30 November …

 

What a ride the last few weeks have been.

I have forgotten some things I wanted to share.   When I start to write others, it’s as if I’m repeating myself.

Guess I have to rely on your tolerance while things get back to “normal”.

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Snow on the 19th got mostly undone by rain on the 20th.  Weather stayed cold with night temperatures in the low 30s.

It started snowing again the 23rd and continued off and on until the 28th.  Fortunately, we had no need to go out. 

I’ve been taking pictures but forgot to date them so here’s a collection. nov-snow-6nov-snow-5nov-snow-3nov-snow-4nov-snow-2nov-snow-1

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Tuesday the 22nd was our day in Medford.  We now leave the house in the dark but that tuesday we got home early.  Dusk had not begun.  There was rain so no sun.  Next trip north will again be the 22nd.  First time we will be going north on a thursday.  Current plan is to do the doctor thing and head right back home. 

We shall see.

~~~

John and Michael arrived on wednesday afternoon last week to spend Thanksgiving with us.  They are not yet acclimated to the weather up here, so they spent a lot of the time bundled up.  They will be living in Dunsmuir (down the road about 16 miles) by the end of the year.

No turkey this year, but a nice one is in the freezer awaiting the next holiday.

Here’s how the Mountain looked on Thanksgiving Day.thanksgiving-day-2016

We started the meal with statements of thanks.  My life has been anything but normal lately, but I have so much for which to be thankful.  I am truly blessed.

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One day last week I went to put out a fresh roll of toilet paper and noticed the packaging said “Bath Tissue”.  That made  me wonder what part of a bath required “tissue”. 

And that made me think of the time I went up to the bar in a pub to ask where the rest room was and the pert bird behind the bar said “That depends on whether you’re a Brit who needs to rest or a Yank who wants to use the toilet.”  In Cornwall, a least  the old part of Cornwall, the “bath” room is a separate room containing only a bath tub.  Makes sense to me. 

That line of thought led to the realization that Americans have a completely senseless array of words to avoid saying “toilet”.  I’d bet any of you can list at least a dozen.

~~~

state-of-jefferson

California has some interesting history.  Seems we live right in the center of this part of it.

 

WWII shut down the original effort, but it never died.

 

#CaliforniaHistory http://ThisWeekinCaliforniaHistory.com

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Some time ago I said no treaty between the US and an indigenous Nation has ever been honored.  I was wrong. 

My son, Mark, who lives in western New York state, pointed out a treaty signed in 1794.  It is called ” The Canandaigua Treaty” or “The Pickering Treaty”.  It is a treaty between the United States of America and the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy – Seneca, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Mohawk and Tuscarora.  It was mediated by local Quakers at the request of the indigenous peoples because they spoke English and could be trusted.  It recognized sovereignty and land rights.  There have been violations of the treaty, yet the treaty has never been broken and is still actively recognized by the Six Nations and the United States governments.   

The United States each year provides $4500 for the annual distribution of cloth to the Six Nations peoples. This annual affirmation of the obligations the United States government made in this treaty is more than 200 years old.

The Canandaigua Treaty Day Celebration, held each year on November 11 in Canandaigua, New York, is an event commemorating the continued observance of this treaty.

This information is online at http://www.ganondagan.org/Learning/Canandaigua-Treaty

In my opinion, one observation (with violations) doesn’t line up well with all the broken promises and treaties.  Still, it is worth remembering.

~~~

And finally, a thought appropriate to the holiday season … with blessing for all …

It doesn’t matter if your glass is half full or half empty.  Be glad you have a glass and there is something in it.

 

‘Til next week …

20 November …

 

I want to say thank you to all of you who were concerned about not hearing from me for those weeks.  The phone conversations and the emails (when I was able to access them) were nice. 

It is a real upper to realize that there are folks who remember me and think about me.

Bless you all.

~~~

As reported previously, we had been without an internet connection for 15 days. 

We were caught in an unreal situation.  Where we live there is no option for internet service other than dial-up or satellite.  We know the man who owns the cable internet service in the local towns, but he says there aren’t enough users in the rural rural areas (and the double is not a mistake) for him to be able to afford the cost of laying cable.  So, of course, we have gone with satellite. 

We haven’t had any serious trouble for 10 years.  Then on Hallowe’en it began. When the problem began to stretch out in time, we considered switching to the only other satellite provider.  Then, while trying to get service out here, we discovered all the service for this county comes out of Red Bluff and/or Oroville, and that both satellite providers use the same service providers … so changing ISPs wouldn’t change the service situation.  I wish I could believe that whatever government bureau controls, or has governance over, ISP providers would do something about the rural situation … but I’m afraid that is beyond my current belief capability and I expect it to only get worse.

