Posting on a Quiet Mother's day

If any rose could symbolize Mother’s Day, it would be a red one. Well, this isn’t exactly red, but it’s pretty close. I spotted them blooming from my bedroom window and voilà, there’s my lead photo for today’s post.

I've been reflecting on Mother's Day and my connection to it. Honestly, I don't feel much of one, except that if it's my day, I want to spend it my way. Since I'm not into fanfare or big celebrations, I'm enjoying a quiet day at home, as usual. I listen to the sounds of my husband working in the yard and the steady hum of the washing machine. I find comfort in the simple, ordinary days of life.

Either everyone left for the weekend or something, because it’s incredibly quiet in my neighborhood. I sat in the backyard, listening to the gentle cooing of doves and watching the finches and doves flutter about - truly a gift. 

Here's what's going on in front. The husband is laying the brick - and then next will be the weed barrier and then, finally, the rocks. 

We'll buy some roses, plant them in BIG pots, hook them up to the drip lines, and never have to worry about them in our 105+ degree summers. 

Like my fake rock? That covers the sprinkler system. 

After this is completed, we will overseed and repair our grass lawn - We were going to do sod, but there are so many tree roots - not worth it. If the overseeding accomplishes what we're looking for, it should be fine. If not...it's back to the drawing board. 

It's not a big lawn area anymore. Throughout the years, we have diminished much of the lawn area with pavers and rocks. But it is always nice to have a little patch of green grass. 

Through it all, Mr. Raven stands guard. I absolutely adore ravens, and there are so many in my subdivision and the surrounding area - it must be their breeding and hunting grounds. My subdivision is even named after them, though I won’t mention the name for privacy reasons.

Shasta Dinner Cruise BOOKED  ✔

This boat serves as a floating kitchen where they prepare the meals, and once everything is ready, they bring the delicious food over to our boat, in the middle of the lake, hook up, and unload. We could actually smell the food before it came onto the boat. 

This year, Cassie, Sara’s sister, who’s been living with them, will be joining us. She lost her husband last year and moved here to be closer to her sister and start a new chapter in her life. It’s too pricey for Char, and my middle one, Foodie, just isn’t interested. He insists it’s not worth it, even though he’s never been. Gotta love him all the same! 💕

And for those who still remember:

I will take the shuttle!

A beautiful photo of Lake Shasta is a reservoir we are so fortunate to live near. The biggest reservoir in California is Shasta Lake, located in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. It has a capacity of over 4.5 million acre-feet, making it a critical source of water for the region.  

Shasta Lake water level as of yesterday 
1052.95 feet elevation
The full lake is 1067 feet elevation above sea level.

That is it for me on this Mother's Day. Just received texts from Char and Navy - (he always sends me his fish photos), and talked with Sara. 

It's a good day! 

Debby

Just another lazy Saturday

 

It's around 10:00 am, and we have just reached Castle Lake, located west of Mt. Shasta and close to Lake Siskiyou.

This morning, I felt a spark of excitement for a "senior" adventure! So, Pa, our senior dog, Laydee, and I climbed into the old car and headed a bit north. 

The weather was simply too glorious to stay home.  The recent storms left beautiful snow on the mountains, and I always love to witness it for myself. 

What a perfect day to explore and soak up the stunning scenery. 

With temperatures around 39 degrees, at the lake, the shade felt a bit chilly, but in the sun, we were perfectly comfortable! I wore a sweater with a furry vest, the perfect combo for our adventure. I prefer lighter layers, especially knowing it would warm up as we hiked. 

While the snow may not be piling up just yet, it's on the horizon! After all, we're in the midst of the beautiful fall season, and you can almost feel that chilly excitement in the air. 

Get ready for the winter wonderland that's just around the corner!

It was 2011, and a magical scene unfolded as the lake lay blanketed in a thick layer of ice. The world around seemed to pause, creating a serene winter wonderland about an hour away. 

For someone from the Bay Area, this was really different to me. 

It’s been since 2011 that we had the chance to venture up there in the winter - and to think this was supposedly a drought year! 😉

Laydee bravely stepped into the icy water. 

Labs have an undeniable passion for water, and if we hadn't stopped her, she would have eagerly leaped in for a swim!

Several families showed off their cheerful Christmas sweaters and captured a moment with their cameras.  Perhaps holiday photo cards are in the works! My husband even snapped a picture of one family against this festive backdrop.

Let's follow this trail...

Glistening patches of ice scattered like jewels across the ground. 

I just spotted my very first snow patches of the season! 

WARNING: cozy winter months ahead!

☃

I encountered something on the trail today I don't see all the time - needle ice! For those of you living in the northern regions, this might be a familiar sight during winter. 

So, what exactly is needle ice? 

It forms when soil temperatures are above freezing, while the air above drops below 32°F. This causes underground water to rise to the surface through capillary action, freezing into stunning, needle-like columns. Typically, this enchanting process happens at night when temperatures are at their lowest. You’ll often find needle ice along stream banks or soil terraces, creating a beautiful winter spectacle. 

Isn’t nature amazing?

A sweet little creek...

I just came across the cutest little Charlie Brown Christmas tree! It's so charming in its own unique way -  the perfect embodiment of holiday spirit. 

Now here's a memory that takes me back to my childhood! Every Christmas, we would venture into the Santa Cruz mountains to chop down our own Christmas tree.  In the early years after we moved here, we’d get a permit from the Forest Service to explore designated areas in search of our tree, surrounded by beautiful snow. It was always a fun adventure with our family. 

