Rich. The rich days of summer. Today was one of them.
The sprinklers came on in usual fashion at 6:00 a.m. There is a startle among the sheets at the sound of the air rushing from the system. When water becomes airborne and the sound of the sprinklers fills the air, there is a settling. Such a comforting sound in the early morning air. A sound that means summer saturation and growth. Growth that wouldn't be possible without the daily love of coolness.
We lingered at the breakfast table for only a bit. We had plans. Plans that included sweat and scenery. Because, Carla's in the house. Today was a day in the memory bank from "Camp Carla" where no one lingers too long in one spot, where the day is planned and fully executed. Where memories are active and the smile doesn't fade.
It was off to Hamlin Gulch where we began our trek. Strava. With the help of Strava we would find out how far our trusty bikes took us and all the other important information needed to be a good cyclist. So with clean frames and unused helmets, we set out on an adventure. There is no doubt that my biking skills need improvement but I felt very encouraged by the "catch up little tomato" attitude from my co-exercisers.
It was an amazing morning and as we crossed over and headed back by way of Scarface Road, the view of the valley is just short of breathtaking. So between the deep pants of this new rider, the view was once again on my mind. So many beautiful places in this valley we call home.
The day proceeded with a quick trip to Fort Jones to the Gallery and the museum. Home for a quick clean-up and off again. The traffic was bunched up, indicating the possibility of road work on Forest Mountain. Yep. But it was further complicated by a fire on the top of the mountain. Looked like the emergency vehicles were looking for a way to the top of that hill that my dad says contains "about a bucket full of dirt on the whole mountain".
We headed south at Yreka. Destination....McCloud. Carla commented that she hadn't been in McCloud since she was in high school. Was there where she showed her stud-li-ness in basketball with the box and one? Could have been. I'm pretty sure she did that more than once.
We checked out the mercantile in this small, sleepy town. Christmas shopping. Yeah. I really was.
We headed back to Yreka where my "fine figure of a man" had a hair cut. We shopped a bit, visited a bit and had a good time with friends. Our plan was to take Florence (you know, the lady with a plan) to dinner. Treat her. Love on her and see how she's doing.
It was an evening of catching up. How's the family? Turns out Florence had been on a two week vacation. Glacier National Park. It was on her bucket list. Made me smile just thinking about her and the things she wants to do before she joins her hubbie in heaven some day. But for now, she's living life in wonderful fashion. Filling her days with activities, puppy love and a 13 year old she adores.
The herd of ten bucks that crossed the road on our way home was a surely a treat.
We stopped at one of our favorite spots in North Kidder Creek to say hello to some of our most favorite people. Mom and Dad. Dad was rototilling the garden because it needed to be done but soon came in to check the Giants game. Mom was chillin' from her active day. It was a nice end to a nice day.
So after chatting with Trevor on Facetime, I think it's time to give this fine day a rest. After all, tomorrow's another day. And as our good friend Mr. Wilkins told us, "the sun rises every morning" and I'm thinking we need to be ready for it.
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Monday, July 28, 2014
The View
The summer heat lays upon an unrested soul when consecutive nights of still air waits. The waiting. It never goes away.
It has been a couple of weeks since the big move. The move that took us from the roots of Eastlick heritage to a three bedroom, two bath. As if turning back the clock, we moved to a five acre piece with plenty of trees to obscure the view. There's a new view. Gone are the sweeping fields, the far away trees covering the vast hillside. Gone is the never ending chatter of cattle. Gone are the night sounds filled with frogs and coyotes. My sister once told me that a yard is great but the view is really beyond the blossoms within the borders of the yard. The view, certainly unsurpassed by none.
It was white when we moved in over eleven years ago. The garage doors were broken down and quite dangerous. In the overgrown yard, my "fine figure of a man" found a lawn mower unseen from the back door. Granny had lived there. After she got along in years, her priorities changed. Her goals for the day seemed to be eat the things she enjoyed, stay warm and live in a smaller space.
It was a grand ol' house in its day. The large front room had matching green and brown furniture, a large fireplace and the ever favorite "mat" that was used by all for lounging. The stories told in this family favorite room, were adventurous and never lacked.
