A Wordy Photo Dump

I haven't decided if I am REALLY back yet from my break - but I'm here, so I guess I am, at least for today.

 

Just a quick hop, skip, and jump from my house is a lovely spot we all affectionately call "The Field." Back when our subdivision was built in the early 90s, the city promised to create a cozy little neighborhood park for everyone to enjoy.

Do you see a park? 

About 10 years ago, our city shared some news through Nextdoor. They invited everyone to a fun day with soft drinks and treats to unveil the plans for a brand-new park. This new space would include a lovely walking trail, basketball hoops, picnic tables, and BBQ areas, beautifully landscaped and perfect for our community to enjoy together!

Do you see any basketball hoops or picnic tables? 

It still boogles my brain as to why they would even spend the money to host such an event, only to let us all down? 

The bottom line is, do we really need a park there? 

I personally love the natural beauty! The oak trees and the colorful grasses that change with the seasons are such a delight. The uneven terrain is perfect for dirt bikes and has been a fantastic dog park for our three dogs over the past 18 years (18 in May). Kids in the neighborhood really enjoy it too - they often find spots to build forts and play, just like we did when we were young. It's a great place for a muddy game of football in the rainy season - 

The neighbors living nearby pitch in to mow the grass, which is awfully nice of them, especially during the dry season. Those grasses get tall and dry up. We've had a couple of small grass fires in the summer months because of that, so it's nice that everyone works together to keep things safe and enjoyable for everyone!

I often stroll past it on my walks, and I can’t help but admire how beautiful it looks on a bright spring morning, even though this photo was taken in February! 

At the end of February, I checked out the pond near my house on a morning walk. This property was recently up for sale. Altogether, it is 11 acres. I don't know what happened - the sign is down. 

This ranch usually has donkeys and goats, but not today. 

You can just barely see the little buds of green in February.  

The homeowners on this road can be a bit protective of their neighborhood. I’ve walked through before, and once, an older gentleman, not-so-kindly asked me to leave, saying it was private property. I later discovered that the street is actually public. It seems like they just prefer to keep the area quieter and more private for themselves!

At the end of this street, there's a den of mountain lions! It sounds a bit scary, but it really isn't. We've lived here for almost 18 years and have never had any issues. Sometimes we hear stories about them casually strolling down the middle of our street, and it's even been caught on camera and shared in our neighborhood NextDoor app. I was told that is why so many around here keep donkeys. 

*For those who don't know, Nextdoor is a social media neighborhood hub where you can post things you need, missing pets, criminal behavior, ask about plants, gardeners, where to get your house painted, garage sales -

Anyway, I’d prefer not to walk up that street without my husband -  it's not really about the mountain lions. It's more about the grumpy old man and some less-than-friendly neighbors who live there. They can be a bit intense sometimes, but the scenery back there is beautiful and makes for a nice walk, right out my front door!

A sweet photo of Laydee in the front yard a couple of weeks ago.  She looks like a puppy here. 

She loves sitting in the warm sunshine, watching the neighbors go by - and while she does bark, it's a game with her, and everyone who walks by knows her by name. 

Laydee has really been enjoying the lovely, mild-to-warm weather these past few months! It's such a relief since arthritis and cold, damp days just don't get along. Thankfully, she’s been taking a medication for neuropathy that helps her lift her feet instead of dragging them, which has been a game-changer. Sure, those meds and the monthly injection can get pricey, but we're so grateful that we can afford them without going into debt. It’s a blessing, and she's worth it. We do haul out that pillow bed for her because of her joints, and she's getting those pressure sores on her elbows. Ouch! 

My husband has been taking her on trial walks in her buggy, and it's going really well! It seems to be a much better option than the mobility wheels. She's still getting the hang of it, though, and isn't quite ready to use it around crowds or other dogs just yet. Sometimes, she gets a little excited and tries to jump out! But overall, it's been a nice experience for her. 

Okay, the real truth is... I just wanted to share some photos before they slip my mind. Think of it as a wordy photo dump! 

