The Abundance of Autumn

View facing east...Fall Colors!

Heading Home with Duke...best hiking buddy ever!

   Indeed there is so much to be thankful for.   I have had the blessing of calling this place home for 32 years now.  The sweetness of how nature washes over me up here is so fulfilling and replenishing; I would live here permanently if my husband and child would too!  The more city mice than me I guess.
     I was hoping the recent rains would bring our main spring's water back, but no luck.  We are very crestfallen that we do not have the high volumes of water running through  in that creek anymore.  This drought have truly been relentless.  We still have Wild Grape Spring and Pond Spring but it is expensive getting new tanks/solar pumps etc. for a full hook up. So if El Nino doesn't bring our main creek back, we will be putting in a new system for sure.Even now in November, our river looks low and abnormal.  There must be fish though, for the signs of them are in the skies.
     Four of them: huge, beautiful bald eagles.Calling to each other from their nest right across the river.   You can see their nest from our porch.  Apologies for the lack of raptor shots; i was watching them in awe when I realized I should capture them.  By the time I was ready they had all taken off to eat breakfast.  Parents and babies.   Babies had already changed colors too so they must be getting ready to fly off for themselves soon! The beauty of Fall has my attention.   My heart belongs to this majestic place.   This soul again is mighty thankful for the abundance of this magical spot.

Hard to see, but if you focus on that black spot in the Douglas Fir tree (top center-ish) that is the magnificent Eagle Nest!!

A Hill with a View

When in Drought...

 

  I always imagined how it would be ~  the year we finally ran out of water.   To me it is a scary reality that I now must face and to which, assimilate.  I thrive at our ranch in all of its glory and beauty, only to find our spring that feeds our tank is completely dry.  Not. A. Drop. Scary considering we have never gone dry in the 31 years we have had the place.
   Scientists think that we're about to come out of a very abnormal wet season that has lasted for a long time and now we return to more arid conditions.  Well I don't like it.   I love having water at ease and a spring that lasts.   I know I could call upon a professional to dig a well, or place other systems in...but who's to say that our drought will not take us further into the depths of despair?  All over California we are dry; it is dry...Texas has been in a terrible drought for ten years now.  I think of places that are very low on water but high in population: India, Africa, Australia just to name a few.  The people of those places really work hard for water.   Now I prepare to do the same.  I, the ever-so-lucky- American spoiled girl.  A girl who loves her water.
    We need to rethink our water usage here, and everywhere.  That means, no more golf courses as we know it, a balance of blue and grey water use (which means rethinking what we clean with), eradication of lawns (instead think of growing our own food) and, our overall over consumption of water for pools, fountains.   To think that Las Vegas was once a natural spring.   When they built Vegas up, they did not think twice that they'd eradicate an entire species of frog for the gambling playground. An entire species and water source just so we can indulge,  spend and be gluttonous fools.  I admit, I love having fun there, but now I rethink before I go anywhere about their business practices and what people do to conserve and help our planet overall.
    It is in my prayers that this drought will end.  Hydrologists say it is not going to; that in fact, as our population grows, and our sources dwindle, there will eventually be wars because of the lack of this all too powerful beautiful resource that is life giving and sustaining.  Until then, I vow to practice better water habits, better practices overall for everything. 

For more info on water shortage globally, read this great article written in May of 2014.
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/A-future-of-thirst_16646748

Divine Evidence in Nature

     My father used to say, "Welcome to our little slice of Heaven".  It is very true.  Whether Spring, summer, fall or winter, one can find the most wonderful things to observe that reflect something divine.  It is a holy nesting place this are of ours.  And, I mean not just "our" family, but everyone who comes to play in our national forests.
      I have always had faith in God.  The fact that there is so much evidence that energy moves on and transforms; that itself should reveal to any person there is indeed a divine intelligence.   I am very lucky I presume that I can "See" this and listen to what nature and the world have to tell me.  Divine messages that I clearly recognize as fun communication that reminds me of how special and magical life is.  And while I might not understand  the "how" or the "why" even, or,  the "who", I do know there is something very holy and that death does not equate "stopping" at all.   Therefore, I won't wax Biblical on anyone, and Jesus was definitely alright with me.  I will never claim to  have all answers.  It's just that my innate faith is caused by a wealth of knowledge I cannot fully explain.  And I am totally okay with that.
      So my church is the outdoors.  I see God's face whenever I am immersed in his beautiful regions.   I hear the music of heaven in bird song, babbling brooks, or the rush of wave or rapid.  The sweet winds, or powerful storms, I know that this world is not disconnected and isolated from the divine.  This means that science and theology can easily go hand in hand for me as well.  Rainbows, stars, animals, flora, fauna...I am always surprised when atheists claim there is nothing...duh.   The evidence is everywhere to me.
      

