![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z7HMTKAZjAsmg0lnzW_FC3gtTf1bII3I7Q4baLyB4cmiOdLqFxL4BATdhrarn9R0qALij0bqT7xEFxaPMIQOphdTMpLsx8fmEdkkM-y0QZ9ggzj3ulQdY-mhMfdc0fKbep-G/s400/Ccino+sofa+afghan+santa+lights+002.jpg)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Baby it's cold outside
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Z7HMTKAZjAsmg0lnzW_FC3gtTf1bII3I7Q4baLyB4cmiOdLqFxL4BATdhrarn9R0qALij0bqT7xEFxaPMIQOphdTMpLsx8fmEdkkM-y0QZ9ggzj3ulQdY-mhMfdc0fKbep-G/s400/Ccino+sofa+afghan+santa+lights+002.jpg)
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Spooky Political Signs
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKDu92Jx90G8_dzeHHDh25T3yWDoNFiZ8_3iUDpwg_OprMQqhAtwWEHI8dRxnnoGiNJMU4gaIhhAzMUQ2E3KFLYm0GzxXUu4OwyrtToR3ykc4WmrK8SCEVPek4cOa6yjFUY6w/s400/SC+spooky+signs+004.jpg)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
SD Hospice Art Committee
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHP6n0RaLP7WtomPGt5Zc_DSN3BVbZU6MfaouGw9mtjh3ezwbExPapf8EnesvmAEYXWyWuZ-6iZ33bFUQAthPWbmqyfuv8a3tRkcsyruue4zBJGs4fzpD02lCzCKqXhg2HvOl/s400/SD+Hospice+Art+Committee+Volunteer+award.jpg)
Monday, September 22, 2008
85th Birthday
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglH_CjNexXqcCrF6DEhYF0EwoKH0J4-_mMEMk_iqkVGR3cFycNiOHMff0pMhKvLZ7v271w6A368laPIWGLBjY83ymDN0MGvvxmnbRLWjUDbP54fMbuHMs1SNb45JitCjjlxmLM/s400/85thBirthday+008.jpg)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Wailin' Sarah Palin
Drill, Drill, Drill
I am having Sarah Palin nightmares. I dreamt last night that she was a member of a club where they rode snowmobiles and wore the claws of drowned and starved polar bears around their necks. I have a particular thing for Polar Bears. Maybe it's their snowy whiteness or their bigness or the fact that they live in the arctic or that I have never seen one in person or touched one. Maybe it is the fact that they live so comfortably on ice. Whatever it is, I need the polar bears.
Eve Ensler, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
End of Summer
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgld96Wvius7jCx_4Y4W04pMHleyZJ60l6BRdcWcRyeCLYdLcAve-He4h9lLwqWeAUzNUH7kSWhzqxsopxej3rlrq5V2OdMsD-nwgoCjq87iO5muzqFKvPp7CUqXFZ7l5BoAIE5/s400/Madelyn+Cynthia+Mission+Gorge+001.jpg)
Labor Day traditionally marks the end of summer and back to school. Here in San Diego, summer goes on for a couple more months. The pacific ocean and the land has warmed up to bring us many more days of warm summer-like temperatures.
So what did you do to mark the "end of summer"? Cynthia and I took a ride down to Mission Gorge and the old dam. Except that she took me "the back way" and I was whining as I am know to do when faced with a little endurance test and warm temperatures. We stopped at a trail head where a lot of mountain bikers were heading across this bridge. There's a number of trails out there for rugged bikes and their peddlers.
The San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park ended their summer hours on Labor Day weekend. Since we hadn't been up there in a few years, we drove to Escondido to the wild animal park. They've since added a balloon ride and extended their train ride, charging $20 and $15 respectively. Since we've been on the old train ride (when my sister was out visiting in, wow, 2005?) we passed on this one. Later in the day when we went, the temperatures were cooler and the lions were more playful. We also visited the elephants and gorillas. Was the gorilla thinking what I was, "when will this heat break?"
