Wordless Wednesday

 

Three Dams and Two Lakes and One Mighty River

 

As many of you may know, we experienced significant rainfall last week. I compiled information from various photo sources, including X, the local news, and my own observations. Here is a photo of the swollen Sacramento River at Lake Redding Park. The gentleman sitting on the bench is actually a statue.

Did it fool you?

The Salmon Fish Ladder is covered...

Just a little swampy! 

For safety reasons, it is advised to refrain from walking by the river until conditions are deemed safe.

The water level of the Sacramento River is high at the Sundial Bridge with just a few feet to spare

During periods of heavy rainfall or increased water flow, the dams located upstream operate their release valves to let out excess water. This process is crucial for managing water levels and preventing potential flooding. The sheer volume and power of water being released can be quite significant, highlighting the importance of proper dam management in ensuring safety and stability in downstream areas.

This is for you Ginny 

Let Your Light Shine 

I always think of you when there is a sunset! 💖

The above photos took place on Saturday night.

After Sunday services at church, I found myself curious about the events happening upstream and felt compelled to investigate further. With my trusty magnifying glass in one hand and a pipe in my mouth, I donned my sleuth hat and headed upriver to confront the main culprit behind these occurrences: Ah HA!

The Shasta Dam! 

Turn your speakers up to hear that power - 

I drove up to Whiskeytown Lake to explore a different kind of dam: an earth-filled dam located on Clear Creek, a significant tributary of the Sacramento River. This area is part of the larger Trinity River system, highlighting the diverse engineering approaches used in water management in the region.

I should have taken a video -  no spillway on this Dam - just a Glory Hole. 

Not just any Glory Hole - President JFK dedicated the Dam in Sept 1963. 

The Glory Hole appears significantly large when compared to the surrounding individuals. In the image, you can see President Kennedy addressing the crowd from the podium. I was living in San Francisco at the time and was unaware of this event until we moved to the area 17 years ago. 

Today, the Kennedy Memorial Plaque commemorates a significant moment in local history. Additionally, we have a recording of his complete speech, providing a valuable resource for everyone, particularly younger generations who can hear his words on this area. 

A Memorial Plaque

Then we drove on to yet another Dam - Keswick, which is part of the watershed area that feeds water to our farmers and provides hydroelectricity. 

We have a lot of water up here! 

When there are significant water releases, minor flooding can occur downstream. It's important to trust that those in control understand the complexities of the system. Water is being managed for hydroelectric power in the far northern part of the Sacramento Valley, while also being distributed to the farmlands to the south.

We are sunny and drying out. The snow on the mountains makes it colder. Another big rain system is on its way—possibly for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday! 

Thank you, God, for the abundant rain you have bestowed upon us. We trust in your divine design of seasons and weather. Though we may not always express our gratitude for the conditions you provide, we seek your forgiveness. Help us recognize the blessings in every season, cultivating a deeper appreciation for your bountiful gifts.

Lord willing, I will see you all tomorrow. 

Debby

Rain and Flooding

Source: Foodie

Summing up the last couple of days would be FLOODING. 

The situation in our area remains stable, with no flooding reported here. However, nearby communities and locations just down the country road have not been as fortunate. Creeks and tributaries swelled to resemble the sea, leading to flooded farmland and orchards.

Source: X

I live less than a mile from the border of a small town where I attend my Bible Study Fellowship on Wednesdays.

Monday evening, I heard a nail-biting event on the scanner, followed by emergency dispatch, and on X. 

A young family found themselves in a flash flood while attempting to cross the road. With a 2-year-old and a 3-month-old in the mother’s arms, along with the husband and a teenager, they faced a terrifying moment.

Thank God, they were rescued and emerged safe.

Tuesday morning, I awoke to a flurry of text messages. The church that hosts our BSF in Palo Cedro had experienced significant flooding and a sewer backup.

All of us Leaders and admins quickly organized to inform 300 ladies and their children, ranging from infants to high schoolers, to stay home and to stay tuned for further arraignments. 

Earlier this morning were able to hold our group sessions across multiple Zoom calls, demonstrating our resilience. 

Source: Foodie

A few streets away from Foodie, Churn Creek experienced significant flooding, affecting both roads and farmland in the vicinity.

On Sunday, at the crack of dawn, my son was cycling to work at 5 am when he suddenly found himself caught in an unexpected mini flash flood! The water surged to his ankles, and its incredible force nearly knocked him off his feet. Even he was surprised at how little it takes. The power of that water was stronger than it looked. 

As soon as I heard about his wild morning adventure, I insisted on driving him to work, on Monday morning.  He absolutely won't ask for my help, and I can’t quite figure out why. I respect his independence and capability, but even the strongest among us can face challenges! Eventually, he caved in; he knew I wouldn't take NO for an answer!

Monday was not that bad - but still, I'm glad I was able to be there. 

I wish he would stop this nonsense about not owning a vehicle. 

This area in question is a floodplain, and no houses were affected by flooding.

Source: Foodie

Cool photo. 

God's Promise 

Source: Foodie

It is perplexing why some individuals choose to cross flooded waters, especially when there is a swollen creek nearby that appears very dangerous, resembling a small ocean off the road. Understanding the risks associated with such conditions is important for ensuring safety during these rain events. 

Tuesday evening 

And then, just like that - a stunning sunset at the Target parking lot, last night -  reminding us of beauty in every moment.

While waiting at the drive-thru at In-N-Out, I was captivated by the sight of these trees bursting into bloom. Their delicate white blossoms danced in the breeze; I believe they are flowering pear trees. 

