Absolutely Amazing Amaryllis

It is that time of year again when I am always delighted to see this gorgeous flower that usually surprises me when the first large blossom appears . For three or four years this stunner has given me the beauty of one lovely stalk of perfectly shaped , large flowers . I skipped a day watering because the outside temperatures were in the seventies and I was busy in the house trying to get some much needed activity accomplished . I find that I tend to go outside to garden because I enjoy it so much and a lot of other things fall by the wayside in the house . Living alone gives me the privilege to do that . Yesterday afternoon when I was watering at the back of house and looked done toward the White Garden I was amazed to see the large almost iridescent amaryllis blossoms . I know some people in certain growing zone can grow lots of these flowers without "lifting " them every year . But , I never have had them until this one and it stays in the ground all year long . And, as you can see , it thrills me every year . Nine inches across , AMAZING ! 

Some of these photos look a little yellow but the flowers are very WHITE .

The Hydrangea has been blooming for a couple weeks and doing well .

And, this is a big surprise and it opened this afternoon . I did not know what color this Asiatic Lily was going to be because a neighbor gave me three pots with lilies last year and they weren't labeled as to color .  Another addition for the White Garden !  I can see the color a little of one of the other potted lilies and it looks like pink or red . That will be another surprise . In years past I have had Asiatic (most popular) and Oriental (second most popular)  Lilies in my garden . Some years I have not worked in the garden very much and I don't know what happened to the Lilies !

It is RED FLAG SEASON .  Isn't this wildfire awful . It started Monday evening about 5 o'clock . It is about 45 minute drive from here . 1100 acres and 10 percent contained . Two out-buildings have burned and 65 structures are threatened . Cause unknown .  Arson not suspected . Winds are cooperating . Evacuation sites are set up .

Thursday Update - Morning Briefing .  Good News .  70% Containment .

The garden is slow but growing . It could use a little more bright sunshine .

This little seating area is next to the raised bed vegetable garden . Years ago I got this metal topiary and started covering it with ivy . Now I just trim it every spring time . One day I thought I would put these old chairs out there . And , now the tree form is a conversation piece when people walk by . Yes , it is one-of-a-kind . Also , I started taking time to sit there during my garden work and "just enjoy my garden" .

 

UPDATE - Someone defaced the Camp Nine Bridge again by painting over the first defacing . It says All Lives Matter .

Pacific Gas & Electric , the utility that owns the bridge has decided to remove all paint from the bridge . Thank goodness !  What a strange world we are living in . What next in our little country home towns ?

I hope your week is going well and you are living where you are safe and feeling secure in staying healthy .

Mary

Power On - - - Power Off - - - And Repeat

The citizenry of the California Red Flag territory are NOT a happy bunch of people !

A THIRD Power Outage is projected for this weekend extending into Monday due to anticipated high winds in California north-west of where I live .  The many , many , many fires throughout California are truly a disastrous reality !  This is not fun for anyone and unfortunately this seems to be a new normal for this time of year with all the the unresolved issues surrounding these disasters .

This afternoon , my generator is scheduled for delivery and an electrician is scheduled to come out next Wednesday to assess and provide an estimate for installing a Transfer Switch and everything necessary for me to have limited access to power for refrigeration of food and whatever other priorities I have with the new six electrical circuits provided with the generator .

I am very concerned about my appointment with the Oncologist that is scheduled for Monday afternoon .  It is a thirty minute drive south-east of here .  I sure hope I can go and get the final report .  I don't know if they will have power or if I will have power .

One of my neighbors has a new generator and has been using it in a very limited capacity prior to full installation .

It is difficult to explain how disruptive and stressful all of this is for me when I am so much better off then thousands of people throughout the state .  Until you have been totally cut off from any type of communication with your world it is a reality you never want to experience ! The constant unknown of when , how long and being alone compounds the entire situation .

Throughout all of this, be assured that I have not lost sight of how fortunate and blessed I am to have the life I have !

The Very Best Wishes To Everyone .

Mary

My Kind Of Morning News

Bovine on the Run and for days.  Do you think she can outsmart the humans?

They called out the dogs !

The Highway Patrol was called out !

I'll let you know if they catch her !

And, this large flock of geese are out for a walk in the Shopping Center near my doctor's office which is the building in the distance.  Even the little goslings were included in the outing.  This is up the hill at about 2000 feet elevation higher than where I live. What a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

But wait !  I really am not POLLYANNA who lives in the "Queen of The Sierras".

This past Sunday evening about eight miles from where I live in a more rural area an Armed Robbery took place at a previously registered legal commercial medical marijuana cultivation site. Apparently, the owners lost their registration due to some non-compliance issues and made arrangements for a large marijuana illegal drug transaction with confirmed gang members from far out of the area and state.  As the drug deal was going wrong, the six victims were reportedly bound, beaten and tortured with a Taser and lives threatened.  The suspects were six men of varied ethnicity and they robbed the site of  marijuana, expensive personal property, cash and vehicles prior to leaving the area and traveling south.  A lot more activity and violence took place before four of the suspects were caught and arrested.  

Ever since the county had a very extensive wildfire a few years ago many (way too many) marijuana farms have been propagated and more new ones keep coming.  The legal issues have been tremendous.  And, with California legalizing marijuana for recreational use - - - IT IS NUTS !  Signs of the times !

Now, how about  a little photography of garden flowers, more Daylilies.  OK.

   





Now, this one looks similar to one that opened yesterday.  But, with a closer view you can see it is very different and stunning.

Opened yesterday.  
Similar but Different.

Until, we meet again.  Take Special Care.

Mary

And, They Weren't Kidding

This morning The Weather Channel had a local advisory alert reporting a Flash Flood Warning for our county including the wildfire area until 10:30 AM.