Monday, August 25, 2008
Doggie sitting and swimming
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPlUPMyllbt_7SegCJjy2pgAw0u7q2ZALqaJATR_s3INiMTkQk0iPJUi2THH8W3FLzblO-SrYGH4oYncMekiT8QzLhyphenhyphenJsbrzxcsFLDbb0-SHhjWrHDp5jCfwigIgSIYlwuIP-A/s400/DogSwim.jpg)
Meanwhile, I was doggie sitting mid-day on both weekend days. On Sunday, Larry thought he'd come over and bring his trunks. He got a lesson on having dogs in the family. He got into the pool. Well of course the puppies wanted to come in too. I strapped on their jackets and helped them in. Hadley is a good little swimmer while Benny plays king of the island. Dylan the standard poodle was there too and swam in the water without a jacket. He's become a strong swimmer since I've seen him last summer.
When Larry's blood sugar felt low, he asked if there were any bananas. I know bananas are one of their favorite treats, but Larry didn't. He was quite surprised to have the attention of Sam the boxer, Benny & Hadley. You have to give them each a piece. They schooled Larry.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Garden Inspiration
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4eDcNBN1YlHWrpBzW5Q6sofnSk8Ka7vf0-ofmvbpFJnGTiW2EImr3kccZ3cc-3V3v6v_ZFNVSftkzaYRMVwNWptWl2QMgV3KIeq8xOWGQsfF4YIVqMZ6XOgBn-GiUchC9HJm7/s400/NP+alley+cottage.jpg)
I remember seeing pictures and gardening shows of small backyard and vertical gardens and being really impressed. They were city gardens in areas like San Francisco. There's just lots of little detail to appreciate in a small space. We'll be replanting our front yard with more drought tolerant plants and I'm overwhelmed by the size of the area. Maybe I should approach it like several little gardens. There are sections divided by driveway or sidewalk. One patch is in the shape of the state of Utah: maybe I'll fashion a Moab sandstone arch for the little succulents in that bed. Larry suggested that where we plant some "hens & chicks", we can put some rooster statues there too. How do you like that, dad?!
I'm checking out xeriscape and water-wise gardening books from the library. I'm compiling lists of plants. You have to keep it interesting by keeping in mind verticality, blooming times, and compatibility. We'll probably just end up going to a garden center and get what's available; just because it's in a book or on my list doesn't mean I'll be able to find it. I have great appreciations for the nice gardens we see on our walks through our neighborhoods.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Beauty and the Beast at Spa MD
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJUkyFoxpfGRH1DC-grGQstSNyAHHOQ7l_XJLoNTrhRUib6KGn2dNTDZVUc9wbtUwo6U-ZHTuXcp-ebM7288YmN5Oz1_r55gxPYOE56gkqFIgCaN8idZG22im8qHDR7goBuoF/s400/Spa+MD+Greyhound+Connection+Beauty+and+the+Beast+009.jpg)
We don't get out to the beaches and La Jolla as much, even though it's a pretty easy ride along the 52 for about 25 miles each way. It was nice to take a stroll down to the cove and around. Not much has changed, but it is disconcerting to see people down in the children's pool area where seals once pupped. I recently read in a children's book of all things that people are everyone's enemy. It's certainly true for these seals being forced out. But I digress.
It was a big day out for the dogs. Benny was dog-tired by the end of the day and slept for most of the next day.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFR71G3gwQ86zLd-7Z-VG5fVyJPthJuoDlZqwzqrDHk748MmYAkYanzauBsw57Gf1qGIIOQcQqjWF_-M4DSTMz8kRbiXlElyrRVfzaXthMtPvOPp0rgpE5Oxc5_JUJD9vFRAZv/s400/Spa+MD+Greyhound+Connection+Beauty+and+the+Beast+008.jpg)
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Rolling along with the earthquake
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYGOC9ThT5uJgi2HOZlWRr9diPYn-cMHovdl4dSqt-5XFEXlHPUoUsg4Q5Ef-yrZxs3J1yTkYcfk25iK3eTvu3Ror_Ei8OJTqTU6PqHb9jeP5Ian-l1oOdeWDJ6OVHsy5VZ4cT/s400/handsome+ccino.jpg)
At the time (11:42am Tues), I was at work on the computer at an elevated desk on a questionable Ikea stool. By the time you've acknowledged that the screws aren't coming out, a big truck is not driving by, you have a few split seconds to enjoy the rolling sensation of this earthquake. It's not like being in a car on an overpass. Well, they could be like that, but with this it was more of a rolling, undulating feeling, not so bouncy.
