My Art 2

Doodling

Adding randomly doodled lines to a
simple pumpkin drawing brings it up to the next level.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I've been drawing little doodles for as long as I can remember. You could find them everywhere: scraps of paper, book pages, tablets, sticky notes, and I have binders filled with doodles. Even now, while traveling full-time, I still doodle on every inch of clean paper I can find.

Sometimes it’s an animal or a face; other times, just lines and squiggles. As a kid, I used to fill entire pages with intricately intertwined lines. My dad liked them so much that he talked about having me paint one of these designs on his motorcycle’s gas tank. I’m sorry I never did.

Back in 1990, I attended the Police Academy. We had lessons on multiple subjects every day for weeks on end. Some were very interesting and mentally challenging, while others were mind numbingly boring! I still have my handouts and books from those days (in storage), and if you were to look through them today, you’d see right away which classes were boring, every margin is filled with doodles!

Years after the academy, I read an article claiming that doodling can actually help keep your mind from wandering during those snooze-fest presentations. Apparently, my brain knew this long before the research came out, saving me from nodding off and failing those classes! 

Since then, I’ve read multiple sources that say doodling helps reduce daydreaming and keeps your mind focused on the task at hand. Better focus helps with processing and retaining information. Lord knows I can use all the help I can get with that!

You can doodle most anywhere!

"I'm not doodling; I'm 'graphically recording' my boredom."- Anonymous

(see more of my scribbles below)

If you're interested in learning more about how doodling can boost concentration and retention, here are some great resources provided by ChatGPT:

1.  Psychology Today
Psychology Today frequently publishes articles that synthesize research on mental processes, including the benefits of doodling. Articles often reference studies and include insights from psychologists like Jackie Andrade and others in the field.

o   Website: psychologytoday.com

2.  TED Talks
Sunni Brown’s TED Talk, “Doodlers, unite!” is an excellent overview of why doodling can enhance focus and memory. TED.com also features talks by other cognitive researchers on related topics.

o   Website: ted.com

3.  American Psychological Association (APA)
APA's website often includes articles on cognitive research and educational psychology, sometimes covering the value of doodling for learning and focus. You can search their database for related research summaries.

o   Website: apa.org

4.  Harvard Business Review (HBR)
Harvard Business Review often publishes accessible articles on productivity and cognitive strategies for professionals, including the benefits of doodling during meetings or learning sessions.

o   Website: hbr.org

5.  The Doodle Revolution by Sunni Brown (Blog and Resources)
Sunni Brown’s website includes resources, blog posts, and references related to her research on doodling’s cognitive benefits, including increased retention and focus.

o   Website: sunnibrown.com

These websites often explain scientific studies in more accessible language, making them good places to explore if you’re interested in learning more about how and why doodling can support concentration and learning.

The start of the pumpkin from the top of the page.
Just an easy and simple form that becomes more intricate
with a few lines and a dash of color.

This scribble...

...becomes this, and eventually...

...becomes a little fairy in an illustration
for the story I've written for my granddaughter.

A collection of doodles that went on to be
illustrations for my granddaughters story.

Start to finish on one of my line doodles.

I used alcohol ink pens in fiery colors and
then drew random swirls n curls!

I've been asked if this is tedious and boring,
but honestly I find it relaxing.

Is it time consuming? Depending on the size
and amount  of detail it certainly can be.

But in the end you have an extremely easy piece of art
that looks pretty cool!

HAPPY DOODLING!

Endangered Animals

 

Life in Our Oceans

Earth’s five oceans—the Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, and Arctic—cover over 70% of the planet. Studies estimate that these waters are home to between 18,000 and 35,000 species of fish, adding up to a staggering 3.5 trillion individual fish. While exact numbers are hard to verify due to factors like reproduction and fishing, it’s clear that our oceans are teeming with life.

In the northern part of the Gulf of California, a small region of the Pacific Ocean, lives the totoaba fish. This species inhabits shallow waters and estuaries in an area of about 11,600 square miles—smaller than Lake Superior. Totoaba grow up to 6 feet long and can weigh as much as 220 pounds.

