New Roses on a Monday

 

At exactly 7 a.m., we dashed into Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wintour Garden, and the Grange Co-op in pursuit of roses. The plan was simple: one red, one blush or peach, and one pink - big, glorious tea roses in containers to grace the rocks under our living room window. But apparently, post Mother’s Day, red roses are rarer than a four-leaf clover. 

 After diving headfirst into the meager selection, I emerged victorious… sort of. The “red” rose looked suspiciously like hot pink. We bought it and planted it anyway, and vowed to hunt down a true, deep red next year, at which point the hot pink will be reassigned to another corner of the yard to live out its days in eye-catching glory.

The mini roses my Dad planted are overachievers. Starting life in a small pot as a romantic gift for Mom, they quickly realized indoor living wasn’t their style. So Dad freed them to the great outdoors in the mid-1990s, where they’ve been thriving ever since. 

I’m smitten with this beauty. A blush so perfect it could win a prize. About 4-5 inches across. 

Finally hung up the faux spring wreath on the unpainted front door from last year’s “paint job.” That’s the DIY way: start a project, admire it halfway done, and promise the rest will happen… someday.

 Hopefully, this summer’s the charm!

Who can resist free stuff? During their move, the clinic had to cram into a building 3,000 square feet smaller than their old rental. On the bright side, no more rent, just property taxes, and they own the place outright, along with some acreage for future builds. More clinic news tomorrow! It's OPENING DAY, finally! 

Thanks to local churches, over a million dollars was raised for the facility and a year’s expenses. With less space for their belongings, they went on a spree of selling, donating, trashing, and ultimately handing out perfectly good treasures like it was Christmas in July...or May? 

My husband came home with two boxes of black pots from Hobby Lobby, $5.99 each, that had been used as Gala centerpieces. 

Now I’ve got 33 of them 

Any ideas?

I need to touch up the sign to match the vintage redwood chairs my parents bought in 1959 from a truck in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury when I was a kid. There were two chairs, a small end table, a settee, and a picnic table with two benches. Sadly, the picnic table and benches bit the dust decades ago. 

My sister and I used to play “wagon train” in the backyard, turning the picnic table into a covered wagon by placing two chairs on top with sheets draped over them, while the benches became our trusty horses. We braved the Indian attacks and trekked miles of hot, dusty trails as we crossed the Sierras in search of gold.

Finally, a home for my bird bath! It’s not perfect, but I’ve learned to live without perfection. I’m sure it’ll grow on me. When you’re not wealthy, you make do with what you have, and I’ve always been pretty good at that.

All that’s left to do is install the drip lines to each individual pot, which should happen sometime this week.

My husband put a small water reservoir beneath each rose bush in the pot, a smart move in Redding’s hot, dry summers because it trains the roots to grow deep and keeps moisture where the plant actually needs it. I do wish we had planted them a few weeks earlier, but so far, the roses we already have are doing well. 

I picked up some Dollar Tree globe solar lights to place inside each pot, and I’m excited to see how they look tonight.

Laydee's ashes stayed in the pretty bag since the end of March because I couldn’t bring myself to take them out. On Saturday, I finally brought out the beautiful box, and my husband placed two rocks on it. One was a small rock she had brought to him as a puppy,  and the other, a larger one, was picked up by my husband during one of her last walks to remember their journey together.

That box is heavy. 

Her paw prints will be framed as a keepsake. She’ll be laid to rest in the backyard, alongside two other cats, two dogs, and a couple of fish.

Well, that's it for me on this late Monday afternoon. I need to fix our dinner and get ready for the BIG day tomorrow. 

See you tomorrow. 

Debby

Psalm 127:3 (NIV) reads: “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward.”

This verse highlights the sacred worth of human life, especially in its earliest stages, portraying children as a precious gift and blessing from God.

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 Evening That Was Never About a Dress

I was there a good hour before it started. 

💗

Last night, my husband and I attended a fundraiser Gala for a ministry very near and dear to my heart for personal reasons. This crisis pregnancy clinic serves young women and protects the lives of the unborn.

