Month: October 2019

The family left a few minutes after 0700 last sunday for Anaheim.  It was still dark.  I’m alone with Siku, the family dog.

However, life has been anything but boring.  My “regular” schedule leaves me with only two days a week unclaimed.  Monday is senior lunch with friends in Weed.  Tuesday is class at COS followed by lunch and a movie in Mt Shasta with a friend (this week it was “Judy” – a tearjerker) and the landowners’ association board the second tuesday every month.  Wednesday is blog day, food pantry in Weed, bi-monthly senior food sharing in Mt Shasta, and radio club the third wednesday of the month.  Thursday is now genealogy in Mt Shasta.  Friday is Paul day (something special, shopping, and the library). Add to all that some time for spinning and , of course, reading. And I plan to get back to gardening (partly at the school) come Spring.

Mark was worried that I was hermitting.  Ha !!

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Mornings are getting chilly.  Monday and Tuesday mornings the outdoor dog water was ice.  The red maple and the catalpa are bare.  The birches are still clothed in yellow but every wind takes a toll.  And following every wind the ground cover of pine needles gets deeper.

This morning I posted on FB … Strange morning … COLD 18 out there, clear sky, chicken water frozen … no wind movement at all, first time this week …

Weather is definitely late fall and I’ve had a morning fire.

~~~

A few months ago, the state of California sent out an invitation for applications to be part of a commission to redistrict the state following next year’s census.  It sounded interesting.  I applied.  So did more than 20,000 others.  I made the first cut to 2,000+.  Next cut will be to 120 who will be called for face-to-face interviews and further vetting.  The final commission will be chosen and ready to work in 2021.

I have the opportunity to ask for public comments.  I have sent a link to family and friends.  For those of you who read my blog but are not (yet) on either my email or Facebook lists … here’s the link: 

https://applications.shapecaliforniasfuture.auditor.ca.gov/application/15937.html

I still think this is a great opportunity and my only disqualification might be my age.  We shall see.

Oh well …

~~~

As you are all aware, California is on fire … again.  I have cousins near two of the reported fires (fires smaller than a few hundred acres rarely get reported). 

So far all is well.

~~~

This coming saturday will be the annual Hammond Landowners’ Association meeting.  My term isn’t up this year so I have another year to go.  My friends Neera and Craig have agreed to join me on the Board (there are four openings and if you’re nominated there will probably be no other volunteers so a nomination means a position is nearly a sure thing).  Items for work this coming year will include welcoming new residents, water issues, road allocations and maintenance, a question about an eyesore fence meant to obscure a “garden”, fire protection, and who knows what else.

~~~

In addition to the previously noted post this morning, I also posted in re genealogy.

… and feeling very sorry for a woman in Florida named Roberta who is apparently without any close family of her own for her genealogical research since she is spending her days involved with mine (and she had me marked as “deceased”). Poor woman must be very lonely.  Oh well … we are admonished to share with those less fortunate, right?

Do I sound bitter?  Maybe feeling crowded.  Sort of like having a stranger come into your house and take over.  

I repeat … oh well … poor woman.

Guess I need reminding that someday we will be the old pictures.

So … ‘til next week …

I saw a new medical care provider last week.  I had been seeing one in Dunsmuir, but that’s nearly an hour each way for me.  This one is in Weed, only 20 minutes or so away.  It can be difficult to get admitted to a practice in this area, but Mark, Paul, and Tyler already see this PA so I got in.

