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. HONEST I PROFESSIONAL I RELIABLE A Sweep’s Luck, Inc. Co. Since 1982 Chimney Cleaning & Repair Dryer Vent Cleaning & Repair Air Duct Cleaning & Sealing 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 • Chimney • Dryer Vent • Air Duct Service Fireplace Sales & Installations All Major and Minor Repairs (909) 337-0256 I SweepsLuck.net Visit Our Showroom 26882 State Hwy 189 I Blue Jay, California 92317 35 Over Honest • Professional • Reliable • Years • Sweep’s Luck, Inc. 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 Great Seasonal Rates Under New Ownership Midweek Rates as low as $65 daily * Deep Creek Motel 2312 Blue Jay Ln, Arrowbear Lake, CA 92382 (909) 867-2312 Also find us on: * call for availability 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 <strong>Mountain</strong> 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 <strong>Mountain</strong>s. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Now available through: Expedia • Orbitz Hotels.com the pH scale in comparison clean. Do Not Overfertilize! October <strong>Mountain</strong> 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: <strong>Running</strong>s <strong>Springs</strong> & 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/ <strong>Running</strong> <strong>Springs</strong> - 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 <strong>Mountain</strong> <strong>Lifestyle</strong> October 2018 October 2018 <strong>Mountain</strong> <strong>Lifestyle</strong> Page 7
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