Brandy Creek Hike

 

On Saturday, we planned to hike around Brandy Creek at Whiskeytown Lake, my favorite spot nearby. I also like Lake Shasta, but I prefer hiking here since it’s less crowded. We usually start early in the morning.

I was standing on a footbridge overlooking the creek. The snow is melting now that it’s 80 degrees, but the water is still very cold. 

Today, the temperature is expected to reach 90.

The footbridge

Spring hasn’t fully arrived here yet. Just 20 miles from where we live, it's been spring for several weeks. (it's the micro-climates we have here in California)  It should come this week with the warmer weather, since I can already see some green shining in the sunlight.

Okay, here we go...

Pretty pink flower growing out of the rock. 

I had to cross a bunch of boulders and rocks (very carefully) to reach the creek.

It was definitely worth it. The water was so clear. I have a video that I’ll upload to YouTube since Blogger won’t let me upload it from here. I plan to share it on Wednesday, Lord willing.

We met a nice couple our age and stood talking to them for over an hour. They are from French Gulch (I just love the names of old mining towns... Horsetown, Clear Creek Diggings, Coffee Creek, etc.).

Anyway, their house, which was on the historical registry, burned down in the 2018 Carr Fire. But they had a second home in town that they rented out, and now they live there.

I love meeting new people and chatting. We had so much in common, but somehow we walked away without exchanging phone numbers. They should be easy to find, since French Gulch has only 192 people. His name was Mark, and hers was something like RoseMary, RoseMarie, Rosalie, or Rosalyn???

Nice people.

This is my youngest son, Navy. He was fishing at a lake in Shingletown on Saturday.

He REALLY loves to fish. 

Right now, my husband is getting his fishing license and a burn permit for wilderness campfires. 

There were more rocks and boulders ahead. I had to move slowly and watch out for rattlesnakes that are coming out of their winter sleep. (Brumation)

Rattlesnake season usually picks up from March to early fall on trails, canyons, and open areas. They’re not trying to cause trouble. Hmmm,  I keep reminding myself of that so I don’t get too freaked out. 

It's always a good idea to stick to clear paths and avoid tall grasses or rocky crevices! I realized that on Saturday when I was out exploring. I tried to be careful as I made my way down, but I thought to myself that if I spotted any snakes, I'd definitely want to be a bit quicker getting back out than I was going down. 😱

The best thing is to stay alert, respect wildlife, and give them their space.

I noticed an interesting cloud pattern that looked rippled - 

Husband took this photo, and we left for home for our lunch. 

Such a lovely day. 

Well, obviously, I’m back. When you catch yourself mumbling and drafting a blog post in your head while in the shower, it’s probably time to return. 👍

I'm looking forward to a great week ahead. Nothing special planned, but it's still wonderful to be alive, don't you think? I hope you are looking forward to the week ahead as well. 

Until Next Time, 

Debby

1. Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,

2. but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.

3. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3

New Years Eve

 

In the afternoon, we drove over to Whiskeytown Lake and settled in to soak up the peace and quiet of a year barely hanging on. There we sat, on a bench with Laydee by our side - just enjoying the quiet and looking west toward the dusting of snow on Shasta Bally. 

Shasta Bally, the tallest peak in the Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area at 6,174 feet, is just minutes from my home. It's especially stunning in winter with a dusting of snow. Our area's TV/Radio transmitters are located here, so during heavy storms or snow, signal outages occur, requiring technicians to hike to the top to fix the equipment since the gravel road ends at 4,000 feet.

Silence has always spoken to me. I know that's an oxymoron, but even in silence, there are lessons to learn, and it's where, I believe, God speaks to me through His creation. 

As in the way the geese glide on the lake's surface, the haunting call of a loon in the distance. Then there is the turkey vulture, a fascinating bird that is the master of soaring, using warm-air thermals to glide long distances with hardly any effort. It's incredible to me how such a visually unattractive bird can glide just as elegantly as a bald eagle. I watched one for about 20 minutes there at the lake, swooshing down, eyeing his prey, then coming up again and gliding to another place. While watching, I thought what fun it must be to fly through the sky like a vulture?? 

