H.
No .. wait.. that's another blog. Stop. Rewind. Preparations are well under way for our next big summer travelling adventure and Greg's week of Summer Vacation has begun. WooHoo!
I had been planning on a trip to Hawaii this summer only to adapt those plans when we took on roommates so that we could celebrate a special 16th birthday at Disneyland (She has never been) .. mom close your ears.. Which I do not think is the most fun place on earth. .. shock!.. Its not that it is horrible. Its not that it bad. But being in crowded loud places overwhelms my senses. Take me off the street and put me in a restaurant or shop with the same and I lose my mind. Literally. I am at a loss in all decision making. Conversely take me off the street and put me at a concert, I still lose my mind but generally I am in heaven. So back to Disneyland.. Come to think of it.. I don't feel that way on Tom Sawyers Island... or really on any of the rides where my attention is focused so entirely on the experience. This just happens along the Midway. And so I am going to try something new this year and tune out the din with earphones. I may not have much in the way of internet out at the house but I can stream Pandora on my phone all day long (as long as the battery stays charged!) and I intend to see if that doesn't alleviate the worst of my dysfunction. I will pretend I am at a concert. Greg .. don't be alarmed if I hip check you! It might not be Hawaii but it might just be Almost Paradise. :p No.. I don't know what I am going to be listening to.. but the soundtrack from footloose probably isn't it. I am looking forward to checking out California Adventure for the first time too. It should be fun plus there is a chance we may get a chance to catch up with some friends and family while down that way: the perfect icing on my slice of this birthday cake.
Vacation isn't here yet so with that Im headed off into this cold foggy grey Saturday Morning to pick up feed, slug and bug stuff, gopher traps and the like. Tomorrow we are going to take a few hours to go surfing! I am looking forward to getting in the water a bit. Its been too long!
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Pine, Sage (maybe next time?! ) and Stone
I sit along the Truckee submitting myself to the elements.
nice view from the campsite
The conversations slid into addictions, old acquaintances and new, shared history, wine aerators (wow they are interesting), movies and movie making. And what sleep over isn't complete with a facial... yes. That is right. I let her have her way with her abundance of products and my face. Skin pulled tight and plump the whole time camping. Heather might come from the land of superficiality but she has got brass, moxie and smarts and is built for speed. Gotta love her despite her preoccupation with "beauty". Anyway, so I am sitting, waiting, camera on the ready and in the meantime I observe. A family of fly fisherman quietly casting out, the residual burn of smoke in my eyes, cicadas battling for dominance in the sound game against the rolling rapids of the mucky Truckee but ultimately loosing. Drowned out. Hantavirus laden squirrel darting in and out camp, playing hide and seek with the shadows. I point, bang and they run away. When you have to yell to be heard, its easier to remain quiet. But then again, out here, next to the roar of the rapids, who needs to be talking anyway? There is so much to listen to. Speaking of being heard.. a holler as they hit a rapid.. here they come..
I even got in on the tubing fun.. And if its to small to see.. well.. to bad.
Later we made the quick trip in to town where we met my mother and her dear friend and we got in an archery lesson.
It was a fun way to top off the birthday celebration. I don't think I mentioned that... Greg hit the big 40 this year. And he celebrated it in the best way possible for him. Quietly. Peacefully. Joyfully and with his family. He even got in some pleasure reading. Nearly devoured an entire novel. Called Ghost which paints an interesting and complex psychological profile of the main character. Its not a book recommended for most as the themes are quite adult.
All of our meals pre prepped and super easy. It was deeply relaxing for all of us.
And what about this campsite? We stayed at a place called Silvercreek. The pit toilets were super clean. The sites very spread out. I was quiet content with it and would return there over Whiskey Town any day. Not that Whiskey Town was bad. But it was like being at a "bring your own bed" outdoor hotel with no maid while boasting the luxury of having a goose poo filled pool. It fell short of the rustic peaceful experience I want to have when camping.
We returned home later and celebrated with Gregs favorite dinner and a spectacular and downright huge homemade birthday cake.
Anyway, I must digress.. I have a deep pile of bills and a handful of chores to attend to must get to doing. But I carry the tranquility gained in the sierra's with me as I step back into the life extraordinary.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Whacking, Weeding, Feeding and Mucking
just a few of the responsibilities I have been attending to. Do I mind it? Not in the least. Gets me in the sun. That's right... Sun! I had almost forgotten (with the exception of trips to lands of big sky) that it existed! I love the feel of the sun on my skin.. not so much the burn. Remembering sun protection is a responsibility that needs to be attended to on a daily basis.
