19 September …
Fire report …
All the local fires are under control. We’ve even seen blue sky a couple of days.
The Hirz is contained. The Carr is contained and nearly out. The Delta report this morning is 60,277 acres and 87% contained.
The Hirz burned over a large section of the Winnemem Wintu land, but they are going ahead with the Run4salmon. They requested help from the radio club on the 29th and 30th, but we are already committed to the Headwaters Runs on the 29th. I may be able to be at the finish on sunday to provide communications. I’d enjoy that.
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Yesterday was the fresh produce tailgate “party” day. 
I seem to have established myself as the check-in person. My truck wouldn’t start when I was ready to go, so I called to tell them why I wasn’t there. Then Mark came home and jump-started me and I went. As I arrived, Heather said something to the effect of “Wow … you made it. Hooray.” and turned the check-in table to me while she went to oversee the event.
It’s nice to feel needed.
This month we had bell peppers, zucchini, corn, cantaloupes, GF pasta, cheese and cracker snack packs, and pears Pears PEARS. Remember a few months ago when we had strawberries? Well … we gave away three BIG bins (3’x3’x3’) of beautiful pears yesterday and I had a nice conversation with a little, old man who wasn’t going to take any pears because he has a pear tree in his yard.
I will be doing up pear butter as soon as I can (things are getting busy). I’ve had a request for pear butter and pear cake.
Only one more giveaway before winter.
I have met some nice people there and enjoy the time spent (and the fresh produce received) so will make sure I’m on the list for whenever they start again next year.
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Autumn is making its way into our area. Trees are turning colour and dropping leaves … some of the pullets are molting … the squirrels are very active as are the bears … there are fir and pine seeds all over the place … summer birds are leaving …
The red maple is putting on a show. Only one branch has completely turned.
Sure looks strange.
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Egg production is increasing. We’re up to five or six eggs a day. I still buy an occasional dozen for baking etc., but breakfast eggs are now always ours.
Remember Picasso, the hen with the weird beak? I’ve been watching her in the morning to make sure she has her share of the garbage I take out. What a blast. She stakes out her share and if another comes to cut in, instead to giving up or chasing them off, she just rotates her tuchis to block them and keeps on eating. Smart girl.
Thinking about breakfast …
Hot cereal is coming back onto the menu and Paul is learning to eat it without complaining. Yesterday I put applesauce and cinnamon sugar on it.
Last week I got some Black Forest bacon. I had heard of Black Forest ham, but not bacon. Turns out it is sweeter (and blacker) than regular bacon and goes nicely in a quiche or with scrambled eggs and potatoes.
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Paul’s taiko lesson went well last week. Lesson three this afternoon. His big problem is learning to keep his elbows straight rather than bang the bachi (taiko drum sticks) like throwing a baseball.
At the end of last week’s lesson, Ms. Julie read them a story about how taiko started. It involved Amaterasu, the sun goddess, and her attempt to punish an infraction by not coming out of her night cave.
We’re learning greetings and farewells in Japanese, and how to count as well.
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… a thought to end the week …
Joy is distinct from happiness …
Happiness is taking pleasure in what you have.
Joy is the pleasure in anticipating future good.
So … ‘til next week …