Being Home

Enough of the Pacific Ocean, walking on the beach and thoughts of rogue waves sweeping me to my watery death. I want to spend a few days blogging about being HOME, on the mountain... being at one with the deer and my dogs... hiking and doing my solitary thing that I do best. I will return to the vacation on the ocean in a few days. I just need to ground myself in the beauty of the winter foothills for a while.

The prayers and rain dances worked. We have had rain, off and on, this week and there's more to come. It's not going to change the direction of the drought here in California but it's a relief for the parched ground and feelings of dread that plague the mind.
Last Saturday we had our neighbor "D" over for dinner. He watched our house the week that we were gone. He fed the cat and the chickens, picked up our mail and... He blocked traffic on our country road so that we could get in and out with the monster RV. It's probably not completely legal, but he does it for us anyway, so we don't have to worry about meeting a hay truck or teenagers on, basically, a one lane road. The folks who do stop and wait are mostly regular users of this river road and use to delays. Coming home, he blocked the road at our entrance and no one came by. That's how much traffic we have to deal with... on a Monday afternoon. He likes to do this. What a guy! He's one of the good people in our life and he deserved a home cooked meal. It's small payment for his efforts.
So, when he arrived he brought me more deer antlers.

Yes, more. He gave me some a few weeks back for a project I was doing and so, he brought me another one. Plus... he brought me a very cool deer head with antlers.

I know this is probably not too exciting for some of you, but I love this stuff.
Nature is a work of art and the skeletons are amazingly beautiful if you really look at them... closely.

After I bleached and cleaned the deer head, I let it dry on the porch and then brought it inside .

This was found here, near the river somewhere. We will never know why it died. A mountain lion attack, a disease, remains of a hunt during deer season. I don't know... but I think it's beautiful.

The skull is brittle near the shattered nose but the rest is very hard. Some of the back teeth are still attached.

Look where the skull fits together. Doesn't it make you wonder how this all happens? Why there is one shape for a deer, one for humans and one for each animal on earth. Amazing!

Look at the antlers and the growth pattern.

Intricate, complex and amazing. I think this skull will go on my wall somewhere. I know I've said that I would never have a taxidermed head of any animal on my walls, but this is not stuffed, killed by man (as far as I know) or a trophy for someone's collection... and I think it's a work of art in its present form.

The single antler was cleaned and stained.

It sits on top of a gourd bowl that I edged with oak bark. This antler will be the handle.

I used some Howard's walnut Restor~A~Finish on the antler. It gave the bleached and dried out bone a darker, more finished look. I could, now, use some clear wax on it to shine it up a little. We'll see. I will tie the antler on with leather straps.

I've been hiking up into the hills behind us. One day this week we were in between rainstorms and a cold front came through. It got really cold. That's when I like to walk and hike. The wind was blowing, the air was cold and the spirits of the forest were calling me.
I bundled up... I mean bundled... layers... hooded sweatshirt, heavy socks, my gloves and a lined raincoat.

I walked up the road to the well.
Walked by Maggie's grave.

And continued on up to the ridge.

I touched everything. It's important to touch things... to find a connection and reassure myself of my place in this life. This makes me feel alive. Touch is real. It's comforting.

It was so cold. My fingers were numb and red. The photos don't show the cold. My fingers don't look red, but they were. I would keep putting my hands back into my pockets to warm them.

 

Then I would hold the camera with my right hand and take pictures for a while. It's a ritual that keeps me grounded and gives me purpose.
Annie was waiting for me when I got back to the house. She's had an attitude ever since we got back from vacation. She keeps giving me that look... you know, that cats can give you when you do something they don't like? Yes, that one.
She didn't go for a walk with me... not even up to the well.
She's being a bit aloof.
She'll get over it.

This morning we had rain again. Not a lot, but it's wonderful and it smells so good.

Everything is soaking up this gentle rain.

 Tiny sprouts of bulbs that I planted last year are coming up. Spring is emerging from the damp earth.

Even one of the garden ladies seems happier about the rain. She generally seems a little sad... but I felt that she was looking at the rain darkened walk and garden... and feeling happier in her own quiet way. Anthropomorphizing the planter again Farmlady? Yes, I guess I am.
Her ivy hairdo is looking better this week. Maybe she's just happy about her hair.
You know how woman can be.

The first daffodil had opened.

 It's so good to be home.

"The weather outside is Frightful..."

But our little home is warm and delightful.
A storm is moving over California today bringing lots of rain and wind. It's a day that make you want to stay inside.

Everything was rattling and making noise out there.

