The Schiller/Matthews comes to visit part 2

The Schiller/Matthews comes to visit

Leaf blower

ASHLAND, OR

Snow!

Casey's Family!

Self-portrait

Camping continued

See below

Out and About

Thursday we visited the weekly Marketfest in downtown Redding for a little socializing, a little beer and wine and some Thai food. Friday, we went to Lassen State Park for a little camping. It was our first time camping together, and the first time either of us had camped in a while so we forgot a few things, like pillows, dish soap, forks, spoons, etc. But, we figured we would be prepared next time now that we know what we missed. We had a great time Friday, but unfortunately my back still hurts and Casey pulled a muscle in her neck on Saturday morning, so we're at home resting instead of out hiking. Nonetheless, we were glad to get some camping in and plan to do it several more times before it starts to get cold.

Kitty

Kitty struck a pose or two while Casey took pictures.

I dare you to find a more lovable cat.

RAIN

I love blue skies. I love sunny day after sunny day. I'm a product of my New Mexico upbringing. But after months of smoke and 100 + days, I would love some rain. These clouds don't look like much, but they are apparently a precursor to some rain that is supposed to be on its way.

Do a little dance, make a little rain.

Please.

Da' House

There have been some requests to see the outside of the house. 'Bout time, I know. I am also throwing in a couple extra photos. Tomatoes anyone? And you'll see that Casey set up our second table outside and made a little space where we can sit when it cools down in the evening. It reminds me a lot of home back in El Valle.

2nd Anniversary Celebration

Two years :) !!!!!!!

We went to Chico for a special dinner at the Sierra Nevada Restaurant. Casey got steak and wine. And Jakob got meatloaf. Both of us were very happy. Then, we went and spent more money than we thought possible at Trader Joe's. Who wants to come over for dinner?

Then, we drove into the sunset and Jakob made Casey get out of the car so he could take her picture in the nice light next to the train tracks. Unfortunately, a train came and the photo shoot was cut short. But we still made nice pictures.

Catching Up

It has been a few weeks since we lasted posted so I think an update is in order.

I am getting more acquainted with life in Redding. I find my way around with out getting lost quite as much. The smoke from the fires comes and goes. Some days it is absolutely clear and other days it smells like the house next door is on fire. Jakob is covering less of the fires so I think it might be a sign that they are dwindling.

Jakob and I try to go to the mountains once a week on one of his days off. Last weekend we made it up to Mount Shasta. We have no pictures of that trip because we left Jakob's camera in the car. Once we realized that we had done that, about an hour into our hike, we decided to turn back nervous that something would happen.

I have begun to enjoy a life of no work. Control over my own time and the lack of stress from work has been great. I have found a part time job but I do not start for another two weeks. I plan on enjoying these two weeks which will be easy without the lingering uneasiness of being unemployed. I have made a habit of listening to NPR all day as I work around the house or work in the garden. Hopefully my new job will not interfere with this ritual since it is part time.

TRINITY ALPS

I followed a crew of U.S. Forest Service firefighters 9 miles into the Trinity Alps Wilderness on Wednesday, spent the night and then hiked out Thursday. The crew is monitoring a 1,300 acre fire burning in an old gold mining area. Beautiful country, but steep. It took every ounce of my energy to carry a 50 pound pack nine miles in and nine miles out, plus a six mile day hike. 24 miles in two days.

All the work will be up on Redding.com on Sunday and more pics to come on seeseeingsaw.blogspot.com

Our Day at Lassen Peak

We got a late start, and were not sure we would make it. But, we have the pictures to prove it. The Summit. Luckily the smoke was blowing the other way, and most of the snow was melted.

It felt so good to get out and get some exercise. And Jakob was happy that we conquered the mountain. It's a boy thing.

Thoughts about home and about change

when astronauts disappear behind the moon
and all contact with them is lost
until they reappear again; or when
firemen enter the burning building
and flames leap out of the hole they entered;
or during wartime as the train pulls out
of the station, a desperate hand waves
from the window, a voice calls out a name,
a voice the named one never hears again,
or when your child merges with a crowd-

those everlasting separations from
the people you love, the places you love,
to which you were intending to return.
But the moment passes, the trains arrives;
you enter a new country, fall in love,
marry, and build a house with postcard views
of snow-capped mountains, babbling brooks-
cliches yous never knew would feel so good.
But as you look out savoring the scene,
a chain of other mountains rise up,

a ghostly face composes in the clouds,
a loss you never though you would survive,
but here you are far stronger, more at home
and happier than you ever were before.
Those hard moments that take your breath away,
and literally will do so at the end,
pile up like causalities and treasures, both.
Hold on tight! could be the first commandment
for this life, and the second, Let it go!
Only the empty hand is free to hold.

Julia Alvarez

VIVA LA KIITY

Kitty went up a tree and would not come down. Casey got mad at Kitty and Jakob had to climb a ladder and pull her down by the scruff of her neck. Now kitty likes to kick it on the roof of the house. And that's much better because she can get down on her own. Kitty was also upset that Jakob's comforter smelled like other cats and refused to sleep in the bed. We changed that comforter and Kitty is back to her loving self.

QUE VIVA! the best cat in the world. Period.

So far

I have been in Redding for a week and a half. Although I have been doing some work towards finding a job, I have filling my time with unpacking boxes, hanging out with Kitty, and reading lots of books. This morning Jakob and I went to the Farmers Market. We live about half a block from the market so we walked there with our traveling coffee. I love not working and plan on keeping this up for as long as I can.

Part 4

Part 3