Our Address: Foxtail Farm

  We've lived in rural Lincoln for three years and still had not come up with a name for the property. At least for now, we are calling our home "Foxtail Farm." People are always asking what we grow on the land; I reply "weeds and foxtails." I mentioned this to Kerry one day and he came up with "Foxtail Farms." So for now that's the name. Included in the blog is a picture of foxtails stuck to fabric. They are insidious. Vets get rich in the summer months in California removing them from various parts of cats and dogs. My first golden retriever, Molly, got one in her ass which required surgery. She also had them in her ears. Emily got them between her toes where they would form abscesses. Even though we like "Foxtail Farms" we are open to other suggestions. 

All Aboard For Tibet

In my brief, but wonderful travels in China I have learned two things about the country and its people. One, I don't respect its human rights policies. Two, I respect their ability to get things done like the Three Gorges Dam (although I don't like the damage to the environment; you'd think they would learn from other big engineering feats which have ended up destroying land,property, and lives). The latest feat is the train from Beijing to Tibet. If you have your Atlas handy take it out and look at what a long distance this is and the type of terrain the train crosses. The highest point during the trip is 16,640 feet. It is the world's highest railway having surpassed one in the Andes in South America. At that altitude pens spit ink and packaged foods burst due to low air pressure. The windows protect passengers from the harsh UV rays at that altitude. The whole thing cost $4.2 billion and took four years to build. Tibetans said it was all part of the grand plan by China to crush Tibetan culture. The Dali Lama says it's neither good nor bad; it remains to be seen what the outcome will be. Spoken like a true buddhist. Oxygen masks are available at each seat for those who experience shortness of breath. With my asthmatic lungs, I would be sucking on the oxygen the entire way. The least expensive ticket is $43 one way. Not a bad price. Here are some photos from the Internet.

My Weekend Of Being Found

 Well, here we are. Cathy is on the left and I'm the Kathy on the right. She zips around her house and other places in her little red scooter. I tried to just back it up to winch it into the truck and got terribly discombobulated. I was better going forward than backward. It was pretty warm, but we spent most of our time in her air conditioned house, her air conditioned truck or an air conditioned restaurant or grocery store. But mainly we just talked for hours on end. For people who had not spoken to each other in 40 years, we picked up right where we left off. We comparied memories of the old neighborhood, and I got to hear first hand about the day she was diagnosed with polio at the age of 8. As a kid I just knew that she was gone from the neighborhood for a long time. Turns out it was 10 months, which for a kid is a lifetime. She was able to walk with crutches for most of her adult life. She worked as an occupation therapist in the state hospital in Phoenix. Four years ago her arms gave out so she can't stand, which also means she isn't working anymore. Now she has the scooter to get around. For all the things that have happened to her, she is good-hearted, warm and loving. And she has a great husband, Ray. Next year they will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary. More later. 

The Joy of Being Found

Tomorrow I leave for Phoenix to spend three days and two nights with a childhood friend whom I have not seen or talked to in 40 years. If I'm going to Phoenix in July this has got to be very important to me. Her name is Cathy. I know, it looks funny without the "k". Late last year and early this year I kept thinking about her. I Googled and found nothing. I didn't know her married name which turned out to be so common that I never would have found her. And I was spelling her maiden name wrong or I would have found her brothers.

Turns out she had been thinking about me during the same time frame. My last name, however, is not owned by thousands so I was easily found on Google. She found my phone number in the Bay Area and called it. I don't live there any more. When I moved from that address I kept my office phone number and had it forwarded to my new office line just in case a former client tried to reach me. Over the past three years it has paid off. But it also worked for me to be found by Cathy. She call about six weeks ago. I was in a rental car driving from San Diego to El Centro. When I'm out of the office I forward my office line to my cell. So when she called, the number she dialed was first forwarded to my current office and then on to my cell phone. When she told me her name I nearly drove off the road. What a gift from the Universe.

Once I got home from that trip we talked for nearly two hours. Then she told me her husband was going to be away the Fourth of July weekend. While I want her to meet my partner and I want to meet her husband, she and I just need to yak away for a couple of days non-stop. Then we can get to know the guys. So I suggested that I visit her while her husband is away. With a free ticket from Southwest, a Super Shuttle ride to her house, and an air bed to sleep on, we will be together once again.

