It never rains in California!

Well, well, well, it is indeed raining!  Here in Nevada County we are on day 2 of a 3 day June storm (my niece got married here June 18, 2008 and it rained big time that day).  It is indeed unusual for it to rain between June 1st and November 1st, but here we are, and it is definitely a wet storm.  So enjoy not watering your plants, sit back, pull out the crockpot and build a fire.  Thank nature for wetting down all the dry brown fire danger fuel, and enjoy!
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Just got back from 5 days in Orange County, Ca.  My buddy Dixie Redfearn drove up to revisit friends in Nevada City and Grass Valley and especially Cascade Shores, and I drove back with her to check out her new life in the OC.  Costa Mesa is delightfully LAish, with the beach just blocks away.  Great people watching, a real doggie community, and all that wonderful LA. architecture in the old neighborhoods.  Had a great time with her and hubby, Robert Crabb and dog Jackson.  Flew back Sunday on Jet Blue, after sitting on the tarmac for an hour (good old Jet Blue.).  I love that flight, and always get a window seat to see my beautiful state in all it's glory at 34K feet above . . . .
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I heard from a couple that has a vacation rental here.  They had a really bad experience at the boat ramp with 2 loose black labs.  Their dogs were on leash, but the labs came running towards them, so they let their two dogs off leash, thinking that would make for a better meeting. Instead it got ugly when one of the loose labs attacked their dog, and punctured him many times.
I see so many loose dogs around here, and if I can contact the owner I do, and beg them to not allow their dogs to wander loose  . . . . you put your dog and others in danger.  I'll never understand why people think that's ok.  I have seen 6 dogs hit and killed on Quaker Hill over the past few years, and that's only the ones I know of.  Then there is the predator factor (we have bears, coyote's and wild cats).  Then there are children and adults that have a fear of dogs, especially dogs that rush at them.  The old "he won't bite" is no excuse.  Also, there are many kitties in the shores, and a cat that runs is at risk to a dog that chases.  Just because your dog likes your cat, does not mean he won't maim or kill another.  So, please observe the leash laws.
If you find a dog loose, you have every right to take the dog into your yard and call animal control at 273-2179 and have them come pick up the dog.  They will not come look for a dog that is wandering, but if you put the dog in your yard or garage, they will come get him/her.  Maybe after the owner pays a $50 to $100 dollar fine (bigger fine if not spay/neutered) they'll think twice.  If you love your dog, you will protect your dog.  That's just common sense.
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Wed. night is now the ongoing meet/potluck at the little lake, Lost Mine on Gas Canyon.  Come down with your dinner at 6pm and enjoy the company of neighbors.  The lake is for rent all summer, and is a great venue for family reunions (got to many friends/family to feed at a table, go to the lake!) weddings and general fun.  Contact Pam Herrenkohl for details.
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Don't forget to pay your $100 Cascade Shores Homeowners dues if you want to support that helpful organization and get a great Surbuban Propane discount.  Totally worth it!
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The kitty I found got a home about 5 minutes after I took her to Sammies Friends shelter. I did not even have time to put her in a cage before a darling young girl and her mother came looking for a kitty.  The fell for "Sabrina" in a second.  Still don't know how that little sweet found her way to my door at 4am.  Weird.  I had her spayed and now she is happy homed.
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Scooters Pals still needs donations for their annual Barking Lot sale on 8/3, 8/4.  If you have something I'll store it till then.  Just call me at 265-8680. No clothes or shoes.  Just good usable stuff please.
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I KNOW A VERY RESPONSIBLE RENTER LOOKING FOR A SMALL PLACE TO RENT HERE IN SHORES.  HER BUDGET IF $1000 PER MONTH.  DO YOU KNOW OF ANYTHING? EMAIL ME AT CAINDENISES@GMAIL IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET A RENTER RESUME FROM THIS PERSON.

Awesomeness, 5 lovely people left me welcome back comments!

