Wine & Art Summer Social 2008

Friday evening our gourd club had a table on the sidewalk at the Amador Wine & Art Summer Social. The event was from 5 to 8 p.m. It was a lovely evening. The heat and smoke were not the issue we thought they would be. The temperature was 10 degrees cooler than Wed and Thurs. The smoke was not too bad and everyone was having a great time. There was live music that made you want to dance, which many people did. All the local wineries were there, and for $15.00 you got a commemorative Amador City glass and this entitled you to taste wine from one end of town to the other. All the shops were open and the whole evening was very mello (probably because of all the wine tasting).

I just love Amador City. I've said this before. It's the quintessential "gold rush" town. Lots of old buildings, old mining remains, and some really nice folks. You can just feel the history here. I love the stores here; especially the Bell Flower Home & Garden. I want that big bird in my yard. Not only does the owner have a wonderful assortment of garden art, but he also has VERY reasonable prices. We bought our iron fence here and it was a "deal".

We sold some gourds, talked a lot, and watched the smokey (but beautiful) sun set over the western foothills. It was a lovely evening and a good time was had by all.

Drive Carefully; children at play

We have the cutest neighbors. These two young-uns were playing in the road and didn't seem too afraid of me. I took a picture then moved the car closer. Took another , and inched closer, until I crossed that invisible line that sets off their " Human..., getting too close" alarm. They turned away , trotted off, turned and looked once more, then went down into the ravine.

They are such beautiful animals. This is a mule (or black tailed) deer. They are abundant here. I've seen them with their Mom before. I hope she is still with them. They don't look old enough to be on their own.

I pulled over and got this shot looking down the hill. There they were, looking at me and the only thing moving were those huge rotating ears.
"I see you" I whispered...., and then there were gone.

7:00 a.m. in the morning

I was eating breakfast this morning and I heard the dogs barking. When Maggie barks it's usually the buzzards. She hates them and when they fly low over the house she has a fit. Moke, on the other hand hardly ever barks, unless it's something really bad. Well they were both behind the house and they started barking. I call it the "fear bark". It's different than any other. It's sporatic and in between barks they whine or growl.
I went over to the sliding door and listened to them. That's when I heard the rattle. I don't move very fast, anymore, but I think I broke my own land speed record . I ran out out the door and saw the dogs moving back and forth, barking ferociously. I couldn't see the snake but I sure could hear it. I screamed at Moke a few times and thanks to the training he got before we found him, he came to me. I grabbed his collar and took him into the house.
Then I flew back outside to get Maggie. All this time, in between calling the dogs, I'm screaming "SNAKE" to the Prospector( who was in the chicken house). " Snake..., get the gun." I got close enough to Maggie and she backed away at the same time. I was able to grab her collar and pull her away. As I came around to the front of the house, the Prospector comes out with my hand gun and says, of all things, "Stop yelling." I save the dogs and he says "Stop yelling"? Men.....

He killed the Rattler. It was over 4 feet long and had 12 rattles on it's tail. That's one big snake. The good news is that neither of the dogs got bit. Thank God! No horrendous vet bill this time and the dogs are ok.

I wish they wouldn't come into the yard but they do; looking for water and rodents. "I'm sorry you beautiful creature. I respect your being and your death will not be forgotten."

(All these photos were taken after the snakes demise. )

A Hummingbird in the Heat

This was the temperature on our front porch yesterday. I went out to water some plants that were looking desperate and while I was watering the containers this little hummingbird flew over and perched himself on the edge of the blue planter. We feed these little guys with a hanging feeder on the other end of the porch, so I'm use to having them fly around us when we're out there. I'm sure it was the water, trickling out of the hose, that caught his attention. But then he landed right nearby , which kind of surprised me.

I think it's an Anna's hummer. They are prevalent around here, but he seemed so small and lackluster. Maybe the smoke was cramping his style too. Maybe he was a young one.

