South Pacific Jewels

After returning from one of my volunteer non-profit organizations “Purr Angels,” Ron and I just happen to share a chat about South Pacific Jewels and about an acquaintance of mine I just happen to meet at a baseball park,
that I hadn’t seen for three years or more by the name Russel.

Very nice person during our talks, and the one thing we had in common was a
couple of people we admire.  One is Valerie Speaks, CMT, MH. She is owner
and operator of Shasta Wellness Solutions and Shasta Dream Massage.

Last year we merged our business idea’s together. I was already slowly
venturing out of photography, moving into Gemstones and Jewels, while
completing other certifications I was working on during the last ten years,
so I can assist others during and through their healing process of grieving.

My friend Valerie, co-venture and business partner, is spreading her wings as well.
Valerie is always a healer first and would like to reach out teaching to
more students how the energy of gemstones can help, in so many other ways, “Awakening Soul Spirit.”

We look forward to seeing positive friends like Russel, you know what they say
“Every little bit counts”.

Love Heart a natural Amazonite Gemstone,

“Amazonite,” possibly once also known as the “Amazon Stone,”  was originally discovered in the Amazon area in Brazil.  This alkali feldspar mineral is associated with deposits of granite and quartz, can be found in Canada, /Colorado,USA, India, Madagascar, Namibia, Norway, and Tanzania. Depending on the region where Amazonite is unearth, the color varies in shades of pale light green to a nice blue-green.

The beauty of this stone was admire back to four thousand years ago, where it was used in India, Egypt, Mesopotamia and Sudan. Metaphysically this stone is associated with the throat and heart, and is best as a necklace close to these area for the wearer, it is also said this Amazonite bestows honor, integrity and truth.

Just like the heart, this stone is sensitive. Harsh abrasives, acids, ammonia, heat, hot water or steamer and ultrasonic cleaners will harm the gemstone.  Tepid tap water, soft cloth with a pinch of mild soap will do just fine.

Like many stones that are sensitive to chemicals and pressure, Amazonites Mohs hardness rating is of 6 and is suitable for carvings, beads to make beautiful jewelry and cabochons, plus more.

“The man in the Arena”

They say, a speech are words worth meanings, and a good speech can
capture a persons ear.

For myself I have never heard this person speak, but the writings of this speech is worth reading, cause it touches our everyday normal life of just trying to sustain, while keeping a personal fulfillment.

Theodore Roosevelt
26th President of the United States

CITIZENSHIP IN A REPUBLIC
“The Man In The Arena”
Speech at the Sorbonne
Paris, France
April 23, 1910

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the stong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;

but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

Siskiyou Early Head Start

County Fairs are a great place for me to see the new things that are happening around in the surrounding
area and it brings my attention to other new and improved changes of things
I wouldn’t even give a second thought too.

Home made breads, candy, crafts, politicians, carnival games, agriculture, humane society,
and Head Start programs for children.

After having a un-healthy meal, corn dogs, fries and coke over ice, I started roaming through the buildings,

and came across an Early Head Start Program, that Siskiyou County Office of Education offers to approve
parents attending college or working, low-income families, and children with disabilities.

As Nanda Mugnolo, explain to me the history of when Early Head Start Child Development Center came
to the county of Siskiyou, I was also very amazed of the goals they hope to accomplish, and have.

The Child Development Center, which is located at 1 Childs Way (cute address), in Yreka.
Is open from 9:00 am through 3:00 pm.  This program Includes: adult education, nutrition screenings,
healthy meals, early childhood education, plus it’s for parent with child or children from ages
new born-birth to three years of age.

 Samantha Lukensmeyer, shared how the Home-Based Services work.
Samantha is a mother of child at Early Head Start and really agrees with
Nanda, about all the pluses, that these programs have.

She loves the fact the program provides information on parenting, and how
easy it is to ask questions while receiving proper understandable answers.

Prenatal topics are great and understanding child development is just as
important as learning health concerns. The program is very clear on
proper foods to eat.

Samantha also expressed her view on the group social with other families
and how it serves as a plus, for a single child that is lacking siblings. The
child has a chance to socialize with other children, which reduces the possibility
of the “Little Emperor Behavior,” not understanding it’s okay to share with
others, for example.

The ladies were very informational and I left as if my tax dollars were really
serving the community.