Totoaba

Cocaine of the Sea

The totoaba was once plentiful in the Gulf of California, but its numbers have plummeted, leading Mexico to place it on the Endangered Species List in 1975. International protections followed, with the U.S. listing it as endangered by 1979. The totoaba has the distinction of being the first fish to be placed on the endangered species list. The species is federally protected in both the US and Mexico, meaning it is illegal to take, possess, transport, or sell totoaba.

The totoaba’s decline is driven by human greed. Often called the “cocaine of the sea,” its swim bladder, known as "fish maw," is highly prized in traditional Chinese medicine for its supposed health benefits, including improving circulation and skin health. It’s also considered a luxury delicacy, often used in high-end dishes and soups. The value of a single swim bladder is estimated to be $25,000.

Totoaba swim bladders for sale in a Chinese marketplace. 

Totoaba in China

 The totoaba’s popularity in China grew through historical maritime trade routes. Though native only to the Gulf of California, Chinese merchants discovered the fish might have medicinal properties. Over time, its swim bladder became a sought-after ingredient in both medicine and cuisine, and the black market for it has flourished in recent decades due to its status as a luxury item.

 The Impact of Illegal Fishing

 The totoaba are often caught using illegal gillnets, and factors like weak law enforcement, cartel involvement, and poor surveillance have worsened the decline of the species. Totoaba inhabit a small area near impoverished fishing communities, where the profits from illegal fishing are hard to resist.

In October 2023, at the port of San Luis, Arizona, officials seized 109 pounds of totoaba swim bladders concealed in frozen fish fillets, with an estimated value of $1.3 million. This was the second such seizure in the same year; in April 2023, another bust recovered swim bladders valued at $2.7 million.

The Domino Effect

Fishermen hunting for totoaba use gillnets, which are fishing nets that hang vertically in the water, trapping the totoaba by their gills as they try to swim through the mesh. The gillnet isn’t selective in its prey and traps more than just the totoaba. This fishing practice has caught and caused the near extinction of another species, the vaquita, a member of the porpoise family.

The vaquita, also called the “Panda of the Sea” because of the black markings around its lips and eyes, is the smallest species of porpoise. They typically grow to about 4 to 5 feet in length and weigh between 90 to 120 pounds. Females tend to be slightly larger than males. Their small size and shy nature make them elusive and difficult to observe, which has limited the amount of information scientists have been able to gather about them.

Vaquita Crisis

In 1997, the vaquita population was a mere 567. There was a documented decline from 1997 to 2012. Then in 2013, the black market demand for totoaba increased exponentially, and the use of gillnets continued. Vaquitas become entangled in the nets, unable to surface for air, and they drown. Each death brings the species closer to extinction.

Mexico has made the use of gillnets illegal in the northern end of the Gulf of California, home to both the totoaba and the vaquita. Unfortunately, illegal activity continues as fishermen cannot afford, and have not been provided with, vaquita-safe fishing methods or alternative job opportunities. Making the profits from catching the totoaba difficult to resist.

Can the Vaquita be Saved?

Several options to save the vaquita have been discussed, but only one has been attempted: a project known as VaquitaCPR, which aimed to capture and protect vaquitas in a controlled environment. In October 2017, scientists captured a female vaquita in the Gulf of California. This was a major part of their plan to establish a breeding population in captivity to save the species from extinction.

However, the attempt ended tragically. The captured vaquita exhibited signs of stress, and despite the team's best efforts, her condition worsened. After intensive care, the female vaquita died shortly after her capture. This event was devastating for conservationists and led to the abandonment of further capture attempts. The vaquita’s extreme sensitivity to stress in captivity, combined with its rapidly dwindling population, left experts with few viable options to save the species.

The failure of this rescue operation highlighted the challenges in protecting such a critically endangered species. Conservation efforts have since shifted focus back to combating illegal fishing practices, especially the use of gillnets that trap vaquitas.

The End is Near

While Mexican authorities have designated the vaquita’s home waters as a Zero Tolerance Area with no fishing allowed, enforcement is difficult and vaquitas are not restricted to that area and can swim outside the zone.

The 2024 annual vaquita survey counted only 6 to 8 vaquitas in the Zero Tolerance Zone. While there is hope that more exist outside the zone—and that is likely—the fact remains that their numbers are so low that we could have lost the very last vaquita as you read this story.

