Wild Cat!

Hah! Now I bet that you're thinking that this piece will be all about Princess the Cat. You know, the reigning Rodent Slayer and DoodleFart of Love? But you'd be wrong. In truth, I'd have bet on Princess too, given that her name comes up here every so often.

Anchuela del Campo

Neither is this wild cat an out-of-control feral cat (Felis catus or Felis silvestris catus) that one encounters in cities, parks, fields and neighborhoods around most of the world.

Rather it's the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), a truly wild - as in, not domesticated and apparently not domesticable - cat who probably couldn't even conceive of a litter box. 

Larger than a typical housecat, the European wildcat quietly and secretly lives throughout much of Europe and has recently been caught on film in Spain, near Anchuela del Campo.

Atilano Lima Sauz, really known as our good friend Ati, has kept his Bushnell camera busy. I can't say for sure, but I'm thinking that there was many a night when the camera came up empty. Until at last, this wildcat showed up:

Congratulations, Ati!

Bad Photos of Fun Flying Things

When you're the tag-along on a teaching trip to Mendocino, you have to be able to entertain yourself. Generally in Mendocino, that's not a problem.

But recording the fun time with photos may be more difficult. So trust me, I was happy, even though it was a little chilly and blustery and the photos stink.

The Common egret didn't seem to mind the wind and the blurry female kestrel in the tree could not be distracted from her search for breakfast. I also saw a Common merganser bobbing like a colorful cork in the high surf, but no way was that photo going to turn out with my little camera.

I got lucky with the Wood ducks. Never mind the lousy photo - just seeing them is pretty special. They are generally shy birds, and those two males hiding behind the larger female Mallard duck were no exception. My excuse for the Yellow-faced bumblebee? Those buggers are really fast!

The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens  was the site for the art installation of giant dinosaur/bird eggs (concrete?) in an appropriately-scaled nest of branches. If it had been any windier, I might have climbed inside for warmth. It sure would be some photo if they were ever to hatch out and fly away...

Belated Holiday Blooms

Last year, the amaryllis didn't do caca. Maybe two really dinky flower stalks, and no additional summer blooms.

Now this plant has been sharing space here for at least ten years, and probably closer to fifteen (yup, these days, time is delineated in five-year intervals. Anything briefer, unless it is something from last week, is just too hard to measure) and should be paying its way.

So I gave it a talking to, a warning, and a deadline: shape up by next year or it's the compost pile for you. 

And for a teenager, it gave me a very respectable response. Nine flower stalks, all with great shape and size. Now we just need to work on the timing.

Cannellini Runner Beans - Maybe Yes/Probably No

They were beautiful, these cannellini runner beans, and they bloomed all summer long. It should have been a big success, but it wasn't. Big plants, but not many beans. I guess the bees were in love somewhere else.

Overall, I got around one cup of beans. Oh well, not a whole lot for all that vegetation. One might say, "try again next year." More likely, I'll try my luck with something else instead.

However, once those babies had their overnight soak, they magically became two cups of beans.  Cooking them was quick and easy, and with a simple dressing - a splash of rosemary olive oil, juice from a lemon, some red onion, salt and pepper - they were damn good.

I'm still going to try something else in their place.

February in the Northeast

He withers all in silence, and in his hand

Unclothes the earth, and freezes up frail life.

William Blake,  To Winter

Update #8

Before - Right. After - Left.

Time flies, whether you are having fun or not, it seems. And while time has been flying, the Leite Liqueur has been slowly filtering.  When it starts, the concoction looks like something that even Princess the cat wouldn't bring home. But by the end, it sure goes down smoothly.

The broccoli has been cruising along, although very few snap peas would germinate. I've only planted them three times... Isn't the third time supposed to be the charm?

And the tule elk at Point Reyes also seem to be doing well. I don't know how the time passes for them, especially on those cold and windy nights. The rutting season is over, so the females look like they're simply waiting for the next generation to appear.

As for the ceramic mice? A group is called a "mischief" of mice and it seems we have one.