Thanks!
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So, after I wrote about not eating at the Cascade General Store yet, Phil and I and Karen Lari went and had dinner there.  I had a beautiful Garlic Beef and Rice, Phil had Broccoli Beef and Rice (both over a bed of lettuce/tomato) and Karen had I think Coconut Shrimp.  It was all wonderful.  Spoke with Peter who runs the store.  He is originally from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, so his food has that wonderful Cambodian flare (which I love way over Chinese food).  I live for good Thai, but love any Southeast Asian food.  Anyhoo, had a great conversation with him, as I visited Cambodia and Viet Nam a few years ago.  He is a very interesting and gentle man.  They are trying hard to make a go of the store, which we sorely need here in the shores, so please be sure to catch a meal there soon!
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I forget to read the Union police blotter, but one caught my eye:  Grass Valley woman called police as she was attacked by a house cat."  Ha, She should spend a few days at my house.  My 5 dogs maul me daily!
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Speaking of, at 4am this morning (Sunday) I was awoken by the sound of a kitten crying.  Went downstairs and right outside my sliding door was a petit black kitten, maybe 3 months old.  Of course the dogs scared her and she ran about 20 feet up a tree.  Got the dogs back inside and the little sweetie came right back down and jumped into my arms.  No kidding.  So if you know anyone missing their sweet little baby kitty, I have her! Call me at 265-8680
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It's been pretty quiet here in the shores.  I don't see any big trucks rolling by, so I guess there isn't any big construction or repairs going on.  Love a quiet summer.
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As you may or may not know, Cirino's Italian Restaurant on Broad St closed it's doors.  If you loved their food, you can still get it at their Main St. Grill on Main in GV. Apparently one of the employees took the opportunity to open a restaurant at Lefty's old site on lower Broad St, and hired the Cirino's employees to help run it.  Nice move!  I hear it's great comfort food. Can't wait to try.
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Scooters Pals dog rescue is having a huge Barking Lot Sale on Aug. 3rd and 4th.  We're collecting good used items to sell (no clothes or shoes).  If you have things to donate, give me a call and I will gladly pick up.  It all goes to the dogs!  Thanks.  Be sure to attend if you are a yard saler.
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My Golly Gosh, how quickly 4 months go by

Do I have any friends left out there?????
I guess I abandoned by blog when a few life changes occurred.  I don't remember which came first, but there were some distinct changes.
For one, I had been feeling generally crappy since Thanksgiving.  It got better, worse, better worse, but culminated in a trip to Sierra Nevada Emergency one night in March. Turns out I had a perforated bleeding ulcer and stomach blockage, that resulted in a week in Hotel Kaiser (Rosevile) and 4 weeks hooked up to IV or feeding tube!  Even that had a silver lining, which is a total weight loss of 28 lbs, and now I feel GREAT.
The rest was just various emergencies that kept cropping up, but life has settled down now (as it has a tendency to do, and it's nice to get back to writing.  Hope I have a few friend still listening to my ramblings.
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We have been treated to a miraculously mild winter, with little snow, and it seems just the right amount of rain, at just the times we need it to settle the dust and water the garden.  I love how early my plants JUMPTED out of the ground this spring, and my garden looks as if it is in June, and it's only early May.  I actually had the unmitigated gall to plant annuals in April, and they are still alive and growing.  Usually the minute you plant annuals in Cascade Shores before Memorial Day they are promptly snowed on, and that's that.  Be brave gardeners. God hates a coward.
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I admit I have not had a meal at the store this winter/spring, but I am hearing GREAT THINGS about the wonderful ethnic food (mostly Asian) being served up. Pay attention to their facebook and grab a good, healthy (cheap!) meal there sometime and SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL STORE.
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I worked a Scooters Booth at the Home and Garden show and was talking to a business owner (shall remain nameless) and got an earful that reminded me that living in the woods is not for everyone.  The woman told me that they are selling their Lake Lane home, and have moved to Lake of Pines, because "it is cold and dark and depressing, and the kids can't play on the street in Cascade Shores."  That's certainly one person's take on things.  For me, it's cool in the summer, lovely and snowy in the winter, and you can play in the forest or the lake, so who needs the streets." I would have cherished being brought up in such an area.  I was raised in Berkeley, and lived for the weekends we visited our horses in Clayton, CA. away from the streets of Berkeley!  Sure, it's not for everyone, but for those of us who do cherish living in nature, with a beautiful lake seconds away, and this "end of road" safety and serenity, well, it's my little slice of heaven!
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If you did not attend the CHSA annual meeting, you missed out on a lot of good info about the (good) changes being planned.  NO, I will not tell you. You should have come!  But I did ask Larry Marvin if he would publish an outline of the info. supplied at that meeting.
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Had a really nice meal at the new Lefty's Grill (relocated from middle Broad St, to lower Broad St. at the old Deer Creek building.  You must go and sit outside on the lower deck.  Fabulous sitting a few feet from beautiful Deer Creek, and the food is to die for!  Great Margaritas.
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I'll check back and see how many of you are reading me.  Let me know if it's worth my time.
Thanks.

