January, You Are Welcome Here
A new year has come, and usually, I think I have 365 days ahead of me. But do I? Only our Lord really knows the answer. So, we just live one day at a time and make the best of each day we are gifted. The time right now is all we have, and it matters so much how we spend it.
We had a most enjoyable Christmas in Oregon. First of all, the drive over there was perfectly beautiful. We had to leave a day earlier than we had planned because Donner Pass was threatening to close due to snow. Later, we were so glad we had left a day early because on Christmas Eve the road through Donner Pass was closed. The pass was the highlight, for we crossed over at sunset and the sun was setting the trees, mountains, and snow aflame in the most remarkable hues. The ski slopes were aglow and buzzing with sparkly lights and hundreds of skiers were effortlessly, gracefully scissoring down the mountain. Donner Lake lay serene, tucked away between towering mountains. Warm yellow lights twinkled in the trees around the lake where snug cabins were busy hosting holiday crowds. The little town of Truckee was nestled away in there too glittering in the dusky light with festive lights and cozy charm. We spent the night in Reno, Nevada. Continued our drive to Oregon the next day. I stuffed my eyes with every detail of the beautiful drive. (Reno is a pretty place. A captivating desert land surrounded by huge mountains. Brent has hopes of setting up an overnight route to Reno.)
Anyway, back to Christmas in OR. Moni went to so much work to make it all very special. We took the kids sledding one day, made our own sushi, drank lots of good coffee, stayed warm by the wood stove, and played games.
Lynn, Shayla, and the kiddos stopped in here for one day and one night wherein we packed in as much as possible. It was over too soon, and we hope they will come back.
New Year's was celebrated in Glenn. On New Year’s Eve we went to Bryce and Savannah’s with some couples and on New Year's Day we were with Shawn and Eddie.
Back in Oakley.
Our golden hills have thrown on a subtle green sweater that is made of pure velvet. The promise of spring is ringing through the hills and valleys. The cattle dotting the hillsides are contentedly grazing upon the green. Surely spring is their favorite season of all. The rain that winter brought us has freshened the world and readied her for another hot, dry summer. January has always been my least favorite month, but January in the Bay Area is proving to be worth living for. Have you ever heard of spring in January? I am calling it spring, but of course, it is probably technically still winter. A local guy Brent was talking to the other day said that we are pushing into spring now. He said there is a fourteen-day winter wherein it drizzles rain for two weeks and then it is over with. So far, this proves to be true. Temperatures during the day are usually in the 60’s and the nights are in the 40’s.
Nowadays it seems the popular thing to do in the citrus world is to grow more citrus than leaves. The orange, grapefruit, and lemon trees are a total delight to look at. We have been gifted oranges serval times and that has been a treat.
The camellias are in full-fledged bloom as well. I could just walk up and hug them for they remind me of Mama and the camellias that I am sure are adorning her house in the most delightful bouquets at this very moment.
We have now started back at the very first routes we put in and we have been servicing those routes. We have officially been emboldened to press on. Brent has been having great fun going in these places and finding that the tract box he placed there four or five months ago is still there. Some of the boxes were mostly empty and some were gone so they had been thrown away. Only a few places so far have not wanted us to put a tract box back in. It has been rewarding to see that our tracts are getting into the hands of the people here. We are still working on putting in more new routes as well.
One beautiful Sunday we traveled down to Bonita Point Lighthouse. We had been seeing it from the Golden Gate Bridge, and it was on our list of must-sees. We had gotten a pretty early start, so we beat the crowds. We followed a narrow dirt path that hung tightly to the mountainside. Down below the sea lions sunned their round bellies on warm rocks and the waves rolled in and crashed against the huge black rocks sending a shimmering spray of salt water toward the sky. There was not a cloud in the sky, the tempts were reaching for 70, and the pristine air smelled of sea mist. It was one of those days wherein the weather is so lovely that you love life so much it hurts. We followed the trail, only stopping briefly to swoon over the wild blooming daffodils and calla lilies who were nodding springy hellos from the wayside, till we came to a tunnel that took us through the mountain. On the other side, we had to cross an extension bridge that led to the lighthouse. Way down below us, the ocean’s surf swirled into white foam before crashing into the rocks and drenching the shores. The sun glistened on the ocean spray in the air each time a huge wave crashed into the rocks. There is something about the West Coast’s craggy shorelines that is breathtakingly beautiful. A little unnerving crossing the bridge which swayed ever so slightly from side to side as we crossed. The Point Bonita Lighthouse is still active and maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard. It was originally built high upon a ridge about 300 feet above the water but was moved to the tip of Bonita Point in 1877 due to issues with visibility at its original location. A hidden gem at the world’s end. The views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge are a story for another time. I feel as though I am failing here with my word pictures. I will find a few pictures to add in here to give you a better idea of it all.
We also hiked down to Kirby’s Cove. A dirt path that wound down the mountainside through forested meadows and trickling creeks. The cove is a warm place to spread a blanket and bask in the sunshine against the warm rocks. The boys had a grand time in the sand. The views from down there are pretty. Locals have put up a swing for Instagram-worthy pictures, but park rangers keep taking it down. The hike down with two toddlers and a stroller was a breeze compared to the hike back up. But the trail was dappled in shade, and it was a joy to stop and rest often because if you peeked through the trees, you could see that the sparkling blue waters below were dotted with pure white sailboats and the San Francisco skyline shimmered in the sunshine across the bay. A deer grazed on the mountainside and the air smelled of pine needles. Certainly, we were out of the city and all of my senses were enjoying it.
A few random tidbits:
In&Out has delicious double meat, double cheese protein burgers that are wrapped in a lettuce leaf. Once we find the end of the drive-through line, we will wait for 30 minutes for those burgers.
Street food is totally a thing here. Some of the little stands are open until midnight.
Some people spend so much time commuting to work that they must fold their clothes in their car as they drive to and from work. Yep. We have witnessed it.
Bennie and Sher and their boys came down one evening and took us out for supper. That was a highlight of the month. (I think they mostly came to see the boys, but whatever. Lol)
Our favorite restaurant at the moment is Naan and Curry located in downtown Concord. It is only a small hole in the wall, and most nights it is so full there is no seating left. It is just one of those good authentic Indian places. They have the best naan and chicken tikka masala. Brent loves their lamb tikka masala.
Sunday we had three West Valley couples here for church and lunch. Such a fun day. Marshal and Kelly Giesbrecht, Troy and Kayla Giesbrecht, and Steve and Kendra Giesbrecht came. Just a few Giesbrechts, that’s all. It was a beautiful day, so we went to the park after lunch. The guys of course played disc golf and we girls walked and watched the kids play.
Brent thrifted a few discs and has been enjoying disc golf at the park. Usually, there is a small redhead trying to keep up behind him. It is a great opportunity for conversation with other disc golf players. While Brent and Elliot play, I can be found pulling foliage from the eucalyptus trees, sliding down the slides with Ezra, or making yet another lap down the marsh creek trail.
For the Grandmas:
Elliot- “I love you back and moon, Mom. I love you to rivers and over hills.” Who knew toddlers could be so sweet? “Mom, Ezra terrible sweet. Him my buddy.” “Mom, you handsome.” “Mom, you love Dad?” Yes, I love Daddy. “No, Mom. Daddy ewie.” “Ninny (Mindy) what’s up?” “Bwent, what’s up?” “Donald Trump go live with Jesus, Mom.” “Mom! Do not say stupid.” Sunubly means somebody. And did you know that could be plural? It is called two-ublies. Oh, the joys of a two-year-old who never stops talking.
