again, will be rerouted:
Avenal-CA from Coalinga-CA; 23 mins. via W Lost Hills Rd, CA-33
Back road fields were covered with bright yellow tansy, rolling hills of purple dwarf lavender, & tiny wildflowers - like these, gently being swayed by a gentle, warm breeze.
The bridge started a few months ago, is finished now; W Lost Road Hills Rd, CA-33 - this side of Coalinga-CA
Holland drove through a part of Avenal, that we hadn't explored before; several trees along the streets there, had been pruned in an unusual shape - very interesting; very pretty. I wish we could be here to see them leafed out. I am curious about how they will look with leaves 🤔 I wonder what type of trees they are. I like the shape of them. But, we will not be here; and I can only imagine. I have a very vivid imagination 😉
Then, Holland spotted a little mexican eatery … so, we nipped into a parking spot and went inside; the interior was small. The food presentation was not fancy, but it was authentic mexican food 👌 The food preparation smelled enticing 👃 - we left with tasty meals: half of it we ate alongside the highway, watching freeway traffic on the other side of the Hydril Oil Fields - the rest came home with us to finish off, later:
Interesting tree shape; Avenal-CA - I like it.
Avenal-CA Skyline Blvd. Crossover Road; 6 mins. #269 Skyline Blvd, Avenal-CA
HYDRIL OIL FIELD; Avenal-CA:
(https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2025/11/hydril-oil-field-avenal-ca.html)
Chalios Tacos y Tortas @ #836 Skyline Blvd., Avenal-CA - Internet Picture.
Authentic food, friendly service; reasonable prices.
My Nachos; different than Coalinga's offering (which was good, too) & the soft, flour, tortilla chips were fresh made!
Avenal-CA to #269-CA & W Jayne Ave, Huron, CA = 11 mins. CA #269 Junction, Huron-CA to Almond Tree Oasis RV Park-CA; 11 mins. via W Jayne Ave, S Glen Ave
It was still very warm when we got back to Independence, so we left the screen door open and ate the rest of our meals while enjoying the Sunkissed scent of the almond tree blossoms in the orchard behind us.
I posted a recipe 👨🍳 to a couple Blogs ✍️ during today's Blog Hopping - and noticed that my 'Short Girl' Posting had been featured on one of them:
Beautiful, open-door Day; the pleasant, sun-warmed, honey-sweet scent of almond tree blossoms breezing through the house.
VAL'S TURKEY-RICE CHOWDER; Coalinga-CA: (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2026/02/vals-turkey-rice-chowder-coalinga-ca.html)
SHORT GIRL~Self Care 2026; Coalinga-CA: (https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2026_01_24_archive.html)
And when the day cooled off, I went into the bunk room to work out.
I embrace getting older; most women feel anxious about aging … too many even attempt to hide their age with hair dye, spendy spa appointments, and nips and tucks if they have the💸; as they feel the years creeping up on them. All that temporary vanity rush 🩹 is futile. They will continue to age – whether they consent to it, or not 🤦🏻♀️: all the hair dye in the world, all the spa pampering's, and all the surgeries/lip fillers cannot hold the creeping years back. However, there is 1 thing women can do to keep their bodies lithe, limber, functionable, and "looking good for their age" … that 1 thing is physical exercise 🏋️♀️🧘🏽 to firm muscles 💪 under the skin (which will help smooth out the skin), boost bone density 🦴, joint flexibility, and tendon strength - a simple workout everyday will go a long way in adding pep to your step, vitality to your life 👍, and a balanced confidence to your entire wellbeing 😊
Before sliding the floor length mirrors this morning to retrieve clothing, I stood for a minute or two, noting the image reflecting back at me; and thought that at 69, that reflection wasn’t anything to be ashamed of 😘 My body has been good to me, and it is relatively healthy (aside from the asthma, and heart arrhythmia) 🤞 God designed this body specifically for ME, and I am okay with it; it’s hour-glass curviness is a bit more ample than it used to be … but it still does righteous by me, and it appeals to my husband 🥰 My skin (face, arms, legs, hands, feet, and breast area that shows) is lightly freckled, and I’m okay with that - I enjoy being outside: my skin really is holding up well for its 69 years. My hair seriously grayed up this winter & I'm okay with that, too. I decided a loooong time ago to gray naturally: and so far, the gray is coming in complementarily 😊 I am not trying to hide my age. I feel privileged to have reached this age (many do not), and I’m actually excited by the unfolding blessing of being able to be living this new era of my life.
