Author Archives: Ask Ms Mandi

Haunted House on Main Street

18 Friday Sep 2015

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Haunted House on Main Street

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This picture may not look like much, but where the ruined foundation crumbles, use to sit a beautiful house. The location is spectacular with its city views. This place sits on the top of Main Street.

When you walk up to the foundation it’s apparent how the fire started. The trees are still charred, It looks like a gas explosion. There are many stories on how the fire started, but it’s still a mystery on what story is true…perhaps we will never know.

Needless to say, you do get an eerie feeling walking around the property. It’s unknown why the city hasn’t cleaned up the remains, since it has been there for so many years. I did hear that it was deemed haunted by a paranormal company and therefore; the site must be untouched.

But who really knows…it may be only gossip, but definitely a great place to visit…especially around Halloween.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright: September 2015

Always Remembering 911

10 Thursday Sep 2015

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Always Remembering 911…

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September 11, 2001.  I remember the day as if it were yesterday.  I remember walking into my house around 8:30 am, turning on the television, and watching in horror as the second airplane crashed into the Twin Towers.

The thing that struck me most odd that morning was watching the individual white sheets of paper flutter around the streets of New York, thousands and thousands of paper.  I remembered thinking who had touched them, who had just recently stored them into the filing system, who was missing them?  It was an eerie thought to wonder about these thousands of sheets of papers coming from the Twin Towers.  I do not know why this particular image has stayed in my mind for all these years, but it has.  Perhaps my mind needed to fixate onto something less horrific than watching a city fall apart to an awful bout of terrorism.  The images we endured that day will forever be stuck in our minds.

September 11th is a very special and memorable day to my family and I because we named our second daughter after a Naval Contractor who had died on September 11th in the Pentagon.  We named her Julian Cooper.  She reminds us every year on 911 of the loss, we as individuals, families, and as a nation, had to endure on that fateful day fifteen years ago on September 11, 2001.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 11, 2012

Happy Birthday Mandi…

07 Monday Sep 2015

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Happy Birthday Mandi…I still miss you every day!

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Who really is Ask Ms Mandi? A picture says a thousand words. RIP Mandi September 2005. Mandi was my devoted, lovable, and faithful Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

We had 12 wonderful years with her before she passed away from jaw cancer. It was one of the hardest things to watch as our sweet dog starting dying in front of our eyes, knowing we could do nothing to save her.

I know, you’re probably thinking, a dog….. inspired you, but she did. My boyfriend at the time bought her for me when she was only 5 weeks old, we had to bottle feed her for the first couple weeks of her life. I guess you could say that she was our first-born; after all, she was bottle fed.

Subsequently, she was the cutest, fattest puppy that I had ever seen. She instantly became my heart. A dog’s love and devotion is unconditional, without judgement. Why wouldn’t she be my inspiration for this WEBSITE?

Written & Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 2015

A Walk up Barrow Hill

03 Thursday Sep 2015

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A Walk up Barrow Hill…
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It’s 1692, Abigail reaches out for the wall…something to steady herself. She hasn’t eaten in days and the lack of nourishment is starting to have a negative effect on her. The child inside her belly stirs. The baby is hungry too.

Desperation and anxiety, grip her heart like a vice. She had made mistakes, but had always been a good woman. But lies seemed to be stronger than the truth.

After all, it had become a mass hysteria.

She heard her name called from just outside her cell door. The journey was about to begin. The walk up Barrow Hill.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 2015

Winter in Palm Springs

01 Tuesday Sep 2015

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Winter in Palm Springs…

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I took this photo a few years back in Palm Springs, CA. I have the original hanging in my dining room. The photo is a black and white, but the original hotel was a pale green. This was a popular color in the 1930’s, when I believe this hotel was built.

The instant I saw this hotel, I fell in love with the architecture of it. There was just something haunting about it that drew me in. I kept expecting to see someone looking out the open window.

Sadly, they tore the old hotel down a few years ago…to build something new. I wish the city officials would keep some of our old architecture…it creates character in our cities.

Winter in Palm Springs…so enchanting.

Written & Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright September 2015

Any Plans for Labor Day?

27 Thursday Aug 2015

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Any Plans for Labor Day?

