Our Anniversary and the Love birds

 

Today marks 21 years of wedded bliss.  We went out for a nice dinner last night - didn't make it to the Museum due to the time so we'll go next week. 

We always keep things simple. We don't exchange gifts - and we didn't even give each other cards.  I just have never cared for holidays or these special days for myself. I've never cared to be the center of attention. It's uncomfortable for me.  I like the good old, regular days much better. I don't know where that comes from, but thankfully it works for both of us.

Sure we acknowledge it to each other - I'm making his favorite meal, Lasagna. We just try and make every day special and I am content. 

Yes, here we are - 21 years younger. 

In the past 21 years, we have had eight close family members pass away

I had two of my absolute best friends die, unexpectedly

We've had four moves

four jobs between us

lost two beloved dogs and five cats

Saw the wedding of my youngest son

and the divorce of my stepdaughter. 

No grandchildren, but we have gained a daughter (in-law) 

There have been two car accidents where the vehicles were totaled

and we've bought three new cars. 

We've had good times, and trying times. We're still here. 

A year into our marriage Michael died. That was a hard time for us because he wanted to fix it all and he couldn't.

 We've gone through hard times financially in the beginning to being comfortable. I think the hardest was blending our children together. In the beginning, my sons didn't like him. He has one daughter up in Washington, that doesn't want anything to do with me, her dad, and her bio mom. I've never met her. I don't expect I ever will. Then there is his youngest daughter who is 42. She has an intellectual disability, however, she is 100% independent and lives on her own in the same town as us. She can be "trying" at times - but I let her father handle her and stay out of it.

Now, my two remaining sons, love and respect him. They don't call him, "Dad" but they do like to be with him - they go hiking and camping on their "all guys weekends." They have a good relationship. It's nice now. When Navy married, they asked my husband to pray a blessing over them at the altar with his tallit. It was a very special moment that brought me to tears - especially after the hard times in those early years. 

The LOVE BIRDS

I am pleased to announce that Liberty (the Mom) and Guardian (the dad) laid their first egg on Valentine's Day. How cool is that? 

I have been watching the Redding Eagles on the webcam since I moved here in 2008. 

We did have a scare yesterday - It was noted that the mom, Liberty, left the nest at 6am and left dad to sit on the egg. 12 hours later she still had not returned. We were getting ready to go out to eat - eagle watchers like myself were concerned. 

Here this majestic male eagle had the instincts to care for the egg - turning it, repositioning himself, all the while looking for his mate. The group, Friends of the Redding Eagles, had boots on the ground, to look for her. 

By the time we came home, I checked, and she had returned! 

Maybe she needed a spa day after laying that big egg! 

So now we're waiting for Liberty to lay her second egg, possibly tomorrow.

I read this about why Liberty would have left her egg - it's called Delayed Incubation.

"Delayed Incubation" is when eagle parents will delay incubation so their eggs will hatch closer together. Delaying incubation helps assure that rapidly growing young are in the same stages of development. This assures less variation in size and ability between older and younger siblings.

Our eagle pair was also assuring the survival of their remaining unlaid eggs.

"Trust The Eagles. They Know Best."

As observers of wildlife, we know that Liberty is extremely experienced, having successfully fledged 26 eaglets, and knows what must be done to ensure the survival of her young.

Below are two articles about delayed incubation.

https://www.raptorresource.org/.../do-bald-eagles-delay.../

https://hancockwildlife.org/.../eggs-incubation-hatching/

Here is the live webcam for your enjoyment. 

Enjoy,

Debby

Spring, then winter and then Spring

 

After a week of mild temps and sunny days - we're again, having a cold spell which could threaten our blooming trees.  Our almond tree is starting to bud, and if this frost kills it, that means another year without yummy fresh almonds off our tree. 

I wish mother nature would make up her mind. Is it spring or is it winter? 

Rosemary hangs around and blooms year-round despite frost. 

