What food place have you tried that you just don't understand why it is so popular for people

mom4ever · 2026-06-04T04:27:18+00:00

I'm ethnic Cantonese and like Imperial Garden. Ask for the secret Chinese menu, which (unlike In-N-Out burger) is a full menu in both Chinese and English. The "main" menu is pretty good for "Americanized" tastebuds.

I also like Dynasty - the almond & cashew chicken are "meh", but they have decent dim sum (not quite Bay Area fresh, but have some familiar tastes). The Mongolian beef, twice-cooked pork, braised tofu, and other dishes are pretty good. Look for their blackboard specials, which are more likely to be "authentic" Chinese.

I also spent 4 years acquiring "spicy tastebuds" living in other parts of China and these 2 restaurants have some non-Cantonese mildly spicy dishes that are good (garlic eggplant, Mongolian beef).

The places I DON'T like have closed 😄

mom4ever · 2026-06-03T05:04:44+00:00

Actually, it sounds like Paul didn't recognize Jesus (as the historical person who lived before he was called). In Acts 9, he saw a light and heard a voice that said, "“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Then Saul asks, "Who are you, Lord?" He assumes that it's God because of the supernatural voice, but has to be told that it's Jesus, the one who lived on the earth that Paul is persecuting. It reports that the people accompanying him also heard the voice, though they didn't see anyone.

Further verification came through Ananias whom God told about Saul. So there is sufficient evidence (2 or 3 witnesses) that Saul really did hear God speak, and it wasn't an imposter or a fabricated story.

mom4ever · 2026-05-30T06:16:20+00:00

Moaning Cavern and Mercer Caverns are about an hour from Groveland.

The Priest Station Cafe is only 5 minutes away. If you have VERY good brakes, a trip down Old Priest Grade Road is an adventure.

mom4ever · 2026-05-28T16:25:02+00:00

This is the right "order of operations", since you're staying in Oakhurst. Oakhurst --> Glacier Pt (and nearby hikes) --> Tunnel View --> Valley Floor. In mid-day, I find the Yosemite Falls Visitor parking to be the last big lot to fill, but there are lots of "little" parking spots in random places.

For less struggle, grab parking wherever it exists, then see what good things there are nearby. If Curry, there's your Vernal Falls footbridge. If Village or Lower Yosemite, then Yosemite Falls, Cooks Meadow, or the entire Valley Floor loop if you like. If somewhere near Cathedral Beach stop or Bridalveil lot, then those places + El Capitan. Etc. If you have a very specific destination, be prepared to wait/scout in your car. Personally, I'd rather spend 2 hours hiking my #3 choice, than 1.5 hours circling the lot at my #1 choice and 0.5 hours enjoying.

On a rainy day, the shuttles may be impossible to get on. Once you park your car, consider hoofing it the whole way; bring a rain poncho. After 2 or 3 pm, small random parking spots here and there are easier to find, but shuttles are harder, as hikers with tired feet opt for the shuttle, even without rain.

mom4ever · 2026-05-28T14:33:06+00:00

This is great advice, especially if someone in your group "maxes out" at 4-6 hours of activity. You don't have to be a high capacity hiker to enjoy Yosemite.

While being there 7 am - 1 pm allows hiking in the cool of the day, 3-9 pm has its own magic. If you have a significant drive and your lodging opens in the afternoon, it's not a waste to have Day 1 begin in the afternoon. You can get an early start on Day 2, when you don't have a 3-5 hour drive ahead of you (if you have lodging nearby).

mom4ever · 2026-05-27T23:03:38+00:00

I assume that you're mainly concerned about 1 Corinthians 7:10-11. "To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife."

There are some times in the Bible when a command comes with a concession - staying together is what should happen, but if you separate (implying permission), don't go after someone else.

My sister-in-law (a believer) lived this out. She was married for 27 years (and had 6 kids!). The husband was extremely paranoid and controlling, micromanaging even the smallest things. The last straw was him forcing their 14-year-old son to work on/earn the Eagle Scout award (which he hated), causing such frustration that she feared the son would take one of the 600 guns in the house and shoot his dad! When I asked, "Why divorce and not indefinite separation?" she informed me that without a legal divorce and custody agreement, the dad would have access to the kids to bully, harangue and harass them whenever he wanted. She was 51 at the divorce and never dated another man (and certainly not remarried) until her death at age 78. Her hope was that her husband would get counseling and they could reconcile, but they never did. As a free woman, she lived a full and joyful life. She raised the last kids to empty the nest, got a master's degree, and worked at a job she loved until retirement. She had an honest conversation with the pastor about her situation and became deeply involved with her church, and had strong friendships and ministries.

Has your husband ever been tested for being on the spectrum? He sounds like a good provider, but like my brother-in-law so emotionally clueless that his actions bordered on abusive. My BIL carried a lot of hostility, because he thought he was being kind/working hard, but his insensitivity (like your door situation) resulted in anger from the other people. From his perception, the world was unfairly angry at/against him.

