There and Back Again

I have borrowed Bilbo Baggins title of his book of adventures in the classic book The Hobbit, for this post. I think it is a great title for a book of adventures. Which is just what we recently returned from. We being my husband, Bill, our daughter, Helen, her husband, Jon, and their little five month old baby boy, Francis.

Our adventure was not across the worlds but was across our country. We spend 9 terrific days on a 725-mile road trip in Northern California. The main reason for the trip was threefold; for Bill and me to meet Jon’s family, and for them to meet their only great-grandson for the first time and to see the Redwoods. Jon grew up in California. He knows the area well, and he planned the whole exciting road trip. There were places he wanted us to see. This is my most favorite kind of travel. All the plans are made, routes are figured out, wonderful old hotels were awaiting our arrivals. What a grand road trip he gave us!

I have never been to California, everyone else, except baby Francis, has. So it all was a thrilling first for me. We landed in San Fransisco. Rented a big SUV, the smallest person had the most stuff! First stop on Jon’s agenda; burger and fries at the In n’ Out Burger restaurant. Oh my goodness, wish we had them here. Crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge was surreal for me, as I have only seen it in photographs. We toured around on the park side of the bridge, picked up Rt 101N. We bid the big city farewell as our sights were set on the ‘Lost Coast’, the name given to N California.

Jon’s grandparents live in a wonderful cabin home in a tiny town called Hayfork, CA. Next door Jon’s great-Aunt Shirley has a cozy cabin as well. Other family members flew in. We were there for Easter. Words are not able to explain how special it was meeting these delightful extended family folk. Spending Easter with them made it doubly special.

Two beautiful towns, Hopland, where the old Thatcher Hotel gave us a warm welcome and overnight stay. Next was the historic, logging company town of Scotia, where we lodged for two fun nights at the Scotia Lodge. Spending two exciting days among the Avenue of the Giants. Those incredible Coastal Redwoods are beyond description. Living testimonies of a great and mighty God.

Rt. 36, off Rt 101 carried us East to Rt. 3 where we met Jon’s lovely family. They were thrilled at meeting their only great-grandson, Francis. The air B ‘n B, Ivan’s Lookout, near Weaverville accommodated us perfectly for the three nights there.

Jon completed our circuit by driving through the absolutely gorgeous, fertile Sonoma Valley. California raisins and almonds will never taste the same to me. The land was gorgeous, the wine country stunning, the people friendly, and now I know where the dinosaurs and BigFoot live—in the Coastal Redwoods!

To see this famous icon in person is thrilling.
Hopland, Ca. Simply gorgeous vineyards all around.
The Thatcher Hotel where beautiful olive trees grew all around!
Scotia, CA. Originally a company logging town. The Scotia Lodge was where we stayed. This photo is town office.
Crossing over the Eel River on a redwood for more exploring.
The Redwoods dwarf Bill…
…and me!
Spending Easter with family—a special treat.
Family was thrilled to meet their only great-grand-baby, Francis.
Herbert, the neighborhood piggy.
Outstanding view from Ivan’s Lookout.
California raisins and almonds will never taste the same. Now I know what the California sun feels like.
What a trip Jon gave us!
There and back again.

Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Lonely

Looking out across the field the other day, my gaze fell on one of our cows resting all alone away from the others. I felt an immediate pang of loneliness. It seems to me God has made most all His creation for community.

The idea of a person or animal being lonely is more than I can bear. This may sound silly but it is one reason I love writing little notes to family and friends. My grandchildren, I am told, carry their notes from me around all day.

We all need to know someone is near and/or thinking of us. Do you agree? The greatest comfort is knowing God is always near to those who call on Him, for He never leaves us lonely.

I was also happy to later see everyone grazing together.

Thank You for Volunteering

“Thank you for volunteering”.

Every time I work the polls someone will invariably and most kindly tell me this. I would like to think I am a “noble Roman”, but alas, I am not. Working the polls is a paying job. To be sure the pay not enough to make a life change, but is indeed enough to take your main squeeze out to dinner.

So why work the polls with the horrible hours? Poll workers have to show up at 5a.m. Polls open at 6 a.m., and close at 7 p.m. There is much to do in closing the polls. This is a government run operation, gentle reader, there is tons of paper work involved. A good Chief and Assistant Chief knows the ropes, and knows how to delegate the work to the workers. Which gets the team finished in an impressive time. That takes a great Chief and team.

There is also required training every poll worker must take. Truth is it is very nearly painful. The first time I took it I felt as if I were in a foreign language class. Truly nothing made any sense. We were (and still are) given booklets to take home and read. Really? Who ever does that? I did not. In fact I thought to myself, “Long as I am not the Chief. It is their worry.”

My first experience was a Presidential election. We did not get out of there until 9:30 p.m.! I left knowing I would never do that again, “I have done my civic duty—once is enough.”

Well, time erased that awful long day, and when the plea came out for help with the polls, I said ok. It was a smaller election and it went far better. I found I was learning the verbiage, which was a big help.

This past election, Super Tuesday, was my fifth time as a poll worker. I have learned a lot. I have even been an Assistant Chief once. My confidence was built because of the work and dedication of those Chiefs and Assistants who taught me so well. I work with the best team ever.

So, why do I work polls? First of all, we need poll workers badly. I like seeing the voters and helping them. Best of all is meeting new people on the teams. Everyone’s life stories are so interesting. I also like doing my civic duty. The best part? Taking my main squeeze out for dinner afterwards!

Would you ever be willing to work the polls?

Two ladies were knitters on my last team.
They knit beautiful things.
I brought my crochet—I make silly dishcloths.
Look at this gorgeous handmade sweater!
One voter asked us if one had to know how to knit in order to work the polls.
Isn’t this so pretty?
An excellent artist makes it look easy! Love these colors. These woman are so talented. It was fun meeting them and spending the day with them.

Five Minute Friday Writing Prompt—Hurry

Timer on:

“I’m late, I’m late for a very important date. No time to say hello, good-bye, I’m late, I’m late, I’m late…”

So starts the fun, little poem recited by the rabbit in a terrible hurry from Alice in Wonderland. This has been recited by me far too many times in my own life. Too often I feel like that rabbit. Do you? It seems everything is rush, rush, rush! How wearisome it becomes to always feel in a hurry. To make it worse for me, I am near retirement age. This hurry nonsense should have stopped by now.

One way I stop it is by walking every morning. HoneyPie, Buster and I take a daily walk in the mornings, rain or shine. A quiet walk helps set the pace for the day. I have always called them my ‘God walks’, as I converse with Him while watching a brand-new day wake up. Oh, how the Lord takes His time gently starting a new day! He is in no hurry.

Make the most of our time Scripture wisely tells us. Teach me to number my days so I may gain a heart of understanding.

Timer off.