Possible Snow, Blessings, and a Sacred Season Ahead

Flowering Quince 

 Well, hi there! I guess it’s been a few days. Time got away from me, so I thought I’d poke my head in to say hello. I have a few projects underway that have kept me focused and away from blogging.

Let’s see… what can I tell you?

We’re all doing well. I think I mentioned that Behold Israel sent us over $1,000 worth of books and materials to give to college students, at no cost. Along with hats, stickers, bracelets, and pamphlets, my husband has built a wonderful rapport with Beyond Israel. Now we’re looking to purchase a canopy and are even considering starting a small Bible and prayer group in our home for the college students.  Things are really opening up, and we are grateful to be a small part of what God is doing.

We celebrated Valentine’s Day with a simple brunch. Many places were packed, so we ended up somewhere without much atmosphere, but the omelets were delicious, and honestly, that’s what mattered most, as well as the company! 💕

Yesterday was our 24th wedding anniversary. The weather was rainy and cold, so no hike this time. We also forgot it was Presidents’ Day, which meant many of the antique stores were closed. Oh well, what are you going to do? We still enjoyed each other’s company and had a sweet day of reminiscing. We wandered through Tractor Supply and the Grange Co-op for spring inspiration, and yes… the baby chicks are in! 🐤🐥

☃☃☃

Apparently, we may even get some snow. February and March are our best chances for that last little hurrah of winter. Temperatures are dropping, and old man winter is breathing his chilly breath on us all. The difference between us and those of you who just endured a big freeze? We’re actually hoping for it! Since we usually enjoy mild weather, any dramatic change feels exciting.

I’ll believe it when I see it, though. I’m skeptical of weather reports. We follow two independent local meteorologists, and while they sometimes miss it, they’re usually far more accurate than the networks.

Here are a few photos from the last time it snowed—almost to the date, February 2023. 

That storm shut the city down, but it was so much fun. My husband finally got to use the snow shovel my sister gave us when they moved from Colorado. He was like a little boy out there, absolutely delighted. 

We had about six to eight inches, which is practically unheard of here.

It looks like she is smiling - I'm thinking it is her collar. Hard to see, since she is so black. 

She LOVES the white stuff, and when she sees it on the side of the road when we take a drive, she starts whimpering...

She loves the snow but hates the rain. 

The birds sure like the white stuff, too. 

Snow sure does dress things up, doesn't it? Makes everything so picture perfect. 

Thankfully, I keep a good stock of food, so we’re set. But of course, we were nearly out of toilet paper, so I had to make a quick run to the store. I went early this morning and did not notice any panic-buying. Californians are so laid back.  

But if we ever run out, we know where to go: Char keeps a six-month stash and still worries it isn’t enough. I remember my parents doing the same in their later years. Funny how that happens with people, and why toilet paper? 

Do you have a fear of running out of toilet paper? 

I just took these pictures, and it was sunny. 

Come on, now - how can they say we're getting snow? 

Earlier, we had a thunderstorm and hail. 

The back yard is soaked - weeds are popping up, and almond blossoms are getting bigger and are more pinkish. 

Right now, it’s 44 degrees, which is very cold for us, and we’re expected to drop another 10-15 degrees overnight. We might just wake up to snow. BSF is on standby, and many of our members live in the mountains, so we’ll see how that goes.

Yes, we’re a bunch of weather weenies.

Loquat season is here. The freeze won't hurt them - the lowest we get will only be in the 30's. 

The Pomegranate tree is starting to bud...

Liberty and Guardian are excited about the possibility of snow, too. They’re hardy birds and know how to hunker down. No eggs yet, but we’re patient.

Before I sign off, I’m going to take a short break from blogging. 

We have places to go and people to see. 

There’s a lot happening, and my mind and heart are elsewhere. This is always a very busy season for us, with Chinese New Year at the Joss House in Weaverville, my birthday the first week in March (72!), Daylight Savings, St. Patrick's Day, Palm Sunday, Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and then Easter and with family and old friends sprinkled within. While my faith tradition doesn’t follow a liturgical calendar, these seasons still invite reflection, gratitude, and renewal.

As we move toward Passover and Easter, my prayer is that we all pause to remember God’s faithfulness, His deliverance from sin, and the hope we have through redemption and resurrection. May your coming weeks be filled with peace, renewal, and quiet joy that will last 365 days instead of just 40 days! 

Lord willing, I’ll be back sometime after Easter with hopefully more blog fodder than I know what to do with. Then again, don't count on it because I might not. 

Have a blessed six weeks. I know I will.

