Thursday

Happy Thursday - I hope this day was a good one for you. My day has been laid back and semi-lazy. I mean I did do all the normal stuff - pick up, fold clothes, and straighten the house but I haven't been motivated to do much more than that. 

It's a gloomy dreary day - no rain and it's 60 degrees which is a bit chilly when there is no sunshine. 

Last night before dark I took this photo of the Iris blooming. 

Our Ladies' Bible study is done till Fall - but I joined a Book club at church and this is what we are reading and discussing. It centers around the book of Daniel. 

This is a little vintage vase of perfume that I inherited from my sister - she bought it at an Antique store in Europe. 

Isn't it pretty? 

I adore the little handmade pottery it comes in. 

It actually still has the fragrance of violets in the container. 

This must have been some really potent stuff. 

Devon Violets perfume is made from real violet flowers and leaves. Production began in 1880 and faded out around the time of WW II. 

This gives a little history 

Susannah White looks back on the heyday of Devon’s violets

Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it. 

Mark Twain

Tonight we are going to a concert at our church. 

Our miniature orange tree is blooming. 

I wish you could smell the orange blossoms. 

So I have an appointment with my surgeon on May 16 to discuss my shoulder. 

I'm honestly thinking I do not have a tear because I am doing so well at PT. Perhaps maybe a small tear and that shouldn't require surgery. 

After PT I feel great but towards bedtime, my shoulder does start to work, but that's due to the hand weights they have me using. 

Yesterday the husband was supposed to get an MRI of his left shoulder. The Imaging Place was unable to do it due to a fairly good-sized piece of metal in his hand from when he was in the military. 

They x-rayed it to see if they could proceed but ruled it out because it was not stable and recommended his getting that taken care of surgically because it could pose a problem down the line if he should need certain medical procedures. 

We had no idea. 

Needless to say that really bummed him out. 

Back in the 70's he was told, at that time they were unable to take it out because of nerves and tendons and it is his dominant hand. He is left-handed. So we are hoping medical advancement will have the answers. 

The weather forecast looks like rain for Saturday but we're still going out. As long as there is no heavy wind or wind gusts or poor visibility. 

I feel really good about it and so do my sons. 

So that's it for me today - 

5. “Long after one has forgotten what a woman wore, the memory of her perfume lingers.” – 
6. 
   
7. Christian Dior

 

Hodgepodge - Una deliciosa mezcolanza

 

The Wednesday Hodgepodge are weekly questions - from Joyce over at 

This Side of the Pond. 

Don't be left out - and join. 

1. What's something you 'may' do this month? 

On Saturday, May 6, we are taking a helicopter ride over the Trinity Alps - unless the weather cancels the trip. So we "may" or "may not". 

Here's the background on this upcoming adventure. 

 https://www.from-my-house.com/2023/03/its-time-and-i-know-it.html

https://www.from-my-house.com/2023/03/thank-you-all-for-encouragement.html

2. "All things seem possible in May"~Edwin Way Teale. Do you agree? Elaborate. If not May, then in which month if any would you say all things seem possible? 

I like new beginnings and for me, every month is a new beginning so "all things are possible" for any given month. I particularly enjoy the Autumn months and having been a stay-at-home mom and a Family daycare provider for 30 years, my life was based on the school year. 

3. April showers bring May flowers...is this true where you live? What's your favorite color of the rainbow? Your favorite May bloom? Do you enjoy visiting gardens? What's a 'famous' garden you'd like to visit? 

Even with the snow we had here in California, my flowers didn't die and have bloomed. My roses bloom 12 months out of the year. My favorite May Bloom, continues to be my brilliant orange California poppies, which continue to bloom and are nowhere ready to give up just yet. 

As for gardens...

One of my favorites is the Japanese Tea Garden in San Francisco. The tea house there brings back sweet memories of a time when I was getting to know my husband before we married - he was living in Seattle at the time - this time we spent the afternoon in Golden Gate Park at the Tea Garden. We sipped on green tea and sesame and almond cookies, chocolate Pocky Sticks, as well as fortune cookies, all while it was softly raining. 

Very romantic. 

I also enjoyed the Conservatory of Flowers all in Golden Gate Park 

Seattle has a beautiful Conservatory of Flowers as well. 

All of these places are nice but truly a simple flower garden is always a treat to visit. 

