Johanna's Blog

Baby Brody

2008-12-07T12:53:00.000-08:00

I have to update this, I have been away way too long.

My beautiful niece Katy has started a blog to keep the familia up to date on baby Brody's mischief and mayhem.

I love my family. They are awesome.

2006-07-09T09:15:00.000-07:00

Hazy days of summer

2006-07-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

New Who tattoo. New Who album. New attitude on life and many new and exciting opportunities. Hopefully, this weekend, a new vehicle too!

But, I still miss the lazy days of summer made hazy with pot smoke swirling around (looking around making sure my teens aren't reading this), Led Zeppelin and even more, The Who playing loud, records crackling. Who's Next. Tommy, Quadrophenia. Even Who Are You. Sun burned. Broke. Free, in more ways then I knew at the time. Life seemed like it stood still. How I sometimes wish it did. The thought never even entered my mind if Pete and Roger would or should ever give up playing. Life did move on and we , at times reluctantly, all grew up. For those of us that survived, it only hurts when we think of the ones that we lost. At the time, I guess I seriously believed we'd *all* die before we got old.

...snap back to reality...today's reality. I LOVE the new music I've heard, Mirror Door and even more Mike Post Theme. Technology of today is amazing. The grid.

Pete looks good doesn't he? A real good looking boy. Happy, but not too happy. Cool. Describes myself mostly, happy but not too happy. Roger sounds great too. Techology, for better or worse,

Good times, good times.

2006-06-19T19:32:00.000-07:00

Venice Beach.

My kids and I had such a wonderful time. I got a new tattoo, we met some interesting people. We got lots of cheap doo dads. Lots of memories.

Karma, Archers and basketball

2006-04-09T08:46:00.000-07:00

Saggitarious' Unite!!!

This is me and my oldest son, his birthday is 12/14 and mine 12/15.

Joe is starting basketball again. I love to watch him play basketball. I don't know what it is. As a 12 year old, he is often uncomfortable in his skin. But, not on the basketball court!! I am so proud of him. Can you tell?

Last night we watched "Crash", best picture of the 2005. It was an incredible movie. Irony and Karma. Karma and Irony.

At first I thought it was strictly about racism, but the underlying theme is karma.

Christians don't like to use the work karma. Karma isn't God's plan. Or is it? I think it is. As a Christian, I believe if I desire to achieve good karma, I will be walking on His path, because I believe that will create the good karma.

Anyway, I think Matt Dillon and Brandon Fraser are hot. I have a short attention span. No wonder my karma is dodgy at best.

I love being a Sagg.

2006-03-07T19:55:00.000-08:00

I'm taking a much needed break

2006-02-05T02:48:00.000-08:00

Rest. Relax. Re-focus. Re-juvenate. Lots of "re-words". Just kick me when they get to LA.

2006-02-03T05:23:00.000-08:00

This was written in response to nay-sayers who "doubt they'll go and see the Who because either:
1. Keith is dead or
2. both Keith and John are dead...
3. ...Pino is playing bass,
4. It isn't 1970 anymore or
5. Pete and Roger aren't in their 20's anymore or
6. it will have festival seating and pot smoke makes them sick or
7. it won't have festival seating and they need pot smoke to be happy or
8. Not enough new music, if any or
9. they don't care that there isn't new music but sick of same old set list
10. don't care what the set list is because the show is < (greater then) 200 miles from their driveway.
11. or, it is close to home but tickets are too expensive or
12. just any damn reason they can think of just to complain about the Who because they have practically made a career of it.

I guess it is all how you look at the guys in the Who.

If one looks at them as *God's* of rock and roll, then suddenly again they appear on stage, less then that, it really shatters that perspective and breaks the unearthly pedestal that they have unfairly been put on.

If one looks at them as very talented fellow human beings, then they see that they have aged a bit, like we have, yet they didn't crawl up in a ball, hide under a rock and disappear, like some fans think (and wish) they should.

I thank the guys for not hiding that. I support them for still rocking. I applaud Pete for still writing. I think he is avery, very talented artist and still has something relevant to say in his music and art and I want to experience it. It may not be the "Young Man Blue's" these days, but I couldn't "feel it" if it were. When Pete and Roger are up there with their grey hair and aches and pains, I feel very much united with them. We have traveled a long road together (not together, together, but you know what I mean). Times have changed. We must move on.
We aren't in touch with reality if we honestly expect them to come out and: Pete smash his guitar, do frightening, angry jumps and lurches (wait, he still does, doesn't he?), Roger to growl and swing and fight passionately sing his way through each song (I think he still does that too though), or for John and Keith to raise from the dead and deliver the thunder and lightening like they did back in the day.

