SharivilleLife stories from Shari

What a totally wonderful drive from Carson City to Chico.  We have done this drive so many many times, but this time was different.  It was different because after having been to so many beautiful places so recently it could have been a very mundane trip.  Instead I noticed many many things that I might not have paid all that much attention to.  This time the drive was bringing us back home after such a long absence.  All the lovely places we have recently been to were no more beautiful than the drive thru that Feather River Canyon on Sun.  We have been out of the state for 6 + mos. and coming home was, for me, somewhat bitter sweet.  Was I so sure that “absence makes the heart grow fonder.” It was thought provoking but  the canyon was glorious.  All the deciduous trees were beginning to unfurl their leaves, the Red buds and yellow Sweet Brooms were beginning to bloom.  In the lower areas the California Poppies and Lupins were starting to show their spring best.  The  waterfalls are starting to glide down the walls of the canyon, bringing wonderful new life to the canyons flora and fauna.  I began to get more and more  excited about getting home to Chico.  As we passed thru  Portola, and Quincy and further on down past Belden Town,  the Stone House and Yankee Hill, I was very in tuned to my surroundings.  Spring in the Feather River Canyon is such an awe inspiring sight to see.  The Feather River, I love that river, was meandering, as it has from time immorial  through the canyon floor  carrying  life giving water to all in its path. Of course when we crossed over Lake Oroville I was at a loss as to just where all that meandering water was, because it was obvious where it wasn’t.  Oroville lake looked like it was an extension of the Feather River, except it was full of moored houseboats strung out along the way.  I’m hoping that all those wonderful waterfalls pick up speed and fill up Oroville Lake.  The trip to Chico from Carson City took us 4 hours.  We were coming home with our family of 3 cats, Sophie, Ziggy, and Scooby Doo and our new puppy, Teddy, after 6 mos. We have had a wonderful last 6 mos, some good and some not so good.  We have had the good Lord riding sidesaddle with us and the angels were our constant companions.  And we had Angie and Tommy for the best support possible.    As we drove in I realized how happy I was to be coming home, Chico is my hometown and we live on the property I grew up on and yes, I was excited.

 We drove down our private road and it was plain we had missed almond blossom time, but the trees are filled with baby almonds.  When we turned into our driveway I could see my georgous yellow Lady Banks rose in bloom.  It’s a climber and has really spread out.  It’s climbed into my bamboo and is splendid.  My yard is what you would call rustic landscaping, I don’t do a lot of pruning except around the house.  My birds are very appreciative of that.  In fact my little piece of Paradise is” for the birds.”  I have about 10 bird feeders, and everything planted here on our 6+ acres has been planted by Jerry and I, and all of it benefits the birds.  We design, Jerry digs, and I plant, and together we take care of it. We have lots of fruit trees and citrus, even a pink lemonade tree.  Yes, when you cut the lemons open they are pink. While Jerry was parking the trailer and hooking it up in the yard, Teddy and I took a walk around the house and property.  I was wondering if  Teddy had any idea about the big responsibility he would soon be taking on.  This would soon all be his to protect, I think he will be up to it.  The first thing that happened is he spotted my garden gargoyle and came unglued.  It took me some time to get him to actually approach and see that it was only concrete,  he looked so foolish when he figured it out.  But then Teddy is still not 5 mos old until the 30th of this month. All of the fruit trees have blossomed and have tiny fruit on them. The wonderful wisteria and Lilacs are in full bloom, so sweet smelling and delightful. My purple in really popping and the white Lilac, that Kathy gave me , it starting to bloom out too. My lavender made it thru the winter and the Japanese Maples are mostly leafed out.  I feel one cannot have to much lavender or to many Japanese Maples.

My yard looks marvelous, despite the need for some serious attention. The pink and white crab apples are in bloom , the Red Maple is leafing out.  All the cherries are in bloom.  Jerry’s avocado tree looks like it finally bit the dust, too much frost in Dec.   Liz had her gardener out to mow the lawn and weed eat and spray around the house.  It all looks great.  I see the trellis needs fixed and the pump house needs painted, looks like lots of pruneing needs attended to.  I think we will need some help this year.    I look around and I am so glad to be home  again, and to my peaceful garden.  Got to get it all in order because we have to all be ready to travel again in the fall. There’s still a lot of my America to see and we will be there to see it.

  Remember, “Never Give Up.”   More later,   Hugs S and J.