Have you ever taken the time to watch a vulture soar? 

Okay God, what are you saying... 

Just as God designed the vulture for its role in nature, He has equipped each of us with our own role to fulfill. As we age, it can feel as if we have lost our importance, leading us to believe we have no more value. However, God knows our true worth. Like the vulture, our value isn’t based on our outward appearance - but on how God sees us through His eyes to be. We still matter. Until we go home to Him, each of us will still have a purpose.   

I recently shared my thoughts on how pigeons are often misunderstood, and you know what? Vultures are, too! Before I moved here, I only saw these amazing birds in the wild. Now, I see them all the time. They're such a joy to watch, especially on those windy days when they seem to soar effortlessly. 

https://myshastahome.blogspot.com/2025/11/war-pigeons.html

After our last visit to the lake for 2025, we came back home, and I whipped up another pot of chili! The batch from last week was such a hit that we just couldn't get enough of it. A cozy evening, just the two of us plus Laydee and Susie. Earlier in the day, Laydee was given her trazodone for anxiety because of the inevitable sounds of celebration, which always include firecrackers. 

And then it started - The bane of my existence - illegal fireworks. 

What part of "illegal" don't people understand? 

It started with occasional pops and cracks - and some loud BOOMS came thundering down around 7 and continued on and off till the final act- the grand finale at midnight, which lasted nearly 30 minutes. The worst we've had in 17 years! My poor dog was terrified, and my cat was all over the place, full of energy, jumping from window to window. I felt sad watching my dog struggle under the weight of the stress. The challenge is determining the origin of the firecrackers. A neighbor claimed they saw a truck throwing firecrackers out of the window as it passed by, so the police can't trace them. 

I feel great compassion for animals - there are chickens, goats, and a horse hospital nearby. Many birds visit our yard, and I know dogs and cats that get lost. Plus, we must consider Veterans with PTSD.

But we survived it. Like we do every year and with our nation's 250th birthday celebration on July 4, I have a feeling it's going to be cRaZy. 

Until next time, 

Debby

And as if no one has said it to you yet, 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Lets go out to eat...

Hopefully, you will hear more from me in the coming week! I've been missing in action from posting and commenting, and am awfully behind, for which I am sorry.  I have a week off from both my Bible studies for Thanksgiving, so, Lord willing, I can catch up. 

THINGS AROUND TOWN...

💒🎳🎪🏠🏨🏫🏡

My area is seeing business growth with the upcoming Amazon facility in 2026, new housing, trolley cars, and marketplaces with many new franchise eateries. I prefer to support local restaurants, and they face tough competition from these places. 

We're seeing too many unfamiliar franchises in town. While it's curious at first, after a while, many turn out to be just "lazy food" places with no real cooking - I'd prefer to cook at home instead! 

I hope this California twist means fresh, healthier foods, although I don't understand chicken and waffles❓❓❓

 This is the biggest business growth we've seen since we moved up here in 2008! 

Some of the Southern food on the menu

fried green tomatoes

chicken and waffles

fried okra

Some of the dishes served are called:

The Mississippi,

Dixie Land Skillet

The New Orleans,

The Riverboat,

The Cajun

Louisiana catfish

Southern-style fish and chips (catfish) 

and "N'awlins" sandwiches

Bayou chicken, 

Monte Christo

Shrimp Po Boy

A Hamburger called, Bubbas

and one of the sides is Jambalaya Rice. 

Hmm, doesn't sound very California to me. 🌞

I think they just throw in an avocado and a nut and call it a Californian? 😁

Another totally weird thing -

Huckleberries is moving into the long-standing IHOP location! While construction is still underway, I’m pleased that the building will be repurposed instead of torn down.

