Month: July 2019

Another Chris-in-the-morning … with the sun coming through the east window at 0714 …

Back in ’93 Chris said  …

Ol’ earth’s played out.  Last year China had to close Mount Everest.  Too much litter.  The world’s become a fragile place – not to be conquered but to be protected, coddled, nursed like a baby.

And this year people were forming long lines to climb Everest.  How many dead?  How many tons of trash?

When I was younger I often dreamt of traveling to see wonderful places. Not any more.  I see no need to form a queue to take a picture of a bunch of other tourists.  Maybe someone will perfect and offer virtual reality tours where you are the only one there. Maybe even while I’m still here to enjoy such a trip.

~~~

 Kamille and Paul left for two weeks back east yesterday morning.  Typical empty-house syndrome this morning.  They’ll be gone nearly two weeks.

~~~

Beginning last saturday morning, the sky was grey and the sunlight was red-orange from fires in Oregon.  The smoke from Alaska hasn’t reached us, at least not visibly.

Yesterday the air smelled of smoke. 

This morning I can’t see the surrounding mountains.

There has been word that the Oregon Shakespeare Festival may abandon the outdoor theatre due to smoke.  I hear that last year they lost nearly a quarter of their scheduled performances to bad air quality.

And another century old tradition drops by the wayside.  It won’t really affect me since the prices have gotten so high I haven’t been able to afford to go for years.  When we first came to this area, I could get a festival membership and two tickets (5^th row center) to every performance for less than $300.  Now $300 will buy four 5^th row center tickets.

Oh well … they’ve been doing less and less Shakespeare anyhow. Maybe the name needs to change from “Oregon Shakespeare Festival” to “Oregon Broadway West”.

~~~

The water situations are just under the boiling point.  As I’ve told you, I’m involved in two situations.  This evening I go to a meeting of the WaterMaster District Board in re the road situation.

The water situation in California is almost as big a problem now as it was at the turn of the century when the Tylers lost their stake in the Owens Valley.

~~~

 I am still touched by the sounds of the train going past at dawn.  Maybe I’ll be able to take a trip again sometime … if I can find a place to go. 

I remember traveling by train with my older grandchildren.  We came west twice … once on the Empire Builder across the northern states through Glacier National Park (when there were still glaciers) from Chicago to Portland.  Another time on the Zeypher across the middle plains, over the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevadas.

I’ve read about old time train travel when they traveled during the day and stayed in railroad hotels at night.  That would have been nice.  Makes me think of traveling south of Dunsmuir.  When going straight through this area you miss some of the best scenery … Shasta Lake and Mt Shasta.  Going south you leave Dunsmuir (our closest Amtrak stop) at midnight and so miss the scenery down the canyon to Redding.  Coming north you arrive about 0500 and miss the canyon as well as the awesome view of Mt Shasta from the south. 

It would seem beauty is no longer a priority.  Of course, at this time Amtrak is having to deal with Union Pacific which is reluctant to allow any rolling stock other than their own on their tracks. 

And that is why we won’t be seeing the 4449 through here again anytime soon.  Maybe the family can make a trip to Portland sometime.  That’s where the 4449 lives.

At least I can still enjoy the early morning sounds …

Sleeping with the window open

Makes for aural awakenings.

Small bird sounds as

First light strikes the sky . . .

Soft rhythmic breaths of

The partner beside me . . .

Barely heard whistle of

A train across the valley. . . .

Gentle rustling in the grass

Of the dog on patrol . . .

Incomparable call of the geese

Flying north to mate . . .

Subaudible movement in the trees as

The air begins to warm . . .

Ears awaken first and lead the way

Into the day.

~~~

A random post on the internet last week set me to thinking (nothing new there).  This time I was thinking about physically touching others, specifically hugs.

I’m a hugger.

I give them … maybe too often.

And I didn’t know how important they are to me until I reached a place in my life where they are no longer available.

My day used to begin with a hug as I went down the stairs in the morning.  George was always up about half an hour before me and would be waiting for me with a glass of orange juice, a smile, and a hug … often with a kiss as well.

Throughout the day there were usually random touches and hugs on passing, and the day ended with a kiss and a hug just before sleep.  Now I live with a family of non-huggers and I really miss it.

I remember reading, years ago, about old people in care situations who fade without physical touch, other than routine by care givers, and about people who visit care homes just to give hugs … which makes me wish I had hugged my parents and grandparents more often.

I also read about people who stand in public places with signs offering free hugs.

Maybe, when the hunger gets too bad, I’ll become one of those people …

~~~

Still no pictures, but I am looking for a tutorial.