The last time we cut down this perfectly gorgeous tree in the forest, I felt sad. I questioned my decision.  The next year, we went to a Christmas Tree lot - and that was fine, but the prices were over $100+, so we finally opted for the convenience and price of an artificial tree, which has become our go-to. 

Behold the majestic Pacific silver fur, standing proud and still, a picture of effortless elegance. Its beauty captivates the eye, inviting you to bask in its tranquil presence.

Isn't it incredible how much more beautiful it looks in these natural surroundings than when covered in lights and artificial decorations? 

Just like our Creator made it. 

At this point, my husband made his way back to the car with Laydee since his back was acting up, and I wanted to ensure he stayed safe. I happily expressed my desire to capture a few more photos, so I continued on my hike. 

I truly wish we had gathered our chairs and simply soaked in all this breathtaking beauty together, but this time, Laydee joined us, and we’re genuinely dedicated to creating an adventure for her, enthusiastically embracing the experience, even if it means sacrificing our own comfort!

Patches of snow lingered on the ground, remnants of the earlier snowfall, but the sunshine promised warmth. 

Just at that moment, my eyes caught something extraordinary...

I caught a breathtaking glimpse of "The Mountain" towering in the distance!

As I drew nearer, a thrill of capturing the photo surged within me

Despite the chill and climbing over rocks, my mind drifts to rattlesnakes. By now, they're cozily huddled together for warmth, posing no real danger. 

But still...

I decided to head back to the car where my husband was. 

He prefers I stay close, but the invigorating cool air makes my heart race! Autumn, winter, and spring are my favorite seasons for hiking.

As we drove down the winding road, we suddenly spotted the perfect moment to pause. I couldn't resist the urge to capture the beauty around us, so we stopped for a quick photo opportunity.

Nestled just a short distance down the slope, Black Butte (a volcanic plug dome) beckons with its charm and beauty.

There she is!

Mt. Shasta stands majestically, a true gem of FAR Northern California and the proud namesake of our county. 

As we made our way back home, I couldn't help but admire the stunning clouds that filled the sky. 

cirrus clouds?

We’re almost home, and the weather is a perfect 73 degrees! 

What a lovely day

This is as vibrant a display of Fall colors as we can expect around here!

Here's our charming little bridge!

We’re almost home.  Just in time to enjoy lunch and settle in for a cozy nap!

As we journey across the shimmering expanse of Lake Shasta, I know home awaits us. Even Laydee perked up - her curiosity ignited. Isn't it something how they can pick up on the scents all around them, and I know she knew she was almost home. 

I believe we all really needed this boost this morning!

I really appreciate you coming along! Maybe, just maybe, later in the season I'll be able to share some beautiful snow with you!

Remember that you are never alone; God is with you every step of the way, offering His peace and strength. Whatever challenges you may face, trust that His grace is sufficient and His love is unfailing.

Last Monday in August

 

This vibrant sunflower from my archives perfectly captures how I feel as August draws to a close. 

This summer has actually been one of the coolest in our 17 years here. Typically, we see temperatures soaring into the 100s, but thankfully, we didn’t reach those sweltering 115+ degrees this year. Just last summer, we endured a blistering 119* a couple of days after the 4th of July. 

Honestly, once the temperature hits a certain point, it blends in a way that’s hard to distinguish. It's still just HOT AND DRY. I really notice when the humidity rises above 20%! I'm so accustomed to the comfort of below 10%—

As I've gotten older, I've realized that being out in the heat is just plain HOT and I'd rather be inside where it is cool. I'm just not "into" it anymore. 

From my archives

One reason I prefer not to swim in lakes is the mystery beneath the surface! A few years ago, at Shasta Lake, a very big sturgeon was caught and then released back into the water. It sparked local legends of massive sturgeons, weighing between 400-500 lbs., lurking in the chilly depths! 

Source: Active NorCal

No thanks. 

Source: Active NorCal

I prefer a sparkling clean pool! 

Source: Shasta Family YMCA

Which reminds me...

I'm now in my aqua-aerobics class. I've chosen the time slot of 1:15 to 2:15 pm because that’s when I would usually experience a dip in energy and would want to take a nap. Now, this swim time gives me the energy I need to fit in a few extra productive hours during the rest of my day, and I can still go for my morning walk as usual.

Plus, I don't feel as hungry for dinner. Tonight, just some chicken, fresh garlic parmesan green beans, and sliced tomatoes -  from my son's garden. 

Ed.

Every morning, I feed my Grand-cats Ed and Harry. I like to try to spend some time with them, but it is mostly with Harry, since Ed is shy and stays under the bed. I have not seen him yet—only his small, beady eyes and a growl coming from under the bed. My husband takes the evening shift. Navy and his wife come back on Wednesday. I know Ed will be thrilled. 

Sad News. 

A month ago, Sara's brother-in-law passed away due to complications related to diabetes at the young age of 42. Carrie, Sara's sister, is selling her home to move in with Sara and my son before purchasing a house nearby to be closer to her sister. I met Junior just twice, but he appeared to be a kind young man. It's really sad.  She'll be moving in at the end of this week. 

Enjoy your evening, and I hope you all have a great sleep. 

Debby

Did you know we need three daily wins:

1. A Physical Win -

walking, running, lifting, swimming, etc.

2. A Mental Win

Reading, Writing, Creating, Learning.

3. A Spiritual Win

Praying, Mediating on God's word, Studying, and Growing.

Be a complete winner.

We're never too old to be a complete winner!