Back in November, I had written about this -  how the local Christian community in our area came together to raise one million dollars to buy the building, and another church bought and donated 2 acres to the clinic - outright.

 No mortgage and enough operating funds for one year. 

A definite God-job!

The clinic will be opening on April 15, Lord willing. 

SORRY NO DRESS PHOTO

I really appreciate your sweet requests to see a photo of me in my dress. It means a lot that you care about the little details of my life! However, I have always chosen not to share photos of myself or my family for privacy reasons and to keep this space focused on other topics. I'm not always perfect at sticking to that goal, but it’s something I aim for. 

Honestly, after last night’s event, sharing a photo didn’t quite feel right. The evening was all about celebrating life, supporting young women in need, and recognizing the quiet, impactful work being done to help them. I know you completely understand where I’m coming from. 

They organized a fantastic silent auction filled with amazing deals! You could find everything from delightful $50 gift baskets to a dream trip to Tuscany, plus some incredible getaways to Hawaii. There were also some fun Bay Area adventures available, like fishing on the bay, sailing, boating around San Francisco Bay, and exploring Wine Country. It was such a great opportunity to snag something special! 100% of everything collected went to the clinic. Someone even paid for the venue there at the Sheraton. 

My husband has been volunteering as a coach for young dads, and it’s been such a rewarding experience! After years of discipling Christian women through divorce, the staff has suggested placing me in a similar role, focusing on young moms.

 

I’m just so grateful for the chance to serve, and honestly, I’d be happy to help out in the baby boutique if that’s where I’m needed. It’s funny to think that I used to work in the infant and maternity department at Macy's—a little blast from the past!

 

I can't believe I only have about 7 weeks left in my leadership role with BSF! I'll spend a week with the kids, take a break for Easter, then I'm off until September. It feels like the right time to transition into a new ministry over the summer with a 6-month training program ahead.

In the end, it made me realize that fussing over my dress didn’t matter as much as the real purpose of the evening. 

ON THE HOMEFRONT

We've been having such a lovely, warm spring lately -  hitting the high 80s. And 94 degrees at my place yesterday.  We still have a bit more of our rainy season, though, which starts to taper off in April.

 

Last night, we had a little frog right under our bedroom window, croaking away all night long! I was so tired that I actually slept right through it, but it reminded me of what I wrote about yesterday - regarding how wildlife responds to the spring equinox. This morning, I woke up to the delightful sound of even more birds chirping at sunrise! It’s such a beautiful reminder of the changes happening in nature.

It's truly a wonderful season, isn't it? 

Until Next Time,

Debby

A Spring Awakening

 

"He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting" (Psalm 104:19). 

There is an order, a rhythm, a faithfulness built into the world that doesn't depend on calendars —it simply responds.

At 7:46 am Pacific Time, it officially became Spring. The moment when daylight and darkness balance at about 12 hours each. 

Here in California, we've been enjoying spring weather for many weeks now. The daffodils came up in mid-January, and some flowers have started to bloom. My white irises are always the first to bloom, usually in late February. A week or two later, the purple ones follow. The yellow irises will be next, around the end of March or early April.

Primroses' 

 My garden is a testimony of steady faithfulness:

• The daffodils didn't rush ahead of their time.

• The irises bloom in their order of color

• Even after 18 years of living here, the pattern holds.

Gerbera Daisies' 

It reminds me of Ecclesiastes 3:1: "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."

I've learned the rhythms of my garden without even thinking about it until now...I watched, and I guess I cared in a fast-moving world.

A Cape Marguerite 

As the days lengthen and crosses that delicate threshold, something remarkable begins to happen. The Light signals, received deep within the brain, trigger changes that tell animals and plants alike: winter is ending. It’s time.

My First 2026 California Poppy 

🐦

Birds begin to sing earlier and with greater urgency. Migration patterns shift. Frogs call out from wetlands. Turtles stir and move toward nesting grounds. Bees return to their work, pollinating and sustaining life. Across fields, forests, and neighborhoods, a quiet awakening unfolds.