Cascade Shores General Store Facebook

HI, just got the following from Olivia Diaz, via Paris, France:
Hi,
do you know that the Cascade Shores General Store is on Facebook? They have been posting photos of the food they are featuring and it looks like something I would like to eat.  Yesterday it was a beef stew with rice and a small tomato salad today it is eggrolls.  Wow! Sure beats a hamburger on a lousy bun.

Olivia

No Olivia, I did not know. And I'm a Facebook fanatic.  Will visit and let my shores friends know!

Denise

SO, STORE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT SINCE AUGUST.  NICE PEOPLE, GOOD FOOD, WELL STOCKED, INLCUDING ALOT OF NICE WINES.  YOU CAN'T SHOP MORE LOCAL THAN THE CORNER STORE.  EVEN IF THINGS ARE A FEW CENTS MORE, SAVE GAS AND WEAR AND TEAR, AND SUPPORT YOUR ONLY LOCAL BUSINESS.

Baby it's coooold outside

the thermometer on my back porch shows 19 degrees, but it's a balmy 21 degrees on the front porch.  Car doors frozen shut, and gate frozen shut.  The nice dusting of snow that fell 2 days ago is a nice dusting of ICE.  Be careful out there.  I wrote a poem I will share:

Opened the door to let out the mutt,
slipped on the ice and fell on my butt,
went to the car and found it froze shut
building a fire now inside my hut.

Ha.  Hope you're keeping warm.  Hill clear this am (Sat) but don't see much traffic.
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I reported that a dark haired clean cut looking guy was seen stealing stuff out of unlocked cars.  I was one of the victims. Last week in the Union they caught a guy (same description) doing exactly that in town.  Then they linked him with 2 other guys stealing metal from Hansen Bro yard.  So, they are all chillin' in Wayne Brown Facility, and hopefully we won't see them again. It is a good reminder to keep your cars and homes locked, and as they say, "keep an honest man honest."  We live in such a cocoon here, and it seems crime free, but nowhere are you completely insulated form at least petty theft.  So take the proper precautions.
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Lots of businesses moving and opening in town.  Leftys Grill moving from mid Broad ST. to the old Deer Creek Inn building.  Nothing is more beautiful than sitting on the deck of that building on a warm summer night sipping something delicious. Glad they are trying that location (though it seems to be a doomed business since Deer Creek Inn dissolved). I forget who else is moving, but I know it's good news.
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My current foster dogs are Bruce, a cream colored 1 yr old Doxie, just a wonderful little boy, would be a great family dog. Also little Chica, a small (6-7 lb) wire haired doxie/chi. Cheekie is a through and through lap dog, but cute and amusing.  Very housebroken, even in 19 degrees. She just wants a little loving and a warm bed at night.  check them on Scooterspals.org. You can come by my house to meet.
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I was shattered to hear that my neighbors dog, Rex was hit by a car on Quaker Hill by my house, and killed.  Please don't let your dogs wander here in the shores.  They are no match to a speeding car.  I would always take Rex into my yard when I saw him wandering, but his owner seemed unconcerned. Now Rex paid the price.  Sad.  If you don't love your dog enough to keep him safe, don't have a  dog.

Got that White Christmas!

