Month: October 2018

31 October …

 

It promises to be a full day.  The elementary school parade through town begins at 1020.  I’ve been assigned to be there to take pictures.  Paul is Iron Man.  Kamille is a funky witch.  Pictures next week.

Following that I will be going to the hardware store for the tools I need to do more paneling in my room.

Then lunch with the women from my grief group.  I’m doing well, I think.  I am no longer taking the anti-depressant and I don’t feel any sadder than normal.  We meet about once a month to keep tabs on each other.  The deaths we grieve were in July, August, October, and November of last year.

The next event is to pick up Paul from school and go to our taiko lesson.  I’ve been learning the kadas (sections of the renshu taiko … practice exercise) and am pretty sure I won’t embarrass myself.  Next hurdle is to learn the opening and closing phrases which say (in Japanese) “I am here, Teacher, and I am ready to learn.” And “Thank you Teacher, classroom, and other students for this time to learn.”

After that, home for a throw-together meal so the family can start Trick-or-Treating at 1800.

Last Sunday was pumpkin day.

~~~

Weather is moving closer to winter.  Nights are colder.  It was 40º when I got up this morning, but it had been below freezing yesterday.  First frost of the season.

The trees are dropping leaves rapidly and the leaf carpet has turned

from red to  gold.

 The evergreens are coming into their own.  Paul and I have been cataloguing the various greens … emerald, jade, lettuce, broccoli, new grass, shamrock, …

~~~

I have been thinking a lot lately about the use of the possessive in English.  So many times people are identified as a possession … MY children, MY husband or wife, MY teacher, etc.

I wonder why. 

Children belong to both parents as well as to grandparents, but are really their own persons.  A spouse is not a possession.  A teacher does not usually teach only one child/person.

Other languages use a form something like “the husband of me” or “the house of the family”.  That is just too cumbersome in English. 

It would appear to be a conundrum without an answer.

~~~

Mornings are staying dark which delays chores.  Everyone’s day starts in the dark.

 …  0745 this morning (the reddish spot in the upper right is the sun).

In a week, mornings will improve a bit and evening activities will be limited since it will be dark by 1600.

I’m with those who would like to see one or the other time system chosen and that would be it … no switching.

~~~

Yesterday I was given a miracle (they do still happen).  There has been a clock in the family since before the turn of the last century which now sits in my room.  We call her “Grandmother”. 

For a long time, she was silent.  After George died, John got her running for me.  But that didn’t last.  She began striking incorrectly and seemed out of balance.

I enjoy seeing her and so set her on a stand near my bed, without any attention to leveling, where I could see her.

For several months, every time I looked at her she said it was ten minutes past ten.

Yesterday afternoon she suddenly began keeping time and striking (her chimes are the typical Westminster tune).  I have no idea what happened.  I was at the computer answering an email when suddenly I heard her strike. 

After dinner I sat down near her and got her hands set to the correct time and the chiming synchronized.

She has been keeping perfect time ever since.

A miracle …

~~~

A final reminder to vote … 

 

“The rain that refreshes the parched ground is made up of single drops.”

-Kate Sheppard

 

So … ‘til next week.

 

 

24 October …

 

Another couple of mileposts …

Last Friday would have been our 66^th wedding anniversary. 

And last sunday marked eleven months.

Friends and family saw me through it.

~~~

Neera, a neighbor and a friend, went with me to the HD opera showing of “Sanson et Delila” last saturday.  The show began at 1255 EDT so we had to be at the theatre by 0945PDT.  That meant we had to leave home by 0730. 

It was worth it.

We got there a bit early and found a neat little 50s style diner (Punky’s – complete with aluminum walls and pictures of street Chebbies and the Fonze) where we had a good breakfast of egg, bacon, and toast and were in our theatre seats in plenty of time.

The opera was good.  Garanča sang Delila (as I’ve said before … mezzos should be leads … rather than coloraturas) and the staging was interesting.

Now we are thinking about doing it again in December to see Traviata.

