Change of Scenery

It isn't that I have done nothing in the last month or so, so much as I am not a good enough writer to make it blogolicious.

The most stirring thing was sitting with a woman I was caring for and holding her hand while she died. In a way it filled in the gaps of not being there when my own mother died and it was profound and quiet at the same time. And even now I have no tools to expound on it but to say it happened and it is over. She was expected to live a couple of months and this was into the second week and I was selfish enough to think, "Shit, there goes my paycheck." Not immediately, but within the first hour. I do not particularly want to do home health care and was thinking I would rather be doing something else so be careful what you wish for. I did take the opportunity to pass my number to the neighbors in the Colony (what I refer to as senior prison) in Murrieta.

On the positive side, I moved to the mountains. Nothing my reader doesn't know, but it is a done deal. My landlady had a rather sudden split with her husband and she was in the process of buying this place so simply completed it and asked me along. Thank heaven.

Positive:
It is beautiful and quiet 
I have more room so am able to close down storage unit
I am able to use the kitchen and not feel awkward
We will be putting in a garden
We will be getting a llama
My neighbors have camels, ostriches, horses, goats, pigs, llamas, etc, etc etc.
It is like being at camp
I think I can complete healing here
We have wifi
Saw a woodpecker and blue jay

Negative:
It is miles away from everything and I was counting on that job to hoard gas money.
I had actually been thinking of moving to a more populated area of So Cal
Still renting and not able to handle my own expenses
Farther from jobs
No cell service - yet - but we will be getting a booster soonest

And it is ripe for ART - and by that I mean pictures. If it can't be illustrated, I am not interested. Hence my lack of posts. Or more likely lack of my own imagination.

 

The paddock and stables. 

This is where the garden will go. Note the golden glow on the 

mountains reflecting the setting sun.

 

Going down Chihuahua Valley Rd from the house there is a stunning view of the valley below - looking more or less towards Palomar and Temecula. This might be more clear enlarged. 

 Four ranches down the street is a cider place. I am unclear whether it is open to the public. However, at the bottom of CV Rd there is a winery.This should be very pretty once spring comes. We have 8 apple trees ourselves.

 Next to the cider farm is this plaque stating that 1000 acres have been put aside for the enjoyment of all. However, looks fenced to me and I have not found an opening yet. 

 The across-the-street neighbor

 About a mile down is a Buddhist retreat center. The sign is completely worn away and I am not certain it is in use. However, it is impossible to miss the bizarrely large statues that dot the acreage. 

 I was thinking this was the Lost Valley Camp the boys went to but there is a Lost Valley Rd further down the 79 which I think might be the one. This says nothing about BSA or San Diego Council so I am doubting it is theirs.

When traveling Chihuahua Valley Rd you immediately go up. Once you clear the summit, there is a gorgeous view of the mountains beyond. And, why, might you ask, are they green in this severest of droughts? Because they are inhabited with all native plants. The local hills that are straw colored have been taken over by non-native grasses. You can tell the natives by their greeness in times of low water. 

I can recognize manzanita - there is a stand on the road that burned last year that is coming back, plus some in the back 3 acres. Also found are oaks, pines, sage, chamise, toyon, sagebrush, poppies, milkweed (used by monarch butterflies during their migrations), and a surprising variety of flowers and flowering shrubs.It is the native animal I am worried about, but the whole place is fenced.

Facts:

5 acres

4200' above sea level