Once again, little love notes from God -

 

Woke up this morning to a beautiful clear day. 

My almond tree is looking beautiful. 

Still don't know what these are, but they are a strikingly beautiful yellow flowering bush

The rosemary are in full bloom with their pretty delicate blue flowers

This Primrose was previously in flower boxes in my front yard. Approximately three years ago, I decided to transplant them into pots for better management and growth.

My red geranium keeps blooming despite the wind and rain.

I'm just keeping you all up-to-date and in the loop.

 I'm sorry I have been inconsistent in commenting on your blogs - I managed to get out a Hodgepodge on Sunday and scheduled that for today. I was going to schedule this post for tomorrow so as not to compete with the Hodgepodge, but I am posting it today anyway.  

It looks like we’ll be returning to a clearing trend, so we can finally dry out, but it was a wild few days!

Oh, and before I sign out - I had an old friend contact me on Monday—one I thought I’d never see again this side of Heaven! We lost touch when she moved from Tennessee to Kansas in 2017, so we have a lot to catch up on. We go way back to when we were both living in the Bay Area and were divorced moms. We provided wonderful support to each other during that time. I attended her wedding to her second husband, and she had a baby who is now a grown man with two little children!

So it's been fun fun fun! 

Until next time, I do hope this post finds you all dry, warm, and enjoying the season God has you in. 

Debby

 

A dry week ahead, spilled coffee and a music video

 

Hello there!

It's already well into Sunday; for some of you, it might be evening.  It's 4:30 PM, and we’ve had such a lovely day. It looks like we're heading into a week of dry weather with warmer temperatures, reaching up to 70 degrees on Thursday.

That will be so nice—time to dry up. 

Today at church, my husband had a little mishap and accidentally spilled hot coffee on me during the sermon. It was definitely a first! While I forgave him I couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. The coffee ended up on my purse, which was on the floor, and splashed on one side of my pants—thankfully, nothing else was affected! He's one of those people who loves to always have coffee in hand. Since my purse is lightweight, some things inside got wet, and now everything has that lovely coffee scent. I spent the rest of the service smelling like a coffee shop! 

Even my key FOB has taken on the aroma!

A friend texted me this music video today, and I wanted to share it with you all. 

That's all - I wanted to get this nice music video out to you all. 

Enjoy!

Debby

A Sunset and a Saturday

Last evening at sunset, we took a walk in the neighborhood.

 This is looking west, toward the Trinity Alps. 

I've always enjoyed the tranquil beauty of an evening walk, particularly during the crisp, cooler months. Not too chilly, mind you—just enough to create a refreshing ambiance - and put the rosy back in our cheeks!  After our stroll, we settled in the front yard - There was a gentle breeze that danced softly through the trees. Soon, the temperatures began to drop, signaling it was time for us to retreat indoors.

Our new friends invited us to see them play at the Sikh Cultural Festival. She is in a Klezmer band. Now, for those who do not know what that is, it is the instrumental music tradition of the Ashkenazi Jews (Yiddish) of Central and Eastern Europe. My husband and I have always enjoyed that genre of music and have a few CDs of it. 

Think Fiddler on the Roof as a start. 

And there they were! 

There was an opening flag ceremony - 

and, of course, my husband as always,  jumps in to help - 

so he carried the flag of Australia. 

The Sikh community generously offered a complimentary lunch featuring a delightful fusion of various cuisines. 

The spread included flavorful Sikh dishes, Filipino specialties, Mexican fare, Native American options, savory Chinese meals, and delicious Hwong delicacies. I only recognized fried rice, spring rolls, and Pancit, so there were many dishes I had not ever tried before.  They even had American pizza, which I skipped since I can enjoy that anytime! The portions were huge, ensuring no one was left hungry. After such a hearty meal, we indulged in some delicious ice cream for dessert. Remarkably, they refused any donations, insisting that this lunch was their gift to the community, showcasing their commitment to giving back.

Then, the Aztec women's dance group 

Entertained us with a powerful harvest dance. 

 

Each dancer beautifully handcrafted their costume. 

Next, the scene unfolded with the vibrant rhythms of a traditional Filipino folk dance involving skillfully clashing bamboo sticks. 

Dancers gracefully moved in sync, their feet tapping to the lively beat while the bamboo poles snapped together in a rhythmic cadence, creating a joyful atmosphere steeped in cultural heritage.

Another folk dance unfolded, featuring the Hwong girls, recently crowned state champions alongside their peers.   They moved with an elegance that everyone enjoyed.  Their choreography blended intricate steps and harmonious rhythm - I can see why they won. The girls radiated beauty and grace, their smiles lighting up the scene as they danced. 

The Umbrella dance moved me to tears. It’s a heartwarming experience to witness young individuals so passionately embrace their cultural heritage. The audience was richer for having watched such an enchanting display.

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world;
Red and yellow, black and white,
All are precious in his sight,
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

And then this...

Amidst the vibrant performances and lively atmosphere, civil leaders took to the stage, launching into lengthy speeches that felt more like tirades. Some admonished the audience on subjects that veered sharply away from the festive mood, topics that most attendees seemed disinterested in. While we all had gathered to revel in the rich tapestry of international music and the beauty of diverse cultures, their words hung in the air like an unwanted cloud. I noticed the frustration on the faces around me—many an eye roll punctuated the speeches. The lively energy gradually dulled, leaving an uncomfortable silence that weighed heavily over the crowd.

We decided to leave. It felt as if the very spirit of celebration had been stifled.

All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed the three hours we spent there and made the most of our time together. 

 

Psalm 96:3

“Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

Debby