4. Are you a fan of the Star Wars series of films? If so how many have you seen? (I think there are 12) Are you a fan of the sci-fi genre in general, in either books or movies? What's your favorite sci-fi book or movie? 

I've seen the first ones that came out but I never took to them like others. I'm more of a Trekkie - from the very first time I laid eyes on Star Trek I fell in love. Seriously I am not a real devoted Trekkie that dresses up etc. No that would be my husband's family that lives up in Seattle/Tacoma area. They are SCI_FI geeks and go to all the events, fully dressed up in costume. 

I enjoy all the Star Trek spin-offs. 

Years ago when we had cable TV my husband would watch the Sci/Fi channel and I used to refer to it as the "freak channel" Then I realized while it is not my favorite genre, there are some within that genre that I gravitate toward and that is anything to do with Time Travel. Even as a child, I wondered about time travel. We just finished watching the mini-series, 11-22-63. About a high school teacher who goes back in time to try and prevent the assassination of JFK. 

5. Cinco de Mayo lands on Friday of this week...do you enjoy Mexican food? How often? Do you eat out or make your own? Your favorite thing to order in a Mexican restaurant? Have you ever been to Mexico? 

Does a bird fly? Do ducks like to swim? Mexican food has always been my favorite for as long as I can remember. We lived in the Haight Ashbury, and we'd walk to this small Mexican restaurant, named Mexico City and that is where I fell in love with this cuisine. My cousin who also lived in the Haight, married a gal from San Salvadore in the 60's. so family get-togethers were delicious. She used to make these stuffed corn tortillas called Pupusas that I loved. I also lived in a culturally mixed neighborhood and next door was a Mexican family who would hand out to us neighborhood kids, hand-made corn tortillas with butter melting...

My all-time favorite is now just a good old Enchilada. Yes, I make enchiladas at least once a month and we eat a Mexican dish about 2-3 times a week. I never tire of it. I enjoy the flavors and the spices and try to incorporate those into my regular cooking. I once went down on a missionary trip with my church, years ago and stayed with a Mexican family.  I especially liked the meals they served - basic everyday Mexican flair - beans, and corn tortillas at every meal along with whatever they were serving. Eggs, skirt steak, pork...

I don't make my food as spicy and hot as I used to - although I do love the heat. 

As I write all of this, I'm getting hungry. 

My sister and me behind her. 

I've never been to any of the resorts -  My husband is not interested. Being a So/Cal kid - his family also used to trek down there for vacations. Sometimes you just can't go back...

My family was up in San Francisco and we would drive down to visit my dad's cousin who lived in San Diego - then we'd all walk over to Tijuana for the day.  My mom loved the markets. She was always hauling out some decorative piece or pottery that Dad had to find a spot for in the Impala. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. While I was searching for the Tijuana photo - I came across many old photos from my childhood. I got sidetracked and so I am late getting this out. 

Okay now, this Hodgepodge is a WRAP

Because of Jesus, 

I am Debby

Exhausting!

Friday nite was the Cruise. 

95 degrees - at the time and 20% humidity

Great advertising. 

The weather has drastically taken a turn toward winter. 

Today's high was 59 and it is overcast. 

I'm hoping and praying that Saturday is not called off but if it is, it would only be for our safety. How can I argue with that? 

So the worst that can happen is we set another date and hope everyone can make it. It's been paid and we need to fly...

Today I went to my PT - then we took a drive back over to Shasta Lake to see if my husband left Laydee's collar and rabies tag in the parking lot. Really, it was just an excuse to see how much the lake has risen in 24 hours. 

It is right up to the top - more snow melt is coming in faster than they can let out.

I'm still reeling at the experts that told us it was impossible. Nothing is impossible. In fact just saying that, makes it very possible.

   

Tomorrow is an all-dayer for me. Ugh. 

We, introverts need spaces between our busy days to decompress so this is going to be exhausting for me mentally. 

Oh well, I'll live...

Debby

 

And now back to regularly scheduled programming

 

Come and take a Sunday drive with us. 

The big talk around town is that Lake Shasta is just about full. So we spontaneously took off (played hooky from church) and drove to the Dam. 

This is Digger Bay - A very narrow road with hairpin turns as it winds its way down to the lake. We used to go there when I was a kid - we had a boat and my mom was ever the front seat driver  - wanting Dad to turn back because she was afraid of the road plus the towing of the boat. She would automatically press her right foot down as if she was braking...yelling to my dad (who was having a blast) 

"John... John... John..."