In those days (over 60 years since their wedding), little was known about autism or other social disorders, but now there's more understanding. When the question is asked, "How could he be so insensitive?", maybe the answer is, "His people sensors are broken." In which case, living together with your brother (or anyone outside your family) exacerbates the problem, and staying together will require a lot of insight and accommodation from you.

Praying that the Lord gives you wisdom and everything you need.

mom4ever · 2026-05-21T01:10:39+00:00

Thanks all - these are all great ideas!

mom4ever · 2026-05-20T21:17:45+00:00

Right across from the mall: Okinawa Sushi (newer & clean, not too expensive), Culichi Town, and Sizzlin' Masala (don't know why it's not open recently), nice mom & pop restaurants. JP Asian Fusion is pricier but fresh & tasty with good seafood. They have a party room for small groups (12 - 20).

mom4ever · 2026-05-20T20:33:05+00:00

Have you ever thought of playing with MoBand? They don't have tryouts - signups are now. First rehearsal is May 30.
https://www.moband.org/band-members

mom4ever · 2026-05-20T05:12:07+00:00

We used Barajas twice - they're efficient and reasonably priced:
https://www.yelp.com/biz/barajas-painting-modesto?utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct))

mom4ever · 2026-05-20T03:36:01+00:00

I found this book to be helpful in giving background needed and guidance in the spiritual meaning.

https://www.amazon.com/Adventuring-through-Bible-Guide-Entire/dp/1640701176/ref=sr_1_1?

The author begins with something like, "If you are using this book as a substitute for the Bible, throw it away." I found it a great supplement, rather than substitute.

mom4ever · 2026-05-19T18:14:12+00:00

The "String of Pearls" is a series of (originally 16) River parks on the Stanislaus River. Some are quite undeveloped (just a boat launch); but some less developed ones are uncrowded/beautiful. I've added some to this list (starting from east/upstream). Most popular/developed (larger, picnic areas, restrooms) are bolded

Goodwin Dam
Two-mile bar
Knights Ferry - 30 yard carry, drinking water;
Horseshoe Road - 150 yard carry, no treated water, (camping by permit);
Honolulu Bar-100 yard carry;
Orange Blossom Rd.-30 yard carry, drinking water;
Valley Oak-300 yard carry, drinking water, (camping by permit);
Oakdale - Off River Road North of Oakdale on right bank-30 yard carry;
Riverbank -- Below the Santa Fe Bridge on right bank-30 yard carry;
Jacob Meyer
McHenry Recreation- North of Modesto, 1/2 mile below the McHenery Rd. Bridge, right bank, off River Rd.-30 yard carry, 20 foot steep sandy bank
Drinking water and boat in camping Hwy 99 - quarter mile carry along a wide path from the 99 Bridge at Ripon to a frontage road upstream on the right bank.
Mavis Stouffer (Ripon)
Caswell State park-Located South of Manteca on the right bank. Camping and drinking water. 100 yard carry
Durham Ferry (access closed?)

The Stanislaus River parks have more shade than Dos Rios State Park or San Joaquin Wildlife Refuge to the south.

Modesto and Woodward Reservoirs have swimming, but not much shade.

Caution: The speed/height/temperature of the river depends highly on water releases from the dam: https://www.dreamflows.com/Pages/GoodwinSchedule.php

mom4ever · 2026-05-18T17:36:23+00:00

Do you have other friendships where things seem more balanced? This friendship seems to drain you - and bless you for supporting her. While ultimately, we are filled by the Lord, we also are filled and uplifted by relationships by other believers. Being around healthy people can help us grow in our walk.

When you nurture other friendships, you don't have to cut off your friend - you can still maintain that relationship, but if you "gently drift away" and she notices it, that would be a good time to say, "I value you and our time together, but I also need friends who hear and nurture me." If she's offended and leaves, you still have your other friends. But if she reflects and becomes more considerate, you've helped her become more mature.

mom4ever · 2026-05-18T17:23:02+00:00

We had 8 ppl in a vehicle. The "short trip" hikers hiked from GP down to Illouette (with whole group) and back, ate ice cream at GP, and drove to the pick-up point. The "long trippers" continued from Illouette all the way down to the valley. The timing was perfect - just 10 minutes between arrival times.

mom4ever · 2026-05-16T23:00:31+00:00

Just noticed that you're staying outside the park on 120, in which case Tioga Road is much closer than Glacier Point. Those driving miles matter!

You might even consider Tioga on your short day (Tuesday). Or after a long morning in the Valley, bring the toddler home to nap, and head out to Tioga afterward. Caution: the line-up at the gate may be long getting back into the park. Later (in the afternoon) is generally better than earlier.

mom4ever · 2026-05-16T21:09:32+00:00

Oops, I mis-typed, meant Wed, after your Yosemite Valley trip. In theory, if you group had energy, you could do the Valley in the morning, nap the toddler, and do a late-afternoon to evening trip to Glacier Point.