I've experienced a few quakes since moving to San Diego and they've all had their slight quirks. Driving on the 163, it felt like you were a little disconnected from the road for an instant. "I feel the earth, move, under my feet . . ." Sitting on the futon in a second floor condo, it seemed like I could see a wave of vibration making it's way around the walls of the living room. It was the middle of the day and I was completely lucid and sober!
Larry said the cats were not phased in the least. They just continued on with their naps. Cappuccino is very handsome and you can't photograph an earthquake. So here you are.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Visit from Oregon
Friday, July 11, 2008
20 Years
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dOKUWmk3gScXWYVOuqQ5qQVJMPXE2Ao1jSmHsiaH8CQrQaVIG9BTUTresEr0Geqw7yTwlSe3sh-KPgg0RDJi-p_1fjHuDhDzqzkrsegYBTHodAYyCRy0jCkvqdfXpRhqwATv/s400/av+ntsd+005.jpg)
The most important thing is to be kind. I have not found an occasion or situation where the Golden Rule doesn't apply. Want someone to respect you? Respect them.
We didn't do any big traditional thing like take a trip or even go out to eat (two things Larry is not very fond of and I can respect that) because we just bought a house. Living in southern California is permanent vacation. We like to celebrate on the eve of holidays, so we ordered take-out. We eat salads most nights and our heirloom tomato provided us with a heart-shaped fruit for the occasion. This particular variety is named "Mortgage Buster". Maybe as we improve the soil, it will bear an abundance of fruit, similar to 20 years of marriage. Awww!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Happy 4th of July
Can I have some of your eye-openness?
At 6pm, we walked over to Lake Murray for their July 4th Music Fest and Fireworks. We met Cynthia & Patti with Angel & Dylan and walked around the lake to get to the community park where they had a big sound stage set up. We caught the last band, Liquid Blue, who performed a wide variety of covers from Madonna to Led Zeppelin. Toward the end of the concert, we started walking back to catch the fireworks and have a shorter walk home. The dogs weren't too bothered by the fireworks. Angel is so old she's probably a little hard of hearing. Dylan was nervous at first, but then he settled down and watched the show.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Bamboo Power
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDj7ZoRz7UZfQKj3anWppnBsItuelUiUsx6YrWchSsLgQVGRfwFKmEf2dUFU4c1lMMAzbSoUt3cqcl_WfaGWQeXZMwM10lV1l7K87Jfe603QBkuHTObe0JIudiAzr99FoI96zR/s400/bamboo+power+van+001.jpg)
You've got to love pure random chance. I was in Hillcrest and thought I'd swing into the Trader Joe's nearby. Half of the parking lot was being repaved, so I took a different route out and passed by this van.
This traveling billboard for bamboo brings me back to macaroni mosaics and wanting to decorate my own cars and bicycles. I want to know if it whistles while traveling down the 805? Visit his website for factoids on bamboo.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Under Sixty Saves
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9GP84QQr-oGzA7Vd6PziB58Z9afNDPfpGcegEkV7LFnh3NzXS5rSBjBlx27yT5XnnSdwKaM9h5BZOt7jp2t79Lurd1L2C1nzPuH5AV2YdBPvNKlzySMu5slgUndFftiZcPAtU/s400/fuel+002.jpg)
Remember back to the 1970's: Long gas lines, "Out of Gas" signs. I wasn't driving then, but I got the message: conserve. Back then, I remember slogans like "55 Saves Lives". Well, it turns out that it also saves fives too ($$$).
