On our last trip to Sacramento Eric and Sam took us on a hike to this cool little waterfall and swimming hole.

They leapt from the rocks

And we cooled off from the heat.

Outside of my kitchen window a few weeks ago, I watched two doves busily build a nest in the eaves of my back deck. As Tom pulled out the hose to spray their hard work away and protect his patio and barbeque grill from unwanted bird droppings, I vehemently protested. I continued to watch as the mating dance went on and then a quiet calm took hold as the mother bird sat upon the nest for a few more days. Then as was to be expected, two little heads appeared beside her. The three sat together contentedly until one day I noticed that mom was gone. I wondered how long it would be before the babies, who were getting entirely too big for the nest would take flight. I watched for two days and no one moved. One day I saw mother bird sitting on the fence nearby just watching the inactivity.  Then suddenly without warning there was a flurry of sound and a desperate rush of wings as both birds plunged forward in a mad dash.  I heard a loud thud as one new adventurer plowed right into the kitchen window and dropped to the concrete. We all looked at the shaken bird as it sat there stunned next to the back door. My first thought was for the safety of that injured bird. Too many birds before him had found their way to the dinner table of a big black cat named Nug. I reached forward with the intent to at least lift him to higher ground. As I got close enough to touch, he suddenly spread his wings and rose in flight. I was pleased that he managed to get himself out of harms way. Later that day Jessie drew my attention to the fence where two doves were sitting quietly, thinking that the babies had returned. As I looked closely I noticed that they were not the baby birds but were the original couple just gazing up at the empty nest. 

I didn't think much of the experience except, WOW that was kind of cool. Then as the day wore on I realized what a wonder I'd just been privy to. The cycle of life in a microcosm! In light of my present despair, I thought, how apropo. 

My little birds have also flown and continue to fly at an alarming rate. I need to take note of the quiet calm that the mother bird exhibited as she sat patiently watching on the fence and then follow her example of silent resolve as she checked to see that the nest was indeed empty. My immediate response to rescue the wounded bird  was in direct contrast to the new youngster's need to fly. There too I find life's lessons.  Baby bird made a critical error and flew smack into the window the very moment he decided to leave the safety of the nest. He was in real danger of being devoured by the cat, but as soon as I decided to intervene he found the strength to rise to greater heights than he'd ever been before.

Hmmmmm??!!    

LAKE POWELL

Our Lake Powell trip turned into a sight seeing quest when we ended up with just 5 of us. Here we found a cool archway.

This looked like cats eyes or a china man

The lake has risen so much that there were many canyons with half submerged trees and shrubs, they grew in the canyon bottom during the low water years.  

We were searching for Anasazi ruins. I think we found them.

This, according to Bryce and the map is the true Cookie Jar. I stand corrected after all these years.

LAKE POWELL

We had a great trip to the lake again this year. The houseboat was full over the fourth of July but all too soon the group dwindled as people went back to school and work. We did a little wakeboarding, cliff jumping, waverunner riding, eating, game playing and sightseeing. We checked out the mermaid in Mermaid Cove.

 We believe she was sculpted in 2001 by the gifted hands of Eric Lindsey. We took our annual hike to literally see how she's weathering the storm.  As you can see she's still there. It's amazing how the water level changes from year to year. I t was quite a short hike this year. Maybe sometime the water will again reach her.

Pretty mellow three man tube with precious cargo hitching rides inside two of my girls and a third girl still gimping about with a broken limb. 

Can you believe Conversation on a tube!?

A man; his book and his boat wedged in a canyon as far as he can go. Total bliss!

Lake Powell Heaven

The Flag Girl!

The Photographer!

The comic relief!

Romance?

Almost wed!

KAMRYN came to Grandma's house

For Father's Day Eric caught a flight from Sac and came for a quick visit. His spontaneity to catch a day of surfing is always to my benefit.  This is the peanut measuring, pouring and stirring 

The giant bubble stick was a hit. She could do it all by herself.

It's PAPA!!!

The critters at grandma's house are so interesting. Kamryn got to touch the gecko and walking sticks. But she was mostly fascinated by the spider.

Speaking of spiders. I witnesses the most amazing growth process of a tarantula. My tarantula molted! He stepped right out of his exoskeleton and became a new creature. This is his exoskeleton. If you look closely you can see the top of his body completely lifted off. The new weakened spider looks like a dark blob on the right just next to the shelter. 

I FEEL MY MOTHER'S PAIN!!

