We need the rain. Thursday, Feb 13, 2025

 

This image of the rain pouring down the greenhouse window over the sink, is supposed to be a video.  I thought  I had finally figured out how to post a video, but it appears I have not. Let me know if it moves for you!

It has rained pretty much all day with various intensity.  Not much temperture range  (53F to 56F)  and the clouds don't seem very thick. So, bright  anyway. 

I spent another inactive day, still coughing, but generally feeling stronger.  The doctors office finally called and refilled the cough med I had used up.  5ml every four hours isn't much, but seems to help some.   Mostly I sit up silently, reclining and talking are the worst instigators of coughing.  I'm reading on Kindle, currently  

"Doc" an aurobiography of Dr.Losee of his medical practice postwar II in the wilds of Montana.

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Lovely Rain Thursday, Feb 6, 2025

The most rain I have seen in almost a year - I hear it drumming on the metal patio cover.   So welcome here, if not too heavy to create mud slides in the burn areas.

I went to the new Primary doctor today, Lila Kim.  She listened well, asked good questons, gave me some assurance that I can survive RSV, and sent me home to  rest-in-bed, drink plenty of (especially warm/hot) liquids, take my meds accurately,....and I'll  be well soon - maybe 3-4 days!  Although she didn't phrase it this way she seems to think I am doing  okay for an old widow lady.  We did not spend much time on all my other issues, but they aren't going away and we can get into those later.

I have such caring friends and neighbors.  Anna and her daughter Barb walked KoKo twice and brought me an slice of pizza for an afternoon snack. The boys in the cul-de-sac brought dinner prepared by their mother, Mariam:  chicken, couscous, plantain, and a yummy side of hot, grated beets.  

Sick I may be, but blessed.  

Morning walk 05-04-24

When we walk twice a day we meet our neighbors.  I wave to everyone passing  in cars and sometimes they wave back.  We say hello to everyone on foot and mostly they greet us in  return.  If they stop  KoKo will go to the guy first no matter how sweet talking the woman is. He just likes people and especially children;  when he hears them out playing he wants to go see them. 

 

Here he greets Tina, our dog-less friend that walks in morning. She listens to books on her cell phone and will be so engrossed she won't stop until KoKo stops her.

When someone stops petting him, he lays down on their feet, maybe so they can't get away. This morning I sat at the low end of a wall and then had to scoot my bottom  up the slope until I could get the leverage to stand up again.  If I had not been doing the twice a week fitness workouts I might still be sitting there!

There were early sprinkles this morning that decorated the spider webs on the pittosporum.  

When the sun comes out the drops turn into diamonds.

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More Rain. 03-06-24

Pretty boring when all I can think to talk about is the weather.   However, I look back at blogs from previous March postings and guess this is just not an interesting time  of year.   In my life it  has been a time of loss as so many people I love have died in the first few months of the year. The dreary weather doesn't bring joy and happiness. 

This long, ominous cloud held off until we were just a few houses from home.

But no walk tonight due to continuous downpour.  KoKo had a quick whiz in the backyard and a thorough toweling when he came in.  

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Still in San Diego 02-10-24

Seems the rain has stopped for now,  but it is cold.  Down to 41F  at night and only  up to mid-60s in the day time.  No flooding at the house we have in Pacific Beach area.  

I have been working on the pictures, but cannot post  them.  The screen sneers back "pictures  will upload when  connected to wi-fi".   However, the settings say I AM connected  to wi-fi!  Yes,  I turned it off and back on.  Didn't help.  So no classroom pictures tonight.

Physically this  trip is a mistake, but since I signed up in September it wasn't possible to cancel in January.   I would forfeit my money and the  instructor, Pat Pauly would be without a dwelling and a driver.  However, I  am so glad I am here, the class is fascinating, the teacher is good (and a good roomie), and I am enjoying the adventure.   I plan to rest when I get home and start  with a personal trainer to get strength back.   So, all  is  well.   Tomorrow I will be alone here while others go to Coronado and hope to walk on the beach.   I will work trying to get the pictures to post and also do some paperwork I brought from home thinking I would have time to work on it.     It  is11pm and past time to be asleep. 

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Pacemaker #5 01-22-24

Another good day.  I drove!  Not a problem after I figured out how to put on my seatbelt without lifting my left arm over my shoulder.  Did a couple errands and came home for a nap. No walk for KoKo this morning because it was pouring  rain but the weather app showed it wasn't going to rain at Noon, so we went out and walked about 1/3rd of the way when it started sprinkling.  He did his business and we headed for home.  Not too wet.  But it continued to rain off and on all day. Tomorrow morning I'll drive Immanuel to school and maybe try sewing again. The itchies are still with me, verrry distracting.  I see the surgeon at 2:30pm.