Then he did the most amazing thing. He started drinking the water from the hose nozzle. He must have been dying for something cool to drink. He didn't even seem to mind when it splashed on him. He was having a good time..., enjoying the water that had finally come his way. The feeder that we fill every morning was almost empty and the water was very warm, even though it was under the porch eaves. Well, this little bird just decided to take matters into his own hands.

I love it when these things happen. He (or maybe it was a "she"; I'm not sure) took full advantage of the situation even though a human was standing over him. He must have been nervous about being so close to me but he went ahead and took the drink anyway. What bravery!..., and I got the photo shoot of the summer.

Wordless Wednesday: Sunrise into Smoke

The Goat house rises and the fires spread

This morning

Tonight

About the Fires

It was 108 degrees on the front porch today. There is very little wind and lots of smoke. We have no fires that are close to us right now. Thanks to people being careful, I hope. Most of the big fires are south, along the coast and in Northern California. A friend of mine spent the 4th of July weekend in Santa Barbara and she said she could see the fires from the plane as they flew down the Coast range. She said it was frightening.
We called a friend of ours this afternoon. He lives in Magalia near Paradise, which is east of Chico. They are ready to be evacuated at any time. The fire is in the canyon on the north fork of the Feather river and moving in their direction. I hope that they will be all right.

It's all so sad. So many folks have lost their homes. The fires seem uncontrollable. Please think about us here in California. We love this state and it's on fire. We live in fear of a lightening strike, a campfire left to smolder or a lit cigarette thrown from a car.

We are so appreciative of all the fire resources ,from other states, who have come to help us. They are all out there fighting these fires as if it were their own places, but even with all the help..., a prayer or two won't hurt . This is going to be a long summer.

Squeeky; at it again

Uh oh! Someone has broken through our blockade. I guess I know who that would be. All the tell tale signs are here.

Look at her with some other hen's egg sticking out from under her.

"Squeeky, what I'm I going to do with you. These eggs are not your's. When are you going to get this fact into your little chichen head."

Poor thing! Do you suppose that she is symbolic of all the people in the world who repeat the same behavior ,over and over again, with the same results and wonder why nothing ever changes? With Squeeky, the answer lies in ancient genetic behavior. What's my excuse?

Dance Party?

We were thinking that we should put some music on and do some dancing here before the goats sleep in it. A few strings of lights, after the sun goes down, and a glass of Merlot. Yea!
But, the reality is that we're both so tired at the end of the day that we haven't yet gone back out there and "cut the rug" That expression is for the over 60 folks. (That's different than "cut the cheese" young'uns: you need to know these things.) Anyway, I think it would be fun to turn on the radio and dance out there after dark. Nobody is going to complain about the noise; not with a buffer zone of 42 acres. The animals might get a bit confused but, knowing the goats, they'll probably join us.

The Standoff

"Where are you Moke? Here boy." Where is that dog? Probably digging a hole somewhere.
" Steve, have you seen Moke?"
"Yep, he's behind the fence facing off with a lizard."
I walked around behind the fence and there he was.

"Moke, are you bothering that poor little lizard?"

No answer.

What a hunter this dog must have been before we found him. Once a "flusher", forever a flusher.
He and this lizard had eye contact for 5 to 10 minutes. The lizard never moved a muscle.
Moke slowly moved closer, and closer, inching his way toward the lizard, one half step at a time. Stalking, predatory; as if this small, beautiful lizard was a prize bird in the bush waiting to fly away. They were almost nose to nose.

Still, the lizard didn't move..

And then it was over. I didn't even see the lizard leave. Moke hit the wire fence and left a wet mouth spot on the wood, but the lizard was gone.

"Well Moke, no lizard today."

No answer.

But I know Moke was seeing red .

A productive holiday: report on the homefront.

The prospector is trying to get the new goat sleeping quarters done before his Pinecrest fishing trip at the end of the month. As you can see the only help he is getting, in the photo, is advice from the goats. This man amazes me. He is 64 years old this year and we've been married for43 years ; and he still astounds me with his ability to get things done. He just makes a plan and goes to work.

