Steller's Jay and Blue Heron

Elk Glen Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco 3/27/2013

"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."

~John Muir

 
Blue Heron

Yesterday, my travels about Golden Gate Park saw me enjoying all the bright shades of yellow that were dotting the park, but there was another color that kept showing up as well, which gave they day a nice balance. Blue. Lovely, calming, quiet... Blue. Just after finishing my time with the camera photographing the pretty yellow tulips at Queen Wilhelmina garden, I was fortunate enough to spot a gorgeous Blue Heron, sitting a little back from the road near Mallard Lake. While taking his photo, we were visited by a gorgeous Steller's Jay who wanted some attention as well! He made a racket! He photo bombed the perfect pictures that would have been, and generally stalked me until I gave him the proper respect and time he deserved. I happily obliged and it payed off with his showing up again, a short time later, and soon along came about 20 of his friends and family, this time a short walk from where we first met, in a small grove adjacent to Elk Glen Lake, inside the park.

Here, Have A Look...

Steller's Jay


To my delight, I actually found quite a few different species of birds yesterday, which means I can fill in some entries for my birdwatching journal. I am anxious to get out and do more birding. For now though I have to track down a couple birds I spotted yesterday, but couldn't identify. I like that part of birding... learning all about a new one. It's a mystery, but soon you find the information and it's like finding a new friend. I hope that makes sense! When the Steller's Jay came along yesterday, I hadn't seen one since the autumn of 2005. They are such beautiful birds! And really fascinating as well!

As soon as I I.D. the other birds I saw yesterday, I will post them to Ellipsis. :) But until then, tell me, do you do any birdwatching? If so, do you live, sleep and eat... well... not eat... but obsess maybe... on birds? If so, how often do you go birdwatching, and is it a hobby or just an occasional activity? How many different birds can be spotted in your neighborhood on any given day? And what bird would you say is your absolute favorite? Tell me everything!

Elk Glen Lake, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, Ca

Map of Golden Gate Park (PDF)

Mood: Happy

~Carly :)

And The Color Was Yellow

"On a traffic light, green means go and yellow means yield, but on a banana it's just the opposite. Green means hold on, yellow means go ahead, and red means where the hell did you get that banana at?"

~Mitch Hedberg

When you first pull up to the curb in front of the Queen Wilhelmina Windmill Garden, in Golden Gate park, you most often see the color purple edging around the entrance, but that doesn't mean there is purple stealing the show inside the garden itself, so I try to look away when we first get there, just to give myself time to imagine what flowers of amazing beauty will be planted this time! If it's March, you can usually count on it that there will be tulips, and sure enough, when I visited yesterday, it was! Gorgeous yellow tulips were the main attraction, but the left side of the park had some soft pink ones, and there was a lovely display of white ones, surrounded by bright orange California Poppies in the middle of the garden!

Here Have A Look...



It was a lovely, gray, overcast day. Big drops of rain? Not so much, but there was a lot of fog, and an actual misty drop or two, so we didn't stay very long. My cold is about 85% better, but the body aches continue, as does the occasional coughing rant. Also, the Fibromyalgia is not to be out shadowed by the lesser head cold, so it is in full on rage, meaning body aches, extreme sleepiness, joint pain, Fibro-Fog (that thing that makes me think a certain word, but say a different one instead) but it felt really good to get out of the house for a few hours. Today I plan to take it easy, and just tend to the basic stuff around the house. I have a couple errands, but that shouldn't take very long. We'll see! For now I am concentrating on the beauty of yesterday, the color was yellow after all! Who doesn't smile when they see yellow?

:)

Mood: Hopeful and Happy

~Me :)

Why?

"I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose, I would always greet it in a garden."

~Ruth Stout

 

Ellipsis is going to be a bit flower and garden heavy for the next few days, except for an update I have planned about my adventures with Windows 8. It's been a little over a month, and I have figured some things out so I want to revisit some previous gripes I had. Good, bad or otherwise, I am immensely happy that I have been able to learn something new. Over all I am a happy girl, but there are still a ton of questions I would love to ask Microsoft! LOL.

Like maybe... WHY? LOL. That's all, just... WHY?

Stay Tuned!

 "Spring won't let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again."

 ~Gustav Mahler


Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Carly's Garden Digest 2013: Day One... March 25th, 2013

"When one of my plants dies, I die a little inside too."

