Wordless Wednesday

 

Laydee, Storage containers, 400 miles of Fog and a Video

It's time for a 

this or that post... 

🐾🐾🐾

I recently came across a cute doggy scarf and immediately thought of our elderly Lab, Laydee. We're thankful she's still with us, and we appreciate her presence. In March, she started receiving her monthly Librela injections to help with her arthritis. She was doing well until the temperatures dropped recently. It's been in the mid-40s and 50s, with a lot of valley fog, and that cold, damp weather has been challenging for her.

🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺

Fortunately, she isn't in any pain—I know her signs: panting and a certain look in her eyes.  Thankfully, she hasn't shown any of that. However, she has become unsteady on her feet. Once we get through the holidays, we're planning to get her a set of wheels to help her move around more easily and play.

🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺🐕‍🦺

Everyone who meets her loves her. It’s always difficult to see an animal age or struggle to walk. She was at the vet yesterday for her injection, and he gave her a thorough check-up. Fortunately, she is doing well. They even brought out a rug for her to lie on while she waited. While we were paying the bill, the vet came out, knelt down, and kissed her on the forehead, telling her she was a good dog! My husband and I nearly broke down in tears. That’s the kind of veterinarian who truly cares for the animals he treats.

I was driving through town when I saw a building under construction made from shipping containers. It looks like they are finishing it with exterior-grade cement particle board. I am curious to see how it will turn out.

👷👷‍♀️👷‍♂️

I really enjoy this type of construction. I appreciate repurposing everything, especially when it's used in building projects.

We finally finished decorating the Christmas tree a few days ago, and we're happy to have it done!

Yesterday at my Bible Study, I brought in blank Christmas cards for our group. Each person took a card home to write ✍️ something meaningful they learned from our study, share a favorite verse, and include a prayer for the recipient for the new Year.  They will bring the cards back next Wednesday, and I will hand them out.

We will be starting Esther. 👑 Then off for two weeks! 

400 miles of dense fog - From Shasta Lake City all the way to the Grapevine, we have been engulfed in tule fog - at times, visibility has been reduced to just 20 feet ahead. It's cold and it's damp, creating a dreariness reminiscent of my childhood in San Francisco and Pacifica. However, that fog was coastal fog, which is a specific kind that comes in the summer months. This Valley fog we usually don’t get it for long here in Shasta Co. - maybe a couple of days, and it arrives in the winter months, but now we’ve had two weeks of it. Sometimes the fog clears in the afternoon, but it reappears at dusk, and before you know it, visibility is impaired as it embraces everything in its sight. Plus, this damp cold has been bothering my joints, but what can you do? 

Yesterday morning, as I was driving out to my bible study, I got that freeze warning on my dashboard - it was only 3️⃣9️⃣degrees. Yowza!  When I arrived, it didn't take long to realize the church's furnace had broken down, so the sanctuary was freezing. The big wood stove wasn’t lit. We could have really benefited from that nice wood stove!  My group meets in the gym kitchen, which has its own heating unit, and it's connected to the Gym, so once we were in there, it was warm. 

Today as I was going to my other study, it was 4️⃣0️⃣degrees then it cleared and the temperatures went up 10 degrees! That fog is freezing cold.

It's that time of year again, when my husband drags out all his ugly Hanukkah sweaters, and he doesn't get embarrassed one bit. He wore this one today on the college campus.  

He was a hit! 

Last Friday night was the official opening of the public market. It reminds me of a mini Pike Place Market in Seattle - with really cool little restaurants, ice cream, a specialty grocery store, pizza, smash burgers, a bar, a wine bar, a noodle shop, a bread butcher, a local brewery, and different places to sit - inside or outside with those sliding window doors. There's a fire pit - 🔥

I get so disgusted with Blogger. For years, I have been able to upload videos - 

so now I can't. Grrrrrr!😡

So if you want to see how small towns do Sleigh Bells... 🛷🛎️

You'll have to do it manually...

https://youtu.be/ovuwPxYv8VQ

That's it for now. Time to focus on dinner and just relax for the evening. I hope you are all well and enjoying this special season. ✝️

.

Tuesday Four - The Windy Month

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we try to have fun answering questions about various subjects.

 March, they say, comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. It is called the windy month, just as Chicago is called the windy city! 

 1. Has March come in like a lion or a lamb in your neck of the woods? 

 It came in like a lamb - 🐑 We were enjoying warm temperatures in the 80s, but then we suddenly shifted back to our usual rainy winter weather. On Sunday, we experienced some really strong winds. It’s still uncertain whether we’ll go out as a Lion. 🦁 or a Lamb.🐑

 2. There have been some awful storms of late.. have you suffered through them or have you ever suffered through a very bad storm in your life? (if so we wish you well) 

We're experiencing our usual winter rains here in California. We've seen heavy storms that have led to some flooding and mudslides. Although it can be challenging, it's really just a regular part of our winter weather that we've dealt with before.

