Make Every Moment Count

"Ichigo Ichie" the motto in the Japanese tea ceremony which means "one time, one encounter." This for us is a cue to see every moment as special and unrepeatable; it banishes boredom since no experience is ever the same. ~Unknown

Today will only happen today. Will you treat it as unremarkable, going through the motions as though you have infinite tomorrows? Or will you recognize today and each of it's moments for the precious gifts they are? Be fully present for each encounter today and see if you can't find the magic in each. It is there if we only open our minds and hearts to possibility.

Ladder of Success

"As you climb the ladder of success, be sure it's leaning against the right building." ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

As we work so very hard to achieve our career and personal ambitions, it is wise to pause and reflect regularly to ensure the path we are on is leading to what we truly desire. The reasons we had for embarking on our path may have changed, and the end of the journey may no longer be a desired state. Pause. Reflect. Redirect if necessary and then move forward again with a heightened sense of purpose and passion!

Spring With Your Pets

Spring is finally here, and it’s a great time to enjoy the weather with your dog. If you’re the spring cleaning type, it’s also a good time to refresh your home and get yourself and your pets ready for the warm weather ahead. So, here are five things you might want to do for your pets in spring:
1-Make a grooming appointment. At our house, grooming means me giving the dogs a bath in the yard, and letting the cats tend to themselves. In spring, dogs might need an extra nail trimming, too, if they went on fewer walks (which can naturally wear down nails) during the winter.  Also, as embarrassing as it may be for your dog, it may be time to excise those anal glands.   I know, not the most romantic aspect of owning a dog; but still a point to consider.  They're no happier about this than you are, but better to get those glands cleaned than see your "Little Precious" scooting her hind end across your freshly cleaned carpet.
2-Get a jump on fleas. If you like to use holistic/natural products to treat your home, yard and pets for fleas, early spring is the time to think about getting started. There are non-toxic powders you can use to treat your carpets and even your hardwood floors, there are beneficial nematodes for your yard and even sprays for your pet’s bedding and your pet — but you’ll want to start using these products early in the season for maximum effectiveness. I have learned to avoid any of those mass advertised drops for fleas.  They tend to irritate both of my dogs skin and send them into a lather. Best to use regular baths, powder their bods and bedding, flea collars and oral medication.  If you notice fleas on your pets don't waste time in eradicating the little bastards.  Not only can they make your pets itchy and irritable...they can cause intestinal worms and diahrrea.  3-Make landscaping or gardening plans with your pets in mind. Did you know there are many plants that are toxic to pets? For example, that bright yellow flower that signals spring has arrived — the Daffodil — is toxic to both cats and dogs (as well as horses.) The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which runs a pet poison control hotline, provides a resource on plants that are toxic and non-toxic to pets. Don’t worry — there are many beautiful plants that won’t hurt your pet.
4-Do a spring cleaning. Spring is a good time to give your pets’ favorite items a good cleaning (it’s surprising how much hair can accumulate in the crevices of a pet bed) and to go through their toys and other items. If you have toys sitting around that your pet doesn’t like or play with — or even treats or pet care products you’re not using — consider donating them to your local animal rescue or shelter.
5-Get out and have fun. Spring is such a wonderful time of year. So, open a window for your cat to get some fresh air or take a long walk with your dog.

Courage

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."~Winston Churchill
True courage is shown both in the ability to continue to push further when "success" is reached, as well as pushing forward after a bitter failure. We are never done - and that is the gift of this life!

Bass Lake Fishing Derby and Arts & Craft Fair This Weekend!!

Get ready for the 31st Annual Bass Lake Fishing Derby!!

The boats are launched, the tackle boxes loaded, the soda and munchies ready, and Bass Lake freshly stocked with 1,000 trout (including the "big one" with the $25,000 tag!).  In addition to the grand prize there will be 150 trout worth $100 each and 849 trout worth $20 each. 

Registration is $25 for individuals or $60 per family.  Visit http://www.basslakechamber.com/ for entry forms and rules.  Not into fishing?  Check out the Bass Lake Arts & Craft Fair, happening in the Pines Village today through Sunday. 