Im not one for lotions and creams. I wash my hair with baking soda and rinse it with vinegar.(Which, as it turns out, vinegar is a natural tick repellant!!) I don't use lotion, makeup or any of that crap... ok I put on lip gloss, eyeliner and perfume on rare going out occasions but I don't make any kind of habit of it. And quite honestly I think my skin and over all health thanks me for it. So having to resort to sunscreen makes me squeamish. I know instinctively that sunscreen can be as cancer causing as the sun itself. (My opinions and actions with regards to beauty products are not merely some personal theory but are rooted in fact. For a more in depth look at the topic of harmful effects of beauty products I suggest you read No More Dirty Looks by Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt.) I think I better invest in some long sleeve work shirts.
So anyway.. I got a little side tracked there. Weeds weeds weeds be gone. Slowly but surely. In addition to yard work and BBQ/Poker/whiskey with friends (which reminded me that I am too old to be so over indulgent. Ugh!) this weekend our pal Kiwi came out and helped Greg get the pond cleaned up and running. Not the goose pond.. that is still in the works.. but the koi pond out front.
The immediate grounds are pulling together, slowly but surely.
As to the birds. We have put the breaks on getting any more birds at the moment. 7 geese and 14 chickens (10 are chicks) are plenty to get familiar with and I have a yard of grass to get growing so we have grazing for the geese.. natural lawn mowers that they are. These are our a few of our new chicks.. which Greg surprised me with when I returned home from my quick trip to NV.
In other news.. Willow lost her tooth. This is what she left for the tooth fairy.. Funny girl.
Im not one for lotions and creams. I wash my hair with baking soda and rinse it with vinegar.(Which, as it turns out, vinegar is a natural tick repellant!!) I don't use lotion, makeup or any of that crap... ok I put on lip gloss, eyeliner and perfume on rare going out occasions but I don't make any kind of habit of it. And quite honestly I think my skin and over all health thanks me for it. So having to resort to sunscreen makes me squeamish. I know instinctively that sunscreen can be as cancer causing as the sun itself. (My opinions and actions with regards to beauty products are not merely some personal theory but are rooted in fact. For a more in depth look at the topic of harmful effects of beauty products I suggest you read No More Dirty Looks by Siobhan O'Connor and Alexandra Spunt.) I think I better invest in some long sleeve work shirts.
So anyway.. I got a little side tracked there. Weeds weeds weeds be gone. Slowly but surely. In addition to yard work and BBQ/Poker/whiskey with friends (which reminded me that I am too old to be so over indulgent. Ugh!) this weekend our pal Kiwi came out and helped Greg get the pond cleaned up and running. Not the goose pond.. that is still in the works.. but the koi pond out front.
The immediate grounds are pulling together, slowly but surely.
As to the birds. We have put the breaks on getting any more birds at the moment. 7 geese and 14 chickens (10 are chicks) are plenty to get familiar with and I have a yard of grass to get growing so we have grazing for the geese.. natural lawn mowers that they are. These are our a few of our new chicks.. which Greg surprised me with when I returned home from my quick trip to NV.
These are our new geese which we picked up on our way home from getting Greg at the airport on Friday.. Not the best picture but I am sure more will be taken!
They seem to get along with Lord Stanley and the Ladies quite nicely. Although integrating both groups of geese has been a process.
I looking forward to my upcoming visit with Heather.. got to figure out what we are going to do! And then a long weekend of camping. Fun Fun.
Monday, June 24, 2013
Dipping My Toes In The Waters of Home
Up with the sun to let the chickens out then back to curl in under the sheets. No need or desire to get up just yet. . Nothing feels so good as a shower and a bed after camping. Although it would be nice if the bed was a bit fuller. Greg didn't get the opportunity to sleep in his own bed last night as he had an early flight to catch out of sj as he heads on his way to Boston for the week. He will land just as game 6 of the Stanley cup begins, I'm hoping his added presence give the hawks some cosmic advantage! Regardless.. I have an awesome timing story.. This weekend we went camping up along the crystal blue waters if Whiskeytown lake. I always wanted to camp there when I little as we would drive by on our way to more rustic camping in the trinity alps.. But anyway.. Saturday night comes along. I have no clocks or radio or anything of that nature but I know it's about time to hike to the car (small hike).. Plug in the phone.. Turn on the a/c.. Sit back and see if I have range enough for my radio ap to work. Sure enough it does and Greg and I listen attentively to determine where we are in the game. We listen for a minute.. and only a minute.. before we hear "He shoots. He scores. Blackhawks win Game 5" My psychic alarm bells were ringing right on time.