Rain pictures from all over the country.

And Nancy Ota somewhere out of the country.

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Last roses 12-24-21

Late in the afternoon on Wednesday I read the weather prediction which said RAIN, and heavy rain at that.  So, I cut the last almost full blown Brandy roses and brought them in to enjoy.  In a couple weeks it will be time to prune the roses for the year and no new flowers for at least a month.

Such a soft and lovely color with just a slight spicy scent.  In the background is a new quilt I bought at the November Surfside Quilters Guild auction, made by Sue Butsko and quilted by Cahtie Opila.  It is 42"W X 48"L.

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Nice rain 03-10-21

We had heavy rain during the night and off and on today.  We desperately need it, but more will be necessary to cut down on the fire danger.  Fortunately KoKo and I were able to walk between downpours.  It is really hard to handle the leash, the cane, and an umbrella; almost need another hand/arm!   I could dig our a plastic pancho from the emergency supplies in the trunk.  It would help keep me dry and I don't think KoKo minds if he gets wet.  

 

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Rain today 01-23-21

After so many rainless months the weather guys say we will have periodic rain this week. This morning KoKo and I walked in the rain and were very, very wet when we returned home.   Dried him off with towels and the little bathroom heater and changed my clothes.   It was a lovely walk.

Then we got in the car and drove to Starbuck's for coffee.  Not very much traffic. 

 It rains so rarely here I think that people just decided to stay home until it stops.  

By afternoon we just had clouds, but the raindrops lingered.  

Especially on the broad leaves of the Calla Lily in the side yard. v

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Rain!! 12-28-20

The weathermen were right, we had RAIN!  I can't find a website that says how much rain there was in the last 24 hours, but it really came down.  It started last night about 1am with violent thunder that seemed to shake the house.  The thunder rolled and bumped and thumped for at least half an hour.  VERY unusual for this area.  I doubt that KoKo has heard thunder but a few times in his six years and he was terrified.  Shaking and barking and running around.  I caught him and held him close and stroked him and talked softly, explaining just what was going on.   He finally settled somewhat, but every little thunker rumble would start him up again.  Poor guy.  If we had more of this sort of thing I would buy him a "thunder shirt", but it is so rare I doubt it is worth it.  

We didn't walk the loop until about 10:30am and timed it correctly to be in between rain storms.  Tonight we went out in the backyard quickly, not because of rain, but it was only 43F!  The coldest it has been this year.  I took the picture below about 3pm when the rain was fierce, thinking the sparkling silver drops might show.  The neighbor's house does not have gutters/downspouts so you can see the water fall to the right.  And against the dark trees the white lines are the falling raindrops.  It was quite lovely.  As far as I can tell our last rain that amounted to anything was early April.  

So, what does KoKo do on a rainy day?  The same as he usually does.....

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Nice rain 11-28-19

It was a big storm that came through yesterday and today and it ruined a lot of traveler's plans for Thanksgiving with I-5 closed in several spots and Hwy 58, which Liz and I drove on Tuesday, also closed due to snow in the high elevations.  

KoKo and I had several walks in the rain, but this evening we found a "dry" spot about 8pm.  It is cold for this area, only low 50s in the daytime and low 40s at night.  Tomorrow the sun is supposed to be out and everything will be washed clean.  Hope this is the trend for the coming year, we don't need any more droughts. 

Hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving.  We had two dinners delivered from two different families and everything was delicious.  I even have leftovers for sandwiches tomorrow. 

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Flowers in the rain 03-02-19

I spent some time looking online for the yellow flowering desert bush, but no luck.  So, this morning when KoKo and I took our morning walk in the rain I stopped to photograph just the flowers.  

The leaves show well in the top of this image. 

 There are two downward curling anthers and five petals on the flower.. 

Here in SCalifornia people often plant their potted poinsettias in their yards.  Some of the plants in the older sections are literally poinsettia trees.

In the rain it looks like the flowers are sprinkled with diamonds or, at least, crystals.  

I have no roses blooming at the moment, they do look especially lovely in the rain. 

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Rain - A Special Event 01-05-19

Yes, it actually rained in Southern California today; an increasingly rare occurrence.  And, of course, the first rain of this new year, perhaps a omen of good rains to come.   It didn't start until 5pm and then has been on again, off again all evening.  KoKo and I managed a walk between showers so didn't get wet.   

It was mostly solid clouds, but there was an occasional peek at blue skies above.

The roses love the rain.

Dripping trees in the park. 

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RAIN! Glorious rain in Southern California 11-29-18

First, here is my hand knitted purple chicken from Peru.  He is watching me from the top of the computer screen.   Sorry I don't have a purple clothespin, blue will have to do.  He is a finger puppet, so he has no feet!  