However, after wading through reams of emails, trying to see what I had missed or done wrong, and catching up on radio club responsibilities, I’m baaaaaaaaaaaaccccccccccccck, although early (or late) this time.

~~~

The pullets have begun laying in earnest.  We are getting an average of five or six eggs a day.  George is not a fan of eggs except in cookies, cake, or other desserts and eats them for breakfast reluctantly.  But he acknowledges their value as protein and I acknowledge his preferences … so I will begin baking.

~~~

This is posted on a sunday rather than the usual wednesday (although there has been no “usual” wednesday this month so far)  because we had to be in Redding at 0830 wednesday morning for George’s annual check-up with his cardiologist.  The results weren’t bad, but not as good as in the past.  Looks as if I’ll be modifying diet.

Then thursday we had to make a trip to Yreka.  While there, I took a look at shopping at Raley’s.  I used to shop at Raley’s when I was in Yreka every week working as a Weight Watches leader.  Then I quit shopping there because we didn’t want to make the trip.  But thursday I discovered the prices at Raley’s were enough better than the local Ray’s to make a trip every other week worthwhile. Ray’s is giving free turkeys if you buy a $30 ham.  At Raley’s I got a 14# turkey and a 10# ham for $22.  Several other items on my list were less expensive as well.

Plans change.

17-nov-2016

This was the view on our way home that day.

~~~

Last wednesday evening was the monthly meeting of the radio club.  It was a short meeting since things slow down during the winter.  The main item discussed was the upcoming holiday potluck.  The evening’s entertainment following the holiday dinner will be an identify-the-members game … “Who the devil is that?”  Members have been giving me pictures of themselves aged between 10 and 20 to use and it has been fun working with them.  We were a really good looking bunch of kids. 

I’ll share some of them after the game.

The election of officers is coming up in January.  I was asked if I would run again.

~~~

Ever since I can remember I have been a fan of scifi and fantasy and horror.  Not slasher or snuff stuff … Lovecraft and Bradbury and Rice and anything Gothic.  As a result, I have become a fan (rather “we have become fans” since George got hooked as well) of a series called “Grimm”.  We are currently watching the fifth season via NetFlix.

It is basically one of the 46 story lines … the one about good vs evil with interesting confusion of roles and uncertainties.  Much like the world today.

We’re enjoying it and the parallels it draws.

Did I mention it is set (and filmed) in Portland?

~~~

Autumn has done its thing with the deciduous trees in front.  The maple and catalpa are bare, and the birches are almost there.

The trees out back are impacted by the season change as well.apple 

The apple has turned (it was the last to turn last year),the apricot and plum are both bare, and the smoke tree is gorgeous.smoke

white-cactus

 

 

 

And indoors the white cactus is blooming.

 

 

~~~

morning-snowThis was the view yesterday morning …

ac-snow-1-1

 

 

It was AC’s first encounter with snow.

 

~~~

… finally, here is a thought amid the chaos …

 

“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer up somebody else.”

— Bette Midler

 

‘Til next week …

 

 

There was no blog posted on the 2nd or the 9th

 

Cause?  No ISP service.

We lost internet access on the evening of the 31st and didn’t get it back until the 15th.

Reason?  We were told work on the node in Salt Lake City in preparation for a new service to handle high traffic loads caused local outages.  Then we were told our modem was bad.  Then that the satellite was being obscured by foliage.  Then that there was a local break in service.  I spoke with a total of 10 reps before I turned it over to my son.

Result?  No blogs, oodles of email to wade through, and

                         frustration.

But we did learn that we are “Valued” customers and when we call, our call goes to the head of the line, we get one free service call a year, and if we go over our allowed download limit (where they would start slowing our service) we can be forgiven twice a year.

Big  whoop.

After three service appointments where no one showed up, John arranged for us to receive service through a closer provider.

So here it is the evening of the 15th, a service person arrived earlier today and as a consequence … here are the missed blogs … without editing …

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2 November …

 

Things are quieting down for the radio club.  This summer wasn’t as busy as past years.  There were fewer events.  Maybe those things are on a curve as is so much of life and we have entered the down part of the curve.

So far, there are only four events scheduled for 2017 … two big ones, a medium sized one, and one which really amounts to nothing.

~~~

The Holiday potluck this year will be just a few days before  Christmas.  I’ve been trying to decide what to take.  I want to include those with special needs and so am looking for something gluten-free, vegetarian, and sugar free.

Any suggestions?

~~~

Weather has been wet.  Total precipitation since last wednesday has been 6.87″.  We are now in a three day (predicted) dry but cool spell.  More rain due tomorrow.

