April Showers brings May Flowers

California's winter rainy season is winding down, but April likes to throw us a few curveballs with its spring rain showers. I never can understand how so many get caught off-guard - it happens every year! These spring rains are nothing compared to the wild downpours we get in winter from those atmospheric rivers. It’s just enough to help the young plants we've planted get a good drink before the long, hot/dry summer kicks in. 

Earlier this week, we decided to explore our local area a bit more. Growing up in the city and spending most of my life in the Bay Area, I didn’t realize how much I hadn’t explored until moving here, 250 miles away from a metro area. I also enjoy supporting small towns, whether it’s stopping for coffee, buying a gift, or having a meal, to help their local economy, and the locals are usually so nice to chat with. We headed to the Fork Crook Museum in Fall River Mills, a tiny spot in Eastern Shasta County with just 616 residents. The town’s been around since 1855!

 After a stunning 90-minute drive (complete with road-repair chaos), we found out the museum wouldn’t open until May 1. Uh oh, that kinda hurts! With gas prices hitting $6- $ 7 a gallon and more, it can sting the budget a bit. But it’s not too bad for us since we drive a plug-in hybrid and get a decent number of electric miles. 

They were setting up for a big rummage sale, so they let us wander around the grounds. 

I was fascinated by this covered wagon that used to take folks from Redding to Burney.

Trust me, it really does say Redding/Burney on it! 

They had an old jail - 

And the Commanding Officer's quarters.

There was also the Pit River schoolhouse, which they moved to the museum's property. Behind it were the pony stables where kids kept their horses while at school. 

A couple of trees caught my eye

Japanese crabapple

Japanese flowering cherry 

Flowering quince 

Even these rock-dandelions are beautiful after a long winter. 

After all that exploring, we stopped in town for some Mexican food since a few locals claimed it was the best around. It wasn’t really our favorite, but we gave it a shot because they were so sweet, the service was great, and the patio views were lovely. Maybe it was just an off day for them. It just wasn't spicy enough for us. 

The Weekend

In between dodging raindrops this weekend, we’ve been tossing around some ideas for some yard projects and stopping in at different places for inspiration.  At one point, we realized we weren’t quite on the same page, so we just set that idea aside for now. We’ll come back to it later. None of it is life-shattering if we do it or not. It's a want and not a need. 

The forecast ahead has a mix of sunshine and showers. 

This week, I'm getting ready for the last three weeks of BSF. After the one-week break, I can definitely tell I'm ready for a break myself. Next year, we'll be diving into Romans - a study I have completed many times, but always find something new the Lord wants me to know and appreciate. 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

What is your favorite verse in Romans? 

That does it for me on this Monday. 

Until the next time -

Debby

Choose gratitude and joy for the week ahead. 

 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”Psalm 118:24