- FORT BRAGG -

A new little tree.

Wednesday I left the cool clean air of the mountains.  The rain had stopped and the clouds were working their way to another location.  Everything was fresh and the morning was beautiful and sunny.  It was wonderful. 

Getting taller.

I headed back over Donner Summit and again stopped at the rest area that is at the top of the summit.  There was a great view of the clouds and I briefly talked with a young man that was walking the Pacific Crest Trail, starting south and going north.  He said the past few nights were quite cold and obviously wet.  He seemed in good spirits.

Continuing to get taller and with new growth.

I arrived back in Auburn and did some errands, met Gaytrell for dinner and stayed the night at Machado's.  They now have fresh peaches that were picked that day.  I bought a bag for me and one for Millie.  I simply love eating fresh home grown peaches.  And Machado's are the best.

The sweet rain drops on the needles.

Thursday I went down to Roseville and got the RV serviced. They didn't have the air filter for the generator, so I ended up staying the night with Millie.  We did a Costco run and had dinner at Olive Garden.  I hadn't been there is many years.  Millie found a cooking pot I had wanted, so now I am ready for anything (to cook, that is).

Old and new pine ones.

Remember how I was going to go any direction except west?  Surprise.  I wanted to get to the coast so west it was.  The temperatures in the valley were predicted to be crazy hot and I preferred to avoid that.  So, I ended up in Fort Bragg. At my beloved coast again, just further north than usual.

Even purple flowers bloom up here.

Thankfully, It is a lot cooler here.  A great nights sleep under a light down blanket.  Love it.  Daytime mid 80's are much more doable than 105 + any day.  There seem to be many permanent people here and fishing appears to be the choice of activity.  I listened as several of the guys were talking tales of how they avoided the Fish and Game the other day.  Kind of funny, though I feel a bit sorry for all of the new rules and regulations on the commercial fishermen.  I guess it goes both ways.

At Donner Summit

This morning, Saturday, I woke to the sounds of my wonderful robins and chickens.  Lots of other birds whose songs and sounds I am familiar with, although unable to identify, were also abundant.  The evergreens are here, as well, and the smell is awesome.  Ocean and evergreens, difficult to beat in my opinion.

At Donner Summit

Well, I am truly on my way.  I will continue to head north along the coast.  I can take my time and explore the areas that feel right to me.  Picture taking is much fun.  It would have been nice to get one of my first glimpse of the ocean, however, there was absolutely no place to pull over.  Hwy 1 is a magnificent drive along the coast.  It is full of windy turns along with the views.  There are few turnouts, especially for an RV.

It is always so dramatic when driving through the redwoods and other evergreens, as they provide shade across the roads, and then the sunlight filters through.  It feels magical to me, almost as though I am in a special and mysterious space.  Makes me smile.

At Donner Summit

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I -

I took the one less traveled by,

and that has made all the difference."

 - Robert Frost

Enjoy your roads!

- DRY HANDS -

Dry Hands.  How can it be raining and I have dry hands?  Everything else around here is nicely saturated with the lovely rain, and I have dry hands.  Maybe this is a left over from the hot dry weather in the valley.   I am looking forward to them being a bit friendlier to touch.  I rarely experienced dry hands at the coast.  This could be a sign.  

I enjoy walking in the rain.  Everything is still and  happily soaking in the moisture.  The birds seem to enjoy it and I almost captured a picture of a Steller's Jay.  They rarely sit still long enough to get a picture.  Here one is just flying off from its perch on the railing.  You may be able to spot it just above the railing and at the bottom of the motor home.  A beautiful blue blur.  If you don't know what they actually look like you can search pictures of them on line.  They are quite striking.

The colors of everything when it rains seem so true.  More defined and natural.  It is as though the air is clean and therefore nature can be seen more clearly.  I love how the trees and dirt and grasses and flowers appear deeper and richer in color.  Things seem more distinct.  And perhaps too, nature enjoys the drink it receives.  Everything feels different when it rains.  Refreshed.

I love the sounds.  A gentle steady rain which is then replaced with intermittent rain and then the big drops from the trees rain.  Constantly changing and shifting my awareness.  This is so much better than many, many years ago when I was working in an office and I was unable to hear the sound of rain on the roof.  I'll take this any day!