~Linda Solegato

 

Mumpfh. It's spring now, and sick or not, it is time to get the garden ready for vegetables and flowers. You know... the stuff good living is all about! The yard itself is lush and green, and that's the good news. There is a lot of healthy going on! Just look at the lavender, isn't it gorgeous? I have big plans for my lavender this year, lots of herbal remedies and a sachets for better sleeping! There is nothing like tucking some dried lavender in a light cloth pocket under a pillow. Lavender is amazing for clearing the mind of noise and clouds. Awwww. That's the stuff dreams are made of!

Unfortunately, the rose garden is in a bit of peril. It seems the aphids did a very good job of overwintering, and came back to my rose garden in force! Blech! When I did a once around of the garden yesterday, I found that they had attached themselves in great numbers to half the rose plants, but that left about half in decent shape, with NO signs of damage to them. No black fungus damage or frostbite from that quick chill we had. So, I am counting my blessings, and spending the day preparing for some deep gardening later this week.

I am making a DIY spray to rid the garden of the nastiness. A small amount of cutting back comes next, then I will sprinkle a generous helping of ground cinnamon at the base of each rose, then place some foil on top of the cinnamon, secure the foil with bricks, and sprinkle a little more around the outside for good measure. Once that is done, it will be time to plant between 8 and 12 small mint plants in the ground between the rose plants, and perhaps one or two new, healthy roses (perhaps mini roses) to encourage new growth. Lastly, I am going to plant (3) 5lb pots of lavender against the fence and let it run along the back. It's work, but I have Alan to help me, and it's going to be amazing a couple months from now.

You'll see!

Here We The Before View...


If All Else Fails, I Will Do What I Did A Few Years Back... Buy Ladybugs!


Pretty Soon... Hello Beauty! :)



"Gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes."

~Unknown

Mood: Happy but Determined

~Me :)

Good News Should Always Involve White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

"Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart."

~Erma Bombeck

It's official... I am better! The cold is finally lifting, after a long four weeks, I can breathe again, and OMG, I can sleep for longer than an 1 1/2 hours without waking up with the sensation of choking to death! Yippee! I slept yesterday for... wait for it... 6 straight hours! Yes, woke up coughing, a little bit, maybe 30 minutes or so, but that is a huge improvement! At the peak of the cold, I would wake up choking and coughing, and I would be in a spasm of coughing that would last up to 2 hours! Several times I felt like I was about to break a rib, and I pulled more than one muscle, but thankfully the pain didn't last long! If I continue on this course, I think next week at this time I should be 100% or better. I am aiming for that.

Come HELL or HIGH WATER, I am getting out one day this week with the cameras! Ideally, I would spend the day on the peninsula and in the city, because that would maximise my chances of doing a lot of spontaneous photography amongst my self assigned ops. I love those photos that come along by pure chance, when your mind is concentrating elsewhere! Those moments, and images, are the gifts of the muse. Sometimes I prefer to jump in the car with no preconceived ideas or notions about the day in photos. It's fun! It's exciting! Well... to me it is! LOL.

So, that's the good news. And so is that luscious White Chocolate Raspberry cheesecake! Alan brought me home a slice, and I made a deal with myself to make it last 3 days! Don't get me wrong, I could inhale that yumminess in one quick breath, even with my cold, but the truth is I don't need all the calories at once, so I am pacing myself and counting calories accordingly. Everything is managed when you are a diabetic. It's all good.

Okay, do you have any good news to share? Feel free to leave me your thoughts in the comment thread!

"Dessert is probably the most important stage of the meal, since it will be the last thing your guests remember before they pass out all over the table.'

~William Powell

Mood: HAPPY

~Me :)

Eat. Play. Love.

"The cat has complete emotional honesty... an attribute not often found in humans."

~Ernest Hemingway

My goodness, I think Hendrix has caught my cold. Since I first found this lousy illness, about a month ago, he has been a constant companion, just like his brother Dylan. In fact, both he and his brother have been keeping my feet and my shoulder quite warm as I sleep.

I am loved.

But unfortunately, I think Hendrix, and possibly Dylan, have caught the cold.

I know there are some illnesses that can be shared between fur-babies and their human parents, one of them being the H1N1 flu. According to Petside, there were 10 documented cases of that particular flu having been shared between pets and owners. Yet other websites claim that there is not enough evidence to say for sure about the possibility of transmitting a simple cold to a cat, but careful hygiene while around your kitty cat friend is strongly encouraged.

