Wise matron speaks
Young boy wonders
Why Holsteins give the best milk.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The DAMNing of the Tuolumne
(originally posted June 2008 at UCAN.org)
The Governor's 2008-09 budget called for $11.9 billion bond financing for 'water management investments', including $3.5 billion for development of additional storage. Dam, there goes another river or two.
This takes me back to 2003, when I had the occasion to visit the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park. My journal from that winter day tells the story:
Fast forward to present. Do we need to dam another river to slake our thirst for water? Or can we get some political leadership in our region to implement sound water conservation policies that can produce real savings in water use? Perhaps a visit to the Hetch-Hetchy should be mandatory for all in-coming electeds. I'll drive.
The Governor's 2008-09 budget called for $11.9 billion bond financing for 'water management investments', including $3.5 billion for development of additional storage. Dam, there goes another river or two.
This takes me back to 2003, when I had the occasion to visit the Tuolumne River in Yosemite National Park. My journal from that winter day tells the story:
Trip Log: February 18, 2003
Hetch-Hetchy: A sobering send-off
(click on thumbnail image)
The sun draws low on the western horizon as we make our way by VW bus to the western boundary of Yosemite National Park, to the drainage of the Tuolumne River. For me this is a journey of discovery. I seek to discover what power humankind has over the forces of nature. I am reluctant to make the trip, and trembling at the emotion I will feel when I see It.
For my 47 years of life I have so far avoided confronting this horrific monster in the flesh. Only in pictures have I seen it: O’Shaughnessy Dam. The Hetchy-Hetchy Reservoir. The damming of the Tuolumne. The DAMNing of the Tuolumne. The dam named to honor the engineer who dishonored the River.
As we approach the ranger kiosk, the time is 4:00. We have exactly one hour to make the 24 mile round-trip drive to the reservoir, and pay our respects to the once-grand valley, before the gates close for another day. I’ve never enjoyed funerals, and I especially despise open casket viewings, so best to make this memorial tribute a quick one. The viewing. The river in death. A poignant vision for 20 minutes that will stay with me for the rest of my life. We drive on.
As we round the curve in the winding road, we gain our first view of the reservoir, hundreds of feet below us. A pock on the landscape. We press on, reluctantly.Driving past the full-time caretaker housing, and the police cruiser which has become a constant fixture at the dam since '9-11' we approach the dam itself. I've seen dams before, but this one is different. This is the dam in a National Park that John Muir tried in vane to stop almost 100 years ago, dying shortly after the decision to build the dam was approved.
The painted over graffiti on the face of the dam, which once read 'Free The River', says it all. The Tuolumne is a prisoner, and unfairly incarcerated. It committed no crime, other than to flow freely and powerfully from the mountains to the sea.
Standing on the dam now (10 minutes left!), we look eastward. We imagine what the fertile valley used to look like (we've seen pictures: Beautiful, serene.) It is dead now. And buried.
And then it hit us. The stillness. The coldness. The lifelessness. There is no life here. THERE IS NO SOUND. Sterile, antiseptic, like a morgue. The eerie, solemn feeling of death. The river and valley before us lay in state, dead of the greed that caused humankind to snuff it out for the water and power that it could provide to the Citizens of San Francisco.
The river is dead. We pay our respects and depart.
There are rivers and mountains yet to be saved. We pay our respects and climb slowly back up the road to the kiosk, making it out by 5:05 pm.
Fast forward to present. Do we need to dam another river to slake our thirst for water? Or can we get some political leadership in our region to implement sound water conservation policies that can produce real savings in water use? Perhaps a visit to the Hetch-Hetchy should be mandatory for all in-coming electeds. I'll drive.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Remembering Mom
[I'm publishing this remembrance on the 15th month anniversary of mom's passing. I miss you mom, and I'm trying to be good, but I'm letting my hair grow long. - Your son, Geoffrey]
RUTH EVANGELINE WILLIAMS SMITH
How can a long life of giving, loving and charm be captured in a few words?
Ruth’s loving heart stopped on June 2, 2009 as her daughter Kimberly sang to her with words of love and admiration, and loving husband Devore and son-in-law Glenn stood by. 78 years of service and nurturing in life on this earth came to an end, the result of an unexpected cerebral hemorrhage on June 1.
The youngest of six children, Ruth was born in Newman, CA, on November 5, 1930 and lived on the family farm in Gustine, CA until the age of 18. Her love for the simple things in life was born of this time with no electricity or plumbing, and the loss of her mother at age 12. Her Presbyterian faith was strong at an early age. She enjoyed singing in the Community Church choir, and spent many summers as a counselor at Mount Hermon church camp near Santa Cruz.