We laughed about it for years, often mimicking the memory. 

Boy, it brought back some good memories. 

The resort is closed. But the boat dock is there. 

California Redbud

Walked up a little trail - people living on houseboats. I would have taken a photo but most of them were sitting out on their boats, having coffee and breakfast and their dogs knew we were up on the trail. It didn't feel right. 

Oh, how I would love to have my morning coffee looking out at the Lake...

Now off to the Dam - As we rounded the turn, there she was...

California's largest Dam and our Lake Shasta. 

We weren't the only ones there taking photos. I'm sure by the afternoon, it was crowded. 

We decided not to walk the Dam so we drove over to the other side by the Sacramento River. I have always loved this view of the Dam.

It was a beautiful morning. 

Scotch Broom

We walked the Sacramento River Trail with Laydee. People were out on their electric bikes - seems everyone has one. 

I love the scotch broom shrub - the story goes that it was the Scotch that accidentally brought this plant to the US from the seeds in their brooms. Do you have Scotch Broom in your part of the US? I have not been able to substantiate the "story." 

Yeah just blame the Scotch...Maybe I got the story all wrong and it was the liquor...

They are beautiful though. 

The hills and mountains are dotted with the Scotch Broom. This plant’s uncontrolled spread into the wild has led it to be classified as an invasive species and a noxious weed in California, although it has not been banned from purchase and planting as it has been in Washington state. This plant can be found along the West Coast from the Bay Area up through Oregon and Washington and is abundant in local counties. 

I have a thing for textures - especially rugged rock formations in cliffs 

As we were headed down the trail, the Sacramento River was to the left of us. 

Oak

All the plants - trees and scrubs are looking their "spring" best. 

Pretty Oak Tree - a nice little swimming hole on that side. 

the fragrance of all the blooms was profuse and I was hoping I would start with the sneezing...

More Scotch Broom - sorry but I love the stuff. It's drought resistant as well. I wanted some on our hill and my husband is totally against it. He lived in Portland and Seattle when he was in the Coast Guard and that is where he gets his disgust for this beautiful but invasive plant. 

How can something so pretty be banned? 

Continuing down the trail - We won't take it to the end because we were not prepared - it was a Rail Trail and it is 12.3 miles one way. To walk it, it is best to get someone to drive you - to one end and then have your vehicle at the other. We plan to do this later this Spring, without Laydee having to stop and sniff every scotch broom she sees...

A healthy Manzanita growing out the sides of the mountain. 

The Manzanita bark is used in decor pieces in the home. 

California Lilac

It's great when you can identify plants with your phone. This also grows out the side of the mountain. It smelled so pretty. 

Time to turn back around. We promised Laydee a swim in the Lake. 

Getting closer to the Dam...

Coram Ranch provides lodging for vacations, corporate events, reunions, and retreats in Shasta Lake.

I checked out the rates - too rich for my blood. 

Another California Redbud -

Our picnic view 

We drove back over the dam bridge and had a simple picnic of PBJ sandwich and baby carrots - the husband had a granola bar. Doesn't sound like much, since it was spontaneous but that PBJ sure was good and hit the spot. 

 Took Laydee swimming - not here though. She went out and thought all the driftwood was solid ground and fell in. We took her to a more suitable area and she swam for the first time this year and LOVED IT! 

Her collar must have slipped off because we can't find it. It has her rabies tag on it so one more call to the Vet for a replacement. 

Came home and was greeted by our pond frog, named Kermit. 

Tomorrow I have my third week of PT - The husband sees his Cardiologist on Tuesday and on Wednesday he gets his MRI on his left shoulder. 

I think that is it. 

I had my MRI on Friday - but my shoulder is much better than it was. There are some positions that hurt but I am not in pain and don't have the nighttime pain, as I had before PT. So I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed that I do not have a tear. 

Such a nice day - later we will watch our church service online. Dinner is almost ready - we're having hamburgers and corn on the cob. 

Thanks for being here -

Debby

Hodgepodge has gone to the birds

 

Click HERE to join in the fun!

1.  April 26th is National Audubon Day, honoring John James Audubon, the French-American ornithologist, naturalist, and painter known for his detailed study and illustration of birds in their natural habitats. 

