Notices by Norcal Gma 2 (norcalgma2@sfba.social)

More walk photos.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

A promise is a promise.
Yesterday, I said that if we could, we would go for a walk this morning.
Summer's pal has been two days l now without a fever. So, this morning we tucked him in his recliner with a warm blanket, and cup of hot chocolate, before we left for a quick walk.
It was cold, windy, and early when we got to the trail. Summer wanted to swim, so she headed down the trail away from the ocean.
The wind was blowing and bitter cold but the scenery was beautiful.
We jogged along so we would have more time for swimming at the end.
I think Summer had fun and her pal was happy we went.
We showed him her diving photos.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

#SilentSunday
From our walk this morning.

We only have one fruit tree.
It lives behind a deer proof enclosure.
Thirty years ago we had six fruit trees.
The free range, wild deer that share our hillside destroyed the other trees.
My husband has bonded with this survivor apple tree.
Even though I am chief gardener for all other growing things on our property I leave this tree to him.
He doesn't touch the roses, the raspberry patch or even the dahlias. For good reason because he has no idea what he is doing.
He protects this tree from marauding deer, he prunes it like I've never seen anything pruned, and he harvests more apples than you would expect from one small tree.
I think the tree responds to the loving care even if the method is unconventional.

Summer has been keeping an eye on my husband, while I try to catch up on the essential chores, inside and out.
He is very slowly showing improvement, but we haven't been able to get his fever down.
Another day of sticking close to home, and doing our best to get past this bump in the road.
Take good care Mastodon friends.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer has spent her whole day trying to comfort her pal. Her toys keep showing up around his chair. There is a trail of toys from her basket to his chair.
She is being extra gentle with him, too.
She offers to shake a paw and even as sick as he is he can't resist.
We are all hopeful that the antibiotics start turning things around.
Again, thank you for the well wishes. We appreciate you.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

I want to write a tribute to my friend. He passed away four days ago.
We were both outsiders in school and bonded because we would never be in the cool kids club.
In the 70's it was practically a crime to be different.
I was a poor Wailacki kid and he was a gay boy.
What we had in common was that we each had a friend that made us feel not alone.
We both left school before graduating. We grew up.
He bought his own hair salon and a fancy house and I found my own success.
He asked to be my date to the twentieth high-school reunion we crashed because we weren't invited. We didn't belong, but might of, if they hadn't chased us off.
We were dressed to the nines. He was wearing the biggest diamonds in the room.
Our classmates hadn't changed and were still unkind, but it didn't matter anymore.
We had fun and left those people in the rear view mirror after that.
We were friends for over fifty years.
He was a good person who will be missed.
He already is.

Early morning shadows and light for our walk.
A lovely way to start the week.
#SilentSunday #Humboldt

#SilentSunday

Protesting at high traffic intersections everyday with my daughter is good for me. I rarely find a parking spot close by so a brisk walk is a bonus. Walking around with my sign waving and flashing peace signs for an hour doesn't hurt either.
The best part is that I feel like I am connecting with my community in a way I maybe haven't ever before. I can tell by people's reaction to me if we have at least one thing in common. Lately it feels increasingly like I am in agreement on at least one issue with more than half the people we encounter.
Tomorrow we have to work around my husband's doctor appointments but we figured it out.
Somehow finding an hour to protest everyday has worked it's way up on my must do list. It feels more important everyday.
These flowers were next to the sidewalk on the way to my car.

#SilentSunday

Summer thinks that all garden projects include her hauling this black pot to and from each job.
She does a great job of getting it where it needs to be until it's time to move onto the next spot. So far today we have planted six tomato plants and started the arduous job of weeding out the strawberry patch.
By the way, Summer's pot is useful for adding small doses of compost after we weed. She is the happiest when she is helping.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

#SilentSunday
From our early morning walk.

Back home after attending the Hands Off protest in Eureka, CA.
Lots and lots of people.
It was getting testy towards the end. A woman very close to me was accosted by an angry pro trump passerby who stopped because someone threw a water bottle at his car. That happened after he swerved his car and came very close to hitting someone. My grandson and many other people stepped in to shield the woman so after breaking up her sign he got back in his car and left.
I won't toot any photos with faces but this kinetic sculpture showed up to cheer us on. Kinetic sculpture races originated here and we were all excited to see one used in such a way.
There were five from my family out doing our best.
I hope we are making a difference.
Power to the People.

My day hasn't gone as planned.
I took food to the the little food pantry in town. I always feel a bit emotional when I realize that people are waiting for me to fill the shelves and leave.
On to the grocery store where I waited in line for an hour because people are buying up their favorite foods. There were two red hats, one Canada is not for sale hat, and my resist hat all in the same line.
I checked in on my daughter to find she was protesting on highway 101 by herself. So I made a quick sign and drove in to join her. Her sign said she was standing up for cancer research.
She said she needed to do something, so we did something together.
This Grandma is worn out. My daughter calls me a rock star but I feel like the elder I am.

Another day another protest.
My daughter says that it is therapeutic to feel like we are resisting in a meaningful way.
We agreed to weekday lunch hours on a busy thoroughfare for who knows how long. Not looking like a short term commitment, unfortunately.
Today was all positive with honks, waves, peace signs and offers of food and water.
Passersby are more receptive than they were only two weeks ago.
Now that we're done I can get back to my garden and try not to think that my retirement didn't need to be this way.
#Resist

A perfect morning here on the north coast of California.
Nice enough to bring my husband along for a short walk.
Mild temperature and no wind.
Perfect.
Summer was the happiest dog in the neighborhood.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

Summer wants to know if anyone wants to tear themselves away from following current events to come play with her.
She is an excellent distraction.
Good morning, Mastodon.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

My husband has cabin fever.
As soon as he started making noises about taking Summer for a walk she and I sprang in to action to propose a compromise.
The good thing is that he has more energy. The not so good thing is that it runs out fast.
So in between rain, hail and sunshine we took a drive to our favorite trail. He sat at the picnic table to soak in some fresh air and outside goodness while Summer and I jogged down the trail a piece.
It worked out, but he was ready to get back in his recliner, as soon as we got home.
#Summer #DogsOfMastodon

More walk photos with no Summer.