Well, I'm smelling pizza - 🍕

I love it that my husband has mastered this meal. He isn't much of a cook, but he is an excellent pizza-guy! I think I'll keep him! 💖

Take Care - See you soon.

Debby

This and That and some Blogger Issues,

This is Mt Shasta in the distance, 

looking north 

January has brought us delightful weather, with crisp mornings that chill us until around 10:30. As the sun climbs higher, the air gradually warms, and by the afternoon, the pleasant temperatures invite us to throw open the windows and keep the screen door open till dinner time. 

Clover Creek Preserve is a great place for many of my leisurely walks, where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of diverse waterfowl and other birds, as well as vernal pools teeming with life. Numerous benches are strategically placed along the paths, inviting you to pause and soak in the serene surroundings. This 128-acre basin not only provides a tranquil escape but also plays a vital role in safeguarding over 5,000 acres of the Clover Creek watershed from flooding.

A great place to people watch, too! 👀

That is Mt Lassen in the distance, looking east

Looking west...

It truly looks like winter, with all the barren trees so 

It shouldn't be long before we start seeing signs of spring...

Although our rainy season isn't quite finished, we often experience brief interludes of sunshine that last a few weeks in the winter.  Without these dry spells, we might find ourselves drifting straight into the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. 

And yes, I know, some of you might secretly enjoy the idea of California taking a dive. 😉

I've been enjoying sitting in front with Laydee - the sun has been warm and feels good to both of us.  

☀️☀️☀️

"You talking about me?"

I wish I could tell you that by now, Laydee is wheeling happily down the sidewalk. She doesn't like it. She's a bit stubborn about it and resists. I think we might have waited too long, because she isn't having it at all.

We have until February 9 to return it for a full refund. 

🐾🐾

Laydee has found a way to manipulate us - one step, one treat, and then she won't budge until she sees the treat in our hand.  Then we're back to one step, one treat. If I reverse it and give one treat first, we end up waiting for that one step, which doesn't come. 

No, no, no, Laydee, it doesn't work that way. 

Oh well, what can we do? I can't force her, nor would I want to. The warm weather has her up, and about - but long walks are out of the question. So we're leaning toward option two: a cart we would push her in. We'll see how the rest of her training goes...

The daffodils are blooming on the hill beneath the redwoods. The vinca is starting to bloom with its periwinkle-blue flowers. By summer, they will have taken over since they grow like weeds here - trying to choke out everything. 

I'd keep them, but they don't play well with others. 

The other day, I whipped up some Hamantaschen and also baked a delicious banana bread with pecans, but my husband told me he prefers walnuts.

 That's fine - MORE for me.  

A Shoe In...

It's that time again for my husband to get four new pairs of shoes from the VA. He visits a quality shoe store, selects what he wants, and the VA covers the cost, including orthotics. This year, he chose a dress shoe and a work boot, but his hiking boots and sneakers are still good, so he’ll wait on the last two pairs since he doesn’t need them right now.

I need some new shoes this year, and with the money saved from not buying his expensive ones, I can treat my tired feet to a nice pair, or two. 

Blogger is giving me issues again. I can't leave comments on your blogs or reply to comments on mine, which is really frustrating.

Until this issue clears up, I'll answer comments here. 

I've been facing issues uploading images, and my blog theme is acting up, similar to when my blog went POOF a couple of years ago. 

I'm convinced Blogger hates me. 

To Janice and Carla, who asked how my folks landed in San Francisco. 

My parents followed a job offer when my dad's army buddy, a successful general contractor, mentored him. A few years later, he got his contractor's license. 

❓❓❓❓

I believe that's all the "This and Thats" I needed to share. I hope everyone keeps warm with the snow system and dropping temperatures coming your way. I'm not very well-informed about it, but please stay warm and be cautious. I assume you all are very accustomed to it and know how to manage it effectively, or else you wouldn't be living there. 

I would gladly embrace some snowfall here - It was approximately 5-6 years back. And we all enjoyed it.

