Saturday, October 31, 2009
Friday, October 30, 2009
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
Cool time-lapse photography.
I think I shall like to ride in a balloon someday.
I think I shall like to ride in a balloon someday.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
A Visitor
I told you that the hummingbirds love the Dancing Embers Sage. I finally had my camera at the right place at the right time. My little point-n-shoot did pretty well!
This is all the same li'l guy taken at about noon today. Be sure to click on the second one to make it bigger--you can see his tongue!
This is all the same li'l guy taken at about noon today. Be sure to click on the second one to make it bigger--you can see his tongue!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Bush Poppy!
Yippee! My little bush poppy plant has a tiny poppy blooming! How exciting! I showed you the plant last week, and I just planted it on Saturday! I guess it likes my yard!
Remember, this plant is just about 1 foot tall, and this little flower is about 3/4 inch across the widest point! Soooo cool!
Remember, this plant is just about 1 foot tall, and this little flower is about 3/4 inch across the widest point! Soooo cool!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Front Yard Project
I bought a few more specimens to add to my front yard of native California, drought tolerant plants.
Encelia californica, Coast Sunflower. This one needs some water, oops. I suppose once a month watering won't kill me. It has pretty flowers.
Ceanothus thyrisflorus 'Snow Flurry,' Snow Flurry California Lilac. White blossoms on this large lilac bush!
Last year I had bought Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'El Dorado,' which had beautiful variegated leaves. It died. The nursery didn't have it this year, but the volunteer pointed me to this similar ceanothus, Ceanothus 'Borne Again.' (I can't find a good reference on-line). I bought two sad specimens at bargain prices. I hope I can nurse them into nice full plants.
And the anchor to my garden will be the Matilija Poppy, Romneya coulteri. This plant has gorgeous large flowers, and it grows fast and agressively by rhizomes. We'll see how it works out.
Here are some pictures of the whole yard. Remember, for any photos, click to make them larger.
The Dancing Embers Sage (red blossoms, left-of-center) has really filled out. It was just a little stick when I planted it! It hasn't stopped blooming all year, and the hummingbirds love it!
You can look at last year's photos to see how much the plants have grown in a year.
Encelia californica, Coast Sunflower. This one needs some water, oops. I suppose once a month watering won't kill me. It has pretty flowers.
Ceanothus thyrisflorus 'Snow Flurry,' Snow Flurry California Lilac. White blossoms on this large lilac bush!
Last year I had bought Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'El Dorado,' which had beautiful variegated leaves. It died. The nursery didn't have it this year, but the volunteer pointed me to this similar ceanothus, Ceanothus 'Borne Again.' (I can't find a good reference on-line). I bought two sad specimens at bargain prices. I hope I can nurse them into nice full plants.
And the anchor to my garden will be the Matilija Poppy, Romneya coulteri. This plant has gorgeous large flowers, and it grows fast and agressively by rhizomes. We'll see how it works out.
Here are some pictures of the whole yard. Remember, for any photos, click to make them larger.
The brown things on this Silver Lace in the foreground are old blossoms. I'm planning to cut them off.
The Dancing Embers Sage (red blossoms, left-of-center) has really filled out. It was just a little stick when I planted it! It hasn't stopped blooming all year, and the hummingbirds love it!
You can look at last year's photos to see how much the plants have grown in a year.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Oompus Lupus 2009
I'll be heading up north this weekend to walk with Oompus Lupus team captain Trish to raise money and awareness for Lupus Research. You may remember last year that I was unable to join the team, but the pups and I walked locally.
Trish is living with lupus. She is doing well, but the disease can be insidious and have terrible effects. It is unknown if her stroke is linked to her lupus, but lupus is a risk factor for stroke, as well as other myriad medical conditions.
If you feel so inclined, please donate by clicking this link. Thank you so much!
Team Oompus Lupus 2008
Trish is living with lupus. She is doing well, but the disease can be insidious and have terrible effects. It is unknown if her stroke is linked to her lupus, but lupus is a risk factor for stroke, as well as other myriad medical conditions.
