I'm so glad to be out of January. I wasn't feeling so good in January, so I look forward to better days ahead. I uploaded just a few of my husband's photos from his day hike to Brandy Creek Falls the other day. 

I will sprinkle in some chit-chat in between the photos that may or may not have anything to do with the photo. That is just how my mind works...

The creeks are full because of all the beautiful rains we are having. I especially like seeing all the green moss on the big rocks. 

The BIG anticipated Pineapple Express either has yet to hit here or was a complete bust. Yes, we've had rain but a gentle rain. Nothing at all out of the ordinary. So if this past Storm didn't put the fear of God into the followers,  they are now pushing yet another weather phenomenon - California's predicted ARKstorm. 

I guess since our drought is kinda-sorta over (for now) they are now predicting a hypothetical megaflood that would devastate our central valley, calling it an ARKstorm. 

He said he didn't see another human until he hiked back to his van. 

To be out there all alone can be exhilarating and a little scary. I made sure he had his bear spray with him. 

In California history, we had a great flood that became an inland sea back in 1862. "THEY" believe this type of storm will occur every 100-200 years. I think I'm safe. If it happens in 2062 I will be dead. 

It's the young people who hear this and it's just one more thing they have to worry about. 

At this point he is almost there - he stopped and had lunch, enjoying the sounds of the rushing creek. 

Then he gets to this...

The Carr fire we had back in 2018, nearly wiped out the Whiskeytown area, part of our town, and due to budget restraints, COVID, 

and the "no-one-wants-to-work-anymore" - the cleanup is slow. I don't get it. Not to mention so many people still haven't had the go-ahead to rebuild their homes due to all the environmental restrictions now. 

The local government hasn't made it easy. 

So on his way back, he took a photo of this tree - he knows I love trees. 

For some who may have missed as to why I have to take the written knowledge exam again - I turn 70 in March. In California, after age 70 we have to take a written exam every 5 years. I was squawking about it because I hadn't taken a written exam in 15 years. Let's just say I was a bit rusty on new laws. 

So tomorrow is the day and I'm fine about it. I'm confident and I have an app on my phone with all the tests - and practice exams. I have passed them all except for 2 and those were yesterday. I think I can study too much and then I start to second-guess myself. It's time to get this show on the road.

I got some advice from a feisty 80-year-old - she told me to take the paper test rather than the computer - that way you can go back over and see if you made any mistakes, whereas the computer one, you can't. 

And so that's what I plan to do...

The plumber came by and didn't have to cut through the wall for the shower. He fixed the valve and to save $$$ my husband will get a new faucet and install it. Actually, my husband could have fixed it - for some reason, he thought it was a bigger job.  The plumber showed him how to fix the outside faucet and my husband can fix that as well. It all cost $192. That is not bad at all. Not at all what I was conjuring up in my mind...

I won't bore you any longer. 

I hope you are as excited about February as I am.