Two struggling franchises (Applebee's and IHOP) have decided to join forces, inside Applebee's, but they may be on a path to failure together. 😐 This new collaboration is something I have never heard of before. 

All in all, it's good to finally witness the resurgence of new restaurants after the challenging times brought on by government shutdowns, which saw so many good local restaurants close, including the franchise Red Lobster. 

I’m curious if these hybrid restaurants are a trend nationwide! 

Have you come across Huckleberries or Raising Cane’s?

 Are you spotting any new franchises in your area you've never heard of?  

Do you like Chicken and waffles? 

My son just set off for his annual Foodie vs. Wild camping trip, and I’m thrilled that his brother, Navy, will be joining him for a night. It warms my heart to see them continue to nurture their brotherly bond and create a real friendship without any nudging from me. 

It's his 45th birthday on the 23rd!

🎂

That's it for me - 

Until Next Time,

Debby

 

🍎 Monday Comes and Monday goes

 

Happy Monday! 

I like Mondays, but I didn’t always feel this way when I was younger. I read that people spend about 33 minutes complaining about Monday. When you think about it, that’s a lot of time wasted grumbling about something we can’t change. 

Monday comes and Monday goes. 

So let's dig into this Monday post about...Friday! 

After returning from the grocery store, we decided to have a picnic and take Laydee along, as she’s been so bored lying around during her healing process. We drove about 10 miles past Old Shasta, along Whiskeytown Creek, to French Gulch.

The day was beautiful, with pleasant breezes and temperatures in the mid-70s. This site was once part of a large estate featuring 1,000 fruit orchards, including apples, pears, and peaches, as well as 400 grapevines. Established around 1850 by a local pioneer searching for gold, and Shasta became his home. 

A portion of the property has been designated for various uses, with the house now under the jurisdiction of the parks department. We visited a small area off the road, featuring decent bank fishing and remnants of the original heritage fig and apple trees.

Berries make it a great foraging spot in season. We missed picking figs this summer, and most apples were gone, except those on the upper branches.

I could practically taste the sweetness of those apples in the tree, and the aroma was delightful. It's been a long time since picking apples off a tree. 

My husband, ☝ ☝ ever the romantic, always seeks ways to delight me. He sets off to climb this old apple tree, its sturdy branches laden with ripe apples just waiting to be picked.  While he pretends it’s my wish for sweet, succulent apples that drives him, we both know the truth: it’s his desire for me to create an apple dessert that truly inspires his adventurous spirit.

I always deeply cherish my time here. When we travel 10 to 12 miles out and find ourselves in solitude, and it's truly remarkable for someone like me, who has always lived in congested areas with hordes of people and cars. My mind often wanders back to the days of the gold rush, and I try to envision the experiences of those pioneers.

The whole time we were there, not one person came - we were truly alone. 💗

Walking around the yard - the flowers that struggle in the intense heat are starting to bloom again.  

I think it’s fair to say that Autumn has arrived in Shasta County. Although our Fall differs from that of other regions in the country, it is indeed present and has been acknowledged. Daytime temperatures hover around 80, while the evenings cool down to the 50s and 60s, making it perfect for sleeping with the windows wide open.

 I've never had better sleep.

I'm excited to embrace this Monday with a sense of renewed energy and feelings of peace and gratitude. It's incredible to think that this feeling began with a simple picnic last Friday. I feel well-rested and ready to take advantage of the opportunities that lie ahead for this week. 

Until Next Time,

Debby

A Few This and or Thats

Last night, I unexpectedly woke up, which is quite unusual for me. It took a while to drift back to sleep, and I realized it was because I had some important decisions on my mind. I finally narrowed it down to a couple of things...

I've decided to give myself time to consider my decision about the Loop Recorder device carefully. My next appointment is in 6 months. I will most likely have it done. 

