Lower Scott's Flat Lake

Had an inquiry about a quieter kayaking spot nearby. Yes Virginia, there is a lower Scott's Flat. Take Hwy 20 East to 5 mile house (same road that takes you go campgrounds). About 1/2 way down, turn right onto Scott's Flat Dam Rd. It's a good road, though signs may tell you different (locals want you to think you can't make it). Takes you right to a little launch spot. There is a house across the way. The people there like you to think you can't park (again, they wish is was their private lake, but it's actually NID/public). Just park on right beyond the launch spot. The water is coooolder (upper lake bottom water) but it's a beautiful peaceful spot, with the occasional small fishing boat. Lots of wildlife. This is the lake you view from the spillway of upper SF.
By the way, if you paddle the right hand side to the top of Upper SF, you will enter Deer Creek. You can go quite a way up this time of year (starts dropping soon and it's pretty quiet, too shallow for motor boats).
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"Minnie" has been renamed Annie and is happy, happy, happy. Her new people work from home and she has their love and devotion 24/7. I love happy endings.
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Supposed to start cooling today. Whew, I forgot how draining the 90's can be.

It's hotter than hot, and time to hit the lake

Feels like a steam bath out there. Even the dogs (all 5 right now) are spending the day flopped on hardwood and lapping pails of water. Can't wait to hit the lake this evening in kayaks, once the ski boats take off.
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Well, foster dog Minnie (cause she a mini-pinscher) got a great home with local artist LeeAnn Brooks (you've seen her wonderful river photography and art around town and in card selection) and her partner Robert. She could not have found a more beautiful and peaceful existence. Don't know who I envy more, LeeAnn for picking Minnie, or Minnie for getting LeeAnn and Robert. Any, wishing you a wonderful long life, "monkey girl."
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No sooner did Min go out the door, that I went to my shift as the NC Shelter, and found a beautiful 10 year old male beagle named Chester hanging around behind the counter, flirting with all the girls. His former guardian "was done with him" and just turned him in. Well, I could not leave the little man in jail, so brought him home till a permanent situation can be found. Do you know anyone looking for the perfect companion. He is sweet, quiet, well trained, healthy and a perfect gentleman. I've only heard that "beagle bark" twice, when we arrived, and when he wanted his breakfast. He gets along with dogs and cats, and I'm told kids. He just needs someone who will let him live out these senior years with love and dignity. He's only about 25 pounds, and has the sweetest face you've ever seen. I'll try to post a pic.

2 more movies, plus kids yoga

I stand corrected by Pam Herrenkohl. There will be two more movie night Fridays. On the 23rd they are showing "Old Dogs."
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Womens Club has arranged for Kids Yoga at the Firehouse by teacher Colleen O'Rourke. Tues & Thu. 10-12, bring a drink, snack and yoga mat if you can. The cost is a donation of $5-$10, but no one turned away for inability to pay. All ages welcome. Yoga has just too many benefits to list here, but know that it is a wonderful healthy form of exercise for your kids!
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Foster Dog Minnie showed off her swimming skills at the lake last weekend, and gained many new fans. She's got a couple of families interested, and should soon find her 4ever home. It would be sooooo easy to keep her myself, but as someone asked me, do you want to help one dog, or many dogs? So, I will send my little Minnie to her new loved ones, and open my heart to a new pup. Can't tell you how rewarding this fostering is. Plus I get to try out all kinds of training tips. Minnie has learned sit, down, off, dance, and house trained in just a few days. What a smart cookie! Amazing how they bloom when they feel secure and loved.
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Are you watching this season of America's Got Talent? So many amazingly creative acts, especially one called "Fighting Gravity." You can catch them on YouTube. The Air Guitar guys are hysterically funny.
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I accidentally stumbled into DICKIPEDIA. Way funny. Check it out.

movie at Firehouse

I did't make it to the Friday night movie at Firehouse this time (Monsters Inc) but heard it was a big hit. This coming Friday *(Journey to the Center of the Earth) is the last of the series! Lots of fun to sit under under the stars on a balmy night with all your neighbors/kids. Free popcorn and soda's/water. Thank you CS Womens Club! Just bring your chair and banky.
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The Homeowners Assn is planning the annual group yard sale at Firehouse. If you want to participate (have a booth) at the Firehouse this year, contact Pam Herrenkohl (see her info on cascade shores website). She's checking on interest right now. It's a great way to get your garage cleared out for winter, make a few bucks and have fun with the neighbors. It's usually just a one day, (SAT ) sale. If you want to just shop, there will be many a treasure to find.
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Things are going well at the Nevada County Shelter. It's getting spruced up, dogs are happy, kitties are in good condition, & lots of volunteers showing up to help. There are some wonderful dogs looking for permanent homes, or even foster homes. "Get a Life" by saving a dog or cat! Be sure it's the right dog for your situation. I've seen more than a few come into the shelter because they were the wrong dog for that family/person. Choose carefully. That's why fostering is such a win/win way to pick a dog. You get to try them on for size/personality. Agencies will pay foood/vet/meds while you foster. Call me if you want to hear about the experience from a foster mom's perspective.
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Camped for 3 days across the lake at Scotts Flat. Such a beautiful clean campground. The bathrooms and showers are great too. The lake temp is perfect right now! By Sunday noon it felt like we had the campground and lake all to ourselves. It's fun camping in your own backyard!

