The super bloom of 2017 04-13-17

Carrizo Plain National Monument - near San Luis Obispo, CA

 

California Poppies

California Poppies

Desert Verbena

Desert Primrose and Desert Verbena

 

Desert Primrose and Desert Verbena

 

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Wordless Wednesday 04-12-17

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Yellow wildflowers 04-11-17

Some years ago I read an article that claimed that the most common wildflower color is purple/violet.  I disagree and think the most common color is yellow/gold.  Whenever I see wildflowers now I think of that and always tend to pick out the yellow ones.  So, I don't know if it is my mental categorizing or if there really are more yellow wildflowers.

 

I think this is a hybrid, cultivated flower - but isn't it pretty?



Yellow cone flower

Sweet clover along the highway all over the west at moderate elevations.

 

A close-up of sweet clover.

 

 

Goldenrod

One of the hundreds of types of sunflowers.

Don't know this one -  Solanaceae, or nightshade family.

Monkey flower. 

 

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Revisitng a Susan Else piece 04-09-17

 

Here is a little jewel by Susan Else who just had an exhibit in the small gallery at Visions Art Museum.  I am proud to have two of her works in the Collection.  This one came from the SAQA Trunk Show when it no longer traveled.  First blogged on 12-08-13.
www.susanelse.com
 

How many times have you heard me say I don't buy quilts that need to be boxed separately - that cannot be rolled?  Well, sometimes I do.  I have another piece by Susan Else which resides in a dedicated box when not on the wall.  Sometimes I can't resist something that "speaks" to me. 

"Cold Day"  2011 Susan Else - Santa Cruz, CA  Displayed in an 8"sq. Lucite box.  11-28-13
This came from SAQA in the Lucite box - very cleverly held upright by tiny holes in the bottom through which stitches are taken into the lady's posterior.  I will keep her in the box, somehow it seems appropriate. 
There are four views here, one into each side of the box.  
 

 "Cold Day"  2011 Susan Else - Santa Cruz, CA  Displayed in an 8"sq. Lucite box.  11-28-13

 
"Cold Day"  2011 Susan Else - Santa Cruz, CA  Displayed in an 8"sq. Lucite box.  11-28-13

"Cold Day"  2011 Susan Else - Santa Cruz, CA  Displayed in an 8"sq. Lucite box.  11-28-13

Susan is very good at getting realistic body language into her work.   Love the hair and the fingers.

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Friday Feet 04-07-17

And they are Sketchers!  Very comfortable.

 

 

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Wordless Wednesday 04-05-17

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Literary Orange 04-04-17

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending Literary Orange, a Celebration of Authors, Readers, and Libraries, sponsored by the Orange County Public Libraries.  This is the 11th year it has been held and this year it was at the Newport Beach Marriott.  It is a full day of keynote speakers, interviews with authors, three different selections of panel discussions with authors, raffle baskets, and a nice lunch.  The day starts with coffee/tea and breakfast pastries and opening remarks by the organizers and volunteers.  This year the keynote speakers were Marcia Clark (known for the OJ Simpson trial and her crime fiction series), Christina Baker Kline (author of "Orphan Train" and other books), and Fannie Flagg (whose first novel was the best selling "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café").  They were all fascinating and Fannie was very funny. 

 

The paid attendance was 200 women and a few men.  The round tables in the ballroom accommodated everyone at close quarters, but everyone was in a good mood and happy to squeeze together.  The lady in the orange scarf on the right is my friend and fellow member of the Book Group, Nancy Mastroianni. 

This is Fannie's latest book, from which she read a chapter, to everyone's delight. Each tote bag contained a copy of this book.  On site was a book store "Mystery Galaxy" which is located in San Diego (5943 Balboa Ave, Ste 100, 858-268-4747) carrying all the books discussed and a few more.  Needless to say, I added to my library.  I still prefer books printed on paper - hard or soft cover. 

 

Attending with Nancy and I was our friend, and Book Group member, Carol Bednar.  Carol and I attended two panels about mysteries, all authors I have not read - yet!  The final panel we three attended was "What do I read next?" presented by two representatives of Random House, one of the event sponsors.  We heard about all the new books Random House is issuing this year.   And we will definitely read some of them.

Meanwhile, back in Placentia, poor KoKo and Froggie had to stay home all alone.  They did fine, no accidents and nothing shredded.  KoKo is a very good dog. 

 

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