Many of you had never heard of it, so in a nutshell, this is what it is:🥜

An implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a small device placed under the skin on the left side of the chest to monitor heart rhythms. It helps detect causes of fainting, palpitations, and abnormal heartbeats, similar to an electrocardiogram (ECG). The device can record heart activity for up to 3 years, making it useful for infrequent episodes of fainting for me and arrhythmias for others. It constantly loops its memory, automatically storing recordings of anything abnormal, and can also be activated by the patient. If fainting occurs, the ILR captures data before, during, and after the event, allowing healthcare providers to analyze the causes. Most ILRs also come with a home monitor that transmits data to your healthcare provider.

Fainting is the main focus. 

Plus, I just signed up at the Y, and I want to make sure I can swim. If I get the device now, it will disrupt my swimming for 10 days - right when I’m getting started. The procedure is quick—only about 10 minutes, not counting preparation and aftercare. After that, I need to be careful for about 10 days to prevent infection. I can do most everyday activities, but I should avoid heavy lifting, reaching overhead, and swimming.

August feels like such a long month! But then time goes by so fast...that doesn't even make any sense❓❓❓ Anyway one more week, and 2 days, and we’ll be welcoming September! Today’s temperature reached 106 - we haven't hit our peak, and it’s a bit cooler than yesterday. This morning, we enjoyed the fresh air on the front patio in the 60s. But as soon as the sun started rising, it was getting very hot—time to go inside. 

My husband set out for a lovely morning at the lake. (Whiskeytown) I visited Ed and Harry to feed them, but they didn’t come out to say hello this time. I think they miss their mommy and daddy a bit. Then I headed out into the grocery store. Everyone had the same idea - to get up and out before it got too hot. 

 

Yesterday, my pot pedestal didn’t hold up under the weight of the birdbath, and the midday heat of 108, but I can still use it for plants! It just collapsed! Amazing, the cement birdbath didn't break. I shared with my husband the idea of using some bricks or a similar material for a pedestal support.

From my Archives -

Whiskeytown Lake. 

When did contentment become something that needed fixing?

Darshak Rana

It's time for me to throw something together for dinner, or we'll grab something out and call it dinner. 

May you all have a wonderful, relaxing weekend, filled with the freedom to do what gives you JOY or to embrace contentment. Doing what you want - or nothing at all. 

For those who have some prayer needs, know that I am thinking of you and praying for your situation. 

 

Summer Evenings

Feel the cool breeze? Turn up your speakers...

I hope everyone is enjoying the lovely summer evening! I've got dinner simmering on the stove...

Tuesday evening, we visited the lake after dinner to enjoy the cooler evening air. The atmosphere was serene, with no one else around, creating an environment that felt almost private. We drove back to town and decided to stop at the local Dairy Queen for a soft-serve ice cream cone. Unfortunately, the chocolate dispenser was not functioning, a recurring issue. In the 17 years we’ve lived here, I’ve only had two chocolate soft serve cones due to this ongoing problem. My cone was enjoyable, but the portion size seemed inadequate. Considering the price, it might have been a better value to purchase two containers of ice cream instead.

While there, a little dry lightning storm accompanied by a temperature drop and wind came through. We watched as lightning struck from cloud to cloud, sometimes making a direct ground landing.  They recorded 11,965 lightning strikes!  It was not surprising that by Wednesday daybreak, we heard the familiar sounds of planes and helicopters flying above our homes, on their way to surveying the Shasta and Trinity mountains and making their early morning water drops due to several spot fires that had developed overnight. 

There was always something about those summer rainstorms when we would travel back to Tennessee, Indiana, or Ohio as children, with that tantalizing blend of earthy aromas and the sound of thunder. Since we don't have summer rains here (except the mountains). We miss out, but I figure God knows what He is doing when He created our varying climates.  