Gardens, cont + dog, dogs, dogs

Hey Anonymous: gardening in cascade shores is such hit and miss, you hate to invest alot of $$ when you don't know if it will even thrive here! Sooo, I would love to start a "free nursery" for neighbors to share cuttings of stuff that works! (god know my vinca is taking over, and the ajuga).
Want to start a campaign with me? Call me at 265-8680.
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First day at shelter, and heard/saw some heartbreaking stories. The beautiful little sweet pit mix left behind to fend for herself when the family moved to Hawaii. A concerned neighbor came in to tell us all about her, how sweet, loves to swim, loves children. No shots, not fixed. Most loving little thing. If interested, go to shelter and as for "rosie." Shelter will take care of her needs, spay and shots. You can adopt her for $80. Most of my best friends cost me alot more than that! Also, shelter is full up on kitties. Is it time to adopt?
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Scooter's Pals rescue needs volunteers to got to Incredible Pets ""adoptathon" on Sat. July 9th and just hang out with pups so people can come by and meet them. Call Sally at 268-3557 if you would like to help. Good community service for something to do for the teens.

Gardens

As I was meandering around my garden today, (which I must say is lookin' good) I began thinking about how peoples gardens mimic their personality. I admit, I'm a kinda willy nilly, haphazard, "good enough for government work" type. So goes the yard. A little of this here, that there, no real composition. I like to think of it as English style, but I don't think it's even that organized. Then I go to Kent and Anna Rees house (a/k/a Little Sweden). They are very precise, organized perfectionist types. Their garden is organized, color coded, and I think the plants discuss amongst themselves when to bloom so the whole thing looks picture perfect all the time. Carol and Bill Carter = perfectly groomed/no weeds allowed/minimalistic but classy. My theory is, if you want to know what type of person lives inside, just take a peek a the yard. It'll give you a pretty good idea!
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While on the subject, my friend Lynn Donald of "Plant Parenthood" flower gardens gave some really good advice about deadheading that I never forgot. She said a plant is like any other mother. Once she has given birth (flowers have appeared) and they mature, she feels her job is done, and she just goes to sleep for the rest of the season. So if you want your plants (or in this case, the mother) to keep on producing well into summer and fall, keep removing the babies (in this case withering flowers) and she'll get off her butt and reproduce again! A mother's work is never done.
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Tomorrow I start my volunteer service at the Nevada County Shelter, who is as of 7/1 being managed by Sammies Friends founder Cheryl Wicks instead of county employees. Cheryl is a animal lover extraordinaire, and I expect big improvements in the quality of care all will receive in the shelter. Already they have cleaned the place up, are creating a "play room" for kitties, and planning to provide more flexible hours of operation. They can always use more volunteers if you have a desire to improve the life of a shelter animal. Cross your finger I don't come home with more. We're at 3 right now, and Phil says I'm "pushin it."

Looking for a cute little dog to love?

My current "foster pup" is a darling young (between 1 - 3yr old) mini-pincher. For lack of a better name, she is Minnie. Friendly, smart, quiet (till you leave her behind) and soooo loving (sweet little kisses). She gets along with everyone and everything, but likes to chase the kitties (hasn't caught one yet, and I guess like car chasing, what do you do when you catch em?) She belongs to Scooter's Pals, but if you want to meet her, call me!
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Firehouse movie this Friday is "UP." That's a great animated movie, family friendly, but adult friendly too. Should be a nice warm night.
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Did you notice someone added the word "KILLS" to the 3x4 or so Marlboro poster by the store. And they left it. Kind of an anti-smoking ad. I personally thought that big sign was kind of "overkill" (pardon the pun) for ciggs. Why not glamorize something healthy?????? Thought Joe Camel was dead. (died of lung cancer)
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It's HOT, but not as hot as in town. I love coming home to 10 degrees cooler.
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Huge raccoons were having a little argument in my back yard a 2am. Woke us all up, but the dogs declined to go have a chat with them about the noise. Anyway, warning, don't leave pet food outside. Everyone has awoken, and they're hungry!