I have known Cathy since I was four and she was five. Her life changed dramatically when she got polio at age eight. This was pre-vaccine. I remember her being gone for a long time and then being home in bed and having lots of surgeries. Her family was so nice. In fact, looking back I would like to have been adopted by them. She went to parochial school: I went to public school. She went to Catholic colleges; I went to the University of Minnesota. The last time I saw her was at the wake for her mother. I was about 22 then. She was devastated by her mother's death at such a young age. I knew she became an occupational therapist and moved to Phoenix. But that information is at least 35 years old.

So tomorrow we begin a new adventure. When two people send the same signal to the Universe and the Universe responds...well I can't even describe how that feels. It's like all this time we have been moving toward each other without really realizing it.

So, I thank the Universe for bringing us together. More to report when I return next week.

Soaring Lessons Anyone....

 As many of you know, my favorite breed of dog is the Golden Retriever. But not far behind is the border collie. I've had both. My friend Doug has a border collie named Kate. She is just wonderful. Smart as a whip. Goldens are smart too but they don't necessarily want everyone to know that. You might raise your expectations about them, and then they would feel the pressure of performing or obeying. Border collies are not like that. They live to obey. Kate is like that. When Doug goes to Burning man in late August, we get to keep Kate while he is gone. Burning Man is not for the refined taste and sensitivites of someone like Kate. Since losing my Golden Emily, Kate's visit is my favorite time of the year. Her owner likes to go soaring but as you can see from the picture Kate could soar without need of a craft of any kind. I will spoil her rotten while she's here. Counting the days. 

Another Part Of Imperial County

 I found this photo of the Algodones Dunes on the internet. They are on the opposite edge of Imperial County from all the rocks. Much of the Dunes was recently closed to off-road vehicles, much to the chagrin of the off-roaders. They love to ride around and rip things up. Drunk and disorderly is another term for them. The dunes are absolutely beautiful. In the summer, the waves of heat shimmer just above the sand and give off an intense light whose brightness can hurt your eyes. Lots of critters and plants live there. Wanted to show that there is some beauty in the county. 

Duckling Update

Almost forgot. Olivia, who laid and hatched her eggs on the roof, is wearing a black wing band. All of her children were eaten by other, bigger critters. She and Larry are back to wandering around the property and swimming in the irrigation ditch. She might lay again, because it's pretty early in the breeding season. Just thought you'd like to know. You can send memorial donations to the Sierra Club or Ducks Unlimited. The latter wants to make sure there are lots of ducks to "harvest" every hunting season. Olivia is not doing her part. But I guess there isn't a shortage of mallards.

The Road to Imperial County: Rocks And More Rocks

Have been really busy. Between traveling to El Centro (near the Mexican border in Imperial County) and our social life, there hasn't been much time for anything else. Oh and bookgroup too. So here I am after quite a hiatus.

The thing that comes to mind is the landscape of the area I travel to on a weekly basis. The photos are from the drive I took from San Diego to El Centro a few weeks ago. El Centro is low desert, below sea level in fact. As you enter the valley you go through an area that is just piles of jumbled rocks. It's very weird looking. I've been doing this drive for my client for the past six years. I'm pretty numb to the scenery, but I did snap a few pictures last time. The old road in one picture is the old highway before the Interstate. You go over 4,400 foot summits to get to the valley so your body experiences a little bit of everything.

I have to say, however, that the people there are wonderful, well with one exception. He will remain nameless but he's an elected official who makes my job more challenging. I usually stay in Calexico, which is south of El Centro right on the Mexican border. The whole population of the county is probably about 155,000. But right across the border is Mexicali with a population of well over a million people. Imperial County makes lots of money from Mexicans who come to the county to shop. It's not that difficult to get across the border to Mexico. It's the getting out of Mexico that can take hours.

I've never been to Mexicali. It's famous for kidnappings. Just recently someone ambushed the head of security for Baja California right downtown Mexicali. Lots of guns were fired but no one was hurt. That's why I stay on my side of the border. I'm rambling but I think this is all for tonight. Hope you enjoy the photos.