Day at the county fair for Shasta View Seniors

For myself I like County Fairs,
It’s the fun way to visit, and see what events the fair is featuring,

  Display booths,  shared education, games, goods to buy,
 as well as educating what the area had to offer

The type of Concerts,

Livestock Exhibitions,

Type of Rides they have to offer for children and young adults.

and The Shows

The history of the Siskiyou Golden County Fair Festival is entertaining.
A person must read it for themselves, at
http://www.sisqfair.com/history.html

Meanwhile,
I hope you enjoy a few more pictures of the seniors whom enjoyed the day as well.

One of my favorite shows was Captain Spare Rib,
I have watched this gentleman’s show in the bay area, and he is still funny, with fresh ideas.
This juggling pirate and magician is a funny entertainer. 
He is such an Enjoyment for children, young adults, and seniors.

With that said,
I like to take this time to share my gratefulness to the people whom volunteers
helping others no matter how small it maybe,
 Most of us lucky people who are busy and healthy do not realize
how much time out of a persons day is offered,
 in order for someone else to enjoy special moments and outings like this.
I like to share my gratitude with all those everywhere of kind heart and mind.

 

Senior Day at Siskiyou County Fair

 

Besides the Exhibits,  Rides, and Animals, my favorite pass time is just soaking up
all the happy energy surrounding me at the fair.

.
  

Animal or Human

Most fairs have livestock exhibits

All county fairs have plenty things to enjoy and maybe take home.

A day well spent at Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds, Senior Friday.

Mt Shasta Lavender Farm and Shasta View Nursing Home

I was invited to spend the morning with a couple of friends from
Shasta View Nursing Home,
for a little chat while we enjoyed a complementary glass of lavender pink lemon aid.
The meeting location was Mt. Shasta Lavender Farm, in the Montague area.

Driving south on California Interstate 5, I passed a small town of Yreka,
then the next exit was 766, A-12/Grenada.
As I continue to drive along the valley floor, in the far distance I could see a level area carved into the mountain side.
 I was sure that location was Mt Shasta Lavender Farms,  

Sure enough when I saw the sign, off Harry Cash Road,
I turned onto a red dirt road,

Before I arrived I could see the makings of a wine vineyard,
and just as I turn the bend, before me at the elevation of 3500 ft
I gazed upon the view, of Mt Shasta in the near distance with rolls of colorful purple lavender, gracefully filling the landscape before the majestic mountain.

Lavender has been grown for centuries around the world. 
The different varieties of lavender bear different natural results,
one such as flower size, as well as color.
These plants love the sun, yet will tolerate a little shade.
For myself I like lavender for its drought tolerant s, while being naturally pest resistant.

Lavender has been used as a popular herb, besides many other wonderful uses.
The English Lavender made its way to the Americas around the 1600s. 
It has the sweetest fragrance of all lavender,
and it’s the one most commonly used for cooking.  
2/3 of the fields are planted in English Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia),
these fragrance is usable for culinary, medicinal and cosmetic purposes,
and the remaining is French Lavender (presumably Lavandula dententa).

 

The workers have already started harvesting the lavender, over a month ago,
for oil, cut flowers, culinary use, and dried lavender products,
which most are sold on the premises in the gift shop, and available on the internet.

 

 

 

 

 

Shasta View Nursing Home field trip to Mt. Shasta Lavender Farm article 2

Enjoying the magnificent views from the Mt. Shasta Lavender farm was so calming
and quiet, I could relax and meditate.
As I enjoyed the little stroll into the field, I noticed my friends arrived.

Doris always seems to be the first to disembark the bus, next Rose, Mary, and Nancy.
John and a few others gathers near the table and under the shade provided by the umbrella.
 

Nancy was sharing a little history about the lavender farm, the condition and clearing of the land.
The improvement of the road, smoother and wider compared to years past,
including the planting of the trees as well as the buildings.

Doris, remembered her last visit to the lavender farm when she re-side with the
River Oaks Retirement Community in Redding.
Doris, firmly expressed a drive is a nice change from the daily routine,
and its amazing what new things a person can see in their surrounding.

The lavender pink lemonade was very refreshing and mild.

The natural beauty of the showy lavender s carries an aromatic fragrance in its flower blossoms and leaves.

Nancy was very kind to offer a seat, but I just had to check out the gift shop.
 Mt. Shasta Lavender Farm, produces their own pure natural lavender essential oils.
Lavender scented products, pictures and other favorite items such as lavender cookies.