DONATIONS

To help save the totoaba, an endangered fish species found primarily in the Gulf of California, there are several organizations and initiatives focused on its conservation, as well as combating illegal fishing and the bycatch of the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. Donations can go a long way in supporting these efforts. While I have checked the following organizations through Charity Navigator, I always strongly suggest you do your own research before donating.

1. Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

• Sea Shepherd has been actively involved in efforts to protect both the totoaba and the vaquita porpoise. They conduct patrols to stop illegal fishing activities and remove gillnets from the waters.
• Website: Sea Shepherd

2. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF)

• WWF has several programs aimed at marine conservation, including protecting endangered species like the totoaba and vaquita.
• Website: WWF

Donating to any of these organizations can directly support efforts to save the totoaba and its ecosystem. Additionally, spreading awareness about the issue also helps in the fight against illegal fishing.

1970s-Part 2

MORE FROM THE 1970s

BATTLE FOR THE UNIVERSE

Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Released a decade after the original television series wrapped up, this film wasn’t the blockbuster hit the franchise had hoped for, but it certainly paved the way for future movies, TV shows, and a plethora of Star Trek merchandise.

Actress Persis Khambatta took on the role of Lt. Ilia, making history as the first female actress to completely shave her head for a role. I can only imagine the bravery it took—I'd be too scared to try after all my head injuries. Honestly, I have no idea what my melon looks like now!

The best part for me? They brought back the entire original crew for the film! As far as I was concerned, Persis Khambatta and Stephen Collins (who played Captain Willard Decker) were just bit part cameos. 

I once had the incredible chance to meet James Doohan, a.k.a. Scotty, at Northridge Mall in Salinas. For reasons that still baffle me, he was there for the opening of a gym! I was both elated and a bit disappointed. Elated because, duh, it was Scotty! I couldn’t have been more excited to see the living, breathing Mr. Scott! But my disappointment hit when I walked in and saw he had a full beard and mustache—not the look from the one and only original Star Trek of the time. Scotty was always cleanshaven. The real kicker was when he spoke to me, he had no Scottish accent at all—just a regular voice, just like mine! I was stunned to find out he was Canadian, not Scottish at all! But you bet I still snagged an autograph! Where that autograph book is today remains a mystery.

Star Wars. The first film was originally titled just "Star Wars" and later rebranded as "Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope," hit theaters on May 25, 1977, directed by the legendary George Lucas.

This film became a massive box office success, igniting a franchise that includes sequels, prequels, animated series, books, and a mountain of merchandise. It revolutionized the sci-fi genre and popular culture, introducing us to iconic characters, memorable quotes, and a richly crafted universe.

At the box office, "Star Wars" took the number one spot, followed by #2: Smokey and the Bandit, #3: Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and #4: Saturday Night Fever. Surprisingly, I’ve seen all but one of those films! I was too young for one of them when it came out, and as I got older, I just never thought to watch it. Any guesses? Yep, it was Saturday Night Fever starring John Travolta! Although he was great in Welcome Back, Kotter, which debuted in 1975.

While I loved Star Wars, I’m definitely a much bigger Star Trek fan. I know that might be fighting words in some corners of the universe, but in a battle, I’d take a phaser over a lightsaber any day!

A favorite Star Trek line that everyone uses, “Beam me up, Scotty,” was never actually said quite that way on the show. In contrast, the now-iconic phrase “May the Force be with you” was used three times in the 1977 movie Star Wars. It is first spoken by General Dodonna before the Rebel Alliance's attack on the Death Star. Han Solo says it to Luke Skywalker just before the final battle, and Obi-Wan Kenobi shares it with Luke as he prepares to leave for the Death Star. This phrase has truly become a beloved part of the Star Wars legacy!

FAMOUS PEOPLE I’VE MET

Besides James Doohan, I’ve also met both the Lennon Sisters and Alan Hale Jr. (Skipper on Gilligan’s Island), and it all happened in an unusual place—the opening of a bank in Salinas! Mama took us on two different days to meet them. I don’t remember much about meeting the Lennon Sisters, but all I recall about Alan Hale Jr. is that he was very grumpy, which left me a bit disappointed.

