Remembering Corky 06-06-20

It is an anniversary of sorts.  On this day in 1997 I started being nanny to Corky Loos, the nicest little poodle I have ever met.   His parents live in Long Beach and had busy lives, so they needed someone who could keep Corky when they had to be gone and to teach him some ways of the doggy world.  This association lasted until November 2013 when Corky went over the Rainbow Bridge.  He is still missed in my life and probably the lives of everyone who knew him.  He was a prince among poodles .

Jim and Sherry Loos, Corky's parents.

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Succulents in the neighborhood 06-05-20

1. With the promise of continuing drought many people are redoing their yards to make them more drought resistant.  And in m this area that requently means planting succulents.   Some designs are more successful than others, but many of the plants are quite attractive.   Here are a few that are in prime season right now.

Looking straight down on this lovely rosette which is about 14" diameter.

This is a side view of the rosette, about a foot tall. 

A flowering stalk, about 30 inches tall and shaped like a perfect Christmas tree. 

Close up of the flowers on the stalk.

This is the base of the flowering stalk. 

In the sun the red is very vivid. 

This is a view from the top of the plant. 

And here it is from the side.  There is the remains of a flower stalk - the straight beige sticking up in the middle of the image. 

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Thursday Treasures 06-04-20

I suppose most of my treasures are memories which I access through the pictures I have taken over the years.  Here are some from a trip to Kalispell, WY , eight years ago this month in June 2012, to take a class with Ruth B McDowell. 

Facebook has selected these pictures:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/paMVu7wBRYHdZVva9

I hope pasting this URL on here works. 

Here are some images I have selected from my files.   On this trip I saw a lot of wildlife, some on an all day drive through Glacier National Park. 

Out on the prairie there are a lot of antelope, here is a rare picture of an antelope resting in the grass. 

This is a more likely view and those white butts are visible from a good distance if you look for them in the grass and sagebrush. 

A drive through the National Bison Range provided close up shots of lots of bison and bison calves. 

Many different birds all over, including this lovely swan.

Loons are so distinctive.  This one came close to be sure we didn't get too close to the hen and chicks. 

This bear was really quite far away, I used a telephoto lens. 

This was Ruth's last class, I'm so glad I was there. 

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Flowers 06-02-20

Pineapple Guava  Feijoa sellowiana

These are such pretty flowers and they are blooming now.  

A busy day today and out and about.  The Book Group met on ZOOM so now I have a new books to add to my TBR list.  It was great to see everyone, but two members were not able to join us.  Next time, eh? 

Shopping day - Farmer's Market, Albertson's, and HURRAH, Trader Joe's.  It is the first time I have been since early March because I can't stand in line very long.  Today it was about seven minutes and then I was IN.  They had everything but chutney, the shelf was bare.  So, I am a happy eater with some of my favorites from good old TJ.  

I've accidently managed to switch my computer to a different set up and this message is white letters on black background and I can hardly read it.  My eyes are just too old.  I will have to see if I can find someone to tell me how to switch back.  Before I go blind.  

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An exciting day? NOT 06-01-20

Well, I did make it to the Post Office to mail a few packages.  And I had take out dinner from a new restaurant that is actually just across the street from the PO.  I had seen the sign that they were open and read several raves on our local Next Door pages.  It is "Off the Boat Fish Grill"  Not a large place, there are seven social distanced tables inside and three on the patio.  I enjoyed the grilled shrimp tacos with rice and beans.  Good, but not as good as my most favorite at Chronic Tacos.

These guys didn't speak a word to each other, all on their phones. 

Tomorrow I hope to work on the Little Houses, but we'll see what the day brings.  KoKo, of course, will have his two walks, three treats, breakfast, dinner, and lots of little and large naps.  He is such a comfort.  

He has an appointment for a haircut on Wednesday.  I hope I can have one soon or I will have to give myself another haircut.  I'm trying to make shaggy necklines popular.

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Another day at home 05-31-20

KoKo and I do our two walks each day - about 8am and 8pm when it has cooled off a bit.  This evening it was 75F  and the high today was 81F.  A little muggy.   I packaged the fabrics I had purchased for Ruth and a couple other people.  They can't go fabric shopping and actually FEEL the fabric, so I did it for them.  So, a trip to the PO is in order for tomorrow.  Goody!   When I was at Back Porch I found a backing fabric for the Little Houses - they represent our "isolation" - and the backing will represent the freedom that will come.  

This is a Windham Fabrics print called "Celebrating Women".

The only excitement today was when the garage door repairman came and repaired my garage door so it goes up and down on demand once again.   It was sixty bucks and worth every penny. 

I go to bed anticipating a trip to the Post Office tomorrow!

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