The Brotherhood of St. Herman of Alaska

Yesterday I made a delivery to the Brotherhood of St. Herman of Alaska in Platina. I hadn't delivered here since the wildfires last June so I asked Father Nicolas if the St. Herman of Alaska Monastery and St. Xenia Skete Monastery had received any fire damage. Father Nicolas was happy to give me their May-June, 2008 publication that told the whole story (see picture of the cover of that issue). I quote from the publication “By the Grace of our merciful God, this (fire) danger was averted and the monasteries were spared”. The monks had to evacuate and for six days could not return to the monasteries. Pictured is Fathers Nicolas and Paisius from the Brotherhood and happy to be back home again. You can visit the St. Herman Press at their website (http://www.sainthermanpress.com/ Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

Harvesting The Olives

The Olive season is over now but you can see by these two pictures how the olives are harvested. Unlike the nut crops (walnuts and almonds) which are harvested by machinery, olives are still hand-picked. Note the strange shape of the ladders used by the pickers. They are wide at the bottom and gradually get narrow towards the top. Olive trees are not allowed to grow taller than the ladders used to reach the olives so pruning is done each year after the harvest. The olive tree appears throughout history and has been found to live more than two thousand years. (Just click on the pictures for a larger view).

Gas Prices Still Falling

I don't usually shop at this station here in Red Bluff but since it had the lowest prices around and I was almost on empty I filled up my tank for $31.01. Its hard to believe that gas prices are still falling but I'm not complaining at all. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

Overlooking "My" Cottonwood Ranch

A few evenings ago I got this shot of the Cottonwood Creek Ranch and some of its grazing cattle. Naturally since I pass this ranch twice a day I consider it mine. That's Mt Shasta in the background. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

Gas Prices Falling Even Lower!

I got gas here yesterday and was amazed that I spent only $29.00 for a fill-up. It seems like ages ago that gas prices were this low. But they still don't match the prices I paid back in Texas during the early 1960's. Back then the cost would be $1.95 and I would have gotten 20 time blue chip stamps plus getting my oil, water, battery and tires checked. Did I mention the service also included getting my windshields cleaned. And all this by a man in a uniform. How times have changed........... (Just click on the picture for a larger view).

The Dog Collar Man

Recently I made a delivery of some U-Line material to an address in Los Molinos. After talking with the recipient for awhile I learned that he has an interesting occupation. He makes Dog Collars and ships them all over the world. His name is Preston Smith and he has been crafting leather products for 30 years. You can assess his web site at PrestonLeashes.com but if you are in the market for a quality dog collar, just call him at (530) 384-1930. (Click on the picture for a larger view).

Red Bluff's View of Mt Lassen

Looking East from atop Antelope Blvd as it crosses over Interstate 5 you can see Mt Lassen in the distance. It is nice to see snow on it for a change. (Just click on the picture for a larger view).