A typical northern California rainy season is upon us. Except last year we were in the grip of a nasty drought. The truth is, that California has always had drought. It's nice to see the rain although I don't take it for granted because it could all stop as it has in past years. As they say, it ain't over till the fat lady sings. We have days here and there where it's sunny and dry. Cold around in the mid-50s.
The weekend we were surrounded - by snow. We're more in the foothills - but it's still part of the valley. After the storms blew through, it was pretty to see the snow on our surrounding lower elevation mountains (up to 6,000 ft) and then there is Mt Lassen to the east and Mt Shasta to the north. Both with fresh snow. So pretty.
The other night we grilled some New York steaks at dusk. Yum on the steaks. What a treat. I was telling my husband, that as a kid, we had Steak once a week. My dad loved to grill - for the longest time, I would opt for a hot dog! Then just one day, the aroma of the grilled steak just got to me and I have been a steak lover since. Dad would buy a side of beef so as I got older, there was always enough so I could invite a friend or boyfriend for dinner.
Hedgehog Cactus -
I was at the 99-cent store and they had a few cactus on clearance - root bound that needed to be rescued. I paid .59 each. They have beautiful flowers - orange to red to violets. They're in my greenhouse window and Susie doesn't go near them.
Native in Mexico to the western US. People forget. California used to be Mexico. These will prefer light shade when young and full sun exposure at maturity. Strong sunlight encourages spine production. When mature, you can reach in through the prickly spines and there is fruit that has been said to taste like strawberries.
My three new babies will winter inside this year.
Echinocactus or Barrel Cactus. These have sharper spines. If planted outside they can grow up to 6ft. Mine will be potted to stunt its growth. They produce a yellow flower. It could take up to 15 years before they produce a flower and while in a pot, probably never. I'm looking for more ways to have plants that love 100+ heat with little humidity which we have in the summer.
My plants do well until we hit July and then, I have to take them all into the shade of the patio to "summer" till Fall comes. There are some exceptions. My husband keeps buying plants that he had growing up in Long Beach and they die up here.
Echeveria or succulent tips.
This one was so dry and as soon as I watered it, within an hour it perked up.
Today is my daughter-in-law's birthday. She's working at the hospital and won't be home till around 7-8 pm and she is usually dog tired after working such a long shift at the hospital. So Navy is coming by after work to pick up her gift from us. I'm always excited when my boy comes for a visit.
I've been playing around restoring old photos. This photo is of my Grandpa (on the right) He was so young - working at the coal mines. Must have been lunchtime, due to their lard buckets. I have no idea who the man is or the child.
On Wednesday my husband has a medical procedure where I have to drive him. It's about 3 hours so I will come home and they will call me. The office is about 15 minutes away.
I picked up a handbook on Friday and have been reading and taking practice tests. I haven't taken a knowledge test in years. They kept automatically renewing my license. I'd much rather take the driving test. The written test contains driving situations that I've never encountered so I have to read and study this handbook.
Oh well - it's not like I'm getting executed. So while I am not thrilled about having my peace and serenity disrupted, it will get done. I don't want to wait till my birthday which is March 2. I was hoping to take the first test (hopefully the only one) the week of the 22-26 of Jan.
Remember as children when we all just threw our garbage out without any thought?
The only items we kept out of the trash were Coke bottles and milk bottles. We'd cash in the pop bottles and the milkman swapped out our empties for milk.
We have a blue bin, a Green Bin, and a grey bin as I am sure most of you have as well. We haven't had to compost like the rest of the state who live in the big metro cities. Now as of Jan 1, our town has been mandated to get with the program! We separate the food waste, and put that in the green bin, along with the yard waste. Or we face fines. No plastic bags. Just dump the food waste into the green bin after we layer it with yard debris. Okay, I get it and don't have an issue with it but I'm thinking of the 100+ degree temps - in the summer. I'm thinking of flies and maggots as well as the stench.
Our neighborhood will stinketh.
So I think it is time for us to do our own composting once again. We did when we first moved here but I hated the flies and we had visits from critters. Maybe an enclosed composting bin would be best.
That's it for today - Navy should be here soon. Take care and be good!