Granny was less than 5 foot tall, enjoyed a good rodeo, grew a heck of a garden and loved.
With mixed emotions, we spent quite a bit of time at the big house during our last week as owners of this vast property. We watered, hosed off, walked through. Seemed like it had been so long since this house was our home. Our family grew in the space that was never small or crowded. Family. Many family get togethers were hosted within the boundaries of this ample property. Family dinners and slumber parties were center in our lives. The pinochle games were played in the front room while dinner was being cooked in the kitchen. The house was filled with laughter and so much love.
Summer time donned nights on the deck and walking the pigs or heifer, watering the large garden and the even larger lawn and blooming goodness. Walks down the lane were met with sweet smells, a mixture between summer heat, water and growing pasture. There is a longing for those smells. There is a yearning for the touch of family through the slow, warm summer days.
The "big house" was yellow in color when we moved out. It had been greatly remodeled but still held the lingering stories in the big front room. The kitchen, where Granny cooked many meals for many, was still producing many meals for many. The yard had changed some over the years but the view had not.
So how do you ever match the ultimate view when life moves you along?
Our new view is tall trees shading our home but if you look carefully beyond from the kitchen window, there is a stretch of Scott Valley that tells its own story. There are fields of goodness being irrigated. Intended for cattle of this great valley. The sprinklers making the chew, chew sound as they intentionally moisten the ground.
The back yard, amazing. Lush. But beyond the borders of the finely manicured lawn area are the same mountains could see from Mugginsville. Comforting. Makes us know that we are still home and are still enjoying the view.
It has been a couple of weeks since the big move. The move that took us from the roots of Eastlick heritage to a three bedroom, two bath. As if turning back the clock, we moved to a five acre piece with plenty of trees to obscure the view. There's a new view. Gone are the sweeping fields, the far away trees covering the vast hillside. Gone is the never ending chatter of cattle. Gone are the night sounds filled with frogs and coyotes. My sister once told me that a yard is great but the view is really beyond the blossoms within the borders of the yard. The view, certainly unsurpassed by none.
It was white when we moved in over eleven years ago. The garage doors were broken down and quite dangerous. In the overgrown yard, my "fine figure of a man" found a lawn mower unseen from the back door. Granny had lived there. After she got along in years, her priorities changed. Her goals for the day seemed to be eat the things she enjoyed, stay warm and live in a smaller space.
It was a grand ol' house in its day. The large front room had matching green and brown furniture, a large fireplace and the ever favorite "mat" that was used by all for lounging. The stories told in this family favorite room, were adventurous and never lacked.
Granny was less than 5 foot tall, enjoyed a good rodeo, grew a heck of a garden and loved.
With mixed emotions, we spent quite a bit of time at the big house during our last week as owners of this vast property. We watered, hosed off, walked through. Seemed like it had been so long since this house was our home. Our family grew in the space that was never small or crowded. Family. Many family get togethers were hosted within the boundaries of this ample property. Family dinners and slumber parties were center in our lives. The pinochle games were played in the front room while dinner was being cooked in the kitchen. The house was filled with laughter and so much love.
Summer time donned nights on the deck and walking the pigs or heifer, watering the large garden and the even larger lawn and blooming goodness. Walks down the lane were met with sweet smells, a mixture between summer heat, water and growing pasture. There is a longing for those smells. There is a yearning for the touch of family through the slow, warm summer days.
The "big house" was yellow in color when we moved out. It had been greatly remodeled but still held the lingering stories in the big front room. The kitchen, where Granny cooked many meals for many, was still producing many meals for many. The yard had changed some over the years but the view had not.
So how do you ever match the ultimate view when life moves you along?
Our new view is tall trees shading our home but if you look carefully beyond from the kitchen window, there is a stretch of Scott Valley that tells its own story. There are fields of goodness being irrigated. Intended for cattle of this great valley. The sprinklers making the chew, chew sound as they intentionally moisten the ground.
The back yard, amazing. Lush. But beyond the borders of the finely manicured lawn area are the same mountains could see from Mugginsville. Comforting. Makes us know that we are still home and are still enjoying the view.
Monday, July 7, 2014
Celebrating Many Years
The left overs......
If the left overs from a long family weekend look this good, imagine what the original was like.