Nothing seems to kill these flowers which I didn't plant - they are love dumps - the complement of the birds. It is one of about 15-20 species of perennial herbaceous plants in the daisy family also known as marigolds. however, these come back every year.   They are not the marigolds you plant by seed, just a hardier cousin. 

This week, started out with our beloved old van -making a knocking noise. The husband decided to do his own investigating instead of paying someone else. He changed the oil and replaced all the fluids and no more knocking. Like he said, he knows how to work on cars and has done his fair share in his youth - but that doesn't mean he likes doing it. In the last 10 years or so, we've just taken it to a mechanic. But the savings were quite a bit. 

We don't drive the van as much as we used to. We need to get it out more. 

I looked this up and this is a Tithonia in the sunflower family. No doubt another contribution from a bird. Native to Mexico it is also referred to as a Mexican sunflower. It grows wild and in tropical and subtropical areas, it is considered a weed. Whereas, in the west and southwest it is a wildflower. 

Do you get many "gifts" from the birds? 

I get trees and flowers. Every year a new tree will sprout. I now dig up the trees and re-plant them in a pot. We have a garden club and many will give the trees and plants away to others who usually have large properties. 

I'm feeling much better - the other day I was having cramping on my lower left side to where I had to use a gel heating pad. Then it donned on me - I've been having diverticulitis which I had once about 6 years ago. Very painful. Makes a lot of sense now. 

The next morning it was gone and I feel like me again. There is no doubt that my whole interstitial tract is a mess. (excuse the pun) and yes, I probably should go and get it all looked at once again. Knowing me, I won't. I will make the necessary changes in my diet and go from there before I rush out to the doctor. 

I visited Margie at the nursing facility on Sunday. 

They moved her room once again - without telling her. She went to an activity, came back and all her belongings were moved to another room. The good thing is, it is a bigger room and she has a nice roommate. I get really down when I visit her. It sure makes me think of my future - and we've made the plan that if one of us, starts showing signs of dementia - we will move to the Veterans Home. This way, if something happens to my husband first, I can stay. Unfortunately, the widow of a veteran is intelligible for housing if her "qualifying" veteran is dead. It has to be done before. 

Of course, I would love to be able to stay in my house - Both my parents died here and it's where I want to die. You can try and think about all of this beforehand - try to prepare but it will always catch you off guard. We just do what we can - have a plan B or C. 

My sons have said, they would not allow me to live in a nursing home. Well, talk can be cheap and while I love them and know their heart is in the right place - sometimes adult children can change their minds. That is the case with Margie and her adult children. Honestly, I don't believe my boys would do that to me - but I have found I never hold on to expectations - I just don't. I always have other plans in my mind as a safeguard. 

Tonight we are going out for a nice dinner - we're observing our 21st wedding anniversary which is tomorrow but the husband works on Thursday and Friday so we're doing it tonight. 

Yesterday was St. Valentine's Day - we never celebrate it because of our anniversary. Oh, we used to go out for breakfast or lunch - I don't know where my mind was when we picked Feb 16 as our wedding date. 

No, I didn't watch the super bowl - nor did I watch the commercials or the halftime show. Just doesn't interest me anymore. I did enjoy the quiet of everyone off the streets - stores that were empty. Except when the super bowl was over - the illegal fireworks started and like always, we had to drug our poor dog. 

I best be going -  the husband just mentioned a military display at our local museum he wanted to see before we go out for dinner tonight. That would be nice. 

Like always, Take care and I'll see you when I see you. 

Debby

pumpkin pies and the super bowl

The road I take every day

 

Thanks for all your tips and suggestions on my tummy issue. Actually, I have been on a probiotic and ran out and then started a different brand. I think that is what did me in. As of this morning, I am feeling much better. I have IBS as well as GERD. I've had IBS for years - it all started when my first husband was an active alcoholic and I lived in constant worry and fear. I still have "issues" stemming from those years living with an alcoholic - and that is why I still continue to go to my weekly Alanon meetings. 

