A March recap

Isn't that a special photo taken by the FORE team? (Friends of the Redding Eagles) Liberty and Guardian seem to be closer than ever - and were even seen mating. Guardian is also preparing the nest - could there be another clutch? That would be wonderful but it is doubtful. They're just doing what eagles do - Guardian misses caring for the nest...and incubating the egg with his mate, Liberty. 

After the first egg was damaged - the second egg was all they had and outsiders were trying to come into the nest to get at that egg. A big fight happened. 

Then we had snow - we normally never get snow. This March it snowed three times. It rained a lot as well. Not just rain but these big downpours that our already drenched land cannot hold on to. We were fortunate - we're a bit higher up. 

I did my first Hodgepodge - then a 2nd one and a third one. 

I looked for Leprechauns - didn't find any! 

I turned 69 years old - and made a huge decision - booked it and we're doing it. Just praying the weather holds. 

And then the other day, it all ended when their only egg basically exploded. Gasses built up inside, they say. 

What a crazy March we have had - I'm ready for what April has in store. 

Have a good evening - 

Debby

 

Hodgepodge - There once was a petite old gal from Cali

 Thanks to Joyce From This Side of the Pond, I am joining in yet another Hodgepodge. I think I may start to be a regular pretty soon. I'm enjoying them. 

1. Why do you blog? Have your reasons changed over time? 

I've always kept diaries when I was young. My therapist thought it would be a good way for me to get my thoughts out. Back in the late '90s, my first blog was on Yahoo 360 - then I went to Xanga and then over to Blogger. I especially like Xanga because you could set your audience to where some posts would be public and some would be for your readers and some would be just for me, like a personal diary. 

I've always enjoyed writing since I was old enough - and you would think that because I do, I am a talker. I am not a talker at all. In fact, I am a quiet person -  I just like more meaningful conservations. I am more of a listener than a talker. and I detest small talk. This is why my therapist suggested blogging to me - a way to creatively express myself. Lately, I do not feel I am creatively expressing myself. I feel as if I am in a rut. That is why, I have been thinking about retiring from blogging. So many have left. I find I have to be very careful as to what I post about. Readers nowadays, want fluff - and while I do enjoy that as well, I do have an inquiring mind and for the last few years I feel stifled. I'll be 70 next March so I may or may not continue after that. We'll see. I only have 50 followers - if that -  so I don't know why I care about losing any if I should change things up a bit. 

2. What's a typical Friday night look like at your house?

We observe my husband's tradition - we used to have a group of like-minded who joined with us every Friday night. Both here and when we lived in the San Francisco area. Sadly 3 in our group have passed on. Now we get together for biblical feasts and observances throughout the year. At times we attended the local synagogue but they are going down a different road. 

It is not a set-in-stone rule, that we choose to do this - but it is important to my husband and I knew this when I married him. 

3. Do you like donuts? Your favorite kind? How often do you treat yourself to a donut? Have you ever made homemade donuts? 

I love donuts. I have a weakness for glazed donuts and chocolate-covered donuts. I do not care for cake donuts only the yeasty ones that raise and are absolutely scrumptious. I eat jelly donuts at least once a year on Hanukkah. They are called Sufganiyah. 

I've never attempted to make them. I don't see myself in the future making them either. A good donut shop is all that is needed. 

4. How do you feel about shopping? Are you an online shopper? Catalog shopper? Brick and mortar shopper? Do you order groceries online or prefer to select items with your own two hands? 

I don't like to shop. Shopping for clothes is the worst. No, I take that back - shopping for bras is the worst! I tend to shop online as long as they have a good return policy and the returns are here in the USA. I've been burnt a few times, purchasing something that came from China and when I wanted to return it, the cost was more than the item. So now I check.

 Granted, I can't totally escape in-the-flesh-shopping for some things so what I do is get there as soon as the doors open. I like to get in and out, asap! I do enjoy shopping for wood at lumber places. Love the smell of wood and of course gardening centers. 