Our Mama was a HUGE fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder. She read her books over and over. When the TV series Little House on the Prairie came out, she was in absolute heaven! We watched it as a family every night it aired. The big bonus was that Michael Landon played Pa, and us girls had loved him since Bonanza! I guarantee that if Pa was crying, so was Daddy. We’d all look at him, and he’d be sniffling, telling us, “Well, it’s sad.” He had such a big heart.

In the show, Laura marries Almanzo “Manly” Wilder, played by Dean Butler. I don’t recall what event we were attending, but it took place at Sherwood Hall in Salinas. Dean Butler was in the audience, and Mama wanted to meet him so badly but was extremely bashful, so she sent me instead. I introduced myself, told him my Mama was a huge fan, and pointed her out several rows behind him. Mama went a little crazy, waving like a maniac! He was taken aback but waved back and made her night.

Another time at Sherwood Hall, my mom and I went to a cooking show where Martin Yan from Yan Can Cook was doing a demonstration. We even got samples of his delicious cooking! After the show, we met him, and he autographed his cookbook for me. He found my name (still Candi Apple back then) quite amusing and got a good laugh.

My mom made one of his salads for my dad, and later she told me that Daddy took a bite and looked at her so sadly. Apparently, he was NOT a fan of either arugula or frisée at all! She said he looked so hurt that she would feed it to him. And this was a man who would eat almost any veggie you can imagine!

MORE FROM 70s ENTERTAINMENT

The movie Grease was released in 1978, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. My mom loved the film, but the first time she saw it, she cried. It reminded her of her high school days when she was “thin and popular”—her words—which made her feel a bit melancholy. Back in her teens, my mom was outgoing and even competed in a beauty pageant!

My Mom, Charlotte Apple (nee Hill) a 
contestant for Miss National City 

Other notable movies from the 70s included Alien, The Muppet Movie, and The Jerk, all of which made a splash at the box office. And let’s not forget Jaws! That film had everyone too afraid to go back in the water!

NEW IN THE 70s

The Garfield comic strip debuted in June of 1978, bringing the lovable, lasagna-loving cat to life!

Some of the memorable TV shows that premiered in the 1970s include Battlestar Galactica, Diff’rent Strokes, Taxi, WKRP in Cincinnati, Fantasy Island, Dallas, The Hulk, Three’s Company, and MASH.*

In 1978, both Reese’s Pieces and Speak & Spell were introduced, setting the stage for their important roles in the movie E.T. that would come out several years later!

CLOSE CALL

One afternoon, I was playing outside—something we did most days because we didn’t have cell phones, laptops, video games, or social media. We had acres of land to explore and enjoy! On this particular day, I was leaning against our Volvo, munching on an orange while watching my friends play. I pulled off three sections at once and took a bite that immediately lodged in my throat! I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t talk, and I couldn’t make a peep. All I could do was panic, and I did that very well.

I started running for our front door, and before I even reached the porch, my Daddy came running outside. He quickly turned me around and performed the Heimlich Maneuver to dislodge the orange. It popped right out, and I took a long, deep breath!

The craziest part? My Mama had been sitting on the couch in the living room, reading a book, while Daddy was sound asleep on the floor. Mama later told me she never heard a thing, but Daddy suddenly jumped up from his nap and rushed out the door. So many things saved my life that day: first and foremost, that Daddy was home, and second, that he had recently learned CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver through his work. What made him leap up from a sound sleep, dash outside, and know exactly what I needed? I guess that depends on your beliefs.

I HIGHLY recommend everyone take a course in basic first aid and CPR. A great place to start is at your local Red Cross!

https://www.redcross.org/

A NEW MICROWAVE – OR – EGG ON YOUR FACE

One day, while Mama was out, Daddy came home with a new kitchen appliance that my sister and I had never seen before: a microwave oven! Although microwaves were invented in the mid-40s, the first residential countertop versions didn’t hit the market until 1967, and their real popularity took off in the 70s.

Daddy set this marvel up on our island and began reading through the instructions. He had one of those minds that could comprehend anything technical. Well, the manual clearly stated, “DO NOT BOIL AN EGG” in the microwave—apparently, it just couldn’t be done. Naturally, our dad took that as a challenge and decided to boil an egg in the brand-new microwave. He placed the egg inside, turned it on, and, predictably, the egg exploded all over the inside of the microwave!

