Flora and Fauna

It’s nice when a weekend affords me so much material for a number of posts. I have a few more coming. After months of lockdown, anything outside of my routine is a breath of fresh air.

Lets start with the color purple. I have no idea what this flower is, but close up, it sure is pretty. It’s on a bush, it’s pretty small. Yay for a good camera and lens.

Look at this huge artichoke, also purple. I’m probably a little overdressed here. I was prepared for a cold weekend. It wasn’t cold at all, but here I am, getting ready for an evening walk, all bundled up.

Then we have the yellow Prickly pear flowers. Love how these are in different stages, from full bloom, to dying back and just leaving the fruit.

Moving on to red, a clump of dried seaweed with a feather caught among the strands.

How about the red bark of this tree. It’s very red, I didn’t touch up the color at all.

contrasting with the grey.

Speaking of grey, driftwood in the sand.

I was trying to get the ocean in focus, that didn’t happen. Sometimes the result is better than my original plan, once more, the details of driftwood.

It was the 4th of July. I love so much about this image, the girl on her horse with the flag, she was doing a photo shoot with a friend. I love the power plant in the background. this is at Moro Bay, the fog is rolling in. Sure, the power plant can be viewed as a blight on the landscape, I view it as a wonderful part of America, that gives us the power to live free wonderful lives, with all the comforts of modernity.

The photoshoot.

More horses and gals on the beach. Everyone was having a great time on the beach on the 4th.

And then there is the cow, this will lead into the next post, the amazing Madonna Inn.

Leah

Rocks and trees

It’s not just sand and dunes, there are plenty of rocks.

The most famous is this rock in Moro Bay. Look at this incredible rock! This could be a postcard. Such blue skies, the stark details against the sky.

Reflections and the little bird poop rock off to the side. I just know that eons ago that was an arch that connected to the big rock, and before that, it just was part of the big rock.

From a different angle. There are many birds nesting here, even two sets of Peregrine Hawks. Speaking of wild life, there was a dead seal on the shore, no, I saw it from afar and certainly, no pictures.

rocks are meant for fishing, this is the inlet side of Moro Bay. Much calmer than the open sea.

Another great perch. That white foamy stuff is natural, so I am told. It certainly moved around with the tide.

Notice the fog is rolling in. People love to build rock towers, plenty to work with here.

The rocks here are very angular. Coming off that huge behemoth behind me.

Great engineering skills.

Comparing to the rock towers in New Zealand. River rocks, so much rounder and smoother.

The fog rolls in.

… an in.

Later, looking back at the rock from Cayucos, a much larger fog layer obscuring most of the rock.

Right off Shell Beach, a huge detached rock that is home to hundreds of bird. No fox or coyote can get out here.

Erosion will have its’ way. First detach this rock from land, then undermine it from beneath.

At some point it will look like this. Somepoint could be hundreds of thousands of years in the future. When it comes to geology and erosion, I can’t keep track of time.

Leah

Beaches

Another weekend, another getaway, this time up to the central coast. Good thing, since beaches and restaurants were open.

Our first stop was Guadalupe Sand Dunes. I always think of beach sand dunes being an east coast phenomenon. Or maybe the Great Lakes. So it was time to take a detour and see the dunes right here in California.

These dunes are on the move, covering the road with sand. I normally see these kind of poles up in the mountains, to mark the road during snow. There must be a plow that comes by often. Since the beach itself is a state park.

A bit of clear road and the ocean beyond.

And yet, copious amounts of sand. I had to laugh in the beach parking lot there was a ranger sweeping the sand. I asked him if he regretted the Sisyphean task? No he found it relaxing, no one was telling him to do, he did it on his own. God bless the man who finds joy in his daily job.

Things do grow on the dunes, and keeps them in place. This sand dune runs from Gudalupe north to Pismo Beach. a lot is covered in vegetation. That was what was nice here. Isolated with a great expanse of dunes. Well, not really isolated, there were people on the beach, but with the low fog it felt very otherworldly.

The local river ends up as a marsh/lagoon close to the beach

We drove Hwy 1 the rest of the way, a lot of cute little towns along the way. Here we are at Pismo Beach, a wide relatively protected beach. Many people out this weekend enjoying outdoors. Also, not overcast! The central coast is known for it’s marine layer in the summer. Not as bad as San Francisco, but very common. Which is why this weekend was so glorious.

Pismo Beach Pier, dang, most of the piers were closed down!!!

So was the Pier at Avila Beach. I love a good pier! With the boys, they’d rather be in the sand and the waves, so one of these days, I need to stay late and go back and walk their pier.

I don’t know what these birds are, but they are at Moro Bay on the sand.

Speaking of Moro Bay, the Rock! more pictures in another post. Can you believe how clear it is??? by the time we left, an hour later, the fog was rolling in.

There are dunes up here as well, maybe I got my info wrong and the dunes go further north. Or maybe it’s not contiguous. Either way, California! Sand, palm trees and purple mountains in the distance.

An open Pier!!! Cayucos I LOVE you!

Not to mention, what an adorable little beach town!

