The Mother Orange

Last week we traveled to Bidwell Bar Bridge and I was reminded that the Mother Orange used to live there. Today we decided to find the Mother Orange. (BTW, her address is in Wikipedia)

This little tree was originally planted in 1856 in Oroville. She was the first orange tree in Northern California. We know she started out in a planter box in Mazatlan, Mexico. She was shipped to Sacramento when she was about 2 or 3 years old and purchased by Judge Joseph Lewis who eventually planted her at Bidwell Bar Suspension Bridge in present day Oroville, CA in 1856. 

For decades, miners (and others too) ate her juicy fruit and planted her fertile seeds. It was thought that an orange tree could not grow in this less than tropical environment...but the tree flourished and grew to over 60 feet tall, regularly producing 500 to 700 pounds of oranges annually. Her seeds were the start of the orange industry in the North State.

The tree was thriving at Bidwell Bar Bridge until construction of the Oroville Dam began. In 1964, when the tree was about 108 years old, she was moved to her current location. The average lifespan of an orange tree is about 50 years, so in 1964 the Mother Orange was an old lady and folks wondered if she would survive the move. Not to be bothered by a mere move, she continued to grow and produce fruit until 1998 when a freak cold spell damaged her. We all thought she was doomed, but not the scientists at UC Riverside. They were able to make three clones from the original tree. In 2003 those clones were replanted back in Oroville.

This tree is a survivor. The clone, also called "The Mother Orange," produces about 500 pounds of fruit yearly. The clone is less than 20 years old.

Plaques commemorating The Mother Orange

If a tree can be loved (and I think they can), the Mother Orange is beloved by all who know about her. For folks who might be offended by my use of SHE and HER when writing about this tree, I say "too bad!" The Mother Orange has always been referred to as SHE. Who am I to argue with a tree that has brought forth fruit for over 150 years and started the orange industry in Northern CA. 

Long live the Mother Orange.

Covid Update, Day 2

We received our Covid shot about 4 PM on Friday, January 29. Neither of us felt bad right after the shot, so we drove home and proceeded to go about our business. As directed, we continued to move our left arms regularly while drinking lots of water. Yesterday morning, my arm felt like it had been hit with a large hammer, while the other DrC's arm felt like it had been slapped hard. All day long we felt well. As the day progressed I could move my left arm above my head without pain, By 11 PM we both had muscles aches in our hands, shoulders and back. We took our temperatures and they were normal. Based on the normal temperature, we thought we were getting a reaction to the shot. This morning, we both woke up with achy hands, the other aches had gone away. Both of us could raise our left arms above our head without pain. 

Individual reactions will vary. What I've written above can be used as a "yardstick" to measure your reactions to the vaccine when you receive it. We are now playing a waiting game for shot #2.

Moderna Shot

Yesterday I had a surprise! We were taking the other DrC for his Covid shot thinking I was not eligible. We were okay with that because at least one of us would have the shot. We joined the long line of cars filled with folks over 75 waiting for their shots. We had our paperwork filled out...we were ready. When we got to the front of the line, the nice person with the clipboard asked if we were both getting the shot, and I answered no, as I was too young. She asked my age, and said "Don't tell anyone but we are letting spouses take the shot together." With a little HOOT I gladly filled out the paperwork and got my shot.

This morning, my arm feels like it has been hit with a sledgehammer, but I feel great. We are onboard for shot number 2 later in February. It was a good day. Thank you President Donald J. Trump, the Covid vaccine would not have been possible without you spearheading Project Warp Speed!

Sunday Drive

Remember in the "old days" folks would go on a Sunday drive? Today is Sunday and we went for a drive to Oroville Dam. It was a gray, somewhat drippy day, but that did not curb our enthusiasm. We went to Loafer Creek and saw some deer by the roadway.

The males still had their antlers.

From there we drove to the marina and found hundreds of houseboats patiently waiting for better weather.

The big surprise was seeing the Bidwell Bar Bridge. 

I've seen pictures of the bridge, but never the real thing. You have to drive highway 162 for several miles outside of Oroville, past Loafer Creek before it comes into view. The original Bidwell Bar Bridge was built in 1855 with materials shipped from New York via Cape Horn. Bidwell, the founder of Chico, made his fortune mining gold near this location. When this bridge was constructed in 1966, it was the highest suspension bridge in the world. Alas, it did not stay that for long, as the lake behind Oroville Dam started to fill. 

 This picture, gives a good idea how high the bridge is over the water. 

Just a few facts about Oroville Dam and Lake.

For Friends

 A  piggy and teddy bear. I gave the piggy to my orthodontist. The teddy bear goes to Teresa. 

Mt. Moran Winter and Summer

 I stole this picture from Facebook. Kelly Minor took it. Mt. Moran at the Oxbows in the winter. 

Mt. Moran at the Oxbows in the summer. Both are beautiful. In case you have not figured it out, I'm not happy with the current political environment, so I'm resorting to things that make me happy--Teddy bears, mountains, slippers, ice cream, my wonderful husband...

Slippers

 

Some yarn is easy to work with...then there is this stuff. It's soft and cuddly, which I guess makes up for it's stubbornness. This slipper has been remade 3 times...I think I have it right. I gave it to Teresa for her birthday and she loved them. She said she had never had homemade slippers before. Who knew?

Teddy Bear Home

 

It's always fun to give a teddy bear away. The purple bear went to Abby and according to her grandparents she plays with it all the time. Teddy bears need good homes and I think this one has found one.

The Adventure of Moving

We are used to moving...we do it a couple of times every year. This year, we are truly moving. Moving out of our home state into Nevada. Remember a few entries back, I said "watch this space?" Our lovely home in northern CA sold in 6 hours. Before that happened, everything we had was stored or donated or tossed. 

The movers came and rolled away with most of our possessions. In the meantime, we are "full timing" in our RV. We are used to living in small spaces, so it's not hard, but I do not recommend full timing if you are not 100% compatible with your spouse. I was telling someone today that we are living in a 32 foot "tin box" and there's not a lot of room for extras. Continue to watch this space as the next adventure is in the early stages of discovery.

2021 and Hope

I did not create this image, it was sent to me by my sister. It works for me. I hope that 2021 will bring us out of the pandemic. I hope we do not go the way of socialism. I hope we will be a united country.

 So much to hope for; so little time...only 365 days. 

In the scheme of things, that's not very long for that huge agenda.

In the meantime, I'm still making teddy bears. They are hopeful and happy. 

This one is going to a six year old who loves purple. I've named her Fleur.