Do you have a bird feeder? Yes we have several in our yards plus I grow sunflowers - all different varieties just for the birds. 

Are any birds in your home decor?  At first, I said No, but I do have a fake owl and 2 fake black birds in my garden and fence. I bought them from the 99-cent store years ago at Halloween - not for a "Halloween" decoration but as a year-round decoration in my yard and the owl sits on my back fence. They are not scary - they look real. 

I do have an old green wire bird cage - and I did move the one blackbird into my kitchen window at Christmas and he's still there with a red blow on him. 

Have you ever owned a pet bird?  

We had a pretty yellow canary that sang sweetly when I was a child. 

Years ago I inherited my mother-in-law's bird, named Pretty Boy.  He was a common everyday parakeet. One day, I took the cover off the cage and he was dead. 

After that, I kept 2 white doves on my front porch year-round in an aviary. I had them for a few years, and they would greet my daycare parents with their sweet Cooing every morning. One time I was cleaning the aviary and the male Dove flew out and never returned. The female was lonely and sad so a very dear friend gifted me with a male she bought at a pet store. As soon as I placed him inside with the female; they both were very happy. They went on to lay eggs and in the last batch, we were moving and were unable to take them - so I gifted them to my friend who kept them on her front porch. Then sometime in the middle of the night, they were stolen. 

What's your favorite bird?   I love all birds so I always feel sad when I have to pick a favorite. They are all beautiful in their own unique way. - Around here, we see bald eagles, ospreys, hawks, and Steller Jays. I enjoy watching the colorful finches, blue jays, and woodpeckers and we have Ravens. In fact, the name of the subdivision I live in has the name,  "Ravens" in the name. There are a lot of them here. 

Just yesterday we were at a gravel place and looking around and a Raven landed near me - the wind was blowing and ruffled up the black feathers around his neck - I tried to get a photo of him - he was so pretty and he flew off. 

2. What's something you took to 'like a duck to water'? 

The first thing that comes to mind, is learning how to use a computer back when it was first starting - I was a full-time, stay-at-home Mom and we lived in Silicon Valley at the time so it must have been in the air...

Our first was an IBM/DOS back around 1988 - I was always able to grasp computer science naturally without any training. Eventually, I took an online course to be able to repair my own computer - As a hobby, I built websites for myself and for others - even a ministry at our church. -  I hold my own now - but with the combination of technological advancement moving so fast and my lack of patience -  I'm not as savvy as I used to be. I know just enough to keep our computers up to date - It was fun though, back when it was all new and getting on the internet when it first came out. Remember AOL? 

3. Empty nest, nest egg, proud as a peacock, free as a bird, birds of a feather flock together, or the early bird catches the worm...choose one and tell us how it currently applies to your life. 

Early Bird catches the worm. I've always been an early riser so that I could go out into the world and catch that worm! I do all my errands in the morning hours. I like to stay home in the afternoons, especially during the summer. 

4. Pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, sesame seeds, poppy seeds...your favorite seed and a favorite food or dish made with that seed or topped with that seed? Have you tried all the seeds on the list? Any you don't care for? 

I like all those seeds - but flax and chia seeds don't like me. I get a stomach ache. Whole Foods used to have a French bread that featured many seeds; pumpkin seeds; sunflower seeds, poppy seeds, and nuts. It was the bomb! I loved slathering butter on that bread - it was a meal. They don't make it anymore. They have a seed/nut bread but it's packaged and isn't French bread. I enjoy the taste of seedy, nutty bread! 

5. Something in the past week that made you 'happy as a lark'?

Waking up to see my own super bloom on my backyard hill - 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

How do our brains remember that we forgot something, but we can't remember what it was that we forgot - only that we forgot something. My husband mentioned this to me the other day and I have to say, it stumped me. 

As always, 

Debby

Everywhere we go - there are cars

So I gave in - and we accidentally went to a Show and Shine. This roadster was parked at the ACE hardware store. 

We were there looking for play sand for the bottom of our wood pit. Every place in town is out of the sand. I'm wondering if it had to do with all the flooding we had??? ACE said they should get some more in by Friday. We just need one bag. 

I love garden centers and the way they merchandise the potted plants. Very creative! 

At the Butcher's Shop -

There will be a show and shine at a Care facility, where my friend Margie is at - 

I know they usually have one at the Cal Veterans Home. 

