Yesterday I had the best massage I’ve ever had. It happened in a creek north of here.

We went to our regular swimming hole in Indian Creek, and it was too crowded due to all the hot bikers from our Happy Camp River Run. They probably remembered the place from last year. So then we went upstream to a place where my boyfriend, Bob, has been panning for gold - and someone else was already there. Next we went to the swimming hole upstream at South Fork - and I’ve never seen so many people in that location. It was like a major attraction.

Did I mention how hot it was? Major swimming hole weather.

So we crossed the bridge at South Fork and noticed a little waterfall on the north side of the creek.

Let me tell you, that waterfall gave me the best massage I’ve ever had. It pounded on my back and shoulder muscles relentlessly. I’ve had a sore neck for several years - seems like I never get total relief. The Reiki I learned has been a big help, but sooner or later the soreness comes back.

Well, yesterday’s waterfall massage was incredible. I could still feel the source of the pain deep inside but could position my neck under the water to get pounded right there where it hurt. It felt so good! And today, still no more ache in the neck.

Something else - last night I got nine hours sleep… for which I am very grateful because usually I wake up after five hours and can’t get back to sleep. I believe my wonderful ability to sleep nine hours was due to relaxation, plus stress and tension relief that I got from being under that waterfall yesterday.

The rest of that area was incredible, like a jacuzzi, all bubbly water - frothy - sensational. Bob and I loved it and we’re going back. This time we’re taking pictures, and I’ll post one here.

One tiny drawback - there was a snake that kept trying to climb up the rock, then kept getting knocked back down by the rush of the waterfall, into our little jacuzzi area. Eventually Bob encouraged the little thing to get swept downstream into more peaceful water where he might get a bite to eat somewhere.

I thought it was cool that such a healing place would be visited by a snake, which is an ancient symbol of healing. I realize many of you wouldn’t care for it - and I admit I hugged the other side of the pond once we knew he was there - but I appreciated the symbolism.

So today my Sunday thankfulness is for the best massage I’ve ever had, the waterfall that gave it to me, and my sweet boyfriend who took me there.

P.S. We’ve decided to start a new blog: Swimming Holes - it will start with our accounts of swimming holes in Northern California and Southern Oregon - but we’ll want to publish information about other swimming holes from people in other areas.

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Follow-up note: We went there again today, this time with a camera. Here’s a photo of Bob under the waterfall:

Because of all the frothy bubbles caught there between the rocks, I named this place Laughing Waters Natural Spa. There’s a rock to sit on right under the center of the waterfall as it massages your back. Also you can hang onto a couple of rocks underwater and let the rest of your body float; it makes for an interesting leg massage.

This time Bob had his mask and snorkel. He found a lot of baby salmon underwater and let me look at them. The have their own little swimming hole, a bit down from the falls, right before the rocks in the foreground of this picture.

This site features words of wisdom found in the home and hearth journal I keep my country kitchen’s pantry. You can subscribe by email (see the links in the top-right corner of the site) and drop in to comment whenever you have the time.

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Now I suppose you’d like to know who I am.

My name is Linda Martin. A very common name… there are hundreds of us. Sometimes on the internet I use my middle name, like at my writing website where I’d like to stand out from the multitude of Linda Martins.

I’m not a natural cook, but I’ve adjusted to it over the years.

I’m a vegetarian, so you won’t find meat recipes here, but I’m not a fanatic about being vegetarian. I’m 55 this year and long ago decided I don’t want to be fanatical about anything.

I have five adult children. Only the eighteen-year-old is still at home (2008) but not for much longer. When he leaves, my second childhood officially begins.

I have a boyfriend, Bob, who cooks for me sometimes. He is awesome.

My country kitchen is located in a remote section of the Klamath National Forest in Northern California. I live in a very small town and work in one of the local restaurants part time. Cooking is a big part of my life now and I love writing about food.

I’ve been studying and using herbs for 35 years now! Seems like a long time. There’s plenty of herbs to gather locally in this forest, and I have a few others cultivated in my yard.

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When I’m not cooking or eating, I’m writing. I’ve written a lot of journals and done a lot of blogging. I hope you enjoy reading this food blog as much as I enjoy writing it!