Oct2018-master-mtnlife

Barbara’s
Treasure Box...
full of THIS and THAT
What Makes Us
What We Are
Shared Thoughts from Barbara
Vernon And Bruce Merles
Have you ever been in a situation
where you have had to decide
quickly and without much time
to stop and come up with a solution
to a complex, or even simple problem,
that could end up either good
or bad, depending on what that decision
was?
Yes! It can happen any
day, hour or moment without having
any plans ahead of time to give
adequate answers for that particular
situation happening right before
your eyes at that very second.
Like the day that I was
suddenly surprised, after walking
around the Los Angeles County
Fair all day with my family and
found people looking at me and
giggling. I had no idea what they
were laughing at! But being that
I am a person that has The Zaniest
life, where strange things always
follow me around, I should have
recognized that once again, signals
were happening.
I get myself into THE
MOST unusual circumstances
and for some reason, I can agree
that they DO seem to follow me
around…like toilet paper hanging
out of my britches…
Am I hitting some related
memories that you may have with
that last statement?
So, you see? This type of
problematic thing can, and most
likely WILL happen to each of us
in our lives. Fortunately, this particular
situation was laughed away,
but not forgotten, because I still get
teased about it.
The situations where there
are no laughable solutions are the
ones that I am referring to in this
article.
Like, when we have life
or death decisions to make…for a
loved one in trouble. Or when we
have to select the right mate when
we are not completely sure it is going
to last, but we love them.
Or having an early ultra
sound and finding that the baby may
not live through delivery because of
major organ problems that would
hinder its life in functioning well.
Maybe, as simple as hearing
a driver in the next car yelling profanities
at you because you got to
the parking spot before they did…
do you yell back? Do you apologize?
What if that person was behind
you in line at the bank?
It is our choice every day
to decide those kinds of urgent issues.
We oversee our choices and
attitudes which make or break situations
like these.
The world is a lot of things
to people, generally what each
makes it, a beautiful and beneficial
world to those who dig out, it’s
beauty and blessings. The good find
good and evil finds evil. You are
either a winner or a loser. It’s your
general behavior, not your genealogy
that helps you build points to
the game of life. It’s not what your
forefathers were, but what YOU are
that makes the difference.
This generation won’t let
you hang on to your ancestor’s
coat tails, neither deny you a coat
because they didn’t have one. You
will have to earn it.
Each person should have
this goal: I WILL become wiser,
better, and happier.
No matter what you have
acquired…wealth, prestige, or
whatever. Ask yourself. Am I wiser?
Am I better? Am I happier? If
not, look for the cause in your own
heart. For of the heart lies issues
which determine the state of people.
Good choices equal a blessed good
life.
Shared writings by Barbara Vernon
and Bruce Merles.
MOUNTAIN GARDENING
BY sUSAN campbell & Michele Martinez
Demystifying pH
Growing healthy gardens
in the mountains is a different experience
than in the lowlands. For
mountain gardeners, one major
component of successful gardening
is understanding soil pH and how it
impacts the successfully growth of
a plant.
pH describes the acidity or
alkalinity of soil on a numeric scale
from 1, being highly acidic, to 14,
being highly alkaline, and 7, being
neutral. Like the scales used for
earthquakes, the pH scale is logarithmic,
not linear: a pH of 5.0 is
10 times more acidic than a pH of
6.0 and 100 times more acidic than
a pH of 7.0.
Most crops do best when
the pH of the soil is slightly acidic
to neutral (pH 5.5 to 7.5). Whereas
soil in Southern California typically
ranges from 5.0 to 8.5, local mountain
gardeners may be surprised to
find their soil is closer to 8.0. Knowing
our soil’s pH levels should help
us not only select plants, but care
for them once they are established.
As soil can vary, it’s important to
test the soil pH at different spots
around your garden or property.
Inexpensive test kits can be
found at local garden supply stores,
and make for a great family project.
More expensive testing is available
through soil testing labs, but may
be overkill for some. Before testing,
avoid fertilizing or adding soil
amendments, and make sure compost
and other organic soil amendments
are broken down and stable
before their addition.
Identify homogeneous areas
of your yard or property. Collect
between 6 – 10 soil samples within
each area and mix them thoroughly.
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Sample depth should be between
6 inches and 1 foot, depending on
type of plant and root zone. Mix
well, and test following the kit instructions,
or ship the sample to the
lab.
Once the pH is known,
there are choices to be made. High
pH (above 7.5) can tie up nutrients
such as zinc, iron, and manganese.
Research the plants’ needs, and determine
whether soil conditioning
is needed. How badly do you want
to plant the tree which may require
regular soil amendments to thrive in
current conditions?
Conditioners needed to lower
pH and make alkaline soils more
acidic include soluble sulfuradditives
(soil acidifiers) which can be
purchased at garden centers. On
established plants, the process requires
several small applications,
done gradually, so as not to damage
root systems. For new plantings,
mix the acidifier into soil before
planting.
To raise the pH, and make
acidic soils more alkaline, lime or
wood ash are a quick fix.