Shortly after I heard the alert it was as if the sky opened up and torrents of rain started to fall. I could hardly believe how heavy and loud it was. In addition there was thunder and lightening. My poor little dog, Lily seemed frightened "out of her skin". Comforting her was my number one job!

This picture was taken from my front door. The water was coming in sheets across the patio even though the area is sheltered by many large trees.

I did not want to go outside in the rain so these pictures were taken from doorways. 

I am so hopeful that the people in the burned out areas were not severely affected by this event. It was fairly brief but of course there is a high level of danger with mud slides and other inconveniences - especially if you are living in a tent or other less desirable situations. 

The world needs our prayers!

Mary

Up Close - Real Close

Today was a day to get together with three of my friends that try to spend one day a month together . We just decide about a place to see, a place to eat or who knows what. There are so many things to do and see "in our own backyard" so to speak. It is  always very casual and sans makeup or anything fussy.

One of us wanted to take lunch fixings to our friend who was in the middle of the disastrous wildfire and did not know for days if their home was burned down. Their house sits on 10 acres and five houses around them were burned and ashes were all that remained.

The firefighters were able to save their house partly because of the good "defensible space" that they try to keep around their house. This is their house at the far left of the picture. You can see all the blackened ground around the big trees. IT (the fire) was really really close.

And this is the front porch that I have sat on in the past when everything surrounding it was green and lush.

 This is looking from their house out to their greenhouse that did not survive the fire!

 This is what is left of the greenhouse with the damage. The pile lower center is burned oranges and a couple orange trees. The greenhouse had been filled with organic produce.

 Some more pictures as we walked around some of the property.

 It is horrendous but they feel very blessed to have their house.

They are still is a state of disbelief, horror, confusion and fatigue as they live through the process of returning to some form of normalcy and dealing with all the bureaucracy. It seems like it is the ol' saying "get ready to wait."

 The house is owned by our friend on the left. Along with her husband we enjoyed a great lunch.

And, to sum it up as we drove away one of their neighbors was in the middle of the ashes where his house sat. And, he is the neighbor that called them at 3 AM to tell them the fire was coming over the ridge and they better get out!

I do not think I did justice to this post. It is so difficult to describe what we saw!
It was so good to be with friends and also spend some time with the homeowners.
Let's all count our blessings and pray for the less fortunate and reach out with a helping hand.

Mary

My Head Has Been Swirling

So much has happened during  the past seven days and my emotions have swirled the full spectrum.

First off, I want you to know that even though it has been an unusual week I still remind myself, on a regular basis throughout each day that My Gratitude List is long!!!

Yesterday, the Advisory Evacuation was lifted for my area. The firemen have done an exemplary job. I imagine some of them will be traveling to the Valley Fire. I sure hope they are getting enough rest. This was at one of the many staging areas.

Next, I would like to show you a picture that I find absolutely stunning, for lack of a better descriptor. Look at the tire tread rubber. It almost looks like art work! Perhaps like a springy slinky! I hope you do not think I am weird, just looking beyond the severe reality of the disaster.

I continue to be in awe with the devastation and hardship from the fires. Neighborhoods have been completely annihilated. I certainly am thankful for my safety and house. This was an experience that I will never forget. Last Saturday was particularly difficult for me. On that day I felt so much uncertainty and dismay.

Moving right along with a different topic. I have spent two days in doctor's offices this week specifically for my chronic back issues which have increased significantly starting approximately two months ago. I will try to make this succinct as I can. The characteristics of my back pain have changed markedly. It is constant and burning and travels down my leg. For the past month I have  been taking a new medication. The same medication was prescribed several years ago and I was unable to tolerate the side effects. Well, this time I am determined to make it work for me. The first couple weeks I was totally useless and wanted to sleep all day and night. The pain level is less and that is a real motivator. The dosage is being increased gradually as the side effects are less. I guess I am getting accustomed to feeling light headed. I do not like it and I have to be very careful that I do not fall. The pain had been so bad before this medication and this is encouraging. My MRI shows increased deterioration of my spine along with the scoliosis. The surprising item is that the lumbar spine has rotated 45 degrees. More nerves are being compressed. No wonder my pain has changed. In addition, during the past year I have lost one and a half inches in height! Next time I will talk about what the Physiatrist/Rehabilitation Specialist had to say.

This beautiful red rose named Oklahoma was blooming during the fires. During the early morning each petal was glistening with the nights dew.

I continue to enjoy my garden and especially the recent blossoming gladiolas. Pink glads are starting to peek out in the center bottom of the photo.

Glorious.

Beautiful Pastel Blue

The White Autumn Clematis is at its peak of gloriousness.

I am so blessed that the ash has stopped falling.

That's all folks. Thanks for listening.
Mary 

Things Are Getting Better

Yes, It was wonderful when a light rain started last evening. Needless to say, I'm feeling very tired even though Lily and I had a great night's sleep. The last that I know is that the fire is 37% contained. I think houses destroyed is over 200!!!!!! The Valley Fire north from here is so terrible and much worse than what we have been having. Prayers are so important. So, please pray for them, as well as for us!

Someone posted the "Raining photo" and I thought it would bring a little lightness to the day.

Buy the way, I am having a terrible time with Blogger. I do not have the patience today, Spacing is driving me nuts! Don't know how much I will be able to blog today.

This has been the scene throughout the last few days. This was taken at the corner in front of the church that I walk to on Sundays. It is about five houses away from mine. AMAZING.

I think that is it - for today. GOD BLESS THE FIRE FIGHTERS AND EVERYONE THAT ARE HELPING  LIVES AND FAMILIES RETURN TO SOME NORMALCY!

Mary