59th Annual Coarsegold Rodeo is this weekend!

The 59th Annual Coarsegold Rodeo kicks off Saturday morning.  Make a date to check out all of the vendors, exhibits, great food and rodeo excitement.  Enjoy traditional cowboy contests, bull riding, bucking broncs, barrel racing, roping and more!
Admission:  Adults, $10; Students ages 6-17, $5; Children 5 and under free.
For more information visit http://www.thecoarsegoldrodeo.com/


Saturdays events: 
11 am  Kids Mutton Bustin' Rodeo
1:30 pm Pro Rodeo
8pm Dance under the stars
Sundays events: 
9:00 am  Cowboy Church
8:30-11:30 am  Cowboy Breakfast
12:00 pm  Rodeo Queen and Princesses Crowned, Grand Entry with 2011 Marshals
1:30 pm  Pro Rodeo, Kids Mutton Bustin' Contest

Give Yourself a Break

"Be gentle with yourself. Be kind to yourself. You may not be perfect, but you are all you've got to work with. The process of becoming who you will be begins first with the total acceptance of who you are." ~Bhante Henepola Gunaratana

This beautiful quote reminds us to have patience with ourselves as we navigate our life's journey. Our lives and those of others around us are truly a process of becoming. Patience with yourself and patience with others will make all of our journeys more bearable during the darker moments and more remarkable during the joyous moments. There will be plenty of both!

Thoughts from a Dumped Dog Part 2

A lot has changed in my life since I was dumped by my previous owners in August of 2009.

For starters, I grew up. When my new Mom found me I was a scrawny 26 pound puppy of unknown lineage. I have developed into a burly 75 pound bruiser and, thanks to a DNA test, know that I am part Rhodesian Ridgeback and part Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Mom and Dad were a bit surprised by my growth but have handled my sizable addition to the family nicely. I outgrew my hand-me down collar and now have my very own extra large collar complete with tags.

My Mom followed through on her threat and had my “Romeo parts” removed. I can’t say I was happy with this development but I have adjusted. I am pleased to say my bark is still quite deep and scary. She also had me implanted with a microchip. If I ever get lost the microchip will help people get me home safely.

I am still very afraid of riding inside of a car. I can’t help it; my legs quiver and my stomach heaves. I believe I am suffering from PTSD from being dumped. Mom and Dad have taught me how to ride in the back of the truck with my sister Bella. I LOVE to feel the wind in my face and let my ears fly!!

I suffer from anxiety if left alone for very long. I get nervous and start chewing and digging. Lots of drip line and sprinkler parts have fallen victim to my anxiety attacks. Mom and Dad think this is another symptom of my PTSD. I also have a big problem with loud noises. Death to all vacuums, chainsaws, lawn mowers, weed eaters, blowers, and tractors. Seriously, how can humans stand to be around this racket?  
I have become a very accomplished ball player and swimmer. I can spend hours chasing the ball and swimming in the pool. But my all-time favorite activity is snuggling on the couch with Mom and Dad. They tell me I snore like a sailor and fart like crazy but I think those qualities simply add to my overall charm.
Last September Mom brought home 2 little girl kitties who had been abandoned at a house nearby. Bella and I discussed this situation and agreed that neither one of us was very happy. The girls were kept in the laundry room the first few days but then Mom and Dad let them have the run of the house. They were given names, Blanca and Peezer. Well, they just took over like they OWNED the place. Lying on My couch, drinking out of MY water bowl, sleeping on MY bed, snuggling with MY Mom. The nerve of these cats!! But, the girls turned out to be pretty cool. They love to lick my face and ears and the fluffy one makes a great pillow. Like the saying goes, “If you can’t beat em, join em.”
All in all, I know I am one lucky mutt with more blessings than I can count on all four paws. I’ve mentioned this to Blanca and Peezer and they feel the same. The only way I can repay Mom and Dad is to show them every minute of every day how much I love them and to guard them with my life against all evil. I hope that, despite our happy ending, people who are having trouble keeping their pets will consider shelters or foster homes instead of abandonment. I mean, we could have been hit by a car or eaten by a coyote before our new Mom found us. We are the lucky ones. Lots of animals who are abandoned don’t get so lucky. Please, please, please, don’t ever abandon your animals.