I am so fortunate that my husband is not an alcoholic and for the last 24 years that I've known him, I continue to heal from all the trauma from my first marriage. It is so nice to have a stable home life and a healthy marriage.  Many do not understand how terrible it is to live with an alcoholic. Then if it wasn't for him, my sister was a functioning alcoholic - I always had a feeling she was but the day I got that phone call, from her husband saying he came home from work and found her dead - I was numb. Then the autopsy showed she had advanced cirrhosis of the liver. My poor brother-in-law said he had no idea and then started finding vodka stashed around their home. Then her daughter died from a fentanyl overdose. 

Alcohol and drugs infiltrated my family - and cost lives and pain for the survivors. 

I found a cereal I really liked, and would eat the same thing every day. I also like cream of wheat. It is time to change things up. I never ate breakfast. Never had time for it. Now if I had someone to fix me a nice breakfast every day, I'd love it. That's why I always enjoy going out to eat breakfast; almost more than dinner. 

I just pulled 2 pumpkin pies out of the oven. Smells good. I used frozen deep-dish pie shells, which I have never used before. 

such a cutie

Tomorrow is the super bowl.  

Will you watch it? Go to friends? Have a party? 

We will do neither. Years ago, when it was just me and my boys, we were diehard San Francisco 49ers fans. So we would have parties with our friends from church and have a really good time. My husband doesn't really follow sports - and I just am not into it anymore. Now if they brought back Joe Montana, Dwight Clark, Steve Young,  Jerry Rice, Ronnie Lott, and the gang... 

ahhh wishful thinking. You can't go back and those were special times. 

Today is a beautiful sunny day after a small rain last night and this morning. 

Whether you watch the super bowl tomorrow or not, I hope you all enjoy your day, doing what makes you happy and content. 

Till next time, 

Debby

A new Baby Boy

Photo altered for privacy

 

A brand new baby boy has joined the family.

As I mentioned before I do not have grandchildren. And it doesn't look like I will. I'm okay with it - -I always have to say that because everyone usually says, "Awwww." and I know they mean well, but honestly, I've come to terms with it and anyway, God continues to shower me with little ones. 

My dad, fathered a son when he was 16 years old. 

The gal went on to marry another -  

So this boy, was my half-brother, John who died a year and a half ago. 

Through John, I have 2 nieces and 1 nephew. 

From them, I have 

6 Grand-Nieces and 2 Grand-nephews

and from them I now have

6 Great-Grand Nieces and 4 Great Grand nephews from newborn to 13 years old. 

They are all that I have now - with my sister passing and my beloved Nina (niece) gone now I do still have her son and daughter - Grand-Nephew and Grand Niece. At this time, I am just not able to have a relationship with them.  

While it's not like having your own grandchildren, it is still a blessing to me. I just love how my dad's lineage is still going - and the irony is, it came from his firstborn son, whom he never raised. 

Years later they were reunited - when John was a young dad. From time to time my dad would go back and spend time with them, without my mother who always felt threatened. My sister and I didn't even know until we were teens and even then, it wasn't talked about. I found one of my nieces on Facebook, shortly after I joined, in 2008 after my mom died -  and we connected. That Fall, I went back to Alabama for the first time to meet my brother and his BIG beautiful family. 

I have one great-niece that is getting married in May. 

I'm sure there will be more babies to come...

I've been a bit under the weather - my whole digestion system is out of whack. My Dietician son gave me a big lecture about FIBER. Yeah yeah but sometimes having GERD, fiber bothers my stomach. Plus now I have developed an intolerance for milk. I haven't noticed it with other milk products. He told me to re-introduce higher fiber at a slow rate so as not to overwhelm my sensitive digestive tract. 

All today and last night my tummy has been crampy. 

I guess it's time that I start paying more attention. I often wonder if having no gallbladder affects my digestion as well. Anyway if it doesn't improve, I guess I'll go and get checked out. My stomach feels raw - like its burning. 

ANYWAY, life goes on. Today I was out looking for wheat bran so I could make my own muffins. I went to 3 places and no one had it. So, I will use oatmeal which I do have quite a bit of. I do tend to eat the same breakfast and it needs a fibrous update. 

What do you eat for breakfast?