One interesting thing … I had always pronounced Garanča hard like a “k”.  Neera (who is Austrian) pronounced it as “ch”.  And Susan Graham (who was doing the backstage interviews during intermissions) pronounced it soft like an “s”.  Makes me wonder how Garanča herself says it.

~~~

Our weather is autumnal.  Nice. 

On my way home from town one day last week, this was Springhill.

Not as many colours as some other places because we are mainly evergreen, but nice.

 

 

 

The last of the maple …

 

and catalpa leaves are falling …

The birch and cherry are still quite yellow and the apricot in the courtyard is a wonder (the blurring is due to the tremor).

 

In addition, this area is doing its best by the Monarchs with lots of milkweed.

 

 

We were supposed to have showers yesterday, but no such luck.Clouds but no precip.

Next chance is late next weekend.

~~~

The radio club is winding down for the winter.  Only upcoming event of any interest will be the potluck in December.

But, looking ahead, some of us are already beginning to plan for next summer’s events.  OCD?

Which reminds me of a post I saw saying if the writer were a ghost they would go around to the homes of those with OCD and move all pictures on the walls slightly off kilter.

~~~

I go for my annual physical next friday.  I don’t expect any surprises.

~~~

The issue over water rights seems to have settled.  The one who started it all will not be receiving ANY water, our flow will remain essentially the same (weather allowing), but the flow will be diverted to the east after it leaves our property.  Seems the county and the sheriff were also involved in the situation over the downsteam flow because, over time, it had cut its own way onto land that had not been paying a water fee (since they weren’t supposed to have any water) and that the Sheriff had been watching because of what he called an “illegal” marijuana grow.

So all Mark has to do is change the flow on the neighbors’ property (they are okay with that) and repair our hydro line.

In addition, we are getting ready to add a solar array since with climate change the hydro is becoming less and less reliable.  The first array will be added to George’s solar out in the meadow.  Later, after reroofing, we will put another array up there.  That should carry us another decade or so.

~~~

My reading has been diverse this last week.  I read the next of the Louise Penny books and am trying to read a collection of poetry by “New Poets of Native Nations”.  I am finding the poetry hard for a couple of reasons … I am not Native and so have little or no knowledge of the culture birthing the poetry, and a couple of the poets are so angry they are difficult to read.

I recommend Penny if you enjoy mysteries, but I do not recommend the poetry unless you are willing to spend the time.

~~~

Our Spinzilla team came in seventh overall.  Not bad in an international event.

~~~

This afternoon will be my second taiko lesson. 

And to end this week, an admonition … 

Live your life as though nothing is a miracle or as though everything is a miracle.

-Albert Einstein

 So … ‘til next week …

17 October …

 

We are having power troubles.

The neighbor who lives here half a year and in Holland the other half, and who draws disability checks from both the Netherlands and the US, is back.

Many years ago she and George had it out over water rights to the west branch of the Shasta River (which powers our hydro turbine).  George would maintain the “diversion” (as listed on maps) and she would either go up or send her children to destroy his work and send ALL the water down to her property. 

He would repair.  She would destroy.  Etc. etc. etc.

The watermaster spoke with her. 

She filed a claim against George saying he was violating her water rights.

Her “rights”are dependent on the flow after “adjucated” rights. (i.e. established by law).  Our rights were established by law in 1892.  The judgement was against her and we had our flow back.

She just returned from Holland and now that George is gone she is starting all over again.  Mark builds.  She destroys.  Over and over again.

The watermaster is a new one but this time Mark is ready to file a complaint (and possibly a suit) against the neighbor for “stealing” our water. 

Her defense yesterday was that she is dying of cancer and her trees need water.  The watermaster says “She (the neighbor) just doesn’t understand.”       Horse pucky.

There is now a motion-activated camera up there so there will be visual evidence if it goes that far.

Mark will be enlisting the downstream neighbors, whose water comes across our land first, since it is their water as well.

Aahhh … life in the country.

Stay tuned.