So …

Teach us to walk the Earth as relatives to all that live.

                          … Sioux teaching

‘til next week …

Today my oldest child is 63.  How can that be?  However … I am grateful every day.  May he be eternally Blessed!

~~~

Still no pictures.  I’m saving them and I will conquer this new program … eventually.

~~~

At the meeting of the radio club last week, an effort was made to get the handling of the summer events under a single umbrella so there will be less controversy.  I was named “Event Coordinator”.  So I will be spending some time organizing and putting together a “script” on how to organize any event.

The final two events for this year are already quite a way along to being organized, so the emphasis will be on next year.  I know there is one member who is going to be miffed.  But oh well …

~~~

Six thirty-eight this morning before the sun shown in through my new east window. My, how the days go by.

~~~

Our weather has been warm with wind added the last couple of days.  But no where near as “warm” in other parts of the country and world.

Kamille has been consistently watering the area around the house to keep the brown at bay and dust down.

~~~

Last Friday, as she went out to walk the dog, Kamille met a bear in the driveway.  It seemed a bit early in the day for a bear to be out. And, of course, no one had a camera or phone handy.

Oh well …

~~~

Last Saturday, Mark, Kamille, and Paul went to Lassen.  Paul enjoys being a “Junior Park Ranger” and Mark was checking out radio stuff with hams back in this area.

It was one of those bittersweet moments which come with age.  I would have liked to go, but I know I wouldn’t have really enjoyed it due to body limitations.

So I stayed home and went to a meeting of neighbors about the water situation.  That is a situation ready to explode.  California water wars … 

Our adjucated rights date back to 1932 and the new Deputy Watermaster is —– (fill-in for yourself … young, aggressive, insecure).  Her edicts are causing trouble all over the County.  I will be attending the next meeting of the Watermaster District Board next week.

~~~

And more about water …

I am up to my tush trying to access and get help from government about this Board … both state and county. 

The office of my state Senator in Sacramento said to contact the Redding office but, so far, I have been unable to find a number for that office.

We were advised to file a complaint concerning a government entity, which seems to be in a no-man’s land without oversight, through the State Attorney General.  I spent nearly 20 minutes listening to menu after menu (“if … press … now” –  THAT effort at simplifying FAILS miserably) only to be told to file with the County, who had already told us to file with the State.

Sounds about right for bureaucracy, right? 

~~~

I am still busy a couple of days a week with the food sharing programs here.  Yesterday I packed kids’ lunches again.  Today is the Weed sharing and then the bi-monthly session at the church in Mt Shasta.

Makes me feel grateful and needed.

~~~

Kamille and Paul leave next Tuesday for their time back east.  It will seem empty without them.

~~~

And to finish this week, a blast from the past …

Felicia Friesema 17 July 2016 

Was reading some beautiful poetry this afternoon when I found a way to describe this kind of loss that I think anyone could understand.

When someone loses their partner, they miss so many things about the other person. Details. The way they ran their fingers through their hair. A smirk. How they rolled their eyes. Scoot the camera back a ways and what they are probably missing the most is the “we”.  That beloved person? They made “we” better than “I”. Much better. It affects every action, every decision, often in supremely positive ways. And when they die, the “we” is gone. And the widow/er has to make do with “I”.

Once you’ve tasted a great “we”? It’s a slog to feel like “I” can ever be just as good. And it can lead to what may look like some really weird decisions. It’s all about coping with “I”, being ok with “I”, and eventually learning how to be happy with “I”. You could bury yourself in another “we”, and sometimes that works out in surprisingly beautiful ways. But most of the time, the struggle is shoring up and learning to love the “I” the same way you loved and celebrated the “we”.

Make sense?

It makes sense to me.  As a lot of folks say “S— happens”.  And it is equally true that death happens.  You can never be prepared.  But you can be aware.

So … ‘til next week …

My physical situation seems to have settled.  Several single bouts of the 24-hour flu are no fun.

~~~

Weather is warming.  Sunrise is later.  Sunset is earlier. And so the wheel turns.

Places in Alaska, Nevada, Canada, Australia, England, and so many other unexpected sites are on fire along with several areas in California.  Others are under unprecedented water. 

Climate change can be denied, but the weather IS changing.

