I decided to come in to the office and write a column, the sky was dark and threatening, yup, more rain coming and I washed the car yesterday; smush, yuk, I stepped on one of the numerous olives laying on my driveway that I really need to sweep, opened the car door and poured my open bottle of water on foot. My allergies caused me to sneeze reached for my handkerchief and my open purse tumbled its contents onto my now wet, olive stained foot. "Lovely," I mumbled. Then as I drove my car out of driveway I looked up to see the faint trails of a rainbow. That was enough, I smiled, turned up my classical radio and made a conscious decision. This will be a good day, and God willing an OK column, as well.</p><p>A great guy</p><p>Ray Sierra, who is very sick now, is the kind of man that defies description. His rough, biker exterior, his love for guitars, his quick wit, all a very real part of this talented man, does not tell about his good heart, his dedication to youth, the passion he has to serve others. I first met Ray many years ago working on a project to bring prisoners to Los Banos to give a forum of Scared Straight speeches in an attempt to quell what we both saw as a growing problem in Los Banos, gang activity. It still remains a major concern for us both, who feel we must reach out to youth in creative ways. I like Ray, and he is in my thoughts and prayers.</p><p>Pitter patter of little feet</p><p>Joell Mederios and Atomic Falaschi are the proud new parents of a darling little girl Jordon Noelle, born March 1, weighing 8 pounds, 1 ounce. Congratulations sweety.</p><p>Uniques</p><p>A tip of the hat to Rick Bohr of Rick's Auto Body for going above and beyond the call of duty for me. A big hug to Dave Mitchell who takes my trash can out for me every week just to help me out. To Marianne Post, thanks, for a much needed hug from one caregiver to another. To Nita Myers for showing constant support, appreciation.</p><p>Reminder</p><p>For those of you who bought Charleston Enchilada tickets, pick up is this Sunday.</p><p>Birthday balloons</p><p>Special happy birthday wishes go out to our beloved Mona Wright.</p><p>Happy March birthdays to Tom Kaljian, Ron Dypass, Suzanne Kosters, Roland Brubaker, Imelda Suarez, Anna Brooks, Kathi Franklin, and Dorali Mitre.</p><p>Top potato</p><p>Can't help but smile as I write about my favorite luncheon of the year, the United Methodist Church annual Potato Luncheon on March 17. You get a huge potato which you can top yourself with a wide variety of tempting toppings, salad, beverage, and oh, the desserts, yummy, yummy! To get your hot ticket call Charlene Martin at 826-4276 or Karen Bonillas at 826-6803.</p><p>Elks Monday night pasta deal</p><p>What a great deal our local Elks have on the first Monday of each month with their Pasta Feed. Lots to eat at a great price and a relaxed atmosphere. Our Red Hat group, with new Queen Mum Cookie Rendon, really enjoyed the night. Laughing along with me and Cookie were Sharon Chandler, Vickie Medrano, Cathy Bertao, Sandy Howard, Darby Worthy, Pegg Eyermann, Patti Aldrete, Doris Carlucci, and Diana Pfitzer.</p><p>Saint Claire's retreat rare opportunity</p><p>Need a quick spiritual tune up? Do you need to slow down and listen to God? Then the St. Clares Retreat March 12-14 in the Santa Cruz Mountains is perfect solution for you this Lenten season. For more information call either of these graciously lovely ladies, Claire Biel at 826-4542 or Lillian Mendes at 826-5816.</p><p>Last night I dreamt of</p><p>In Daphne du Maurier's famous book, Rebecca, the opening memorable line is, "Last night I dreamed I went to Mandalay again." It is a wonderful book/movie that meanders back into time and spins its spell beginning with a car slowly driving a tree-lined road towards a large building looming in the distance. For me, I often dream of the curved long road into a Horse club where I spent a great deal of my life from ages 5-12 called the Boots and Saddles Club, back in Michigan.. This club, where my family kept their horses was also the hub of all social life and gatherings. It seemed impossible to my brother and I at the time to imagine a life not intertwined with the characters and lifestyle of the members. Strangely, my parents were the only couple of the several hundred who had children. This fact was to have a huge effect on the formation of our own characters. Jeff and I did not play with children, we interacted with adults, and were excellent about being seen and not heard. I perfected it to a science. Jeff and I would listen, a lot, and seen so often as transparent, we heard a lot that we digested in our own way. I have often heard the expression that someone wished they were like a fly on the wall to hear what is really being said, that was what Boots and Saddles Club was like to me. It was a huge wall where I was a fly that learned to discern, appreciate voice tones, analyze personality types, and to understand that very few people were what they first appeared to be. I saw the heroes, the big business men, the rustlers, the beauty queens, the ladies in distress, and those waiting to see who they should be. There were the players and those always getting played. There were the confident and the meek always seeking acceptance. There were the leaders who never seemed to get questioned. And the followers who never seemed to ask. Some seemed born lucky, others seemed to walk under a dark cloud. Some said something to one and something totally different to another, so easily it was creepy. It was a unique education, and helped shape me as surely as the endless games of poker sharpened my poker face and love for drama. It was all such a big part of my life then, The Boots and Saddles, almost like breathing. Then my parents were divorced, we moved, and it all faded away into a dream, except for on some nights when I sleep, and I am once more a fly on the wall .</p><p>One never knows what is around the next bend of tomorrow, thank God. But for today, there was a rainbow in the sky, Ron is feeling good, and it is a fine day. That is all I need to know. So until next time, may all your news, be good news