It's All Over 'cept the Waitin'...

It's Official! California's on STORM WATCH!!!

While we all love to laugh at our local weather people in their spiffy rain gear and t.v. news stations that roll out the special graphics and music every time we get the tiniest hint of rain, this time it appears we have an actual storm rolling in.

I'm exceptionally excited as the weather people are all comparing this to the "great storm of 2005." That storm which rolled in on January 9th was one of my favorites. (Can you tell? I remember the date!) I've often thought of writing a blog or two about that very storm.

Day one of the storm, we only got an inch or two. That's enough to cause a flood in our dry desert clime. The first leg of the storm broke around dusk and Mabel & I raced down to check on the creek... and were terribly disappointed. It looked the same as the day before, even after all that rain.

But, I forget it often takes water a day or two to work its way out of the mountain and down to the stream. And then the second leg of the storm moved it. It poured all night long! I think we got around 5 - 6" overnight. When the weather cleared that morning, back to the creek we went. We found a flash flood!

Apparently the dam up in the mountains was at peak. The operator called the golf course in the night and told them there would be damage when the flood gates opened. The course lost a hole and a half.

The raging creek after our '05 storm. Note the waterfall about 1/3 from the left.
Photo credit: R. Gabel

But the creek... she's was so different. It changed her course. Instead of the meandering creek I had grown to love, she's mostly a straight shot through the canyon. The water came up on the levy a good 6 - 7 feet. (The creek is normally about 20 feet from the levy!)

My friends still laugh at me when I tell them I'm still hiking there looking for one of my favorite sitting rocks. The boulder was the size of Volkswagon! It was gone after the flood. In all, about 8 feet of boulders that had been the creek floor were gone.

But the good thing was that our Big Tujunga flowed for a full year and a half. Mabel and I, both Pisces, are NOT happy campers when the creek is dry. So, we're praying for a flood again and looking forward to the changes.

In the meantime, everyone everywhere is preparing for the storm. The grocery stores and gas stations were packed. Everyone was stocking up like they will not leave home again for a month.

Just before dark, my godson came over to clean the pool and make sure everything was in good working order for the storm. I had to run into town to get chlorine and it was so quiet.

Now, we're tucked in at home. Extra groceries and dog food put away; firewood covered on the porch. And we're waiting... There's going to be a new creek to discover this year!


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Mabel Opening Gifts

My sweet girl came over and kissed me after each gift she opened. (You'll see her do this between gifts.) This video is gifts #2 and #3.



Now, here's what happened to gift #1 - a stuffed toy:



Audio translation:
00:02: We have a sure fire sign she liked her toy because she's trying to hide it!
01:22: We're doing the "sniff" test to see if it's too close to the surface. (Mabel turns.)
01:26: Yes! Mommy's watching.
02:12: Miss Belle, Show 'em your nose! Show 'em your nose. Mabel! Show 'em your nose. Yes, that would be the evidence right there.

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The Best Thing About Winter

Actually, the best part is when I lay by the fire with her, roasting marshmallows. Mabel moves even closer to the fire, watching...waiting patiently for her marshmallow.




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Wishing You a Little...

Christmas Chair!

This chair, dressed in holiday finest, belongs to my best friend. I'm not certain if it's her way of saying, "Come on in, sit a spell!" or if it's just her being so "punny," but I knew I had to share it.

As we were posing the chair and I was holding my breath before clicking the shutter, the BF whispered to her chair, "Smile!"

Hope your day is filled with joy!

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The Worst Part of Fall (Updated 12-25)

California most definitely has different seasons. My mother in Louisiana has been marveling about the 40 degree weather we've had while things are much warmer there.

We are in the heart of fall. The few Christmases I've been lucky enough to stay home have always found me Godsmacked at the sudden beauty of trees that decide to decorate themselves for the holiday. Every street is awash with brilliant gold and red leaves.



The winds come and force leaves still clinging to their brethren on the vine to fall, creating a luxurious carpet of color.

And while I love the crunching sound underneath my feet as I hike along the area known locally as Walden Pond, the absence of leaves on the shrubs saddens me and makes me feel exposed in an area where I normally love feeling hidden from the world.

This spot runs parallel to the Angeles National Golf Club - Hole #3, to be precise. And why does it matter if the golfers can see me? Because it takes away the fun I have with them when they don't know I'm there.

A golfer will swing a mighty drive, trying desperately to get his ball across the arroyo to the hole and yells at the top of his lungs, "FORE!!" And I, hidden from view by my precious poplar shrubs, simply cannot resist... I yell back, "FIVE!!!" and I wait. Laughter always ensues.

But alas, this is a pleasure that must wait for Spring...




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