A Little of This and That....

Remember this tree...

Well I have finally found, through copious amounts of Internet research, that this is the Callistemon pallidus, or Lemon Bottlebrush. It's suppose to be a shrub but someone has made this beauty into a small tree. It's native to Oueensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania in Australia. The deciding factor on this, instead of the Eucalyptus Obliqua or Stringybark, was the height: only 6 to 10 feet instead of the Eucalyptus tree that reaches heights of 300 ft. and  the fact that Eucalyptus trees got a really bad name here in the 1991 Oakland Firestorm when groves of the non native tree burned so violently in the strong winds that day. I can't imagine the city would let anyone plant another Eucalyptus again, anywhere, in the Bay Area. The Bottlebrush also has the same seed capsules and the fuzzy white flowers.
I want to thank everyone for giving me lots of information to take with me on my search for the "mystery tree". I'm so glad that I found out what it was. It's my conclusion that the Aussies really know trees. Everyone who gave me an idea about what this tree might be were from Australia. Thanks to Roslyn, Pauline and Kate. You are not only loyal followers at Over Good Ground but very smart as well.
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I don't know about all of you but, compared to last Saturday, I'm feeling almost religious about being well again.  At my age getting better after being so sick is a sign that there is an all-merciful angel of good health out there somewhere who facilitates getting well. I know that's a bit over the top for Farmlady but I'm sure I saw an angel floating about on my ceiling one night. Maybe, maybe not.... could have just been a vision of  Vicks vaporub and Chicken soup flowing  together with the bedtime Benadryl. I will never quite know but it's great to feel good again.
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I have started knitting and I love it. When I was a young thing I thought that knitting was for old ladies that sat a lot. Well, now that I'm an "old lady" I have a better perspective on this. So, I have become a Yarn-nista, or "old person who doesn't sit much but when she does has knitting in hand". I bought some books and needles and , "oh my gosh" beautiful yarn, took to the Internet for video lessons and have become an obsessed, dedicated knitter. I'm just learning, so I have bought a few books. Then I started watching these great videos on the Internet. I spend about an hour in the evening watching, and re-watching, how to do one new stitch or how to change a color, etc....

I started with the basics. I'm making dishcloths. I gave this one to my sister. I like them because I can learn the different stitches and how to cast on and bind off. They don't take too much time and they are useful.

This Sugar'n Cream yarn by Lily is pure cotton and wonderful for these small washcloths. Each wrapper has a free pattern on the label which is really helpful.

I'm making this scarf out of two different yarns; the ends are Lion Brand Homespun 416 Coral Reef mixed with Lion Brand Fun Fur color # 208. and then the middle is just the Homespun 416 yarn. It's beautiful and glamorous. I think I make a mistake last night when I was watching TV in bad lighting and getting tired.

There's a little space that seems to be missing a stitch. I don't know why. It's too late to go back and see what I did so I guess I will just have to wear this scarf myself. What a pity.

This is really fun. This is the same Sugar'n Cream yarn in solid colors.....Again, it's great practice for stitches and for changing color.

I tried "bobbles" in the green section but I don't care for them. They just look like I really messed up my stitches. But, there are all kinds of "bobbles" that you can add to your knitting so I will try some different ones and maybe one will look like I intended to put them there. Look at these colors. They're so bright and wonderful.

And to end this odyssey, I want to show you the beautiful wool roving (Bernat) that will be a pillow. I love the softness of the wool. Roving is not like yarn. It can be pulled apart and so you have to be careful when you're knitting it but this will be FELTED after I get through making the knitted piece. Wet felting is a process that makes wool into a strong fabric. It's quite a project and I will leave the specifics for another post but I can't wait to try it.
Hope you're having a pleasant weekend and may the Angel of Good Health reside on your ceiling all Winter.

"Thank you for wearing the bracelet....."

It was 1973 and we had just moved to Antioch, Ca. We bought a new home and I had recently  given birth to my second son. It was a busy, happy time in our lives.  The news was always and incessantly about the unpopular war over in Vietnam.  I was very upset about the Vietnam War and the losses that seemed endless. I wanted to do something and felt guilty that my lifestyle didn't seem to show any of the concern that I felt.
I was never comfortable with the protests down in Berkeley and most of the people that were joining the anti war rallies were more about being there and making lots of noise  than being truly committed to the cause.  I know there were some who were dedicated, but the mass of demonstrators were, I thought, there for the thrill of it. I wasn't sure that I wanted to make any statement  that would have reflected on our troops over there so my body didn't protest....  but my feelings were strong and my prayers were for our men over there that didn't understand the confusion of this war anymore than we did.
So, in 1973, I hear about a new program that was selling bracelets with names of soldiers that were missing in actions or prisoners of war. (Here is a site that give some history on this.) This was something I could do to support our troops and make a statement.