On May 28, 2008, the Wall Street Journal published a little column, Me & My Car, where columnist Jonathan Welsh answers readers' questions about automobiles:
Q: To obtain the best gas mileage, what is the optimum speed one should maintain on an open highway? I've heard all sorts of answers.
A: While each vehicle performs differently, a rule of thumb for maximizing fuel economy is to keep highway speed to 60 mph or less. According to the EPA, exceeding 60 mph severely hurts the fuel economy of most vehicles. The Agency says "each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.30 per gallon for gas." Several tips on saving fuels appear at fueleconomy.gov.
Speed limits, actually Speed MAXIMUMs, posted on San Diego freeways are 55 for trucks and trailers, 65 for all other vehicles. My commute to work is only three exits on the 8 freeway. I set the cruise control for 60 and keep to the right lane. Many people are speeding past me. It's also amusing to see commercial trucks passing me when their maximum speed should be 5 mph less.
I waited to write this post until I went a full tank with this experiment, testing my fuel economy when I kept my highway speed at a maximum of 60 mph. It improved from 40 mpg to 46 mpg. I got 15% better gas mileage. My diesel VW Beetle is rated 42/49 mpg.
My first car, a 1986 Subaru hatchback, got 35 mpg and there hasn't been much improvement in the two decades since. Americans have started to conserve which can help stabilize prices. They aren't doing all they can. It would be premature to start drilling in protected areas. Would that be the last frontier? And then what happens when those supplies are exhausted? Permanent "Out of Gas" signs with new technologies lagging behind once again.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Compass Lake Block Party
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4F_2jcNkEf3gFS8tz20DZqJ9UYlvZNuV5pN8uSa27zRk1eEcqHsvU_fVKCUFLGA-Tm-39_CtH5ptLsejSNXK3fRrOMOy1BEEGTRikL16tVSKq_ZxV4bxSebgyhnvQpPeZmf4/s400/CmpLkBlkPty+(1).jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNT9HVfRC0nsbDUnQBUxZNTp8E1HAFQumWPGA4x36xE59d7w7mYnRCYLo_CrHKt-fJUGyZFtj5ztQOxMnHi3fQI-sJErIv_o0NeGJvj97Po9UWaGyW6ef6xRWKA31DqOGN7XTH/s400/CmpLkBlkPty.jpg)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Beautiful Day
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-EpBaVQfMeaf20D2glUNMij5JnUcKO9dEepQTAlGspYDYwcbq-XIKZekbZGtkJGGqI56ZCkBMe_n5puGpYrQkpLuJpaBOhzsQW0qm8yi4EvwPz8UXw_ytFKz7qGeDWjCjMFj/s400/Hot+Day+Wooster+Ccino+003.jpg)
One day later and the temperature was PERFECT. I had the car window down and realized how really beautiful it was. The temperature read 72 degrees. It was perfect! Our backyard is loving it too. The star jasmine is flowering and permeating the air with a sticky-sweet flowery scent. The nasturtiums from seed have a yellow and a red-pink flowers. The bird of paradise put up a flower. Tropical scents, colors, and shapes!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Father's day
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgU-Jg6ZaLKnjk8EBnIV3r-kIj2f_5jzN92tQGi5aCn3uJzDOgmm6XxVwrOaEWO42Is2izJVgH79ihDFqjkRRW-V8BCLLUT-nndCjMBaCVzB9lWEusFPhBYBCI1UefCTVZ9AHR/s400/Mothers+day+2008+Larry+Ccino+Puffin.jpg)
We've made up the word "Napazol" which is the spinal fluid in a cat which causes them to sleep 18 hours a day. When there are a few cats around us, we often succumb to the ambient Napazol.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_BUca9sPNYi2X2_jQ0fOCttTxrJw65yX2JTVLbPhBFMzweVmCpORbpeRKFqk0ar7IAXZ4SMpsy_yZBJXL9NmpUlOGVPkC1Wyy4icgfYZNoqVTW1KGy2lJKQGzwu-koYrUGl_/s400/Mothers+Day+present+002.jpg)
Mother's Day update: Later in the day I did find a present on the bed. Wooster carries this fluffy tufted toy around in his mouth and makes that "mewling" sound. Usually it just makes it to the bedroom and each day I take it back out to the living room container of cat toys. Today it made it up on the bed. Sweethearts.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Early Squash in the Mist