If you feel so inclined, please donate by clicking this link. Thank you so much!
Team Oompus Lupus 2008
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The MME Honorary Home Improvement Project: Phase One
MME recently gave us some bucks that came to her as a result of a home improvement for her: she moved to an improved home! What better use of the money than to do some home improvements on our own home? (....Do I hear a collective, "Finally!"?)
16+ years in the making!
We procrastinate. We are not handy-people. Status quo is usually juuussst fine with us.
So, it took us 16 and a half years to do this project.
Day one: Mid-1993. Izzy, heavy with child, dons a face mask, heaves a pressurized sprayer tank, and sprays Round-Up on the entire backyard, one that the real estate agent had called "rustic."
16 years later......
September 18, 2009: Izzy picks up the phone and calls her gardener (the one who works the rental, which has a better lawn than this house) and asks him to come over.
Four weeks later: Ta-daaaaaaaaaa!
I didn't take "before" pictures. Like p-doobie and her office, I would've wilted with embarrassment. Besides, y'all know what it looked like. *shudder*
Jose and his team started work on October 3. The first day was spent using hand tools to start the prep. They worked on tree roots, took out a stump, turned under the soil, and dug trenches for the sprinklers.
On the second day of work, a couple days later, Jose put in the sprinkler valves, pipes and sprinkler heads, while the guys brought a truckload ofshit manure and spread it around. Oooooh! Stinky! Of course, I couldn't let Cocoa and Kibble outside on the non-work days while that was on the ground. Cocoa especially thought that manure all over the backyard was heaven-sent (heaven-scent?). So, while we waited a few days for them to come back, it was inside time and plenty o' walks for the pups.
Day Three, a half-day of work, brought Jose back to do some adjusting of the sprinkler system. Izzy had changed her mind and decided that an area should be included. This meant moving some sprinkler-heads and prepping more area. They spread the mulch more evenly over the area. No pictures; it looked about the same.
Day Four was a good day! The guys rototilled, raked, and rolled the area! They placed gopher netting over the whole yard! Whoooo-hoooooo! If they had stopped at this point, I would've been ecstatic over the improvements!
And then a miracle happened. *cue harp music*
Yesterday afternoon, our carpet of green goodness arrived.
The team worked quickly to lay it out before dark.
By dusk, they were almost finished.
And this is how it looked this morning.
Finally my little children have a wonderful place to play! ....Oooops.
And now.....the trick of it.
I'm sure you are thinking, as I did, "Gee, Izzy, California is a thirsty state! How in the heck can you justify installing such a water-loving landscape?" And to this I answer: I'm not sure.
You've no doubt heard of carbon offsets. Perhaps I can use this same concept, as nebulous as the idea is.
All in all, however, I'm terribly excited! So are Cocoa and Kibble, and the rest of the family. Next up: reactions.
16+ years in the making!
We procrastinate. We are not handy-people. Status quo is usually juuussst fine with us.
So, it took us 16 and a half years to do this project.
Day one: Mid-1993. Izzy, heavy with child, dons a face mask, heaves a pressurized sprayer tank, and sprays Round-Up on the entire backyard, one that the real estate agent had called "rustic."
16 years later......
September 18, 2009: Izzy picks up the phone and calls her gardener (the one who works the rental, which has a better lawn than this house) and asks him to come over.
Four weeks later: Ta-daaaaaaaaaa!
I didn't take "before" pictures. Like p-doobie and her office, I would've wilted with embarrassment. Besides, y'all know what it looked like. *shudder*
Jose and his team started work on October 3. The first day was spent using hand tools to start the prep. They worked on tree roots, took out a stump, turned under the soil, and dug trenches for the sprinklers.
On the second day of work, a couple days later, Jose put in the sprinkler valves, pipes and sprinkler heads, while the guys brought a truckload of
Shiny New Sprinkler Valves!
Ooooooh! Sprinklers!
Day Three, a half-day of work, brought Jose back to do some adjusting of the sprinkler system. Izzy had changed her mind and decided that an area should be included. This meant moving some sprinkler-heads and prepping more area. They spread the mulch more evenly over the area. No pictures; it looked about the same.
