- HIGH HAND NURSERY -

It has been six months since I was last at the High Hand Nursery in Loomis.  It was winter and though the inside cafe was warm and charming with the lighted trees, now is the perfect time to visit this wonderful place.

The cafe itself is very much similar to a hot house as everything is glass and walls open and the roof opens and one is inside, eating outside.  The evergreen trees have been replaced with some sort of other tree-ish (my word for a tree kind of greenery) type of plant that is tall and inviting to the eating area.  They work great as a back drop and separator between tables and diners.

The nursery is staged with low growing plants, then taller ones and still taller ones.  I just want to say, "That is exactly what I want and I'll take the whole lot."  Of course, we realize I am without a yard at the moment so this would be completely impractical, even if I did do a roof planting. 

I was caught up at every turn by another group of plants that all complimented each other and colors that were so stunning.  We were able to walk through the actual plant hot house and saw lots of smaller versions of what was out on display.

There are archways of plants, trees pruned to grow along an arbor and animal topiary, all tucked away and amid the generous supply of common and exotic plants that are for sale. 

I think people fail to recognize the calming effect plants, flowers and trees have on us humans.  I notice it almost immediately and I have always loved going to nurseries even though many times it is for the sheer joy of sharing energies with the plants rather than to purchase them.

I met Gaytell here for breakfast on Sunday and then we strolled around the acreage of plants, flowers and trees.  This was the morning after the two incredibly hot days and it felt so wonderful just to be able to be outside in the fresh air.  I suspect even the plants were thrilled with the cooler temperatures.

I must have taken a hundred pictures and hence there are way too many for one blog.  So I will periodically place them in other blogs when I have good use for them.  There are some incredible flower pictures I want to share.

So, if you need a time away from the stresses of life, crazy heavy traffic or just time to be with yourself, may I suggest visiting your local nursery.  Meander, smell, linger, stroll and enjoy all that a nursery has to offer.  People are mostly friendly and helpful and it also seems to be a pet friendly space.  I have met several dogs as I have made my way through the rows of various flowers and plant offerings.  One just never knows what may present itself to you.

Happy Birthday, Brenda!

Happy Birthday, Holly!

Happy Birthday, Emily!

Happy Birthday, Bryan!

"If all the beasts were gone,

 

men would die

from a great loneliness of spirit,

for whatever happens to the beasts

also happens to the man.

All things are connected.

Whatever befalls the Earth

befalls the sons of the Earth."

― Chief Seattle

Enjoy the beasts!  (And the plants!)

- "WE'RE HAVING A HEAT WAVE" -

Seriously!  We are in the throws of two days of high temperatures.  Yesterday it was 105 degrees and the prediction for today is 109 degrees.  I am uncertain about anyone else, but this is just plain hot!  Boy, is Millie in for a shock when she returns from her high's in the mid 70's.

So, rather than take pictures of all things hot, I will simply include pictures of some of the beautiful flowers I have encountered in many places along my Adventure.  There is an abundance in nature and though many have been planted intentionally, others are simply out there for all of us to enjoy.

I have also been recruited to care for one of Millie's neighbors cats.  So, every morning and evening I go and feed "Cat" some tuna, brush her, and clean out the litter box.  This morning wasn't too bad because I got out before the heat arrived.  This evening will be a bit different though.  

Tomorrow it is predicted to be almost twenty degrees cooler than today.  I may have to bring out one of the coats or at least a sweat shirt to endure the shock.  I am certain I will manage.  Sounds great.

There is little outside moving around.  The trees, shrubs, and flowers are very still and probably conserving their energy.  There are a few birds flitting about in the trees.  They seem to be staying in the shade.  I am thinking that is probably a great idea.  It is 11 a.m. and 91 degrees.  Yikes!!!

So, how does one stay comfortable and safe with these high temperatures?  Well, it totally depends on what is available to you.  If you must be outside, shade is good.  Water is good.  Both getting in and drinking.  Very important.

If you are inside, fans are wonderful and if you keep the windows closed and shades, curtains, blinds, etc., closed, then it can be fairly comfortable.  Taking cool showers cools off the body temperature.  And, again, drinking water.