The wind shook the house. "What was that?, Cutter said, as he got up and ran into the bedroom.
" I don't know.", said Carl, He looked a little insecure about the situation.

He wanted to be brave but he looked at me to be reassured that everything was all right.
Such spoiled babies. They each have a blanket to keep them warm now that the cold has set in. They've also requested a covered patio, next winter, so they don't have to get wet when they need to do their doody (duty) outside. Yea... they are a little over the top, these Corgis and it's our fault. We enable their lifestyle... but a covered patio? I don't think so. Sorry boys.

I have pumpkin breads in the oven and there is some Christmas wrapping to do.
The weather is fierce out there but the Christmas tree near the window seems to buffer the storm's intensity. This is the "other" tree. My little "German" Christmas tree is over on the dining room buffet. This one is filled with family ornaments.

The piano always holds most of the Christmas decorations in this small living room of ours.

The piano takes up a large amount of space in this room but I love this old "friend" of mine. I really don't play much anymore but I don't want to give it up. Beside, my oldest grandson just started piano lessons. It's a long tradition in this family. He is sooo talented (says his Noni) and I want him to be able to play when he is here. So that piano is staying right where it is.

 There are charming felted Christmas trees hanging from the candlesticks that a blogging friend felted for me.

This one is my favorite.

And a paper star that I brought back from Germany.

Another one tops the tree next to the piano. These are very traditional in Germany and were at all the Christmas Markets.

Across the piano front are the cards that have been sent to us and some of my mother's old Christmas sheet music.  It's wonderful that some friends still send real Christmas cards.
Even a very creative one from my friend "C" and her daughter.

She had this made with a photo I took of her dog, Max, this summer when we took a ride into the Delta and she found the home of her dreams. She is now the proud owner of that beautiful old two story home in the small river town of Isleton. She was handed the keys last Friday. Oh Joy!! What a Christmas present this is! I'm sure that Max is happy about it too. He will have a backyard and lots of room to run. Go Max!!
I opened the door for a minute.

So I could step outside onto the porch and take a picture of the storm from one of the "garden ladies" point of view.

She is soaked and not talking, but her Ivy "hair" is looking really good. I wanted to show you how the autumn leaves are still holding on to the Flowering Pear Tree, even in this wind. See them in the distance, on the right, flashing orange and red? Amazing that they still cling to the tree branches.
Back inside I sat down to write a short post.
Cutter is right here next to me on the guest room floor. He's not sure about all the commotion of Christmas... but he will be happy about bringing one of the grandsons home with us. He and Carl will have someone to play with.
Oh no, what was that? The lights just flickered. Got to go.

My German Christmas Tree

I thought I would take a break from the German travelogue for the day. We all need a break from the tragic incident of last week. So my little Christmas tree is my spirit offering. The tree has a German attitude but it's not as rigid or heavy as the huge old buildings of Berlin.  It stands in my dining room quietly reminding me of my trip... and the beauty of Christmas.

This is my little German Christmas Tree. It's filled with things that I brought back from Germany.
 Last year I was looking for a small tree to put on my Mother's old buffet. My sister found one on sale, after Christmas, and brought it up here on one of her visits.
Coming home sick was not pleasant. This illness is still with me, but the "bug" is slowly releasing its hold on me...very slowly. So I have been in the house, taking medicine and resting a lot.
This tree was my way of remembering the trip, in retrospect, and giving it a better perspective.

The photo of our tour group is leaning against the container that holds the tree.

My birthday card that the "California girls" gave me at our last breakfast in Munich, has sticky notes from all five of them inside. This was done so I could reuse the card for Christmas. It's an advent calendar. I will never send it to anyone. It still has the sticky notes inside of it. I was so sick that morning before we left, but this one thoughtful card from these women made all the difference.

This little tree holds some postcards that I brought back with me. This one says "frohliche Weihnachten! which means "Merry Christmas:" in German. It's charming.

This one is from Rothenburg...a beautiful old town and my favorite of the trip.

One of the photos I took, below, is in the same exact location.  It really hasn't changed that much in hundreds of years.

There is another postcard tucked in to remind me of the sadness that was levied on a single town during a war. This is Dresden in 1945, after the Allied bombing virtually destroyed it.

It's as if this statue was asking "Why?" as she looked out over her city. "Why has this happen?"
I can't wait to write a post on Dresden. They have restored almost every building now and it's a most beautiful city, with some of the most elegant buildings you can imagine.

Then I have some ornaments that I bought from one of the German Christmas markets.

A lavender filled heart

And a "munchkin" from Munich. This is a tiny ceramic ornament that has the German spelling of Munich on it.