Day Four was a good day! The guys rototilled, raked, and rolled the area! They placed gopher netting over the whole yard! Whoooo-hoooooo! If they had stopped at this point, I would've been ecstatic over the improvements!
Sorry, gophers. You'll have to visit the neighbors instead!
(hee hee hee)
(hee hee hee)
The project was halted for a few days as our first rainstorm of the season passed by. We like rainstorms!
And then a miracle happened. *cue harp music*
Yesterday afternoon, our carpet of green goodness arrived.
The team worked quickly to lay it out before dark.
By dusk, they were almost finished.
And this is how it looked this morning.
Finally my little children have a wonderful place to play! ....Oooops.
And now.....the trick of it.
I'm sure you are thinking, as I did, "Gee, Izzy, California is a thirsty state! How in the heck can you justify installing such a water-loving landscape?" And to this I answer: I'm not sure.
You've no doubt heard of carbon offsets. Perhaps I can use this same concept, as nebulous as the idea is.
- We have 16+ years' credit of spilling not a single drop of water on the backyard. Can we count that?
- We can skip a shower once in a while.
- We can be more mindful of turning off the water more often during a shower, and take shorter ones.
- We will continue to endeavor to wash only full loads of dishes and clothes and re-wear clothes when possible.
- If it's yellow, let it mellow.
- I can be very mindful of watering the new lawn judiciously.
- I'll plant some drought-resistant plants in the non-grass areas.
- I'll continue making the front yard drought-resistant (I haven't watered out there since I established my new plants a year ago, and hadn't put a sprinkler on in the previous 15 years).
- It's an El Niño year, perfect time for planting.
- I'll research installing a greywater system, finally legal in California.
All in all, however, I'm terribly excited! So are Cocoa and Kibble, and the rest of the family. Next up: reactions.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Weather or Not
Remember the lady I told you about who grew up wealthy and miserable? She was a weather observer during WWII.
When I went to see her today, she told me that she had gotten 3.6 inches of rain at her house during the storm this week. She said she enjoyed yesterday, sitting and watching the rain.
I told her how Jack was a weather nut, too.
When we went to the family reunion in Ohio a couple years ago, we visited the National Museum of the Air Force. It was a wonderful museum, full of airplanes! Lots of 'em! One of the exhibits was outside. We nearly missed it, but I'm glad we didn't. It was a recreation of a US Army Air Corps 8th Air Force control tower and some Nissen huts, which was what Jack lived in while stationed in England. Inside the control tower was the weather room.
When I walked in to that weather room and saw all the maps and pages of hand-written weather data, with windows overlooking the tarmac, I instantly understood Jack's weather jones. So much of his personality was shaped by the war, and this is one aspect.
His life and the lives of the crew depended on the weather. It isn't surprising he carried this with him for the rest of his life.
When I went to see her today, she told me that she had gotten 3.6 inches of rain at her house during the storm this week. She said she enjoyed yesterday, sitting and watching the rain.
I told her how Jack was a weather nut, too.
When we went to the family reunion in Ohio a couple years ago, we visited the National Museum of the Air Force. It was a wonderful museum, full of airplanes! Lots of 'em! One of the exhibits was outside. We nearly missed it, but I'm glad we didn't. It was a recreation of a US Army Air Corps 8th Air Force control tower and some Nissen huts, which was what Jack lived in while stationed in England. Inside the control tower was the weather room.
When I walked in to that weather room and saw all the maps and pages of hand-written weather data, with windows overlooking the tarmac, I instantly understood Jack's weather jones. So much of his personality was shaped by the war, and this is one aspect.
His life and the lives of the crew depended on the weather. It isn't surprising he carried this with him for the rest of his life.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
New Plants!
It time for the annual Fall Plant Sale at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden! Yippee!
I bought a few new California native, drought-tolerant plants for my front yard. Here they are.
Dendromecon rigida ssp. harfordii, Island Bush Poppy. I had wanted to buy a bush poppy last year, but they were all out. This is a beautiful plant. I showed you a picture of one I found up on Gibralter Road one time.
