Weekly Chat, Sunday, January 23, 2011

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.

  • Hi can anyone tell me is lilys cam down all i can get is black screen i had it alright yesterday,or is it just that is to early for it

  • Morning ALICAT Lily cam is down but middle of the nght there so they have to wait until the morning.  The cam streams day and night but how disappointing not to get my bear fix this morning but all seems well from the update.

    Margobird

  • Good morning original goldfinch and you have made my mouth water, your dinner sounded delicious.

     

    Pleased your solar panels are working better now with more light.

     

    Very interesting to read about the different accents in Scotland.   My OH's friend who died not long ago was from Glasgow and I must admit I find that a bit hard to understand.  When I was in the Army many moons ago one of the girls was from Newcastle and it took me quite a while to tune into that accent.

    Margobird

  • Good morning Lindybird you had a night of dreaming like I had earlier this week.  Not very nice to wake up not realising where you are and what you are doing.  I have quite vivid dreams and have to ask OH is something really happened or did I dream it.    The worse thing is getting out of bed and not recognising where I am.  This is when I walk into things trying to find my way out of the door and always have bruises everywhere. 

     

    Your OH is like mine who also likes black and white films.  He can't understand me when i refuse to watch one and read instead.  I think he was born far too late what with his taste in films and also music.  He loves big bands and jazz.  Think he takes after his Mum for this as she was a singer with a band for many years and the radio was always on while she sang along.

     

    Caught the end of the Andy Murray match.  He looked a little annoyed with himself at times but came through at the end.  Not sure he can beat Nadal though, that man is so strong.

     

    Have a good day yourself.

    Margobird

  • Hi Annette sorry you had a bad day with the landscaping.  Hope you enjoyed the wine when it was a decent time to have it but then again most times are decent.

    Margobird

  • original goldfinch I am a bit thick at times hadn't thought about doing the count a couple of times.  Once again this morning after the early morning rush for food all the birds are elsewhere at the present time.

    Margobird

  • Hi margo - How is little Billy Whizz today?   I can just see his little fuzzy face now, even tho I have to remind myself that he's not pink!

    EDIT;    My birds were very absent yesterday, don't know if they just go up the road to some other bird feeders or if they are finding a bush somewhere with berries.  Also, have noticed that when its warmer and they are not so desperate, they seem to have a 'lunch break' where there are none at all between about 1.00 pm and 2.30!

  • Morning all,

    Just got back from the vets and although Hamish eyes are a bit better he has a chronic condition which will require more eyedrops and maybe an op to raise one of his eyelids which is irritating his eye. On top of that he failed the tear test which tests to see if he is producing enough tears to lubticate the eyeball. Having recently had an operation we have put off the decision for a few weeks to see if there is any improvement. Meanwhile another £100+ vet bill and not sure if the insurance will cover this particular condition.

    Interesting the discussion about accents as when I moved to England I had to speak really slowly when on the phone so that people at work could understand me and I never thought I had a particularly strong accent. It is true that there are many accents in Scotland. I find that Glasgow and Dundee have very rough accents whereas the Northern Isles have a soft lilting accent. Edinburgh is a bit more posh.

    I think Andy Murray has done really well to get to the semi finals. After all he is the number 5 seed. Anything more will be a bonus and Nadal will be tough to beat

    Weather is horrible today. Wet and miserable but mild. Current temp is 5.1c. I dont mind if it gets colder as long as the sun shines. Good news in the front garden today as we have 3 snowdrops flowering. 

  • Hi just thought i would let you know that OH has now passed his module 2 bike test so he is now qualified to ride a bike so he can now get the bike he is after

  • Morning Alan  and sorry Hamish is taking a while to recover from his ailment.  Hope his eyes will improve and he will not need an operation but i know you will do what is best for him as he is obviously a very much loved dog.  Treatment for pets is horrendously expensive as my sister will say when she has to take her Springer to the vet. 

     

    Dull and cloudy here today and turning cooler as the day goes on, they have even mentioned the word snow flurries for tomorrow.  I hope not, don't mind the cold as long as the sun is shining, can always put more clothes on.

     

    I agree Andy Murray has done well and only dropped one set so far.  As you say anything more will be a bonus but Nadal is just so strong.

    Margobird