I have attempted to write a new post several times in the past few days. Each time I end up saying, “Doesn’t feel right.” Part of the reason is the Covid-19 crisis, another reason has been a general heart sickness over the George Floyd tragedy along with Trump’s divisive form of leadership, and then there is me getting used to being retired-4 days now. As I told a fellow blogger, Len, I am kind of at a loss for words.

As I typically do when confused, I have been working constantly to ignore my confusion but now it is all working outside. It has been hot too. 103 degrees Fahrenheit (40 C) by 2 pm. After starting at 7 am, I am done.

This morning at 7 am, I had the weed eater in hand and off I went, but by 8 am I was like, ‘F this…” I suggested a trip up to Lassen Peak, an active volcano about a 90 minute drive east of us which is also a National Park. The peak is around 10,000 feet and the summit road reaches around 7,000 feet – so it is much cooler up there. So off we go.

What I loved the most about living in Paradise, California before the fire was the wind blowing through the pine trees and the… the dimensions, depth, contours of the landscape. Everything is flat where we live now. It has a different form of beauty. Heading up we drive along a canyon and you can see the mountain. Looking to the west is the northern end of the Sacramento Valley, part of the great Central Valley in California where a lot of the world’s food is grown. Geology excites me.

Getting closer, little waterfalls along the way

This place is one of my favorites for sitting down and eating a lunch meal. I am very happy when here.

Lake thawing out.

Meandering streams in a meadow.

Lots of snow in some areas.

And, I am still in Smiling School…haven’t gotten it figured out yet. However, I was very happy to be up in the mountain. I hope you all are doing okay! Take care.