What is your favorite fibrous food that is your "go-to?" 

You know, I think, since the prices have gone up, I have been cutting out some healthy items - that I really shouldn't anymore. 

I hope none of you are having any digestive issues - they aren't fun! Have a great weekend and I'll be in touch with you all later. 

Take Care,

Debby

A little bit of this - A little bit of that!

Spring is in the air - I can smell it. 

Can you smell spring when your area starts to change? 

An Evening walk,  up to the wilderness area by us last night was pleasant. 

 

It is still cold in the mornings - in the 40s and if there is no sun, it's cold. Spring, like Fall, are fickle seasons due to transitioning from one season to another. That's why one week we're in the 70s and the next week, we have rain and it's cold. It's still winter which means we're still in our rainy season. 

Tomorrow we're supposed to drop down into the 50s and have rain. 

I received this in my email - I like to upload photos of places around here - and these photos I uploaded about an area the city opened up about 4 months ago. I was surprised, that they are getting a lot of exposure. 

Here's my post about the area. 

https://www.from-my-house.com/2022/09/nur-pon-saturday-morning-walk.html

It's that time of year again -  mostly for getting prepared for "that time of year" which will be here before we know it. 

I hope and pray we don't have any fires this summer but being prepared helps. 

Fortunately, in the 15 years of living here, we have not had a mandatory evacuation. When my folks lived here, they had one mandatory evacuation. We've come close a few times but I think we're okay. What I get concerned with is the wind. That can take out any housing area, even in the larger suburbs. 

The thing to remember is, we have no control over that. At any time, a disaster can hit. But God tells us not to worry and while I can have a healthy concern, worry does nothing for me but give me ulcers! 

Trust me, in my younger years I was a compulsive worrier and I had stomach issues due to obsessive worrying. After years of therapy, I finally get it. I have no control. I can only do what I can. 

I hope to have it all completed by mid-March. 

I used to love grocery shopping. Lately, I dread it. Eggs have gone down to around $8.00 a dozen. But other items are so high, that I stand there and question myself,

 "do we really need this?"

And then I put it back. Yogurt is high but my lactose intolerance is getting worse as I get older and yogurt doesn't bother my tummy.  I noticed at my store, the meat and poultry section was not as fully stocked as it used to be. Tomorrow I am going to go to the butcher - I want a chuck roast so I can cook it and shred it for my enchiladas. We will eat at least 2 nights and lunch on that meal.

I love pumpkin pie - and I did not get my fill, during the holidays. So I've been looking for canned pumpkin and nada. Today I got the last can of Libby's canned pumpkin. I had to dig for it. I want to make it tomorrow. Then I will be nicely satisfied till October. 

That's it for me today. I hope your day is good. 

Regards, 

Debby

Wordless Wednesday

 

A High Gas Bill, A Cold Kitty, and Etiquette

I thought this was a pretty night sky the other evening. 

We had some good solid rain on Sat night - I enjoyed it. I've been keeping the house quite cool after getting my PG&E bill - It went up $163 in one month. Plus my electric bill went up by $90. I'm turning the heat off at night - throwing an extra blanket on the bed - and keeping the house at 67 during the day. It's not so bad, once you get used to it and I sleep better in cold temps anyway - although I do seem to be aching more. In the evening, I microwave a heating gel pack and place it under the blanket when I am sitting on the sofa and it really helps. 

Of course, Susie really knows how to keep warm. She covers her little face and nose. She has been laying very close to me at night in bed and one night she wanted under the covers. During the day, she gets in between the covers on the bed - and the bed has been made - So you go in, and see this "lump" on the bed. The other day, she stayed there all day. 

I'm always grateful when my dear husband helps out with the dishwasher - I've been noticing that the smaller salad forks (as well as the teaspoons) are always with the bigger ones in the silverware drawer.  All piled up on top of each other. I finally asked him about it and he says he can't tell the difference. and,

"Why do we have so many forks and spoons?"

I showed him, there was a difference in size. He wasn't impressed. 

