Solandana

      It was Aug. 30, 2020, about 12:30 midnight. I was awakened from a deep sleep by the hurried and panicked footfall racing through the fallen leaves in the backyard.   The cats looked like Persian cats, their fur so fluffed out, eyes wide in terror, mind you they are short haired cats. I thought to myself it couldn't be a wild creature, I have never heard such fear in wild feet since we have been here.   I suited up and went to check it out. When I got to the den I heard whimpering. I thought to myself one of the little pooches needed to go potty. I turned on the light, only to see the aged pack dead asleep on their favorite cushions.   A heavy headed Goldie raised her eyes at me like, "what's going on"?   The whimpering continued. Then I spotted an oh so large beast peering in the den windows off the back porch. Oh great, what do we have here.  I opened the porch light to see the largest dog, a black and white Dane. Toenails worn down, thin, no collar and very pa

      The first year we were here, mid August the first leaf fell from the beloved Maple. The 1st snow came Dec. 6   The second year we were here, the Maple dropped the first leaf Aug. 1. The first snow came last Thanksgiving.   This year the Maple dropped her first red leaf mid July.  I looked up at her and said, "your kidding". This years first snow came Nov. 7.   We had 2 months of horrid fires this summer. Our normally pristine air permeated with the smell of fire.  Most were miles away, those local quickly extinguished by Tehachapis' finest. Mountains surrounding our valley obscured by thick smoke, you couldn't see them. Despite all we humans do, trees, those lovely entities that connect heaven and earth, deep roots beneath that reach into ground water,  boughs stretching heaven bound, taking sun and wind, cradling babes of all sorts of critters in their sturdy arms, offering all sorts of healing balms and essences, giving clues to passerby's that listen.  I

  Observations during lock down: Freedom is fickle and dependent on the whole. Early on the Biotech Company Abbvie had a commercial, telling us that “the best way to predict the future is to create it”. That’s pretty “in your face”. The commercial didn’t air for long, yet for me, it was chilling and telling. It has long been known computers generate algorithms to predict buying tendencies. This pandemic has had huge payoffs for some, catastrophic for others. As a friend of mine once said, humanity has become a commodity. The public pulled by the nose ring, dependent on corporate greed and desire to control the masses and spending habits. Follow the money, you get your answer. Disease, wars, opioids, starvation, etc., have killed so many, yet never has there been such measures taken to pause. What makes this circumstance so different? For years one has observed people taking one bite of a meal, and then throwing the rest out. An animal gave its life for many such meals, a spoiled and wa

        You wind up the twisting road. The weekend tourist are all gone, you drive slow. Take your time, take in the sights, you got the mountain to yourself.   The terrain is steep, you marvel at the boulders, pines and oaks that keep ancient time; unmoved by the  altitude or elements, season after season. The secrets they can tell, I listen to their somber voice. The bear, cougar, deer and others move with ease through the steep inclines, undaunted, it only strengthens their resolve. I need their tutelage. You reach your destination, remove your shoes to show respect to the mountain. The chipmunk and assorted birds announce to others your arrival. Natures bow wave, She always knows. You really don't walk alone here. A grand smile dresses my face and soul. You begin your climb, body angled forward, muscles, breath and enchantment engaged. The cold mountain air drives deep into the lowest part of the lungs, burning a bit, as the body bids more oxygen in the altitude. You feel old a