Whenever Ruth and Sammy visit their grandparents, they get to brush up on their Yiddish. This Jewish language, a blend of German and Hebrew, is full of words that are fun to say: words like shvitz (sweat), feh! ("It stinks!"), and schmaltz (fat). Ruth and Sammy look forward to spending time with relatives. As Ruth would say, until they arrive at their grandparent's house, they are on shpilkes (pins and needles)! Actress Ione Skye drew upon her childhood experiences in this story of family ties, cultural exploration, and adventures under the sunshine.

Prepared in cooperation with the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley.

Nestled between the plains of the Sacramento Valley and the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, on the western margin of Amador County, is the beautiful region surrounding Ione and the Jackson Valley. Described as two of the most attractive and fertile areas of the Central Sierra region, both have been home to farmers, ranchers, and merchants for more than 150 years. From the thriving little town of Ione to the "four corners" gathering place known as Buena Vista, the region remains a favorite for residents and tourists alike. Recreational attractions such as the historic Preston Castle and Lakes Camanche, Pardee, and Amador lure visitors from both near and far.