~~~

I had to spend part of last weekend moving the furniture to the center of the room again.  But all the upstairs windows are now done.  The new windows doubled the screen size in my room.  Breezes will be nicer.  And the windows across the south of the house fill nearly the entire area.  That will be great come winter.

~~~

Lunch preparations for the kids’ program went well yesterday.  They sure eat good.  Yesterday was beef and bean nachos with watermelon. Today will be chef’s salad with turkey, ham, salami, and cheese. Vegans are covered as well.  There are ten vegan lunches packed every day.

After fixing lunches, I went to the warehouse and helped with the “Tailgate” party.  They were supplying zucchini (no surprise), grapes, oranges, walnuts, romaine, several special salad packs, large bag of mixed greens (this time of year you’re supposed to eat lots of salad), broccoli, riced cauliflower, and ears of corn.

It is all part of the “Feed California” program.

~~~

Nature continues to follow a new path this year.  There are still leaves from last year on oak trees, and the faded lilac blossoms are still on the bushes.  It’s as if the plants are reluctant to let go. 

~~~

I recently watched a PBS show, narrated by Joel Grey, about the influence Jewish music makers have had on Broadway.  It was an enjoyable watch.  I know all those songs.

If you too like Broadway, here’s the link.

Full Episode

In one part of the presentation, Mel Brooks talked about his Broadway show “The Producers”.  The essence was that ridicule is the most powerful tool to use against dictators.  Example ? “Springtime for Hitler and Germany”.

“Cabaret” was noted as a history lesson.

And that’s why, on Facebook, I hit “HaHa” more often than “Sad” or “Angry”.

~~~

Last week, as part of my picture sorting adventure, I found a picture of a friend from long, long ago.  Her name was Theresa Sylva (her married name is Seaton). She gave me an armful of wild red roses when I graduated from high school (but I think I’ve told you that before).  She is part of my good memories.

She is the same age as I am and has been in the Ramona Pageant (which we were all in when we were young) for the last few years performing the part of Mara – a tribal elder/teacher to Ramona and Alessandro.  This may have been her last year because she tells me moving up and down the hills in the amphitheatre has gotten difficult.

I called her to tell her I was sending her the picture and we had a nice chat. 

Also had some chat time with a couple of others from that era.  There aren’t too many of us left, so visits are precious.

~~~

Quick thought … late afternoon last Sunday … What equals a touch of bright sun on a fir tree after a rain shower?

~~~

One not-so-good happening yesterday. 

While the men were here installing the windows, with everyone distracted, Siku got into the chicken yard and took out one of the California whites.  That leaves us with just eleven.  I reminded me of the time a neighbor’s dog got into our chicken yard and took out ALL of our hens just for the fun of it.

Mark was not happy about losing one of the upcoming layers.  As soon as possible, he plans to run an electric wire around the bottom on the fence.

~~~

Still no ability to post pictures.  When I finally learn, guess I’ll have to do an extra post with quotes from past blogs to explain the photos.

~~~

To end the week … another note from a teacher … 

“Carrying a burden of guilt and inadequacy … ? And where did you pick up that load? From a delusion that you are meant to be perfect.

“If you were meant to be perfect, your soul would have remained in its heavenly womb. But no, here you are on earth, a divine soul that has infiltrated across the boundary of worlds, compressed itself into a body of meat and blood, wrestling each day with the biochemistry of an upright animal, struggling to bring some light into a cold and dark world, to squeeze even a single moment of pure goodness out of the beast for even one altruistic moment in an entire lifetime makes it all worthwhile.

“From your every small victory, the world is transformed.  

“Whatever good you’ve managed to squeeze out of your time on earth, discard your worries and cherish that.”

              … Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

So …’til next week …

10 July …

The 4^th went as it usually has for the last few years until 0200 the morning of the 6th. 

I took last wednesday off and got my old body under control so I was able to do my stint as net control for the walk/run, and then as notifier representing those out in the parade formation area during the raffle announcements.  Everyone wanted to win the Subaru, but all I could think of was the cost of title transfer and license and insurance and be glad it wasn’t going to be me.

I didn’t stay in town for the parade.

I got home about 1330, had a bite to eat, and napped off and on until time to go to the radio clubhouse for my stint as net control for the health and welfare watch beginning at 2100. Kamille relieved me at 0200 friday morning and I got home and had a good sleep.

Then friday evening I left a bit after 2000 for my second stint as net control.  All went well until about 0130 when it became obvious one of the operators supposed to be on the second watch was not going to show up. There are two operators assigned to work a watch together and it is not a good idea for one person to be alone, so the operator who was supposed to relieve me took over that post and I stayed on as net control through a second shift.  I got home a bit after 0800, went right to bed and didn’t wake up until after 1500. I sort of stumbled through the rest of the day (the family left about 1600 for other holiday activities leaving Paul and me to care for each other).  We all survived, the chores got done, people were fed, and Paul and I were in bed by 2000.