I ordered groceries online and had them deliver them one of two times during the pandemic - I didn't like it. 

5. Next week's Hodgepodge finds us somehow in the month of April, which just so happens to be National Poetry Month. Sum up (or tell us something about) your month of March in the form of a limerick. You can do it!! 

Oh man, do I have to? 

There once was a petite old gal from Cali

who demanded corned beef in her tamales

it rained and rained and rained

while she ate and ate and gained 

now she's our fat gal from Cali

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

First off, the term "Cali" is not how I refer to California. I never heard it used when I was a kid - it seemed more like a SoCal term and I was a San Franciscan. (Don't call us Frisco) Then tourists started using it to refer to the whole State and I believe it became more prevalent in the 1980s when there was a song, by LL Cool named "Cali." The term took off after that plus a new generation started using it and the rest is now history. 

I only used it for the limerick. As far as I am concerned I am a Northern Californian. 

I am finding I do reveal more about myself in these Hodgepodges that otherwise I wouldn't. It's like it gets my juices revved up and I start spilling the beans. 

I hope you have enjoyed -

Debby

 

It just wasn't their year

A hard loss for the local Eagle Community

Early this morning, at 2:48 am, the last egg burst - I didn't see it, nor do I want to watch it. It breaks my heart. 

I know nature can be cruel - but still...

The experts say,  It will take Liberty and Guardian a moment to process what has happened -  that they no longer have an egg to incubate. Liberty stayed in the nest for almost 10 hours in the pouring rain after the egg burst.  From the past, the eagles seem to move on from these tragedies & setbacks very quickly.

They don't know why the egg burst like that at 2:48 am this morning -  without sending the egg to a Wildlife Lab in Sacramento, we will never know exactly what happened to it. Liberty consumed the remains of the egg, which is normal behavior for eagles, so there isn't much left besides some eggshell at this point.

It is highly unlikely that a 2nd clutch would happen this season due to the short breeding season for bald eagles. But sometimes after losing a clutch an adult eagle pair will lay a second, replacement, or “double” clutch. That is still extremely rare and with the winter we have had - I doubt that will happen. 

As I have mentioned before, this winter, which is our rainy season here in California has been unusual - up and down the state, we've had a tornado, bomb cyclones, and atmospheric rivers - winds clocking at close to 100 mph, snow and more snow in low elevation areas. It's been crazy. Not just the weather, but Liberty and Guardian were constantly being harassed by younger adolescent eagles for territory - no doubt their own from previous years.  

Another storm has moved in - very cold. It did snow in Shasta Lake City - but not here. We're looking at more rain with maybe a day let up and then on to the next storm. 

It's historic. 

The old ancient lake (Lake Tulare) in the southern San Joaquin Valley is reemerging once again. It dried up in the late 1800s - was once the biggest lake west of the Great Lakes. Yes, even bigger than the Great Salt Lake. Back in 1879, the lake was 690 sq mi, and its size fluctuated due to varying levels of rainfall and snowfall. 

It's all very interesting to those like me who are California History Aficionados. I'd love to drive down and get some photos - but for right now it is probably dangerous and might be for a few months as the snows melt. The farmland down there is flooded. 

Well, that is all that I have for you today - Be well. 

Debby

Peace at Grizzly Lake

 

This is Grizzly Lake - a possible spot for the scattering. Isn't it breathtaking? 

We would be hovering above it - 

Makes me think of the old gospel song, Peace in the Valley. 

The date has been set.  It will take place on Saturday, May 6 - at 10:00 am - 

I have to email him the weight of the passengers - 

Years ago, I had checked into burying the ashes in a cemetery and I also checked into a columbarium. All those options were well over $1600 -  

This is perfect - plus we all get to enjoy this unique opportunity. 

The main thing is I have peace over it. 

There'll be peace in the valley for me someday
There'll be peace in the valley for me
I pray no more sorrow and sadness or trouble will be
There'll be peace in the valley for me

The last 3 days have been sunny and nice - still unseasonably cold. A storm is coming in for the next 2 days bringing more rain. There is an end in sight - even though we can't actually see it. I just know it's coming...probably not until mid-April. 

