Man on the Street is Greg Kristapovich
“Are YOU ready for fall?” (asked in Twain Harte)
“No, I’m not ready for fall, ‘cause I’m not ready for winter. For fall and winter you need firewood. I need lots of firewood to stay warm: Oak, some almond, maybe. Sweep the chimney; that’s another priority I must take care of. I like the fall. I just don’t really enjoy the snow all that much. I’m a ‘summer girl’. I grew up in Strawberry, and lived there for about twenty years, so I’m pretty much ‘over’ the snow. I have new tires, so I’m good on that! I think I’m ready, besides firewood.” – Allison Jensen, Sonora, (restaurant server)
“I am ready for fall! I’m ready for winter! Let the snow come; lots of it – and real deep! Living in Strawberry, the high priority is getting all your firewood in; all your plants protected for the winter; and make sure your chains fit! Yeah! In autumn, a lot of the tourists have gone home. The locals are out. We’re having fun! The weather is good during the day, and it’s cool at night. It’s sweatshirt weather!” – Chucker Twining, Strawberry, (real estate broker)
“I already fell. That’s how I got disabled: workin’ construction. Am I ready for autumn? That don’t start till 2:15 p.m., this afternoon. (subject was asked at about 1 p.m. on Sept 22nd.). Most people are already looking for winter! It’s too hot! Priorities, this time of year? Stay out of the hospital and put new tires on the truck! Make sure everything’s healthy and goin’. I like that it’s deer season. That’s a good time of year. It’s easier to shoot ‘em than run over them.” – Lonnie McIntire, Twain Harte, (disabled construction worker)
“Yes, I am! I’ve had enough summer. Too much heat! Priorities? The holidays, and making it all come together for my children, Christian, 6, and Lillianna, 3, and my family. That’s my priority in fall and winter! For the season, though, I get the cars ready, the yards ready, the clothes ready. You know, your basics. My snow shovel’s on my back deck. It’s ready to go. In autumn, I like the colors of the trees when you drive down a road like Twain Harte Drive! It’s so pretty! Or, when you’re going by Crystal Falls, and you can see down, and you can see all the colors!” – Denise Perea, Twain Harte, (market’s cheese and olive manager)
“Yes, and up here, we get to enjoy all the seasons! Seasons are good! I know it’s fall when my sister has me go through her summer and winter clothes. She’s disabled and can’t get around very easily; so I have to go through all her clothes. I also have to make sure the roofs are sealed up real good. That means lots of tarps! (She chuckles) – for the trailer, anyway. Autumn is a nice change of season. My beef: when people complain about the season; when they say, ‘Oh my God, it’s so hot!’ And just the week before they were saying, ‘I wish summer would come.’ Then fall comes, and they’re going, ‘Wow, no! Now winter, and now we’re gonna have snow.’ You know, that complaining thing. Just enjoy the seasons!” – Debra Lane, Tuolumne, (cosmetologist)
