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Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html

Monday, June 7, 2021

Special Mushroom Friends Don and Donna Richards

 We both flew to San Francisco, California on Wednesday, March 6 of 1985, and got picked up by one of the  Pescadero mushroom farm people; Ed Zoliniak.
Pieter had to do a farm review for Campbell Soup.
We did not get dropped off at a hotel, but instead at the home of the manager... Don Richards or Daddy Don as he affectionately got called. 
His wife Donna was partly paralyzed... she toured me around on my very 1st visit in October 1983 and we'd gathered at their home before going to dinner at the Shadowbrook restaurant in Capitola, California.
~
We got the home key on Thursday, and also their Ford LTD, for going to the farm till noon and then to the Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton together. 
A HUGE Redwood tree...
Even both of us together still do dwarf in front of this Redwood giant...
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean
Admiring a spring garden, probably at The Greenhouse in Soquel, California.
Flowers and plants always make me so happy...
My blouse from Hungary with hand embroidery blended in well here.
Don Richards, the Pescadero mushroom farm manager with his wife Donna and Pieter before they left with us, back to the SF airport for our flight...
Flying to San Diego for the 5th North American Mushroom Conference.
Don, me and Donna Richardson
So glad that I did clean on Friday, all outside lower windows for Donna, as she could not do such chores.
Donna went to heaven early September of 1988 when Don lived at 1393 Pleasant Hill Street in Escondido, CA 92026
Wish one of their children or grandchildren would read this!


Related post:
My First Trip to California, Santa Cruz | previous post where I mention my lunch with Donna Richards

26 comments:

  1. Amazing how big those trees grow. Lovely photos.

    God bless, Mariette.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Victor,
      Yes, some people's heart grows tremendously big and so do Redwoods!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  2. Hello Mariette, Those redwoods certainly are awe-inspiring. I think that any one who has anything to do with making environmental decisions should be required to visit the redwood forests first. It is a great shame that your friend had to be stricken and lost at an early age--she looks like a nice woman.
    --Jim

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Jim,
      She and her husband were extremely kind and let us hope one of their children or grands will read this.
      Redwoods are indeed the best for teaching people about growing and nature. Sadly it seems that those California wildfires have destroyed a great part of them.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  3. What a lovely visit, Mariette. The redwoods are incredible, it would have been awe-inspiring to see them.

    How kind of you to help them out with the cleaning of the windows. I'm sure they deeply appreciated it. Is her husband still alive, or do you know? It would be amazing if you could track down a family member!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Kim,
      Yes, a lovely visit and so much kindness! They had a son with kidney problems whom they talked to daily by phone. Just incredibly loving and caring people. Cleaning the windows for her was just a little thing for doing for them. She had a hard time sitting on a stool in the shower in the morning, for getting dressed... all on her own as he'd left already for work. Life at times is not easy for some! But still she was so caring and giving and recalling her taking me in October 1983 to several places made me even more grateful, seeing her decline in health so rapidly.
      We doubt he is still alive, don't think so but indeed, tracking down a family member would be wonderful.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  4. Gosh the giant redwood trees are stunning Mariette, excellent pics to show perspective. What an astounding age they must be! Special memories of Donna for you here in these shots and yes, would be wonderful if her children and grandchildren could read your post, is there anyway you could contact them, Facebook seems to be the way these days ✨

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Grace,
      Even though it is awfully hard for capturing any picture due to the shade in those Redwood State Parks, we are happy with these memories.
      Hoping indeed that someone will find the connection. Have it also on my FB Page which is open to the public, let's hope for the best.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  5. Oh Mariette ... what a huge smile I have pasted on my face! You and Pieter look like kids up against that tree! I love this post.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Helen,
      And that is exactly how we felt; feeling so ecstatic about all the love and care by those people; giving us the key of their home + their car. Incredible memories!
      We did manage to go back to that Redwood State Park together on February 2 of 2001.
      Fondest memories...
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  6. Un viaje muy bueno en el que has disfrutado de un lugar precioso. El mar tan cercano y esas preciosas flores , es un buen reclamo para poder estar.

    Por cierto, los colores del bordado de la camisa, combina muy bien con el color del pantalón. Estás bien conjuntada y luces muy bien.

    Besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Querida Antónia,
      Muchas gracias por tu cumplido y tal vez no lo sabías, pero estudié moda como mi principal educación. Supongo que se queda contigo toda tu vida.
      Los recuerdos de esta estancia son preciosos!
      Abrazos,
      Mariette

      Delete
  7. I enjoy seeing these photos. Such wonderful memories! I think the third one, with the ocean background, is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Peter,
      Thank you and yes, those are wonderful memories!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  8. My goodness dear friend, how small you two loo0k next to that amazing tree ! Such gorgeous picture you always share and the memories are outstanding. I'm sure you guys transport each other to those times by just looking at your incredible photo albums, of your most amazing trips by the sea, as here and those flowers !
    Thank you darling for sharing, I so enjoy your posts.
    Muchos abrazos,
    Fabby

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Fabby,
      Thank you, and yes, those HUGE Redwood trees were quite overwhelming for both of us on our first ever encounter.
      It is good for reliving our best years but we are never looking into any photo album. All digitalized and in files by country and by year.
      Pieter enjoys reading my posts on his iPadPro.
      Glad you enjoy them and muchos abrazos para ti,
      Mariette

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. Dearest Jo-Anne,
      So happy to share them with all those that never saw such giants of trees as well as generous and caring friends.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  10. I noticed your beautiful blouse right away. Still mind blowing that you have so many fresh memories and wonderful photos of your time and travels from so many years ago. I'm going through old pictures here and sometimes I can't even remember who the people are in them or how we even knew them. :/ Wish I'd documents things a little better. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Tammy,
      After having mastered many mega tasks of digitalizing all slides, photos, scrapbooks, home videos, and due to my dbl closed pelvic bone fracture I finally scanned all our letters and with our diary this is enough for writing many books. So grateful for it, even for having had that pelvic bone fracture.
      Big hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  11. I Just Love Checking In Here - Always Such A Treat - Delight Photos Once Again - Sending Positive Vibes Your Way

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Travis,
      Thank you and this at least was closer to your region... But we both have always loved nature and its adventures.
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete
  12. Nice! I know the areas very well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dearest Debby,
      Thank you and this is very special for you, glad I connected this to your region!
      Hugs,
      Mariette

      Delete

Thanks for your visit and comment.

Mariette...

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MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS © 2009. All rights reserved - Text and images may not be copied for distribution or sale.

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