It was not a fancy bracelet. Just a piece of metal with a name and a date. That's all. The name.... Major Henry Muir Serex and he was shot down with his crew on April 2, 1972. I wore this bracelet for years and then, at some point in my life, I put it away, with the letter from his wife.....

and the information I have gotten on the P.O.W. network. Every year either on Memorial Day or Veterans Day I take the bracelet out and put it on..... then I read the letter. His two daughters are 51 and 48 now. They will never know what happen to their father.
There is a long history of  mis-information, called off rescues, cover ups and withholding of information to families of MIA's . Major Serex is just one story. I would hope that in their lifetime these daughter of a proud and committed career officer in the Air Force will get some answers.
"Major Serex is fondly known as "Mick" by his family....His plane was shot down over South Vietnam on Easter Day, April 2, 1972..... rescue teams were unable to determine the fate of the plane's crew. Thus, my husband has been listed as Missing-In- Action."
" We sincerely hope all POW's will soon be released and all MIA's fully accounted for.With your help, support and prayers, it may become a reality  in the near future and not just wishful thinking. I will keep you posted when my husband's status is changed."
 That was 37 years ago.It haunts me to this day......

Reminders of how I'm progressing

These are things that I found in the vegetable bin while I was looking for something to eat...

This is kind of how I felt on the weekend....

This is how I felt yesterday..... a bit fuzzy, but I knew who I was.

Today I feel much better.  A little dry and wrinkled but still alive on the inside.

In a few days I hope to feel like this apple which was NOT found in the bottom of the bin. I want to feel bright, shiny and shall we say.... in the pink... or reddish pink.... or red, yellow and pink. Anyway, I'm fairly sure that this apple isn't sick, not even a discoloration. It looks the way I want to feel.
This is a Washington State apple called a Cameo. Isn't it lovely? I will eat it tonight with dinner. You know the old saying...."An apple a day keeps the yuckies away."
Obviously, I didn't eat any apples last week.... or the week before. But you can bet that they will be the mainstay of my diet from now on.

When you're under the weather...

Henry David Thoreau said, "Tis healthy to be sick..." I'm not so sure about that, but it seems that I do get things done that might otherwise just sit where they lie. I, also, feel better today.
Thank you for all the advice. I have tried everything. The chicken soup, resting, drugs, Zinc, and the old Aussie remedy....rubbing Vick's on the feet and covering them with warm socks.  I believe I'm feeling better. I think they all helped.
Thank you. Farmlady was alive this morning when she got up.

During the Cold plague I.... did some knitting and learned how to make "bobbles" online.

I went all the way through the IKEA wish book, read my AARP magazine (that reminded me how old I am and how dangerous colds can be.), cleaned out another box of old letter and notes of my mothers and watched a lot of television. Did anyone watch the new series called Migrations on the Nat. Geographic channel? It's wonderful.

I drank lots, and lots, and lots of water and sucked on many cough drops.

...and finally found the bottle of Vicks VapoRub in the closet. It was next to the OFF Deepwoods insect repellent for sportsmen. I had a moment where I thought that a spray behind each ear might help my situation  but I know I didn't get bitten by a West Nile virus carrying mosquito so I will save that for another occasion. Still, it wouldn't hurt. Can't be too safe when you're fighting off the plague.

I spent way too much time on the computer the last few days. But I'm sick. It's my connection to the land of the living. This is my new tiny Jansjo lamp I got at Ikea for $9.99. My other lamp was taking up too much space on my desk. This little gem is just right and puts out a focused beam of light that is stronger than the old lamp. The light is called a diode.  It consumes 70% less energy and lasts up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. It comes in lots of great colors and you can twist it any way you want to. It's a real deal.
OK... yes, that's a snickers wrapper in the bottom right corner. So what? I needed extra energy.

This afternoon I went outside for a few minutes. The sun was shinning and it was so beautiful. The clouds are coming back in and it will be raining again tonight but right now the sun is shiny and warm against the south side of the house. It's lovely.

One of the garden ladies was drying out, soaking up the warmth and wearing flowers in her hair. She's a California girl for sure.

I need to go lie down for a while but first a  little thankfulness....

"Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little,
 And if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die;
so.... let us be thankful."
That's a quote from one of my favorite men.... the Hindu Prince, Gautama Siddhartha, the founder of Buddhism.

Misery Loves Company

I have a miserable cold. One of those kind of colds were you are so stuffed up you can only breath through your mouth and you feel like you have cotton stuck in you teeth.
I woke up this morning feeling like someone beat on me all night and sat on the side of the bed hoping that I might just die and get it over with. Then, I looked out the window.

