Husbandless

This morning the parrots* were swooping across the sky, squealing with delight, at 7:00 a.m. Good thing I was already awake. I reached over and shook my husband. "Hey! It's time to get up--it's Christmas!"

Today my husband is leaving for a well-deserved vacation. A short time later, my husband and I stood in the front yard waiting for his friend LT to arrive. The parrots continued to play. Several hung upside down on the power line as LT rounded the corner in his silver truck. Three motorcyles stood in the bed of the truck and trailing behind was LT's house on wheels.

Camping, motorcycling, and a little fishing all crammed into 4 days——a man's dream!

"Oh don't forget the CD's."

"I brought my laptop, and the helmet cam" (video camera that one can hook on a helmet)

"Oh...I accidently left the frozen hot dogs out last night. Do you have anymore?"

*Oh yes...the parrots. We have wild parrots in our skies. There are several stories of how they got here, but the main story is...In the 1940's someone brought two dozen or so parrots here in cages (not a cage...there is another word——can't think of it.) Somehow...during an earthquake...a fire...they got out. They've multiplied and now there are about 200 in our little city—and a few hundred more in nearby cities. They are the kings and queens of the sky, as even the crows will submit to them.

So I'm on my own for a few days...along with both my sons. Due to circumstances, I need to stick close to home this week. I wonder what the week will entail?

I want to be productive...like clean out closets or get the paperwork off my desk.

While writing this post---
I just got a phone call reminding me my neighbor, who is recouperating from surgery, is in the hospital and needs a visit. She's a sweet older lady. She's mentioned in one of my first posts. I have fun tossing oranges into her yard...(see post)

I will go and see her.

That's the most important thing for me to do!

Twenty Years of Motherhood

Today is my oldest son's 20th birthday!



Here he is many years ago, helping his brother hold a string of Trout caught at Sotcher Lake, near Devils Post Pile in the Sierra Nevadas.


After graduating high school in 2005, he decided to try working...rather then going to college. After some difficult experiences, he has now decided that he'd like to try school, and work PT. He has signed up (on his own) for a welding class (74 hours of lecture and 290 hours of lab) and an automotive class. He also has been looking for a job.


It would be so appreciated if you could keep him in your prayers regarding these new endeavors.

The ride of parenting has certainly been more of a white-knuckler than I anticipated. But as C learns and grows through his expereinces, I learn and grow also.

Today I'm secretly commemorating TWENTY years of MOTHERHOOD!

Miscellaneous Thoughts

I've been back for almost a week and I miss the mountains already!

It's hard to imagine that just over a week ago I was rowing out into Rock Creek Lake. I like looking at the shoreline from the water. A fresh vantage point. And it's quiet out there.

So what's going on around here? After church, my husband, and his friend L decided to go riding. Our oldest son, who is supposed to be looking for a job...said, "Can I go?????" So Dad took him too. This is the one thing that still connects father and son. When I hadn't heard from them at 9:00 p.m., I called and couldn't reach their cell phone. Were they lost? Did they lose daylight? Just got a call. Everyone is in one piece. They're on the road home.

My youngest son, age 16, played with his new PS3 today (game system). He bought it with his own money. He's been saving his money since he was about ten for something...but he didn't know what. We weren't too happy about the game system. as we've been trying to tone down the video games. Not all kids get addicted to games, but my sons will play them most of the day if they could get away with it. Therefore my husband and I have a strict time limit rule.

Since part of the family was gone today, I decided to do something I rarely do. Watch a movie. Let's see...what movie to get? One that the guys would NEVER want to see. I settled on "Miss Potter". A nice calm movie about the author of Peter Rabbit, which includes light romance. Perfect. It was so nice to settle back and not worry about anyone getting blasted, blown-up, or murdered.

The movie was not too exciting...but it was enjoyable. I loved the English countryside, the water color pictures of animals, the clothes, observing the manners and customs of the early 1900's. After the movie was over, I googled "Beatrix Potter" to read more about her. I purused some sketches she did as a child, found out she kept a journal written in a special code, and she raised sheep!

