Bloom where you're planted

 

My dad planted these roses over 20 years ago...

Isn't this absolutely beautiful? It really brings a smile to my face, especially since my husband cut back on the roses quite a bit this past Fall. My roses usually bloom in winter, spring, and Fall but this year was a bit different due to the drastic pruning; they skipped the winter, but they are coming in now abundantly and beautifully. But hey, better late than never!

You know, I'm a little different from most folks. I like to keep my roses and flowers in the garden. If I want some for the house, I just pick some up at the store. I love keeping all that color in my yard, for the bees and butterflies, plus my cat really enjoys munching on them if I have them in the house. As I get older, I've noticed that some floral fragrances tend to give me headaches. But those pink roses? They always remind me of the fragrance of the rose milk body lotion from back in the day! 

Does anyone else remember the Rose Milk body lotion? 

I've got some of the red ones coming in, too! Dad planted these as well.  They're lovely, but I have to say, the pink ones really take the prize for fragrance.

And of course, our California poppies that just "pop" up where they want.  This is the time of year when they are blooming all over - 

The Pregnancy Clinic hasn't opened yet, so last week my husband and I went over to plant in preparation for its opening. Not only does he "coach" the young father-to-be, but he seems to have taken over the gardening as well, and I guess I am his helper.

Since it's just five minutes away (very convenient for us) and the sprinkler system isn't turned on yet, either he or I will go over and bring our hose to water the newly planted bushes until this Friday when the system gets turned on.

They are hoping for an opening on April 22.

My goodness! Because they had to tear down walls and make some electrical changes, they had to jump through many bureaucratic hoops, which delayed the opening from Jan to now April 22.

We planted a few lavender plants, and the daffodils were already there, spread across the dirt and mulch.

By 9am this morning, we were on the Sacramento River Trail. Nice spring day for a beautiful walk. Not really a hike - it's a trail for walking, biking, scooters, and is handicapped accessible. 

It's that time of the year for the spring melt from the mountains and frozen lakes. 

 I can already tell the river is high. 

It is so peaceful. I saw many ospreys and vultures - quite a bit, actually. 

Poppies are just beginning to bloom here -

This shrub in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae) is known as Lemmon's ceanothus. It is endemic to California, where it grows on the wooded slopes of the Inner North Coast Ranges, the Sierra Nevada foothills, respectively, of the Sacramento Valley. The abundant flower clusters are clusters of pale to bright blue or purple flowers. 

The Manzanita tree! 

Native to California, the Manzanita tree thrives in our Mediterranean climate. It's drought and fire-resistant, making it quite resilient. Additionally, it has medicinal uses, aiding headaches, poison oak issues, and stomach problems.

 

While hiking, and it's HOT, its bark can be up to 11% cooler, earning it the nickname "Refrigerator tree." Resting your head against it can provide a refreshing coolness! I learned this survival tip in Girl Scouts, and it has stuck with me ever since!

Snowdrop (this has various names) 

We pulled into the driveway right at noon. After lunch and a short power nap, my husband is now mowing the lawn, and I'm here posting to you all while doing my laundry. Well, actually, the washing machine is doing all the laundry. I'm just sitting here. 

This Easter was quiet, just my husband and me at home. Our adult kids were working, which I've come to accept as a reminder to "bloom where you're planted." Plus, they are serving others, and that makes it all worthwhile. 

 

Volunteering at the pregnancy clinic is a blessing for my husband and me - I'm already hunting for baby clothes on sale for the Boutique. When I visited the clinic on Thursday, they hinted I might work in the Boutique.  I'm excited about this program's impact on the community, though I likely won't start until after our BSF semester ends on May 6.

 

I'd best be moving on -  I have clothes to fold and a kitty that needs attention. Susie loves to watch me fold laundry. It's a game. 

Until Next Time, 

Debby

The TRUTH that Saves.

 Heavy on my heart this season are not Easter bunnies or candy, but the many young people who do not know the Lord.

My husband and I have been praying for a couple of college students who are deeply confused. One of the things he shared with them was simple, yet so important: 

Keep your eyes on Jesus, not on what other Christians do.

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith…” Hebrews 12:2

How often confusion comes when people watch us instead of Him.

So many are also confused about Easter itself - where all the fluff comes from. The truth is, it doesn’t come from the Bible. There were no baskets, no chocolate, no Easter bunny. There was a crown of thorns, blood, sorrow… and ultimately, redemption.

“And when they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head…”  Matthew 27:29

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities…”  Isaiah 53:5

That is the true weight and beauty of the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said.” Matthew 28:6

This season is such a perfect opportunity for evangelism. As we speak with others, may we gently and consistently point them back to what is biblical truth. Many are conflicted this season. They see Christians buying up easter eggs and baskets, and they don't get it. 

“Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” John 17:17

Traditions may be meaningful to families, but they are not the truth that saves.

“Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men…”   Colossians 2:8

Where did all that Easter Fluff come from? Who started it? And why did it become such a focus?

The cross and resurrection are the very center of everything. They do not need anything added to them. But over time, the weight of the cross, its confrontation of sin, suffering, and sacrifice, was softened by traditions that felt easier to celebrate.

Do these things help point hearts to Jesus… or distract from Him?

It may have started as something fun for children, something light and joyful. But today, many of these children are now young adults, and many are left confused, unable to separate tradition from truth, and wondering why, if the Good News was (and is) so good, then why add to it? 