After all, "April showers bring May flowers" - 

A Sunday walk at the Ranch

There is a ranch by us - within walking distance that has opened up its property with open walking trails to the public. They have three trails - 

It used to be a working mule ranch on 200 acres and it has 5 ponds. When the family who owned it for years passed, they turned it over to their philanthropic foundation that gives back to the community. 

It is also a breeding ground for the many different water foul, throughout the year.

 

It is a feast for the eyes - there are benches throughout where you can, "sit a spell" and just wait and listen. The weekdays are the best times - it's quiet. Weekends have more people. 

The grasses are so green - they say Spring is behind by 4-6 weeks due to our harsh winter. The trees in my yard of just starting to bud. Usually, they bud in February. 

Perhaps we have lived in drought for so long, we don't know what is normal anymore. 

No dogs are allowed - No bikes or skateboards - so the geese have become very trusting and they let you get close to them. It is forbidden to feed them. 

They almost look like ceramic lawn ornaments 

When all the trees start filling in, it will be beautiful 

Looking toward the Trinity Alps 

In our 16 years here, I've not ever seen the ponds so full and abundant with ducks, geese, and coots...

Here is a native California Manzanita tree or bush. The pink flowers have bloomed...

Here are what the manzanita flower looks like up close. Like little teardrops...

Looking west 

There were many of these bushes - I don't know what they are. 

A couple of Canada Geese 

Did you know, it is grammatically correct to call this bird “Canada Goose” 

and not usually correct to call it “Canadian Goose?”.

If I were a kid, I would want to roll down this hill and pick the wildflowers 

Willow trees dot the environment there at the ranch. It's a good place for their roots to sprawl out - Our neighbor had one in their front yard and while it offered up abundant shade, the roots loved our water pipes under the house. 

We were having some issues with our plumbing. We had mentioned it to them - they really didn't see that it was a problem. It wasn't until they themselves started having plumbing issues and then they cut it down. 

Excuse my nail in the way of the video. 

Beyond that fence, they allow you to take your dog - it is a wild area with another entrance. 

 

Well, that was a refreshing stroll - I'm thirsty, and have to pee so I am on my way back home. 

Thanks for joining me. 

Thank you ALL for the encouragement

 

I was overwhelmed when I read the comments. Very touching. 

If I could I would give you all a pretty flower - This one will have to do. 

Thank You 

Okay, so the news is: 

I talked with the owner of the company yesterday afternoon. When I asked him about his service, he told me that he and his wife lost their 26-year-old daughter last June. We talked for quite some time about losing an adult child. He said he and his wife need to talk about what their plans are - I told him to take their time. God knows I sure did. 

I admit, I started to get all shaky in my voice and I felt sick. I then asked the questions and he was so nice. It's not going to be cheap - although doable. I had to laugh when he first quoted me $1850. an hour - I'm thinking $18.50 an hour! 

I wish! 

Thankfully I did not make a total fool of myself by asking. 

It's not like I book helicopters all the time and know the prices -

 This is a FIRST for me. 

I wrote down all the affordable options and we're looking at about $1600. I told him we would make the arrangements on Monday. 

We're looking at a Friday in May. It takes 30 minutes from Redding to the Trinity Alps by helicopter. Frankly, I am so ready, I'd do it this weekend if the weather wasn't so unsettled. His company's busy season starts in June and the fire season unfortunately is most of the business. They also sell and service helicopters, give tours, and offer flight training. 

He was so nice - and has a ranch in the Trinity Alps - The above photo is on the way to his ranch.

He said May was a good time - snow will be melting and the rivers and waterfalls will be in their full glory. Navy and Foodie will LOVE IT! I'm happy to be able to do this for them as well. 

I do want to say, that I have the best husband ever - 

An Iris bud - there are a few more. 

I thought I better get a photo of this Iris before the rain comes and yes, we are still having rain and more is coming. 