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyTYZJ3KANVMwIwLwu8RwZj_ugHsqf_bxQZDJDDskNFboWbSS7syf9PsrEeHEHRSvO1pewM7UNRRm-1zR0O-8x2aXbVXY_ZbjcYjlz5pjZWZZ7GQXu5vymMPhXAA2mfvhapCCu/s400/Early+Squash+Tomato+20080506+001.jpg)
I planted two hills of squash but didn't label them. One hill has three plants the other has only one. Larry was wondering which was which (summer squash or zucchini) and I said we'll just have to wait and see. Here it is the beginning of May the the three-plant hill has the yellow summer squash. We got some rain last night and it is misty this morning. Still, it's been very dry here for the past month and we collect the shower water to water the plants.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Spring Volunteers
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqWXqBXTUGsb3EdI4jTSG7aLpMAR-lCCdzkRLKjLXw-ROcz62TGbEzMTiVO8K035O5PWTcw8R0RTMYEC_EB_-1kkp3bC66fNo3NBst7po78hxPRjDqlSf_sav4neWIsZsvkdII/s400/CLvols.gif)
A neighbor gave Larry a small Bird of Paradise. He planted it in one of the many terracotta pots left by the previous owner. I saw some sprouts starting and rather than assume they were weeds and pluck them out, I let them mature to see what they were. Apparently, at one time, the soil must have had some annuals. Here's some sweet Alyssum and some other sweet plant with a red violet flower.
We're keeping the squash hills watered because they dry out quickly. The tomatoes are in little wells, so they hold the water better. The tomatoes have flowers; we'll see if it's not too soon for them to develop into something. Maybe we'll have a little tomato before June, when we'd be thinking about planting that more tropical plant in Connecticut.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
I'll couch for that
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEVLoHpmXhfhftYIazQixa1zAjYyrYeGfR0Z3xymu-MH7HadBFgt3DeLE0VXLUzROgwAAZIAoseWbO5NRyndXk0MJ-zTkiOhuil0qEOFqwbCWBl3rmZRW8moIPJ0hYr9SLcv2/s400/Ccino+Couch.jpg)
Cappuccino approved of the "new" couch our friend gave us. His look seems to say "I own this couch." It's a sleeper couch which my friend says we can use for when guests come (chuckle). It's micro suede which is a very durable fabric against cat scratching. Oh, there will be and has been cat scratching, Mr. Ccino. I bought a new cardboard scratcher and primed it with catnip and brought it out the day the couch arrived. It was sort of a distraction. Another deterrent against scratching is to attach double-stick tape. Cats don't like the sticky feeling on their paws. Cappuccino, however, loves tape. We have to hide the packing tape, gnaw, gnaw, gnaw. Quite an amusing cat.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Vegan Shrimp Helix
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLyqgKSGjvXYKQUB71YxGszTmky3ceIQZu6JqEBNEEJy-40084QzUv650jV5-coAanCbCXC_S36S-lGMO0neA3H4u8r8LVjlJZTtRCbwf45TmHsj-zD419dAu3UaWkle_p8Wzw/s400/VeganShrimp.jpg)
At the 2007 Natural Products Expo in Los Angeles, VegeUSA had a large booth with samples of their product. We sampled all their products and I liked a few even though I don't crave meat analogs and certainly don't crave any animal flesh.
Our local market, Windmill Farms, had these products on sale and I picked up a few packages. I made a cajun rice dish last night which calls for soysage. I substituted the vegan shrimp. It was interesting and fine in the dish. There is a firm texture to the product, somewhat how I remember shrimp to feel in your mouth.
I thought I'd look up the main ingredient after water, Curdlan Gum. Chemistry-wise, "Curdlan gum is a microbial fermentation extracellular polymer prepared commercially from a mutant strain of Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes." If you then look up Alcaligenes faecalis, it's a mutant of soil bacteria and produced some inhibitory activity against Sarcoma and carcinoma in a cancer study in 1978.