I also remember a time when a friend and I decided to walk to the ice cream store that was probably fifteen blocks away.  We were wearing rain resistant coats and set out as it was gently sprinkling.  Well, we got about half way there and it became a down pour.  We passed by a house where this man was watching the deluge as we scampered by and we could see him laughing.  It didn't seem to matter which way we went, we were going to get wet, so we continued on to our destination.  We were soaked completely. 

 We laughed a lot as we sort of walked/ran.  Without any options, we could only keep ourselves moving.  We did, of course, once we arrived at the store,  enjoy a delicious bowl of ice cream and waited as long as we could before we started our trek home.  Putting on our wet coats, I was unclear if this mattered since it was  still raining, although less.  We were grateful for a warm house, dry clothes and some hot tea once we settled in.

I have been camping many times in the rain and one just takes it in stride.  I love being out in it since, to me, everything feels so awake.  I feel so alive and very close with nature as I stroll.  Sometimes I stay in and simply enjoy the sounds and sights as critters scurry around and birds flit about.  It is all a part of how it is.  

"When you are discontent,

you always want more, more, more.

Your desire can never be satisfied.

But when you practice contentment,

you can say to yourself, 'Oh yes - 

I already have everything

that I really need.'

 - Dalai Lama

Enjoy your contentment!

- POLLEN -

So, this wonderful yellow powdery stuff on the ground has been the cause of my sneezing and blowing my nose so much.  I was unable to understand why until I saw the collection of the pollen at the edges of the water puddles and edges of the dirt that has been washed together by the rain.  Mystery solved.  I forget that the evergreens produce their own pollen and my issues are just about everywhere.

The only place I experience relief is at the coast.  I have yet to figure out if it is the moist air, lack of certain plants, trees and flowers, or that I simply ignore them.  Having lived on the central coast for two and a half years and then returning to the Sacramento/Auburn area, my first spring was complete misery.  I had totally forgotten how affected I am with seasonal allergies.

I suspect this is why I am in search of an area that will give me relief from this dreadful occurrence, as I am literally a mess in the spring time.  Thankfully it is only spring rather than all year long.  I think if it was all year long I would have to move to Hawaii.  Darn.  Although I am uncertain about how I would cope with living on an island.  Have to think about that some.

I actually saw a robin this morning when I was walking to the laundry room.  It came flying almost directly to me before it realized I was there.  And then at the office there were several pigeons.  It seems the rain has brought out all of the birds I have been hearing.  Such a delight.

While at Millie's we also made some chocolate chip cookies from a recipe she had not used before.  Well, let me tell you, I baked some last night and was in heaven.  The are way too good so I will need to monitor my intake.  The other challenging thing is the aroma they create.  This morning I could still smell the wonderfulness of these delicious little gems.  Frozen cookie dough balls are magnificent.  Especially once they are baked.

It has been too drippy outside to whip out the camera for pictures, so these are more flowers from the High-Hand Nursery.  And I failed to capture all they had.  Amazing place.

Just for chuckles, I tried opening and closing the passenger side window this morning and now it is working.  I am beginning to think it only likes cooler weather.  Imagine that, just like me.  Humm.  I will continue to check out my theory.   This could make things very interesting with where I travel.  

This picture rather startled me.
A puddle is working its way along the dirt path
and all the yellow along the edges and in the center of the closest part is pollen.

The cobble stone caused a lacy look.  Kinda cool.

Okay, I couldn't resist and had to go out in the rain and get some pictures of the pollen and the trees and flowers here at the park.  It always smells so good when it rains in the forest.  

 

The unique odors are some of my favorites.  I think all of the forest smells are wonderful and inviting.  Cedarwood is actually the one I like the most.

  

Most of the trees here are Ponderosa pine although I saw a cone that appeared to be from a Digger pine.  Should one of those cones fall on your head, you will know it.  Headache for sure and maybe some stitches.

"May you live as long as you want

 and not want as long as you live."

 - Tom Hanks 

Enjoy your view!

- RAIN AND FALLING PINE CONES -

There still is snow in the high Sierra!

Ah, being in the mountains is so nice.  The air is cooler than the valley and it has been raining off and on since 4 a.m. this morning.  It is relatively light and without wind which makes it very soothing.  The only odd thing is when a pine cone comes crashing down on the roof.  This goes way beyond the elephant squirrels playing on the roof.  I would prefer to avoid to be under one of these falling cones.  That would surely hurt.