Salvia leucantha 'Santa Barbara,' Mexican Sage Santa Barbara variety. OK, it's not native, but it is sooo pretty--and it's drought-resistant. This one is the "Santa Barbara" variety, so I figured it was close enough to native.
Achellia millefollium 'Island Pink,' Yarrow. This one struck my eye. Pretty pink flowers. I took a wet close-up this morning in the rain.
Salvia 'Whirly Blue,' Whirly Blue Sage. I love sages. I welcome another species. (The blue behind it, behind the fence, is Kevin's surfboard!)
Epilobium 'Chaparal Silver,' California Fuchsia. When we lived downtown, we had some beautiful fuchsias in the backyard. It is such a pretty flower. When I found a native one, I had to get it!
Mimulus flemingii, Island Bush Monkeyflower. Monkeyflowers are some of my favorites. This one has a deeper color flower and broader leaves than my others.
Calamagrosits foliosa, Cape Mendocino reed grass. I tried this one before. I planted one last year, but it died or the gophers got it. It is designated as a rare, threatened, or endangered plant. It is a pretty bunch grass, so I'm trying it again.
Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn,' Howard McMinn Manzanita. Manzanita was another species I had thought about last year but didn't get. Here is Howard McMinn's variety!
As you can see, the plants are still in their pots. I wanted to wait to plant them until after this week's storm. The ground will be ready to accept them! Afterward, I'll show you how the whole yard is shaping up.
I bought a few new California native, drought-tolerant plants for my front yard. Here they are.
Dendromecon rigida ssp. harfordii, Island Bush Poppy. I had wanted to buy a bush poppy last year, but they were all out. This is a beautiful plant. I showed you a picture of one I found up on Gibralter Road one time.
Salvia leucantha 'Santa Barbara,' Mexican Sage Santa Barbara variety. OK, it's not native, but it is sooo pretty--and it's drought-resistant. This one is the "Santa Barbara" variety, so I figured it was close enough to native.
Achellia millefollium 'Island Pink,' Yarrow. This one struck my eye. Pretty pink flowers. I took a wet close-up this morning in the rain.
Salvia 'Whirly Blue,' Whirly Blue Sage. I love sages. I welcome another species. (The blue behind it, behind the fence, is Kevin's surfboard!)
Epilobium 'Chaparal Silver,' California Fuchsia. When we lived downtown, we had some beautiful fuchsias in the backyard. It is such a pretty flower. When I found a native one, I had to get it!
Mimulus flemingii, Island Bush Monkeyflower. Monkeyflowers are some of my favorites. This one has a deeper color flower and broader leaves than my others.
Calamagrosits foliosa, Cape Mendocino reed grass. I tried this one before. I planted one last year, but it died or the gophers got it. It is designated as a rare, threatened, or endangered plant. It is a pretty bunch grass, so I'm trying it again.
Arctostaphylos 'Howard McMinn,' Howard McMinn Manzanita. Manzanita was another species I had thought about last year but didn't get. Here is Howard McMinn's variety!
As you can see, the plants are still in their pots. I wanted to wait to plant them until after this week's storm. The ground will be ready to accept them! Afterward, I'll show you how the whole yard is shaping up.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Poison Pretty Pen Letter
This is a letter I wrote.
Dear Doctors and Staff,
I like to write letters when, as a consumer, I have an exceptional experience. Sadly, usually, service or goods fall on the side of exceptionally poor. Every once in a while, the expected “average” is exceeded, and I experience a service that is exceptionally good! Wednesday’s trip to Airport Animal Hospital was one of those times.
My dog Kibble is a fraidy-dog. She takes a while to get to know a person. She has some anxiety in certain situations, and surely going to the vet is one of those situations. Isn’t it for all of us? Kibble needs to be muzzled even for getting her vaccinations.
Last month, I picked Kibble up from the boarder and found that she had a wound on her hind leg. It had become infected and needed cleaning. I took her to our usual veterinary clinic that is not the Airport Animal Hospital. It was quite a trauma to have Kibble up on the table, muzzled, held down by three people while the veterinarian shaved, poked, prodded, and cleaned the wound. It was trauma for her; it was trauma for me (I was one of the three holding her down).
