Happy New Week all - our clocks go back tonight (at least here in California).
OG: Very good to hear from you and that things appear to have gone to plan. Hope J's blood is circulating again and that his calcium levels are good enough for him to leave so you can all head home on Wednesday
Diane: Hmmm, well I know where I'd like to put that rake! :-)
Heather: I went out and raked all the tiny leaves and seeds from our Chinese Elm that drop all along the parkway on our corner. I do it twice a month at this time of year, on the Sunday before the street sweeper roars by Monday morning and carries it all away! Don't know why but our Chinese Elm, which is healthy, drops its leaves while the two across the road stay green all year. Every year, one neighbor asks me if it's dying and I say know, it'll be back next year again. All very odd. Meanwhile, my small tangerine tree is looking sickly with dead branches and little fruit while the Valencia orange tree, which had a decidedly off year in 2019, is bursting with next year's crop. I'm going to ask the folks at a local nursery what's up with the tangerine....
I came on wondering about J and there is OG’s news. Glad it’s over and I hope all continues well. Sending healing thoughts.
We had steady rain Fri-night, very welcome for our, er, weeds. Yesterday it rained in drought areas of NSW, up to 100 mm in some places. Gorgeous pics of a toddler splashing his sneakers in puddles – probably the first rain he’s ever seen.
AQ: Genuinely happy to read about rain. Yay! I hope there's more.
My OH went out for a bit of a practice, but found it so wet underfoot that it wasn't pleasant. Then he went to take some of my potted fuchsia to the allotment greenhouse, for overwintering. I did some paperwork, and lots of laundry: have brought back from Wales things such as our cuddly dressing gowns. Heather, nice that you had a pleasant time with your daughter. Your velvety lounger sounds lovely, what a good present. I have a pair of beige fuzzy trousers and a matching printed top which I've also brought home (see above) and I wear them in the evenings, in Wales, when it's cold. Our dining room light has "gone" and followed on from our bathroom ceiling light which also failed yesterday. Before we went away, my favourite lamp had a failed bulb, too, so there you are, things really do go in threes!
It's cold... It's blinkin' cold, and so To fetch my fuzzy trousers, off I go: They're nice and warm, and keep my bot At comfortable temps, but not hot. For hot of course, just Would not do, It has to be just warm, And so, I can be happy now With cosy jacket and my brow Warmed by a collar turned up high And full of good warm and old fashioned Stew, I can be ready for anything Happily cosseted And as warm as..... You!!
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home