God Jul och Gott Nytt År!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Lompoc!

Sunday evening

On Thursday I passed my driver's test, so my California license will arrive in the mail within 30 days.

But even better than that: I am starting my new job tomorrow in Santa Maria! Santa Maria is a city about 25 minutes to the north of here. At the moment we are considering moving there but nothing is decided yet.

The weather is getting a bit colder here even though it is still sunny. I hope you all had a nice weekend and that your week will be a good one!

Sunday evening

This Thursday the driver's test for my Californian driver's license is taking place. Up until then they have given me a temporary license. I am glad they did since it is rather difficult to get around here without a car. There are some bicycle lanes but this entire state is built around the car. But I have taken the family mountain bike out for a few airings. Not that long ago I rode down to the almost completely dried up river bed where there is a dirt track. People drive down there with there dirt bikes and ATVs, but part of the track is hard packed enough for a mountain bike. So far no accidents or falls. In the riverbed are these old car skeletons that give the place a bit of a half-life feel.

I hope all of you will have a good week!

Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and the house is already filled with the smells of orange, cranberry and spices. Linda is making her own cranberry sauce and chicken broth. It smells like Christmas. The Thanksgiving holiday reminds me a bit of the Christmas holiday, maybe it is the similarities in the food, or maybe it is all the preparation for tomorrow when the family is coming over.

It's sunny and warm outside, with the birds singing. If anyone is looking for a book to read I can very much recommend "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee. That's all for now.

November

It's November and it's sunny and warm. Shorts-warm. In November. That's nice.

Today I drove to Santa Maria for a job interview for a temporary holiday job. The drive is around 30 minutes. Speaking of driving, I'm thinking that it's time to get my California driver's license. I'll see if I can get that done this week. Compared to the mega-undertaking that it is to get a license in Sweden this seems to be a much shorter process. And a lot cheaper. It will cost me all of $27. Unless I fail the driver's test, in which case I will have to pay...$5...for each new try. And then the Department of Motor Vehicles gives me a brand new Audi. Well, last part about the Audi not true, but the rest is.

Sunny greetings!

Sunday afternoon

Even though there are still 9 uncontained fires in California it seems like the situation is gradually cooling down. Yesterday it rained here in Lompoc, and it was more than a drizzle. Today, after the rain, the juniper bushes in the back garden smells stronger than usual in the sun light. It's a warm, sunny and lazy Sunday.

Tomorrow I'm going down to LA for an interview. I will be taking the train from Goleta, which is a way for me to avoid the traffic and not have to worry about parking.

I hope you are all doing well!

California Wildfires

The California Wildfires have now forced the evacuation of almost 1 million residents. There are some videos here.

The fire closest to us in the Santa Ynes valley is contained, according to this article, but the sky is hazy from smoke and you can still smell it in the air this morning. For an overview of the fires go here.

It has been very dry in California for a long time and the strong Santa Ana Winds have caused the fires to spread rapidly. Hopefully there will be a change in the weather soon.

I will keep you updated.

Babies

A State Observed would like to issue a big and heartfelt welcome to Abigail and Eleanor!


And congratulations to Ben and Nicki! I hope you are all doing well and that you get some sleep in between feeding and diaper changing.

Day of the Cinnamon Bun

Today the 4th of October is the Day of the Cinnamon Bun. So in celebration of this tasty treat I invite you to have a fika with me, even though it might have to be in spirit. We can call it a long distant fika.