An Old Bird Joins The Flock

I have been driving past the store, Il Giardino, where this rooster has lived for the past few weeks. Everytime I see him I think "I've got to have him." Today I finally stopped and bought him. He is 5'4" tall and is made out of scrap metal that is welded together. You definitely need a tetanus shot before you touch him. The shopkeeper and I tried in vain to get him in the back of my SUV. That must have been a funny sight. Finally, I came home and asked Kerry to take the truck and go pick him up. Right now he's under the oak tree in the front yard. We are trying him out there for a while. We'd like to name him so any and all name suggestions would be appreciated.

A Bumper Crop Of Lizards

 Lizards were on our property long before our house was even built, but this year we seem to have a bigger crop than usual and they seem to be much bigger than last year. Comet, our cat, delights in chasing them both inside and outside the house. She usually loses interest long before she inflicts the deadly blow. That means the lizards hang out in the house if this is where she played with them. Yesterday I was sitting in the wicker chair in my office looking through some photos. I put my hand down to my left and felt something move. I leaped up and shrieked. It was a lizard who had been sitting right next to me. Kerry quickly responded and took the lizard outside. This morning Comet was chasing another lizard under my desk so I was trying to keep my feet up off the floor while typing. They are cute at a distance. The underbelly of our lizards is this luminous aqua blue. The top is just plain lizard. They seem to spend a lot of time doing push ups or at least something that looks like push ups. Maybe they are getting in shape to taunt Comet. They seem to live in every crack and cranny on the property. It's fun to watch them scurry when either Kerry or I go out on the deck. 

Old And New At The Campground

 Steve is behind the wheel of the rented forklift. He moved this old truck from one part of the property to another. I like the juxtaposition of the shiny new and the crushed and rusted old. 

Another View Of Miss Comet

 She spends a lot of time sleeping on top of my computer monitor. I have one of those old-fashioned ones that is huge and weighs a lot. It's nice and warm for her. I just thought this would be a nice picture to share. She will be 15 in August. 

Aerial Shot Of The Campers

  Kerry took this photo from the upstairs part of the barn that will someday house Steve and Janet. The campfire is the focal point. Well so is the wine, beer and food. 

Communal Cooking Of Asparagus

  Toss the asparagus in lots of olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and toss it on the grill. Yum! 

The New Barn At Snyders

 Steve and Janet have been nomads since he left PG&E in the mid 1990s. They sold most everything they owned, bought a huge motor home and started traveling. They do come back regularly to enjoy the property that has been in the family for generations. Now they are beginning to put down some roots too. The motor home is still the place they live all year, but they are building a barn in which to park the motor home. The upstairs will one day be a more permanent home for them. The Barn is under construction, but the photo gives you an idea of the size. It's going to be a total of 4,500 feet. All those folks in the photo are campers sitting around the fire. We like the barn, especially when it rains. 

A Virgin Outhouse

 To get ready for the Memorial Day Bash at the Snyders, Steve and his friend Ron Sheets built two new outhouses to augment the old one. New holes were dug for each. The siding for each of them is redwood. Pretty fancy for the woods. Their virgin status guaranteed a less smelly visit than to the old one. Ah sweet wilderness.... 

Cozy Tent Tucked Away In The Forest

  Here's where I napped on Saturday afternoon. The door to the tent is on the other side so we would wake up to a view of lush vegetation and trees, not the other camps. The car to the right is my soon-to-be-returned SUV. It's leased. I'm trading my Toyota Sequoia for a Toyota Prius. 

Camping, Caterpillars and Colorful Socks

Since 1984 I have gone camping on Memorial Day weekend at a friend's ranch near Boonville in northern California. I haven't made it every year, butI've been pretty consistent. Steve and Janet invite about 100 of their closest friends. It's not crowded because they live on nearly 200 acres. Most of the campers used to come from PG&E, the utility in northern California where Steve and I both worked. Times have changed and so have the visitors. Used to be dogs were forbidden. Then Steve and Janet got Abby and all of a sudden other dogs began to appear. It's a mellow weekend. It can be whatever you want. Some hike the property or go for wild and scary jeep rides with Steve at the wheel and children and adults shrieking as he careens around the dirt roads on the property. We cook and eat together. The campfire is the focus of the entire weekend. You can sit and read, stare off in to space or find someone to talk with. I was pretty tired this weekend. I've been traveling a lot on business which always takes it out of me. So Saturday afternoon I took a three hour nap in our wonderfully cozy tent. The photos were taken before I went to sleep (my foot) and after I awoke (the caterpillars). The ambiance of these photos sort of captures my weekend...relaxing.

