Well, I hope we survive all the Fourth of July fireworks extravaganzas without burning down the mountain. Anyway, now it’s time to get on with the rest of summer. One of the best things about summer in sunny Southern California – no matter whether you reside at the beach, the inland valleys or in the mountains – is that cool, refreshing ocean breeze that blows through late in the day.
The sweet days of summer, the jasmines in bloom, July is dressed up and playing her tune. When I come home from a hard day’s work and you’re waiting there, not a care in the world. Summer breeze makes me feel fine, blowing through the jasmine in my mind. (“Summer Breeze” – Seals & Crofts – 1972)
This year’s fireworks extravaganza, viewed from Lake Gregory’s north shore terrace, is expected to be exceptional and exciting, but not as exciting as the one in 2001, when over 1,000 people were treated to what many, me included, believe was an Unidentified Flying Object (fancy term for flying saucer) with no flashing lights and emitting no sound. It encircled Lake Gregory three times, very quickly, in what was estimated a three-mile-wide diameter in less than three minutes, then dived downward, split into two separate objects and took off like a bat out of Hades. One eyewitness described it as “very low at about a 30-degree angle.” More details about this incident can be viewed on the National UFO Reporting Center (NUFORC).
It feels really good to have all of last winter’s storm debris cleaned up. And thanks to the local Fire Safe Council for once again bringing their chipping crew to the stately Motley Manor to chip away at my gargantuan pile of downed limbs and branches. Now that the winter mess is cleaned up and all the weeds whacked away, I can finally get down to tending to my thirsty roses, daylilies and vinca.
Keeping up with yardwork not only gives me a chance to keep my property safe, but it also affords me an opportunity to commune with nature.
Let me tell you about the birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees and the moon up above, and a thing called love. (“The Birds And The Bees” – Jewel Akens – 1965)
When I’m done communing with nature, I enjoy taking in some concerts. For my birthday on June 22, “Junior” and I went to see Dead and Company at The Sphere in Las Vegas, featuring John Mayer taking the place of the late Jerry Garcia on guitar and vocals. In August, me and the Missus will be seeing the latest incarnation of the Kingston Trio at the Greek Theater in LA. And, every Friday be sure to attend the free Friday night concerts at Lake Gregory’s south shore pavilion.
That’s a wrap for this week, folks. Don’t forget to log onto the Alpine Mountaineer website, www.thealpinemountaineer.com, to listen to the latest News and Views from the Alpine Mountaineer and Mountain Musings with Uncle Mott. These can also be heard, periodically, on KQLH-FM 92.5 – In the meantime…
Keep it flyin’,
Uncle Mott
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