
Can You Ever Be Happy in California?
Don’t worry, be happy. A popular song and supposedly the attitude of Californians, but is it really?
Californians are never happy. In a state that is constantly complaining about the lack of water and screaming draught every minute I have heard ad nauseum how evil it is to take a shower lasting more than two minutes. I almost killed myself once trying to rush out of the shower to meet the time limit. Getting the soap off me in the designated time has become one of life’s great challenges.
I’ve heard Los Angeles politicians are considering forming a committee to determine whether or not to create a water police force.
So now I have to worry about using too much water and getting a ticket or being thrown in jail. In California showering an extra minute is apparently a far worse crime than robbing, looting, stealing or killing. But I digress.
So today as I sit here happily listening to the pitter patter of little raindrops on my window screens I am elated.
Of course the state is in a panic because water dares to enter its borders, but why when all they talk about is the lack of it?
The fig tree outside my window that is usually forced to be happy with the buckets of water I provide its roots when I remember, is literally dancing in the raindrops like Gene Kelly holding his umbrella and wrapped around a pole.
Yes, it’s windy and yes, it’s wet outside, but I’m from Detroit and a little rain is the least of bad weather to my mind.
So what does it take to make these Californians happy?
They hate it when it’s dry. They complain and run for the bomb shelters when a few raindrops hit the earth so what does it take to satisfy them?
A friend of mine said the grocery stores yesterday were pre-pandemic. People throwing food and Cheetos in their carts and fighting over toilet paper like the world was ending. Hey, that’s my Charmin and keep your paws off my quilted Northern! Oh my heavens the ground is wet how will we cope?
So why does California suffer so much from water envy?
Here’s a thought…when it’s pouring rain like it is today and was this past winter why not store the water to use when the supply is low?
Hmmm, that’s a thought. Let’s see; capture the water before it flows into the drains and back into the ocean. Duh, what a concept.
Hollywood is the land of the tease. When I first moved here I quickly discovered the weathermen loved to bait people with startling reports of inclement weather. Hide and take shelter the rain is coming.
Then I’d wake up the next morning and somehow it was always sunny and gorgeous. I soon learned that being a weatherman in LA is a fun job if you like tormenting trees and flowers with visions of falling rain.
Hey, Palm tree, wanna be in the movies?
There are definitely many risks associated with living in LaLaLand.
Shaking earth is the biggie. Every time I feel the earth move my heart stops and I close my eyes and pray.
Next, mudslides. How’d you like to wake up with a ton of mud sleeping next to you? Well in LA it can happen.
Third is definitely fires. Oh boy, this is scary because one spark can set off an entire neighborhood. I think we’ve seen lately how horrible the consequences of a fire can be after Maui.
Oh and there is the danger of driving on the 405. If you don’t pass out waiting to move an inch forward in traffic, you could be killed by some guy speeding in and out of lanes while cars are literally at a standstill.
So today California went biblical. Of course I’m not downplaying the dangers that can be a factor of a rainstorm. Lightning, downed power lines, snakes, no cable or Internet, flash floods, that’s a big one, or having your house float away into the Pacific Ocean like the coastal residents have to fear.
So far since I began writing this blog, we’ve had an earthquake, mudslide, tropical storm, floods and snakes.
So yes rain can be a problem, but right now the sound of the raindrops outside my window are a welcome change from the constant sunshine we’re forced to live with. Boo Hoo.
Wait a minute that sounded a lot like complaining about all the nice weather, Norma.
Oh Lord, am I turning into one of them? No, no, no I love the rain, I love the sun, it’s all wonderful. Let it pour and may every tree and flower enjoy each raindrop.
Of course it’s a good thing that California and Nevada are over preparing for any dangerous event. As Jalaima, our housekeeper in my youth always preached, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
I hear Tropical Storm Hillary is leaving for Vegas tomorrow. That’s a gamble. Good luck at the tables, even a hurricane couldn’t win in that town.
So fellow Californians stay alert and please somebody collect the damn rain water so I don’t have to take those two-minute showers this winter. It’s really hard to scrub your feet with track shoes on. What the hell? Was that a locust flying by my window and was he hugging a frog. Hey sound effects, cue the hailstones!

Keto Philly Steak
2 Zero carb tortillas if small. Larger you’ll probably only need one
1 cup Ground Beef or Steak
½ cup Green, Yellow or Red Peppers
¼ cup mushrooms (optional)
¼ cup Onions,
Oil,
1 cup Provolone or Mozzarella Cheese or two thick slices
Saute onions, peppers until translucent
Remove and add beef and when browned add back peppers and onions. Cover with cheese and then cover and melt cheese on top of mixture.
Remove and place on pita and fold over. Enjoy!