A Saturday Walk, and the Christmas Take-Down,

We're all drying out from the HEAVY rain we had. Up to 15 inches of rain in seven days, in my area, which is good news for our HOT, dry summers. 

 

I walked the Sacramento River Trail on Saturday. It was a bit cold, in the 50s, and thankfully, no wind. Once the sun dips below the western mountains and casts a shadow over us, it gets chilly. 

Today we have reached a pleasant 62 degrees -  nice in the sun, and when the car is parked in the sunlight, getting inside feels wonderful. 

I found this funky place to sit and enjoy the area...

Some murals on the bridge

The surrounding area was devastated by the 2018 Carr Fire. 

It was nice to get outside after all that rain and flooding. We're looking at dry sunny weather until New Year's Day. I plan to take advantage of being outdoors.  

Maybe a day in the snow?? 

We'll see... 

A lovely little flower is blossoming on our hill. We're beginning to notice the early green shoots of our daffodils emerging on the hillside.  Typically, they flower in late January, but I uprooted them from the front yard and moved them to the hill last spring, so they might be a little off this growing season. 

My husband removed all the outdoor decorations - sooner than we typically do, but with a storm approaching later in the week, now seems as good a time as any, while it is sunny and dry.  We decided to keep the icicle lights on the patio up - likely until sometime in February.

I have a few winter decorations that I'll keep out, and I have additional winter pieces to incorporate into the mix. 

Today I bought a rolled beef roast from the butcher for New Year's Day. I plan to serve it with Irish mashed potatoes, gravy, garlic green beans, and Tennessee onions, in honor of my Tennessee side of the family.  My grandma made the best version with sweet Vidalia onions. I looked through online images for ones that look like hers, since I don't take photos of my meals. Yummm, I love the crispy edges. They pair perfectly with grilled steak, prime rib, or roast beef (my husband calls it Roast Beast).

I also bought some chicken thighs and breasts at the butcher's because I'm not impressed with the grocery store's oversized, Dolly Parton Breasts.  They're unnaturally large and on the tough side. No doubt pumped with hormones...

My husband will make pizza tonight...we missed it last week, and we have to have our homemade pizza once a week! 

I also had my hair trimmed, which I really needed. My hair is thick - and I have a lot of it. I'm pushing it if I wait 6 weeks. 

I don't have anything else on my mind that needs to be said - I'm looking forward to the conclusion of this year and the start of a new one. I love new beginnings. 

Lord willing, I'll see you tomorrow as I try to get out at least one last post for 2025. 

Debby

Trying to be normal on a Thursday

Today, I decided to leave the house. When you're not feeling well, it often requires some motivation to get moving. A roast chicken deli sandwich on Dutch crunch bread was the incentive I needed. We took our lunch to the nature preserve.

 Clover Creek. Isn't that the cutest name? 

I remember when this place first opened to the public about 15 years ago—there were no houses on the ridge. In the distance, you can see the Mt Lassen Caldera. That was one BIG volcano until it blew back in 1914 and 1921. 

Steam issuing from summit of Lassen Peak from head of Lost Creek following mud flow. Large boulder or "Hot Rock" in foreground. Photograph taken a few hours prior to second major eruption and hot blast. B.F. Loomis May 22, 1915 Archive VI-PH-C1.63

I love this stuff. 

Steam issuing from summit of Lassen Peak from head of Lost Creek following mud flow. Large boulder or "Hot Rock" in foreground. Photograph taken a few hours prior to second major eruption and hot blast. B.F. Loomis May 22, 1915 Archive VI-PH-C1.63

Okay, back on track...

It was around 63 degrees at noon with a cool breeze. 

Laydee was with us, enjoying the fresh air.

I found a bench and sat down in the sun; it felt so nice.

the view of the southern part of the Shasta Cascades 

We drove out to Shasta Lake near Jones Valley. 

