Trees 10-22-19

The melaleuca tree is blooming in the front of the house.  The blossoms smell like baking potatoes!

We planted a three trunk tree in about 1987 and it has grown well.  Some years ago a strong wind storm took down one of the trunks and the tree "surgeon" wired the remaining two to support each other.  However, the large one has grown out over my neighbors driveway and we worry about it coming down on the pickup truck he parks there.  Soooo, I will have it taken out this Fall.  I will miss it, but I don't want to have to buy him a new pickup!  

One thing that attracted me to the tree (besides the baking potato fragrance) was the shaggy bark that peels in layers with new bark growing beneath the old bark.  Lovely. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melaleuca

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Returning from San Diego 10-21-19

Driving down to San Diego on Saturday was a struggle (3 hours), but driving back (also 3 hours) wasn't half bad.  There was an accident on I-5 somewhere around Leucadia and the GPS that I use (WAZE) routed me off the Interstate onto the old Pacific Coast Highway which runs right along the shore and through several small beach towns.  It was very interesting, I doubt that I have driven that stretch of road for over 35 years, and in some ways it is the same.  But in other ways, like wider roadways and multiple traffic signals and more condos, it is the same after all these years.  I think I will spend an extra day on a San Diego trip and take PCH as far as I can.  

Here are some pictures along the way and you can see the ocean.   It is, of course, off to the left. 

There were palm trees,

and bicyclists,

and some two-lane stretches.

Here there were new condos/apts on the inland side and it seemed the highway was lower than the ocean here, hence the high berm. 

This bunch of houses with their lush palm plantings have been here for many years. 

There are some serious light posts.  See the ocean on the horizon.

And more ocean.  It is a long way to another trace of land.

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In

In San Diego tonight.  I drove down this afternoon (three hours) to attend the opening of the new exhibits at Visions Art Museum and am spending the night at HIE for a meeting of an art group tomorrow.   The traffic was terrible, as it usually is on a Saturday after noon, but that is what I could do this trip.  As I mosied along I had time to look at the scenery, which is pretty drab this time of year.  And I thought about visitors who think they will have views of the Pacific Ocean as they drive on I-5.  Not so.  The land is fairly flat and the view is of stretches of dried vegetations with an occasional distant glimpse of the ocean.  

Even dried up flower stalks. 

That dark grey line between the dried landscape and the sky is the ocean.

Stuck in traffic (with a dead bug on the windshield) the ocean is visible on the far right. 

More of the same.

This is about the best view toward the middle of Camp Pendleton. 

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Friday Food 10-18-19

I don't go to San Diego much anymore and I really miss my faorite sushi place, Ikiru in Liberty Station.  But I will be down there tomorrow for the opening of the new exhibits at Visions Art Museum and have reservations for dinner at Ikiru.  I can hardly wait. 

These pictures are of the Ultimate Crab Roll, my most favorite.  It is not raw, but baked, so it is served warm.  Sometimes it is so "loose" that I need a fork, but it still tastes the same as if I had struggled with chopsticks.  The arthritis in my hands makes chopsticks more difficult, but usually I can manage.  Unless it is "loose"!

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Buggy days 10-17-19

I thought I was going to get through the summer without any bites.  No luck.  Earlier this week I pulled out some dead Calla Lily stalks and was devoured by something, people tell me it is mosquitoes that just bite ankles and feet.  I didn't see any mosquitoes or any other bugs. 

But yesterday I went out back with KoKo (he never goes out unattended because of the severe coyote threat) and when I came in I looked down and my acid green, sort of day glow, shirt was covered with black gnats.  They were not on my skin nor my grey slacks, just on the shirt and there were dozens of them.  No bites, but I did go out back and strip off my shirt (nobody could see me) and shake it out very well.  

I can't see them swarming in the backyard and none in the house.  It is very weird.  The county pest control people are warning of mosquitoes carrying the West Nile virus and signs have been posted in the area.  I sure hope the little buggers that got me are not the West Nile carriers.  

I don't seem to be having good Karma lately.

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Wordless Wednesday 10-16-19

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Starbuck's addict 10-14-19

I am a Starbuck's addict.  I know it is silly to pay so much for a cup of coffee, but I love the taste of their lattes.  And also the Bacon Gouda sandwich and the Bacon Egg Bites.  

Sometimes KoKo gets a Pupachino.

There are lots of locations, almost every corner some places, so handy to stop while traveling.  Coffee, food, WiFi, clean bathrooms, they have it all.  

This is along the drive thru lane at the Starbuck's on Jamboree Road and Irvine Blvd. 

KoKo charms all the window clerks.

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