Liz Writes Life 9-25-18

September 25, 2018

Liz Writes Life

Garden

Tomatoes seem to be getting ripe all at once, which is normal. It is officially autumn! I need to make several batches of Green Tomato Sweet Relish, while there are still green tomatoes. It doesn’t take very many to grind-up eight cups to go with four cups of ground-up bell peppers (several red ones) and four cups of yellow onions. My brine recipe came from my sister-in-law, Darlene, who said it was “Aunt Lil’s Bread n Butter” pickle recipe. I used four cups of apple cider vinegar, four cups of white sugar, two tablespoons of pickling salt, two heaping tablespoons mustard seed and the secret ingredient of two teaspoons of turmeric. It’s the basic Bread n Butter recipe. Heat until it almost boils and put in hot jars. Because I give so many away and want it to be safe, I hot water bath the jars for 20 minutes.

Then, I decided to make some Italian tomato sauce. After dipping them in boiling water, then cold and taking off the skins, I cooked the tomatoes down almost to half. Then, I added my homegrown herbs of oregano (lots), basil, apple cider vinegar, several teaspoons of salt and several tablespoons of sugar. Oops, I just realized that I forgot to put in parsley.

Because every tomato had splits in the top, I cut off the top part of the tomato. I really don’t like this variety and I don’t recall the name. I want to go back to using the Medford variety and may have to start the plants from seed in February or early March. Um, that will make me have to plan ahead – a lot better than I did this year, for sure.

I checked the local weather and it is supposed to get pretty hot this week. Ugh! I remember many past years, when there have already been some good freezes by now. Guess, I am ready for fall and to reduce the amount of irrigation I need to do. The cooler 40-degree nights do help hold the water in the soil.

Oh, I did find a soaker hose that correctly leaked throughout the entire 50-feet of hose. It was the brand of Black and Decker. I hope to put out a lot more soaker hoses next year and get back to using timers, so I don’t have to hand irrigate so much.

POW

Let’s see if I can catch you up on information from our last Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting on Aug. 30^th. Several weeks ago, I shared what Mark Baird had explained about the Citizens for Fair Representation lawsuit and Erin Ryan discussing Congressman Doug LaMalfa meeting with U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke and U.S. Ag. Secretary Sonny Perdue. So, I’ll re-visit my notes and share some of what our Dist. 5 Siskiyou Co. Supervisor, Ray Haupt, told us.

Ray said a decision has been made regarding the jail, even though it wasn’t easy. The county will retro-fit the Charlie Byrd Juvenile Detention Center and is in the process of obtaining final cost estimates with a ground-breaking planned for 2020.

Ray, then, explained some of the issues for those affected by the July Klamathon Fire in Hornbrook. In order to rebuild, all properties must be cleaned-up from any contaminates. The State of California must certify each site. The county is working closely with Cal-Recycle, which is the state agency in charge and is providing a program, where Hazardous Teams will clean-up private property for free. Some homeowners may have insurance that will cover the hazardous waste removal, but for anyone who does not, Ray hopes they will use the program.

Also, he said an Emergency Ordinance had been written that will allow property owners to camp on their property, if they lost their home to a natural disaster. The supervisors were to vote on the ordinance at the next board meeting. Sorry, I don’t know the vote, but I bet it passed.

J-H Ranch

This summer, Ray received complaints that leaders from the JH Ranch were chasing people out of Shackleford Falls – a local swimming hole – claiming JH had jurisdiction. Ray dived into the situation. JH Ranch does not own Shackleford Falls area. He talked to the company, Ecotrust Forest Management, Inc., that owns the area and learned JH does not have a permit or any claim of authority over Shackleford Falls. So, any dictator-type of attitude by JH leaders should be reported to Ray and the county.

JH Ranch Adventures continues to expand its programs in Siskiyou County and into foreign countries. Neighbors are frustrated with its much-expanded populations of youth and adults in the little mountain pasture up French Creek. Traffic on French Creek Road is much higher than it was 30 years ago.

I remember when the Johnston family first purchased the ranch in the late 1970s and began its program in the early 1980s. Zoning was established in 1980 with the Scott Valley Area Plan, but I don’t know what kind of permit was needed for this kind of business back then. Permits, regulations and the JH business has certainly evolved since the last century, when Johnstons obtained a “development” permit from the county. Currently, JH has brought a lawsuit against Cal-Fire regarding expansion. To say the least, the situation is complex and a legal wrestling match.

The next Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting will be this Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Fort Jones Community Center. Ray will be there to share more info on county issues, including Klamath dams and water decisions in the Klamath basin.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515. Check out her blog at: LizWritesLife.blogspot.com

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Liz Write Life 9-18-18

Sept. 18, 2018

Liz Writes Life

First, I apologize for not getting my column written last week. Life just got too hectic. My husband, Jack’s, Life Celebration was wonderful on Sept. 7, 2018 with so many people showing-up and many good friends helping out with the BBQ beef ribs and potluck. A friend invited several Pacific Crest Trail hikers to eat and the one, from Europe, said she had never seen such a spread of food. She was told it was a “potluck!” Might be a better description to call it a “Scott Valley Potluck!”