The past two days have been full.  I managed to replace the brackets for the two drawers that fell in disrepair.  It took a while, though once I figured out how it was all put together, it was good.  They certainly failed to make the spaces large enough to make it easy access.  I felt like I was a living pretzel.  Fortunately I was able to straighten up when I was finished.

I walked into the small town of Truckee (about a half of a mile away) yesterday and meandered through all of the shops on the main street of Hwy 89.  I came across a few signs that made me smile and others to pause and ponder.  I also found the "Sweets" shop and, of course, I purchased a small amount of fudge.  Good, though Crill's in Morro Bay is still the best so far.  I will continue the search for the most awesome fudge during my travels.  I will say that the panocha I make is absolutely the best.  I usually only make it in the winter around the holidays.  It is a good thing since it is crazy addicting.

I managed to dodge most of the light rain as I walked back to the RV park from town.  Most of the travelers left yesterday which leaves me with the permanent residents here.  It almost feels deserted.  The rain is a welcome event.  It cleaned everything off and provided puddles for the birds to drink.  There was a beautiful Steller's Jay filling up from several spots.  And there are robins!  I simply have yet to see them.  They usually wake me around 4 a.m. with their singing.  I love it.

I have been busy plotting my course from here.  I have a few local stops, such as getting the oil changed and possibly find out why the passenger window sometimes refuses to go up and down.  You realize that when I took it in to get it checked out, it would work perfectly.  Now, not so much.  It is the same when there is an odd noise that mysteriously disappears when one takes it in to be looked at.  Curious.  Another one of those things that makes one shake their head.

There have been lots of wonderful clouds with the incoming storm.  At the higher elevations the sky seems bluer and the clouds seem closer and whiter and fluffier.  Yesterday they were a bit ominous and threatening.  I love the feel of the energy of storms.  And then we had the super moon on Monday morning to accent it.  Amazing.

It is amazing what can be found growing among the rocks!

"Until we meet again,

may the good Lord

take a liking to you."

 - Roy Rogers 

Enjoy your steps!

- A LIGHTWORKERS CREED -

A dear friend in Southern California sent this saying to my email, since it did not go through on the blog.

A LIGHTWORKER’S CREED

I AM a Lightworker

I awoke so that others may awaken

I learn so that others may also learn

I transform so that others may transform

I lighten my load so that others may change theirs

I learn to see so that others may also see

 

I forgave myself so that I may help others to forgive

I love myself so that I can bring out love in others

I AM a Lightworker

Thanks Jen, for sharing this.  Lots of thought provoking

 messages for all of us.

- DONNER LAKE -

While in Auburn, I was fortunate to be able to have lunch with Gaytrell, (thanks for meeting me), do a bit of shopping, and popped in to see Suzette and Elizabeth at Natural Medicine.  Michele came in as I was leaving and it was nice to see all of them.  

Well, my trip up into the hills actually took me to the high mountains of the Sierra Nevada.  I spent the night at the Donner Summit rest area which is 7227 feet in elevation.  And I woke up to 30 degrees.  This is one way to get out of the heat.  It was glorious!  I was actually cold.  Awesome feeling after the oppressive heat of the valley, especially since today is predicted to be "HOT."

I am currently in a nice and peaceful campground in Truckee.  It is extremely quiet for a weekend.  Perhaps everyone is sleeping in after a wild night of partying.  This is a big difference from Morro Bay as there was always such activity during the day on the central coast.  There are lots of people that live here year round.  This would not be my choice of where to spend the winter in an RV.

I had forgotten the peacefulness of the mountains with the sounds of the wind passing through the evergreens, and the mountain birds that have their own sounds.  No robins here.  It was 32 degrees when I got up this morning and now it is 54.  This climate is perfect for now.  I actually had to put the heater on this morning so I could take a shower.  It is rather amusing to go from flip flops to socks and t-shirts to sweatshirts or jackets.

The pictures of Donner Lake fail to capture the deep green the lake is noted for.  It is so striking after driving up the mountain and watching as the trees become sparse the higher one goes.  The scenery becomes more granite with scattered trees and then, Bam!, the Lake.  It is so lush around the entire area.  I did see a boater leaving a white wake as it sped across the lake.  It seemed a little cold to be out boating although there are those who will do almost anything regardless of the weather.

