Think

 

"Only you can prevent Wildfires."

~Smokey The Bear

Swainson's Thrush (Russet-Backed) And Ginko

 

 

"Season of mist and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with hum how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells."

 

~John Keats

Complete Poems And Selected Letters

 

I have to keep reminding myself that we are in December! Honestly, it feels much more like November, than any December I can remember. Most days have been in the mid-60's and overnight hours about the low to mid-50's. As a consequence of that, there is some fire danger here in California. I spoke a little about how the fire season has been extended in recent years, by several months, but I was hoping at the time it would be declared over, long before now. Sadly, it looks like it will, in fact, remain in the red zone until the end of this month. There is a small chance of rain, but I don't think it will be enough to change the forecast as far as fire season goes.

 

It's very sad. I am praying for rain after the first of the year, to get a possible running start on the fire season of 2021, which will begin in March. Who knows what the temperatures will be by then. It kinda feels like California may not see another normal seasonal year. According to the Los Angeles Times, August, September and October, of 2020, were the hottest on record. That was easy to believe, judging by the lack of moisture in most of the leaves I collected, regardless of species. It's apparent, Climate Change will only continue to progress, and I can see the possibility that California could become unliveable within my lifetime. It's heartbreaking. Hopefully, the incoming Biden administration will be able to finally put some science, and of course, federal funds, into fighting the effects of Climate Change in not just California, but the other western states facing as much tragedy as we have.  

Autumn comes to an end in just a couple weeks, and it has me thinking about what it will be like next year. The ecosystem is changing so much, I wonder how things have already changed when it comes to the migratory path of the beautiful birds I am just beginning to get to know. What about the creepy crawlies? 5 or 10 years from now, will we be overrun with different bugs we haven't had in California, or at least not in this part of California? I'd rather not have that, particular if the birds begin a different migratory pattern. I am trying to not put too much thought into the possibilities and the what-ifs, but I am continuing to do my part. In fact, Alan suggested the other day, that we start taking a garbage bag with us, when we go to the wetland's to bird watch, because there always seems to be some amount of discarded items, ranging from aluminum cans, to masks, and we need to do more than our part if folks are going to be that damn careless, selfish and ignorant. 

Ginko 

 

 

 ~Carly

December 8th 2020

Stockton, California

 

The Sun, The Moon, And October Surprises

 

"October had tremendous possibility. The summer's oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles."

 ~Sarah Guillory

Reclaimed

 

 Last night the October, Full Harvest Moon, was shining in all it's glory, but like last month, the smoke from all the wildfires was painting everything with an orange tint because of all the wildfires. The sun and the moon, both look like pumpkins in the sky. Perfect to user in October. Hopefully, by the time we get to the second full moon for October, which will happen on October 31st, all the smoke will be gone and the wildfires will be a sad distant memory. For a few days last month, we had a few days of blue skies, and reasonable temperatures. By reasonable I mean it was under 100 degrees. In fact, it was a little chilly the other day, and I thought for a fleeting moment that perhaps we had turned to corner of autumn, but I should have known better. It will be at least a month before we get to that delicious point of the season, when I get to take out my comfy sweaters, and put my favorite blanket back on the bed. Its a great feeling to have the kitties curl into me to keep warm and feel safe.

So, besides the moon and the sun being turned into pumpkins, and that there is another full moon to look forward to this month, October arrived with an exclamation mark behind it for other reasons. The phrase "October surprise" was once applied to the Stock Market, something would occur that caused a large move downward in stocks. But it has also been used in the world of politics. This year's political October surprise, shook the world.President Donald Trump, and his wife, Melania, have both tested positive for Covid-19. White House aide, Hope Hicks is also positive, and is unfortunately suffering with symptoms. History will document what comes next. The Stock Market is falling, I dread the thought of what it will look like by tomorrow morning. Trump not taking this seriously, is what got us here. It's on him. Who knows how many folks will ultimately be infected by their careless actions. 

 

I don't have anything more to say, except I hope folks who attend his rallies, will finally understand, Covid-19, is NOT A GAME. Hopefully they will all be able to get tests. I don't wish anyone harm, I just wish MAGA cultists would start taking care of themselves. I encountered a Covid-19 denier in the wild the other day. I was coming out of Kaiser, after having some routine tests done, when I passed a woman and her mother, coming into the hospital. I overheard the mom requesting a mask, and her daughter turned to her and said, "Mom, you don't need one, trust me I am very well informed." I felt so sorry for that little lady. The elderly get hit especially hard by this virus. I wanted to help her, but her daughter gave me a dirty look, and then started to laugh. It seemed like she was laughing at me, for wearing a mask. There was a lot I could have said, but you can't tell folks anything they don't want to hear. It left me angry, sad and very frustrated. I am always going to wonder if that little lady was okay, if she caught it. It hurts my heart to think of it.