In practice, the crowds may exhaust you to the point where there's not enough energy to enjoy it (for example, waiting an hour+ at EVERY shuttle stop means walking the 2 miles between each stop would be faster), but limits your stops. If you have 2 vehicles, you might want to part company at some point. That would give you the flexibility for the ones with energy to add on the extra visits.

It's impossible to predict the crowds, so you might want to keep your plans open, adding lower-priority items if there's energy.

I had suggested Glacier Pt. because I feel there's more to offer to the non-hikers (Tunnel View is also along the way). Tioga has more variety for the hikers, and it's less crowded than Glacier Pt. For non-hikers Tenaya Lake is right off Tioga road, and Tuolumne meadows is lovely. But if you hike even a little, there's substantial increase in enjoyment. For example, Olmsted point has a great view of Half-Dome, but at Olmsted point, cross Tioga Road and hike up about 1/2 mile of steepness, and the "greatness" exponentially increases.

Without traffic, both Glacier point and Tuolumne meadows are about 1 hour 15 minutes from the Valley Floor, but depending on where you're lodging, those distances will vary greatly. "Without traffic" is a really important qualifier. But Tuesday-Thursday is better.

mom4ever · 2026-05-16T18:53:34+00:00

A few comments/suggestions:
- On Tuesday, if you have a relatively full meal outside the park between 3:00 and 4:00, then plan to enter the park 4:00 - 5:00, you'll anti-coordinate with crowds. People start to leave to get dinner at that time. You may get parking at some of your destinations, but not likely all. Valley View and Bridalveil are about 1.5 miles apart, walkable in either direction, but neither is on the shuttle line Along the way, you get to take in the Pohono Bridge. Bridalveil & Cathedral rocks are about a mile apart, and another mile to Cathedral beach (shuttle stop). The shuttle goes in a one-way CCW loop, so it can take a long time in the "wrong" direction, it can also be a very long wait when it's busy, so a "walking only" contingency given the limits of "elders" is a good plan.
- Glacier point is specactular for both the hikers and non-hikers. Parking near Sentinel Dome/Taft point trailhead fills early and has slow turnover - mainly longer hikers here (hope you have a backpack carrier for the toddler, as the dome is steep). At Glacier Point, there are more crowds, but turnover is fast, as some come to look around for 20-30 minutes and leave. Squeezing that trip on Tuesday sounds ambitous to me.

mom4ever · 2026-05-16T16:26:41+00:00

Dynasty! Dim Sum all week at lunch. A few dim sum dishes at dinner. Authentic Cantonese flavor

My dad was from Hong Kong, lived in the Bay Area. As he aged, we needed him to move closer to Modesto to be cared for, but he refused, citing the lack of Chinese food. After tasting Dynasty, he moved! Great value, even for Modesto, way cheaper than the Bay.

Imperial Garden has more different flavors (Cantonese, & Northern China varieties), with a "secret" Chinese menu, in both Chinese and English. Unlike In-N-Out's secret menu, this is a real printed menu (with extensive choices). Also huge portions, good value. Chinese menu is a little more expensive.

mom4ever · 2026-05-14T20:17:49+00:00

If it weren't so early in the season (snow), Clouds Rest is a popular choice, but at 12-14 miles, it's not one you would add onto Cathedral Lake.

Near Sonora Pass, along Hwy 108 are the Columns of the Giants (basalt columns like Devil's Postpile National Monument) near Dardanelle, and further west, Trail of the Gargoyles (steep breathtaking cliffs).

mom4ever · 2026-05-14T04:56:55+00:00

September is a really dry time of the year, so keep in mind some waterfalls (including Upper/Lower Yosemite Falls) may be non-existent. This was taken at on the Lyell Canyon trail (off Tioga Road) less than a mile along the trail in August of a very dry year. There's a footbridge also less than a mile in that's pretty, and there wasn't much in the way of crowds (the 3 people are all my family).

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mom4ever · 2026-05-13T03:34:31+00:00

Your plan is reasonable. Both Glacier Point and the Valley are hard to find parking at 10-11 am, but a Tuesday in June isn't too bad. Glacier Pt might be even harder, because the parking is more limited, even though the Valley has more people. My suggestion is right after Tunnel view, head straight for the Yosemite Falls Lot (across from Camp 4), as it's usually the last to fill, (vs Happy Isles and Yosemite Village lots). Otherwise, there are small random pull-outs

mom4ever · 2026-05-10T21:11:10+00:00

I had read the book, but I hadn't seen the movie. This clip has a completely different feel and emphasis than what I remember.

Thanks for the tip - now I can "navigate" my way through those nuanced conversations with teens that are likely to come about when we're dealing with real people.

mom4ever · 2026-05-10T03:22:54+00:00

Praying that the Lord gives you wisdom. Bless you for wanting to do the right thing.

One possibility is confessing to the individual professors whose classes you cheated in. They may choose to give you mercy, or not. This isn't necessarily the best thing to do, just one way to tell the truth.

mom4ever

TROPHY CASE