At the very end one the pier, these aren’t seagulls! They are pigeons!! Interlopers, cultural appropriation!!! Must not be allowed!

After all that sand, it is only fitting to close out this post with a glorious wave. Yes, surfers were having a good time.

Leah

Big Bear Lake

Escaping continues. As our overlords send the masses out into the streets to further the infection. One must get away. I know, the media is blaming bars and such so bars that were open for one week, must shut down. But not a word about the protests spreading the Flu. They think we are stupid, and they may be right. Also, nary a word about herd immunity. they don’t want that, but inadvertently it might be happening. So to keep sanity, its off to the mountains and the lake.

Driving up into the San Bernardino mountains. To spend the weekend with middle sons’ family.

Here we all are, on a hike. The boys did really well, such a pleasure having them able to handle a two mile hike

Exploring small tight spaces.

Coming out on the other side.

Two very handsome dudes. Later in the evening there was a massive meltdown, what I am beginning to call the Covid meltdown, it has now happened with most of my grandkids. To have our overlords become tyrants and tell us it’s for our safety. No, they are harming everyone, especially the children, since they already killed off many of the seniors in senior homes. But knowing how our justice system, the governors who sent sick people back to the nursing homes won’t pay any price. Although I’m sure they will figure out how to charge and imprison some poor orderlies in these homes.

Getting Mama to climb the rocks.

Sorry the image is blurry. Btw, that pink piece of paper, a treasure map. Went with us everywhere, the treasure was the weekend together.

Views on the hike. A number of years many trees here died from a beetle infestation. That was probably due to the draught. Luckily at least in the last few years, we’ve had plenty of rain.

A walk along the bird sanctuary.

At waters edge. Not a sandy beach, but a man made lake will be very different.

Leah

More of the same, knitting and veggies, and of course some grandkids

I love working with this yarn and pattern. Have I made some mistakes in the lace? yes I have, but no one will see them. I love the color and the design. this is pretty much the true color.

Color here is a little too green, but look at how great the stitch definition is!! Go Malabrigo yarn!

The melon is growing very nicely, there are a few more on the vine.

When does one pick the carrots?

I planted these from a six pack. Clearly it was a grouping of carrots, so I’ve decided to do some thinking. This one is short and stubby, but tasty. It is a white carrot, so the color isn’t a problem.

Eyal helped pick the tomato, green bean and carrot.

Then he ate them all!!

We made one big pancake! Put the blueberries on top, not inside. Another success.

The beach days will end very soon. The boys are going back to their preschool and I’ll be back to picking them up in the afternoon, so I’m not sure we’ll have the time to dig away in the sand like this, we shall see.

Mom and dad put up this succulent wall. After tearing out 30 years of vines. A lot of hard work.

Having beach breezes and overcast, these guys will probably do very well. There is one up on PCH at a local business. It looks like it’s been there a while.

My contribution, no they aren’t in the wall yet, but some of them will be, The others will probably just end up in the little patch of dirt above the succulent wall.

Leah

Sorry if I’m boring you…

Watching plants grow is like watching paint dry. Although I am getting out and about a lot more, I still find myself watching my garden like a hawk. Speaking of hawks, I couldn’t get a picture, it was happening so fast, but twice I saw a hawk attacking a squirrel. Each time the squirrel got away, but at some point, he won’t.

I’ve planted some flowers, marigolds, vinca and petunia. I even went ahead and bought more soil and a lot of plant food. I’ve been very lazy last few years, just throwing things in the ground and not taking care of them. I’m seeing results of good care with my vegetables, hope to see the same with flowers.

My son in law gave me the plumeria cutting, it appears to be very happy, already sending out new leaves. Hopefully next year there will be fragrant flowers, I think he said this one is white. He took the cutting from his moms’ garden.

I think I mentioned that I have been doing some major pruning and removal of unwanted plants. This hibiscus is very happy, getting more flowers than I ever have.

In the back I have a variegated hibiscus, the flower is small and unassuming. But it’s nice having the two toned leaves year round.

I leave huge piles of trimmings for the mow and blow guy, least he can do is clean up after me.

Agapanthas starting to bloom.

Almost completely open. I have seen a dark purple one, if I could find it at a nursery I’d immediately buy it.

I do have white.

More flowers, do I ever love my flowers.

Last week I spied a baby melon!

One week later! also, there are more babies on the vine. I bought a baby pumpkin plant as well, if I treat it as well as this guy, I’m hoping to have a lot of little pumpkins in the fall.

Look at all these carrots! They are white carrots, so I have to figure out when to harvest them. Off to Google to find the answer.

Leah

Back to the beach

Nice to have a place to park and go to the bathroom, so that going to the beach is not that hard.

How happy is this kid!

Get to work!

A lot of digging happened, coming over to inspect.

Two kids who love the sand!

Bury the baby! Eyal got some bury time as well. But like Aba, it was just his legs not up to the waist.

Eyal gets buried too

Its hard to see because of the hat, but yes, eating sand is obligatory.

Eyals favorite, Avatiach! Watermelon in Hebrew. Sister looking on, how do I get one of those?

Here you go little girl.

No fear of the water here. Missed a picture of Eyal in the water, he liked is, but initially was much more timid.