It was a family affair. Camping. Celebrating. Cooking. Eating. Rodeo. Did I say rodeo?
We were a little light in numbers. Missing a few loved ones here and there.
In fine celebratory fashion we pitched tents, shared duties, stirred supper, created plenty of trash, watched movies by moonlight. We "turned in" at night under the starry sky, snored, yawned as we woke in the early morning sun. The stress of feeding the crowd was passed around as we all took turns as the preparer.
The Open House was a large success with relatives and friends driving many miles to celebrate with this 60th wedding anniversary couple. Gathered. We all gathered. Six daughters coming together to let these wonderful parents know that we appreciate. Appreciate their commitment and longevity. Appreciate the legacy handed down. Appreciate the ability to take us as we are, to love unconditionally. Appreciate their love for our own children and our one true God.
So you remember when I said "rodeo"? There was a lot of hesitation in this small crowd. Distrust? "Gonna make me look foolish" hesitation. But opening ceremonies came off without a hitch and everyone participated. The rodeo.
The intention of the silly fun was two fold. Matthew 18:3(NIV) says:
So in childlikeness, we played, laughed, competed and clapped for winners and losers because placing didn't matter. Memories. It's about memories and knowing we will speak of this event in the future. Improvement? Pretty sure we can improve upon the First Annual Lewis Rodeo. Challenge. Just throwing it out there.
When the rodeo event was concluded, red team vs. blue team faded as the visiting ensued and pictures from the day were viewed in life size manner against the house.
Sunday morning was warm, really warm. The breakfast, courtesy of the Waters' family--enjoyed. Tents busted down, cars packed, and families preparing to depart. The hardcore pinochle players finally called it a weekend. Some satisfied, some not so much.
My regret? Why didn't we sing Happy Birthday to our big sister? So here goes Wanda~
Sorry it's a day late and not in person but I know you can hear our wonderful serenading voices. You are loved and cherished!
Another Lewis event in the books. So thankful it was to celebrate a very happy event. Love you Dad and Mom~
If the left overs from a long family weekend look this good, imagine what the original was like.
It was a family affair. Camping. Celebrating. Cooking. Eating. Rodeo. Did I say rodeo?
We were a little light in numbers. Missing a few loved ones here and there.
In fine celebratory fashion we pitched tents, shared duties, stirred supper, created plenty of trash, watched movies by moonlight. We "turned in" at night under the starry sky, snored, yawned as we woke in the early morning sun. The stress of feeding the crowd was passed around as we all took turns as the preparer.
The Open House was a large success with relatives and friends driving many miles to celebrate with this 60th wedding anniversary couple. Gathered. We all gathered. Six daughters coming together to let these wonderful parents know that we appreciate. Appreciate their commitment and longevity. Appreciate the legacy handed down. Appreciate the ability to take us as we are, to love unconditionally. Appreciate their love for our own children and our one true God.
So you remember when I said "rodeo"? There was a lot of hesitation in this small crowd. Distrust? "Gonna make me look foolish" hesitation. But opening ceremonies came off without a hitch and everyone participated. The rodeo.
The intention of the silly fun was two fold. Matthew 18:3(NIV) says:
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become
like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven"
like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven"
So in childlikeness, we played, laughed, competed and clapped for winners and losers because placing didn't matter. Memories. It's about memories and knowing we will speak of this event in the future. Improvement? Pretty sure we can improve upon the First Annual Lewis Rodeo. Challenge. Just throwing it out there.
When the rodeo event was concluded, red team vs. blue team faded as the visiting ensued and pictures from the day were viewed in life size manner against the house.
Sunday morning was warm, really warm. The breakfast, courtesy of the Waters' family--enjoyed. Tents busted down, cars packed, and families preparing to depart. The hardcore pinochle players finally called it a weekend. Some satisfied, some not so much.
My regret? Why didn't we sing Happy Birthday to our big sister? So here goes Wanda~
"Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday to You,
Happy Birthday dear Wanda
Happy Birthday to you"
Sorry it's a day late and not in person but I know you can hear our wonderful serenading voices. You are loved and cherished!
Another Lewis event in the books. So thankful it was to celebrate a very happy event. Love you Dad and Mom~
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