They also have a Lavender Cheesecake recipe on their website.
For myself I just love the Lavender Vinegar and just couldn’t leave without one.

 

Enjoying the moment visiting.

 So if your passing through the area, going along I-5 or Hwy 97
or just live in the near area, take the time and visit Mt Shasta Lavender Farm.
It’s worth the moment.

 

The Mt. Shasta Lavender Farms invite visitors seasonally
call ahead or check their website
 http://www.mtshastalavenderfarms.com/ 

Shasta Dream Message

Shasta Dream Massage

Valerie Speaks  –  CMT, MH   Herbal Medicine

One day with a little incentive from a friend I spent an enjoyable three-day weekend at a retreat in Siskiyou county, close to the foot of Mt Shasta just outside a little town call Weed, at Lake Shastina.

This all began with a little text sent to me after my seven week illness, “Good morning beautiful lady!” it was my friends from Shasta Dream Massage, Valerie Speaks. It was funny to receive her text because I just told Ron, the evening before I was planning to get a massage and a foot bath.

With that said, the very next morning I was enjoying a nice foot bath and great conversation with the ladies.

The gentle breeze created diamond like reflection dancing upon the lake as we sat upon the deck watching the humming birds come and go. Valerie studied the hummingbird songs so well she was able to whisel to the birds and they would respond, just the same way a hunter call ducks or turkeys, it was amazing to watch.

The friendly dear, pass by without fear, and stopped for a goodie before they continue on to the next destination, while an eagle was sorrowing over head looking for its next meal.

Purr-Angels in Yreka, California

Angels come to us in many different ways, many of them are meaningful organization as this one I like to introduce you to.

http://purr-angels.org/ is found in a small town of Siskiyou County, Northern California, named Yreka.

This organization depends on volunteers and fund-raising.  Since the initial effort of the people who made this organization possible, they have help people like myself that know nothing about cats, population control, and where to go to trap them if needed. 

Check out there web-site and give them a call, they can use a helping hand, it doesn’t matter if you’re a cat owner, or if you’re not,  Angels do know.

Tales and Tunes

I have had the pleasure revisiting a little place just about a fifteen minute drive from downtown Yreka toward Montague just off Oberlin Road, called Rescue Ranch Inc. for dogs and animal lovers. The theme and even of the day was Tales and Tunes. During my visit while the live music was playing softly in the background, I had the opportunity to meet a young volunteer whom I am going to name Chris. Chris, shared his interest’s about the dogs and stated, “Here many abused and neglected dogs have been cared for so they can be adopted by a loving person or family. Volunteering for the these neglected dogs are rewarding, fun and they love me.” Chris continued in his excitement as he explained the chart which displayed, what each dog received, and how he provides lots of attention to each one and how they respond. Chris shared his success stories, between the visit of each dog as he hugged them after they hopped into his arms, The event was very special.

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Harris State Park, Brookings, Oregon

 Brookings is blessed with residents that love their community, location and weather.  During this visit I used the Curry Coastal Pilot which has been serving Curry county since 1946 with community maps and fishing guides and they also put together dozens of other special items beyond the newspaper of information about local business and events. The dental, elder and medical services are abundant for personal care and an active senior center, I’ve been told. After the fishing, nature trails, and tide pools, shopping around at cute little stores for that treasure I can’t live without was everywhere. One day we had breakfast at Whaleshead Beach Resort and Restaurant, later taking a look at the park models of log cabins.  The OV cabins (ocean view) was enjoyable, and the landscape changed to tall trees at the lower level of the park, with a dry creek and a tunnel which opens up to the Whaleshead Beach walk path allowing you to walk to the beach during the summer season. One of the stories that was told to me about this place was, the McNeely brothers own the factory that builds the cedar sided park models, and all the cabins are privately owned, with each cabin presenting its own ambiance.  The cabins are furnished including hot tubs and ready to rent.

At the moment we were camping at Oregon State Park Harris Beach where their was no hot tub, yet it is one of the best kept, serviced, and well maintained parks I have seen for a while. It’s very friendly for RV’s, hikers, bikers, motorized vehicles and pet friendly. Nice trails with beach parking, picnic area for day use.  Harris Beach is a developed campground having flush toilets, showers, wooden tables, fire ring and water at camp site, with a walking path that takes you to Brookings only l.5 miles away, with beautiful views.