~~~

The final tailgate party of the year was yesterday. Sharing was of green and red bell peppers, persimmons (with a recipe for cookies), tortilla chips, diet soda, fresh broccoli, zucchini noodles, egg plant, winter squash, and cob corn.

I will still be working the food sharing at the church, but that is only every other month … November, January, and March before the fresh produce comes back.

~~~

Today is taiko and pizza day.  I have already placed our order for pizzas via the net (wonders all around me).  Paul and I will pick them up for dinner on the way home after class.

I’ve promised we will do this once a month.  Special treat for both of us (since I don’t have to cook dinner this way).

~~~

The weather still can’t make up its mind.  Days are warm … in the high 70s or low 80s.  Nights get down near freezing.No frost yet but the trees are beginning to look bare.

~~~

The plants for the bee and bird friendly flower garden, which Kamille and I want for across the front of the house, arrived.  I am busy today, but I will start with it tomorrow.

I’ll be able to work on it thursday.  Friday and saturday are both full however.

We’re due for some showers next week.  I’ll finish as soon as I can.

~~~

The chickens are doing well.  And they are very Pavlovian.  I give them garbage every morning when I open the chicken house.  Now every time they see someone anywhere near the chicken yard, they come running.

It’s funny to watch the rooster in the morning.  He has trouble choosing between sharing in the garbage or performing his duty.

~~~

 

 

And finally … a portrait of our crazy eyed dog, Siku (one of the Inuit words for snow since he is a white Husky mix).

 

 

~~~

Thought for the week … 

 

The first thing to remember is that most of what we think is ‘best’ is just that to which we’re most used.  Try not to judge something as ‘worse’ just because it’s new.

 

So … ‘til next week …

10 October …

 

It would seem we have a hen who insists on laying double yolked eggs.  We average four of them a week.

And Mark has begun to sell eggs.  Soon the flock will be buying its own feed.

~~~

There has been a weather change.  We are having cold mornings with the temperature in the low 40s.  Not quite frosty yet … but soon.  Definitely hot breakfast cereal time.

Her Majesty (as Kamille calls her) got her first snows while we were having rain.

~~~

Last thursday I woke up with a panic attack.

I’m told they are not uncommon when grieving, but had hoped to get by without one.  Mark jumped in with mental health first aid and demanded “Breathe, Mom.  Breathe!”

Recovery took about 30 minutes, Mark, a cuppa, a sitdown, and breathing … but it did resolve.

Those of you who have ever had one know there is no rhyme or reason and if you have one you definitely never want to have another.

I was tired into the next day.

~~~

One item of heart-warming eye candy to which I look forward each autumn is the carpet of red under the maple tree.  I’m sure I’ve talked about it more than once.

This year it seems to be particularly impressive.  I revel in it each morning when I go out to let the chickens out and again in the evening when I go to collect eggs and close the chickens in.

As I’ve said … It does me good, as does the single rose in my window.

~~~

A couple of days ago I came across some notes I’d made during the Headwaters radio event about things I wanted to tell you.  Naturally I forgot them when I wrote last week.  So here they are.

It was a chilly morning and the Mountain was hidden in clouds (there has since been a real snow up there)…

It was as if the wind were applauding the runners, there were white caps on the lake, a kayaker was paddling against the wind and not moving much for quite some time, but the wind didn’t seem to bother the runners and we were a bit sheltered up at the start-finish line …

The Canada geese were very loud on their way south and I saw an eagle gliding overhead twice …

The official photographer had a drone up and the pictures will soon be available at https://www.headwaterstrailruns.net/

This event allows dogs on the trails (on leashes) and provides dog treats at the aid stations …

There were fewer runners (quite a few who registered didn’t show) probably because of the fires/smoke which impacted practice runs and breathing at this altitude, and caused negative anticipation although the day was perfect for runners (or so I was told) …

(here’s a picture of the aftermath of the Delta along I-5 … 99% of those trees are dead)