Hendrix has been lethargic, uninterested, and generally displaying an extremely quiet demeanor, which is not his usual self. Hendrix is the more playful of the two. He LOVES to look for the red laser dot, and follow his favorite mice on a stick. He is loads of fun, but while play is important, so is LOVE and EATING. They are the only two things that he will consider stop playing for. His priorities are EAT. PLAY. LOVE. So, when he stopped playing the last couple of days, you can imagine how much it worried me.

The good news is that he has been eating small amounts of food, and cleaning his fur. He is using his box regularly and on time. And when pushed, he will at least follow the laser mouse with his eyes. There is a part of me that thinks Hendrix might be simply tired out from taking care of Alan and I. He walks both of us to the bathroom, and he comes and sits with me when the coughing gets so bad I feel like I am going to stop breathing. On some level he is worried about that also I think, yet he will not let me go through it alone, which pretty much makes him my best friend. :)

Last night we fed him a half a jar of his favorite baby food, Chicken in Chicken Gravy, Gerber's #2. He seemed to perk up a bit after that, which lifted my spirits more than I can tell you! Dylan and Hendrix both are due to visit Dr. Barrett for their annual checkups soon, so I think I will schedule them for this week. It's always good to touch base with Dr. B., he is a great man, and actually he is considered a hero to our family! One day Dr. B. will retire, and I don't even want to think of what we will do. I wouldn't take my little boys to just any pediatrician!

Ooops... I mean veterinarian.

NO, I mean pediatrician. Well, veterinarian/pediatrician

Yes. That's accurate.

Yes. (Insert nodding head here)

Think good thoughts for my boys... okay? :)

Mood: Happy but concerned.

~Me :)

Round Robin Challenge: Gates

"Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

Round Robin Challenge: Gates

It's THAT time. Time for my first challenge back as a co-host! Like I said in the announcement challenge post, it's going to take me a minute or two to get back up to speed, but it's nice to be back! So, without getting all wordy, here is my gallery of GATES! Most are oldies but goodies from the archives, I have been fighting a really bad cold. As of Monday, it will be four weeks old, but my doctor says it's normal for the particular strain of cold. Things are weird... don't you think?

Anyway, on with the show...

Lets begin with the red gate I chose to inspire you with. As you probably know, I photographed that gate last summer, while watching Woody Allen film his latest movie, Blue Jasmine! I wonder why he chose such an awesome gate, all bright with crimson red, then named the movie Blue Jasmine? I can't wait to find out, but I guess I will have to. It's being released the weekend of my birthday at the end of June. :)

"And Their Off..." Golden GATE Fields, Berkeley, Ca

 

Golden Gate Park Conservatory, GGP, San Francisco, Ca

"Maiden Lane Gate" San Francisco, Ca

"The Part That Went Over The GATE Last" Believe it or not, that's not Dylan, that's Elvis's friend Ernst!

"The Cemetery Gate" Half Moon Bay, Ca

"Pier 14 GATE" San Francisco, Ca

Beautiful Spring GATE!, Mt. Hamilton, Ca

A Golden GATE Bridge Sunset

Every New Day's GATE

Shakespeare Garden GATE, Golden GATE Park, San Francisco, Ca

Okay, those are my GATES! Now that you have seen mine, be sure to drop by the official Round Robin blog, to find the links to all participating Robins, then go see what they have come up with! We have the best photographers on the net!

 Round Robin Challenges: GATES

Mood: Happiness

~Me :)

A Soup Or A Stew?

"A first rate soup is better than a second rate painting."

~Abraham Maslow

Alan made me Chicken and Dumplings last night for dinner. Soup, glorious, soup! Wait, is Chicken and Dumplings considered soup or stew? As of right now I am not sure. I looked it up on Wikipedia, and it doesn't really classify it, except to say it is comfort food! Umm... yes... yes it is! Chicken and Dumplings is a winter favorite in our house, although we don't have it every year. This year we only had it on the very last day of winter, and then it was more about Alan wanting to surprise me with not just comfort food, but with gourmet comfort food! His version of the classic southern dish is a-ma-zing, and he made it just for me! How lucky can a girl get?

I love you Alan! :)

"The secret of a happy marriage is finding the right person. You know they're right if you love being with the all the time."

~Julia Child

Mood: Still sick, but HAPPY :)

~Me :)

That Spring Day...

"If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall."

~Nadine Stair

Oh my, oh how I love a rainy day, especially on the first day of spring! There were umbrellas everywhere!



And look, even Rasputin is ready to burst into song!