Everything is fine.  My physical health is fine. My cognition is fine.   Only concern, albeit a small one, was my left carotid.  He said it didn’t sound like a bruit but because of my age he wanted me to have an ultrasound.  It was done two days later and the tech said my carotids both look better than his 48-year-old ones do.  Of course, he’s a tech so we have to wait for the official decision.  But I would be surprised if an endarterectomy is in store for me.

~~~

Another “care” item … getting admitted to a dental practice in this southern section of Siskiyou County is even more difficult than getting into a “medical” practice. I thought I had it solved when I found a DDS over in McCloud. Last week I got a phone call reminding me of an appointment yesterday at 1400, so I arranged my day and drove over. I hate that drive! Hwy 89 is the main route east to Reno, is only one lane in each direction, and the drivers are all speed happy.

I got there and the door was locked. The expected dentist was part of a local rural clinic and their office was next door, so I went over to ask “What do I do now?” It seems no one had bothered to call to tell me the dentist is no longer with them and the next closest is in Burney which would be another hour each way on 89.

As a consequence I am once again in the market for a dentist.

~~~

Paul and I have only one more Paul-and-Nuna day before the family’s trip to Disneyland.  We’ll do our regular chores and maybe share dinner at the HiLo … chicken strips, fries, and green salad with strawberry lemonade for Paul.

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It pays to know the librarian.  I am about third or fourth on the waiting list for any new book.  Just now that was Margaret Atwood’s “The Testaments”.  Wow …

It is a good read (if you read and liked “The Handmaid’s Tale”) and has some spectacular word moments.

“… the inventor of the mirror did few of us any favours: we must have been happier before we knew what we looked like,”

and

“… regrets are of no practical use.  I made choices, and then having made them, I had fewer choices.  Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and I took the one most traveled by.  It was littered with corpses, as such roads are.  But as you will have noticed, my own corpse is not among them.” (Yes, I know the road less traveled isn’t hers, but she winds around it so smoothly.)

and one that caught my eye as a knitter “they are densely interconnected … by a network … that resembles a piece of surreal knitting …”

Words …

~~~

And speaking of words …

New assignment for the COS class…

“Write,” he said.

“What?” I asked.

“Just write,” he answered.

“But what?” I repeated.

“Words,” he said.

  So I wrote.

  That which Hamlet read, I wrote …

           Words

                   Words

                            Words.

~~~

Chicken times are nearly out of hand.  Mornings are almost 0800 and evenings are moving toward 1800 (6 pm).  That will change when the time changes, but they will continue to get closer together.

And it is chilly at both times.

The red carpet under the maple tree is spectacular.  I do so enjoy it every autumn.

~~~

It is interesting how even when you are missing the old family pattern, the new pattern can become your life.  Tyler (the 22-year-old grandson) was gone over the weekend, and it felt strange without him, even though he lives a “young” life and seeing him at regular times isn’t a given.

It is hard to imagine what next week will be like when all four of them are away. I’ve begun writing reminders for myself so I don’t lose the pattern.

~~~

This week’s reminder …

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

So … ‘til next week …

Started off last friday with news covering the BIG SaddleRidge fire in the Porter Ranch area of northwest San Fernando Valley.  We lived in Porter Ranch from 1964 to 1976 (on Celtic … which was pronounced seltic then and is now being pronounced correctly with a hard c … keltic).  We had bought one of the brand new houses west of I5 a few blocks south of what is now the Reagan Freeway.  At that time the area was semi-rural, not upscale as it appears to be now.  I doubt I’d recognize it today.

~~~

Last week was spinning week … and I was left behind … sort of. 

During these spinning weeks in the past, even last year, I was able to concentrate on spinning … but not this year.  I’m not sure what the difference was but I managed only 2,636 yards or just about a mile and a half.

Though it wasn’t a lot of yardage, I did manage to finish a combination of ebony merino with a fiber the mixer called “Glitzy”.  The glitz was on an eggplant coloured base.  I mixed two threads of the black with one of the glitz and, to my surprise, the eggplant came through dominate.  It is a dark yarn, but will make a nice lacy vest to wear over a lavender blouse I have.

As a side effect … I had been aware of the “you have to have done the work during spin week” rule.  But I got bored with the dark colours and plied some singles I had spun earlier.  When reporting my yardage, I counted only the plying and said so.  It set off a storm.  Competitive spinners were outraged.  Art spinners were surprised that their use of a commercial core made them ineligible (I don’t understand “art” yarn anyhow).  I wound up feeling sorry for the poor organizers.  I will read the rules more closely next year to see what changes there will be.

Even when I’m bit trying, I seem to make trouble.  Had I not been honest, no one would have known any of the minor violations.  And this doesn’t make sense to most of you anyhow.

Oh well …