I was emotionally exhausted yesterday - so today I must play catch up. 

Thanks Again -

Debby

It's TIME and I know it

WARNING: THE FOLLOWING POST IS DEEP AND I do apologize for this heavy subject matter that I try to steer away from on this blog.  I realize most of you do not like to read such heavy-duty sharing and like to keep things light.  SO PLEASE -  just pass this post by. It won’t hurt my feelings. For the rest of you, thanks for being here. 

In yesterday's hodgepodge, I mentioned an item on my "to-do" list that has been burdening me for a very long time. After thinking about it, I thought it best, that it was time to be transparent rather than mysterious.

Michael and I at his graduation from Cal State Long Beach.

Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you. Michael was born with a rare bone dysplasia that resulted in severe dwarfism. 

My oldest son, Michael passed away on May 8, 2003, at the age of 25 - totally unexpected. As the LA Coronor documented, it was a "cardiac event." I had him cremated and at the time - a Coast Guard friend of ours owned a boat and offered to take us all out to sprinkle his ashes, at McCovey Cove in the San Francisco Bay. I was all for it...

but then I found myself where I just was not ready to part with this box of cremains. 

One year turned into 10 years, and so on and so forth. Every anniversary or birthday I thought about this. My procrastination got the better of me and led me to the point where my own son's ashes were getting to be a burden to me simply because I was having a problem letting go - and as I am getting older, I knew I had to make plans one way or another and I did not want to shirk this duty onto my 2 remaining sons after I pass away. 

So the time is here  - it will be in 20 years. During  the years,  I would say, that I am waiting for the “20-year anniversary.”

Really, I was just putting it off. My family knew it and I knew they knew it. They were gracious and did not hound me. It was starting to be an issue for my sons because they wanted their brother, Michael to have a final place. 

A God job? 

Yesterday I was talking with a woman whose husband owns a small air service of helicopters and small planes here in town. She, without knowing or being aware of my dilemma mentioned that they scatter ashes as well. This came out of nowhere since we were not even talking about Michael or me needing to do this. - we were totally on a different subject matter. 

I felt my cheeks get hot - I felt the heavy thug, thug thug of my pounding heart in my chest. 

I told her my situation and she told me to call her husband and talk to him. 

I hesitated to share this yesterday - because I have failed at following through on this for almost 20 years and I didn't want to mention it and fail once again. 

Needless to say, after I came home - I told my husband - 

I started getting those 2nd thoughts. This has to STOP!

I have to go through with this. I want to. I'm the type of person who for too many years in my past, I allowed myself to be led through feelings and not facts. My therapist one time had me put down on paper, FEELINGS and FACTS and list the pros and cons of each when I was presented with something I needed to make a decision on. 

To this day I still try and use this tool when tasked with a hard decision. 

The glaring FACT is, my Michael was a beautiful person who lived on this earth. He needs a proper final resting place once and for all. I don't care for the idea of splitting his ashes up - or turning them into jewelry or vases which is popular now. To each his own and for me, that doesn't feel right to me plus I know my son and I know he would not have liked that. He would have told me, “That’s gross, Mom!”

Foodie took this photo - of their many backpacking trips to the Trinity Alps. It is their favorite place to hike. 

So we'll go with the scattering of his earthly cremains over the Trinity Alps - the helicopter will hold 4 family members; myself, my husband, and my 2 remaining sons. It seems so right - my sons love to spend time backpacking the Trinity Alps and it is one of my favorite places as well. 

It will be a relief - for me as I really do feel I held on too long. I suffered through what was clinically called "complicated grief." for about 8 years after. I cried so much that to this day, I hate to cry. I protect myself from sad sentimental movies, and books - for me, I can't understand wanting to watch a "tear-jerker." WHY? I spent 8 years in my own tear-jerker and it wasn't fun. 

I will call the air service this afternoon - 

And yes, my heart is pounding in my chest again…I feel like barfing. (slang for throwing up) 

Everything in my body is telling me to just run and hide - pull the covers over my eyes and forget about it. 