Think cool thoughts.  Imagine the last time you were cold.  Perhaps this past winter as you were walking to your car early in the morning and there was frost on the pumpkins and rooftops.  Perhaps you woke up to a foot of snow on the ground and plants and trees and houses.  Maybe you were skiing all day and by the end of the day your fingertips, nose and toes were almost numb from being so cold.

If you have ever been to Lake Tahoe, California, just putting your feet in the water can turn them red, or surfing in the Pacific Ocean near the Central Coast without a wet suit can turn your entire body red.  Even swimming in a pool for several hours can lower your core temperature.  Lots of things one can do to keep from overheating during high temperatures.  Use your imagination.

Of course, this also works when you are cold.  Thinking of all the opposite things can ease the experience.  It is amazing how powerful our minds are.  I remember my Mom, when I was very young, told all of us kids, "You can do whatever you put your minds to."  She was so right, and in more ways that I think she actually knew.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SUZY!

"Happiness is not something

ready made.

It comes from your

own actions."

- Dalai Lama 

Enjoy your actions!

- CANYON CREEK DAY 3 -

This is my last morning here. Went to sleep last night to frogs, crickets and other unknown sounds along the water way. There was the occasional honk of a goose and the unusual noises of a flicker. The anticipated visit of the robin was also a pleasure to see last evening. So peaceful.

The time I have been here has also been the sight of the falling snow of the cottonwoods. Lots of folks are sneezing with itchy eyes, etc. I have handled things rather well with periodic sneezing, only a bit of a post nasal drip and blowing my nose. All in all, I have done well. Very grateful for this as past spring experiences have sometimes been almost unbearable. I am also grateful for the natural remedies I have learned along the way.

Yesterday was definitely cooler than the day before and today feels as though it may be a bit cooler than yesterday. Throughout the day and evening yesterday many of my fellow travelers left the park. I felt as though there was a mass exodus. It was rather strange to be in the park with only one other trailer in the area where I was. This is probably what it is like most of the off season.

I managed to do my laundry this morning so everything is clean and ready to go for the next part of my Adventure. A short time in Citrus Heights with Millie and then heading north. (But probably not all the way to Alaska!) I may be on the heels of Terry, Stacey and family (plus Dalilah and Walker) as they are heading to Victoria and then east. Terry is originally from Canada and Stacey from Cincinnati, which is where I was born. The world just keeps getting smaller and smaller. I love it!

Lisa is off now until after she has had her baby. What a delightful young woman. She is the reason I came here. Scott, who works with the manager, Val, was great and was born in Maine which is where my niece was working for two summers. One of the other volunteers here is from Illinois and we talked about snow. (The real stuff.) And others that have lived in the Sacramento area and one who almost sold their home to someone moving from Morro Bay. Amazing!. I am excited to meet lots of others with which I will share a common thread.

I do want to go up and say good-bye to Jackie and Roger (and Benjamin the golden retriever) before I am on my way. They will be moving to Washington in the next few weeks and be with one of their daughters and family. Seems as though there is a lot of change for many people. Relocating, painting, changing jobs, cleaning out closets, etc. All good stuff as far as I am concerned.

“Anticipate a world at peace.

Expect health, abundance

and love in your life

and in the lives of others.”

• Dr. Wayne W. Dyer, Your Ultimate Calling

Enjoy your anticipation!

- CANYON CREEK DAY 2 -

The first nights sleep was good.  I woke to the gentle sounds of the geese.  Yes, they were all on the grassy edges of the river (maybe about twenty of them).  Perhaps about twelve feet from my home.  They are so stately and large.  Loved seeing and hearing them.

 So, there I was out taking pictures of the geese and a gang of wild turkeys came along.  They were moving quickly and kept their distance from me.  It was difficult to get clear shots of them.  Several pictures were blurred from their movements.  They also kept a close watch on the geese and so fortunately there were no altercations between the two.  I was actually surprised they got as close to the geese as they did.

It was a quite warm day.  I am glad I actually didn't know the temperature.  It was hot by 10 a.m. so I knew the afternoon would be up there.  I stayed quite and simply enjoyed the view from the home.  It is all lovely and green and peaceful as one watches the river flow along.  There is still the soft sounds as the water flows over the rocks.