Lots of family came-in and I-5 being closed, due to the Delta Fire, made it tricky. Jack’s sister, Darlene, and family stayed the night in Redding. I was surprised they found motel rooms. They were able to drive up 44 to Mt. Lassen then hit 89 and make it through McCloud. It made me smile to see Darlene visiting with several of her 1970 Etna High classmates.

All of my mom and dad’s grandchildren were able to make it. Lots of photos were taken. One niece has become the family photographer -- replacing me. Whew, I am ready for the next generation to do all that work!

What added to the hustle and bustle is that my brother-in-law, Dave Norris, had a stroke on Monday morning, just before they were going to drive back to Utah. The ambulance took him to Fairchild Medical Center. Dave stayed overnight and his speech and right hand were getting much better by Tuesday afternoon, when he was released. He could walk and dress himself, which was good.

My son, Justin, and his family stayed the several extra days and left with Lorena and Dave on Wednesday morning. Justin purchased walkie-talkies, so they could communicate, when cell phones wouldn’t work. They took two days to cross the Nevada desert and arrived at their homes, in Utah, safely.

My son, Branden, helped out on Monday, when Lorena and Dave’s son, Tyler, needed to get back to Chico. Branden drove the Weaverville detour to get Tyler down for work on Tuesday. Yep, it was busy.

Enough of the fluff: I have been asked by caring friends and family how I am doing. I reply that I am doing fine and then realize “fine” really doesn’t explain much. Grief is an interesting emotion and I am learning that there are many ways to grieve. I grieve in private as that is where I find my solace.

But, I truly do believe death isn’t the end of a person. Yes, there is a void – a finality from this world for they have gone to the next. While on the cross, Jesus told the thieves they would be with him in Paradise. I believe Paradise is the next step. Everyone gets to achieve it. It isn’t heaven, because that judgment will come later. But, it is a beautiful healing place -- a place for more caring and kindness and enlightenment.

How can I begrudge Jack the joy of seeing his father, who died when he was a teenager – and he had not seen (because of divorce) since he was a young child. Jack had recently been helping his younger sister with the care of his step-dad, Pinky, in Redding. Pinky died eight days before Jack. Yes, an interesting coincidence.

For several days, I thought of the many individuals, who were happy to see Jack for they are there in Paradise as well. I can picture them searching until they find him. Now, without consciously thinking about it, names come into my mind – people I hadn’t thought about in years – that are getting reacquainted with Jack.

That is when a few more tears come verifying this truth. We do have a spirit. We do live on. Paradise is real. I do not to know the extent of these things, but my heart burns they are true. This is what faith is – trusting in things that we do not fully understand. Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior. I study his teachings and I am so very grateful for this knowledge as it brings a calming peace. Yes, I truly am doing fine. Thank you for caring and for sending your prayers and good wishes. You all are appreciated! This is a wonderful community of which I enjoy!

Garden

Boy, has it cooled down at night. And the recent clear blue skies are wonderful. I sent some ripe tomatoes home with family and was surprised that every one of them had a four-way split on the top. They were still sealed, but they don’t last as long with splits that easily open. I also sent green tomato sweet relish home with my cousin, Alan Hovenden, and his seven grown girls.

The pickling cucumbers have stopped producing, so I pulled them up. But, the lemon cucs are still putting out. I eat one almost every morning, when I irrigate. The four o’clock flowers are about done and are producing the big black seeds. I will miss them as their small trumpet blooms make it look like a jungle under the pine tree.

Flixx Festival

It is almost here! The 2018 Jefferson State Flixx Festival starts this Thursday and runs through Sunday, Sept 23, 2018. Films will be shown at The REC in Fort Jones and Avery Theater in Etna. Activities will also be held at the Denny Bar Company in Etna and California Heritage Farms outside of Fort Jones. Call The REC at 530-468-2888 to get your tickets. There are lots of films to choose from and they also have package deals.

Wildlife

It seems a little early to see so many geese in the valley. Clint and Cody Custer raised grain this year and hundreds of geese are landing in the field eating the leftovers. In the winter, a herd of elk like to visit their willow trees. I teased Clint calling it “Custer’s Wildlife Preserve.”

POW

Scott Valley Protect Our Water will hold its next meeting on Thursday, Sept. 27, 2018 at the Fort Jones Community Center at 7 p.m. Bring a dessert to share if you can.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515. Check out her blog at: LizWritesLife.blogspot.com

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Liz Writes Life 9-4-18

Sept. 4, 2018

Liz writes Life

Finicum

Jeanette Finicum will be back in Siskiyou County on Sept. 11, 2018. She is speaking at the Siskiyou Co. Republican Women’s luncheon about the wrongful death lawsuit of her husband, LaVoy Finicum. The meeting starts at 11 a.m. at the Miner’s Inn Convention Center in Yreka. Dave and Kathy Tyler are cooking Cornish game hens, wild rice, veggies, fruit and zucchini bread muffins. Jackie Twilliger will create more of her beautiful desserts. Cost is $12. To reserve your seat, call Annie Ohlund at 530-351-8693 or Marellen Baird at 530-842-7260.

