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The silver moon is shining upon Lake Almanor. I watch it slowly rise from a hidden spot near shore. A huge golden sphere climbs above a hill. A silver path appears, across the lake so still. The moon further ascends and illuminates the sky, silhouetting firs and pines and even deer so shy. Beauty, peace, serenity fill my soul tonight. Cares and worries float away in the shimmering moonlight.
by Barbara Paape
SMOKEY CELEBRATES 65TH BIRTHDAY One day, a person who was visiting the forest was careless with fire. No one knows if he dropped a lit match, or left his campfire burning, or forgot to crush out a cigarette. But everyone knows what did happen next. The little spark, caused by one person, quickly became a huge wildfire. The animals, birds, and fish tried to escape the fire. Some could not escape. Even in streams, fish choked on ash from the fire. Many firefighters worked for five days to put the wildfire out. When the fire was finally out, the firefighters found a frightened bear cub clinging to a burned tree. Bits of the cub’s fur and his paws had been burned in the fire. The firefighters took care of the bear cub until his injuries were all healed. They named the little bear “Smokey.” Smokey Bear became a living symbol of wildfire prevention. He travels around the country, telling boys and girls how to prevent wildfires. BE SMART Show your commitment to wildfire prevention. I pledge : WHENEVER I GO OUTDOORS * To use caution and common sense before lighting any fire. Just to seal the deal, they invite you to sign the Get Your Smokey On Pledge at www.smokeybear.com. Courtesy National Association of State Foresters, www.smokeybear.com A nesting pair of barn owls live in the tree next door.
There’s no stop light on the way to work, but I pass Lake Almanor. Sometimes the water’s choppy and low clouds hide the view.
Other days it’s smooth as glass, Each day is something new. My town does I’ll trade the convenience for my ‘kitchen window look’
There is Dyer Mountain, cloud topped and draped with snow Come spring it will be emerald green and a-hiking we will go. A deer in the yard is normal, they are barely shy, Hawks and Eagles, Canadian geese, always flying by. In the evening the frogs and crickets play a serenade We sit beneath the apple tree and listen in the shade. I know most all my neighbors, some for 30 years or more. If I miss the high school football game, someone knows the score. They know who did the yelling and who did the forgiving Pull up a chair and join us…It’s just Mountain Valley Living. |
  
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