And just as the Jewish people once added layers of tradition beyond what God had commanded, are we not doing the same?  Jesus lovingly but firmly addressed this very thing.

“Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition…”  Mark 7:13

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…”  2 Corinthians 5:17

And still, through it all, the call remains the same: to stand firm in truth, to walk in grace, and to keep pointing others, especially the next generation, back to Jesus.

“Speak the truth in love…”  Ephesians 4:15

“Train up a child in the way he should go…” — Proverbs 22:6

May we be women who gently peel back the layers, not with harshness, but with love, (a weaning off fluffy traditions of man) so that what remains is Jesus, and Him alone. I would love to see future generations of children forgoing Easter baskets in favor of biblical truth about exactly what Jesus did on the cross. 

Let's get back to TRUTH. 

May we gently peel back the layers, and find ourselves once again at the foot of the cross… and at the empty tomb. He is risen.

Debby

Possible Snow, Blessings, and a Sacred Season Ahead

Flowering Quince 

 Well, hi there! I guess it’s been a few days. Time got away from me, so I thought I’d poke my head in to say hello. I have a few projects underway that have kept me focused and away from blogging.

Let’s see… what can I tell you?

We’re all doing well. I think I mentioned that Behold Israel sent us over $1,000 worth of books and materials to give to college students, at no cost. Along with hats, stickers, bracelets, and pamphlets, my husband has built a wonderful rapport with Beyond Israel. Now we’re looking to purchase a canopy and are even considering starting a small Bible and prayer group in our home for the college students.  Things are really opening up, and we are grateful to be a small part of what God is doing.

We celebrated Valentine’s Day with a simple brunch. Many places were packed, so we ended up somewhere without much atmosphere, but the omelets were delicious, and honestly, that’s what mattered most, as well as the company! 💕

Yesterday was our 24th wedding anniversary. The weather was rainy and cold, so no hike this time. We also forgot it was Presidents’ Day, which meant many of the antique stores were closed. Oh well, what are you going to do? We still enjoyed each other’s company and had a sweet day of reminiscing. We wandered through Tractor Supply and the Grange Co-op for spring inspiration, and yes… the baby chicks are in! 🐤🐥

☃☃☃

Apparently, we may even get some snow. February and March are our best chances for that last little hurrah of winter. Temperatures are dropping, and old man winter is breathing his chilly breath on us all. The difference between us and those of you who just endured a big freeze? We’re actually hoping for it! Since we usually enjoy mild weather, any dramatic change feels exciting.

I’ll believe it when I see it, though. I’m skeptical of weather reports. We follow two independent local meteorologists, and while they sometimes miss it, they’re usually far more accurate than the networks.

Here are a few photos from the last time it snowed—almost to the date, February 2023. 

That storm shut the city down, but it was so much fun. My husband finally got to use the snow shovel my sister gave us when they moved from Colorado. He was like a little boy out there, absolutely delighted. 

We had about six to eight inches, which is practically unheard of here.

It looks like she is smiling - I'm thinking it is her collar. Hard to see, since she is so black. 

She LOVES the white stuff, and when she sees it on the side of the road when we take a drive, she starts whimpering...

She loves the snow but hates the rain. 

The birds sure like the white stuff, too. 

Snow sure does dress things up, doesn't it? Makes everything so picture perfect. 

Thankfully, I keep a good stock of food, so we’re set. But of course, we were nearly out of toilet paper, so I had to make a quick run to the store. I went early this morning and did not notice any panic-buying. Californians are so laid back.  

But if we ever run out, we know where to go: Char keeps a six-month stash and still worries it isn’t enough. I remember my parents doing the same in their later years. Funny how that happens with people, and why toilet paper? 

Do you have a fear of running out of toilet paper? 

I just took these pictures, and it was sunny. 

Come on, now - how can they say we're getting snow? 

Earlier, we had a thunderstorm and hail. 

The back yard is soaked - weeds are popping up, and almond blossoms are getting bigger and are more pinkish. 

Right now, it’s 44 degrees, which is very cold for us, and we’re expected to drop another 10-15 degrees overnight. We might just wake up to snow. BSF is on standby, and many of our members live in the mountains, so we’ll see how that goes.

Yes, we’re a bunch of weather weenies.

Loquat season is here. The freeze won't hurt them - the lowest we get will only be in the 30's. 

The Pomegranate tree is starting to bud...

Liberty and Guardian are excited about the possibility of snow, too. They’re hardy birds and know how to hunker down. No eggs yet, but we’re patient.

Before I sign off, I’m going to take a short break from blogging. 

We have places to go and people to see. 

There’s a lot happening, and my mind and heart are elsewhere. This is always a very busy season for us, with Chinese New Year at the Joss House in Weaverville, my birthday the first week in March (72!), Daylight Savings, St. Patrick's Day, Palm Sunday, Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and then Easter and with family and old friends sprinkled within. While my faith tradition doesn’t follow a liturgical calendar, these seasons still invite reflection, gratitude, and renewal.

As we move toward Passover and Easter, my prayer is that we all pause to remember God’s faithfulness, His deliverance from sin, and the hope we have through redemption and resurrection. May your coming weeks be filled with peace, renewal, and quiet joy that will last 365 days instead of just 40 days! 

Lord willing, I’ll be back sometime after Easter with hopefully more blog fodder than I know what to do with. Then again, don't count on it because I might not. 

Have a blessed six weeks. I know I will.

Debby