I help, sometimes..., I hold things. I hold a 4x4 while he nails. I hold the level while he moves the boards up and down to make them "plumb". (I even know some of the lingo, like "plumb" and "4x4 pressure treated lumber". Wow! I'll bet you're impressed now.) I'm great at giving careful advice in the form of question, like..., "Hon, is there going to be another door on the side that has the storage room on it so we don't have to walk too far to dump the hay in the hay holder?" or " Do you think we need a step up into the the shed, kind of like a porch, for the goats?" or " Wouldn't a flower box look pretty under the ventilation window?" You know, practical things....

Then I get the "Haven't you got anything better to do" look and it's time to move on; at least until he needs another helping hand.

So....,
I went in and made some Strawberry Jam.
This was a new recipe that I found on the internet. The last one I made, even though it was more like strawberry SAUCE, tasted better.
This one doesn't use pectin but you have to cook it to death. I think the fresh flavor of strawberries is missing in this batch. By the time you cook the strawberries, sugar and lemon to 220 degrees F. , at a rolling boil, for more than an hour, it looks like cut up tomato soup and even scorched the bottom of the pan a little.
We taste tested the jam this morning and it's good..., and it's thick. I just like the other batch I did, a while back, better. That was at: tomsdomain.com/recipes/strawberryjam.
His had pectin in it and I don't know why it didn't jell. I'm no expert at jam making. I just follow the directions. But I'm determined to find a perfect recipe: Fresh like Tom's Domain but thicker like Katharine's at : allrecipes.com.

I Just love doing this. I'm getting to be the "Jam and Pesto queen" around here. It's so satisfying, so domestic...., so real. I may try tomato or apple sauce this year.
The basil is growing all over the place in the garden this year so I need to make a batch of Pesto soon. This I know how to do.

But first I will go out and see if the Prospector needs any help. He hasn't asked for any help today. I wonder why?
Maybe he's thinking about my "goat porch" idea and flowerboxes. After all, if we're going to have to look at this little house from the back porch everyday...., it should look *PRETTY*! Don't you think?

Happy 4th of July

The Bracelet Maker

Yesterday I had to go to South Sacramento Kaiser and Costco. When I was through I stopped by to see the Bambinos. Baby boy was asleep because he's just 1 yr. 6mos old and he is into naps. Big boy, the "A" man was so excited to see me and sometimes he skips a nap because he has other things to do...., like show Noni his new bike; his DIEGO bike,... and his new helmet; his GREEN helmet...., and his new hair cut( that makes him look a lot older. No, no you can't grow up too fast little one.)

Mommy took them to Pixey Woods in Lodi. They "Rode in a train and saw a tunnel." and they had "...so much fun." and " Noni you should come too; you would like it."

" Can we go outside. I will ride my new bike.

It has 'taining wheels."

"Is that so you can learn to ride without falling?"

"I won't fall, Noni. I a big boy."

"Of course you are, sweetie. Just be careful."

"I be careful"

"Can you put your helmet on so I can take your picture?"

"Ok."

"Smile"



Baby bambino woke up and then it was snack time. After we had a snack "A" showed me how to make a bracelet like Mommy's. He had made one for her and wanted to know if I would like one. He wanted mom to give me her's. We explained that he needed to make one just for me. So he did.
This is the bracelet that "A" made just for his Noni. He had a kit with lots of beads and stretchy plastic string.

"What colors would you like, Noni?"

"Anything but orange."

"No orange?"

"Not today."

Just one orange?"

"No, I don't think so. Maybe in the Fall, around Halloween."

" Here. One orange ." He picks one orange bead up and looks at me.

"Ok, just one."

So I have a wonderful ,one of a kind, bracelet made by my grandson, and I love it. There is one bead in it that reminds me of Halloween and in my grandson's infinite wisdom, he has placed this orange bead among the others to express his own creativity and to remind me that I must not look at the world with old eyes and that I can wear orange in summer and live to tell about it.

