THE ROAD BY THE FERRY DOCK
It was hot today, and a good place to go in the heat is down the road that goes straight ahead where 84 curves to the ferry dock. Ancient eucalyptus trees provide shade on both sides, helped out by cottonwoods, willows, blackberry thickets, and dense undergrowth. Between the road and the river is a cherry orchard. We were there for most of the afternoon since Amber discovered that many rabbits live in the wildest growth. I left her there for a while and visited the Rio Vista town hall to find what I could about the phantom development, which again wasn't much. Nearly 200 acres were allotted to the project. The developer evidently put in the streets and utilities, but they did not pass the city's inspection (many of the streets have buckled and warped). This was only one of the problems--the major one was the collapse of the economy, particularly the matter of unsavory mortgages.
By the time I got back to the ferry dock to collect Amber, she seemed to have gotten herself stuck somewhere. I could hear her respond when I called--and the bark did not sound like her rabbit-trailing baying--but she didn't appear and it didn't sound as though she was moving. I finally called Nellie and Nick to come help look for her, but of course by the time they arrived she had come bounding out of the woods. She was completely covered with mud. My theory is that she got into one of the irrigation canals and couldn't get out. Anyway, a bath took care of the mud and all is well. Or nearly well. Again, after hours of waiting for her, I ponder our relationship. Those who know us well, my three adult children particularly, contend that she is "spoiled." I wonder about this term and about all it implies, and most particularly about the whole "alpha leader" concept of relating to dogs. I am reading a book that takes this on: Dog Sense by John Bradshaw. I will be discussing it when I've finished.
I have rather overwhelmed myself with books and other materials, primarily about the delta. And more are on the way by inter library loan. Soon, I like to think, I will get organized and focused. Or not. The delta becomes more and more interesting the more I find out. Early Years to Golden Years in Rio Vista, written and published by Steven Martin Shine is not so much a book as a compilation of lists with an occasional nugget of history. Historic Houses of the Sacramento River Delta, published by the Sacramento River Delta Historical Society in Walnut Grove is a bit more promising. The houses, presented in drawings, are wonderful and their histories interesting...alas, the locations are not clearly presented. I am going to set off in search of many of them.
Meanwhile I am making some progress with tech difficulties. Amazingly, my cell phone charger also will charge the battery in the video camera. Hardly ever do technical matters solve themselves so effortlessly, and without the condescending intervention of some young techie.
I have also contracted for a good Internet connection, which will be hooked up this Thursday. Then there will be videos aplenty. Or so I imagine. They will not either upload or download with the weak signal I am freeloading on.
By the time I got back to the ferry dock to collect Amber, she seemed to have gotten herself stuck somewhere. I could hear her respond when I called--and the bark did not sound like her rabbit-trailing baying--but she didn't appear and it didn't sound as though she was moving. I finally called Nellie and Nick to come help look for her, but of course by the time they arrived she had come bounding out of the woods. She was completely covered with mud. My theory is that she got into one of the irrigation canals and couldn't get out. Anyway, a bath took care of the mud and all is well. Or nearly well. Again, after hours of waiting for her, I ponder our relationship. Those who know us well, my three adult children particularly, contend that she is "spoiled." I wonder about this term and about all it implies, and most particularly about the whole "alpha leader" concept of relating to dogs. I am reading a book that takes this on: Dog Sense by John Bradshaw. I will be discussing it when I've finished.
I have rather overwhelmed myself with books and other materials, primarily about the delta. And more are on the way by inter library loan. Soon, I like to think, I will get organized and focused. Or not. The delta becomes more and more interesting the more I find out. Early Years to Golden Years in Rio Vista, written and published by Steven Martin Shine is not so much a book as a compilation of lists with an occasional nugget of history. Historic Houses of the Sacramento River Delta, published by the Sacramento River Delta Historical Society in Walnut Grove is a bit more promising. The houses, presented in drawings, are wonderful and their histories interesting...alas, the locations are not clearly presented. I am going to set off in search of many of them.
Meanwhile I am making some progress with tech difficulties. Amazingly, my cell phone charger also will charge the battery in the video camera. Hardly ever do technical matters solve themselves so effortlessly, and without the condescending intervention of some young techie.
I have also contracted for a good Internet connection, which will be hooked up this Thursday. Then there will be videos aplenty. Or so I imagine. They will not either upload or download with the weak signal I am freeloading on.
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