This is a little hideaway my husband and I used to go to sit and read or listen to the rushing creek. It came up in my memories on my one-drive cloud. After the devastating fires we had in 2018, it no longer is as lush with trees and vegetation as it once had been. But it is coming back and the last 2 years of healthy rains, sure help. This is Brandy Creek in the Whiskeytown Recreation area near us. 

I hope this Friday finds you all well - I'm tired. I have been burning a candle from both ends- OUCH! I don't like to be busy busy. This week I have had places to go, and people to see and I am done. I'd much rather stay at home. 

This morning, I was hurting - we had some valley fog on Thursday that was so cold and thick it seemed that the cold crept into my bones and took residence.  I couldn't shake the cold or the arthritis that flared in my left knee and my right hip. I don't get that usually. It's better now but yesterday I was hobbling around like a 70 year old...wait, I will be 70 in 3 weeks. 

My therapist and I have been talking about the aging process. She pulls no punches and I appreciate that. None of this, 

70 is the new 40 or 50.

Great if you feel that way, but I'm keeping it real. I surely don't! I'm actually okay with aging and about eventually dying. I just don't want it to hurt! 

Just have to keep trusting God and keeping my eyes on the ultimate prize. 

This is Clear Creek Gorge. We used to pan for gold there - we haven't done that in a few years. Pack a picnic lunch and just enjoy. A good time to pan for gold is in the spring and after heavy rains. 

This area is a beautiful spot to watch the salmon spawn. 

Today, I needed to go grocery shopping. I took my husband with me. I'd rather leave him at home. He is like a child - he walks slowly looks at everything and talks to everyone!  I have a list and I mean business and want to just get in and out.  I have to watch him - he tends to add things to the cart - mostly junk and then I get surprised when we are loading up the groceries. I took a chance and also let him tag along with me to Costco and then to the Meat market. 

I bought some chicken wings at the market for Sunday. At Costco, he wanted these frozen Beef Wellington Bites from Chef Gordon Ramsey. $15.99 - How could I refuse? I didn't know he had a line of food. Instead of having those for appetizers, I will have them for dinner one night this week. Then in my mind, it wasn't that expensive. I can spread them out for 3 dinners. Add a salad and another side and it's dinner. 

I thought these were good prices for quality meat at the butchers. I do not like the low quality I am finding at the supermarket. It's pretty crappy the last few times I have bought a roast - meat and gristle. I've decided it was better to spend a little more on good local meat than to buy from the supermarket. 

Tonight we are having pizza but I'm giving my husband a break so we bought a make-and-bake pizza for tonight. 

I'll wrap this up - I didn't know this post would be so lengthy. I will leave you with something to ponder that my husband said to me this morning,

If I am standing still, why does my nose keep running?

God Bless

Debby