Smile!

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing." ~Mother Teresa
Today, focus on smiling sincerely and intentionally as you greet all the various people you come in contact with. It is clinically proven that when we smile, there are physiological benefits for us, it focuses us on positivity and actually creates the perception of being successful. Plus, smiling is contagious so when you smile you pass on those benefits to others! So simple, and yet all too rare. Make a difference today for you and those around you: smile!

Courage

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but the perception that there is much more at stake." ~Robert Morrisette
Often you know exactly what must be done to move forward on something important in your business or personal life. And you don't act due to fears of potential consequences. You wish for the courage you see in others who seem to act fearlessly while you stand still. How do they do it? The reality is they likely share the same fears as you. The difference? Their courage lies in their ability to understand what is at stake and move despite their fears. Often the first act of courage is simply to ask more questions, to understand more fully the context, and be able to move due to a better perception of reality. Then, if it is truly important you will act. Take a moment to reflect on something you have not done though you know you must. Start asking the questions to gain the context necessary to move. And then move!

Entrance to YNP Free April 16th - April 24th

In honor of National Park Week entrance to Yosemite National Park now through April 24th is FREE!!  This is a great time to visit our beautiful park and see the waterfalls.  With all of the snowfall through the winter the spring melt off is going to have the waterfalls THUNDERING.  Load up the kids, pack a lunch and head to Yosemite!!

Conflict is Inevitable

"Conflict is inevitable, but combat is optional." ~Max Lucade
Perspective, perspective, perspective... It is a choice we make subconsciously. It's time to wake up, be aware, and make excellent conscious choices. Be grateful for dissent and different points of view. They can be your greatest allies and source of creative thought when approached intentionally. And be conscious of the reality of the magnitude of the challenges you face. Usually the reality is far less tragic than your current perspective.

Century 21 Ditton Realty Launches Mobile Real Estate App to Search All Local Homes for Sale on iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Palm and Standard Cell Phones

Century 21 Ditton Realty, a leading real estate firm in Oakhurst, CA today announced the launch of a mobile app that works on standard cell phones and smartphones across all mobile carriers. The public can download the app to their phone to view all homes for sale in Madera, Mariposa and Fresno Counties.

Century 21 Ditton Realty’s mobile app uses GPS, when available, to locate the user and display listings in the immediate area. Users can also search by address, city or zip code to see property details for all homes for sale in a specified area, including price, square footage, estimated mortgage, taxes, features, maps, pictures and more. The “Refine Search” feature lets users select a price range, property type and the number of beds and baths to help them find just what they’re looking for.
Century 21 Ditton Realty partnered with Smarter Agent, the leader in mobile real estate app development, to be able to offer clients and prospects a mobile house-hunting app available across all carriers on standard cell phones and smartphones including BlackBerry, iPhone, Android and the Palm OS.
If a user has questions or wants a tour of the property, the “Call” feature within the app connects the user to a Century 21 REALTOR®.
Consumers can text DITTON to 87778 to send Century 21 Ditton Realty’s mobile app to their cell phone or visit http://mobile.smarteragent.com/c21/dittonrealty to download the mobile real estate search.
About Smarter Agent
Smarter Agent invented and patented mobile, location-triggered real estate search and is now the largest mobile real estate network in the world. Brokers and agents can private label and customize the Smarter Agent apps giving them a powerful marketing tool. CTIA, the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, named Smarter Agent the Winner in its Emerging Technology Awards LBS/GPS category.

Cleaning Up After Mother Nature

Recent storms have left some of our yards looking like we were struck by a tornado.  The sound of chainsaws and the smell of smoke has permeated our mountain air.  

