The last couple of days...

Can you see it? ☝☝☝

The air is beginning to take on that autumn vibe. Well,  kinda-sorta! The last few days have started to cool, and the leaves are hinting at their vibrant transformation that is to come.  I can feel the fall season creeping in, and soon, I'll be able to see it! 

We experienced a few days of gentle rain, where every dribble and drop, every bit of drizzle and glistening dew, contributed to the rainfall amounts. Each tiny speck of moisture played its part!

🦷🦷🦷🦷

Since Sunday, the husband has been battling a persistent and painful toothache, a discomfort that has now become unbearable. Frustrated, he reached out to his dentist for an emergency appointment, but the earliest available slot is not until the 22nd. He then decided to visit the VA urgent care clinic. There, the doctor examined him and suggested that the pain could be indicative of an underlying infection. He was prescribed a course of antibiotics and advised to keep his dental appointment the following week, hoping for a swift resolution to his dental woes.

Sunday afternoon was the day that Flight Nurse, Suzie came home. We walked to the overpass near us to watch as the procession to the funeral home went by. 

An overwhelming presence of emergency vehicles flooded the area, a testament to the respect they all had for Suzie. They came from the UC Davis Medical Center, by the Reach Air Medical Helicopter; the company Suzie served with -  their journey to the Red Bluff Airport. From there, they made their way 29 miles, finally arriving at the solemn destination of the funeral home. 

I never get a chance to stand at the overpass to look out. Pretty nice view...

The crowd came together, forming a long line as they waited the arrival of the procession. A profound silence enveloped the scene, and not a single eye remained dry- people filled their cars and lined the roadside, united in a moment of shared emotion.

The second vehicle carried Susie, closely followed by her husband, RJ, in the black vehicle, who waved to everyone on the overpass. As family and friends followed, a procession of emergency vehicles, including police, fire, ambulances, and sheriff's vehicles, accompanied by Cal Fire, passed by next.  I saw two medical helicopters soar overhead. 

Every overpass for 29 miles was adorned with flags and filled with people expressing their love and gratitude for Suzie and her family.   

As I mentioned earlier, the primary employer and leading industry in this area is the medical profession. This tragic event has connected us all, as everyone knows someone who was touched by her, even if we didn't know her personally.

 It’s not often that someone leaves me in awe, but her unique qualities and experiences resonate with me. Her courage for Christ and her willingness to put others first are qualities we should all aspire to emulate. 

In this world, increasingly consumed by the relentless mantra of "self" and "me me me", 

We all lost a really good one. 

 

Wow what a happening!

All I had planned for today 

was a trip to the dentist. 

Then as I stood at the front desk, chaos erupted around me. Devices blared a piercing alert, shattering the calm atmosphere. I quickly checked my phone, and an Emergency alert flashed across the screen, making me fear for a second, that it was an active shooter situation.

The alert blared, and moments later, the ground shook with an earthquake! 

The hanging plants swung wildly, and I felt the intense quaking beneath my feet. This was different—awesome and powerful. I instinctively knew it was a significant quake somewhere close.

7.0 off the coast - Cape Mendocino near Ferndale, Eureka, Petrolia - same area. 

Fake Photo - it's from a movie. 

A  few minutes later, a tsunami alert

As soon as I got home, I tuned into Pacifica's livestream. I watched anxiously, but as expected, the announcement came: it was officially canceled!

I flashed back to a time...

in 1964, when I was in the 4th or 5th grade, a massive 9.2 earthquake shook Anchorage, Alaska. There was a tsunami warning, creating a buzz of worry among neighborhood moms, while dads remained calm. I felt a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. My mom was panicking, but my dad reassured us everything would be alright as we headed to a high spot called Sweeny Ridge to wait it out. I recall sitting in the back of the truck, which turned into what seemed like a tailgate party.  Up the coast from us, a tsunami hit Crescent City, Northern California, reaching 150 feet, flooding the town, claiming 12 lives, and causing $15 million in damage.

This was on my mind 

Yesterday, a tragic incident unfolded in Butte County at a Christian school, where gunfire left a 5-year-old and a 6-year-old critically injured. That's why when I received the alert about the earthquake today,  my heart sank as I feared it might be an active shooter scenario. 

Elias is 5 years old - shot twice and has been transferred to a PICU - the bullet went through his lung, through his stomach and clipped a bit of his pancreas. No news on the 6 year old boy. The Sheriff says it was a planned shooting - so many Christian schools are aware. 

We never know

In the unpredictable times we find ourselves living in, uncertainty looms over our daily lives. Yet, one thing remains clear: the importance of staying close to God. It is essential to nurture our faith and cultivate a deep connection with Him, for we must be prepared for His return whenever that moment arrives.

That's it for me today. I hope the ground you stood on today was solid! 

Debby 

 

Rain, Snow, Laydee, and the Dentist

I enjoy watching the webcams at Lassen Volcanic National Park, 

especially the ones at the Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center.

On this Thursday afternoon, I hope everyone is doing well as we approach the holiday. Our area received significant rain and snow over the past two days, similar to the storms of the past. We've recorded about 6 inches of rain at home, while the mountains have seen nearly 2 feet of snow. 

Some members of my Bible study group, who travel from the mountains, hit snow while driving down. What dedication! These gals know how to navigate the roads with their vehicles—better than I could do! The storm is not as bad as they are saying. Yeah, we're getting rain and snow—LIKE we're supposed to—that's how we "winter" in the real Northern California! I believe it was more concentrated in Oregon and Washington. 

On Tuesday afternoon, we noticed that Laydee's skin tag on her chin was leaking and causing her discomfort. Our vet only agreed to remove it if it ruptured or became infected. Unfortunately, our regular veterinarian was fully booked by the time we called at 4 PM, and other clinics couldn’t see her that day. My husband took her in the next morning at 6:45 AM, where the vet confirmed the cyst was infected and prescribed antibiotics. Surgery will be in December, which is disappointing due to holiday staffing shortages. For now, we’ll keep her comfortable and follow the vet’s instructions.

Yesterday, I had a dental appointment with a new provider who accepts my insurance. I had to take Backroads home because I-5 North was closed due to the snowstorm in the mountains, which left many semis parked along the interstate. Redding is usually the staging area the CHP uses to stop vehicles before they go over to the mountains.  

I’ll return on Monday for a cleaning and the first week of December to fix two loose fillings—no cavities, just preventative care. I received those fillings when I was 11 years old! 

The major part of my week is wrapping up, with grocery shopping tomorrow to bag my turkey. I’m looking forward to a week off since there will be no BSF or Isaiah Bible study next week.

I guess I'll start decorating for Christmas after Thanksgiving. November went by quickly, and I know December will, too. 

Until Next Time -

Debby

Revelation 5; 9-12

And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

because you were slain,

and with your blood, you purchased for God

persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.

You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,

and they will reign on the earth.”