Garden Speak

The garden is doing rather well this year. Maybe it is the chicken manure and the mulch. The gourds(below) are always so beautiful. I think they're one of the easiest plants to grow. Something is nibbling at the new growth though. I think I'll try some reflective tape first because I think the culprits are birds and they don't like shiny ribbon flaping in they faces. It has worked before. I'm willing to share a leaf or two with them, but they have been known to get carried away. So I will decorate the wire fencing with ribbon, then maybe some whirl-i-gigs or noisy wind things. That last one I made up, but they would be something that would let the wind blow through and make noise..., you know, something like a whistle? I have to look around for this one. The whole effect should really frighten the birds away. I hope. "Hope is a thing with feathers...", but not in my garden.

This is the shot I didn't want to show anyone but I'm thinking that someone might have an idea about what is eating ( I mean DEVOURING) my Sunflowers. I can't find any bugs. If it was a gopher the whole plant would be gone. Again, I'm thinking it might be birds, but look at the way something has chewed the stems and even though the plants keeps putting off new growth, the leaves below are being eating to pieces. Does anyone have any ideas?

Wordless Wednesday: Freckles, the lovely.

Baby birds for a friend

My friend Karen needs more prayers.


















Even though she hangs in there with all the tests and hospital visits, each day is a struggle.























On Thursday she goes in for a kidney biopsy and an ultrasound.


















Please keep her in your prayers. She is trying to be brave, but it's hard.

The baby birds are for you, Karen. I hope you can smile at them, because they are saying hello to you.

Always an open door..., with dogs.

This is my sister's home...., isn't it beautiful?

She has a gift for decorating and there are always delightful places, here and there, that reflect her talents. Then, of course, there are the dogs. They greet you at the door as if you were the only person in the world. The cacophony of barks, yips, small growls and kisses always makes me feel like I'm at home. This is a relaxed "chicken in your lap" kind of home, only without the chickens. Someday, though, I might find a couple of goats in the backyard. Oh no, wait! This is Lafayette, California. They don't allow goats here. But...., you never know.

I stay with Mom when I go down to see her. There is always lots to do and I feel like there won't be a lot more time to just be with her. (I would love to stay with my sister; but she's close by and we always get together while I'm there.)
I woke up to blue sky this morning. The wind has finally come and blown the smoke away for a while. There are still many fires burning all over California and many people have lost their homes. It's very sad. We have been lucky so far, but you're never safe. Fire is the "beast" here and always a threat.

Mom is doing well and I got to spend some time with her, talking about her childhood. I wrote down a lot of information; some that I had not known before. She was born in Berkeley , Ca. in 1918. When she was 5 yrs old her father died, so her mother took she and her brother and sister up to Napa, where her mom was raised. She lived in Napa until she married my dad. They live on her grandpa and grandma's ranch. Lots of great stories. Must write all this down. It's important. It's a connection to the past, but it's also a gift to your children; especially the stories.

I drove home this afternoon. The valley was clear and blue with a few whispy clouds and so were the foothills. The prospector and the dogs were here to greet me and the goats seem happy too. It feels so wonderful to be home. As I hear the "youngsters" say: It's all good.

Sunrise and Smoke

This was the sunrise yesterday. It makes for an interesting photo but not when you live in it. I'm leaving for the weekend. I'm going to the Bay Area to see my mother. Hopefully the smoke will not be so thick there. I'll be back on Monday.

Worth remembering

I said that I wouldn't make a big thing of my dad's passing, one year ago today, but I have altered my thinking about this just a bit.

My youngest son gave me a poem about the day we spread Dad's ashes in San Francisco Bay and I thought that I would honor him today with his grandson's poem.



THE SPREADING
As we wait on a wall of sea breeze,
pelicans fly in formation above the water,
and mother remembers that, when in Aptos,
they called these pelicans The Mafia.


All the while, families wait with guarded cargo,
wait, squinting through the blanched acrylic windows.
at the bridge that paints a ruddy-orange matrix,
stroked against the grey morning sky, and

carnations in hand to shed as stirring crops,
we shore up our own exact, tender words
-flowers with which the barren is faced-
as we wait on a wall of sea breeze,

to release his "request" into the water;
a fixture of colors in the many-eyed sea,
like trillions of glimmering peacock feathers.
A bodily belonging on the slopes of the bay.