Then, if they don't, the fans mope and complain their gods have let them down, DAMN THEM!!! How dare they not stay EXACTLY how they were in the 70's!!! How dare they listen to a large segment of their fan base and continue to perform!!! How dare they not crawl up in a ball and hide for the rest of our lives not contributing anything musical or artistic ever again!!!
How dare they!!!

So, all of those, who think that Pete and Roger have no business on stage anymore should practice what they preach and never do what makes them feel good again. Never do what you are/were good at anymore. Please don't even TRY and re-incarnate something that might resemble ANYTHING you have ever done in the past. Because there might be people who will be thoroughly disappointed in you when they find out you are no longer in your prime (as society views prime, not I, Jo).

Damn those boys for not dying before they got old DAMN IT!!!!

Ahhh..that old angry Who fan, raises her head, in honor of the boys in the band.

Ebay - please contact me!!!

2006-01-19T05:43:00.000-08:00

I swear I was just slummin' it, couldn't afford to buy real food for dinner, and God must have heard my prayers. I was flippin' the grilled cheese in the skillet, when I looked down. I blinked a few times, because I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I thought maybe I was hallucinating. Maybe a someone slipped me a mickey in my coffee at work.

But, low and behold, Pete's face was really grilled up on my kids grilled cheese sandwich!!!!

I might be rich now!!! No more grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner!! Ok, well, maybe once in a while. They are a tasty treat. Ketchup kids?

!!!!

2006-01-06T21:11:00.000-08:00

I have been around enough to know that what goes up, must come down.

But, having known the lowest of lows, I am feeling jubilant at how things are going.

I think my "experiment" is working. I took a huge leap of faith, and huge step out of my comfort zone and I really think it is paying off.

I have the momentum, now I am going to keep it going.

Thanks for all the support I've gotten for all my friends cyber and non-cyber alike!!

2006 is going to be a great year!!!

Introducing Tommy Milkshakes and other things that make me smile

2006-01-04T06:36:00.000-08:00

Up top is a bad picture of my new kitten "tommy milkshakes". He is the most rambuxious kitten I've known. But, I love him.

Below TM is two of my 3 musketeers. They try and be gangsta...how rude!! I love them so much.

And the last photo is me with Roey, I just love this picture. Roey used to to in The Who Show but now has another band "dizzy riders". He is very talented, cute and the night this picture was taken, he was sweet and warm :). I loved this show, I think it was the best I'd seen him in. I wish him the best of luck in his band. http://www.myspace.com/thedizzyriders. I will be checking them out in 2006.

Anyway, just wanted to share some things that make me happy.

Quadrophenia Tribute

2005-12-26T10:19:00.000-08:00

I had so much fun on this night. These pictures were from after the show. I wanted to get a picture with my friend Mike Bisch who plays The Ox in The Who Show, but didn't have my camera ready.

Please watch the 5 minute video sample. I wish it showed more of The Who Show and Jimmy (the best part of the whole play) and less of the dirty dancing girls, but oh well.

It would be a horrible tragedy if this show didn't go on the road. It is brilliant.

http://www.quadtribute.com/mpeg/Quad%20Video.mpg

http://www.quadtribute.com

Random Thoughts on Christmas 2005

2005-12-25T16:15:00.000-08:00

Tommy Milkshakes Johnson!!

That is the name of the newest member of my family. He is a cute little kitten, all white with a smear of orange tabby 'tween his ears.

Today is Christmas 2005. The candles are burning and I am breaking in my new ipod right now. I filled it up with my favorite music. Right now listening to Old Red Wine.

I hate that John had to leave us.

I am also listening to Who by Numbers....bought it on itunes. How many times have I purchased that album?? hahaha...MANY!!

When I met my first love, that was *our album*...we listened to it while we feel in love, that was many, many years ago. Sniff. I wonder what he is doing right now? I wish him only the best, he deserves it.

2005-12-10T20:19:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays from The Johnsons

2005-12-04T18:03:00.000-08:00

This year started with me going to a vocational college, graduating and has ended with me moving to a new town and starting a new career.

It has been what I keep calling an “adventure”. The kids successfully changed schools and have adjusted pretty darn well. With the help of my brother, we moved into a cute “European” style apartment (read SMALL), but home is where the heart is and this place has a lot of heart.