I missed the Landowners’ picnic completely.  Oh well … there’s always next year.

It was an interesting holiday weekend.

~~~

Recently, while sorting out “stuff”, I came across a book I’d gotten way back in ’93. George and I had been fans of “Northern Exposure” and I loved Chris-in-the-Morning.  The book I found is a collection of Chris’ remarks.  Always pithy.   

I was sorting books to keep or giveaway.  This turns out to be a keeper (the pictures are good too).  I had thought of it often when it was out of sight in one of the stacks of books-I-will-probably-never-open-again.  I’ve been rereading it and now I know why I kept thinking about it.

I understand the words and thoughts were written by professional writers, but I read them hearing Chris’ voice.

Here’s a sample …

Been thinking about where I’d be without all those teachers who taught me.  Then it was my turn.  Graduation.  From student I became teacher.  A chance to give back what had been given to me.  To light somebody else’s fire. So what did I do?  I blew it, plain and simple, flamed out. Flunked the course.  My student came to me with a desire to know the time.  I told her how to make a watch.  Love and learn.  Power to the hour.  Another day …

Succinct. 

Ever felt this way?

~~~

In re the summer reading list …

I finished “Flowers for Algernon” and I’ve been thinking about it a lot.  Supposedly it is about a functioning moron with an IQ of around 50.  (Spoiler ahead if you plan to read or reread it)

Through experimental surgery, he reaches genius IQ level.  The surgery is proven to be “faulty” or only “temporary” and he returns to his “retarded” state.

I found myself thinking of life phases rather than IQ … i.e. four legs, two legs, three legs.

A bit depressing.

~~~

And talk about depressing, although a good bit of comfort as well …

Spent most all day last monday sorting photos.

Fortunately there weren’t too many I couldn’t identify.  The hand tremor was out of sorts, so I plan to ask Kamille to do the writing someday when we are both available.

Here’s one taken when George had just gotten back from Guam and we started dating for real.

Also found some pictures I am sending on to other family members.  They belong with them, not here.

There’s another box and a dresser drawer to go.

Now it starts time spent on getting all the genealogy books etc. into order.  That may fill the next year or two. Big decision is whether to start current and work backward in time, or start as far back as I know and work forward, or work surnames alphabetically, or surnames by proximity, and where and when do I start on the Plociniks?

~~~

Remember the fiasco with the windows replacement?  Well, they called saying the windows had arrived.  I asked if they were sure and Hannah said they went and looked to make sure before they called.  So everything goes back into the center of the room today and the windows go in tomorrow.

I will try to finish some of the paneling while the furniture is out of the way. 

~~~

And to top off the week … yesterday I left to go help pack lunches and about an hour into the job, my breakfast came back up.  I came home and spent the rest if the day in bed.

This morning my scale says I’ve lost between 3 and 4 pounds, but my coffee, juice, and solids are staying down.

The Shasta daisies are blooming …

And the catalpa is in full array …

So things are okay.

~~~

A note … no photos until I learn how to use this new program. Then we can do a catch-up. Sorry.

~~~

A reminder … 

If the only prayer you say throughout your life is “Thank You,” then that will be enough.            … Elie Wiesel

So … ‘til next week …

3 July …

 

Have you ever wondered why prostitutes are called “hookers”?

Well I have … and here’s another goody from Vidal’s “Lincoln”.

During the Civil War there was a Union General nicknamed “Fighting Joe” who had been a good General until during a bombardment “a shell hit a pillar of the porch in which he was standing, and the pillar had fallen on him, and he had been unconscious for hours. Once recovered he had given up drink and without drink there was, everyone said, no longer a “Fighting Joe” — but simply another incompetent Union General … whose headquarters … was like a brothel-casino.  In fact, so addicted was the General … and his immediate staff to the flesh that the army of prostitutes…” became known by his name. 

He was General Joseph Hooker of Massachusetts.

And now you know the rest of the story.

Amazing the things you learn by reading books.

P.S. There is a Hooker Creek Road south of Redding, CA.  I’ve seen it when driving down I-5.  Now I know the origin of its name … the General, not the ladies.

~~~

Herb collecting caught me late this year.  Re-becoming has thrown me a bit off schedule.