"Why do we have to have those little forks anyway?" 

I told him, one is a salad fork and the other is a dinner fork.  He doesn't get it.  

Am I the only one who uses the smaller fork for a salad? 

Salad Forks vs Dinner Forks

My mom was very big on etiquette at the table, with the napkin on her lap, no elbows on the table, the dinner plate, the salad plate - cup and saucer, etc. So I picked it up from her, from a young age by setting the table. I don't recall her ever actually sitting me down to teach me. 

I don't think younger people even know about table etiquette anymore and I've noticed. Sometimes I feel like I am a dinosaur. All the things I was taught or picked up on as a child, are of no use anymore. 

I could put away half of the forks since they never get used by anyone except for me. Makes it easy on the husband when putting it all away. 

Here's one:  Cloth napkins, paper napkins, or a paper towel? 

I prefer cloth napkins for special dinners but for day-to-day, I tear off a piece of paper towel and use that as my napkin. 

My New Bible Study

Yesterday I picked up my new bible study materials from church. 

We'll be studying Philippians. 

I like pretty things, so I have a hard time writing in them, but why not?

That is what they are there for. 

This is frameable. 

Our study starts tomorrow. 

Hopefully, this will be a good study and reinforce that we can find JOY and not fear during these troubled times. So many Christians, fear these days. It's fine to have a healthy concern but fear takes over your spirit and soul. 

Boy isn't that the opposite of what the culture is today.  

This is what it is all about, isn't it? 

It's funny that our women's bible study is about Living for Christ when for the last month or so I have been watching this you-tube channel by Peter Santenello. 

He's from San Francisco, and he goes to communities around the US and the world where he films and interviews them, etc. 

I just finished his series on the Amish and Mennonites. Excellent. I thought I knew about them as my maternal family was from Ohio and I'd been to Holmes County many times as a kid. 

I did not know there was an Amish town in Florida? That's where some of them go to retire. I also didn't know there were so many different types of Amish - Old Order, Beachy, Dan, Swartzentruber, etc. I'm sure many of you probably already know this stuff - but for me as a Californian, I was amazed. 

I had my first Amish Pretzel in Lancaster County back in the mid-1960s. Mom had always talked about how good they were and I've since had nothing even close to it. 

So if you're looking to space out and relax, I totally recommend this series. I'm going to recommend these videos to the ladies of my bible study. 

 

Before the Amish series, I watched his series on Native Americans living on the reservation. He was able to get in, where others are not. 

I plan to watch all of his playlists. Next for me to watch are the Hasidic Jews. 

Till next time, 

Enjoy -

Debby

Ran into a neighbor today

At the corner where I walk are several goats. They recognize me and call out to me. Yesterday I was on a roll, and kept going and later on, it bothered me that I didn't stop and make the time to  tell them, "hello."

I'm an animal lover - how could I have done that? For them, to recognize me is an honor. 

So today, I knew I would stop by and give them a pat! I took a couple of photos but they were so happy for the attention that they kept butting horns as to who would come nearer to me. This is the only photo that wasn't blurred. 

When we are outside there are mornings when we can hear these goats. Coming from a metro area, I had no idea the sounds goats make and would hear a baby cry or a woman yelling. I wondered, what was going on, in my new neighborhood.

A neighbor mentioned to me about the goats and it was then that I was educated on the sounds of goats. 

I still think they are adorable - funny sounds and all. 

 

Living on the Outskirts

 

What a beautiful day this first of February is. It's been cold - we're only getting up to maybe 56 during the day but it's been sunny and no wind. It is cold in the shade so I stay in the sunshine. It gets down to the '30s at night. Our lower pond, has a thin layer of ice on it, in the mornings. 

The sidewalk that goes, to no where

I live on the outskirts of town - If I want restaurants and shops, I go to the areas in my town where that is provided. I've noticed, that after 15 years of living here - my town is starting to grow up - get big.  Just this week, they introduced parking meters downtown. The community is not happy about it. 

We have new homes sprouting up - new businesses going in and the focus of this town is toward young adults. They're building skate parks, and fancy bike lanes and everything is geared toward the youth. 

