oops!

Obviously, I'm still learning all the tricks to posting. Sorry I put up the same four pictures three or four times! Oh well, enjoy them all!
rmf

San Francisco Pictures

San Francisco Pictures

This was taken on the Presidio, less than a mile from Jane and Hal's house. Perhaps you recognize the famous bridge in the background?








Isn't Burr cute?




This photo was taken from the hills across the Bay from the city. Features Burr, Aunt Jane, and Rachel.



Ahh, the Indian and Pakistani restaurant... Why can't the two countries get along this well?

San Francisco Pictures

This was taken on the Presidio, less than a mile from Jane and Hal's house. Perhaps you recognize the famous bridge in the background?








Isn't Burr cute?

This photo was taken from the hills across the Bay from the city. Features Burr, Aunt Jane, and Rachel.



Ahh, the Indian and Pakistani restaurant... Why can't the two countries get along this well?

San Francisco!

We spent the weekend in San Francisco, CA visiting my aunt and uncle. There is nothing like visiting a city when you are taken around by the locals! We went down to the beach Saturday morning and had a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Next, we toured a Civil War (yes, Civil War) fort that is underneath the bridge. It was great fun, but very windy and cool! Instead of hitting the downtown on Saturday, we went across the bay up into the hills and got some great pictures looking back on the city. Very Cool! We had lunch in Mill Valley (would have to be one of the best places on earth to live), then returned to the city for some more sight-seeing. Our dinner out on Saturday night was fantastic - and again I say - always follow the locals advice on where to eat! Jane and Hal took us to one of their favorite restaurants and it was really wonderful. Great atmosphere, ambiance, and food! We never would have found it if we were on our own.

Sunday morning was nice and relaxed. Jane prepared a wonderful brunch for us, then we hit the downtown sights around noon. By 2:30 it was time to head back to the airport, but it was still a great day. On Hal's suggestion we sought out a Thai restaurant in San Diego on our way home from the airport. For those of you in the San Diego area, let me recommend "Saffron" on India Street. Soooo yummy!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too! Be on the lookout for our San Francisco pictures this week. (Not today, because we had to use that "old fashioned" film! It's being developed today...)

All my best, and good wishes for a happy Monday!
rmf

Elvis Week, 2007

It is Elvis Week, 2007. The masses have assembled at Graceland to pay homage to the rock legend, and I am thinking about my dad.

Yesterday I learned that Mickey Mosher, the woman who killed my dad last summer, has taken a plea deal and will go to prison for 16 months as a convicted felon for promoting contraband in the Courthouse. (For those of you who don't know, she came to her hearing for the charges of killing my dad and Mr. Martin high on pot and had drug paraphernalia on her person.) I wish that this made things better for me, but somehow all it brings up are very sad feelings; I still miss my dad as much as ever. However, I am glad that she will forever be known as a convicted felon. The less opportunity she has to take to the road while under the influence, the more people will be kept safe. I wish that someone could turn back the clock to June 3, 2006 10:00 AM and change the course of events to keep my dad and the others safe; but no one can do that. All we can do is keep other families and motorists safe by keeping Mosher, and others like her off the road for as long as possible.

This brings me to a second point. The Martin-Mitchell bill currently being proposed in the Kentucky Legislature. This bill proposes a "zero tolerance" policy for those who would drive under the influence of alcohol and other regulated drugs. It is my hope that such a bill will be passed and that it will do what lawmakers would envision - make the prosecution of DUI's more consistent and give Commonwealth Attorneys more room to build their cases against people driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs. What is most apparent to me, after observing the trial of Mickey Mosher for the DUI and murder charges she faced in April, is that the Commonwealth, and other states, needs a quantifiable scale for determining whether or not a person is under the influence of a drug. If that is what will be accomplished with the Martin-Mitchell bill, then I am all for it. Determining what is "under the influence" of controlled substances is vital to the prosecution of those who would use, then drive.

All of these issues are things that I think about often; probably more than I should. So this morning, in the car, I decided to switch to the radio to "Elvis Radio All the Time." It made me think about my dad. How much he liked to hear him sing, and how much fun he had over the years dressing up like "The King." The radio station played "How Great Thou Art..." it made me cry... then they played a song I'd never heard called "Just Pretend" and I absolutely boo hooed! But I don't think that's bad. I like enjoying the things my dad enjoyed. I like to remember all of the fun vibrant things about him. Is it always easy? No. It sometimes makes me very sad, but often I end up laughing or smiling through the tears. So, in honor of my dad, let's celebrate "Elvis Week 2007." Switch to the oldies station and and listen to that smooth, rich voice, and think about Brooks Mitchell and all the fun he helped us all to have.

Thank you, Thank you very much,
rmf

Hello All! As promised, here is a picture! Not much to report today... Gabe and Penny had appointments at the vet this morning and received their second round of shots in preparation for our move to Japan. In two weeks we'll go back and they will have blood drawn for a test, then their 180 day "quarantine" will begin.
Burr's brother, Fred, is coming to visit us this weekend. We will all go to a Padres game on Saturday night and we'll get to tour the Gaslamp district of San Diego that afternoon. Should be a fun time. Can anyone remind me how to play "Pass the Buck" at the ballgame?
Let's see, what else? I've started making lists (shocker, I know) for the things we need to acquire before we move. As it turns out, the government issue bed we will be getting in Japan is going to be a full... ironically, all of our full size bedding is in storage until we get back! I think a trip to the outlet mall and TJ Maxx is in my future! I have also decided that I NEED (not want) and Ipod. I think it would have benefits for my music therapy work too! We will also need to get a neat slip cover. I saw a picture of the government issue sofa, and while I'm sure it's very comfortable, it's definitely not pretty! And, apparently rugs and lamps do not count against our total weight of things we are allowed to take, sooo, I guess we'll need to pick up a few to take with us! Ah, so much to do...
This afternoon I'm off for a health screening so I can start working at the psych hospital. The good thing is, the TB test they do will count for my test for my overseas screening. Nothing like two birds with one stone...
That's all I know for now... but I'm sure there will be much more to come!

Best,
rmf

Fruit Salsa

Back in the Spring, we hosted a Derby/Cinqo de May Party. The Fruit Salsa was a huge hit and several of you requested the recipe. So, here it is! (Finally!)

From the Birmingham, AL Junior League Cookbook:
1/2 c diced cantaloupe
1/2 c diced pineapple
1/2 c diced kiwi
1/2 c diced purple onion
1 c diced tomatoes
1 c diced tomatillos (these look like small, hard green tomatoes. Blanch them in boiling water for one minute, then remove the skin before dicing)
1/4 c seeded, chopped jalapenos
juice of one lime
juice of one lemon
1/4 -1/2 fresh cilantro

Combine all ingredients. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Great with grilled chicken or fish.

Here We Go!

Welcome to Rachel On the Go!

My goal is to use this blog to keep my friends and family up to date on the goings on of the Ferguson Family as we gear up for some new adventures. Feel free to comment, and dialogue with me... this should be a great communication tool!

So, all I have to report right now is that Burr is working hard in training and learning how to fly his helicopter (the CH-46, or "Battle Frog"), Gabe the Dog is in obedience school (top of his class, no less), and I am working three days a week in a French boutique (Mistral - check it out at mistralsoap.com) in Solana Beach, CA and having a blast! Also, I am going to start doing music therapy on a per diem basis at a psych hospital on the days I'm not at the boutique.

Stay tuned for more - I will get some of our latest pictures out soon!

Best,
rmf