I was out in the courtyard (which is an entire other subject) and discovered the Allheal is in bloom.  I now have a jarful in oil in the east window.  There are some new-to-me uses such as drawing out infections and immune system boosting (for which I’ll need to make a tincture) which I’ll see to this year.  And I took up some roots to try growing indoors.

I also have spearmint and lemon balm and comfrey and citronella and sage and lavender drying.

I’ll be starting the yarrow tincture as soon as I get some vodka.

The adults here aren’t interested in learning about or using herbs.  But Paul is my buddy and a user of Boo-Boo Salve.  So even if all I do isn’t useful, I am finding I still get a charge out of researching and using herbs. 

Besides, it gives me something to do to keep busy.  Oh well …

~~~

A friend posted a “reading list” on Facebook last week.  I am well into summer reading on the list before I even get properly started.

1. A classic book … Slaughterhouse Five by Vonnegut
2. A Canadian author … Louise Penny’s Gamache novels
3. A History book … Lincoln by Vidal
4. A Fact book … not yet, any suggestions?
5. A Graphic novel … may not do this one, haven’t seen one worth my time since “Moby Dick” done in woodcuts which belonged to George
6. The first book in a series … Binti by Okorafor
7. Poetry … often and in many places, latest a collection by Native American poets
8. One that your parent loved … neither parent was much of a reader and the book I once found in Mama’s cedar chest (“The Sheik”) is out of print
9. A Newberry Award winner … I’ve put “Long way down” by Jason Reynolds on hold at the Library
10. A Fantasy … too many to count but I can include “Flowers for Algernon” by Daniel Keyes which I am currently reading, although it may count as a Classic in which case I’ll list the Atlantis trilogy
11. A book recommended by a sibling … my sibling wasn’t a reader either
12. A book by your favorite author … “favorite” is always the author I’m reading at the time … currently Margaret Coel

I’ll let you know how I do.  How about you?

~~~

I’m learning how to use my computer to watch movies.  Last week I watched “The Lost City of Z (zed)” based on Percy Fawcett’s explorations in Amazonia during the early 20^th century.  Fascinating.  A slew of unanswered and unresolved questions.  Did he and his son find the city?  Did they stay with the local peoples rather than return to England?  If so, why?  Did the Royal Geographical Society really try to find them, or did it write them off as loonies?  How did they disappear so completely?

~~~

Chickens are doing well … averaging 12 eggs a day from the 14 layers.  The whites won’t begin laying until September.  There are 12 of them so we will be able to count on at least a dozen a day during molt.

~~~

As you know, incorrect use of language is a thorn in my eye.  This was in a report I recently read on Facebook.

“… there still are some dirt roads out there and not all of them are paved yet.” 

And another said “After giving birth, calves are routinely separated from their mothers, …”

~~~

Weather has turned a bit to the chilly side with wind. 

 

We’ve had a visitor in the backyard.

 

And the evenings have been spectacular with sunsets on the clouds … rosy.

~~~

Yesterday was burnout for me.  I didn’t sleep well (or much at all) monday night and so was useless all day tuesday.  I was supposed to help pack lunches Tuesday morning, but I was asleep.  I had finally given up and taken a sleeper at 0500.  Spent most of the day very near a toilet.

My next few days will be well filled.  I’ve signed up to do radio on the morning of the 4^th for the events in downtown Mt Shasta.  Then I’ll be doing Net Control from 2100 until 0200 on the evenings of the 4^th and 5^th.  I will probably sleep most of the 6^th although there will be a Hammond Landowners’ Association picnic at 1100 and a taiko concert in Dunsmuir at 1800.  We shall see …

~~~

Last saturday Mark and Kamille went to Davis for “The Consecration and Ordination of the Reverend Canon Megan McClure Traquair as Bishop in the Church of God and the Eighth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern California.”

Note … here comes more  about herbs … ‘tis the season.

Paul and I did something equally impressive while they were away.  We went herb gathering (St John’s wort) and wildflower photographing.

 

 

The Shasta lilies are putting on quite a show this year. 

They are such a treat. Shasta lilies grow ONLY near Mt Shasta,

and as Paul says “They have a really loud smell.”Onthe banks of the reservoir there are several patches of the reeds used by the local indigenous peoples for basket making.  I’m good at pine needle baskets, but never learned to make ones with reeds.  Maybe that will be a project for next year.

~~~

In closing this week, here’s a thought for the “dark” times …  

“When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, one of two things shall happen … either you will be given something solid on which to stand or you will be taught to fly.”                      … Edward Teller

So …’til next week …