None of them knows the date.

They simply read the light.

That's amazing to me. We need to slow down long enough to see what is happening all around us.

To recognize the ways God is at work—not just in the grand and visible, but in the quiet and unseen.

And maybe even ask ourselves:

Am I paying attention to the light?  

Because nature doesn't read calendars - not the weather, the animals, the flowers, trees - all creation. It responds exactly as it was created to.

And I think we, too, were created to respond when the Light calls us forward.

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” And when His light reaches us— and when it begins to grow and take hold, something in us awakens as well. 

So as the flowers bloom, the bees return, and the birds fill the morning with song…

May we not miss this moment to awaken.

Spring has come.

And the light is calling.

CORRECTIONS

I truly appreciate my husband’s keen eye for detail; he gently pointed out that the Gala is actually on Friday night! I admit I feel a bit rushed now.

Also, the senior ball photo features a former date, not my husband. 

Okay, I'd better start getting ready... we have to be there earlier because the male volunteers will be ushering. 

Until next time

Debby

Brandy Creek Hike

 

On Saturday, we planned to hike around Brandy Creek at Whiskeytown Lake, my favorite spot nearby. I also like Lake Shasta, but I prefer hiking here since it’s less crowded. We usually start early in the morning.

I was standing on a footbridge overlooking the creek. The snow is melting now that it’s 80 degrees, but the water is still very cold. 

Today, the temperature is expected to reach 90.

The footbridge

Spring hasn’t fully arrived here yet. Just 20 miles from where we live, it's been spring for several weeks. (it's the micro-climates we have here in California)  It should come this week with the warmer weather, since I can already see some green shining in the sunlight.

Okay, here we go...

Pretty pink flower growing out of the rock. 

I had to cross a bunch of boulders and rocks (very carefully) to reach the creek.

It was definitely worth it. The water was so clear. I have a video that I’ll upload to YouTube since Blogger won’t let me upload it from here. I plan to share it on Wednesday, Lord willing.

We met a nice couple our age and stood talking to them for over an hour. They are from French Gulch (I just love the names of old mining towns... Horsetown, Clear Creek Diggings, Coffee Creek, etc.).

Anyway, their house, which was on the historical registry, burned down in the 2018 Carr Fire. But they had a second home in town that they rented out, and now they live there.

I love meeting new people and chatting. We had so much in common, but somehow we walked away without exchanging phone numbers. They should be easy to find, since French Gulch has only 192 people. His name was Mark, and hers was something like RoseMary, RoseMarie, Rosalie, or Rosalyn???

Nice people.

This is my youngest son, Navy. He was fishing at a lake in Shingletown on Saturday.

He REALLY loves to fish. 

Right now, my husband is getting his fishing license and a burn permit for wilderness campfires. 

There were more rocks and boulders ahead. I had to move slowly and watch out for rattlesnakes that are coming out of their winter sleep. (Brumation)

Rattlesnake season usually picks up from March to early fall on trails, canyons, and open areas. They’re not trying to cause trouble. Hmmm,  I keep reminding myself of that so I don’t get too freaked out. 

It's always a good idea to stick to clear paths and avoid tall grasses or rocky crevices! I realized that on Saturday when I was out exploring. I tried to be careful as I made my way down, but I thought to myself that if I spotted any snakes, I'd definitely want to be a bit quicker getting back out than I was going down. 😱

The best thing is to stay alert, respect wildlife, and give them their space.

I noticed an interesting cloud pattern that looked rippled - 

Husband took this photo, and we left for home for our lunch. 

Such a lovely day. 

Well, obviously, I’m back. When you catch yourself mumbling and drafting a blog post in your head while in the shower, it’s probably time to return. 👍

I'm looking forward to a great week ahead. Nothing special planned, but it's still wonderful to be alive, don't you think? I hope you are looking forward to the week ahead as well. 

Until Next Time, 

Debby

1. Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2. but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

3. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3