The rain FINALLY came and it was serious rain.  It pounded on the outside of the house and sounded like a freight train was coming through.  Lots of water in the roadside gutters coming up into the first lane of traffic.  Slowed everyone down, if they wanted to slow or not.  Many drivers here have almost no experience driving in rain, so they don't realize how slick the pavement is after so many dry months.  

And there is also the limited visibility to contend with. 

KoKo went to the groomers for a bath and a trim - he looks so handsome.  Fortunately it is only a few steps from the door to the car as the rain was pounding down.   At 7pm, when we schedule our evening walk the rain had stopped, so we went out; KoKo found his perfect poopy spot very quickly and we headed home just as it started sprinkling again.  All evening it has started and stopped.  We even had lightning and thunder and one streak of lightning went horizontal across the sky from horizon to horizon, except I couldn't see the horizons because of the rain!  Nor could I hear the thunder due to the noise on the car.  Really unusual stuff for Southern California.  

Here is a fascinating picture taken by Marcia Ann Kuehl.  It is the rain on the hood of a car with the reflection of a towering palm tree. 

Supposed to be partially cloudy tomorrow with more rain on Sat/Sun.  Too bad it comes down so hard and heavy and runs off.  We need some gentle, steady rain that will soak into the ground.  

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Wordless Wednesday 06-26-18

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Driving to San Diego in the rain 05-08-17

Yesterday I drove to San Diego again to see a presentation at Visions Art Museum and have lunch with friends (at Stone Brewery).  It rained a bit going down and I stopped to leave KoKo with Nancy Ota for the day.   When it was time to drive home it was pouring in SDiego and continued to rain as I drove north, extending the trip to more like three and a half hours rather than two.  Of course, Sunday going north is always heavy traffic, but the rain slowed everyone down to a crawl for much of the drive.   It was nice to have KoKo's company for the drive from Nancy's in San Clemente to our house, he wants to lay right up against my side, except when he decides he needs to drive.  When we are going at a normal freeway speed I insist he stay in his carrier, but when the traffic is mostly moving at 20mph or stop and go, I just fasten him up with his harness, leash, and seatbelt. 

 

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Weather 02-18-17

We had a terrific storm here, I even heard a thunder bolt.  But no damage.  Lots of little limbs and twigs and leaves off the trees, but nothing down in my neighborhood.  KoKo and I were able to take our walks on Thursday and on Friday morning, though it was terrifically windy.  Then the rain came about 2:30 and it poured for hours with the wind blowing the rain on the windows.  Made quite a racket.  The water puddled deeply in my backyard and made a lake along the front walkway.  It drained away today as all the rain we had was a sort of Oregon mist.  Tomorrow is supposed to be clear, then Monday we have more rain.  This must surely break the drought.  Oxalis is thick on my back slope, I know it is a weed, but it is so cheerful. 

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A Christmas gift 12-22-16

What more could we ask for?  Rain in SCalifornia is SOOOO welcome.  Of course, in some areas where there have been wildfires there are hopes that it will continue to be a gentle rain.  Mud slides are at least as damaging as the original fires.  So far our area has about 1.5inches.

 

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Monday Browsing 11-21-16

Not much browsing done lately.  I seem to have fallen off of some of my lists and will have to do some exploring to get back on them.  I am feeling much better, but still on inhalation therapy and still coughing if I recline.   I picked up KoKo today from his care giver.  She is so nice to him and he loves it.  She must have worn him out though, because he has been sleeping since about noon.  We'll try to go for a walk in the morning.  We had a nice rain and expect some sprinkles next week.  Gosh, we'll probably have weeds for Thanksgiving! 

Hollis Chatelain discusses her work:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=293h1zjLu8Q&feature=youtu.be

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The power of positive thinking? 09-15-15

Probably just a change in the jet stream!  But it was raining when we got up this morning and KoKo got to whiz in the rain, maybe for the first time.  He kept looking over his back like he was wondering what those things were hitting him there.   I toweled him off and washed his feet and his soft fur dried quickly.  We were off to the Surfside QGuild board meeting in Dana Point and it rained most of the way, with some heavy squalls that only lasted a minute or two.  Traffic moved well and we saw no accidents. 

 

 

KoKo rode in his soft sided carrier and I carried him into the meeting in it, he was quiet for the entire one hour, eight minute meeting and then I carried him back out to the car and we headed home. Only very light rain and it was late enough (11:30am) that the northbound traffic was moving well.  Although it sprinkled off and on during the day, the main part of the storm had passed over us.  Everything is washed clean and the trees seem to be greening up as I watch.  Hope we get some more gentle storms like this one. 

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