Housing is for the Birds

Way back in 2017, I got involved in a silly experiment - gourd growing. The vines took over the entire driveway and produced four very large, and, if I may say so, beautiful offspring. These gourds were always in the state of going-to-be: a lidded pot; a decorative bowl; a something that needed time and attention. And an empty space on some table or shelf somewhere. 

Instead, they sat on a very high shelf in the garage, looked down on me with contempt and impatience, and collected dust. Until yesterday, when I noticed that the early wren bird was once again exploring the birdhouse in the backyard. It was an aha moment - those lazy, languishing gourds could be someone's new family home.

A trip to the Oakland Tool Lending Library, a little bit of fiddling (to get the cord through those small holes) and filing (to smooth out the drill holes) and, ta-da!, a new home for a wren, chickadee or titmouse family. 

Now because all of these little birdie types are aggressively territorial, these new gourd-homes had to be located in someone else's yard - one to the neighbors across the street, and the others far, far away in other neighborhoods. Fingers crossed that the new avian residents use them in good health and happiness.

Just Another Wednesday in the Garage

Before Grouting

So while Hilda was working away on her gorgeous planter, I was poking around with mosaicking a small birdbath/pollinator watering hole for the backyard. Completing this little piece also contributed to the on-going and everlasting Clean-Out-The-Garage project by clearing off a small shelf. Win-win for me, and maybe even for the local wildlife. 

So far though, Luna is the only one who I've observed drinking from it. 

Wednesday is the Best Day

Not because the work week is almost over. But because it's Do Mosaics in the Garage Day, which means that every week has a holiday smack dab in the middle. 

And my friend Hilda is quite the adept. She only started in with mosaics a little more than a year ago, and now look:

Photo Courtesy of Hilda West

I can't claim that my garage is the most comfortable or attractive "studio" (nope, I'm not sharing photos of that workspace) but somehow we manage to create beautiful things there. Especially Hilda.

Once Again, That Votey-Changey Thing

You know what to do, and by when to do it. And I'm pretty sure that at least some of you have been doing this for long enough to not be reminded. And reminded, and reminded yet once more (that texting stuff is only useful for making the texter feel good about "being involved" and zip for the ones receiving the dopey upbeat messages from strangers, or so I think).

But I'm not so sure I know what to do this time in Oakland. Ten candidates for mayor, all pretty much no-names, all mouthing the same words about the same on-going issues, and I'm supposed to rank my preferences? Or up to five of my choices, when I can barely decide upon one? I know that I will figure something out, but along with so many other things, it's kinda depressing. 

And is anyone else really, really, completely really tired of dialysis in California? Yes, it's an important concern, but does it actually belong on the ballot, year after year? 

Okay, okay, enough of the grumpy whining - I will do my part in voting, and I hope that you will do yours as well.

Brag, Brag, Brag #8: Michael Reardon

 So we got out of town. Yup, hard to believe, but we left Luna in the world's most capable and loving hands and headed to Sta. Barbara for an art show. An art show at the Thomas Reynolds Gallery featuring, ta-da!, Michael Reardon. And a bunch of architects who also can paint pretty darn well. 

 We saw family and friends, caught rain and dodged tumbleweeds on the drive, and generally had a wonderful time. The shows up until the end of October, so if you happen to be in the vicinity of Sta. Barbara, I recommend stopping by. 

Desert Blooms

The little cacti in the side yard have been very busy this summer, pumping out blooms and providing a wonderful habitat for many spiders (no, I do not dust the outdoor plants. That is most definitely someone else's job).

The most unexpected bloomer was the Tiger Jaws (Faucaria felina) from South Africa, technically not a cactus, but amazing in its own way. 

T

The Zucchini Sex Goddess Returns to Work

Tromboncino Zucchini

I didn't think it would happen this year, given how late the squash seeds got in the ground, how long they sulked and how s-l-o-w-l-y they grew. 

But now that it's almost September, some long-suppressed urge to procreate must have kicked in because the squash are finally, finally, finally taking off. 

So maybe by October, there will be plenty enough zucchini and squash to share with (scare away?) the neighbors.

Marina di Chioggia Winter Squash

SummerTime

Red Sun Sunflower

Local History

Ocean Beach, San Francisco

It didn't start off as a beautiful day - foggy and cool - but it turned out just fine. And we even learned a few things.

So we all know that the Cliff House closed in December, 2020. And that it has mostly been sitting vacant since then, right?

Except, except for a remarkably fun pop-up museum organized and staffed by this relatively off-the-radar organization, the Western Neighborhoods Project.

Titled The Museum at the Cliff, the show features interactive displays of the strange and wonderful history of Lands End, including Sutro Baths, Playland at the Beach, as well as the Cliff House. Music, maps, historic photographs, old menus (watch out - the price of a glass of wine back then was unbelievable!), and other art pieces and artifacts help take you away.

The Museum is only open on weekends (Sat. & Sun) from 11am - 5pm until August 21st, 2022. Tickets are free, but you must get them in advance through Eventbrite.

Playland Cowboy

Kittens and Flowers - Enough Already!

Yeah, we've been pretty much stuck at home these days, and it shows. But sometimes we do get out, even if it's not very far away. 

Like the Cataract Falls Trail on Mt. Tamalpais. We had hoped to hike the Coastal Trail but the overgrown grass obscuring the trail and swarming with ticks (no, I didn't see any, but I just know that they were lurking there, ready to suck my blood) was a huge deterrent. 

As it turned out, the Cataract Trail was a better choice this time as it wandered through dappled shade and small water seeps. Lots of bird sounds, too, to try and identify. I think we'll try this hike again, but next time we'll go when there is a better chance of more water. 

And then there was the visit to the UC Berkeley campus to watch the peregrine falcons fledge. I mean, really, nature in action right in the middle of the city!

The young female had already taken her first flight by the time we arrived, and the young male was not quite ready to take the big step (he flew the following day) but we did hear them and see one of the parents standing watch on the tower. 

There was a lot of drama and sadness with this year's family - disappearing mom, dad killed by a car, brand new stepdad - so I wish them the best of luck.