The scenery was breathtaking—the hills were lush and green, dotted with goats and cattle. I wanted to stop and take a photo, but the narrow, winding country roads made it difficult to find a safe spot to pull over. Unfortunately, I never found a place where I felt secure enough to stop.

From last year! 

I drove out to the boat ramp to check on my favorite bench. The waterline has not reached the bench yet. I completely forgot to take my camera with me. Just driving out there, seeing all the houseboats lined up and getting ready for a good season, made me excited for spring and summer. 

It was nice to escape, even if only for a few hours.

I’m feeling better—I had an excellent night’s sleep. However, I still don’t feel quite like my normal self. Then again, what is "normal"? 

That's it for me: this late Thursday afternoon post. 

On to Friday...

Debby

More from Saturday Morning at The Dam

At the lake on Saturday, I was impressed by the striking beauty of the Manzanita, and its red bark

What do you think of the pyracantha berries? They are everywhere along this little trail down to the water. I keep telling my husband that we need to plant some in our yard for winter color.

I drove across the dam bridge. Or should I say, the bridge dam?

We usually walk Laydee, but my husband forgot her leash, and we felt bad because we had already used the "W" word. 

The morning was absolutely gorgeous and we had the Dam to ourselves. 

They offer free tours inside the dam, which we have taken many times when we have guests from out of town. These tours are free and very informative.

 Two additional towers are down the road, likely for maintenance.

 The walk across the dam is three-quarters of a mile one way.

The end of the bridge now leads over to the Sacramento River.

The dam has always been equipped with armed security personnel. Visitors are required to present their driver’s license and provide a reason for wanting to access the dam bridge or the surrounding area. This protocol is likely due to its status as a federal dam. Although we were not residents during the events of September 11, 2001, I recall hearing from my parents that security measures were heightened at that time. Access to the dam was restricted, and individuals with backpacks or vehicles were not allowed to cross the bridge.

They also closed it down during the pandemic. 

(no comment)

There is a trail to the side, called the Sacramento River Trail that meanders into town. 

Some beautiful views on this trail and a lot of wildlife. 

The Sacramento River, a major waterway in California, and it is looking healthy. 

We are still in our rainy season till April. 

Next, we arrived at the Visitor Center, which features a gift shop, displays, and a theater that offers free documentaries. If you're interested in water sciences, conservation, and hydroelectric power, you can watch some excellent films—they will play them for you. There have been times, especially on rainy, stormy days, when we've gone there to enjoy an interesting documentary. 

I know it might sound boring to some, but we really enjoy it, 

and it's an affordable date option!

Okay, so we're nerds!

They have large picture windows that offer stunning views of the dam.

…and with Mount Shasta in the background.

557 miles to Los Angeles. We're only 120 miles to the Oregon border! 

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by topographical scale displays. 

(another nerd-thing)

Every time I pass these types of displays, I stop to survey the land and observe the various mountain formations that don't appear on a regular map. The Sacramento River actually starts way up, further than Shasta Lake,  then goes through the Shasta Dam, and then into Keswick Dam before going downriver. 

It's part of the US Bureau of Reclamation, Central Valley project. 

The mountains and Shasta Lake offer a view of the surrounding topography which I think is cool. 

In the gift shop, there are books, clothing, and souvenirs. They just got in some new t-shirts and a cap that would be great Christmas gifts for my sons, so I might start Christmas 2025 early. You have to grab these items before the tourists do. 

I thought this was sweet - 

Several times in the month, you might find us at Shasta Lake, the Dam or the River Park Trail.  

The tours inside the Dam start up in February and so we plan to take another tour. It's been since before 2020. I learn something more each time we visit. 

In Conclusion

Thank you for joining me today, even if it may have felt a bit dull. I wanted to share the current water situation here in far-Northern California and share that we are not experiencing a drought and there is an ample supply of water available.

It is mismanaged, and various interest groups hold significant influence, making it a major challenge to oppose them. The Water Wars in California date back to the 1850s. It's nothing new under the sun but now it's all about $$$$$ and power. 

Until Next Time

Debby