And speaking of Rasputin, isn't he interesting? And by interesting, I mean fascinating?

Hark! The hours are softly calling
Bidding Spring arise
To listen to the rain-drop falling
From the cloudy skies
To listen to Earth's weary voices
Louder every day
Bidding her no longer linger
On her charm'd way
But hasten to her task of beauty
Scarcely yet begun.

~Adelaide Anne Procter

Mood: Hopeful :)

~Me

Spring Equinox 2013

"Can words describe the fragrance of the very breath of spring?"

~Neltje Blanchan

By the time you read this, it will be spring! We in the Bay Area are experiencing some rain, and frankly it thrills me to have the first day of spring be all about the dark and gloomy! But if I am telling the truth, I love the way the sun looks when it is shining on a newly opened spring blossom. It makes me smile inside and out. And throw in a wonderful bumble or a honey bee and I am an at my happiest!

The Huffington Post has asked it's readers, "Why Do We Love Spring?" You already know why I love spring, I love spring because of the sheer joy of color! COLOR, COLOR, COLOR! And when I found that gorgeous autumn tree, next to the tree with the brand new blossoms, I got out my camera and spent the day photographing the magic of earth tones and pastels. But I admit, I also love a few other things about spring...

Warmer temperatures in the early morning, when everything still has a glisten to it.
Baby birds... everywhere!
Transitioning to my lighter sweaters.
Beginning my rose garden, and planning for summer vegetables.
The way the sun shines through the window on Dylan, when he is sleeping on the bed.
The first meals we get to eat outside in the garden.

But most of all, it's all about the color...



Why don't you go over to the Huffington Post and share why you love spring! You can also share on Twitter, with the hashtag (#LoveSpring).

:)

Mood: Happy

~Me :)

Spring Whispering...

"The beautiful spring came; and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also."

~Harriet Ann Jacobs

Sick, or not, I had to go out and run a through errands yesterday. Blech. I would have rather just laid in bed and waited to die, but for whatever stupid reason, I am in... ahem... perfect health!? LOL. Oh well, it was what it was, if I had to be out in the world, I knew I had to bring at least the little red Kodak because, there is always catching the eye of this photographer, even if it is just out the office window!

Spring has stopped whispering "Let me in" and is now banging on the door!





So tell me, has spring, sprung, in your neck of the woods?

:)

~Mood: Happy

~Me :)

A Face In The Crowd: Mr. Napa

"He had the look of one who had drunk the cup of life, and found a dead beetle at the bottom."

~P.G. Woodhouse

One of the good things about being home bound sometimes, is the fact that through mind numbing boredom, good things will come! While tip toeing through the archives for October 2013, I came across another photo of a face, in an unexpected place. This time it was resting comfortable, under the shade of a lovely tree on a hillside, in Napa County, which was crying gorgeous crimson leaves.



Sometimes when I look at the face I think I see an old Italian chef, with a bit of an edge with that super manly goatee his is rocking! Otherwise, I also kinda see a chimpanzee. Do you see that? Either way, the face seems happy, of course who wouldn't be? He is resting the day away in Glen Ellen! LOL. He is just all mellow from the wine! LOL.

Mood: Tired

~Me :)

Happy St. Patrick's Day

"Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter
Lullabies, dreams, and love ever after.
Poems, and songs with popes and drums
A thousand welcomes when anyone comes."

~Unknown

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Did you know...

If you forget to wear green, a leprechaun to pinch you!

St. Patrick's true given name was Maewyn Succat

The very first St. Patrick's Day Parade was held in Boston, in the year, 1737

According to Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves found on a clover is 14.

It has been estimated that there are about 10,000 regular three-leaf clovers for every four-leaf clover.

Each leaf of the four-leaf clover has a special meaning: the first for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.

At one time, there were more Irish living in New York City, than Dublin, Ireland

Shamrocks are the national flower of Ireland

The type of tree that Leprechauns supposedly live is the Hawthorn

I can't decide if I am wearing my pretty green skirt today, or my new Old Navy green dress!? I am thinking its all about the skirt today, as I will probably not go out. We'll see. :) This will be the first St. Patrick's Day I have had with Alan in a long time. He is home today because, poor baby, he has caught the nasty cold I am currently fighting! Fortunately, he bounces back from things pretty fast, let's hope he gets through this ailment just as fast!

He'll definitely need the LUCK OF THE IRISH! ;)

"What do you get when you cross poison ivy with a four-leaf clover?

A Rash Of Good Luck.