Montaque Hot Air Balloon, Sept 23-25 2011

I am looking forward to the up coming Hot Air Balloon Event, which will be Sept 23rd thru the 25th, in Montaque.  Last year was great weather, festive and the Balloons were so colorful.  Chasing and watching so many hot air balloons rise upward in the early dawn was so exciting.

Montaque, is found between Interstate 5, and U.S. Route 97, you’ll also see  County Highway A12, including State Highway 3. Some people may think Montaque would be a busy little city, but it’s a nice small country community with several small businesses to browse in, restaurant or two, with good food, clubs and school.

 

Note for thought

The oldest type of hot air balloon is known as the Kongming Lantern, also know it as Sky lanterns, traditionally found in some Asian cultures.  Kongming Lantern are airborne paper lanterns, which are in various shapes and sizes.  For more information please read http://www.chinancient.com/kongming-lantern/

Mare Island Naval Shipyard

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Mare Island is a neat historic place to visit, to learn more of what’s happening check this site http://www.mareislandhpf.org/news.html . Building 46 houses Mare Island Historic Park Foundation Artifacts Museum.  This building built in 1855 had many uses and one of them was a former pipe shop until 1984.

For more information about tours or Mare Island Historic Park Foundation Artifacts Museum, http://www.mareislandhpf.org/museum.html

 

Boring Title (Picture Next Door)

A question was presented to me how and why did I come up with such a boring title, and what does “picture next door” mean? 

 Simple I replied, “Picture next door”, is everything around us. When I step out of the house, and I look across the way, I see something, I see an image. A look on a human or animals face, expressing a simple sentence.  Any landscape can give the feeling as it’s calling your emotion and setting a mood, or on the flip side warning you to stay away.

Speechless, the tall thin blond gentleman just took a deep breath, nod his head as if it’s a reply than left the room.

After a little internet surfing, I learned “Picture Next Door” has a wide range of information, some useful, others has its goods and bad according to preference. While I was in college, reading and asking my fellow comrades, “how does this or that title sound?”, it was tricky. Evidently I changed my question to, “now that you know me what would you call my business?”
Great titles, wrong business, finally Mr. James Gilmore teacher of photography said,” keep it simple, use your name and keep it short”.

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Enjoy
Malia Plevney, bymalia.com

Rumsey, California 95679.

Driving through Lake and Yolo County, taking pictures.

Rain days are good days for taking pictures from the car, between the showers during the mist, and if lucky we catch that stunning picture when the sun is shinning. Mary and I took a nice drive through Lake and Yolo County, taking pictures, meeting new people, enjoying fine foods while enjoying each others company as daughter and mother.  The back roads we drove are in good shape with plenty of smooth curves for motorcycling riding, and sight-seeing for the passenger. 

 One of the little unincorporated community I enjoyed is Rumsey, located in the Capay Valley in Yolo County.  Many times in the past I just drove by this little community, yet this time something caught my eye. An old red Kleiber truck just sparkled as the sun broke through the clouds for a moment. It was as if this truck was standing out in the rain honking for some one to stop and take its picture.  Well, to my surprise someone else enjoyed this truck and took a picture, according to Custom Classic Trucks issue of February, 2009, _ This truck is a 1920’s Era Kleiber 1 Ton Truck.

Kleiber Motor Truck Company was located in San Francisco.  

Paul Kleiber immigrated to San Francisco in the 1880’s and later started  Kleiber Motor Company in 1913 and began manufacturing trucks in 1914 through 1937.  After the stock market crash, Kleiber Motor Truck Company stop production on passenger cars and continued producing only commercial trucks after 1929.

end of part1

Sugar is a sweet name for a cat.

Felines are known for their sky, treacherous, and stealthy ways. Not true with Sugar, the male cat.  Sugar came to us as an adult cat.  He was loved and befriended by a young girl, and due to allergies the family had to find a new home for him.  Sugar’s actions and adjustment to his new home was anger and he did not make it easy for people, yet he was never disrespectful to Max the dog of the house and never spray anywhere in the house during his adjustment to a new location.   Story of Sugar to be continued.

Arbuckle, Ca. 95912

  Tacitus R. Arbuckle, had no idea that his life would change in a matter of 9 years. Tacitus, settled and started ranching in 1866. Nine year later, Southern Pacific Railroad built through his property in 1875.  Arbuckle, Originally built by the  SP, helped establish towns and settlements, paving their way through pastures and farmlands transporting commodities and people.  A post office was established the following year.