"Oreo" Cows

 I really like cows. There is just something about them that is so cute. I know, I know, they smell horrible, etc, etc. We have a herd of them living behind us on 180 acres. Actually this year we have a new herd. The guy who used to lease the land got fed up with the cost of his lease and took his cows elsewhere. For a couple of months we were cowless. But now there is a new herd and it contains one of my favorite cows, which is shown here. I call them "oreo" cows. There is probably some other name, but I prefer my name for them. She's the only "oreo" in the herd. The pasture in which they graze is probably the Ritz-Carlton of cow pastures. There is lots of shade and the ground remains damp for much of the year due to run off from ponds. So if you are a cow, this is about as good as it gets. Well, until the truck comes to take you to the slaughterhouse. 

Richard Is Officially 50 Years Old

  Here's my brother in his kitchen doing what he loves best, cooking. He's making a garlic/peanut/red pepper/teriyaki sauce that goes over noodles. He put 30 cloves of garlic in the recipe. He promised Doug, who was his best man in his first wedding, he would make him a batch of this stuff to take home if he would come to his birthday party. Doug and his wife, Olena, came and left with a large jar of the stuff and a big smile on his face. It was a bit too spicy for me. We had a great time. As usual, Charlotte, Richard's wife, was a great hostess. I'll have more later when I collect pictures from others. 

My Baby Brother Turns Fifty

We leave for Denver this afternoon to begin a celebration of my brother Richard's 50 years on this planet. People are coming from all over the country to their home in Evergreen, Colorado, which is in the mountains at 8,500 feet. He's a wonderfully talented human being who is general counsel for the largest maker of mozarella cheese in the world. But he's also a chef, baker, stand-up comedian, father, husband, good friend, poet, skier, marthon runner and much more. Here are some of the more embarrasing pictures all will see this weekend. The young girl in the picture is our sister Vicky who is the middle child. The elderly gentleman is our grandfather Ray. He outlived his wife, all his children and his children's spouses. Great old guy who loved whiskey. Lost a won in WWII.

A Smaller Iris

  I planted about 30 of these bulbs around the house. They are all different colors. I think I like these best. The contrast of purple and yellow is great. 

More From My Garden

 I'm new to bulb planting and have certainly made my share of mistakes, but I do love them. This is one of my yellow bearded irises. It's right in front of the house. I also have purple but didn't get any pictures while it was at its peak. 

Old Betty Is Ailing

 Someone recently asked me what we grow on our five acres. My response, weeds. Every spring we and our neighbors do battle with them. Kerry's weapons are a riding lawn mower and our 1954 Ford Tractor, which we call Betty. Never named the lawn mower. Don't know why. My weapon is an electric weed whacker, which is lighter but only allows me to get 100 feet from an outlet.

Well, Betty is ailing. In fact she's almost always ailing. Her battery (6 volt) is really too small for her engine so she always needs recharging and it's easy to run out of gas. She's a guzzler. Kerry has been out mowing down weeds for about a week now. Betty is right where she died, next to the stream that leads to the lower pond. But help is on the way. Dr. Jeff, our tractor man, will once again resuscitate her. 

And How Does Your Garden Grow?

 We have two raised beds in the front yard. The soil here is clay so it's not good for growing things. One raised bed is for vegetables. They are not planted yet. Nights are still too chilly. The other bed is for flowers. I can't remember the name of the purple flowers in the foreground. But the ones in the back are Sweet William. My gardens give me great joy each day. My Iris and Ranunculus are blooming too. Beautiful. They feed my soul 

Duckling Update

It's been nine days since Olivia introduced her ducklings to the world. Sad to say but the world has not been that hospitable to them. She started with about 10. Everyday the numbers have dwindled until she's down to just one. That one is fastened to mom like mom's the refrigerator door and the baby is a magnet. And of course the drakes just can't wait for that last duckling to die so they can get their webs on Dame Olivia. They were trying today but she outsmarted them.