~~~

My friend Neera and I went to see “Turandot” in HD last Saturday (part of the time I was to have been spinning).  I’ve seen the Zeferilli production before and it is indeed spectacular.  This time the male lead was sung by a tenor from Azerbaijan.  He has a nice voice, but he seemed to spend most of his time watching the Maestro rather than those on stage with him. I had heard a very knowledgeable conductor say it is the job of the conductor of opera to follow the singers, not for the singers to follow the conductor.  It was distracting to see the tenor looking into the pit when he was supposed to be addressing another character on stage.  Maybe he will gain confidence. If not …
”Turandot” is not one of my favorites, although there is some great music.  I think the “hero” is an idiot.  He passes up a woman who adores him, but is a servant, for a warped Princess.  As a result, Liu and his father (for whom she had been caring) both die. 

Stupid …

~~~

Weather is changing … again.  Moving toward winter.  The woodshed is almost full.  Last night there was wind in the tops of the evergreens.  This morning it has reached ground level.  The maple is moving as in a breeze.  The catalpa is waving leaves and branches.  The birches are scintillating.  And the evergreens are nodding down low and whipping around up top.  All very intriguing.

Yesterday I noticed the small Japanese maple in the courtyard is a very bright scarlet.

I do enjoy autumn colours.

~~~

The last Tailgate giveaway party of fresh produce for this year was yesterday.  Lots of fruit … big plums, bags of oranges and apples, and small but tasty pears … plus luscious ears of corn (we had those for dinner last night), red and green bell peppers, broccoli, a wide assortment of greens, and packs of frozen breakfast sausage patties. 

There are now two live-ins at the local fire company stationhouse. They get room, utilities, and training by responding to calls and we get more complete coverage.  Because they are students on limited incomes, we told them about the Tailgate event.  They both showed up and they will be eating good for a couple of weeks.

Next volunteer event will be packing Thanksgiving boxes.

~~~

And so it goes.  I still miss George … mostly the hugs. I read that a hug lasting at least 20 seconds is good for your health.

Mark and his family aren’t touchers and it is a little weird to offer hugs or touches to strangers.  I’ve seen posts of folks who stand on the street with signs saying “Free Hugs” who get a good number of takers.  I was reminded yesterday by one of the “guests” at the food party that I had hugged him when his mother died. That made me feel good.

Maybe when the ache gets too bad I’ll go to Yreka where fewer people know me and try the sign thing.  Or maybe in town for my next birthday? 

~~~

Here to end the week is “The Allegory of the Long Spoons”.

Legend has it that a man of Lituania, an itinerant preacher, was granted permission to visit both Heaven and Hell.  

With an angel for his guide, he was first ushered through the gates of Hell which, he was surprised to find, were made of finely wrought gold. The gates were exquisitely lovely, as was the lush green landscape that lay beyond them. He looked at his angelic guide in disbelief. “It’s all so beautiful,” he said. “The sight of the meadows and mountains … the sounds of the birds singing in the trees … the scent of thousands of flowers … ” And then the tantalizing aroma of a gourmet meal caught his attention.

Entering a large dining hall, he saw row after row of tables laden with platters of sumptuous food yet the people seated around the tables were pale and emaciated, moaning in hunger. Coming closer, he saw that each man was holding a long spoon but that both his arms were splinted with wooden slats so that he could not bend either elbow to bring the food to his mouth.

