Pictures

Yesterday, to drag myself out of the mire of another BLUE FUNK DAY I got out of bed, did the dog chores and told Rod that I needed to get out of the house for the day so that I would not lose my mind. You see, I got news the day before that my beautiful little grandson fell, when in the supervision of another, and broke one of his front teeth to the point of having to have it extracted. A wave of sadness came over me for this little guy, with all that he has been through and with all that I have been through and it just finally settled like a dark cloud. Yesterday, I decided to take my happiness in my own hands and Get Out of Dodge.

We made coffee in travel mugs, peanut butter sandwiches for breakfast on the road and got going. I told Rod that I would like to go to the Calaveras Big Trees State Park and then just drive on from there. We had a remarkable and peaceful walk through the North Grove, before the hordes descended, enjoying the sound of the forest birds (same lovely grosbeaks that we have here in our forest), clouds of dogwood blossoms and magnificent ancient beings in the guise of Giant Sequoia Redwoods. (this is a whole other kind of Redwood from what I grew up with on the Coast of California) This park is a little treasure and I felt so happy to be in such a beautiful place. Just as other day visitors were beginning to arrive, we were back at the car for a picnic. We drove down to the South Grove, stopping at one time to a vista point where we could watch a thunder storm over the Sierra. Magnificent.

On we drove, out of the park and on up highway 4, over one of the most beautiful and scenic drives that I have ever taken. The pass was open and so we made it all of the way over to the edge of the Carson Valley, back around to South Lake Tahoe and on up highway 50 to home. A grand circle through magnificent land. National Forests. Our treasures.

Not a camera between us but vistas imprinted on our memories.

I promised pictures and I have pictures. It has been a beautiful Spring around here and my garden, knock wood, remains untouched. This is the butterfly and hummy garden in front of the Studio/guest house. That is Mortimer Bird back there by the hummingbird feeder. I could not resist him on Mother's Day.

I told you how Rod was building a garden for me, behind fencing, where the deer could not eat The Schnickle's radishes. Well, he finished the two magnificent beds behind that magnificent fence and we got one bed ready for some veggies and the other for roses...two favorites of those pesky deer.

This really thrills me. It is outside of our bedroom and that giant bathroom window and I tend to stare at it a lot. I will be able to totter out there in my dotage. Thanks Rod. It is fabulous.

My other two roommates like it, too. The Scnickle and his Mama planted radish and carrot seeds and on this day, the radishes were beginning to emerge. I love Instant Gratification Plants, don't you? I think that radishes were invented so that children could grow something and have the thrill of seed to mouth in a short period of time.

Oh yeah, that is Lauren's famous E.T. finger. Love those long fingers.

It has been a little bit hard to concentrate on my art with all that has been happening around here but a few days ago, I took a big run of What Was I Thinking colorway on El Dorado and shoved it in a pot of Something Completely Different and this came out. Magic.

Time to go eat breakfast and plan my day. Going to try to make it another happy one. :o)

Comments

[Tom Clark]

I'll have me some of that magic. It's beautiful! Those raised beds are way cool. Clever man you've got there. The yarn has landed and it's perfect. Goin to be able to do something simply yet wonderful with it. We'll talk. I'm amazed the deer have allowed you to keep the spring flowers in front of the house. They're beautiful.

[Kay]

Beautiful flowers....makes me want to plant some of my own. Got into Sock Summit so I hope to see you there!

[Nancy]

Those are the most beautiful raised beds I have ever seen! Beautiful job. You trek is lovely....I never made it to the redwoods in the park, but I have taken Hwy 50 to Lake Tahoe.Beautiful land if only I weren't allergic to pines!

[AlisonH]

That yarn came out so perfect so fast. Radishing, absolutely radishing. Heh.

[Lisa S]

Someone's feeeeeeling betterrrr...Alison. :o) I know that if you are getting punny, things must be better.

[Linda W]

Hugs and good vibes to your grandson. And, of course, to you, too. Yes - nature. The best healer.

[Vicki Souza]

Oh no!! Poor little guy. Glad he is ok and glad you took such an awesome drive. Miss you ;)