Still, I think I'll stick to whole foods that I can pronounce and not the highly-processed glucans. Many studies have also linked the vegetarian and vegan diets to health benefits. [smile]
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Make the best of it
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-0CVUcpJnuf-7y3hvwuxdu-CKW5onVkkJa1zFvwObd7JZFkDgf_1VunYW6xlFY9StHEypAgDvzn5JNkqkmNcQAZV_3W1tnPMkEvZyvk9RB35-bCJ5HPqH3MeGXc5Yf6oZxook/s400/east+105.jpg)
Excerpted from a workshop in Boulder, CO on Saturday, June 7th, 2003
©1997-2007 Abraham-Hicks Publications.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Pick a peck of paintings
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XnPtPYcu1ac-wePkf4Egc0vGbC0iEATdqyzUKROj7GZTqVnil6FluVumgOTX0SWExs-FlpF9DxCMbQAwX0Rvt1PPC0qZ_nc2WJ9sUAZBYxBN06fa8Fz0956XHA96b0A2yZ1Z/s400/KathrynLaw.jpg)
Thanks for taking a look at my artwork! There's still time, the exhibit is up until May 9, so there are still more than 6 weeks left. So definitely do spread the word to anyone you think might be interested. I've sold a lot of work there, and as it sells, I replace it. I'm really enjoying it, getting all that great feedback.
Plus, a Writer's Collective from a local college was having a meeting there about a book that they're publishing, an anthology called "Hunger and Thirst". They saw my work there and contacted me, wondering if they could use my work on the book cover and within the text. So I said absolutely, and it's in the works now! Will be published in the fall. You can see a preliminary mock-up and links to more info about the book here: http://kathrynlaw.blogspot.com/2008/03/book-cover-mock-up.html
And, I just had another painting--a plein air landscape in Balboa Park-- accepted into a juried show in Fallbrook, opening this Friday. So things are going really well with the painting.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Day off in Poppy Land
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApX6x1orY7qhvtIYQoK-dJRxXVowu61JC9Cw0XgRrhArnD46sGWGWP1HgihquvZlYLdTtrkZfPAoWLME9yfEkNxzt2PWPDuca6ThQGXjY3mDLEFoxyPn2HOLrjYIXUi-5_gvI/s400/Poppies.gif)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyZudKqecUvapW9rLRgI4j52M6RV5sWfZo4aaqqwhXL0UAcH3z2rEa0-bjqCUnRx87o_zjhoNNDiSEJAE8avHeogYfLg84FG529NGkcoMJtaIDwP4yUG9s-jLUMrV0Qw77Je2/s200/California+Poppy+Cowles+Mountain+03202008+Lake+Murray+view+004.jpg)
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Succulents explode
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdC-EJKnZBwH5axAmbbtTCG4BrhBP1RewOsf1dxTAExqywLE0-hPIOpTATbO4i6qvLHHEGKWGewMBMA146HTcNLKMxeUxQgXy0CPS8LE83M-kTaLZDSpfBtKQ6rnEBUlTKll7g/s400/El+Cerrito+Succulents+002.jpg)
Succulents are interesting enough on their own, but this time of year they are exploding with color. With the rainfall the Southern California has received this winter, it is predicted to be a nice year for wildflowers. This is a yard in the El Cerrito community of San Diego.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Duck, duck,
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGgY-7oacvdq_P1ObFm7TCfPrpqQKBHJjMNzwP1VY9ZcTKaMPPRKNNkrprqCq0jeuQB8Ye5RxdTJ1xr26eV4Qm4kMQ1wSINAFLFzfee2pZV6mJ1DvY97SKuNcBu8iHAS3rx3w/s400/poolducks.gif)
We're less than a mile from Lake Murray reservoir in the San Carlos area of San Diego with approximately 170 surface acres of water, but these two water fowl chose to land on our pool on Wednesday morning. They took a few laps, hopped up on the side to check out the grass, then took off.