Yesterday, I visited the new grocery store nearby and purchased some watermelon. After that, I went to Costco to buy beef dinner franks and sesame seed rolls for my dogs.  They're doing chicken wings. We plan to arrive around 3 PM to enjoy some games, which are a favorite activity for Sara. This morning, she texted me to say that they had a stove fire last night and now a new electric stove is in her future.  Yet she still wishes to host the gathering on the 4th. 

💓💓💓

Tomorrow marks a full week since I’ve been tethered to this EKG monitor, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the journey! The first couple of days were a breeze, but then I encountered an unexpected challenge: a raw spot developing under one of the monitor modules in a rather sensitive area. Ouch! To make matters worse, the clip that attaches to my waist has become my nemesis. With this heat, I've developed a rash from the metal rubbing against my skin. Just what I need. 

Oh, and let’s not forget about the charging - this thing needs to be juiced up twice a day! At first, it felt like a major inconvenience, but I’ve come to appreciate the break it gives my skin. It’s a win in disguise!

I’ve become obsessed with monitoring my blood pressure, taking readings at all hours of the day per the doctor's instructions.  I can’t help but notice the fluctuations that start to drive me a little nuts, even though I feel perfectly fine. A side effect of my new routine? A bruise on my upper left arm from the BP cuff. 

Honestly, am I just dealing with sensitive skin, or is this a common issue that occurs as we age? Either way, I’ve made some interesting observations. My BP seems to run low in the morning, but after my beloved coffee, it spikes up to 135/79. The rest of the day, it generally stabilizes. I can’t shake the feeling that my anxiety is contributing to those higher numbers.

Thanks for letting me vent a bit and get it off my chest 👈 a little pun there. My husband insists I’m just being obsessive, which I admit I can be. Ugh! I guess I’ll embrace my quirks - I have a week more to go. 

That's all I have for you. My dinner is ready, and I'm hungry. 

Until next time,

Debby

Wordless Wednesday

 

Catching up on a Saturday

 

What a difference a day makes...

I drove up there real quick today because I wanted to get this photo and compare. 

Happy Saturday to one and all. 

Today, I feel fine. The husband is still coughing which takes a lot out of a person. He was doing something and got dizzy. He still needs to take it easy. 

There is no church tomorrow for both of us. I had previously arranged for someone else to pick up the bagels since we had planned to do something. Now, we'll just stay home. 

Garage Door

We ordered the 16x7 classic steel garage door in Charcoal. It does not have windows and has an insulated 18.4 R-value, so we've gone with bare insulation to really good. No windows should help with the summer heat. I have my freezer out there, and it gets so hot out there that the outside of the freezer feels warm to the touch. It should save us electricity by cooling the freezer. We aren't fortunate enough to justify an AC unit in our garage like others have. That would be nice. 

So now we wait till the contractor calls us - usually takes a week. 

Everything came to $2903.00 at Home Depot

They gave us the Behr paint color code for the exact color of the door so we can customize our front door and anything else. 

Lowes and the local garage door companies were way too expensive —upwards of $5000. So when we went into Home Depot and got the estimate, we knew.

 6 months of interest-free. 

It's our anniversary gift to each other! 👍

At the end of the month, on the 28th, we’re going out for a nice dinner with my son Navy, and his wife, Sara, to celebrate our anniversaries. Navy and Sara were married on February 29, 2020, (Leap Year) and we were married on February 16. I’m letting Sara choose the restaurant since we often get stuck going to the same places. I trust their judgment because they eat out frequently. Additionally, my 71st birthday is on the 2nd, so it will be a celebratory dinner for all of us.

Closing out in Worship

I’m reflecting on Revelations 15, which features the powerful Song of Moses. Although we can only imagine its true sound, it brought to mind a beautiful messianic worship song that embodies a magnificent Davidic dance.

The Song of Moses by Jonathon Settel. 

No one conveys emotion through song quite like Jonathon did. 

 It's a beautiful worship song. 

May this music bring you the same blessings it brings upon me.

Debby