I can honestly say for the first time in my life that I understand my mother's pain and insatiable desire for her family.  When I was a young married person with 4 little people running around my main focus was always within that circle. I had  difficulty seeing beyond my very important little world. Mom never had enough of us. She would often voice her sadness at not being closer to her children. I would brush it aside thinking foolishly that that was the way life was. She would hold my children close and call them sweetheart but I didn't understand how dear they really were to her. When I would talk to her on the phone and tell her of my fears, sorrows or concerns she would fret and become distraught. I soon just stopped telling. What I did not understand then that I do now is the incredible pain that my struggles and choices gave to my mom. I'm sure she had visions of family gatherings where siblings were best friends and cousins were each other's strengths. She set the stage and we played the part for a while. But time and distance left my mother far away from us with failing health. The insatiable need for family didn't go away but we sort of did. As I begin to mirror my mother's life I am filled with regret for not understanding her pain. Opportunites, lifestyle, financial success all pale in comparison to my wish today that I was within walking distance from my dad so that I could visit him daily and hold him close. I'm not sure how I am going to walk the pathway of the distant grandma, I only know that the solo days will be peppered with occasional tears.    

 

Jessie turns 20 today!!!

The many faces of Jessie Lou!!

I just recently got a copy of my Grandmother's journal. It's been quite an eye opening experience as I've traveled with her through her eighty years of life. I didn't know her well but  I still never understood her emotional distance and seemingly bitter distaste for life. We all seek to brag about our ancestry and cling to the pride of a strong moral heritage. I never felt that about my Grandma Ramsay. All I knew was, "those folks were poor dirt farmers and never really went to church."  Legend had it that they were with the Berry brothers who were horse thieves and settled Glendale.

In contrast I was fed on a large dosage of Jorgensen family history. The oral history and traditions of noble pioneer heritage were deeply ingrained in my very being. My great-great grandmother, Mary Jane McCleve pushed a handcart across the plains after a long arduous journey from Ireland, and Israel Hoyt, my great great grandfather was one of the leaders of the longest running united order in the modern church. The stories go on and on.

So, as I picked up the copy of my grandmothers's recollections and journal entries. I was both saddened and enlightened as I read of the hardships she had to bear. 

"My mother, Alzina, died April 15, 1908 just before my 10th birthday. My mother had nine children at the time of her death. My little brother Wallace William had just been born on March 27. The baby died in August. Sessie cared for it until it died. When the baby died and when Sessie left, we were left alone."

"I loved the lilacs and plum blossoms in the spring of the year. We didn't have any. Some people had long rows on both sides of the paths."

"We had to put sheets or newspapers between what few quilts we had to keep warm of a winter as we didn't have enough bedding."

Arth told me he wanted to marry me but his parents didn't want him to. He talked about running away and getting married. I wonder if he ever loved me or if I loved him. Anyway, we got in dutch.  A baby boy was born 14th Aug, 1916. The baby died the same day. He was never given a name."

"After we were married, he took me to his folks house to live with them. We had a bed with a pair of horrible "stickery" blankets on it and denim quilts that should have sickened anyone on such a life. What a sad and horrible bed for anyone to give any company say nothing about a young bride going into strangers."

Our own home."There were no doors hung and no plaster when we moved to our house in town. Just a sub-floor. But my it seemed like a palace after living like we had, going to the ranch in the summer and to Arth's mother's in the fall."

"Every time one of my sons had to go to the US Army, I felt like it would tear my heart out. How happy we were when they all came home."

"Dad (Arth) died February 11, 1945. We sent Jay a telegram, but he never got it for weeks. "

"I was cut back to $35 a month for living expenses for La Ree, Edith, Douglas and myself." I didn't know how I would make it, but we got by,."

"I guess you all think I have all I need. I have my home, and that is all I have after slaving all those years for all of you.Thank God for my good lovely warm home, but I need some loving. How I would love to have some of you put your arms around me and tell me that you love me. I don't want all your big fuss and lots of flowers when I'm gone. I can get along fine when I'm in the box."

"I want you all to know that the minute I knew you were planted in my belly, I loved you. I love all of my dear family."

These recollections and many more helped to paint a picture of a fellow woman, wife and  mother in the incredible struggle of raising kids and finding peace in this hostile environment called earth life. I have a greater appreciation for the woman who is my grandmother. I feel compassion for her struggles,  gratitude for her sacrifices and pride in her enduring love and commitment to family.

Kamryn's first to Disneyland and Chuck E Cheese

Things to do at Grandma's house!