I am very interested in sheep. I'm working on a children's story about a flock of sheep. I'll tell you more about that soon!

Have a very good week!

Resting in the High Places

My youngest son and I joined my sister-in-law and brother-in-law in Little Lakes Valley for a camping adventure. Now don't pass that link by! Click on it...because I want you to see the awesome beauty of the area. (We hiked that trail.)


right to left
my son, me
Samuel (6 month old Huskie)
Miss Maggie Mae (6 month old Cairn Terrier)
my sister-in-law
my brother-in-law



Are we in Narnia?

Awesome beauty everywhere.

Rock Creek is just a few steps from our camp.










Can you see the trail?

When I first set foot on this trail my eyes misted over, as it reminded me of how "Much Afraid" walked with the Shepherd through the High Places in the book, Hinds Feet on High Places.








My son took up a new sport. Extreme Rock-Hopping. He found several creative routes of crossing the stream...putting his life in danger...(he only brought one pair of shoes!)

He coaxed me into taking one of his routes. I made it...but my heart was palpitating! I didn't like the pointed rock section.

"Just keep your momentem going, mom, and you'll be fine."





I prefer logs to rocks.












Dylan is walking Samuel. The two puppies were discovering the world outside their backyard, for the very first time.

Samuel (the Huskie) chased the sticks we tossed into the water. Maggie chased Samuel into the water! Suddenly the ground dropped off and she started swimming! She loved it!







Samuel's first step into the water.













Uncle K watches as Maggie and Samuel play at Heart Lake.











Camp.













Bunk Beds.

Maggie and Samuel are crate trained. Each evening, at bedtime, they easily entered their crates and seemed happy for a rest after a long active day.








God's Christmas decorations.















Beautiful peaks.












Red Rock Canyon












Dylan, who loves to eat, took this picture. Tri-tip!












My siser-in-law with Samuel and Miss Maggie.

Thank you, M and K for a great trip!




Little Lakes Valley
Hike California

Camping Picture Post Coming Soon!

9000 Feet

My 16-year-old son and I are going camping. See you in a week!

We're still recouperating form the post below "Devil's Hole". The bike my brother rode is in the shop. And we're all a little stiff. (out of shape!) My brother is still talking about it. He said he's just beginning to resume the use of his arms... Now he can gesture when he tells the story.

Devil's Hole

We survived! And so did my brother. It was his first time riding!

Handsome husband (HH), who is familiar with this area , said he would keep things easy.

So we started off on a simple dirt road that winded up the mountain. Pretty soon we turned to avoid some rocks in the road. Soon after that we were vibrating over bunches of rocks and bumping over hungry pot holes.


HH said, "I don't remember the road being this torn up."

My brother made it through. Here we are (above) on the smooth part.

Then we came to the singletrack. Oh that is fun! It's narrower than a rode and you feel like you're hiking on a bike. We threaded through the shady pines. My brother (R) did great.

Until...



Ooops. Missed that turn!














He picked up his bike but his wheels sunk in heavy sand.









C., my oldest son, came back looking for us. He and my brother lifted the back wheel and pointed the bike toward the trail. Then C. jumped on, started the bike and my brother pushed.

They were suddenly engulfed in a cloud of dirt!

But they managed to work the bike back up to the trail.





HH and C. wait for Sharon and R. to ride up the hill.

Unfortunately, a fire passed through here.











We finally made it to Devil's Hole!

My brother is checking out his battle scars.

The guys discover that R has been riding with a rear shock blown out!

R is given another bike.




Devil's Hole (near Lake Arrowhead)

We climbed up on some rocks and ate salami and cheese sandwiches.

Due to lack of rain, the "hole" looked more like a pond. It was only about 3 feet deep and green moss floated around the edges.

We found a clean spot in the water and got our Jersey's wet.



I didn't get muddy on the way back! (see previous post)





My son, C., is hard to keep on the ground.












Debriefing.













HH talked me into trying the WR250F. I took it on a short ride.














The bikes rest peacefully.

We had a great day!