Just heard a pine cone land on the roof of my little home.  The sounds on my roof always amaze me as they are quite louder than on other roofs.  Love the sound of rain on it.  Yesterday afternoon there were HUGE critters scampering across the roof.  It sounded as though they were condors or elephant squirrels or something.  I stayed calm and was grateful they moved along.  

The other thing I get captured by is clouds.  There is just something about the whiteness against the deep blue sky that makes me smile.  I am always able to see something in them, even if it is the fact that it is a cloud.  As children we would lay in the grass on our backs and watch the clouds for hours.  Ohio had some pretty amazing ones, though the ones here are rather spectacular as well.

I have no one listed as having a birthday this week.  How can that be?  Unacceptable.  Who am I missing?  So; 

Happy Birthday, whoever you are!

"You have got to discover you,

 what you do,

and trust it."

 - Barbra Streisand 

Enjoy you!

- MOLASSES-GINGER COOKIES -

I had many requests for the molasses-ginger cookie recipe, so here it is.  This seemed an easier way to pass it on rather than individually.  I do not remember which of Millie's magazines it was in, just know it was meant to be shared.

Molasses-Ginger Cookie Recipe

Hands-on time:     20 minutes

Total time:           45 minutes

Makes:                  16

(Personal note:  make a double batch.  The cookie dough balls can be frozen and then baked at a later time when you just have to have a fresh baked cookie.)

2  cups      all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled

1 1/2 tsp   ground cinnamon

1  tsp         ground ginger

3/4 tsp      baking soda

1/2 tsp      ground cloves

1/2 tsp      fine sea salt or table salt

1/4 tsp      ground nutmeg

1/4 tsp      ground black pepper

1/2 cup      butter (at room temperature)

1/2 cup      lightly packed dark brown sugar

1/4 cup      granulated sugar

1                 large egg yolk

1 tsp           vanilla extract

1/2 cup       molasses

1/2 cup       turbinado or some other coarse sugar 

                   (for rolling)

 -   Heat oven to 350 degrees.  line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, cloves, salt, nutmeg and pepper in a large bowl; set aside

 -   In a separate bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.  Beat in the egg yolk, vanilla and molasses until combined

 -   Reduce mixer speed to low and gradually add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined (do not over mix)

 -   Place the turbinado sugar on a plate.  Shape the dough into 16 balls (about 2 1/2 tablespoons each) Roll the balls in the sugar to coat.

 -   Place the balls 3 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.  Bake, rotating the sheets halfway through, for about 10 minutes.  (The cookies will be set but will look very soft and under baked.)  Let cool slightly on the sheets, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Eat!

The recipe showed using chocolate ice cream and two cookies to make an ice cream sandwich.  As I mentioned, we used sea salt caramel gelato with just one cookie and it was almost too good to eat.  We did though!!!

We used a medium size scoop to shape the balls which made 13 cookies.

We also added 1 minute to the baking time because of the larger size.

When you bake a frozen cookie dough ball start with the 10 minute bake time and add more time as needed.

Since there are no cookies available to take a picture of, I have again added more flower pictures from High-Hand Nursery in Loomis.

Happy Birthday, Gail!

To be yourself

in a world that is constantly

trying to make you something else

is the greatest accomplishment.

 - Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Enjoy your self!

- ON THE MOVE -

Well, everyone is home and accounted for.  Family surprises have been enjoyed and good times have been had by all.  I have been able to spend time with Tim and Darlene and I have made some great new discoveries.

Wing Nuts!  A premium Trail Mix & Topping.  This was found at the Farmer's Market in "The Fountains" in Roseville. It is a blend of pumpkin seeds, pure maple syrup, sunflower seeds, dried sweetened cranberries, (cranberries sugar), pecans, almonds and sea salt.  Free of any oils.  This is  simply amazing.  My new favorite snack.  I have several packages in the freezer.  (Along with chocolate chip cookie dough balls, molasses cookie dough balls and a piece of lemon meringue pie.)  All set.  Now I just need some protein.  


Millie and I came across a wonderful molasses cookie recipe that included chocolate ice cream, so one could make an ice cream sandwich.  Well, we didn't have chocolate ice cream so we used what we had.  Sea salt caramel gelato.  Goodness gracious, it was the best molasses cookie I have ever had and the added Gelato made it amazing.  Let me know if you want the recipe.  Warning:  This could be hazardous for your waist line.