My favorite. 

Just needs a Christmas tree in the truck bed. 

The big show will be all day Saturday - where they will have live music, food -everything a classic car enthusiast would want.

Even Shasta County K-9 drug-sniffing dog, Toni will be there. 

They're downtown 

and they're up-town...

Parked everywhere! 

Friday nite is the "Cruise" and then the all-day events on Saturday. Kinda funny, but they are recommending that spectators use public transportation to the event. 

As long as people keep coming and spending money; and helping out our community and the youth, I will gladly smell all the exhaust - since they are too old to smog so it really does take you back to 1950! 

Char just financed a 2010 PT Classic Cruiser. It is purple - her favorite color. That was quite a feat for her - being disabled and on a very limited income. She does get a lot of help from the state and the county on things like this - to help her independence. 

It's a cute car. 

Warm Regards, 

Debby

Poppies and More

I couldn't ask for a more excellent day - we're at our normal temps - of 83 today. Low humidity and allergies are on the move...

I love my own little super bloom in my backyard. Things are growing so fast now - the grass (green weeds) was cut just Thursday and now it looks like it needs it again. 

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying these spring days. We didn't do much this weekend. Went out for fish and chips on Friday and stayed home Saturday. 

Currently, it is Cool April Nites in my town - an annual classic car show started in 1990 is now a Redding classic in its own right, with 10 days of activities including 25 Show and Shines, a popular car cruise that parades through Redding's streets, a poker walk, live music and dancing, craft and vendor booths and a drive-in movie that celebrates the 1950s and ‘60s car culture.

I read that it takes the town $150,000 to $200,000, and it brings in about $8.7 million to our community; meaning hotels and restaurants are filled and people are shopping. Wow, I had no idea. Everywhere you go, there are cars - I went to PT and there is the other old-style drive-in - called Gene's and it was packed with classic cars - looked like something out of American Graffiti. 

Proceeds go to youth organizations. Since 1990, the board gifted over a million dollars to non-profits, schools, and other Shasta County organizations.

I can't say I am really "into" this. We took it all in when we first moved here - For me, it's a Once-you've-seen-it-you-don't-have-revisit-every-year kind of event. I mean, they are all the same. You've seen one classic - you've seen them all. 

Plus how many times do we have to look under the hood?

I think we might make some time to go to a Show and shine sometime this week, and take a pass, on the Cruise. 

My parents used to show their 1962 T-Bird in those early years when it first started. They also showed the T-bird at Hot August Nites in Reno. 

I sold my half of the T-Bird to my sister, believing she would honor the vehicle Dad had lovingly restored. 

Instead, she brought it to Colorado, and stored it in a barn for several years - After she died, my niece inherited it and told me it was starting to rust. Before Nina passed, she had it brought out to California and now her baby daddy has it. 

Oh well, it's just a car but I know my dad would be sad that it wasn't taken care of. I can only hope that one day my little nephew or niece will inherit it and keep it up. 

Yesterday after church, my husband came in and told me that for the last couple of days, he hadn't been able to urinate significantly and he is now in some discomfort. He thought it would pass. (no pun intended) 

So, he didn't think he should wait till the VA clinic opened today so he went to the Walk-in Urgent Care the VA recommended - the physician there sent him to the hospital emergency room. This was last night. 

He was there for about 4 hours and they did tests he has like a UTI and gave him antibiotics. He already feels better. 

I wonder why men do that - without medical information, believing it will pass - but then I thought about myself. I don't tell him about every little ache and pain I have. I too, withhold medical information, and many times it does pass, and then those times it doesn't - well then I deal with it. I trust that I have enough sense to know when something is not normal. I am sure he does as well. 

Poor guy - it sucks getting old. It is no doubt an older man, thing. 

While he was there, my mind started to wander into areas that were just too far-fetched at this time. As a recovering, compulsive worrier who has done quite well for a few years now, almost relapsed into worry. I just prayed and talked with a friend and both Laydee and Susie laid by me and I was so happy when he called to say it was just an infection. 

Both sides of his family have had terminal cancers - My family has no cancer but heart disease and arthritis. 

Thank You, Jesus, it all worked out. That is why worrying does no good for nobody!  I'm so glad I called my friend and we talked it out.

Today sure went by fast. Well, that is it for me. 

See you all later -

Debby