 This particular camping area has some of the nicest staff I have encountered.  I feel as though I have known them forever.  They are always available and friendly and if I need a ride around the area, they are there to help.

In the afternoon the geese all finish up their eating in the river and wondering around and settle in to wait out the heat. They, of course, can go in the water anytime, especially if a dog gets too close to where they are resting.  Considering there are are so many of them, it is amazing how quite they are.  Rarely have I heard them truly honk.

As you can see, they do the rear up in the air thing to gather food from the bottom of the river. It is quite shallow and apparently the locals and Fish and Game cleaned out the silt not too long ago to help the river be more healthy and they are hoping to encourage the salmon to return here.

There are benches along the river for those of us who like to stop and enjoy the soothing sounds of the river.  It is so green around the river and so dry and dusty not far from the shore.  So best to keep the view towards the river and pretend it all looks this way.  Very beautiful.

Two early evenings in a row this robin came to visit.  He sits on top of the post and cleans himself and then feeds around the site and eventually leaves.  Sometimes he is here other times of the day looking for food.  The grounds are watered where there is grass, so this provides a source of food for the robins and all the other birds.  

There are lots of flickers here and I can hear them mostly.  Occasionally I have seen one on the ground.  

Lots of people left this morning as I suspect most must be at work Monday morning.  There were people that just came in for last night.  This has been a nice place to spend a few days.  I suspect when I am back in the area this will be a good respite.  

And there are some people I have enjoyed talking with as I pet their dogs.  There is Jackie and Roger who have a beautiful golden retriever named Benjamin.  And Terry and his wife who have a white Great Pyrenees named Dalilah and a black cockapoo named Walker.  There are lots of other dogs meandering around with their people that I have not met.  Some really, really tiny ones.

Happy Birthday to all those having a Birthday!

"For every action

there is a equal

and opposite reaction.

You receive from the world

what you give to the world."

― Gary Zukav, The Seat of the Soul

Enjoy your action!

- CANYON CREEK DAY 1 -

Spent the past week at Machado's and visiting with Gary and Shawn. They were kind enough to let me hook up at night to electricity and water so I could keep my refrigerator going, work on the computer and charge my cell phone. The balloon is flying high over the store now and is all bright and shiny white as it is new this year. The other one was simply too old and holes occurred way too often.

So, now I am at the Canyon Creek Resort about 20 miles west of Davis. I am right along the river at the bottom of the damn of Lake Berryessa and it is extremely serene and peaceful. Of course, in the event the damn gives way, those of us here will all be toast. So here is hoping the recent earthquakes leave everything here in tact for now.

Even with the temperatures rather warm, there is a breeze and in the shade it is quite comfortable. I could run the air conditioner though I would then need to close the windows and hence miss out on all of the wonderful nature sounds. Just past the campsite where I am there are rocks in the river which creates its own water feature sounds. This will be lovely to sleep by.

Apparently I will be visited by geese. My resort tour guide, Scott, pointed out the grassy area along the river where they hang out. He was surprised they were not there as we drove by. I checked it out once I was settled and found an abundance of goose feathers of all sizes. Hopefully it is just a molt. So I have officially started my feather collection of my adventure. Something about this is scary. I could soon be out of space. I must remember to just take one feather at each stop.

As part of my stay here, I have two vouchers for a free pizza at the local cafe. They are baked in an outside brick oven and I have to say, this one was very good. I will wrap each of the left over pieces separately and freeze them for a later time. I will get my second pizza tomorrow and do the same. I think I need to make room in the freezer. What can I eat? Ice cream, that should do the trick!

Lots of golf carts running around as security and maintenance are busy at work. No wifi at the campsite. I need to go to the family lodge and connect there. Phone service is nil, so for now, I am off the radar. I will send emails to family so they know all is well. I sense this is a nice place to spend three nights.

A pair of mallard ducks just flew from the waters edge upstream. And a robin is checking out the area around my site. Ground squirrels are scampering about and some kind of bird is flying to the waters surface and taking off again. (I am guessing, swallows.) I suspect I will be totally entertained while I am here. This is the nicest kind of entertainment. Nature. At its best. I doubt I will need my down blanket tonight. Haha!

