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.
Tuesday morning – managed to stay in bed all night!
AQ – pleased to see your Grandcat is eating now. Sorry about the sunburnt tomato – hope the others stay protected. I seem to remember last year you were wondering whether it was worth trying again! I hope you enjoyed your coffee-lunch with friend.
Diane – lovely bird in the Library – specially liked the first photo – looks so majestic.
Annette – will be interested to see what reply I get from Tesco – requested it by email so I can think about response instead of being caught on the hop by phone call. Guess my next step will be letter to local paper – they love that sort of story! Cheese wasn’t that interesting, but better than from supermarket – Cashel Blue, a smoked, a brie and a rather tasty Snowdonia.
Not much planned today – but new attempt at blood tests this afternoon!
Gary – forgot to tell you that road gang reappeared last Friday – they had to put the roundabout signs onto horizontal extension gantries as they were hidden behind lampposts – now they are offset from their own illumination at the top of the original posts!!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
DIANE thanks for the news of trapped Hawk. Hope they catch aand release her soon though guess she might have to go to a sanctuary to be checked out first. Hate to see any birds trapped in buildings.
ANNETTE Brother split from his wife just over a year ago and last summer he moved to a flat very close to Mum. She lives in a smal village where people still look out for each other which is a comfort. I live near Inverness and Mum is 15 miles from Edinburgh so it is a journey just short of 3 hours though we usually take longer as there are a couple of good places to stop off for browse and food.
Silly me! I meant to say HAPPY BURNS NIGHT to all Scots, dispersed Scots and adopted Scots! Also, HAPPY AUSTRALIA DAY for 26th to AQ and Wattle.
And now good morning, Dibnlib!
OG you mentioned a while ago about bone density scan and I called my GP last week to tell her I was mobile and could she write appropriate letter. Got a call from hosp yesterday and could have had appt tomorrow though had to turn that down as we have plans. I now have appt next Tues. How quick is that?
Golly OG! Is it that time again,already? Burns Night? Seems like only yesterday we were celebrating it on here before....
Morning to You, and Everyone! Still a grey day here, and drizzzzling as the Binmen come up the road to collect our rubbish. Interesting about the poor birdie caught up in the Library - poor thing must be frightened.
Our Eldest came here last night to be fed, and to help install my Christmas present, which is an extra back up thingy so that I can install lots more on my pc. No idea how to use it yet! He still needs to come again, and give it all a bit of a spring clean up. But meanwhile there is more room, so I've copied on more of the latest photos of the Babe, so here are a couple to show how much Sweetpea has grown already:
--refused to do the 2nd one, so I'm off to resize it!
Morning, dibnlib - that is certainly a quick response to a request for an appointment! Hope you continue to improve at this rate...
Dibnlib – that is quick – so pleased you could change to suitable date so soon too – and glad you are getting it checked.
Lindy – lovely photo of lovely Sweetpea! Are those your OH’s hands holding him?
Morning all,
Happy Burns Night to everyone.
Linda : Nice pic of Sweetpea. He is certainly getting big.
Diane : I read about that Hawk somewhere when I was browsing and I was going to post at the time but did not get round to it. Anyway I am glad you did and I hope they manage to free it safely.
Weather is mild with bright spells. Temp 8.6c. Still doing battle with DVLA and insurance company. They have still not got my car on the M.I.D. I will let you know if and when I get it resolved.
Jsb : Not sure what thread that spreadsheet was on. I think it was about the end of September but cant find it at the moment.
Good morning dibnlib so pleased you have got an appoointment so quickly to have that bone density scan.
Margobird