But it's time and I know it. 

Wednesday Hodgepodge -

click to join

I have to say I really enjoyed doing these questions and was all set to go at it last week, and then remembered there wasn't one. So here I go again...

1. Did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day in some way? If so tell us how. Are you a fan of corned beef? Cabbage? The color green? 

We observe it and always have. Growing up Mom always did the corned beef and cabbage - it was always so good. As for me now, I don't always cook - the last few years we have gone to an Irish pub here in town, called Shameless O'Leary's for lunch, and the Jefferson Pipe Band would come in to play. The food was good, the celebrant tone of the pub was festive and all was well. Of course not ever forgetting, who St Patrick was and all that he did for Christianity in Ireland. 

I can take or leave corned beef and cabbage unless someone else cooks it. My mom nailed it every year! Seems some years I can make a delicious one and the next year I don't. 

This year I did bake soda bread and it turned out well. 

P.S. Our favorite pub shut down 6 months ago, with no fun replacement. 

2. March 22nd is National Goof Off Day...will you celebrate? Your favorite way to goof off? Last time you had a whole day to spend 'goofing off'? 

I don't celebrate or observe these silly days. There is a day or month for everything now and for me, it's just getting annoying. So NO, I won't be "celebrating." 

As for my favorite way to goof off...Hmmm, I never thought about that before. When you're no longer working and are retired - every day is a day of goofing off. At least it feels like it. We can do anything we want on any given day or not. 

3. Something on your to-do list that has been there for more than a month? Will this be the month you finally cross it off? 

I have two things on my "list" that are nagging at me. I've procrastinated enough on item #1 that it has almost become a burden and now, I have to think about it, because of this question. It's personal and I will no doubt share it with you all, but not until I actually am doing it. So on to item #2: 

The 2nd item on my list is that darn free Library my husband built and I am to finish it up, by decorating it and putting the final touches on it. It sits in my hobby room. I just have no inspiration or imagination. Fortunately, he isn't bugging me about it (yet) and I will have to make it a priority soon. 

I'm just not "feeling it" and NO I most likely won't be crossing it off my list this month. I'll let you know when I do. Item #1 should be resolved in May, Lord willing. 

4. In your opinion, what emotion is the most beneficial? Which one is the least useful? 

I didn't know I was going to have to actually THINK. 

I guess right off the top of my head, I'd say Happiness because it leads to contentment in all things. It keeps you in a state of proper emotional balance so that you can endure when...the least useful emotion: worry, fear, and anxiety makes an appearance.  Anxiety is a result of WORRY and FEAR.

I am a recovering worrier. I've had many years in therapy learning how to stop the obsession of worry, and fear which results in anxiety. I slip every now and then - but for the most part, I totally give all those anxious thoughts that I cannot control over to the care of God. 

5. What was your favorite thing to do as a kid? Elaborate. 

I enjoyed being with my friends - and taking risks. I've mentioned before I was a curious child and teenager. I wasn't always an obedient child either. Let's say I was grounded a lot!  I did things - I had to try things out for myself and learn the hard way. I know I gave my parents a hard time - Looking back now, through my 69-year-old eyes, I wince at some of the things I did and am so thankful that I made it out okay and am alive to talk about it. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Okay here's one: In order to fall asleep, you have to pretend you are asleep. I used to fall asleep at the drop of a hat - as I've gotten older, it takes me a bit longer. So I lay there and think of nothing. That's hard to do because my mind wants to go over what happened during the day and I am trying to pretend I am asleep. I win almost all the time unless I've eaten chocolate a few hours earlier - then my mind won't stop. Chocolate does that to me, but only at night. 

So there you have it - 

Take Care,

Debby

Rain and looking back at crazy times

Isn't this cool? 

It's some fungi that grow on the oak tree. My friend, Mariette from Mariette's Back to Basics, may tell me what this is. 