Despite the fair skin, this little girl loves everything about the beach, the sun, the water and the sand.

She makes the cutest faces. Thank goodness the cousins who live here have big sand toys.

As well as this amazing wagon. You know the locals by those who come down with this type of wagon. Another great Einav laughing face.

All of us crowding into the selfie.

Lunch at the backyard picnic table.

This will definitely be happening more often this summer. What an incredible morning. Yes, they both slept like logs on the drive home.

Leah

Shawl finished

I ran out of yarn before the final lace section. Oh well, it won’t matter. Here is the shawl before being blocked.

Here it is blocked. What a difference stretching it out makes! I didn’t use my mats and pins. I simply stood at the ironing board with a lot of steam and pulled and stretched. It’s fine.

Now, artistic shots on my big grey boulder.

A close up. Normally I wouldn’t use stripping yarn for a lace shaw. But it’s what I had and I was helping a friend. Sad to say, it just isn’t working for her. Sometimes what you think in going to be easy, isn’t.

From another angle.

It looks very good folded up. which is good, since when wearing it, it will probably look more like this than being completely stretched out.

It is going into the gift drawer. No idea who the recipient will be. Some lucky person will get it. Its’ not for me, as I said, give me a solid or kettle dyed yarn for a lace shawl.

Like this Malabrigo yarn. First of all, it’s worsted weight, so heavier yarn. Second of all, can you see the subtlety of the color. Not a solid, but far from a stripping yarn.

Look how lovely it is knit up, even without blocking, the lace pattern is very clear. Yes, I recommended to my friend that she kind this instead of the Haruni shawl. Sure, she needs to buy more yarn, but when has that every been a problem??

A real haircut!!! It’s been four months! I did get a basic trim about three weeks ago. but this is new, fresh and to my mind, very cute.

It’s a new stylist. A lot of things have happened both with the pandemic and the riots. Sometimes I just need to start out with someone new.

Leah

Still Crazy

A little sanity in a crazy world

The beach was amazing, really amazing today. Blue sky, deep blue water. A lot of people, and this egret.

Just this one lone egret, We walked, ran, splashed over a mile, saw him both ways, coming and going.

Not as many gulls today, which was a little surprising. The tide was very very low and a lot of small clam shells were exposed. Most were sealed shut, waiting for the tide to come back in and take them out to sea again. I would have expected gulls to be picking them up by the beakful.

I’m guessing this is a shell from a crab. There were plenty of tiny sand crabs, so this shell stood out.

The little white shell is what we saw by the thousands, by the time we walked back, the tide had gotten high enough to cover them all up. Notice a shell on a shell.

Another one, I think the upper shell still has its’ occupant.

The pier pylons were quite exposed. There is something creepy about this image of barnacles literally growing on top of one another.

We found some shells that were still attached. We brought some home.

We did see dolphins, but no way to get a picture.

Back home, a pepper is growing!!!

And the tomatoes are finally getting ripe! With grandkids around this week a lot of lemonade was made. We have picked all the ripe lemons. So I guess that is it for homegrown lemonade for a while.

Leah

As the country burns

The forces of evil are out in full force. The whole country is rioting and looting. It turns out that when a black man is murdered by the police, everyone must bend the knee. I don’t know anyone who isn’t horrified by this murder. But it isn’t a call for justice, it’s a call for immediate revenge. So other people are being killed, like a Black Federal guard in Oakland. Or a former Black police chief in St. Louis. I guess their black lives don’t matter. Certainly the lives of non blacks that have been murdered in these ‘peaceful protests’

I knew when the pandemic started, that this was the beginning of a lot of awful things. I wish I were wrong, Meanwhile, De Blasio in NY, won’t allow the police to stop the mayhem, or even have the national guard come in and protect private property, but he will still send the police to harass the Orthodox Jews in Brooklyn. Yeah, in my book that is blatant anti semitism. But shut up Leah, you aren’t black so just shut up.

After seeing all the black boxes on IG the other day, I’m not sure I’m going back there. This massive mind control, order from above is just too scary. The left is pushing communism on us so quickly. The difference is, more and more Americans are buying guns. So if the left succeeds it will be a bloody civil war like no other.

Back at home, the tomato bushes are full, nothing has even started to ripen yet, but more and more tomatoes popping up.

Squash flowers budding!

And blooming.

Melon is also flowering.

So is the pepper

Even the beans are getting ready to flower. I so need this small patch of nature growing and thriving.

On Saturday I went to Quilty Pleasures up in Simi Valley. They were open! It was so exciting to go into a quilt store and buy fabric. Angie was so kind! She also told me that during the lockdown Kingdom Sewing machines was broken into twice and expensive machines were stolen. Some belonging to customers. This whole period has been awful. I am so over the idea that certain lives matter, but not peoples livelihood. And by certain, I mean all those old people who died alone in nursing homes that were deliberately infected. Or alone in hospitals without any loved on around.

Slowly the quilt is growing. I do like having more solid light backgrounds, it helps the darker ones pop.

And now, I’m going to my local yarn store that might be open, who knows, the riots may have forced them to close again.

Leah