The Tsunami that Never Came

There was all the hype on TV. We just had to go down at the predicted time they said it would hit the shore.We weren't the only ones either.

It was windy and there were waves. Some were even big and broke way out beyond all the rest. Some looked odd and rolling in at a different angle. But none of them were a tsunami! Good thing too, since we were curious enough to go stand out there!

Rain Drops on Curly Willow

It was raining...again.  I wanted to take pictures.

All the Blueberries in a Row

Over the years we have collected a number of  blueberry bushes. We planted them in various spots hoping to find the perfect place. Some of them have done good, some not so good. There are hundreds of varieties of this plant and we decided to get ours all together to better compare them. It is common to plant different varieties for better pollination.

The first bushes are leafed out and have berries set on. They are Sunshine Blue and Misty Blue. The next five bushes have no leaves or berries. We are hoping to find out if the problem is their variety or where they were planted.

I want to  make blueberry pie again this year!

The apricot tree is getting more blossoms each day. The rain has been gentle enough that it is not doing any damage to them. Maybe we will dry apricots this year.

Red Baron Peach Blossoms

This little peach tree has the most beautiful bright pink blossoms. We bought this tree a couple of years ago at a favorite nursery late in the bare root season and it was already in full bloom. I just had to have that little tree.

I don't care that it is scrawny and has yet to produce an edible peach. I don't care if it ever has fruit as along as it blooms each year. It makes me smile.

Avila Beach

A drive to Avila Beach and the pier is always a treat. This sheltered cove is often one of the warmest beaches on the central coast. The town of Avila has been almost completely rebuilt after the oil companies did their damage. Although that was all painful for the people who live there and those of us who visit, the town is now better than ever. There are new hotels, a nice park and delightful restaurants with outdoor seating. On Friday evenings during the summer there is a farmers market that is very popular with food booths and local crafts.

There were many boats resting in the harbor where the water was as smooth as glass. They have also redone the parking lots and the camping spots clear out by the pier.

This is a wonderfully peaceful place to spend a little time.

Oso Flaco Lake and Boardwalk

We went on a walk today at Oso Flaco Lake. Oso Flaco means skinny bear in spanish and though we have never seen a bear there, we do see lots of water birds and raccoons.

The boardwalk crosses over the lake and you can follow it all the way to the beach. It is a lovely walk and on a sunny day many people use the area for picnics and even walk all the way to the beach with their fishing gear or clam digging forks.

The breeze was blowing enough that there was a haze from the sand in the air. The shifting sand...it is always amazing what patterns are made by the wind and sand. Always changing.

 

And on our way back across the lake, right by the shore was a little raccoon friend. We often see them in the same spot. This little guy looked like he had recently taken a swim and was drying off in the sun.

It was a beautiful walk on a lovely Valentine's Day.

Gopher Wars

 

Gophers are a fact of life around here and I have no trouble setting traps to catch them but they seem to be winning the war.

I noticed a new mound of dirt in the back yard and knew immediately the gophers were at work again. They are responsible for the sad state of our back lawn and are just relentless. I went out to do the morning chore of cleaning up after the dog and the gopher was hard at work and not about to give up his endeavor.

I walked around finding the deposits from the dog and the gopher just kept up his task of pushing up dirt. Wouldn't it be fun to have x ray vision so we could see all the runs they have hollowed out under the ground? Actually, it might be scary. Up and down he went seeming to pay me no mind. He was making that hole bigger and bigger.

And, what was even more irritating, he was not afraid of me. I went in the house and got the camera, came back out and he was still at work. I walked around taking pictures of him, then continued my clean up and he continued his digging.

Then I snapped! I went over and emptied the contents of the pooper scooper right down his gopher hole and covered it with his fresh dug dirt. I wonder if he will ever come up in that spot again.

I hope he is gone forever!

Plumcot in Bloom

 

I see signs of spring all around. We finished pruning all the fruit trees and just in time it seems.  This Plumcot burst into bloom this last week. Now if all those blossoms set fruit we should have a great crop. Plumcots are a delightful fruit...a cross between a plum and an apricot. Wonderfully sweet and juicy.

With all the trimming we've done we had to make a trip to the landfill. Hmmm...remember when it was the dump? It was quite an adventure to go to the dump. You were often the only ones there and took time to look around and search for a treasure that was another persons trash. Well, things have changed...and now there are red and green lights telling you when to advance onto the scale and how much to pay. Large areas are marked...cardboard, clean green waste, appliances, TVs, computers, all other electronics. Then there is a big area for everything else that doesn't fit into one of those categories.

And worse yet, this huge tractor with a big scoop is moving all this stuff into big piles to make room for more. It was down right scary! No time to browse to see what others left... the scoop was right beside you making room for the next trailer or truck to unload their discards.

Things have changed...they really have!

Sorry, back to the fruit trees. This is the apricot tree that is about to bloom. It appears that it will have a good crop too. I will take more pictures when it is in full flower. Life is good here at the ranch and we are ready for a new spring season. I have a keep reminding myself we are doing a "small" garden this year. Small...think small!