It was raining. Everything was glistening wet and the multi colored  leaves of the Chinese Tallow were moving quietly in the morning air, as if each leaf was turning upward to catch the rain.
The Catalpa trees behind the house were holding on to what few yellow leaves still clung to them....

The goats were nowhere to be seen.
I was on my feet by now, moving from window to window. Trying to accumulate  enough reasons to make it worth being alive when my brain felt like it was draining out of me with all the other debris. I hate being sick.

Then I walked out to the living room and was greeted by Cutterbutt who has decided that life is good  when you can spend a cold rainy morning on the couch right where Farmlady wants to lay down.
I poured a cup of coffee. The Prospector asked how I was feeling. I considered this question. I replied, "Better, I guess.", as one of the nerve cells from my brain slid down my throat and sent me into a coughing attack. I hate being sick.... Why do I have to be sick. Where did this come from. What did I do to deserve this. I feel so awful.
"Well," said the Prospector, "you'll feel better in a few days. Just take it easy." 
Well, that went well. Not a lot of sympathy there and the dogs are taking there morning nap oblivious to my pain.
I sat down on the edge of the couch, between the two dogs, sipping my coffee and feeling very sorry for myself and that is when it happen.

Cutterbutt came over and put his soft head on my lap.... and he made a little doggy noise. Just a little growl mixed with a sigh that said..." Everything will be all right. This too shall pass."

Mystery Tree in Emeryville

My sister and I drove into Oakland on Tuesday to the IKEA store. I think it's actually in Emeryville but I have never figured out where the borders are down in that area. As I have said before, this store is always worth the trip. I love looking at all the "mock ups" that they put together to show you what you can do with what they want to sell you. If they charged an admission I would pay it. You get a catalog and so many ideas that you come out of there wanting to redo your whole house. If you go into the store looking for something specific you have to stay focused or you're lost.
 So Sis and I opted for a walk through Ikea instead of a walk in her neighborhood. We had taken a long walk the day before and decided to treat ourselves to something different...., slower...., more commercial. This is the proverbial "Shop 'til you drop" store. We did our walking for the day.
When we got out of the car we saw this amazing tree... actually a whole row of them on the parking medium. We thought that we had seen this tree before, down in Pismo Beach. The bark looks like thick paper peeling off of the trunk. It's really astounding.

It's not like a Crape Myrtle. The pieces of loose bark are bigger and looser....

The branches almost look like someone twisted them. The tree looks like paper mache. ( that's Sis being at one with the trees.)

Take a close look at this. It's texture is just beautiful.... if you're into trees.

Here is a close up of a blossom and it's olive like leaves.

And it's beautiful seed pods. Maybe it's some kind of tropical tree. The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area has a very mild climate.
If this tree looks familiar or you know what it is, please leave a comment. I would love to know it's name and where it comes from.
Have a great weekend.....

Halloween Magic

The transformation began.... It was a bright and sunny afternoon.

The pumpkins were slowly turning into Jack-o-lanterns....

Noni and Mommy helped, but Daddy did most of the hard work....
 
The Bean showed Noni some of his school work, which was, of course, brilliant..... and then he climbed  the Mock Orange to show me how amazing he is at scaling anything that he can get his hands and feet onto. The "silly's" hit and he couldn't control his face muscles.... so he stood on his hands and looked under his legs at me. "Hey Noni, look at me." and he giggled himself into super silliness. I knew we were getting close to the magic transformation.
Baby Bean was showing amazing restraint but he had taken a nap earlier. He checked his pumpkins many times and tried his costume on.

He had a bit of trouble with the hood on his costume but finally with a little help, he got it . It's important to see where you are going when you're packing all those muscles... in the dark.....
...and it WAS getting dark out there.
Then a small dog named Lizzy made a strange low growl and retreated to another room. She knew it was time. Mommy and Daddy were ready. As we turned toward the front door ..... it happen. 
My sweet grandsons had become big scary creatures.... 

The transformation was complete. They were ready for anything. The big night was here.


"Backward, turn backward,
Oh time, in your flight
Make me a child again
Just for tonight!"
~Elizabeth Akers Allen~ 




What a world.....
What a world.....
What a world....  
       

Halloween Joy

I'm missing this.. and this house.... and these little beans....

So, tomorrow I will pack my bags and go down to Pleasant Hill to visit with my family for a few days. I will give out candy for Halloween while my grand babies go out trick or treating with their Mommy and Daddy.
I just love this holiday! No matter what anyone says about the implications of this night and how we are worshiping the dark side, etc, etc, etc. I only have to say..... Lighten up. It's the one time of the year that your children can dress up and be someone else.. and you can be a kid again. Let your child see the generosity of others. If you think that it has to be productive take a little box with you and collect change for UNICEF or some other worthy cause. But, go meet your neighbors. Say hello, introduce yourself and give the evening a chance to work it's magic. Show your children what "neighborhood" is all about. Show them  less fear and a lot more "lets have a little fun". Life is short. Being an adult is a long journey.
When was the last time you were this excited....