When Kibble cut her paw pad during a run in the creek-bed last week, I decided to take her to see a vet, after much thinking and more than a little trepidation about subjecting her to another traumatic vet experience. Because of various factors concerning that particular “other” veterinary clinic, I decided to take her to the Airport Animal Hospital on the recommendation of a friend.
On the intake form, I mentioned that Kibble is anxious at the vet and is not a very good patient. That was all it took to transform a possibly traumatic vet experience into a friendly, warm, supportive vet experience.
Dr. Steve Lewis was wonderful! He had me hold up the injured paw so he could see the wound, and he immediately determined that this one would heal on its own. Antibiotics would be prescribed as a precaution, but no other treatment would be necessary. He didn’t cause any anxiety for Kibble. She didn’t even know she was in a vet’s office!
In addition, the wise Dr. Lewis prescribed some tranquilizers for the next time Kibble needs vet treatment. No need fighting anxiety, he reasoned. He also suggested calling or emailing before coming in next time, so that perhaps the problem could be solved without an office visit.
Dr. Lewis is obviously an insightful and creative healer. He was warm to me and supportive of Kibble’s special needs. It was a pleasure to talk to him. I especially appreciated his parting words. “We’ll do all we can to keep you out of here.”
I look forward to using the services of Airport Animal Hospital for my two dogs’ and my cat’s future veterinary needs.
Sincerely,
Izzy
P.S. The front staff was great, too! Friendly and warm! Thanks for a great experience!
Photos by Erito
Dear Doctors and Staff,
I like to write letters when, as a consumer, I have an exceptional experience. Sadly, usually, service or goods fall on the side of exceptionally poor. Every once in a while, the expected “average” is exceeded, and I experience a service that is exceptionally good! Wednesday’s trip to Airport Animal Hospital was one of those times.
My dog Kibble is a fraidy-dog. She takes a while to get to know a person. She has some anxiety in certain situations, and surely going to the vet is one of those situations. Isn’t it for all of us? Kibble needs to be muzzled even for getting her vaccinations.
Last month, I picked Kibble up from the boarder and found that she had a wound on her hind leg. It had become infected and needed cleaning. I took her to our usual veterinary clinic that is not the Airport Animal Hospital. It was quite a trauma to have Kibble up on the table, muzzled, held down by three people while the veterinarian shaved, poked, prodded, and cleaned the wound. It was trauma for her; it was trauma for me (I was one of the three holding her down).
When Kibble cut her paw pad during a run in the creek-bed last week, I decided to take her to see a vet, after much thinking and more than a little trepidation about subjecting her to another traumatic vet experience. Because of various factors concerning that particular “other” veterinary clinic, I decided to take her to the Airport Animal Hospital on the recommendation of a friend.
On the intake form, I mentioned that Kibble is anxious at the vet and is not a very good patient. That was all it took to transform a possibly traumatic vet experience into a friendly, warm, supportive vet experience.
Dr. Steve Lewis was wonderful! He had me hold up the injured paw so he could see the wound, and he immediately determined that this one would heal on its own. Antibiotics would be prescribed as a precaution, but no other treatment would be necessary. He didn’t cause any anxiety for Kibble. She didn’t even know she was in a vet’s office!
In addition, the wise Dr. Lewis prescribed some tranquilizers for the next time Kibble needs vet treatment. No need fighting anxiety, he reasoned. He also suggested calling or emailing before coming in next time, so that perhaps the problem could be solved without an office visit.
Dr. Lewis is obviously an insightful and creative healer. He was warm to me and supportive of Kibble’s special needs. It was a pleasure to talk to him. I especially appreciated his parting words. “We’ll do all we can to keep you out of here.”
I look forward to using the services of Airport Animal Hospital for my two dogs’ and my cat’s future veterinary needs.
Sincerely,
Izzy
P.S. The front staff was great, too! Friendly and warm! Thanks for a great experience!
Photos by Erito
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