That's fine - change is inevitable. 

But you do start to notice, that there are a lot of "takeaways" and they take away from the seniors. Like we used to have a bus stop back here. It's gone now. Probably because those electric scooters are everywhere - even back where we are at. 

Yep, things are changing. 

Sprinkled throughout my area are older mobile homes on the property - small wooden framed houses - where the occupants are old now - some have died and people are buying up their properties as well, as larger property investors who want to build more subdivisions.  We still have a few farms and ranches - people have goats and Alpacas. 

When you walk out of my subdivision, there used to be no sidewalks. I've noticed they have started putting them in - but only on one side of the road. So you zig and zag as you walk, crossing the street if you want to stay on a sidewalk. 

Sometimes they have a sidewalk that goes nowhere and doesn't connect - like an afterthought. Like the first photo. 

Here's a flock of Canadian geese out for their morning stroll. 

Across from the turkeys, is a new development that is going up - No model homes yet but I did walk over to take a peak. 

Just your typical track-type house - in a small cul de sac. 

Boy, whoever was in this house working was rocking out. The music was LOUD. 

Right across on the other side of that loud house, is this property. I'm sure a thorn in the side of the developer who probably wanted his land to build more houses. 

This is on the other side of that pond, I visited yesterday. In good years, the water from the pond covers this green wooded area. We still need more rain. 

I'm happy the waterfowl is back - and flourishing. 

Such a nice morning with the sun shining through the cedar tree in my front yard.  

And another Daffodil pokes her head up to say, welcome home. 

Yesterday, I texted Navy at work and asked him if he would drop by the house after he got off. And he did. I haven't seen him since Christmas and I just wanted to touch base with him...you know, get a hug from my kid! 

He stayed a couple of hours and we caught up - It was nice. 

Today I paid most of the bills with the exception of a couple of websites I could not get on - they are having "difficulties" so I will go back to that tomorrow. I like to get all my bills knocked out at once. 

I did some laundry - and I baked a loaf of banana bread. It smells good and will taste even better! 

Take Care,

Debby

February 

Twice the distance
Three fewer days
The second overall
Two-twelfths of the year
Ten more to go
This month of cold
They wait
Their spring may arrive

Unknown

My morning walk

Woke up to a cold but sunny day and NO WIND! Decided I would take my morning walk...I walked over across the main street to this pond area, booming with all types of fowl. 

I came across this guy - standing on the path and he wouldn't move. 

I was able to get close to him. 

Finally, he left...skimming the pond water as he flew off. 

This is why Mr. Mallard wouldn't move - She was near him to the side. 

This pond used to be part of a cattle ranch - years ago. 

Now they have built houses around it and for many years, this pond was dry due to the drought. 

There still is a working ranch across the pond. 

It was so quiet - except for the various sounds of bird life. 

Across the pond there was a huge flock of turkeys - I didn't get a chance to get their picture. We could sure hear them though. 

Nice view of Shasta Bally

Today's agenda:

I have my Tuesday meeting at noon. 

There is an item I want to purchase that I need to check out. 

And then the usual keeping up the house and the laundry. 

Right now my husband is outside working on the Library house 

which is going to look like a little church. 

Just getting ideas. 

He wants to keep it stocked with Christian books for the most part. We'll see - It should be interesting. 

We inherited so many books from Margie - we can keep it stocked quite well. 

We talked about the household projects that need to be done - maintenance stuff. 

1. Paint the picket fence
2. Paint the trim on the house
3. paver patio in the front yard under the window 
4. continue the paver patio in the back yard to slowly eliminate a good portion of the lawn. 
5. The back fence where we now have a cash envelope we are putting money. 

That's just the outside. Not too bad. There is always something to do when you live in a house. Navy is finding that out as he has owned his home going on for 3 years. Last I heard, they had to put in a whole new sprinkler system. The city made them because they had a leak and one month they spent $300 in water due to a leak they could not find. That's home ownership! 

Have a great Day

Debby