One runner who did show up ran the 30K humming all the way …

There were runners from California, Nevada, Oregon (all expected), Washington, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, Alberta Canada, Hawai’i, and Nebraska …

And that’s all my notes.  We’ll see what next year brings.

~~~

Spinzilla results …

2016 = 5,662 yards

2017 = 4,562 yards (1,100 less than ’16)

2018 = 4,380 yards (118 less than ’17 … picture taken during spinning time)

I might have been back up to my previous output, but I lost a couple of days to that panic attack and its follow up.  Still … not too bad.

Next year I plan to do finer drafting and since I am allowed to do that before Spinzilla starts, I’ve put it on the calendar for the end of August.

I wonder what colour I will spin next year.  This year’s teal+ turned out nicely.

~~~

A reminder …  

Don’t ever miss a chance to dance … dances can be prayers.

So … ‘til next week …

 

 

3 October …

 

The Headwaters Trail Runs went well last Saturday.  This was the first year we used a separate Net Control rather than combine Net Control with the Liaison communicator. 

The event planner gave us a set of suggested participant tracking sheets used by another run event.  I think they made things easier on those radio people out on the routes, but I haven’t gotten much feedback yet.

Our club didn’t participate in the Run4salmon as a club, but two members helped the Shasta-Tehama club.  Some of the horseback riders went missing for a while with one of the S-T folks.  But all ended well. 

I think I’d like to give that event a try next year unless it conflicts with our established schedule again.

~~~

Temperatures indicate autumn is really here, as does the rain.

 

Yes … we’ve had stormy skies and rain.

 

 

 

But this morning we are chilled and dry.(Just look at all the seed cones on that fir.)

Plus … the firewood shed is FULL with some overflow.

~~~

Spinzilla is underweigh.  My new schedule (as breakfast and dinner cook and on-call caregiver for Paul) doesn’t allow for as much uninterrupted spinning time as I have had previously.  In addition, this older body requires get-up-an-walk-around times so I set a schedule for myself … spin for a predetermined amount of time and then take a break.  Three days into the week and that is working so far.

Last year I spun 4,562 yards and the year before 5,662 yards.  Who knows what I’ll be able to do this year.

I’m working with a merino-silk blend and some merino-flax-silk.  The flax in the mix is causing a bit of extra work.  It mats and doesn’t draw as evenly.  At this point I don’t think I will use it for another Spinzilla. 

Or maybe I’ll get the hang of spinning flax in a mix and learn to like it.

~~~

Tyler has been working at a Dollar General store and he told us about a regular customer who has been coming in to buy Hallowe‘en masks which he wears.  Someone asked him why and his response was quite philosophical … at least in my opinion.

He said that most people wear masks all the time and you have to guess who they really are and what they are really thinking.  But he is able to take off the mask so when he then speaks to you, you can be sure who he is and what he is thinking.

Sounds reasonably thought through to me.

~~~

We are now getting eight eggs a day.  WooHoo!

No sign of molt yet.  Maybe first year hens don’t molt. I don’t remember.

The leaves are turning …

and beginning to fall …

while the seeds are still adding to the carpet.

A few days ago I was looking out the window at the birch trees in a slight breeze.  They were shivering, and seen against the red maple they resembled glitter in a young girl’s hair.

Quite a nice picture … as were the deer family yesterday evening … a doe and fawns, one of which is a male.  Look closely and you can see the horn buds on the one eating.  

~~~

Speaking of pictures … only three VanGoghs to go.

This month, coming near the end of harvest time, seems like a good time to share “Sheaves of Wheat” painted in 1890.

 

Heading into the abstract?  What do you think?

~~~

This family does the holidays in their proper order …

 

 

 

so Hallowe’en is coming.

~~~

Thinking back to the masks …

By ignoring, rationalizing, denying, and justifying our nasty motivations and unkind behavior we feel worse in the long run, not better. A tremendous sense of relief comes when we can be honest about what we’re thinking, feeling, saying, and doing.

—Thubten Chodron,

So … ‘til next week …