The angel then took him to Heaven, where he encountered the same beauty he had witnessed in Hell. Entering the dining hall there he saw the same scene, except in contrast to Hell the people seated at the tables who had their arms splinted with wooden slates were sitting contentedly, cheerfully talking with each other, as they enjoyed their sumptuous meal.

As he came closer, he was amazed to watch how each person would feed the person sitting across from him. The recipient of this kindness would express gratitude and then return the favor by leaning across the table to feed his benefactor.

The man urged his angel to take him back to Hell so he could share this solution with the poor souls trapped there. Racing into the dining hall, he shouted to the first starving man he saw, “You do not have to go hungry. Use your spoon to feed your neighbor, and he will surely return the favor and feed you.”

“‘You expect me to feed the detestable man sitting across the table?’ the man said angrily. ‘I would rather starve than give him the pleasure of eating!”

It was then that the man understood. Heaven and Hell offer the same circumstances and conditions. The only difference is in the way people treat each other.

So … ‘til next week …

I’m late.  This is spinning week and time got away.

~~~

It’s Yom Kippur … and one of the favorite stories is of the house painter who deeply regretted stealing from his clients by diluting the paint, but charging full price. He poured out his heart on Yom Kippur hoping for Divine direction. A booming voice came down from Heaven and decreed — “Repaint, repaint … and thin no more!”

Might be a lesson there for all of us.

~~~

Our weather has been exciting.  Sort of the want-a-change-just-wait-a-minute type. Two days ago my scalp was sweating in the afternoon.  Yesterday there was a frost.

I’m thinking of finding a place where they won’t be either ruined or being the way so I can replace the lavender.  I miss having my own.  Paul and I harvested (with permission) a bunch from in front of the library for the holiday gifts.

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I am not doing nearly as well with spinning this year.  A bit of arthritis flare-up mixed with realigning life led to confusion.  In the past I have set aside the week and done well.  This year some of the things I have become involved with are weekly repeaters so I have had to spin around them.  So far I have done only a bit over four ounces.  And speaking of ounces, I’m thinking about changing my weight thoughts from ounces to grams.  That should be interesting.

~~~

Something came up a couple of days ago.  I got a notice from the LDS genealogy web site that an entry about me (not one that I posted) had been added noting that I am deceased.  I pinched me and I’m still here. 

I sent a note to the woman who made the post telling her the information was incorrect.  Her response was a curt “What information was wrong?”  So I told her “I’m not dead.” And then I went to the web site and posted in the comments “I AM NOT DEAD.”

I shared the experience on a genealogy website I read and it was surprising the number of people who think the LDS site isn’t reliable.  I remember years ago when enthusiastic LDS folks were looking through obits and cemetery records and baptizing dead folks into the church.  They got my grandparents.  I wonder what Grandpa thinks of that.

But a good side effect is that I am getting back into genealogical research.

I saw something about Finch folks and, since one of my great-grandmothers was a Finch, I read on and found that a greatxsomething-grandfather was a Private in the Revolutionary War.  So I have a starting point now.

I’m thinking that I need to set aside a repeating day for genealogy.

~~~

Speaking of repeating behavior … a couple of weeks ago I went to see “Downton Abbey” with a friend (I already told you about that).  This week we went to see “Ad Astra” (which was a bit of a disappointment) and are planning tuesdays at the movie.  I have to cancel next Tuesday however.  I am changing primary-care-providers and have my first appointment with the new one that day. 

On our list of movies to watch for are “The Good Liar” and the Harriet Tubman film.  Any other suggestions?

Day after tomorrow I go to see the HD show of “Turandot”.

Very little time to sit and spin.

~~~

Last week in the writing class in which I’m participating, the teacher asked “What is the opposite of some?” I said few.  Others said all and many and none.

He also asked the opposite of fate.  I said choice.

What would you have said?

~~~

To end this week, here is something to ponder for Yom Kippur ..