Alkaline loving plants
• Sages (7.0 – 8.0)
• Mint (7.0 – 8.0)
• Lilacs (6.0 – 7.5)
• Mock Orange (7.0 – 8.0)
Acid loving plants
• Blueberries (4.0 – 6.0)
• Hydrangea blue (4.0 – 5.0)
• Roses (5.0 – 6.0)
• Azaleas & Rhododendron (4.5 –
6.0)
• Apple trees (5.0 – 6.5)
• Gooseberries (5.0 – 6.5)
• Holly (5.0 – 6.5)
• Dogwood (5.0 – 7.0)
Remember to help keep our streams
pH: cont. on page 7
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Working on Behalf of Families,
Small Businesses, & Consumers
By State Senator Mike Morrell
State Senator Mike Morrell
represents the 23rd Senate District
I attempt each year to focus
on legislation that improves opportunity
and security for Californians
so that they have every chance to
succeed.
As the state legislature
closed out its 2018 year, I was fortunate
to successfully see signed
into law several measures that prioritize
protecting consumers and
taxpayers, empowering small businesses,
and increasing government
efficiency.
Highlights of bills I have
authored and coauthored this past
year are listed below:
SB 1139 – Keeping New Homeowners
from Debt
This bill prevents new homeowners
from assuming debt that belonged to
the previous homeowners by keeping
in place improved processes for
shutting down home equity lines of
credit. These provisions help avoid
time-consuming and costly litigation.
SB 1183 – Consumer Protection -
Reverse Mortgages
This bill ensures consumers are
not misled when they have to deal
with an estate after a loved one has
passed. Reverse mortgages are not
assumable, but out of an abundance
of caution, mortgage providers currently
issue notices to surviving
successors regarding the existence
of the reverse mortgage, similar to
other loans or mortgages. To avoid
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confusion, SB 1183 exempts reverse
mortgages from being subject
to these notice requirements.
SB 920 – Empowering Small
Businesses to Succeed (coauthor)
This bill allows licensed engineers,
land surveyors, and architects to
continue forming limited liability
partnerships (LLPs) so that they can
remain financially and economically
successful. These professions are
critical to construction and building
in California. Over the last decade,
less than 80,000 new homes
were built each year, falling behind
the projected need of 180,000 new
homes annually. The state should
not stand in the way of industry
working to help meet this threshold.
SB 1079 – Supporting Local Fire
Prevention Efforts (coauthor)
This measure ensures CalFire grant
funding gets to local Fire Safe
councils, nonprofits, and other districts
in a timely manner so that fire
prevention efforts are not disrupted.
Specifically, it allows for advance
payments of grants, rather than
solely reimbursements. The issue
was brought to the attention of Senator
Morrell by the Mountain Rim
Fire Safe Council.
For additional information on any of
these bills, you can visit the Legislative
Information website at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
or contact my
Capitol Office at (916) 651-4023.
Senator Mike Morrell represents the
23rd Senate District which includes
the San Bernardino Mountains.
Follow him on Facebook, Twitter,
and Instagram.
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the pH scale in comparison
clean. Do Not Overfertilize!
October Mountain to do list
• Take time to enjoy the fall colors!
• Take down hummingbird feeders
to encourage their migration
• Clean up spent foliage such as
from peonies and other perennials
Jaime Stiansen
909-261-5205 (c)
BRE: 02040272
• Leave seeds on some flowers such
as sunflowers, coneflowers and sedum
for the birds!
• As plants fade, keep garden areas
clean to reduce insects and disease
• Remove fallen fruit to reduce
chances of disease
• Thoroughly clean flower pots,
and store them in a dry area to avoid
winter breakage
• Plant spring bulbs before the
ground freezes
• Plant drought tolerant perennial
shrubs. Pick varieties suitable to our
USDA zones: Runnings Springs &
Lake Arrowhead, 8a; Crestline, 8b;
Big Bear, 7a. Irrigate regularly before
snow sets in.
• Visit these favorite southern
California locations for drought
tolerant plants: Rancho Santa Ana
Botanical Garden (check www.rsabg.org
for scheduled plant sales)
and Tree of Life Nursery (www.
californianativeplants.com), and
Theodore Pain Foundation (http://
theodorepayne.org/
Running Springs - Great Buys Before the Holidays!
$415,000 - This amazing 3 bedroom 2
bathroom house with panoramic views
of the valley is ninety-five percent remodeled
from top to bottom. Custom
$260,000 - It’s time to buy that A-Frame
in the woods! This rustic cabin has 3 bedrooms
2 bathrooms. Entry level with ening
custom fireplace screen and stair/
iron work security doors with matchter
level parking and garage makes for loft railing. Kitchen has new cabinets
easy mountain living. Large glass windows
overlook the forest, with a unique steel appliances. 1st floor has custom
with granite counter tops and stainless
freestanding fireplace. Buildup has laundry
and a small workshop area. game room. Large deck with killer city
lighting with built in bar is perfect for a
light views.
$499,999 - Enter into the Enchanted
Forest Estates home with 5 bedrooms
4 bathrooms. Enjoy the tranquil front
deck area that overlooks the waterfall
and Koi pond. 2 master bedroom suites
on top floor. Bottom floor with 2 bedrooms,
1 bath and large living room.
Kitchen has granite counters and stainless
steel appliances. Amazing Valley
views.
Jamie & Lisa Houck
909-384-2612 (c)
BRE: 01296732 & 02005271
Our Team
Working Hard For You!
www.topproducersrealty.com
Page 6 Mountain Lifestyle October 2018 October 2018 Mountain Lifestyle Page 7