So, my post tonight was going to just be about the sun and the moon, and how they look like pumpkins, but instead, we, America, are now in the middle of a serious national security issue, 32 days out from a national election. And everything just got turned upside down. The words "October Surprise" have never been more pointed.

Stay Tuned

 Harvest Moon By Neil Young

~Carly

October 2nd 2020

Stockton, California

 

Canada Goose

"I've always marveled that geese can feel a call stirring, rise on hardy wings to engage it, and without contemplation, compass or map complete the feat. And could it be that they achieve this astounding accomplishment because far too often contemplation, compass or map rob the call by sterile analysis when we should liberate the call through expectant obedience."

~Craig D. Lounsbrough

Victory Park, here in Stockton, is easily one of the most beautiful parks I have ever visited. It's not surprising, as the Haggin Museum sits right in the middle, as does a fairly large rose garden. I visited there for the first time in a couple years ago, just to sit for a while, get some air, and shake off the day. It was really nice, and not even the smokey air could spoil it. I got in some photography time, and there were plenty of birds to inspire me. I didn't see any Muscovy ducks this time, like I did in 2018, but there were plenty of ducks, swans and Canadian geese! The only thing that disappoints me is the orange color on most if not all of my photos. The wildfires have turned everything slightly orange. It feels like we won't have clean air until winter when the rain comes, but I know its just me wishing things were different. As Ommy used to say...

"... and this too shall pass."

New Leaves...

And the leaves continue to turn beautiful colors and fall,

 and if I have that, all may not be perfect in the world,

 but it's damn close.

More About Canada Geese

 

~Carly

September 16th 2020

Stockton, California

 

 

Treacherous Summer... Having The Last Hateful Word Courtesy Of Man

#14 Leaf Of The Day

October 14th, 2017

Stockton, California

"There is always the threat of tomorrow's treachery,

 or next year's treachery, 

or the treachery implicit in all the tomrrows beyond that!" 

~Tim O'Brien

In The Lake In The Woods

The North Bay fire began very late in the night, last Sunday night. People have very little time, if any to run for their lives. There have been stories of heroism, and stories of families united but stories so tragic they can't be erased from the heart, nor should they. As of this post President has said very little, mostly empty words that basically amount to... isn't that too bad! This post isn't about him, well not really, it's about the fact that we had yet another hot dry summer in California, that not even the deep winter rains of last winter could help cure the lingering effect of years of California drought! 

Between the horrendous damage of Hurricane Hugo, Maria, and Jose, the wildfires burning not just in the North Bay, but throughout the state. A devastating earthquake recently in Mexico, and other assorted atrocities since Trump took office, it's not hard to believe the end might be a day or two away. I know... I know... a lot of generations have predicted the same, but things are getting worse. People are getting worse. And by that I mean we had a chance to reverse the affects of climate change. Hell I heard when I was a child, that there was a hole in the ozone, and if action wasn't taken, the earth was going to suffer.

The earth is fucking pissed! It was at least 45 years ago when I first heard that warning, and while steps were taken initially to do that right thing, such as the creation of the EPA, evil men and women, mostly GOP and big business, have made it their priority to dismantle as many protections as possible! Why? To protect their bottom lines, and line their pockets, not giving a care in the world about the future because they want to have their money while on this earth, and we all know, you can't take it with you! FUCK FUTURE GENERATIONS, and even THIS ONE!

So, why did I title this post the way I did? Because I hate the heat of summer, because I know that besides being uncomfortable as HELL, it tends to set the stage for the devastation that the North Bay and the Los Angeles area, among other parts of California are facing. The seasons come around for balance. Summer has a place, and a purpose, but we are at a point where we better be fixing the evil that we have done, or face losing all life on this planet. 

California knows that, we have some of the smartest environmental laws in the country, but until the entire nation is onboard, we will just keep seeing tragedies. And they will get worse. And men and women who hold office will say pray because God intervenes, but those are empty words that make it sound good. As a Christian I know God left us in charge of the planet, and he also gave us free will.

FREE WILL!

MAKE OF THAT WHAT YOU WILL! 

On a separate note, yesterday was our 27th, Anniversary! I didn't post because, well, for a couple reasons that I will share later, so I will simply post an extra leaf today. We are officially on vacation for the next four weeks, and I will try to post every day, but I may not be able to, so PLEASE STAND BY...

 AND STAY TUNED!

 #13 Leaf Of The Day

October 13th 2017

Stockton, California

 Mood: Quiet

~Me