The words across from the Really Redding header says “Life and all in Redding California.” So, “all” includes end of life as well. This is a cross-post from the Redding Dragstrip website. I wrote of a memorial service for my friend Bob Lidell.
It was a picture perfect Fall day yesterday at the Redding Dragstrip, as friends and family came together to celebrate and reflect on the life of track President Bob Lidell, who passed away unexpectedly last Monday. And although I don’t usually take photos at this kind of gathering, I felt this was an exception. Bob was a community figure, as evidenced by the large turnout.
Click on these to enlarge a bit, if you like. Bob’s race car served as a metaphor, and Paul Warner spoke eloquently that none of us knows where or when the finish line to our race will come.
Bob was a Vietnam Veteran, and received all due respect.
It was a time for somber reflection. Bob’s immediate family offers a toast.
But it was a celebration too, and there were a few light moments. Somebody played Bob’s cell phone message over the P.A. It was good to hear his voice again.
But then the disembodied phone company message finished by telling us that Bob’s voicemailbox was full, and would be accepting no more messages. That sounded like Bob, alright. He was a perpetually busy guy. Going full blast, right up to the finish line.
I posted a bit of the ceremony so you can get the essence of it.R.I.P. Bob Lidell. You will be greatly missed. You were ReallyRedding.
Do local acorns predict a rough Winter ahead?
I’ve heard that bit of Redding lore. If true, our backyard oaks are telling us to buy a new coat, and stack another cord of wood. Acorn production this season has become overwhelming.
We’ll collect these and put them out back for the wildlife that depends on the oaks. Native people would know what to do with this year’s abundance, but I don’t know any good acorn recipes. What wine goes with acorn?
They haven’t even finished falling!
Longtime readers will recall images I took of a squirrel harvesting our oaks. But this year, we’ve seen few squirrels. As for Winter, we’ll find out soon enough. Mornings are now quite brisk. A sure sign of the season’s approach.
There otter be a law
Fishing the Sacramento in the City of Redding
Backyard eggs from Redding
Great professional Redding tour video
Watch this professional video centered on fly fishing on the Sacramento River in Redding. They also show some other outdoor activities available, including Shasta Caverns, Sundial Bridge, and Turtle Bay. There’s also an interesting segment on locally made Sea Breacher, and Jetovator jet pack water flying on Shasta Lake. Check it out!
Uncommon view of Redding from the West Hills
Out showing a home in the west hills looking over a Spring cloud Redding evening skyline lends an uncommon perspective to otherwise familiar landmarks. From here, the Diestlehorst, Rail Trestle, and Sundial bridges become neighbors. Click to enlarge a bit.
Below we see Highway 44 going east, with Shasta Regional Medical Center in the foreground, and leading off to big-boxville.
Below, a view of Greenstone Place from on a hill in west Redding. A lovely neighborhood of gracious homes framed in green hills and red cliffs on a warm Spring evening.
Even commonplace sights are all extraordinary in our town. It’s Really Redding.
Thunderbirds
Hey Northeast – u cold?
Another sunny Spring day in Redding. Today we experience the familiar disconnect. National news is full of blizzard, snow drifts, power outages, cancelled travel, and worse. Meanwhile in lovely Redding, we are spending the placid morning picking which gorgeous trail on which to spend a pleasant Saturday.
If your internet isn’t down, out there in the frozen Northeast. If you are pondering which superstorm will finally have your name on it. If you’d like to consider a place where you can run your business without fearing yet another megastorm disruption. Then consider Redding. We’d love to have you.
The Gourmet
A lively group of Redding people have been meeting every month over the last 40+ years to share a meal. The membership has evolved over the years, but the theme persists:
The Gourmet.
I was invited after a regular member had to bow out at the last minute. The idea is that the host prepares the main dish, and the guests bring other courses. This is far from a potluck, however. The emphasis is on cuisine and company. A theme for the evening was persimmons, and so we had a persimmon based soup, and main dish. Our hosts were Jim and Mary Carr of Redding.
In my work as real estate agent, I have seen many large and elaborate kitchens described as “gourmet.” The Carr’s diminutive kitchen workspace reminds us all that good culinary experiences are not at all reliant on size. My deep gratitude goes to the guests and hosts who made this evening so spirited. The Gourmet, it’s Really Redding.
