Not sure what to give that special someone, but want to keep the budget balanced too? Why not a gift membership to tipurdy.org. At five dollars a month it is a bargain. You can decided whether for a month, quarter or even splurge for a year.

The recipient not only receives a daily email notification of the latest topic, but is entitled to hard to find papers on the Eagle Lake Ice Caves, too. On top of that they can partake in members’ tours varying from a summer solstice observance at an ancient solar observatory to a light hearted Halloween Tour. Even if that person on your list is not local, they still receive materials associated with the tours.

Information on subscriptions is found right here. Have a question drop me a line at tim@tipurdy.org.

On a quarterly basis, I ask you the reader, if there is something you would like to learn more about or maybe its something you heard, but question its validity. So here is an opportunity to participate. I will do my best to answer any questions. It should be noted, it may take awhile for the answer to appear as a post. The primary reason, many of the daily posts are done nearly a month in advance. So by the time you read this I am already working on posts for the middle of November, or at least I should be. Whatever the case may be, I look forward to hearing from you. Of course, it should be noted that paid subscribers requests receive priority. In addition, you can always send a request at any time.

First of all, I am not sure if the low lying ridge in the foreground has a name. The peak behind it is, is rather prominent and can even be seen from the top of Lassen Peak.

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On July 8, 2015 the featured post that day was a “A Living Memorial.” In 1940 the local American Legion Post began a project that would result in two objectives. One was a beautification program for the Lassen County Courthouse property, that would serve a second purpose as a living memorial. They planted seventeen American sycamore trees, one each for every Lassen County man that perished in the “Great War” as World War I was referred to then. It was their intent that that at the base of each tree a plaque would be placed with that service man’s name. In the meantime, with so much focused on the war effort leading into World War II, that detail was put on the sideline, and like so many other community projects started in that era, were forgotten after the war ended.

Fast forward to the fall of 2018 and it is with great joy that the project has come full circle. Ryan Elison, as part of project to obtain the Eagle Scout rank with Boy Scouts completed the goal started seventy-eight years ago! Ryan, with some outside help, was responsible to place memorial markers at each tree as originally intended.

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It has been 100 years since the second monument was placed, and lately a lot has been going on there giving the place a new look. The goal is to have everything complete some time in October. It is a collaborative effort and when the project is complete, I will provide details about those involved in the project. In the meantime, we will examine the lives of Marion “Commanche George” Lawrence and Joseph Lynch. While one has a grave marker, the other does not. Stay tuned.

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While I do ask four times a year for your inquiries, please feel free to ask a question at any time. One of the challenges of doing a daily post is the subject. Your input is important to me. After all, earlier this year in the comment section was a reference to sinker logs, and well I responded, especially since I had a great historic photograph of one. With the approaching Labor Day weekend, I hope this small request does not go by the wayside while many are cavorting around over the long holiday weekend.

By the way, for the person who wants to know more about Hall’s Flat, I am working on it.

Thanks!

There are times, I amazed who contacts me for what. Recently, Recitals Australia contacted me to use a photograph of Hallelujah Junction in a classical music program. Below is composer John Adams interesting tale about how this piece came to be.

Hallelujah Junction (1996) is a small truck stop on Highway 395 in the High Sierras on the California-Nevada border near where I have a small cabin. For years I would pass through in my car, wondering what piece of music might have a title like “Hallelujah Junction.” It was a case of a good title needing a piece, so I obliged by composing this work for two pianos. Continue reading A Hallelujah Moment →