Not to be deterred, he figured that maybe the egg needed to be in a glass bowl filled with water. So, after cleaning up the first mess, he gave it another shot… and the egg exploded again! After a second cleanup, Daddy had a breakthrough: he just needed to poke a small hole in the egg before nuking it. Third time's the charm, right? Wrong! The microwave was cleaned up yet again after the third explosion, all so Mama could see her gift without egg bits clinging to the inside.

Even crazier than the whole egg saga was that I remember the microwave came with a long wand you were supposed to periodically wave around the microwave’s door to detect any radiation leaks! We may have risked glowing in the dark, but at least we could have a bowl of hot soup in less than two minutes!

WHEELIN’ & DEALIN’

Our Daddy was quite the horse trader throughout his life. I think that came from never really having a lot of money, so he would bargain and barter for just about everything.

One day, he came home with a big surprise: a home gaming system that included Pong and a dominoes game. We never got any other games for it, but we still had fun playing it occasionally. I’m not sure what he traded for it, but we were the only family I knew of that had one!

On another occasion, he repaired someone’s VW bus, and to pay for the work, the man’s wife, with our dad’s input, designed and made us a beautiful stained-glass hanging lamp for over our dining room table. I still have it today, although since we travel full-time now, the lamp is in storage. It has four sides of glass, in Mama’s favorite color: blue, and each side features one golden apple and one red apple.

HIGH SCHOOL #1 – GO TROJANS

I experienced a life-changing event just before my 14th birthday, which marked the beginning of my journey as a troubled and rebellious teenager. My parents had no idea what was happening to me, and honestly, I didn’t fully understand it myself. I never talked to them, or anyone else,  about it until I was in my 30s. I mention this only to provide some context for the choices I made moving forward.

My first year in high school was challenging because I was so unfocused and self-destructive. I broke my parents’ hearts when I ran away from home for two weeks. I cut many classes and hung out with the wrong crowd, consistently making poor choices.

I struggled in class, had difficulty concentrating on the material, and little interest in learning. It was mutually agreed that I would change high schools the following year.

HIGH SCHOOL #2 – GO VIKINGS

My sophomore year was spent at a different high school, and I was doing better personally. But just when I thought I was getting my act together, I met a boy and made a few more crazy decisions! Just before my 17th birthday, we found out I was pregnant.

Neither of us EVER considered an abortion, but when it came time to tell our parents, it was much easier to share the news with his parents than mine. By the time I mustered the courage to tell my mom, she had already figured it out. She was the one who told my dad, and once again, I broke his heart. He didn’t speak to me for almost two weeks, but eventually, he accepted it. I was his daughter and he loved me. He would come home from work every day and talk to my tummy, saying, “Grandpa, Grandpa,” and then after dinner we would still watch Star Trek together.

DRIVER’S TRAINING

Back in the 70s, Driver’s Training was still taught in schools. For our class, you had to read the driver’s handbook and write a lengthy essay on it. The first ones done with their essay got to be in the first group to drive the training car with an instructor. This was probably the only time in my life that I dedicated every minute to a homework assignment—I wanted my license so badly! The following day, I turned in a 36-page essay and was in the first group to drive. YAY ME!

When I climbed behind the wheel, I was pretty nervous. Adjust the seat—check! Adjust the mirrors—check! Buckle up—check! Have a group of friends watching—check! Have an instructor who doubles as a comedian? Double check! The instructor asked if those were my friends watching, and I told him they were. So, as I nervously backed out of the parking space, he kept hitting the brake on his side of the car, causing the vehicle to jerk to a stop over and over. *SIGH*

With my Driver’s Permit in hand, Mama let me drive our jalopy of a station wagon to school one morning, with her seated next to me. She even let me pick up my boyfriend! I was feeling pretty cool—until I had to stop at an intersection. This station wagon was special: when you stopped, you had to put it in park and keep your foot on the gas so it wouldn’t die. I managed that perfectly, but shifting back into drive turned out to be an issue. To get to park, you had to pass through reverse, which the big ol’ wagon did, it reversed… and bam! I hit the front end of a car. A teacher’s car. A teacher from my high school. *SIGH* Luckily, my boyfriend never said a word. Even luckier? There was no damage to either car!

