Sunday Drive

The oxalis are blooming in great number along the coast.  On our drive to Cambria for lunch today we saw large patches everywhere.  The photos were taken along Moonstone Beach Drive in a little park.

There was a break in the rain this morning so I grabbed my camera and went out back to see if there were any photo ops.  Got down on my knees to try to capture some close-ups of different plants in the yard.  (I may have to start taking my husband along with me to help me get up!)

Click to "enbiggen"  (that's a technical term)

Ring Around the Moon

Last night around 11:00 I peeked outside and noticed an unusual sight - there was a large ring around the moon!  I attempted a photo or two.  This morning I did a little google research and found out that this is caused by a refraction of moonlight upon a layer of microscopic ice crystals in the atmosphere.  The shape of the ice crystals (hexogonal) results in a focusing of light into a ring.  I've seen smaller rings, but this was the largest one I've ever seen.  I almost couldn't get it in the photo frame.  These are sometimes refered to as lunar halos.  In folklore, it signifies bad weather is coming.  I'll let you know if that happens!  (It is supposed to rain tomorrow).  (Saturday night update......Well, a storm blew in this afternoon and it's been raining for hours, so guess that bad weather thing is for real!)

The first photo is mine, the last one came off the internet.

We Love Netflix

We watched a really good movie on Netflix last night - "Outsourced".  It was released several years ago, but I had never heard of it and was pleasantly surprised when we viewed it.  Here are some reviews.

“Outsourced is a thoughtful satire that looks at the human face beyond contemporary frustrations associated with the global economy….The gentle but illuminating Outsourced proves the story, as long as it's told well, never gets old.”  Seattle Times


“One of those unexpected gems that seems to pop up out of nowhere, Outsourced is a timely, topical comedy that mines the rich vein of globalization and its discontents with sharp, observant wit and a wonderfully light touch.”  The Washington Post


“The story is well written and filled with humor. Outsourcing is a part of life and this story brings it front and center. But the story isn't all there is to this movie. The characters are delightful and enjoyable to watch. Combining American and Indian culture is fun in itself, but how do you explain branding cows to people who put the animals on pedestals?”  Movieweb

40 Shades of Green

California State Highway 46 starts a few miles south of Cambria, veering off west from Highway 1 (the famous Pacific Coast Highway which runs along the complete coast of California).  It runs through some beautiful coastal hills climbing to about 1700 feet before descending into Paso Robles.  It's always a favorite drive any time of the year, but this time of year it's spectacular - and always reminds me of an Irish song I heard once - "40 Shades of Green".

Which, by the way was written in 1961 by:

                                 a.  Paddy Maloney of the Chieftains
       b.  John McDermott
          c.  Rosemary Clooney
d.  Johnny Cash

Click the link below for the answer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=40b5plmDwbk

What is Flat Track Roller Derby?

Flat track roller derby is a fast-paced contact team sport that requires speed, strategy, and athleticism. The flat track version of the sport evolved in 2001, and has quickly grown to encompass more than 400 leagues worldwide. This is in large part due to the ease of setting up a flat track--it can be done on any flat surface that is suitable for skating, such as skating rinks, basketball courts, parking lots, and even airplane hangars. This greatly reduces the capital needed to start up a roller derby league, and allows small groups of people to get a fledgling league off the ground. The DIY spirit that drives the sport allows roller derby leagues to create their own unique identities and adapt their structures to reflect their local communities.

About the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls

The Rocky Mountain Rollergirls are a group of vibrant, diverse, and fearless athletes. Their mission is to promote the strength, athleticism, and independence of women through the sport of flat-track roller derby, and to provide the skills training necessary for participation in regional, national, and inter-league competition.

Kristen is in training and hopes to join one of the Denver Roller Derby Teams.   The newbies will be in a mini-bout during the regular bout's halftime on March 6th.  Wish I could be there!  Go Kristen  uh, Awesome Possum #1968!

Signs of Spring

So...we were driving by St. Timothy's in Morro Bay Sunday after lunch and I screeched to a stop when I saw this wildflower display next to the church.  It was incredible - jumped out of the car to try to capture the beauty.  So here's a hint of spring for all you folks who have been snowed in for the last couple of weeks....hang in there, spring is on the way.  I think the wildflowers will be spectacular this year....can hardly wait to drive out east of Paso to Shell Creek Road and see what's poppin' up! 

A Marvelous Bird is the Pelican

A marvelous bird is the pelican

His beak can hold more than his bellycan

He can store in his beak

Enough food for a week

And I don't know how the hell'e can.

.......Dixon Merrith

I always thought that little ditty was by Ogden Nash, but upon a little research, found out it was Dixon Merrith.  But it has always stuck in my head, for some reason.  Yesterday I came across several pelicans in the parking lot near the marina at Morro Bay.  They were busy trying to raid a dumpster, so hung around long enough for me to get a few shots.  They are an amazing bird, very beautiful in a prehistoric way.

Brown pelicans were nearly extinct in the 1960's and 70's because of DDT, but the species rebounded after DDT was banned in the US in 1972.  They are plunge divers, dropping from the air with their wings folded into the water to catch their prey - the only species of pelicans that do this.  Their pouches actually do hold 2-3 times more than their stomach - close to 3 gallons of fish and water.

They've been in the news out here recently because ot record numbers of sick and injured pelicans being discovered from San Francisco down to Baja, California.  Wildlife experts don't seem to know what's causing the increase in sick and dead pelicans.

As Time Goes By

Just in time for Valentine's Day 2010!

Here's our version of "A Love Story".  We met in 1982 (thanks, Lucie), had a long distance (Colorado/California relationship), became engaged in 1983, bought our house in Denver and got married in 1984 and celebrated our 25th anniversary last year!  So this will be our 27th Valentine's Day together! 

Make a Smilebox slideshow