My dream was to move back to the ocean, and that dream came true. We go as often as we can. The kids love the water and I am an obsessive rock/shell collector. I want to teach them the beauty of the ocean and the beach (one of the things my parents lovingly taught me) and not just what the ocean has to offer during the day. We love to watch the sun dip below the horizon. We go a lot when it is cold and blustery and fogged in. We go at night and build bonfires and of course we also enjoy the beauty of a sunny, warm day too.

We have had to take a short break in our hobby of being beachcombers because Joshua broke his ankle, but he got his cast removed and hopefully it will continue to heal.

My prayer is that this life will shape the kids to be strong adults and not take things for granted. We have so much to be thankful for. The time is going by so quickly. I have mixed feelings of dread and excitement about the day they are adults. I know that in a blink of an eye, they will be off to live their own lives.

As you can see, other then a change in careers, “I” haven’t changed much. I am still fighting the good fight while trying to keep my feet on the ground and my head out of the clouds. I did get my first tattoos (2) this year, both I am very proud of. The first celebrates my love of music and the second celebrates my children, my new career and…it is just really cool.

So, here’s to a Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2006.

Cheers!!

Johanna, Jackie, Joe and Josh Johnson

TGIF!

2005-12-02T05:39:00.000-08:00

My favorite day of the week.

Some people that make me smile:

Oh Lord, I feel like I am dying.

2005-12-01T05:51:00.000-08:00

I seriously do.

I am more then a little concerned right now with what is wrong with my body. My kids got a flu shot last week, and I feel like I got the flu!

I really, really, REALLY need to take better care of myself. I get enough sleep. I am active just because I work full time and care for 3 kids. I think it is the food I choose to put in my body. I do eat some healthy food, but I eat tons of junk, I have no discipline.

I wonder if it is just plain stress though. They say stress is a killer, and I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders.

I better end this post and get ready for work. If I can just make it until this weekend, hopefully, I can recover. Please, anyone who prays, will you send up a prayer for me and my kids?

Bless you.
Johanna

Family time - Apple Butter

2005-11-26T11:06:00.000-08:00

Every year, I like to make homemade Apple Butter with my kids, can it and give it out to my friends and loved ones. This is the perfect weekend for it. So, I thought I'd share this tradition with anyone who is interested. This isn't my own recipe, I change year to year, for some variety. I believe that heaven must smell like Apple Butter, because it is such a wonderful, warm, cozy scent, the perfect way to make my home feel holiday-ish. Some years, I will travel to Julian for special apples, but time does not permit.

This is this years recipe:

Apple Butter is an American Classic. It is a lovely spread for bread, crackers and as a dip for fruits. Nothing tastes better than a slice of piping hot bread, fresh from the bread maker, spread with a heavy covering of Apple Butter.

Ingredients:
15 or so medium sized tart apples (four or five pounds) - Macintosh are nice.
4 cups apple juice or cider
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups sugar

Wash, core and quarter apples. It is not necessary to peel the apples. Place the apples in a large kettle or Dutch oven along with the juice or cider. Bring to a boil then cover the mixture and simmer for about 30 minutes, making sure to stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Now press the mixture through a sieve or a food mill. Return about 10 cups back to the Dutch Oven. Stir in sugar, and spices (and everything nice). Bring to a boil and then reduce heat yet again. Leave uncovered and over very low heat cook for about one and a half hours until mixture is very thick. Be sure to stir periodically and frequently to prevent burning on the bottom.

Here is the canning part: Spoon apple butter into hot, sterilized canning jars (pint or half-pint do nicely). Leave 1/4 inch head-space. Wipe rims and adjust lids. Place in a boiling-water canner for 5 to 10 minutes (5 minutes for half-pints, 10 minutes for full pints from the time the water begins to boil). Carefully take jars from canner and allow them to cool on racks. The result is about 4 pints. So double up on recipe for bigger batches!

Today is a new day

2005-11-26T03:13:00.000-08:00

I just want to thank Rachel Fuller for making today a much better day filled with a renew'd sense of hope and yesterday just a bad memory.

Rachel Fuller is a class act.

Ya know what is cool? Rarely does it register in my mind that Rachel is involved with The Who. I mean, I love Pete, Roger, Keith, John, Zak, Pino, Simont, Rabbit, etc. Heck, I have a tattoo of them on my leg! So, it wouldn't be a bad thing if I related her to The Who. But, she is like a breath of fresh air, that blows out the funk of yesterday!

Bless you Rachel.