Ask Luke’s Mother-in-Law: Delayed by NYCC Edition

Martha Boyd is not just Luke’s mother-in-law – she’s also an ex-cop, a landlord, a self-described crazy cat lady, a major Star Trek geek and the widow of a green beret. So go ahead: ask her anything. And we mean anything. Just be polite when you do.

Hi again! Last week out here was busy between work and events. The rock and gem show was 5 days in downtown Joshua Tree, and next on the weekend was the Gubler Orchid Festival out in Landers. I have included pics of the flowers – very pretty this year. This is the start of the tourist season as the weather gets cooler. Soon we will be invaded with all of the rock climbers.

So anyway, just in case any of you are out in the Joshua Tree area next year let me tell you a bit about these first weekend in Oct events that we always have

Generally starting about Wed of the first week in Oct is the Rock and Gem show. It is always held at the Sportman’s Club on Sunburst in town. We have vendors from all over the U.S. selling uncut and cut stones, rocks, jewelery etc. There are always food vendors and plenty to see. This year I counted about 30 vendor booths both inside and outside. And here is the really great part – admission is free. You can just go and wander around. Prices are also very reasonable if you want to start some Christmas shopping. Unfortunately my pictures did not turn out really well, so I did not send them along for Luke to put up for me.

The other event was held in Landers at Gubler’s orchids. Gubler’s is located across the street from the Integritron, which I have mentioned before. For those of you who don’t remember, that is one of our best UFO sites in the area and has a building constructed without any nails which is a sound chamber. There is also a vortex on site which is said to attract aliens. Well, anyway, I am getting off point. But I think Gubler’s picked the location across from the vortex to grow such beautiful orchids. Who would have ever thought that such delicate flowers would grow so well in this very harsh desert?

Gubler’s has been around since as long as I can remember. They ship internationally. There are several large greenhouses on site which are temperature-controlled by very large evaporative coolers – they take up entire walls. Then there are the rows on rows of orchids in verious stages of growth. They even have an area devoted to Venus Flytraps. This year I saw a new plant that was dyed light blue and pink – this would be great for a baby shower gift. Admission is also free; you just have to get out here.

So mark you calendars for next Octobor and come out for these two great events . Now, here we go with the questions:

dnjscott:
Do you know anything about coroners? My daughter wants to be a coroner. It seemed somewhat related to law enforcement so I thought I’d ask.

Good profession. I have seen a couple at work. She will need a good science background, chem, anthropology etc. Any of the forensic sciences. Does she watch Bones on TV? That show is fascinating.

severemile:
Do you like horror movies and if so, what’s your favorite one?

Fav is Rocky Horror. Then I love classics like the Creature from the Black Lagoon. The old Universal Pics horror movies were really great. I liked the first Chucky and Nightmare on Elm St. But a really good one is Ding Dong Dead – that is where Luke met Julia.

LYT:
This may be different considering your husband was part of the business, but what’s the best way to separate personal and professional when you have a home office?

A lock on your office door. It is hard as you never really get away from the business – it is there 24/7 when it is in your house, as you know. We had to put rules in place – like the office closed at 5 pm. We let the answer machine pick up after 5pm etc.

LYT:
Do gyms have special lighting? It seems like I always look better in their mirrors than I do at home.

I would bet that they do, so you will keep coming back and they can keep getting your money. I try to avoid looking in any mirror. I’m lucky that the gym I could join if I really wanted to is about 17 miles away – so I don’t go and the wild outdoors has no mirrors.

GallenDugall:
Have you ever worked with the Feline Bureau of Investigation ? And if so do you have any thoughts on them?

That is so cute. I think my guys might be agents for them. I have also worked with Flowers By Irene. Their van looks back at you.

So, that is all for this week. This weekend I will be visiting with your fearless leader and the boss. Then I have some fun upcoming events. On 10/16 is the second installment of the Joshua Tree international Film Festival. This will be a showing of Skanks. Following that on 10/18 I will be seeing Tarantula starring Leo G Carroll. Hey who says we don’t get the latest releases in Joshua Tree, but 1955, really? Will provide my thoughts on these films after I see them. I don’t think I will be stepping on the toes of the family film critic with these two features. Also later in the month there is a Halloween parade in my future. Going to be a busy balance of the month.

So as always be good to each other this next week and Huggs.

As always, keep your questions coming, be they foolish, philosophical or anything else! Any questions on any topic submitted in comments below will be included in future columns.