“No man is wise unless he possesses three qualities: never to scorn one less learned who seeks wisdom; never to envy someone who is richer; and never to accept a fee for his learning.”

… Solomon ben Judah

May you have a meaningful Yom Kippur and a sweet and healthy year!

So … ‘til next week …

Our weather has been erratic to say the least.  One day last week we had clouds, rain, bright sun, snow, overcast, hail, and strong wind all in the same day.  Since then it has been chilly, really chilly.  Mark has started a fire a couple of times.  But I’m still sleeping warm under just one comforter.

The chill is touching the trees.  There is more and more red showing.  Even the catalpa is reacting to the chill by beginning to show her yellow.  And the milkweed pods are erupting all along the road.

~~~

Last Saturday was the Headwaters Trail Runs.  We tried some new things this year.  In the past, net control has been at the Marina on Lake
Siskiyou where the runs start and end, and stations reported every runner’s number as they went through an aid station. 

This year I stationed an operator at the Marine to act as liaison with the event managers and moved net control to the clubhouse.  That was a wise move since in the past communication at the Marina has been location touchy.  This year communication with all stations was quite clear.  One thing we have to correct next year is since we use two operators at net control, we need to delineate responsibilities and train more net control operators so there are fewer complications.

The other change was that rather than reporting every runner number, the station operators kept a running tally but reported only the first and last runners.  When we had a question about a runner, it was simple to start near the end and check stations back toward the start until we found the station where the runner in question was last noted.  Information was readily available and the air waves were noticeably clearer.

It was a good event and the information is ready for next year’s planning.

Oh yes, the day  with “weather” I told you about earlier … that was the day.

~~~

The Winneman Wintu Tribe under Chief Colleen Sisk, from the Lake McCloud area, each year do a Run4Salmon.  The dam at Lake Shasta down near Redding cut off access for spawning resulting in fewer and fewer salmon using the river.  Now the tribe is working to bring back the salmon by calling attention using an event which starts with running in the Chico area, continues in canoes across Lake Shasta, and ends with horseback up the canyon to tribal headquarters on Lake McCloud.

Last year I got involved with the idea of using hams to track participants.  This year they had 5 hams of their own involved.  I plan to contact the organizers to ask how that went and see if we can coordinate local ham clubs to monitor them along the way.

~~~

A new activity has been added to my week … free lunch on Monday.  Did I tell you about that last week?  Maybe I better read the previous week’s post before I write a new one. 

Anyhow, this week a local eats and wifi café served.  We had ham-chicken-cheese rollups with both green and fruit salads.  Large chocolate chip cookies were the dessert.

Next week … Mexican from Casa Ramos.

~~~

I was finally able to get back to the writing class at COS.  I’d missed two classes due to the surgery.

It was an interesting session.  Most of those in class are writing memoirs.  I seem to be the only one writing fictionalized stuff. 

One woman wrote a great poem about pens … writing pens.  Her meter was reminiscent of Dr Suess.  I’ve been thinking of telling her she ought to work it over, find an illustrator, and publish it as a children’s book.

~~~

Last Friday, on our Paul&Nuna Day, we went to the Mt Shasta Museum down near the fish hatchery.  We wiled away over an hour with the play areas (miniature trains, coloring tables, train and old-time cabin mock-ups) and some time with photographs of the Mountain.

The big discovery was their gift shop.  Loads of ideas for holiday gifts.  We will be going back to put shopping lists together.  Paul assured me he could help me make a list of the items he would like to have (indulgent grandmother smile here).

~~~

I’ve been thinking about the blog notice I used to post for those of you who are (were?) regular readers.  The computer crash took my email address book with it.  If you would like me to resume the notices, let me know and I’ll try to put another together.

~~~

And the thought (lesson?) for the week … 

A day enters, opens its doors, tells its story, never to visit again.  Never – for no two days of your life will share the same wisdom. … Rabbi Tzvi Freeman.

So … ‘til next week …