Happy Birthday, Laura!

"It does not require many words

to speak the truth."

- Chief Joseph

Enjoy your words!

- RAIN, NO RAIN, RAIN -

Owl at the Avant Gardens in Auburn

Trust yourself when it comes to the weather.  I have found that our dear dedicated weather forecasters, with all of their fantastic equipment, miss the spot when it comes to when it is going to rain.

Plants in a chair

Many of us were unprepared for the rain last night.  I was awakened by its lovely sound on my roof and thought about the last prediction and how it was void of the wet stuff.  It did do a rather impressive job of washing off most of the dirt the other day, though, I was unable to get it all off from the drizzle the day before.

Butterfly art and flowers

  


My daughter-in-law had the lawn cushions out which were wet this morning.  Puddles everywhere this morning.  It was great in that it truly dampened the dust and the air was again fresh and clean.  Lots of fluffy clouds today and the breeze helped to make this a beautiful day.






A few more nights in Auburn and then I will go to an RV campground in Winters for the weekend.  I am quite excited to see what they have to offer and venture out a bit.  The woman I have been talking to for months has been so nice and patient with my continually changing schedule. It is a good thing I am going when I am as Friday will be her last day before going out on maternity leave.

Foxglove at Avant garden

Then I will be at Millie's while she is in Oregon.  She is doing great and looking forward to spending time with her brothers.  The weather in the part of Oregon she is going is rain and more rain.  I'm sure she will have a great time.

This sparrow joined Millie and I  for lunch

"I BELIEVE MUCH TROUBLE

WOULD BE SAVED IF WE

OPENED OUR HEARTS MORE."

- Chief Joseph

Enjoy your open heart.

- THE FLOWER FARM -

Smoke tree

The Flower Farm in Granite Bay is a lovely bed and breakfast, event buildings and a respite for bicyclists, passers by, and those who know of its offerings.  Gaytrell and I have been there many times and at different times of the year.  At times, especially during the winter months, it feels and looks neglected and now, in the spring, it is alive, tended to and filled with guests.

Up close of smoke tree bloom

We have both admired the incredible smoke tree that is growing almost in the center of the landscaped area of the nursery.  Most times of the year, it is a tree.  However, in the spring it becomes the main attraction of the area.  It truly leaves me speechless to see it "bloom."  Up close to it, it shows the thin pieces of what must me its flowers.  Truly amazing.

Crane metal art peaking out from pink blossoms

There are many metal art characters scattered throughout the garden area. The crane peaking out from behind the smoke tree is very adorable and cleverly made.  His neck and backside are a pitch fork.  Way too cute.  I am very unclear about why I think it is a he.  Maybe it is a she.  Who knows!  It truly does not matter.  Simply adorable.

The crane.  Or is it a stork?

The plant in front of the smoke tree is beautiful.  It was in varying stages of blooming and simply a stunning burst of color.  Pink, which is one of my favorites.  Purple is my most favorite.  Although lately I have taken a liking to almost all of the amazing colors this particular spring is showing.  It seems as though there is color everywhere, even though the grasses are drying out.  So, I am a happy RV'er. 

Pink bush

Purple butterfly bush blossom

The butterfly bush is one of my favorites.  I have had several varieties and colors in my yards over the years.  This one is such a deep purple and the aroma is intoxicating.  A great accent to any yard, garden or happy space.

There is a friendly duck to greet the visitors.

A floppy eared dog whose tail does not wag.

A rather large watering can to accomplish any watering job.

And here is the gift shop part of the nursery with a wonderful waterwheel by the pond.

So, when you think you have nothing to do, a short drive from the city can bring about a very pleasant adventure in the area.  The little cafe has a nice offering of eats and there is seating inside and outside, shade or no shade.  You may also get a glimpse of the cow.

"RATHER THAN HOPING,

WISHING AND EVEN PRAYING

FOR AN OUTCOME,

ALLOW YOUR INNER WORLD

TO ALIGN WITH THE IDEA

THAT WHAT YOU DESIRE

IS FEASIBLE AND ON ITS WAY."

Enjoy your ideas!