Jeanette spoke to over 200 supporters in May 2017 at the Miner’s Inn Convention Center. It was a packed-house as we listened to Jeanette tell us why LaVoy joined the Bundys at the April 2014 stand-off and the Malheur Refuge occupation in January 2016. Video released by FBI, shows a road block by FBI and Oregon State Police in Eastern Oregon on July 26, 2016. LaVoy exits the vehicle, which had shots fired into it, and was shot three times by OSP officers and died.

I am looking forward to this update. Since, Jeanette was last here, the Bundys were exonerated in both their trials. Also, Dwight and Steven Hammond were pardoned from their second prison terms (after serving two and a half years) by President Donald Trump. Two months ago, Jeanette sat through an FBI agent’s trial for lying and not providing correct information about several of his shots. The jury did not find him guilty, but more information came to light. So, a lot of information has been revealed through the trials and the bias by the federal prosecutors and agencies has been exposed. Hopefully, it will help Jeanette.

Flixx Fest

The 2018 Jefferson State Flixx Festival will be here before we know it as it runs Sept. 20 - 23. Films will be shown at The REC in Fort Jones and Avery Theater in Etna. Activities will also be held at the Denny Bar Company in Etna and California Heritage Farms outside of Fort Jones. Call The REC at 530-468-2888 to get your tickets. Looks like there are lots of films to choose from and they also have package deals.

Correction

Ok, ok, I got it wrong last week. One article I looked at -- before writing my column -- claimed that Canada was about to make a trade agreement with the U.S., which it still is! But it was Mexico that actually made the agreement with the U.S. over trade last week. I was referring to the February 1888 Demorest’s Magazine article regarding commercial trade with Canada and, apparently, the pros and cons are still a problem 130 years later.

Garden

I am getting more ripe tomatoes and have friends that are canning theirs. Other friends have canned home-grown peaches, plums and are now doing pears from Oregon. Yep, it is harvest time. Oh, about the aphids on the lemon cucumber plant. I think the coffee grounds really did help ward-off the little black buggers. There are fewer leaves that are under attack even though around six to 10 leaves are still curling-up from the aphids. So, I don’t know if it was the aphids or the ants that don’t like the coffee grounds. I do know earwigs don’t like coffee grounds. Hum, I’ll need to remember this off-the-cuff remedy.

Jefferson

Mark Baird, spokesman for the State of Jefferson movement, explained the status of the Citizens For Fair Representation lawsuit at the Scott Valley Protect Our Water meeting last Thursday. It has been working its way through the court system, which is extremely slow. But, something really interesting has happened. CFFR has reached a point that by filing for a writ of mandamus, the U.S. Supreme Court will be discussing the brief. This is a discussion not a decision on it. The result should be to move forward and actually make a decision or not or remand it back to a lower court. (I think I have this correct.)

Because this is quite confusing to me, Mark gave me his notes citing the two specific discussions the CFFR is presenting to the Supreme Court of the U.S. 

Here they are:

1.    In a case challenging the constitutionality of the apportionment of leg. Districts, may a district judge, sitting alone, decide a motion to dismiss for lack of standing, or rather does this court’s unanimous opinion in Shapiro v Mc 1365 CT 450 (2015) require that that motion be decided by a three judge court pursuant to 28USC 2284(a)?

2.    May the chief circuit judge interfere with a district judge’s exercise of responsibility pursuant to 28USC 228(6)(1) by instructing the district judge to withdraw the notice issued pursuant to that section and decide motion to dismiss as a single judge district court?

The CFFR has been working to be heard in a three judge court and hopes the discussion by SCOTUS on these two specific questions will get them there.

Fires

Erin Ryan, staff for Congressman Doug LaMalfa, gave us more info from the congressman’s meeting with Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke and Secretary of Ag. Sonny Perdue during the tragic early days of the Carr Fire. Both secretaries were shocked at the severity of the fires.

It was brought to Sec. Zinke’s attention that PG&E was not able to replace the many power poles that had burned. Apparently, more poles and infrastructure burned in the Carr fire than in last fall’s Santa Rosa fires. The National Park Service was trying to make PG&E dig the giant pole holes by hand, because archeology studies and other environmental studies first needed to be accomplished. Yep, that is outrageous. But, not to be out-done, the USF&W demanded spotted owl studies prior to hole-digging. Yep, it would be nice to know how many owls burned up in the fires!

PG&E complained to LaMalfa’s staff that the National Park Service and USF&W wouldn’t let them replace poles. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people were without electricity. LaMalfa related the frustration to Zinke who looked at the two lead federal agency officials (they were at the outdoor Carr Fire meeting) and insinuated the poles needed to be replaced -- immediately. There are legit Emergency Exemptions regarding environmental and other policies during drastic circumstances such as the Carr Fire. The really sad part is that the agency officials knew about the Emergency Exemptions and decided to delay and add red tape. This is ridiculous, just over-the-top obstructionist attitudes. So, good for LaMalfa and super good for Zinke!

There will be more next week from the Protect Our Water meeting.

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Call her at 530-467-3515. Check out her blog at: LizWritesLife.blogspot.com

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