 3. Spring begins March 20th and ends with summer on June 20th this year. Any plans for Spring in general? How about the spring holidays?

Does cleaning, gardening and yard work count? 

 4. What are your favorite springtime flowers? Trees or shrubs? 

From last year -

California poppies are my absolute favorite during this season. Their vibrant orange and golden hues brighten up the landscape like drops of Spring sunshine and their petals unfurl gracefully in the warm spring breeze, creating a stunning contrast against the  greenery. Seeing them in full bloom always fills me with joy and a sense of wonder at nature’s beauty.

 How about a song with a springtime theme to it that you enjoy?

 "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley is a joyous, uplifting anthem that fills me with a sense of carefree bliss and reminds me to embrace the simple joys of spring. 

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

Riders on the Storm

 

It was a beautiful, wet Sunday - 

it still is, as it is only 3:50 pm. 

On Saturday, we enjoyed a gentle, steady rain, which provided moisture to the plants. The almond tree is beginning to blossom, indicating the arrival of spring. The gentle rainfall is advantageous for plants, allowing them to absorb water. I'm sure the yard is enjoying its spa treatment...I can hear them now...Ahhhh! 

The area around the pond features a waterfall, Marguerite daisies, and rosemary plants. However, we have a lot of gardening work that needs to be done, particularly the removal of Vinca, which is currently growing in patches on the hill. If I had complete rain gear, I'd go out there and start pulling it up before it turns into a jungle. 

The rocks at the base of the pond are my husband's collection of rocks from all over the world. He even has a piece from Guam!

Only a Californian gets excited over a wet patio!

(all of those clusters of green are Vinca) 

The husband upgraded the bird feeder by replacing its wooden base with a metal pole for increased durability. Hopefully, the rats can't climb it. To prevent seeds from scattering and attracting rodents, he positioned an old sheet pan from Dollar Tree underneath the feeder to catch any fallen seeds. I'm hoping this modification helps maintain cleanliness while discouraging unwanted pests.

We still have those rat motels scattered around - it looks good that they are probably gone to another yard but we won't know for sure until the spring. 

This morning, we drove to church separately due to differing schedules; he needed to arrive earlier. The weather conditions included heavy rain and strong winds, which I found exhilarating. Despite wanting to stay home, I knew that the storm was expected to last throughout the week and there would be time to snuggle down and get cozy!

 

During the day, I feel braver than at night. I get a little anxious during severe weather conditions, such as heavy winds and rain at night. The sound of the wind can be unsettling, especially in my front yard with large trees. 

Several years ago, we were having a significant storm when a neighbor's tree snapped and fell. The sound of the breaking tree was quite loud -  fortunately, no one was harmed. To alleviate my concerns about our own trees, my husband reassured me that our cedar trees are strong and resilient.

Rainwater is beginning to accumulate on the side of the house where the oleanders are planted. Given our location at the base of a hill, we experience drainage from the streets situated above. While we are not classified as being in a historical flood zone, all of the homes at the bottom are equipped with pumps that direct excess water into the street. This runoff then flows into the gutter, ultimately leading to Churn Creek and, from there, to the Sacramento River.

Laydee totally hates stepping her cute paws into puddles to pee, which is kind of weird since she loves swimming and playing in the sprinklers.

She gets mighty stubborn, and I practically have to push this almost 70-lb dog outside to potty—most of the time, I resort to bribes of food. 

I need to get going...

The wind is howling and the rain is pouring down, creating an electrifying atmosphere! 

Oh how I want to stay home. 

I decided not to stay to mingle after church - we live about 15 miles east, across the river and the rain was worse on our side. 

In Happy Valley, where my friend Margie used to live 

My son sent me this as he was biking home from work! It's a block from his house. He said it looks worse than it is—just street flooding, but it seems like a river! 

AND Yes, he bikes to and from work. I've mentioned this before. He desires a small carbon footprint. He's all geared up, though—he has three bikes, one of which is electric. He has the rain gear—and it's only four miles! He loves being out in the elements. 

Jim Morrison's "Riders on the Storm" is a song that brings me back to my junior year of high school. It is my go-to song and I hum and sing when it gets dark and stormy outside. 

Enjoy! 

God's Presence in the Storm 

One of the most comforting truths is that God is with us in the midst of our storms. In Isaiah 43:2, God promises, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you." This assurance of His presence provides peace and strength.

Holding on to my Savior...

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