Whiskeytown lake.. Summer Solstice.. We have camped on the Summer Solstice every year for years but this was the most relaxing trip yet. The campground was decent. Yes. It's stacked site against site but the views are decent (The pictures are mostly on Gregs phone and will have to wait to be uploaded) and the people staying were quite and respectful, the bathrooms were disappointing considering the 40 price tag but then again it's not like we were using a stinky outhouse.. anyway good peaceful times were had once the set up rush was accomplished. Watched the fire burn all night. Listened to the wind before feeling it. Sort of like hearing the rumble of an earthquake announcing it eminent arrival. Woke Sunday feeling the weather shift and as most slept began packing up the site slow and steady then took a dunk in the water with willow to cool off before eating and wrapping up just in time to feel the sky begin to unzip. It was pretty damn perfect.
As to the title of this post... From eureka to redding and all points between is the land my parents grew up in, met, married and eventually conceived me (on a sheep farm no less!!). It is were my brother and I learned to fly fish rivers and fight river currents every summer through our teens. It is the land where my father is buried. Where my grandparents are buried. It is home.
It's been a long while since I have stopped long enough to catch my breath for more than a few seconds. This lounging in bed with a cup of tea and my writing utensils in the early am light is nice and pleasant! Anyway.. Rewind...lets go back to the last I wrote...
We moved smack dab at the end of the school year. We didn't all finish out as well as I would have liked but we finished out and homeschooling ( with the exception of having to mail back some materials) is all done. The prospect of getting life rolling again is a good one. We have been sitting socially isolated for too long. We need an influx of new ideas and energy. But that's to come.. Summer isn't over yet and I'm getting far ahead of myself. It took about two weeks to get our feet back under us and after that it has been filled with running ... Greg off for a week. Friends of Greg' s in from Vermont. A hectic but wonderful trip to Reno to deliver Willow to her cousins for a week of play to be returned by them the following weekend. We enjoyed the aquarium and a short visit but our energy levels were low and our visit was more mellow than usual. After that it was pre camping prep week and well.. Now you are just about caught up.. Well without the details of my trip to other waters I call home..
So.. Willow and I took our first real road trip together. She was quite excited about her adventure. Really the first of this kind.
We arrived in Reno and stopped in on grandma Mary and aunt Linda for a nice long visit catching up on all the small details of life and celebrating family. Grandma imparting valued wisdom. It was lovely and we wish we lived closer.
Then off to the cousins. After settling in I arranged a visit with D. We changed lighting fixtures in the dark with flashlights.
We talked about life and the fact you don't know how many days you have on the planet so make everything you do count for something. She is facing the concept of her own mortality and she is taking it well.. embracing life to its fullest and running off to second dates in Germany. We all die. Can't do anything about it. But you can try to leave a legacy. She has certainly got a hell of a good start on hers. She is in my prayers.
Then it was time for bed.. The heat taking its toll and zapping my energy.. I've gotten used to 60 degree weather. Anyway, after a wonderful big breakfast with the cousins, I said good by to Willow (Don't leave me!! Actually she wasn't the one crying.. but I never let her see the tears! She was very missed!)
From there I headed to Auntie M.s artist studio for a tour of what is developing at "the valley"... essentially a old abandoned mill just off fourth street (next to where I used to find my scrap metal for welding) that is being repurposed for artistic endeavors. It is a neat vision and I look forward to seeing its development. From there she took me to a communal home to show me the gardens and cob buildings that were being built.
We then sat in vigil on the porch in respect for a woman ( a friend of melissas whom i have never met but have heard stories about) who was passing away inside. Yet again on my trip I am facing a reminder about the fragility of life and how life must carry on along side it.
Then we grabbed brunch.
Later I was off to moms and to see the grandparents. Grandpa was celebrating his birthday.
It was a good time filled with discussion about coffee and guns and all manners of subjects from WWII to the present. Then I returned home with mom in time to see, visit and catch up with my dads cousins who live back east and were driving through on their way to Eureka themselves. I come from good stock. But by this point my camera battery was dead and I don't have any more pictures.
I slipped in a visit also with Terri. Our time spent sipping wine and talking books and life. She recommended Quiet. It is a examination of introversion in today's society. I've been listening and it is interesting and a good reminder to heed and nurture my natural inclinations. I recommended ape and essence .. another story that delves rather fictionally but no less accurately into the human condition and the natures of good and evil.
And then my very quick turn around trip was over and I was heading up over the Sierras again. But not before stopping at 7000 feet and drinking in some solitude and charging my battery in other waters I call home.
Now to unpack and get the gear ready again for our next adventure coming soon. Also in the cards a visit or two with Double H this up coming month and Disneyland.
