Sunday, June 2, 2019

Liz Writes Life 5-29-19


May 29, 2019

Liz Writes Life
Published in Siskiyou Daily News, Yreka, CA

Memorial Day weekend is past, but I still think of Memorial Day as May 30th, which is tomorrow. So, there is still time to take a few minutes and contemplate the sacrifice of our military soldiers and their families have made. I watched the 30th National Memorial Celebration on PBS Sunday night that was held on the South Lawn at the Capitol. It was a beautiful tribute. Several stories were told. One was about a medic, who survived D-Day – but not without major injuries of a bullet in his arm and shrapnel in his thigh. He and his brother were both injured during the terrifying attacks on sandy French beaches. His brother lived to be 92 and this man was alive and in attendance.

In another poignant story, two well-known actors portrayed a black man and a white man who became best friends during Viet Nam fighting. They made it back, but a good friend that happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time did not. They were both in attendance sitting side-by-side. The Vietnam Wall in D.C. is a tribute to all who lost their lives in the controversial war, yet took their watch and served.

Much has been said to pay homage in thanking those who have served and are serving today. I simply want to add my sincere and passionate “thank you” to our military men and women and our veterans; and to the families that have grieved, because loved ones didn’t live to come home.

One meme out there in social media says it all. I think the caption reads: “A Day at the Beach.” One picture shows families happily playing in the sand, eating and having a good time. The next picture is of D-Day June 6, 1944 on the coast of Normandy, France.

I am so grateful for the freedoms I enjoy as a citizen of the United States. Our country is far from perfect, but we still have so many liberties and opportunities provided by our Constitution. Perhaps, we should stop and count them more often.

POW

Scott Valley Protect Our Water will meet this Thursday, May 30, 2019 at the Fort Jones Community Center. Time is 7 p.m. Bring a dessert to share, if you can. Ray Haupt, our Siskiyou Co. Supervisor for Dist. 5, is our lead speaker. He participated in the American Forester Resource Council Conference in Washington State last month and will give a report.

Ray told me it was quite a surprise on May 17, when the new Secretary of the Dept. of Interior, David Bernhardt, released a letter reversing the stand of DOI regarding Klamath Dam removal. You see, back in 2016, President Obama’s Sec. of Interior, Sally Jewel, sent a letter to FERC urging the approval of an application to remove four hydro-electric Klamath dams. Sec. Bernhardt’s letter withdrew DOI’s support of dam destruction.

This is huge folks!

In a press release, Dist. 1 Congressman Doug LaMalfa said he was able to personally explain the situation to Bernhardt before he was appointed. LaMalfa thanked the new secretary and added, This course-reversal by Interior is a big victory for those fighting this misguided dam removal and a positive development for Northern California – we need to support new and existing water infrastructure projects, not tear them down.”

For sure, Ray will also have additional info on this situation.

Erin Ryan, staff for Congressman LaMalfa, sent me a note of apology saying she is not able to attend the POW meeting. Bummer! She has been asked to meet with an attorney who is working on an appeal for benefits for a veteran. Erin did the investigation and LaMalfa has added a full-press on the Veterans Admin. Hopefully, their work will help this veteran obtain benefits he was denied for 40 years.

More LaMalfa

Recently, LaMalfa and Calif. Democrat Rep. Salud Carbajal partnered to reintroduce the Veterans Record Reconstruction Act, which would ease the process for veterans to prove their eligibility for certain benefits or decorations. This bill implements uniform guidelines to simplify processes and “make veterans’ lives a little bit easier,” Doug said.

Our congressman has been busy working to get more aid to the Northern California 2018 fire victims. Soon, the U.S. Senate will be voting on a disaster aid package that will provide $19.1 billion for states affected by the disaster. Because Doug has been a strong advocate, Paradise will be eligible for an additional $150 million in rural development funding. The legislation is expected to pass the senate and will move to the House for approval.

Rebuilding is happening in Paradise, after the Camp Fire destroyed most of the city in November. Last week, LaMalfa attended the re-opening of the Paradise Medical Group that will be using a new virtual care platform allowing patients to see medical providers via mobil phone, tablet or personal computer. He told the group he was grateful to Blue Shield of California and PMG for their commitment to helping Butte County recover.

Garden

The weather stations were right. It hasn’t frosted even though the snow-level was down to 4,000 ft. on Sunday morning. I didn’t trust that I would actually receive the forecasted rain, so Friday night I irrigated everything. No, I haven’t harvested the rhubarb and it was thirsty. Admittedly, I was surprised when it started raining about 11 p.m. Saturday and then more on Sunday. So nice!

My Oriental orange poppies are blooming – a bit behind – along with iris. Must say I enjoy the orange California poppies flowering near the lavender lupine. There are now six zucchini plants up and will need thinning to just two. Eight cucumbers have popped-up and the tomato plants, garlic, pumpkin plant, lettuce, bee balm, hollyhocks and chives look happy. Last thing to plant are the green beans. Just in time for the return to warm weather.

It is so great that the surrounding mountains received more snow and the Sierras are reporting over 150 percent of average. Looks like a good water year for a change. Smile, life is good!

Liz Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past year can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.

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