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Labor Day is sneaking up on us. What are your plans? Do you wish to visit the tranquility of the ocean or the solitude of the Redwood Forest? Or maybe somewhere in between.

A quiet creek is always a great solution. Why not visit the Whitney Portals in the High Sierra Mountains, just 250 miles East of Riverside County. It’s a nice hike and always an adventure.

Written & Photography By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright August 2015

Dear Daddy…

25 Tuesday Aug 2015

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Ms Mandi Photo 1

Dear Daddy…it’s me. I haven’t seen you in a while. I miss you…why don’t you ever call me? Why don’t you write to me? It’s okay, I understand. I know you have other things to think about…more important things.

I was thinking…do you remember when I was a little girl and I couldn’t wait for you to get home from work? It felt like I waited all day for you to return home. I was so proud of you. I knew you loved me because you went to work to give me things. You told me this.

You bought me a bike, clothes, and you even built me a swing to play on. This was my favorite present because you made it out of love and it hung from my favorite tree in the backyard.

That was special. I felt so loved and knew you loved me. But then I grew up and things started to change. You and mommy started to argue all the time and you would storm out of the house mad, staying away for days.

Then one day, you didn’t come home anymore. Mommy said you wouldn’t be living with us anymore, but that you still loved me and always would. She explained that adult problems were not my problem and that you loved me even if you weren’t going to live with us anymore.

I believed her and I believed you, but you lied. You say we gave up on you, but in reality, you gave up on us…on me. You lied to me…but like I said, I understand. Do you know why? I understand because love is forgiving and you are my daddy and always will be…I just wished you knew this and tried to love me…just a little.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright August 2015

Visiting San Francisco

22 Saturday Aug 2015

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Visiting San Francisco…

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I know I always say that this place and that place are my favorite places to visit…but San Francisco is truly one of my favorite spots in the world. If you ever visit California or already live in our Golden State, you must visit San Francisco.

Haight and Ashbury are a blast from the past. Walking down the streets is as if you are still living during the 1960’s. Jim Morrison, from the Doors and Jimi Hendrix appear to still be living, as you look up and into their faces on the side of buildings.

The Wharf and Pier 39 have all the shopping you could ever imagine, while you’re waiting for your boat trip across the bay to the legendary Alcatraz island. Alcatraz is a must see.

Union Square is for the more savvy shopping goer. It’s beautifully lined streets, looking up to the high rises; such as, Juicy Contour, Nordstrom and Ghirardelli Chocolates.

And we can’t forget the Financial District. This is where success is created.

Make sure you pack your shorts, sweaters, and jackets…you never know what the weather will be like in San Francisco…it’s as unpredictable as your decisions on where you should go to next in the great city of San Francisco.

Written & Photography By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright August 2015

LONE PINE LAKE

20 Thursday Aug 2015

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LONE PINE LAKE

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Do you like to hike? Lone Pine Lake is at the Whitney Portals, in the mountains of Lone Pine, California. The hike is spectacular. Beware, the hike is definitely not for the weak at heart. Bring plenty of water and healthy snacks, such as jerky and dried nuts and fruits, for this 2.5 hour hike up can wear down your energy level. Not only is the altitude a challenge, but the steep terrain keeps you on your toes.

Once you are almost at the lake, you will be amazed that there is actually a lake up there in the mountains, surrounded by trees. Once you walk out of the clearing, you will see the beautiful oasis, called Lone Pine Lake (the first lake).

If you want to go up even further, you will find the second lake. And at the top of the mountain is Mt. Whitney. However, the hike to the top is for advanced hikers with the proper equipment.

Have fun!

Written & Photograph By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright August 2015

Featured Author

18 Tuesday Aug 2015

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A Walk up Barrow Hill:

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As the phone rang in the next room, chills crept up my spine to the nape of my neck…sending shivers down my arms.

I knew, even before answering the phone, who was on the other end. I had always had that sick sense of knowing who was calling before the phone actually started ringing. I don’t know what you would call it, but it still unnerved me.

“Rose, what’s wrong, Honey?” I asked with confidence.
“It’s happening again…Oh God, it’s happening again, Anna.” Before I could answer, the phone went dead.

Written By: Ask Ms Mandi
Copyright August 18, 2015