Thank you for visiting your national park, Particularly in times when things look stark. Fires, pandemics, presidents, droughts; all will fade. Do you know what won't? The memories we've made. Imagine a campfire. Picture yourself there. Feel the heat. Smell the smoke. Watch the embers flare. Let go of thoughts that detain you. Consume grief. … Continue reading Yosemite Waits for You
Down in D. Valley
"Thank you for visiting your national park..." (sigh) I'd give you the sales pitch, but honestly, why try? Either, One. My name's embossed on your bucket list, Or, Two. "Over my dead body!" Thus, I'm dismissed. Make no mistake, I love my survivalist crowd. They arrive flushed and nervous; depart tanned and proud. Still, I … Continue reading Down in D. Valley
J. Tree Makes a Plea
"Thank you for visiting your national park," I'll say, If only (sooner than later) you head out our way. You'd rather go to Disneyland? Word. That might be best. Smooth paths. Soothing (artificial) views. Shade. Benches. Rest. What? You're NOT a Make-a-Wish recipient? You hike?! Wanna give my trails a chance and see if you … Continue reading J. Tree Makes a Plea
Ignore the Headlines
Signing in to write this post, I passed by the gloomy headline, "Disaster Inside a Disaster." Ugh. OK. We get it. Give us the news, please, not your negative editorial. Here are three pairs of opposite perspectives, meant to remind us all that we can't control what happens to us, we can only control our … Continue reading Ignore the Headlines
Hang in There, Northern California
Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. ~ Proverbs 25:25, NIV Please know, the cold water reaching you will be good news in this distant land. Also, thoughts and prayers are with you!
Palms Up!
Q. Why are palm trees the most carefree trees? A. Because they have fronds in high places.
Happy Trails
No memory is ever alone; it's at the end of a trail of memories, a dozen trails that each have their own associations. ~ Louis L'amour
Camping R.S.V.P. (Really Scared, Visiting Promptly)
A quick note: Thank you for the camping invite. I can't come. Wish I could. (Although, I still might.) I'm not only scared of the COVID bathrooms, Here's my list: Lyme Disease, poisonous mushrooms, Drowning, getting lost, falling over a cliff Or in a campfire while breathing a whiff. Also, bears. Snakes. Bigfoot. Hillbillies. Skunk … Continue reading Camping R.S.V.P. (Really Scared, Visiting Promptly)
S’moredom
Remember how the Smurfs insert the word "Smurf" into everything like, "That's smurf-tastic!" or "You're smurfing!"? Yeah, me neither. However, if you're starting to think Campfire Tales is getting a little "smurfed up" with the s'mores references, all I can say is, "I'm s'more-y." I made this Coca-Cola Cake because the accompanying photo looked delicious, … Continue reading S’moredom
Getting Shred-y
Last week, I spent the entire week with trees, glorious trees. Unfortunately, not walking amongst them. Scanning and shredding hundreds of old documents. Only after filling two garbage bags with shredded paper did I bother to look up the proper way to recycle paper: Don't shred (if possible). Oops. To recycle shredded paper, put the … Continue reading Getting Shred-y
