Evening all: Don't miss the last couple of pages of last week's chat. Gary's been at it again, posting incredibly cute puppy pix!
OG: Yes, Los Carneros means "the rams" in Spanish; while La Patera (the original ranch that Los Carneros was on) is "the place where the ducks gather." In the 1700s, after the Spanish settled here, it was cattle country; then in the 1860s,about a decade after California became a state, folks from back East started bringing in sheep, which survived periods of drought better than cattle and whose wool was in demand by eastern and southern states during the Civil War when the cotton industry was decimated. Anyway, in the 1870s, the American family that owned Rancho La Patera planted the first commercial lemon orchard in the state (or the Goleta Valley depending on which source you read). I drive to Costco along Cathedral Oaks Blvd - which runs north of Lake Los Carneros - past huge citrus orchards and the remaining acreage of Rancho La Patera. As for the vineyards, they're over the hills behind Santa Barbara in the higher, dryer Santa Ynez Valley. All very complicated.
Gary: Never been to Yellowstone - was heading that way one October but an early snowfall blocked the Western entry so had to "make do" with Grand Teton National park. Sigh. If you're looking for somewhere to stay, you can always visit TripAdvisor and read everyone's reviews of the options.
OK guys, off to do a crossword and watch some rubbish on telly. Take care ALL.
Well, the kitchen floor is drying and the 2nd load is in the washing machine. Just have to deal with some veggies for tonight, as Eldest is coming to help me sort out this computer, which is so bunged up with stuff that he says it needs a thorough overhaul to get it back to speed. Hav'nt really de-coked it since we got it nearly 3 years ago.
We just had a slight shower which was not forecast as supposed to be dry today. My poor garden must be full of rotted bulbs for spring, not looking forward really to what is not going to come up!
Thanks to All for pics and posts, some great pics of the Eagles. Thanks also to Alan for the link to the site to check your insurance - that's interesting.
Nice to hear that Billy Whizz is making himself at home, margo - I get a lovely picture in my head of him curled up in the flowerbed! He seems to be getting more used to you - I'm sure that by summer he will be visiting you indoors. Good to hear also that your sister is feeling positive. I have a friend of a friend who is going through a similar situation at present - she has a large growth in her lungs which only came to notice when she got a tumour in her brain and she stared slurring her words and falling over. They have removed most of the tumour in her head, and are giving her the same treatment as your sister - she had a mask made, etc. and she said that the staff at the hospital (Clatterbridge) could not have been more kind and helpful. She, unfortunately, cannot have much more treatment for the lung problem as it was too far advanced when they discovered it, and has been told that her life expectancy is limited. She is 63, and has been a nurse herself most of her life. I do hope that your sister finds the staff just as kind and efficient, when she has her treatment.
ALICAT so pleased to see the video of Lily's den. Sounds like a great Sunday lunch LINDY wish I lived closer and could try it out.
Hi ALL. Sorry I haven't been around for a while. Various things on the go, plus having a break from much of the internet before the season begins in earnest once more. I have also been having difficulties with posting. For some reason the cursor wouldn't come up. Thought I would try with Firefox and it is ok so realise it must be to do with IE9 beta which I am trying. Ah well at least now I know I can post from FF.
Wishing you all well. Only 60 days left before EJ returns :)
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data
Hi margo,hope you are ok and not worrying to much hope the treatment for your sister goes well
what colour is billy whizz
index thread
lg stats
Lindybird so sorry to read about the friend of a friend. This awful disease seems to be in so many people. I am sure the hospital staff will be as kind and efficient. This treatment is being carried out at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham which is where all our wounded soldiers go. This is where she had treatment for the breast cancer a couple of years ago and found that the whole experience was made much easier by the caring staff there so hopefully it will be the same this time around.
As I type one of the cubs is wanting to be fed, it has just started to bawl. Just love the sounds coming from the den.
Margobird
Hi ALICAT he has some Tortoiseshell in him (sorry think I have spelt that wrong but can't think what the right spelling is at the moment). He is very pretty though and OH says he looks like Bagpuss.
Don't know if you are watching Lily at the moment but one of the cubs is squealing while the other is being fed.
Hi margo,yes im watching lily its making a lot of noise didn't know they sounded like that only started watching from when lily was in labour this this year missed it last year cub sounds so cute read on updates that they think one is male and one is female but not quite sure they still don't know if there is more than two cubs
Hi folks, Margobird - so pleased to hear that your sister has decided to be positive and accept the radiotherapy treatment - lets hope that it helps her.
Dibnib - glad you are managing to get around a lot better and that the ankle is coming along nicely.
Just a few pics to keep us going as its not too long now till D-Day.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
One of Lily's cubs, stirring, Peregrine at Derby, and some wildlife on the Africam
Alan - thanks for your link on the osprey v bald eagle, quite amusing.
Also cannot get the Norfolk cam up, it was ok this morning but just a blank screen at present with error presenting itself.