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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