Hello Shasta!

Stopped at a vista point to take a picture of Mt Shasta and say hello to the Lemurians!

Willow Moon

The Celtic year is made of of 13 months which are based on the 13 full moons.  Each month is named after a tree.  We are currently in the Celtic Tree Month of Willow, it ends on May 12th.  This last full moon was called the Willow Moon and is also referred to as the Moon of Balance. The willow has traditionally been connected to the moon because of their relation to water, cycles, and the feminine.  The willow is a tree of dreaming and enchantment. It has been said that "the moon owns the willow." The willow puts us in touch with our deep emotions & allows us to express, own, and release them.

Photo by Triple Tree Photography

Packing for Portland!

It's after midnight and I should be in bed, but I'm too excited.  I'm going to visit my city tomorrow.  My rainy cloudy cold city, I must be crazy to want to leave the warmth of Redding to visit a place where the high is going to be 65 over the next week....I mean come on it was in the 80s here yesterday.  Oh well, it will just give me an excuse to eat a lot of cupcakes, voodoo doughnuts, and drink martinis to keep myself warm.  Ya, ya, I know, like I really need an excuse to do any of those things.  Okay, I'm going to finish my glass of wine and start packing.  Oregon you better be ready for a redhead with a tan.

Lilacs in Bloom

My favorite lilac bush. Lila, bloomed!  Isn't she pretty?

Harvey the Carrot

This is Harvey the Carrot.  He deserved a name, because he was the very first carrot I've ever grown that doesn't look like a scary little mutant human with arms and legs (think Harry Potter and the mandrake roots).  There may be a handful of you who are thinking "no, Willow, I remember an amazingly straight carrot you grew two summers ago."  I feel I must tell you truth.  I stole that carrot out of the plot next to mine, because it's owner was on an extended trip to South America for several months.  Yes, it is true, I'm a carrot thief.  I also stole her onions to make salsa. 

Anyway, this new carrot, which I actually did grow all on my own was supposed to be ready in 3 months, but because of my awesome gardening skills it took a year.  How did I do this, you want to know?  I have absolutely no idea. 

I was so excited about this straight carrot I carried him around with me all day and even put him into a vase of water until everyone had fully appreciated my momentous achievement.  Then I ate Harvey.  He tasted like dirt. 

Whole Earth Festival

Last weekend my mom and I went to the Whole Earth Festival.  There were great booths on eco-friendly companies and information how to green up your life.  I didn't take any pictures of the booths, ya, that kind of skipped my mind.  I took pictures of a weird sculpture I liked and some pretty poppies next to one of the booths.

The most exciting part of the day, by far, was giving blood.  I love giving blood.  I think it's great to help others, but that's not the real reason I love donating.  I actually enjoy the blood giving process.  The phlebotomists (blood takers) are so appreciative of you.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for people who like me.  I like the nervous feeling before they stick you with the needle, it makes me feel alive.  I even like watching the bag fill with blood, it is amazing to think we can lose that much and be fine.  Then afterward they feed you and sometimes give you gifts.  What's not to like?

After I was done with the blood people my mom and I went and got strawberry shortcake from the Gaia Hotel booth.  It was delicious.  I forgot to take a picture of that too. 

It was a great day and I'm really glad that Redding is making an effort to be more green and get everyone involved. 

Old Diesel Horse Bridge

The spring storms have been incredible lately.  One minute there is thunder and lightning and the next the sun is shining.  Just as you start to think "oh, the sun!" it starts pouring again.  So when I drove past the Old Diesel Horse Bridge earlier this evening and the skies were clear I decided to take a few pictures.  I literally parked and ran (okay, fine walked really fast) to the bridge,   before another rain burst decided to soak me.  The view was amazing, it was totally worth it. 

Even the birds seemed to be psyched that the rain had ceased.  They were out in droves....or flocks...I guess would be more accurate.  You can see them in the second picture.  They are all the little black specs in the sky.

This bridge is also one of my favorite places in town.  I used to cut class my senior year of high school and come to this bridge to think.  During the salmon season I'd watch the fish come here to die, which is kind of depressing, but amazing too.  In that circle of life kind of way.

After a moment of reflection I looked up and saw the clouds gathering again and decided it was time to go, before spring proved herself wild and unpredictable once again.