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.
Another cute puppy pic Gary.
Og : Enjoy your meal.
Paul : Glad you got your bird seed delivery.
Lynette : Thanks for the pictures of Lily. Not been watching that cam much.
Hi OG we went and got my bike stuff in november so i guess when he has got use to riding solo which they recomend then yes i will be on the back
thanks to everyone for good wishes on OH passing his bike test
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Thought about takeaway, but decided on meal out, and it was very good – both had egg and prawn starter then a nice pork dish with mushrooms, chips and salad. Gave away some of my pork and didn’t eat all the chips. Came home for coffee. We saw two friends while we were there – one with her son and grandson who are visiting; the other one has been living in the hotel for two weeks while a flood in her house is sorted – burst pipe, I believe!
Heron – our suet nibbles arrived yesterday, but haven’t got the ground food yet.
Sheila - I also found that site this morning! Learned a few words while there – but will I remember them?!
Gary – nice sleepy puppy! Hope new snow won’t inconvenience you too much.
Easier day Thursday, I think – and cleaner returns in the afternoon, so will hear all about her wee granddaughter!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
OG, sounds very tasty. never heard of giving away chips..... lolol The pups seem to love the snow. Just the deep stuff slows them down a bit:)
Take it easy tomorrow.
Alicat, sorry, missed that. Well done to your OH for the bike test.
Gary what a cute pic of your puppy. Hope you don't get too snowed in after all that exertion clearing yesterdays snow away.
OG - lovely to hear of another new grandmum. Unfortunately I don't think that will come my way as Dau shows no sign of getting together with a partner and son married an older woman who has a dau. At least I've got a grown-up step-granddaughter but its not the same as having a young one to cuddle every now and again. Never mind I'll just have to read about other people's.
Just took these of a fox (I think in Estonia), raccoon dogs, and of course Phoebe but she was restless , trying to get comfy as the youngsters are growing.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Hi, all. The Cooper's Hawk that was trapped for a week in the Library of Congress has been captured. She was dehydrated and had lost some weight, but she will be released after a few days of rehab. :-) http://magblog.audubon.org/hawk-trapped-library-congress-captured-full-recovery-expected
Hello Diane thanks for the great news on the Cooper's Hawk. As the reporter said “The story had a happy ending.”. I see that Gary has been giving us the 'ah' factor with another gorgeous photo. Are you suffering another snow fall in your area, like Gary? Keep warm both of you. It's way past my bed time, but my friend has not long gone and I decided to clear the washing up before going up the stairs to.... Night night all.
Birdie's DU Summaries 2018 https://www.imagicat.com/
Thanks to ALL for Australia Day greetings.
Diane, Linda & OG - The wallpaper removal is quite easy. All I do is either spray with water or rub down with a wet sponge. The water soaks in and the paper just peels off! The tedious part is washing off the glue which, I might add, is very uneven. (Not guilty - the wallpaper was here when we moved in.) In some places it is a wonder the paper stayed up! I only do an hour or so a day to avoid paining my knees too much. This arvo I shall watch the tennis (girls’ semis) instead.
Diane - Good news about the Library hawk. Thanks for links.
OG - Please send cranachan to ruin my diet.
Sheila - Lamingtons are not something I am fond of. Not sure why. For those who haven’t heard of them - small cubes of yellow sponge cake, dipped in melted chocolate and coated with coconut. These days there are many variations including some sandwiched with cream and/or jam - not the real thing. www.lamingtons.com.au/
OH was about to leave for his bus this morn, when Junior Magpie arrived begging. I said I would feed him (magpie, not OH !!!). As OH walked out the door, Junior flew off with a squawk. We think OH’s hat disturbed him - it is another hot day and shade is vital.
Evening all: Well, can't stand watching yet more analysis of the Prez's State of the Union speech, so have gravitated to the computer while OH wields the remote. Hmm. Based on reviews here, may wait to see Black Swan on Netflix. Very belated happy Burns night and Australia Day to Scots and Ozzies! Re weather maps, we see an image of the contiguous United States, with Alaska and Hawaii stuck off in little boxes (and Alaska is really big!).
Diane: Had to laugh at the way the NPR reporter signed off after telling us about the Cooper's Hawk rescue: "No starlings were hurt in the course of the rescue." Guess they used two as bait but the hawk set off the trap before it got to the birds. No. Did not watch State of the Union message - all a bit rote; have managed to avoid all reviews of it too. House Hunters International sounds much more interesting! :-)
Margobird/OG: Hmmm. Re driving time around Scotland, I could just about make it to Fresno in five hours - and that's still not even halfway up California! Still, my sister has been to Scotland, just loves it, and has remarked on the length of time they've spent driving from A to B (probably having to go through N, P, and Q)!
AQ: My neighbor gave me some wonderful little orange tomatoes last year - first time I've grown them in eons. Tossed brocolli into a large pot a couple of months ago and it's sprouted flowers and bugs. Sigh. Should've paid more attention..... I love painting - it's all that tiresome prep work (taking off wallpaper, sanding and sealing) that puts the "pain" in painting.
Djoan: Oooh. My Mom was born in Cork; I went there with my sister three years ago. My sister took me to the English Market - marvellous place! We went upstairs and stuffed our faces. We also visited Cobh, the last port of call for the Titanic; stayed at a very nice B&B and ate at a local pub. Do hope the weather is good for you.
Lindybird: Oh yes - layers and layers of old wallpaper stuck on with God knows what glue - something that probably could hold the universe together. However, I'm not sure which is worse - multiple layers of wallpaper or layer upon layer of poorly applied (and probably lead) paint! Wonder where that's all my brain cells went... "Flying Cowpat!" Oh dear; doesn't do much for national image..... :-)
OG: Re accents, there are folks from some parts of the northeastern US (and maybe some Canadians) who I swear sound like UK West Country folks (I think that's right). Their "about" sounds just a bit like "aboot." Bravo on the solar panels - they should be mandatory here in SoCal but many Americans have this thing about individual rights and even if it's for the common good, they'll balk at doing it. Drives me up the wall.
Margobird: My friend's grandfather used to accompany them to Cape Cod during the summers and the old guy would get up in the middle of the night to visit the loo. One night he just followed his usual route and ended up weeing on my friend (who was about 8 then). I walk into doorways and walls all the time....don't know who keeps moving them! I too, love B&W movies, especially the film noir genre of the 1950s. Thanks for reassuring me about the "decent" time to pour the wine. Suspect my intake will go down as the landscapers recede....
Alan: Oh poor Hamish - and ouch! poor you and Lady P having that bill. Do hope the insurance will cover the ailment - maybe it could be - ahem - given another name? How nice to see the snowdrops. Spring is on its way. Ospreys too. Who's that with the red chinwrap?
Alicat: Congrats to your OH on his bike test!
Sheila: Oh I've done that (lost posts) doing exactly the same thing. When I'm thinking halfway straight, I copy an unusually long post every now and then just in case...
Lynette: Goss = Chat? Interesting catch of Estonia fox. I really have to check out those racoon dogs - they don't look like our racoons at all.
Heron: It's been hard to keep up with the blog lately - so much chat!
Paula: Nice to see you!
Gaaary!!!
OK. Better tootle off and find something "useful" to do! Take care all and thanks all for chat.