Well Shorites, hope you were happy to be blessed with a White Christmas.  Yeppa, got the white stuff falling Monday all day, and even a bit more in the wee hours of Tuesday and Tuesday morn.  It is beautiful, and the hill stayed open.  Had an interesting power outage on Sunday (heard tree down on Red Dog and here in the Shores contributing), but was restored around 5pm.  I had a house full, 7 people and 11, yes ELEVEN dogs.  We are indeed a happy doggy family.  So, despite the power outage we had fun, played games and made wonderful nibbles and drinks.  At 10pm on Christmas Eve we finally sat in a circle to open all our Santa gifts at the precise moment the power went out again.  Aargh!  It was quickly restored (some kind of cosmic joke) and all was calm, all was bright!

Hope you had a wonderful Holiday and stayed warm, dry and well lit.

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Home with most Christmas cheer is John and Aurelia at the corner of Sargent Jacob and Banner Quaker Hill a block past the store on the right.  Impressive.  

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Bad news.  In the wee hours of Monday morning (like 3am) cars were broken into and stuff stolen (mine being one).  Apparently someone a few doors from me caught the guy red handed at 3am, and chased him away.  She described him as late 20's, clean cut, with dark hair.  I think he was capitalizing on unlocked cars, so be sure you lock up!  Hopefully getting caught and chased will deter him, but be aware. I make a report to sheriff, and if you got hit, you should call them and report too.  If they know what items were taken it may help if they catch him.  

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On the brighter side:

A few people have prodded me to get back to blogging, and stay away from the "dark side."  I know, reporting deaths only makes me technically an OBIT, and I need to lighten up.

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Last night I attended the Womens Club (+partners) dinner at Trolley Junction.  Great party of about 22, and had lots of fun catching up and chowing down.  Lots of thanks to Charlotte Starn who organizes so much for CSWC.  

The childrens Christmas Party was held today.  Even Santa attended.  This is just another great event that the Womens Club makes happen faithfully each year.  It is such a fun community event, with crafts, games, Santa and great snacks. Kids take home a gift bag.  It's a free event, and no one turned away, so I hope if you have a little one you brought them.

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We got our first snow of the season today, starting at about 4pm.  Just a beautiful postcard snow.  I think it will be a short but sweet storm, and with any luck will snow during Victorian Christmas downtown tomorrow.  It begins a 1:30 - 6pm, and should be just beautiful, with a chance to pick up one of those unique items from a local vendor, a real win-win.  I'll be there and hope to see you.

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I can't talk without saying that our local shelter is FULL of great dogs.  Even if adopting a dog is not right for you now, do you think you could have a canine house guest for a few weeks.  Sammie's Friends is looking for foster homes so the dogs don't have to spend this holiday in a small concrete enclosure, but instead the warmth and love a real home.  Coulild that be you?  They'll try to match you with a dog that works in your situation.  Call 471-5041 and talk to Ruth, Cheryl or Debbie.  Thanks.

I just brought home a little Shih Tzu, 7 years old, recovering from pneumonia.  Very polite, housebroken, and totally loveable.  He's supposed to lay low for 10 days, so there is not much to do but give him 1 pill, 2 meals, a couple of 3 minute walks and a hug or two.  Easy breezy.

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My buddy Dixie Redfearn called today and cheered the house with her smiling voice.  She misses us, and we miss her.  I have "lightened up" this post, and am dedicating to Dixie.  

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If your new year resolution is to start doing more for your community or get more involved or exercise, don't forget our walking group, book club, game day and various events.  The Cascade Shores women'a club is always welcoming new members and you can't find a nicer group of women.

There is a calendar of their events on cascadeshores.org.
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Last night I thought I heard my neighbors dogs barking (a beagle and a terrier) but they didn't stop, and at 3am, I finally called their house as it sounded like the dogs were desperate.  Turns out it was not his dogs (though he was awake and up cause his dogs were agitated and barking inside the house). It was actually a pack of coyotes trying to coax dogs out.  So be careful letting your dog out.  He may be drawn to the howling coyotes and they are not inviting him to a BBQ!