Ruth attended San Jose State College, and earned a BA in Education. Active in the faith community, she met and married a young theology student, Devore Craine Smith, in 1952. In a teaching career spanning 35 years, Ruth taught Kindergarten through 2nd grade, earning a Master’s Degree. She created a learning environment rich with love and storytelling, and was a highly respected professional. As a minister’s wife, Ruth faithfully served church communities throughout California as a leader, with a particular focus on children. As her own two children grew, Ruth’s guidance and love as a youth group advisor changed the lives of countless young people, many of whom made our family home their own. Following her own retirement and that of her husband, Ruth increased her involvement in the church, with her leadership role as an Elder, and her beautiful alto voice in choir. She co-founded and supported the ‘Kids Club’ program at El Cajon Presbyterian, which now shapes the lives of over 60 children each year.
An accomplished artist, Ruth was a skilled woodcarver, whose nativity and Christmas creations grace the lives of countless friends and family. An avid collector of antiques, she frequented antique stores and estate sales all over the county. She created a warm, beautiful home for her family.
As a mother, Ruth gave everything to her children. She brought the family to Germany in 1967, where she taught kindergarten at Frankfurt International School. This began for her many decades of studying our family genealogical history, with roots in Denmark, Sweden, Germany and the Isle of Man. For connecting us with our rich past, we are forever grateful.
Ruth’s later years were blessed with two beautiful grandchildren, Matthew and Rebecca, who meant the world to her. Their brightness, intelligence and love of the arts are the living legacy of their grandmother.
Ruth’s spirit carries on in the hearts of those who survive her: Rev. Devore Craine Smith of San Diego, her husband of 56 years; Kimberly Evangeline Smith Billman (Glenn Billman) of Minneapolis, MN, her daughter; Geoffrey Devore Smith (Camille Armstrong) of Mira Mesa, her son; Matthew Glenn Billman and Rebecca Evangeline Billman of Minneapolis, MN, her grandchildren; Arabella Harding Williams Bloise of Fresno, her sister. Ruth was buried June 11 at Hills Ferry Cemetery in Newman, CA, resting in peace there with Joseph and Blanch Williams, her parents, and Robert, Roger, Alan, and Carl Williams, her brothers.
Ruth’s glorious life was celebrated Saturday, June 20, 2:00 pm, at First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon, 500 Farragut Circle, El Cajon, CA 92020.
Donations to honor Ruth’s life will be accepted by the church, in furtherance of its ministry.
RUTH EVANGELINE WILLIAMS SMITH
How can a long life of giving, loving and charm be captured in a few words?
The youngest of six children, Ruth was born in Newman, CA, on November 5, 1930 and lived on the family farm in Gustine, CA until the age of 18. Her love for the simple things in life was born of this time with no electricity or plumbing, and the loss of her mother at age 12. Her Presbyterian faith was strong at an early age. She enjoyed singing in the Community Church choir, and spent many summers as a counselor at Mount Hermon church camp near Santa Cruz.
Ruth attended San Jose State College, and earned a BA in Education. Active in the faith community, she met and married a young theology student, Devore Craine Smith, in 1952. In a teaching career spanning 35 years, Ruth taught Kindergarten through 2nd grade, earning a Master’s Degree. She created a learning environment rich with love and storytelling, and was a highly respected professional. As a minister’s wife, Ruth faithfully served church communities throughout California as a leader, with a particular focus on children. As her own two children grew, Ruth’s guidance and love as a youth group advisor changed the lives of countless young people, many of whom made our family home their own. Following her own retirement and that of her husband, Ruth increased her involvement in the church, with her leadership role as an Elder, and her beautiful alto voice in choir. She co-founded and supported the ‘Kids Club’ program at El Cajon Presbyterian, which now shapes the lives of over 60 children each year.
An accomplished artist, Ruth was a skilled woodcarver, whose nativity and Christmas creations grace the lives of countless friends and family. An avid collector of antiques, she frequented antique stores and estate sales all over the county. She created a warm, beautiful home for her family.
As a mother, Ruth gave everything to her children. She brought the family to Germany in 1967, where she taught kindergarten at Frankfurt International School. This began for her many decades of studying our family genealogical history, with roots in Denmark, Sweden, Germany and the Isle of Man. For connecting us with our rich past, we are forever grateful.
Ruth’s spirit carries on in the hearts of those who survive her: Rev. Devore Craine Smith of San Diego, her husband of 56 years; Kimberly Evangeline Smith Billman (Glenn Billman) of Minneapolis, MN, her daughter; Geoffrey Devore Smith (Camille Armstrong) of Mira Mesa, her son; Matthew Glenn Billman and Rebecca Evangeline Billman of Minneapolis, MN, her grandchildren; Arabella Harding Williams Bloise of Fresno, her sister. Ruth was buried June 11 at Hills Ferry Cemetery in Newman, CA, resting in peace there with Joseph and Blanch Williams, her parents, and Robert, Roger, Alan, and Carl Williams, her brothers.
Ruth’s glorious life was celebrated Saturday, June 20, 2:00 pm, at First Presbyterian Church of El Cajon, 500 Farragut Circle, El Cajon, CA 92020.
Donations to honor Ruth’s life will be accepted by the church, in furtherance of its ministry.
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