Whiskeytown lake.. Summer Solstice.. We have camped on the Summer Solstice every year for years but this was the most relaxing trip yet. The campground was decent. Yes. It's stacked site against site but the views are decent (The pictures are mostly on Gregs phone and will have to wait to be uploaded) and the people staying were quite and respectful, the bathrooms were disappointing considering the 40 price tag but then again it's not like we were using a stinky outhouse.. anyway good peaceful times were had once the set up rush was accomplished. Watched the fire burn all night. Listened to the wind before feeling it. Sort of like hearing the rumble of an earthquake announcing it eminent arrival. Woke Sunday feeling the weather shift and as most slept began packing up the site slow and steady then took a dunk in the water with willow to cool off before eating and wrapping up just in time to feel the sky begin to unzip. It was pretty damn perfect.
As to the title of this post... From eureka to redding and all points between is the land my parents grew up in, met, married and eventually conceived me (on a sheep farm no less!!). It is were my brother and I learned to fly fish rivers and fight river currents every summer through our teens. It is the land where my father is buried. Where my grandparents are buried. It is home.
It's been a long while since I have stopped long enough to catch my breath for more than a few seconds. This lounging in bed with a cup of tea and my writing utensils in the early am light is nice and pleasant! Anyway.. Rewind...lets go back to the last I wrote...
We moved smack dab at the end of the school year. We didn't all finish out as well as I would have liked but we finished out and homeschooling ( with the exception of having to mail back some materials) is all done. The prospect of getting life rolling again is a good one. We have been sitting socially isolated for too long. We need an influx of new ideas and energy. But that's to come.. Summer isn't over yet and I'm getting far ahead of myself. It took about two weeks to get our feet back under us and after that it has been filled with running ... Greg off for a week. Friends of Greg' s in from Vermont. A hectic but wonderful trip to Reno to deliver Willow to her cousins for a week of play to be returned by them the following weekend. We enjoyed the aquarium and a short visit but our energy levels were low and our visit was more mellow than usual. After that it was pre camping prep week and well.. Now you are just about caught up.. Well without the details of my trip to other waters I call home..
So.. Willow and I took our first real road trip together. She was quite excited about her adventure. Really the first of this kind.
We arrived in Reno and stopped in on grandma Mary and aunt Linda for a nice long visit catching up on all the small details of life and celebrating family. Grandma imparting valued wisdom. It was lovely and we wish we lived closer.
Then off to the cousins. After settling in I arranged a visit with D. We changed lighting fixtures in the dark with flashlights.
We talked about life and the fact you don't know how many days you have on the planet so make everything you do count for something. She is facing the concept of her own mortality and she is taking it well.. embracing life to its fullest and running off to second dates in Germany. We all die. Can't do anything about it. But you can try to leave a legacy. She has certainly got a hell of a good start on hers. She is in my prayers. Then it was time for bed.. The heat taking its toll and zapping my energy.. I've gotten used to 60 degree weather. Anyway, after a wonderful big breakfast with the cousins, I said good by to Willow (Don't leave me!! Actually she wasn't the one crying.. but I never let her see the tears! She was very missed!)From there I headed to Auntie M.s artist studio for a tour of what is developing at "the valley"... essentially a old abandoned mill just off fourth street (next to where I used to find my scrap metal for welding) that is being repurposed for artistic endeavors. It is a neat vision and I look forward to seeing its development. From there she took me to a communal home to show me the gardens and cob buildings that were being built.
We then sat in vigil on the porch in respect for a woman ( a friend of melissas whom i have never met but have heard stories about) who was passing away inside. Yet again on my trip I am facing a reminder about the fragility of life and how life must carry on along side it.
Then we grabbed brunch.
Later I was off to moms and to see the grandparents. Grandpa was celebrating his birthday.
It was a good time filled with discussion about coffee and guns and all manners of subjects from WWII to the present. Then I returned home with mom in time to see, visit and catch up with my dads cousins who live back east and were driving through on their way to Eureka themselves. I come from good stock. But by this point my camera battery was dead and I don't have any more pictures.
I slipped in a visit also with Terri. Our time spent sipping wine and talking books and life. She recommended Quiet. It is a examination of introversion in today's society. I've been listening and it is interesting and a good reminder to heed and nurture my natural inclinations. I recommended ape and essence .. another story that delves rather fictionally but no less accurately into the human condition and the natures of good and evil.
And then my very quick turn around trip was over and I was heading up over the Sierras again. But not before stopping at 7000 feet and drinking in some solitude and charging my battery in other waters I call home.
Now to unpack and get the gear ready again for our next adventure coming soon. Also in the cards a visit or two with Double H this up coming month and Disneyland.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Its Alive!
