Oct. 7, 2020
Liz Writes Life
The higher temperatures did not seem too bad last week. I
guess that is the difference between the first high temps of summer (yuck) and months
later, when we are much more accustomed to hot temps. Sure do hope we get a
rain this weekend – at least a few drops, so we can do a dance of joy! Hope I
get soaked! Ha, ha.
It is so nice the rhubarb is doing OK with only being
irrigated every other day. Once, I went three days. I am also watering the five
tomatoes, one giant zucchini, 30 purple onions, the ratty-looking cucumbers and
flowers that are still blooming on the every-other-day schedule.
A skunk has gotten in the garden and half-eaten a few ripe
tomatoes, but the season is about over so I am not declaring “war”. Heard noise
the other night and flipped the light on to see the skunk checking things out
on my porch. He or she probably finished off the cat’s food and was looking for
more. My fault for leaving out extra cat food.
I finished canning another 10 pints of stewed tomatoes and need
to pick some green tomatoes to make Green Tomato Sweet Relish. So bring-on the
rain and a good frost!
Giant pumpkin
The Sacramento Bee ran an article about the Elk Grove Pumpkin
Weigh-Off winner as part of the social distanced – and without spectators –
annual festival. The winning giant pumpkin weighed a whopping 2,089 pounds and
was grown by Madison Thomson of Newcastle. This one came in close to the
record-setting giant pumpkin that won the 2018 festival. It weighed 2,138
pounds and was grown by Jose Ceja of Napa. Wow, I can’t imagine the process of
moving and weighing those monsters.
When asked for her secret to growing the heavy-weight
pumpkin, Madison said it was lots of water and to monitor the soil’s nutrients.
She also admitted to lots of fertilizer. So, there you go giant pumpkin growers.
Tips for next year!
Election
I was so sorry to hear U.S. President Donald Trump and the
First Lady, Melania, tested positive for the covid-19 virus, as well as several
of their staff and U.S. senators. Yes, I am a Trump supporter and fervently
pray for his and everyone’s recovery. Siskiyou Republicans have held several rallys
in Yreka, Mt. Shasta and Fort Jones; and last Saturday, they joined with a
national Trump car rally displaying banners and signs driving local highways
and byways.
The Republicans invite everyone to visit their campaign
headquarters located on Yreka’s Broadway St. across from the old Siskiyou Daily
News office. It is open Tues., Wed. and Thurs. afternoons. Hats, campaign signs
and bumper stickers are available along with election information.
The Siskiyou Conservative Republicans are holding an open
meeting tomorrow, Oct. 8, 2020, at the campaign headquarters on 308 Broadway.
It begins at 11 a.m. A sandwich lunch can be ordered by calling (ahead) to
Annie Ohlund at 530-842-2350. Siskiyou Co. Dist. 5 Supervisor Ray Haupt and
Erin Ryan, staff for Congressman Doug LaMalfa, have been asked to speak and
will bring folks up-to-date on a number of local and national issues.
Voting
Last week, I said I would share my opinions on candidates and
the California Measures. After reading each one, I agree with the suggestions
offered by the Siskiyou Republicans. Here goes.
I will be voting for Donald J. Trump as president. The same goes
for our current U.S. Dist. 1 Representative, Doug LaMalfa. I personally know
Doug and he goes to bat for Siskiyou County time and time again, especially regarding
saving the Klamath dams and changing forest policy to stop the brutal wildfires.
Brian Dahle is my choice for state senator and his wife, Megan
Dahle, who is communicating quite well with constituents as state
assemblywoman. The Dahles, along with
Congressman LaMalfa, drove to Siskiyou a few weeks ago to see the devastation
from the Slater Fire in Happy Camp. Their involvement helps the county find
state and federal resources to help residents who were burned-out. It is
significant, when our elected officials visit us and learn of our needs and
issues.
Most of the Measures will receive a “no” from me. The only
two that will get a “yes” are numbers 20 and 22. At first, I was undecided on
20, but after reading about it, I went for a “yes”. If approved, this Measure
will amend several criminal sentencing and supervision laws passed between 2011
and 2016. It will make specific types of theft and fraud crimes, including
firearm and vehicle theft and unlawful use of a credit card as misdemeanors or
felonies. These three things, especially unlawful use of a credit card, sold
me.
I will also vote “yes” on what is called the “gig” initiative
-- Measure 22. It allows a variety of workers to continue to be independent
contractors, instead of mandating them as employees. Many workers need the
flexibility to work on their own as contractors, both in the amount of time
they put in and deciding on their own type of health insurance. To me, a vote
against 22 will drastically hurt small business.
So, Measures 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 23, 24 and 25 will
receive a “no” from me.
Siskiyou Patriots
Siskiyou Patriots have changed their
meeting days to the second and fourth Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. at the
Covenant Chapel Church on 200 Greenhorn Rd. in Yreka. This Thursday, the
speakers will be Mark Baird on the status of the 2nd Amendment
lawsuit and Supervisor Ray Haupt on his meeting with Pres. Trump, wildfires,
illegal marijuana grows and the process for electing the new sheriff after
previous Siskiyou Co. Sheriff Jon Lopey resigned last month. The meeting is
free.
Pray for rain!
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 can be found at:
lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.
# # #
No comments:
Post a Comment