The Time of the Honeylocust

     Spring at The Ranch is so powerful.   The deep vibrating hum of bees, the lilacs blooming right around my birthday, April 27th.  My sweet daddy would always bring me a huge bouquet for my birthday...I miss that so much.  Right after the lilacs are finished, the honey locust burst into bloom.
      The honey locust trees surround our Podunk little cabin.   Therefore, when they bloom, it is a spectacular show of sweet white dripping blossoms.   It is such a magical event.
     When I was little,  I would gather all of the bunches of blooms and play for hours.   They were my wedding bouquet, my pixie dust...the duck shaped flowers I would take and place them in the spring; watching them float down stream with glee.
     Thank goodness the honeylocust were there for me this past weekend!  Whew!  With 2.5 acres to mow by push mower, the arduous job was so much more pleasant with the scent of the flowers wafting over me.   Not to mention to work we had to do to put the waterline back...sigh, never a dull moment at The Ranch.
     Now in my ever busy schedule, I make sure to make it a priority to take oodles of time with the lilacs, and even more time with the honeylocust.  They are  there to remind me of the sweetness in life, reminds me to slow down, and smell those flowers.  Nor argument from me, bring them on!

Water, Water...

     And the river flows on...today on this wonderful celebration of our Earth (Earth Day, 2014)  I find myself very concerned over a few changes.  The South Fork of the Trinity is quite low.  We have been experiencing quite a drought this year, and the river has not gotten swollen hardly at all this year.  Now, here in April, the river looks and feels as it would during June or even July.
     I revere in this watershed as if it were my family. Blood.  I have such a passion for our surroundings here.  I would fight to the death to protect it.  Now though, with the climate changing right in front of our eyes, I revere in the shear awesomeness of how out of control we are; so much so that I need to do my best to collect and act to protect our environment all over the world not just here. At the same time, I need to let go and not worry.  For it is out of my control .  The only thing we can do is try to preserve, conserve, and reserve.
     The fact that I can swim in my brother river in April does sound appealing, but, I wonder what our water situation will be like come August?  September?   How long will this drought go on?  Indeed, worrying is like trying to solve an algebra equation with bubble gum; useless.   So instead I will look for the wonders and feel the divine connection in this magical place.   I will listen to the hummingbirds, sing with the butterflies, cry with our eagle and osprey, and be in awe of this amazing place.  Home.

Embracing Change

    It is hard...change.  Whether it be a new baby, a death, job, change either good or bad requires and adjustment period.   In the past five years since my Dad's passing, I have noticed so many changes out here on the South Fork.
    We have had three mules come and go feeding up and down the river for many years now.   One of them recently passed on. They were deemed "feral"  and so everyone just assumed they were wild and let them be.  In recent months however, they had seemed like the elements have worn away at their wellbeing.
    We called him Peanut.  Peanut was a buckskin mule with only one eye.  The other two, whom we call Daisy and Cecil,  had headed back down the river toward PG & E flat.   Rest in Peace Peanut.  Unbeknownst to us, Daisy, the large female mule would lose her companion Cecil as well, so she headed back up and decided to move in  to our pasture!
    I have noticed changes in  the river too.  This year, there is a low number of freshwater snails, and less trout.  There is also more algae.  Last year and the year before, there were more fish, snails, and less algae.    Of course, this year, less rainfall, hotter, and I believe more dope growers up in the hills.  Their run off of nitrogen and poisons might be effecting our little piece of Heaven indeed.
    That being said, there has not been a ground squirrel anywhere near our place for three years now.   There used to be hundreds out in our pasture; running amuck in their systematic, complicated family structures.  Although they made for great targets (we hated them thieving our fruit and nuts), I do miss their little warning barks and I am worried that the reason they are gone is because of Growers using rodenticide.  It doesn't just get rid of mice and rats...the growers put it everywhere near their grows.  So, martins, fishers, and poor owls ingest the poison and suffer death.  These are changes I really think are evil.  However, we might learn something from these negative happenings. Maybe.
    I need to give a shout out to our hard working Forest Service people.  Especially Carla, Patrol 32, who makes her runs and really takes her job seriously.  The public access beach at the end of our road has it's signs changed to wanr campers not to have fires during the high risk season. She and the other Forest Service people really care for our forests.   I appreciate that.
    There is also more traffic.  At first, I did not like this at all.  It is a one lane country road and some people donot know how to take it easy and be careful on this road.  I actually appreciate the visitors now though.   I realize they are coming out here to view and experience nature and all of her glory.   So, I make pretty signs for them, and put up John Muir quotes so they are reminded about how we need to be consistent in being connected with nature, and how we need to be in balance with her.
    Perhaps the visitors coming down with their cars notice the huge crevice in the road just before you get to our place.   The Forest Service has no intention on patching it, nor do I.    Yes, at first glance the crevice looks scary and unmanageable.  But with precise navigation and meticulous skill, one can easily conquer the gap with ease and exhale.  Watch out if you don't though, your oil pan will suffer.  That is change you do not want either.
    So when coming down to bask in the goodness of the river and mountains, slow down, take time; be present in the Now...it helps you deal with change.