I’m having fun & I am enjoying a life abundant 🎯 with a love I never expected in my golden years 💞
Me; December 2025
I’m not spending too much time worrying about my graying hair, my plain face, or my abundant curves. It is what it is, I do right by my body & my body does right by me … and my husband is pleased with both 👩❤️💋👨
I want to enjoy a flexible aging, so I always make time for some workout time, to tone and shape my muscles. I enjoy workouts, I always have. Today's workout was a full-body workout, using another Darebee routine worksheet 👊 I also posted example gifs following the worksheet routines - to show proper technique … and some have alternative options: personally, I have to be careful with my back 📌, so I do the laying down ones, standing upright with alternate movements.
Shape your body and tighten up your obliques with the Darebee Love Handles workout, designed to specifically work these areas. The Darebee Love Handles workout can be a safe and effective addition to a fitness routine for a 69-year-old woman; however, pay attention to how the body responds to the exercises and adjust the intensity and duration as needed.
Full Body Workout Muscles - Female
Step Jacks~10 to 20 reps x2; Twists~10 twists EA side x2; Side Leg Raises~12–15 reps EA side x2; Side Bridges~10-12 reps EA side x2; Wall Planks~hold EA Position, 15-30 secs x2 A repetition is one complete movement of an activity, like lifting a weight or doing one sit-up. Try to do 8 to 12 repetitions per activity, which counts as one set.
Various Planks exercises~EA a 10 sec. count x2
Step Jacks exercises are generally considered safe for a 69-year-old woman to do, provided she is in good physical condition and has no underlying health issues.
Step Side Jacks~10 to 20 reps x2
Body Twists exercises are generally considered safe for a 69-year-old woman to do, provided she is in good physical condition and has no underlying health issues.
Body Twists~10 twists EA side x2
Side Leg Raises exercises are safe for a 69-year-old woman to do. These exercises are designed to strengthen the glute minimus, a small muscle situated on either side of the buttocks, which is important for hip and knee stability and lateral movement. Regularly performing lateral leg raises can improve strength, stability, and reduce the risk of injuries.
Side Leg Lifts can be done standing - with support, such as a chair or a wall~12–15 reps EA side x2
Side Bends are generally safe for older adults, including a 69-year-old woman; however, it is crucial to ensure that the individual is in a stable position and that the exercise is performed with proper form to avoid any potential risks. Side bridges focus on strengthening the obliques and core through controlled hip lifts and hip lowers - overall, side bridges can be a beneficial exercise for strengthening the core and improving stability, but it should be approached with caution: if you feel sharp pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath, stop.
Side Bends (Alternative to the Side Bridges exercise)~10-12 reps EA side x2
Planks are generally considered safe for a 69-year-old woman to perform, provided she maintains proper form and listens to her body. The exercise engages the core muscles without straining the spine, which are essential for stability and balance. It helps reinforce proper postural alignment, making daily activities easier and safer. This exercise is safe for the spine and can be done by most individuals, including those with joint issues. Engaging the shoulder musculature during the push into the wall helps build upper body strength, which is beneficial for daily activities. The weight-bearing through the wrists, forearms, and upper arms benefits the bones in those areas, providing additional support for the bones. It is important for the individual to start with shorter holds and gradually increase the duration as strength improves. If you experience any undue discomfort or sharp pain, stop.
This Planks exercise can be done standing against a wall~hold EA Position, 15-30 secs x2
Wall Side Plank video:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zc1ysm6aAM)
Standing Plank Holds~hold 15-30 secs x2. To count exercise seconds, start by saying '1' and continue counting sequentially '2', '3', and so on, until you reach recommended rep count.
It was a wonderfully beautiful Day 😇 - and I fervently pray 🙏 the beastly weather 😵💫 will stay away.
.JPG)