Lake Murray has many types of birds along its shore. Larry says he saw a swan last week.
Oh, and we had the juniper taken out. Where you see the dirt line along the back is where a serpentine of juniper bushes grew. Before, it was like walking a tightrope around the far side of the pool. Just one step at a time; not sure how we'll landscape it. More fruit trees are certainly an option.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Now is the time to ask yourself
Why do you eat meat? The Humane Society of the United States investigated a Southern California slaughtering plant and documented many unfit cows being tortured and abused. Dr. Michael Greger explains in this video how these practices can contaminate a large quantity of meat. He even wrote in 2003 how USDA regulations do not go far enough.
While you many be outraged, disgusted, saddened by these practices, this is business and there is a demand for the product. By simply asking yourself at every meal: Do I need to eat this piece of meat? you are making a conscious decision to continue or to end these practices.
"Veganism in a nutshell" explains the top five reasons people go vegan (abstain from meat and animal products). What we choose to eat has an impact on human rights, animal rights & abuse, the environment, and our health. I first went vegetarian for the selfish reason of health. I choose to be vegan for the far-reaching impact it has on many facets of our lives.
You already don't eat much if any beef? Congratulations! So you know that you may lose your taste for a food after cutting it out for two weeks. Now how about showing some respect for chickens and fish, the "Rodney Dangerfields" of the animal world. Dr. Neal Barnard of PCRM discusses the benefits of a vegan diet on a variety of health issues, most recently diabetes.
You may choose to close your eyes, but please don't close your mind.
* * * * *
Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 Wall Street Journal article on page B1 ("Oversite 'Flaw' Led to Meat Recall") explains factory farming as a business with suppliers and quotas: "The plant for years was a major buyer of older, spent dairy cows from the many dairy farms in the Inland Valley, about 40 miles east of Los Angeles." and "In a statement he gave to Chino police before he was arrested, Mr. Navarro said he felt pressure to ensure that 500 cows were slaughtered each day. If he didn't meet that quota, he said, Mr. Salas would get angry."
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Thank You Percy
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8RFFiFbF5E99QKvX0UaDk2mlqlECCN7mCSnYRgirj9L-8l3QhysZxSwK-kGpOBxWH8kOErSjJDQHkhnczELdSjGIOHyezg1J6Asy5xSH1u854BWoYcBaEzRW4To9vv44oJ_C/s400/percy+pose.jpg)
Friday, January 25, 2008
Cirque de Soleil in Del Mar
No photography is allowed; see the NY Times review for photos of the acrobatics. I was gasping and dropping my jaw at some of the surprising performances. The supported cartwheels in the giant hula-hoop were more amazing than my simplified naming. Acrobatics, juggling, high-wire walking, tumbling, musical performance, a great treat for the eyes and ears and all the more appreciated by me from attending yoga and stretch classes.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Haven't you always wanted a monkey?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN6FMQO2disF-rDr07uILj5Bu4sPMMg-zzEQY8mhx3oIk-XbWezuSQkqB6YsylzJKs6TwcCzVYXamAsB8COOTe0U4ODfl6X1JPdxZHSFV_t-9ccrxwYiVijuNeBfC37g-FFw9D/s400/TreeTrimming.jpg)
We had the trees trimmed just in time as that following weekend was a monsoon of a rainstorm for San Diego. Rinsed things off nicely. The neighbor said it was good timing too. The fruits on the palm would have rained down like hail.
Monday, January 7, 2008
New Years Day Spa
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7gB92oaudBq2voEKH8coulKlg-25xal_Z3QRy6D-H96WnQQH6wh5O0mAz5W4fuvOcvd700Ohda44_ywcIV965vK3HPqSCyvZDygaGJbs7bnDQnTTKRHOGlIBirSqsTu8V-yCU/s400/NewYearSpa.jpg)
We took down the fencing that was around the patio. You see just the poles here. It really opens up the backyard. There's lots to do if we want to and a little bit each weekend makes it managable.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Happy New Year
San Diego Zoo Panda Cub Zhen Zhen
Add to My Profile More Videos