~~~

Pullet report (no longer a pullet surprise) … between three and five eggs a day.  I now have on hand two and a half dozen.  Time for egg salad (with a loaf of fresh, hot sourdough bread), maybe a quiche, and some baking.

~~~

I recently had a computer invasion.  All of a sudden the screen went bright red and there were two superimposed windows open.  In the background I could see something reading “troja…”. 

As instructed by my computer-literate sons, I instantly shut off my computer, waited about two minutes, and rebooted.  Everything was the same as before, including the red intrusion when I opened my browser.  So I emailed John for help.  He researched and called me and we went through a two and a half hour session as he talked me through the repair. 

I am so fortunate to have two responders in the family.

The reason for posting this is that it could happen to you.  If it does … under NO circumstances open any of the superimposed windows !!! and get help right away.  It is a bad one.

~~~

Last monday we went to Yreka for George’s semi-annual VA health exam.  It was Hallowe’en and the only one in the clinic who wasn’t in costume was the doc.  The receptionist was Phyllis Diller and all the back office folks were vampires.

We also made a stop at the County Health and Welfare office and the folks there were all dressed as very colourful fairies.

~~~

Thwatcher-1ere has been a change in AC’s life.  My allergy has made it impossible for me to handle him any more so when I go out he comes to me, rubs my ankles (like cats have a habit of doing) and sits on my foot.  We talk and occasionally I have a tidbit for him.  He now takes meals with the barn contingent which is composed of Fluffy (black with long fur), Locket (black short-haired with a white patch on the throat), the Ghost (grey short-haired), and two of the Ghost’s kittens. However, AC doesn’t live with them.  We think he has taken up residence in the empty dog house just outside the back door.  From there he can see into the kitchen and dining room.  And he has learned that he can jump up the back of the house to the screen on a dining room window for a closer look.  Yesterday I took the screen off the window.

AC and Fluffy seem to have a play relationship (and Fluffy has become more tolerant of human closeness) so AC is not completely abandoned.  I miss the petting, but as I was told … another of my “boys” has grown up.

Oh well …

~~~

Don’t forget to vote, either early or next tuesday.  Let’s get this situation resolved so we can get on with our lives …

and regardless of the outcome …

 

 Once a day give someone a full smile.

 

‘Til next week …

 

 

 

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9 November …

 

 

Significant happenings during the last week … the Cubs won the Series after one hundred eight years, there is a new President elect, weather got wet again beginning with a downpour saturday evening, we again made a shift in time (I really dislike that and wish we’d pick one time and stick with it), we made a trip to Sacramento, stalkerand AC continues to grow into an Alpha male.  He is even learning how to stalk (sorry for the red flash reflection). 

Last week he eyed a Junco (he missed).

~~~

The trip to Sacramento was the result of the semi-annual physical exam.  George has had increasing lung trouble.  He has COPD (Merchant Marine service in an engine room full of oil fumes during WWII where he learned to smoke, followed with raising cattle and bucking hay with the accompanying dust and mold) and his congenital kyphosis makes it worse, so we were sent to Mather in Sacramento for an evaluation.

I drove down to Marysville where we met John and he took over from there.  He knows Sacramento.

We left home about 0630 and got back about 1915, both in the dark.  It was a loooooonnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggg day and it will be at least the 11th before we know the results, if then.

~~~

As you know, I do genealogy.  In my research of both of my lines there is no sign, not even a hint, of any Native American heritage.  I seem to be about as white European as you can get … and I’ve been able to trace back before the 1600s.

However, I find the Indigenous Peoples’ respect for the Past and the Earth resonates with me.  As a result, I have been watching the events in North Dakota with dismay. 

History shows they have been treated with disrespect and covetous intent over the 200+ years of this country.  There is not a single treaty between the United States and a Native nation which has been honored.

The peoples at Standing Rock are standing for their past and clean water in the future for all. 

I stand with them.

~~~

During Spinzilla I spun with the WebSters group again, and as a result I received eight ounces of rainbow coloured pencil roving as a gift from Dona (the owner of the WebSters) … she gifted all her spinners. 

rainbow

 

The fiber was a real eye-catcher.  After drafting, I’ve been spinning it cobweb and triple plying to lace weight. 

 

I think what I want to do with it is a two-handed Fair Isle vest using a light grey as the contrast.  I have some grey fiber called “Silver”.  That should do it.

~~~

At the end of our appointment at the VA in Yreka for George’s semi-annual exam (which went well except for the lung thing), we were given a cookbook.

cookbook

None of the recipes use processed food (i.e. canned or packaged … other than pasta).

So far, I’ve tried three of the recipes and they’ve been pretty good … sweet-n-sour chicken, sautéed green beans, and braised cod.

Trying one or two a month will keep our menus interesting well into 2017.

~~~

 It has been said … 

 

Life is meaningful and everything that happens to us has meaning. This means that if one stubs his toe he should not get angry at the stone he tripped over, but that he should ask himself, “Why did this happen to me?”  Perhaps the lesson is just that he should watch where he is going, but he should also think about where he has been.

 

I am still looking for the meaning in the internet outage. 

Oh well …

 

‘Til next week …