Although it might just be gasping for a little air!
Whew!
Internet is now up.. which should explain my reemergence to the page. Still much to unpack and much backlog to attend to which I will be jumping on into in just a minute.
Quick breathe..We have been learning all the nuances of rural living. The 5 mile drive to a grocery store. Deer tick removal. Trees to water. A water filtration system that needs attention. Where is the feed store and what do chickens and geese need to eat? The building of chicken coops. Determining the location of the compost pile. Business... future.. retirement considerations spinning in the background. Smores, stars, watching Owls hover in the nigh sky waiting to catch dinner, Sun rises, Sun sets, Deer in the back yard, Fresh eggs, views... gorgeous views.. Lord Stanley saluting the morning.. all day long. One load in a 26 foot Uhaul, three loads in a 20 ft Uhaul. A house to be thoroughly clean and returned. End of Year School party on top of end of year school party. All the while carpooling Greg while his car is in the shop. (I should call on that today!) DUDE! It has been a very active and productive 12 days. The bruises are healing and the bulk of settling in has been done. Our big anniversary/birthday bash we are pushing back to my birthday so that will be an upcoming chore. This weekend a quick run home to drop Willow off for a week with her cousins. A summer of camping and company. Then we hit the school year running. Its a good thing I love being an Ox. And with that I think it is about time to yoke up and get to plowing. (figuratively of course).
Whew!
Internet is now up.. which should explain my reemergence to the page. Still much to unpack and much backlog to attend to which I will be jumping on into in just a minute.
Quick breathe..We have been learning all the nuances of rural living. The 5 mile drive to a grocery store. Deer tick removal. Trees to water. A water filtration system that needs attention. Where is the feed store and what do chickens and geese need to eat? The building of chicken coops. Determining the location of the compost pile. Business... future.. retirement considerations spinning in the background. Smores, stars, watching Owls hover in the nigh sky waiting to catch dinner, Sun rises, Sun sets, Deer in the back yard, Fresh eggs, views... gorgeous views.. Lord Stanley saluting the morning.. all day long. One load in a 26 foot Uhaul, three loads in a 20 ft Uhaul. A house to be thoroughly clean and returned. End of Year School party on top of end of year school party. All the while carpooling Greg while his car is in the shop. (I should call on that today!) DUDE! It has been a very active and productive 12 days. The bruises are healing and the bulk of settling in has been done. Our big anniversary/birthday bash we are pushing back to my birthday so that will be an upcoming chore. This weekend a quick run home to drop Willow off for a week with her cousins. A summer of camping and company. Then we hit the school year running. Its a good thing I love being an Ox. And with that I think it is about time to yoke up and get to plowing. (figuratively of course).
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Quick summary
Saturday was far from normal. A visit from a dear old friend, White Jim from college, whom I have not seen in damn near 20 years but with whom I have a fairly regular communication with. Jim is a well rounded fellow and it was wonderful to actually share some air and beer! I hope we can do it again soon.
Might as well jump was the theme of Sunday. After having a nice pancake breakfast at a fundraiser provided to us by the Castroville Fire Department in a kick off the Artichoke Festival event, Greg and I found ourselves with the keys to our new place and an itch to get some of it done. It was a very spontaneous day which alleviated half of our moving stress. A great big shout out to our friend Ray for his help on such short notice! We will finish the moving by next weekend. Woot!
The 4-runner has been taken care of. We got our money back from the seller without any issue. A hassle it has been but not a horror. Glad to have it off my plate. So that is one less thing to deal with. Now to turn around and get the other car fixed. That gets that problem resolved as well. Woot!
My good pal Nicole is in town today. Im hoping to squeeze in a visit there this evening.
Otherwise it is back to finishing out the school year and getting the last of the stuff packed and on a truck.
Whew.
Might as well jump was the theme of Sunday. After having a nice pancake breakfast at a fundraiser provided to us by the Castroville Fire Department in a kick off the Artichoke Festival event, Greg and I found ourselves with the keys to our new place and an itch to get some of it done. It was a very spontaneous day which alleviated half of our moving stress. A great big shout out to our friend Ray for his help on such short notice! We will finish the moving by next weekend. Woot!
The 4-runner has been taken care of. We got our money back from the seller without any issue. A hassle it has been but not a horror. Glad to have it off my plate. So that is one less thing to deal with. Now to turn around and get the other car fixed. That gets that problem resolved as well. Woot!
My good pal Nicole is in town today. Im hoping to squeeze in a visit there this evening.
Otherwise it is back to finishing out the school year and getting the last of the stuff packed and on a truck.
Whew.
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