To check if it's a permissable burn day in your area you must call the Air Quality Control District at 1-877-429-2876.  Additionally, you must obtain a burn permit from one of the local Cal Fire locations.

The following are burning permit requirements:
For burning debris in small 4-feet x 4-feet piles:

▪▪ Maximum pile size 4 foot in diameter.

▪▪ Clear all flammable material and vegetation within 10-feet of the outer edge of pile.

▪▪ Keep a water supply close to the burning site.

▪▪ An adult should be in attendance with a shovel until the fire is out.

▪▪ No burning shall be undertaken unless weather conditions (particularly wind) are such that burning can be considered safe.

More Snow

Mother Nature has shown her temper this week by allowing temps on Tuesday and Wednesday to climb into the mid to high 70's...then within hours slamming the area with another heavy snow storm.  More than 2000 residents are once again without power, more trees and power lines are down throughout the area.   So....will winter ever end?

Tolerance, Patience & Forgiveness.

Now, there are many, many people in the world, but relatively few with whom we interact, and even fewer who cause us problems. So, when you come across such a chance for practicing patience and tolerance, you should treat it with gratitude. It is rare. Just as having unexpectedly found a treasure in your own house, you should be happy and grateful to your enemy for providing that precious opportunity. ~Dalai Lama
It is easy to fall into the trap of anger and hatred for those who cause us pain or trouble. The choice is yours, however, to greet such circumstances with gratitude for the chance to develop skills of tolerance, patience and forgiveness. It is not an easy path to take but one which when accomplished yields immeasurable benefit.

Thousands Still Without Power

Thousands of Madera County residents are still without power.  Crews from all over California, Oregon, Nevada, Idaho and Montana are working hard to restore power by 10 pm tonight.  Click the link below to view the update from Channel 30.

News Story from ABC Channel 30

Sunshine!!

Oh my, oh my.  What a difference a little sunshine makes.  There's barely a cloud in the sky this beautiful Friday morning.  Of course colder temperatures accompany our clear skies...which means icy roads and treacherous driving conditions.  Deadwood Mountain (Highway 41 into Oakhurst) is slow going again this morning with two big rigs sideways on the road after hitting black ice.  If your headed to the mountains use extreme caution and be prepared for delays.  Power crews from all over CA and neighboring states are still struggling to restore power to area residents.

Shelter in Oakhurst

DATE: Wednesday March 23, 2011
TO: NEWS MEDIA
RE: SHERIFF IN PROCESS OF ACTIVATING SHELTER IN OAKHURST
11:15 AM – SITUATION REPORT:
Madera County Sheriff John P. Anderson, Director for Office of Emergency Services for Madera area is coordinating with American Red Cross to prepare the Oakhurst Senior Center as a shelter operation site.
The location: 49111 Cinder Lane, Oakhurst … located off Road 425B
Community Food Bank is delivering close to 40,000 pounds of water to the Oakhurst Community to assist families that have been without water due to the power outages from the most recent storms that have passed through the Central Valley.
The delivery is being arranged with Community Food Bank’s partner agency “Oakhurst Seventh Day Adventist Church.” This delivery will be made at the VONS shopping center in Oakhurst today.
All information about Warming Centers and Sandbagging can still be found by clicking on Public Notices on the Madera County website
www.madera-county.com
Roads currently closed:
Road 10 between Avenue 24 and Avenue 25
Roads currently open:
Avenue 23 ½ between Roads 15 ¾ and 15
Avenue 13 between Roads 29 ½ and 30
Highway 41 Deadwood leading into and out of Oakhurst

Yosemite is Open!!

Yosemite National Park reopened this morning at 7am despite another snow storm last night. PG&E crews along with power crews from all over the state are working hard today to restore power to more area residents. Roads are clear and the snow is melting quickly. Weather forecasters say to expect rain showers until Saturday and hopefully (fingers crossed) some sunshine on Sunday.
Although it's difficult to discern with the amount of damage caused Sunday night it doesn't appear that last nights storm took any more trees or power lines. Highway 41 (Deadwood Mountain) is clear this morning with no new mud or rock slides.