And for mischief without mice? My mom fell and broke her hip over the holidays, so I will be heading out for a visit very soon. In anticipation of an upstate New York winter stay with someone who isn't allowed out for at least three months, I've started a big and complicated knitting project. With any luck, time in captivity will just fly by.

Winter is Coming

Yes, it is now technically winter. But those dark and rainy days counterbalanced by warm embers in the fireplace and hot soupy meals for dinner are a bit elusive. Dark, yes, we've got dark, but no real rain so far. And a warm fire in the fireplace is not permitted for reasons of bad air quality.

But the dawn redwood in the Mountain View Cemetery is working through its annual cycle, as always. I have not followed this particular tree's habits and schedule enough to know if this is early or late; all I know is that the tree is now losing its needles for the winter. We are so unused to seeing a deciduous conifer that it almost seems as though the tree is dying. But just you wait 'til next year...

Have a Wonderful New Year!

Something for the Kids

It's called "amigurumi" - the Japanese art of crocheting (occasionally knitting) small, stuffed figures and animals out of yarn.  "Small" can be relative; "figures and animals" are also flexible, unless you truly do believe in unicorns. Or light sabers, for that matter.

But it's fun, fast, and even if you don't really know how to crochet, somehow, something works out. For me, it's always been difficult to sit still and watch the TV news. But this allows me to abide, just barely, the nonsense. And even get something done. Otherwise, I may be asked to leave the room.  

This year has been a busy year for new babies in the family. Meaning, there is a built-in audience for cute (and just as important, washable) knitted and crocheted items like these. Sure, they'll grow out of them, but in the meanwhile, at least I will be well-informed on the events of the day. 

Resources:

Amigurumi Today

All Free Crochet

Perhaps Life Imitates Art, But Automatons Imitate Life

Well yes, we did go to see the movie Coco over the weekend, but this Day of the Dead Band by Wanda Sowry came before that.

Through the end of January, the Exploratorium is hosting Curious Contraptions, a wonderful show of automatons (automata, if you will). And I mean wonderful.

Now I admit that I am not the biggest fan of the Exploratorium - I think that it can induce migraines, even if you are not susceptible to migraines. Or maybe ADHD, or instant memory loss, I forget. But the noise, the crowds of very young, very active and very loud people, the low lighting, and the strange layout are very disorienting. Perhaps that is their plan?

But this exhibit has made up for all of my less-than-positive feelings about the Exploratorium. And the fact that my "date" kept me waiting for over an hour? I got to play with the automatons by myself, so even that didn't ruin my time there.

I think my favorite automaton was Boy Stabbing Peas (video below) by Andy Hazell. It seems hard to believe now, given how much time and energy I devote to growing vegetables, that once upon a childhood, I couldn't stand the green buggers. Especially peas.

So I was made to sit at the table until I "finished". Or fell asleep with my head in the plate (Truth. There is photographic evidence somewhere.)

It probably was a good thing that way back then teachers didn't hand out much homework, because I spent long evenings sitting at that table. And unlike Boy Stabbing Peas, there were no headphones. It also never occurred to me to try and choke them down with catsup. Lucky Boy.

Preparing for Winter

I was talking to my sister the other day, who lives in upstate New York. It was a brief chat. This is because she and her family were racing around, storing the pool toys, packing up the lawn mower, taking down the screens and putting up storm windows in anticipation of snow. In truth, it had already snowed there, hence the "racing around" part.

Here it's a little easier to get ready for the winter rain storms - or at least one hopes there will be rain. And storms, in the plural. So far, the local meteorologists are not saying much, mostly because there does not seem to be a clear pattern. Perhaps we all could take a lesson - just keep your mouth shut until you actually know something.

At any rate, at this house the picking up and putting away is balanced by the setting out and spreading around. Yes, the patio furniture has been brought in. But every spare bucket and tub is set out to collect extra rainwater.

The ratty old bean plants are now history, but baby snow peas are claiming that garden bed. And the battle with the slugs and caterpillars seems to be won - most likely only temporarily - in favor of the new winter lettuces. Small victories, I know, but sweet victories nonetheless.