Saturday I went on a little hike around Whiskeytown Recreation Area. Even with the copious amount of rain, it still looks dry. They tell us we're about 6 weeks behind this year...by now most everything is green and blooming. That's what a crazy and rare winter we had here this season. 

My sons and their friend set up camp - they planned to camp for the night even with another storm coming at 1am. They just needed to get out - 

 I dropped off Foodie and his friend there at the camp since Kyle's truck was out of commission - he did something to his serpentine belt (?)  when he drove through flood waters the other day. 

It was an overcast day but relatively balmy. Nice day for a short hike then I said my goodbyes and left for home. 

Navy was already there - waiting for them. 

We woke up to a big rainstorm Sunday morning, and I instantly thought about them. I no longer worry about them - they are big boys and know what they are doing. I trust their judgment - and while I would not want to tent camp with a rain storm coming, they also do these things for just the fun of it. 

Later in the day, I talked to Navy who told me they all went to bed around 1:30 am, Sunday morning. He woke up at 4:30 am to a pool inside his tent. He wasn't wet due to his sleeping pad that raised him up a few inches but he couldn't get back to sleep - so he woke everyone up around 8:30 and they started packing up - he said the rain was pouring down so hard they could hardly see. 

But he sounded like it was a fun experience. 

Lake Mendocino Camp
I swiped this from the internet - (Yelp) 

In my younger days, I've done some crazy things as well and yes, they are fun to look back on. One time, while camping at Lake Mendocino in my VW pop-up camper, I forgot to set the parking brake and we were on a bluff with the lake about 50 ft below - in the middle of the night, the VW jerked and started to go off the bluff and a very big tree stopped us from going over. It was pitch dark out, and we were all upset - trying to find our flashlights - my friends were screaming. We stayed in the camper; too afraid to budge and too scared to get out of the camper with all the wild animals and axe killers (just our imagination) At first light, we then saw the huge tree that saved our lives. And the camper butted securely to the trunk of the tree.  I wish I had taken a photo of that. I'll never forget it. We were all in our babydoll pajamas...remember them? 

Then we all nervously laughed about it but I always checked and doubled checked that emergency brake from then on. So I learned something! 

Of course, we never told my parents - 

Source: Pinterest

Oh gosh, another time, we were driving through Humboldt country's Mad River area - in the 70's - Pot was illegal back then but everyone knew it was grown in the area. We were innocently trying to take a shortcut to the coast - from the hot valley because it was around 110 degrees and the radiator was heating up. We had stopped at a bar - the only establishment around. We walked in and it looked like the headquarters for the Hells Angels. We were looking for a phone. They didn't have one or so they said. 

They took a look at us girls - figuring we were no threat - 

We didn't know until we got there, it was harvesting time - and were escorted to a comfortable distance away from their operations by 2 scary-looking men in a pickup to the county line. - they had shotguns. 

Midway into this adventure the brakes started heating up and we had to coast down and we had no water. It took us nearly 10 hours to get back to the bay area. Between all of us, no one had enough money for gas - I ended up having to use a credit card that I shared with my dad for gas on the coast.  It was supposed to be for emergencies and I figured this qualified. Back then fast foods didn't take credit cards, so we stopped at a Denny's and finally ate. 

Once again, we nervously laughed about it - and once again, we never told my folks the details.  

Back in the '60s and 70's up and down California, there were a lot of teenagers getting killed. When I look back now, I see the hand of God. It just wasn't our time. They were fun times - When you're young, you just take more risks. For years I didn't want to go down that road - it's now been 45+ years and we did make the trek through there (not at harvest time) to the coast a few years ago -  the road is wider and is much better, and it looks different. Not scary at all. 

I don't take too many chances these days - as I push toward 70. I'll admit the back woods adventure is still in me - but I have too much to lose now ...like my life? I'm careful now. It seems my sons also have that adventurous spirit as well. 

Have you ever done some crazy or dangerous things with your friends when you were young? 

Well that is it for me on this Monday - today is a dry day but more wet weather is on its way for the rest of the week. That's okay. It will be done when God says it will be done. 

 Take Care

Debby