Debby

Valentines Day with my three little boys

It’s Valentine Week, with Saturday being the big day  

Honestly, I’ve always been such a boy mom, even before I had my three sons. The only time I truly got excited about Valentine’s Day was in grade school. It was mostly ignored in high school, except for the girls, but I didn't enjoy it. Too much expectation, and we all know what happens when we expect something we most likely will not get. We get disappointed because the cute boy in typing class didn't give you a Valentine, so I outgrew Valentine's Day fairly quickly. 

I suppose there was a time when I thought I was a "romantic," but I don't consider myself one now, though I can certainly be romantic at the appropriate times. I think I’m simply too practical to lean into romance for romance’s sake.

After infidelity and divorce, the way you view love and romance can change. The sparkle dims. Expectations soften. You learn to guard your heart more carefully. Love becomes quieter, steadier, and far more grounded in reality.

But for my little boys, I would fall head over heels into Valentine love.

My three guys - with my VW camper van in the background. 

Michael (in red cap), age 8, Navy, with the bald head, was 2, and Foodie, with the big goofy grin, was 5. 

They never really embraced the pink hearts, frilly cards, and flowery fuss. So instead, I tried to make the day fun, warm, and memorable in ways that fit them, not Hallmark. In exchange, I received their delightful Valentine artwork, coupon books filled with thoughtful chores for me to redeem, and other teacher-directed school valentines. These were charming and certainly appreciated, but what I truly treasured were more of their simple homemade gifts, the ones that reflected their hearts and creativity. 

As they grew older, all three eventually admitted they didn’t care much for this holiday. It felt too girly, too awkward. Their hearts were dedicated to sports, not the flutter of young romance, and they were unsettled by the spectacle of Valentine’s Day at school with the girls. Too much pressure. 

Then they told me they felt bad because I didn’t have a special love like the other moms. 

That broke my heart.

I told them that they were my special loves and would always be. It was also an excellent opportunity to remind them that Jesus was God's perfect love to us. 

We continued to celebrate Valentine’s Day, just in a more guy-like way. What boy can resist the charm of a candlelit pizza dinner, especially when Mom entrusts him with matches and the serious responsibility of lighting the candles? 😳 I always set out three candles, one for each son, to keep them from arguing. 

Instead of chocolates and hearts, they received bags of SF Giants roasted peanuts, BIG LEAGUE CHEW, and baseball cards. Then we would settle in with an action movie and a roaring fire in the fireplace.

❤️

No mushy, kissy stuff.

And then we moved on.

February 14, 2002, 

was my last Valentine’s Day with just them.

Two days later, on the 16th, my three sons stood together and gave me away at my remarriage. It was so special when the Pastor asked, 

As it turned out, it was also my last Valentine’s Day with Michael, as he would pass away the next year. 

Looking back at these tender memories, I have come to believe that love does not always arrive wrapped in romance. Sometimes it comes in the form of three little boys, candlelit pizza dinners, and quiet nights by the fire. 

God’s fingerprints were everywhere in those years. In the midst of loss and broken dreams, He entrusted me with my three little boys and allowed their love to become my healing. Valentine's Day was every day. 

Monday is the day I always have things to do. Laundry, straightening up, my bible study, errands, etc. The husband has taken Laydee to the Vet for her monthly shot. She's doing incredibly well, but I believe it is the mild weather. That stretch from Dec to Jan, when we had some cold temperatures, was rough on her arthritis. 

Spring is in the air...

We had some rain yesterday, 

But today is bright, clear, and sunny. 

Until next time...

Debby

Love Birds

 

Source: FORE (Terri Lhuillier)

Love is in the air, and we're all eagerly watching for the eggs. Liberty looks quite full, so we believe it could happen any day now.

Unfortunately, my husband is very sick this Valentine's Day. It seems like he caught the black plague from the ER. I’ve managed to avoid it so far, but I’ve been feeling a bit strange in the last hour. It might just be fatigue from waiting on him and handling everything. Hopefully, tomorrow morning will provide a clearer picture.

I picked up Murphy's Take and Bake pizza today because he wasn't feeling well, and I didn't want his germs on it if he was making one. 

His homemade pizza is so much tastier. 

I bought these chocolate roses to give to my ladies on Wednesday -

 only three are left!

The following day, it snowed!

This is what we got! 10 miles away (9.3 miles). 😊

Today, the only snow left is on the mountains around us. 

It was a beautiful sunny day - 58 degrees. 

I saw this on my One Drive - February 14, 2010. 

We were on the Oregon Coast. 

It was a beautiful day - a bit misty from the salty ocean waves - 

2010 - 

We decided on the garage door,  so more on that later. 

Happy Valentine's Day! 

Debby