I also added some of my Mother's old ornaments ,

 A set of hand made felt ornaments that my friend "D" made me almost 40 years ago.

A few of my gourd ornaments.

 And some dried manderin orange peels. Yes, they make pretty decorations and they smell good too.

A very special clove heart hangs in a place of honor. My sister bought it for me when she went to Salzburg. I was sick and couldn't make the trip, on a train. She bought me a beautiful warm scarf and this lovely ornament.

So, this is my little German Christmas tree.
It represents my first trip to Europe, the experience of a lifetime... and the beauty of the season.
I feel better... somewhat, and we are looking forward to Christmas.
It will be a while before I travel that far again. I want to see some of my own country now. A trip, with the Prospector and the dogs... and our feet on the ground. This sounds really good. No more planes for a while.

Think on the children of Sandy Hook, Connecticut and their parents...
 and the women who died trying to save the children at their school.
Count your blessings. Life is precious.

I'm back home

The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved..loved for ourselves, or rather, loved in spite of ourselves.

~Victor Hugo~

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I came home with an awful head cold. I'm recuperating and letting the Prospector and the dogs spoil me.

I left my dear daughter-in-law, Robbin, standing and walking... and living without taking large amounts of medications. She is over the big "after surgery" hump. The fibroid tumor is out and she is feeling really good. Everything is going to be OK. I left when I knew that the only thing I was going to be able to give her was MY COLD. So, I came home.

I will write more about my many hours at the Pleasant Hill playground and the drive thru at MacDonald's in a few days. My age is showing and the "Noni is resting" sign is hanging on my door.

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you.

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Christmas in My Other Home

I stayed at my sister's house for the first two days. We went shopping, had lunch together, laughed at ourselves and talked..., and talked about everything.

I went to see Mom. Brought her a little tree with Christmas decorations and small pine cones on it. I wished her a Merry Christmas and we talked..., and talked...

On Friday I went to my son and daughter-in-law's house. This, of course, is also the home of my two beautiful grandchildren. What a coincidence!We had so much fun. I slept in Baby Bean's bed which was very comfortable. Life never stops when you are a child except when you're asleep..., so Noni slept very well at night.
My oldest grandchild, The Bean, has taken up Photography. I'M SO PROUD! He is learning the nuances of a point and shoot digital camera. We took LOTS of pictures. This is very serious business for him. I think he has inherited my genes. The ones that let him see the world more clearly though the lens of a camera. He also makes really funny faces.
My youngest grandchild, Baby Bean, seems in awe of the whole Christmastime, decorations, lights, presents thing. I see magic in his eyes. While The Bean is wanting to know how the big Santa man is going to get down the chimney , Baby Bean is content to listen to Mom read him a story and watch a Christmas CD. He's at one with the spirit of the Holiday.
Saturday The Bean and I spent the day at the Martinez Marina. I will have photos of this tomorrow. That night I Noni-Sat the boys so Mom and Dad could go out for dinner together. I think that was like a major Christmas present for them. I could see it in their eyes and hear it in their thankyou's.
On Sunday I drove to my oldest son's house in Oakland. He took me to Mass at Saint Jarlath's Catholic Church. I wanted to go back to this beautiful, stone church where I had lit a candle for Mom right after she died. This is not my son's church but he took me because I asked him too. It was the most beautiful experience a few months back..., lighting the candle, saying the Lords prayer in a small chapel inside the church and having my son say this prayer, in Latin, for his "Noni" and for his mother. After this Mass, on Sunday, we went into the little chapel and lit another candle for Mom.
My Mother was raised Catholic, my son adopted the faith as an adult and I'm the person that fell in between. I used to call myself a "closet Catholic" because of the pull that it seemed to have on me as I was growing up. I'm sure that some of this influence was Mom's "fish on Fridays" habits that she never let go of. She didn't raise us as Catholics. It's a long story for another day, but the pull is still there and so it is that I always love sharing this experience with my son.

I came home yesterday..., tired, happy and feel the strength of being able to do this kind of traveling I do. Feeling thankful for Family and knowing that even though I can't always be everywhere and do everything that I want to, I am so lucky to have the life that I have: To share my world with people who are good, caring, loving human beings and to know how fortunate I am to have them all in my life.
Now I need to go and hug my husband, play with Carl and get back into his good graces( he's a little upset with me for all this leaving), feed the goats and chickens, go for a hike in the woods and, as my blog friend Laura, in Georgia, would say... " I'm gonna get me some lovin'." It's a "southern" expression. I'm probably not saying it right but you get the idea.

Tomorrow we will all go to Martinez with The Bean. Please join us.