At some point while I was learning to drive, Mama was hospitalized at Stanford University Medical Center, which was over an hour away from home. Daddy would come home from work exhausted, but we still drove up every day to see Mama. Then Daddy got the crazy idea that I could drive while he napped. The problem? We were in that itty-bitty 1970 Honda N600, which had a manual transmission. I didn’t know how to drive a stick shift!

Now, back then, Highway 101 didn’t go all the way through Gilroy, north of us. The highway ended, and you had to make a couple of turns, ending up on a road affectionately known as “Blood Alley.” Well, it was while on Blood Alley that Daddy thought it would be a good place to switch places… while still driving! As he slid under me, somehow my 6'2½" dad managed to squeeze into the passenger seat and nap while I drove, praying I wouldn’t hit a red light at an intersection, because I’d have to get the car rolling without stalling it! Thankfully, that never happened.

After Mama got out of the hospital, it was time for me to learn to drive a stick. Mama took me to the parking lot of Northridge Mall, before the cinema was built in the far lot. It was the perfect place to learn: wide open spaces and very little traffic. Mama tried her best to teach me, but to no avail. A few days later, Daddy took me there and explained why I needed to push in the clutch, shift gears, and release the clutch—and POW! It suddenly made sense, and I was driving a stick! Mama was not pleased it only took Daddy about an hour to teach me.

Now here’s where it got tricky: I was fine on flat roadways, but toss in a slight incline, and I was done. One day, I found myself stopped on a tiny little incline at an intersection with the highway I needed to get on. Every time I tried to go forward, I either rolled backward or stalled the car. After about five, possibly ten tries, I finally had to switch places with Mama.

The next incident happened at a slightly steeper incline. I was stopped for a red light, already stressed about the hill, when I looked in the mirror and saw a motorcycle at my bumper. When the light turned green, I tried and tried to get up that stupid hill, but the car kept rolling backward! I could see the guy on the bike lift his feet and roll back each time I tried. Eventually, I had to switch places with Mama. So embarrassing! *SIGH*

On my 16th birthday, Grandma and Papa Hill were visiting from San Diego. Papa let me use his car to take my driving test—it was an automatic! When I arrived at the DMV for the driving portion, the instructor asked if I would be okay with another person riding with us to evaluate him. I was 16; what was I going to say to this adult, “No”? So, I had someone evaluating me while he had someone evaluating him!

The guy evaluating me was very stern, speaking clearly and precisely, saying things like, “Turn right at the next corner, at the next corner turn right.” It was freaking me out! I ended up failing my test for going 5 mph over the speed limit at a blind intersection and for backing down the road like a drunken baboon. Needless to say, I was crushed! But I went back the next day to try again. The same instructor came out, and my heart dropped! He got in the car, and we took off. He was unbelievably chill now that he wasn’t being evaluated! He told dumb dad jokes and casually pointed out the directions he wanted me to go—and I passed with flying colors! PHEW!

FYI: almost every vehicle I’ve owned as an adult has had a manual transmission. Once I learned to drive one, they became my favorite!

HIGH SCHOOL #3—GO CONDORS

Through no fault of my own, I was moved to a different high school for my junior year. This time, it was because a newly built school opened up, and I lived in that district. I say "newly built," but the truth is it was still under construction! Juniors were the upperclassmen since there were no seniors attending yet. There were no lockers, and you had to hike over mountains of dirt just to get to some classes.

By this time, I was a few months pregnant and carrying all my schoolbooks while climbing over dirt piles wasn’t exactly easy. But I tried to stick it out. I missed a lot of days of school due to the pregnancy, but I made myself a promise: if I was old enough to have a baby, I was definitely going to get my diploma! I worked harder than I ever had, and even though I missed quite a lot of school, I still made the very first Principal’s Honor Roll List.

Unfortunately, it became increasingly difficult to navigate the campus, so I transferred to a continuation school (HIGH SCHOOL #4—Go… I don’t think there was a mascot). The setup was interesting: I picked up packets of schoolwork once a week, completed the assignments, and returned the packets with my work. It was surprisingly simple! But I still had a year to go.

Quote by Vivian Greene

To be continued…