When was the last time you carved a pumpkin?

Does that pumpkin look evil to you? I think not....

Drama on the Deck

I didn't mean to make this Praying Mantis so unhappy.

I have had this planter for years and it never crossed my mind that the design on it would become such an issue....

 She tried to climb the side of the planter and reach the smaller images of her kind. This poor Mantid was so frustrated that she finally collapsed on the porch deck and then,resting for a minute, she looked up at the drawings on the planter one last time. I could just hear her saying, " It's hard enough trying to find a mate around here without cave drawings that look real. I have business to take care of. I have needs."
I watched her as she walked across the deck and climbed onto the rose bush. She looked so tired.

This morning she was on the Chrysanthemums in the planter near the porch steps. She looked better. Must have found what she was looking for...
I think she is a Pacific Ground Mantid. Do you know that the female often devours the male while mating? What a dilemma that must be for the males.

Thought for Wednesday....It's just one of those days.

"Strength is the ability to break a chocolate bar into four pieces with your bare hands and then eat just one of those pieces" ~ Judith Viorst~

..... Oh well.

Post Collection

What a lovely thing it is to have a small gift arrive in the mail...  the snail mail. You know... the metal box that you have been receiving all the bills and political hogwash in lately. We have a rural box out on the highway, a mile and a quarter from the house. I worry about people taking things in the middle of the night but I guess there are more honest folks in the world that I give credit for. We have only had a theft once in 13 years.
So, on Monday, the prospector made a run to get the mail in the afternoon and , low and behold, I got a small gift and a REAL letter from my friend in Michigan. This would be the childhood friend that I lost for almost 50 years. The one who was cute and blond.... and made crop tops out of her sweaters before they were in the stores. Her name is Dawn. A post about her and her early fashion statements here.
So, she sent me a little package with a LETTER and a really wonderful gift that she found at a farm/orchard market where they buy fresh apple cider.....

Happy Goat  goat milk soap with a "lovely lilac" fragrance. Oooou!, does it smell good.
The letter is filled with stories of a trip that she and her husband took in their camper for a weekend.... two old mansions in Muskegon, the market where they got the apple cider and the goat soap, and a casino  at Manistee. What fun! Then she had to tell me about a big antiques mall in Lidington and the wonderful cranberry glass that she bought; the Lake Michigan shoreline and a little village called Pentwater with MORE antique shops. Then she came home and sauteed some sea scallops for dinner. I was ready to get on a plane and fly to Michigan right then and there. This girl needs a blog. She's always doing trips like this. She needs a "travelblog".It was like I took the trip with her.
Are you reading this girlfriend. TRAVELBLOG???? You could do it.
So,write someone a letter.... a real letter. It's so nice to receive one. Even if Dawn hadn't sent the soap with the letter it would have been a wonderful surprise. There's something about getting something in the mail that is personal and just for you. It makes you feel special. Try just one. It's a guaranteed "feel good" for both parties.

OK! New magazine on the supermarket rack. It's from Hobby Farms and it's all about CHICKENS.

Someone really loves chickens. This is not only an interesting magazine with great articles but the titles are wonderful. The "Coop Corner", "A Nest of Her Own" and "Surviving Fowl Weather". How about "eggs-cellent" winter tips? Makes you want to read the articles doesn't it?. Pulls you right in.
And then.... "The Incredible Edible Egg", the recipe section by (and I have to believe she gave herself this name) September Morn. Honestly.... she's a farmer and dog trainer in Shelton, Washington. I just love that  name. This is the Recipe Roundup section and the article is called The Eggs and I. You have to buy the magazine to get the recipes but I'll tell you that they are "eggstraordinary" recipes that are worth the $5.99 price of the magazine. Try to find it . I found it at Raleys.

And I leave you with this discovery as I drove up our road to the house a few days ago.

Isn't this amazing? There it was, growing right out of an oak tree. If I looked it up right it's called a Sulfur Shelf or Chicken of the Woods ( free ranging on a tree). It says that it's edible when young but causes gastrointestinal distress and can be poisonous depending on what tree it's attached to. Good grief. Why take a chance. They have "safe" ones at the grocery store. That's why I don't pick and cook mushrooms around here. I just don't trust them or myself. I have an uncle who picks them and cooks them all the time. I trust him.... kind of.

Funny line in my mushroom book....All That the Rain Promises and More.... A hip pocket guide to western mushrooms by David Arora.
"Conclusion: If you eat and enjoy this mushroom, always cook it thoroughly and do not serve it to lawyers, landlords, employers, policemen, pitbull owners, or others whose good will you cherish."
I think I will leave this  pretty fungi right were it is.....