I need to say a big thank you to Dr. John Coe. And also to all the extraordinary professionals of Redding’s Mercy Medical Center. In this world, mercy is often in short supply. But at the hospital, staff seems always able to come up with an extra ounce when it’s needed most. Thanks everyone.
Lily the dog, and a Mountain Bike -short video
This video made my day. I know we have many mountain bike trail enthusiasts here in the Northstate, and terrific trails. But few humans are as electrified about a single track workout as this little dog Lily. This may not be Redding, but I think locals will really enjoy this short video if you haven’t seen it. Comes to us via Pinkbike.com. Click on the link to see some amazing still photography of bike and rider at their site. Our thanks to them for this uplifting few minutes of Lily and her friend with the bike, and the cameras. Nice work!
A day of reflection
Our hearts go out to the families of those killed in the 9/11 attack. And today we are reflective, in quiet observance of the blood and treasure spent in the decade since.
This photo is of Karry and me in a different New York. It’s a poignant reminder that every time you kiss or hug a loved one goodbye for even the most mundane separation, it may turn out to be the last time. But such is the nature of life.
Relax -new old music
Relax2011 by SkipMurphy
2001: a time odyssey
The Redding sun shone brightly through glass block walls at the Mercy Medical pediatric level in May of 1983, on the morning my first daughter Erin was born. I recall musing the mental math and discovering she would graduate from High School in 2001, a year that had special meaning back then. The turn of the century was the setting of the futuristic and obtuse Kubrick film 2001: a space odyssey. The film set the tone and expectations for what seemed a distant but believable future. I speculated maybe Erin would become a flight attendant on a Pan-Am space vessel, or a resident of a colony on the moon. In 1983, anything seemed possible for 2001.
But here we are in May of 2011, and in a few weeks, we won’t even have so much as a Space Shuttle. Erin grew up, and graduated Class of 2001, but I don’t think I’ll be visiting her at her apartment on the moon base anytime soon. On the other hand, and in my hand, I hold a small computer more powerful than HAL. Such is the nature of long term predictions of the future.
Short term, I can predict that tonight, she and her CV classmates will be attending a 10 year class reunion at a Casino in Redding (Legal gambling in Redding? I’d not have predicted that in 1983.). Handheld video recorders were pretty new to us all in 2001, and so her video yearbook is a unique artifact. She edited it for YouTube, and posted it yesterday.
2001: A Reverse Time Odyssey. Not quite what we expected…
For first responders
“Can you help me clean the puke out of the Durango?”
She stood wavering, ever so slightly. Maybe a little pale, but definitely with that far away look in her eyes.
River, river carry me on
Living river carry me on
River, river carry me on
To the place where I come from
As a member of the Grand Jury this year, ordinary tasks call for observing some Shasta County operations. I’m remembering her description of the Shasta County jail tour, and about the food.
Today, the schedule was to take her to the Coroners office.
So deep, so wide, will you take me
on your back for a ride
If I should fall, would you swallow me deep inside?
“You know,” I said earlier that morning, “they’re gonna have that kid there today. The child that drowned in the Trinity. Maybe you should ask for a different day.”
“When is it a good day to witness an autopsy?” she said. “I think I can handle it.” So confident. A false bravado, I’m thinking.
River, show me how to float
I feel like I’m sinking down
Thought that I could get along
But here in this water
My feet won’t touch the ground
I need something to turn myself around
Going away, away toward the sea
River deep, can you lift up and carry me
“She looked like a doll, I…”
“…I thought I was okay. But then I just started sweating. It was hard to breathe. I said I had to go. Then, I just lost it in the car.”
Oh roll on though the heartland
‘Til the sun has left the sky
River, river carry me high
‘Til the washing of the water make it all alright
Let your waters reach me like
she reached me tonight
“How could…” her unfinished words slowly evaporated.
No answer. What separates any of us from hearing voices in our heads? Maybe just some few brain chemicals, keeping things rational. I look away.
Letting go, it’s so hard
The way it’s hurting now
To get this love untied
So tough to stay with this thing
‘Cause if I follow through
I face what I denied
I get those hooks out of me
And I take out the hooks that I
sunk deep in your side
Kill that fear of emptiness, loneliness I hide
“It must have been terrible for the first responders, the rescuers, the searchers. Whoever pulled her out of the river will have that image.”
And so we are thinking of you today, Search and Rescue, First Responders, and Coroners. All very needed. All quietly going about your very necessary work. You are in our thoughts. Whether in Trinity County, Shasta County, or Joplin Missouri.
River, oh river, river running deep
Bring me something that will let me get to sleep
In the washing of the water
will you take it all away
Bring me something to take this pain away
Lyrics: Washing of the Water, Peter Gabriel
My video of the Asphalt Cowboys Pancake Breakfast
Awesome Predator guards west Redding gate
Cat floormat
Drag Racing adds another level to Kool April Nites fun
It’s great to see the custom cars come from all over on display at Kool April Nites this week. And it’s always a blast to attend the parade on Friday evening, as the cars slowly drive by. But to fully experience the power of these machines full on, you should make plans to spend some time at the Redding Dragstrip on either Friday or Saturday. Especially after dark when the dueling jet cars light up the night. You’ll feel the heat!
Kool April Drags. It’s Really Redding.