Now and then

A full Shasta Lake - with houseboats at various marinas getting spiffed up for an outstanding season. 

We drove over to the lake and let Laydee swim - This in Jones Valley. The weather was damp and dreary and the lake was calm and quiet. The sounds of a couple of motor boats in the distance. There were a couple of fishermen. 

It rained all day Saturday - good thing our helicopter tour was canceled. We got over 2 inches of rain - one reason why everything at the Lake was fresh and I'm telling you, you just can't bottle up that fresh-smelling air. 

Soon, it will be crowded with locals and tourists - especially after our epic rainy season. 

This was just in March -2023

About 6-8 weeks ago...and there is much more snow melt on the way once we start heating up. 

And this was exactly one year earlier -  March 2022

At least I know what it looks like under the water. 

To the left of this photo, I sat on a bench and watched Laydee swim in the lake. A couple of boaters coming in, both had dogs who looked like they wanted to play, too. 

It was peaceful - 

On our drive back home we saw mountain goats, lying in the cool grasses. 

The one is stretching his legs - 

I try and inch over ever so quietly - obviously they knew I was there and didn't appreciate my presence. 

Now two are up and standing - and finally, they all walked away from my gazing eyes. The photo would have been better if I could have gotten closer but I wouldn't have been able to even get these shots of them. 

Across from the goats were some smiling and friendly neighbors -

Isn't he a doll? He and his friend wanted their heads petted - very sweet. 

The white horse was a sweetie too - a smaller, younger horse. I wanted to take them home with me. 

I'm an animal kisser. I kiss cows and horses and anything that will let me. 

Looks like a Shetland pony and some geese. The pony was scared and stood there like a statue - totally frozen and wouldn't move. In fact, at first, I thought the poor dear was just a statue until it slightly moved a little. I felt bad for him and his uneasiness so we got back in the car. 

Well, we tried to get back into the car - left the key inside. Laydee was inside and accidentally locked the inside locks. Thank God the passenger window was rolled down a bit - still not enough room to stick an arm through so the husband found the perfect stick and managed to get the backseat unlocked. 

That would have been a bit of a "story" because it was starting to sprinkle and we had no cell service. 

So today is the 20-year anniversary of Michael's death. 

I went to PT - I went to the store. Life moves on, but ever so conscious that 20 years ago today I was devasted. My world was rocked. 

It doesn't seem it could be that long but it is. I think the next anniversary of 25 years will be rough - because every year after that, is older than he was when he died. 

Ohh I can't wait to see him again. 

So we're on for Saturday and the weather looks good for the helicopter tour. 

That's it for me, Monday, May 8, 2023. 

Debby