I am waiting for a piece of mail, so as soon as it shows up I will be heading north.  I have been getting things ready in my home and I have made some connections while I have been here.  I have some parts to fix some drawers and just need to buy more drinking water.

For all of my previous clients, I have sold my table and supplies.  It was time and the buyer purchased it as a birthday gift for his girl friend who is studying in the profession.  It went to a good home, though it was strange to part with this item which has been a huge part of my life for over twenty years.  There is a time and place and a season for all things.

I am presently at Machado's overlooking the peach orchard with a variety that comes ripe in July.  Oh, how I wish they were ripe now.  They grow some incredibly delicious fruit here.  This is something I will truly miss.  I hope to be back in the fall when the Pink Lady apples are ripe.  Yummmm!

I was going to go to the coast while waiting for the mail and then decided to go up the hill to higher elevations and cooler temperatures until it arrives.  It seemed out of the way to go all the way to the coast and then have to backtrack.   Obviously, I will get there when I get there.  It has been a while since I have been up in the mountains here and it may be a while before I am able return to them.

I am enjoying the cool morning air, the breeze, the sounds of the song birds, the peaches working their way to ripeness and some Wing Nuts (these things are addicting!).  I am saving the molasses cookies and sea salt caramel gelato for later.  Or maybe sooner.

I miscalculated on timing and failed to get my article in on time for the June issue for the SLO Coast Journal.  So I have a head start and have already sent in July's and August's articles.  I'll let all of you know when they are published.  I was fortunate to get some beautiful sunset scenes at the central coast.  

All flower pictures were taken at High-Hand Nursery in Loomis.

Happy Birthday, Gena!

Happy Birthday, Lisa!

I have found the paradox,

that if you love until it hurts,

there can be no more hurt,

only more love.

 - Mother Teresa 

Enjoy your love!

-RETURNING HOME -

My house sitting days are numbered as Millie returns from visiting family in Portland on Saturday.  The weather here was a bit on the warm side several days and now it is cooling down again.  Portland area had mid 70's and some mist and a little rain.  I am very grateful it is calmer here than what the people in the mid west have been experiencing.  Prayers to all of them.

Watering outside plants when it is warm can be a challenge.    One wants to give them the necessary water to help them grow and not so much that they almost drown.  I discovered one of the pots does not have a drain hole and hence, almost disaster.  Hopefully I discovered the situation in time and the plants will thrive once again.

Had lunch with my son and daughter-in-law recently.  I had not seen them since the painting exercise.  I must admit we all did a great job and everything looks so light and inviting.  Since it was a drastic change in color, it takes time to adjust to the new atmosphere created by the lighter color.  I love how it looks and feels.  It makes one want to just sit and relax.

Once Millie gets home we will get to the tasks that were intended when I first arrived here.  A few distractions delayed these, so baring any other unknown occurrences, we will accomplish them in good time.  Not so certain about getting the outside of the windows washed.  May have to do those another time.

So, while I was at the High-Hand Nursery, and meandering inside the little shops, Gaytrell and I came across this critter among the offerings. (The lady bugs were not real.)

Looking closer, we found it was real.  It didn't seem to mind that lots of folks were chatting and walking about.  I think he must have initially been in the sun from one of the skylights as he/she settled in for a nap.

It was also undisturbed by the closeness of my camera.  He/she looked as though it was part of the items on display and for sale.  There was no price tag so I think the price would have been excessive and the owner would have pitched a fit to find it had been sold.  I am almost certain the cat would have put up a huge fuss at being moved. 

One just never knows what will present itself in life.  I simply love what I end up discovering that is of interest to me.  I have certainly gained a huge appreciation for all of the many flowers I have seen so far.  It is fascinating just how many there are and how many I have yet to discover.

All of these lovely flowers are happily growing at the High-Hand Nursery in Loomis.

Happy Birthday, Dawn!

Happy Birthday, Cheryl!

Happy Birthday, Ellen!

Happy Birthday, Mark!

Happy Birthday, Linda!

"We must let go

of the life

we have planned,

so as to accept

the one that is

waiting for us."

 - Joseph Campbell 

Enjoy your life!