In 1866 jail cells were constructed using two thicknesses or red brick.

For good reading check out The Super Lax prison, which takes you back to a picture in 1905 and how re-lax things could have been.

During the boom and growth of town Arbuckle,  Pierce Christian College , had a place with in the area of Arbuckle, and even today there is a College City exit, off Interstate 5.  As the story was told on the Pioneer History  , In 1871 a wealthy landowner Andrew Peirce (Pierce) left provisions for funding a church building and a college.  Both the church building and the college building were located on Main Street.

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 Arbuckle, today is still a small community with a diverse population and education.  Arbuckle Golf Club, is a 9-hole regulation length golf course, located just below the foot hills. Agriculture and farming still thrive, Almond and other crops are still found in Colusa County, with the Interstate allowing transportation to move on quickly in-stead the Southern Pacific Railroad as in the past.

Who Flies Balloons?

As I was going through my pictures, from Napa and Montaque Ca. I wondered what is a “typical” balloon pilot.  These days the typical or the average pilots come from all walks of life.    Ages range from young to elders, income varies, and out look on life differs.  Yet, they all agree there are things they must prepared themselves for. As having the willingness to perform physical labor, and staying in good health is a must. After unloading basket and material, inflate, deflate, pack up, and pilot, the physical and mental labor will need refreshing before the end of the day.

Before flight, a license pilot checks the a weather report the night before the flight and one the morning before the flight. Many balloon pilots keep weather/wind logs to learn the patterns of their regularly flight area.  Balloons travel only with the wind and at the speed of the wind.  I enjoy the early Sunday mornings on Napa back roads, watching the Hot Air Balloons just float so softly.  Most of the time the winds are less than five miles per hour.  Winds are lightest in the early morning, and for that reason most balloon flights take place at dawn or shortly after.

A typical hot air balloon flight lasts one or two hours. The pilot will begin looking for appropriate landing sites from the beginning of the flight.  The best landing sites are those that can be reached safely by balloon and a chase vehicle can reach the balloon, where they do no damage. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_air_balloon

Inflating a classic gas balloon is a slow process, generally taking hours, yet a hot air balloon is much faster. Not, having the honor of being a crew doing things first hand, I have notice there are many different styles of balloon inflation as there are pilots, but the basics are always the same it seems.  Some pilots used one or two large fans to inflate the balloon, the pilot operates the heater and a person at each side of the mouth holds the envelope open and away from the heater flame. Some pilots lay out the envelope on the ground, before filling it. A few inflate the envelope as they pull it from the bag it’s in. Yet, at the end all the pilots are operating the heater, the balloon is erect, the pilot and passengers enter the basket, than magic..

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Coleman Valley Rd, and Sonoma Coast State Beach

 

Sonoma Coast State Parks, offers long sandy beaches with cool oceans breezes, for kites, fishing, sunbathing.

 These spectacular sights can be seen from Coleman Valley Rd, which provides picturesque views of Goat Rock along the coast line and a small beach community of Carmet by the sea.  As the steep climb continues from the ocean floor steady heading east toward Occidental.  Coleman Valley becomes one of the most spectacular roads in Sonoma County where the ridgeline presents the ocean.  The ridgeline also includes a magnificent view overlooking the name sake valley. For this time of the year the valley displayed, thirty layers of greens, slowly turning to a twine toward the horizon like a untouch picture before descending into Occidental.

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Along Hwy 1, there is so much to do, so check out Sonoma County Regional Parks. Also stop at the Bodega Harbor, where you can find Spud Point Crab Company, Spud Point Marina, Porto Bodega Fishermans Marina, and Masons Marina, including Campbell Cove.

Occidental

Though it might seem as an odd place to stop in for a stroll, Occidental is one of the great places I like visiting in the Russian River area.  

Howard Cafe in Occidental Ca.

Occidental is minutes away from the Russian River in the surrounding hills, close to Redwood Tree’s, and shares that country feeling as I ride the country-side. Re-visiting Occidental Main street is still home to many great restaurants,  art galleries and shop.

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The famous Negri’s, and Howard Cafe are my favorite  choices.   Occidental  once was one of the stops for North Pacific Railroad Coast, which operated in the counties of Marin and Sonoma that carried redwood lumber, local dairy and agricultural products, and passengers.  Read more about Occidental; http://www.viamagazine.com/destinations/occidental-california