It’s Christmas Day! Often, we get caught up in the presents and dinners and visiting friends that we do not stop and embrace the true meaning of Christmas: The Joy, Wonder, Hope, and Promise of Christ’s Birth. I wish you and your family love, joy and peace this Christmas Day–and ask you to pray for the same for the entire world.
Here are a few favorite hymns and a hope voiced by John Lennon.
Merry Christmas!
My childhood Christmas memories typically focus on decorating the tree. Dad would very meticulously place the lights—and then we would all help place the ornaments and even tinsel. Bubble lights were a delight! Mom and Dad had a set of five angels, one for each of us girls, as well as some older fragile ones. Each year brought new ornaments—some handmade and others from Hallmark.
The trees were always big and full.
And eventually—several times throughout the season—Dad would fall asleep in his chair. That pose always generated ornaments and figurines.
When I started putting up my own tree, I mimicked Mom and Dad’s in type and size.
When Mom and Dad moved into a care facility and no longer had room for all their decorations, their “stuff” found homes in the family. They kept some items to decorate their room. But the Village went to one home, the Nativity to another, and we each selected some favorite ornaments and figurines to add to our holiday décor.
Nowadays, my tree is a table-top version that only holds a few favorite items.
Of course, other decorative items are strewn about the place. I have fun. Some of my decorations are rather traditional, like Santas and angels and bears and even mice.
But I especially love my set of Christmas Elephants. [What? Not everyone has a set of Christmas Elephants?! That is just a shame.]
I hope you are having a wonderful holiday, no matter how you decorate or celebrate. May the Love, Laughter and Good Memories that make my season so special fill your hearts as well. Chocolate helps too, of course, but that’s a given! Enjoy!
Take some time sit, relax, and reflect on the beauty and wonder of Christmas!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
“I realized that if I had to choose, I would rather have birds than airplanes.” Charles Lindbergh
Today is National Audubon Day, established in 1949 to help highlight the conservation and educational efforts of the National Audubon Society.
“In order to see birds, it is necessary to become part of the silence.” Robert Lynd
The National Audubon Society was founded in 1905 in the name of John James Audubon (1785-1851). Audubon is best remembered as a noted naturalist and conservationist who worked tirelessly to document the more than 700 bird species of North America. In that process, he identified 25 new species. His incredibly beautiful and detailed illustrations have been recorded in his book The Birds of America. He began work on this seminal bird identification source in 1827.
“Never give up listening to the sound of birds.” John James Audubon
“If only the bird with the loveliest song sang, the forest would be a lonely place.” John James Audubon
“Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.” Chinese Proverb
“A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his father, but borrowed from his children.” John James Audubon
I first became aware of Audubon and his work with bird identification when I moved to Corpus Christi in 1980. A new friend introduced me to the activity of “birding,” and I have been hooked on the beauty and wonder of birds since. I didn’t take photographs back then, but below are some of the images I have captured as I have marveled at birds over the last few years.
“may my heart always be open to little birds who are the secret to living” e. e. cummings
HAPPY EARTH DAY!
Spring is definitely here in all its joy and wonder!
“A flower blossoms for its own joy.” Oscar Wilde
“The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day He created spring.” Bernard Williams
“Spring is when life’s alive in everything.” Christina Rossetti
“No matter how chaotic it is, wildflowers will still spring up in the middle of nowhere.” Sheryl Crow
A good place to appreciate the glory and beauty of spring as it spreads across the land is the Carrizo Plain in San Luis Obispo County, California. Measuring roughly 50 miles by 15 miles, these native grasslands are the largest remaining in California. Within this area, 246,812 acres are designated as the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
The color slowly starts showing up along Highway 58, heading to the north entrance to the Carrizo Plain.
Near the intersection of Highway 58 and Seven Mile Road, yellow blooms seem to spread across the whole Temblor Range.
Soda Lake Road showcases flowers along its sometimes unpaved route. Well, of the 46 miles of Soda Lake Road that connects Highway 58 and Highway 166, about half is not paved. Its gravel foundation is often riddled with deep ruts and potholes. But do not let that aspect of the road deter you from taking this splendid drive.
Heck, I go slow anyway to gawk at flowers and stop for photographs.
Winds are a constant companion.
Closing in on the south entrance to the Carrizo Plain.
“If Spring came but once a century instead of once a year, or burst forth with the sound of an earthquake and not in silence, what wonder and expectation there would be in all hearts to behold the miraculous change.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
It was a glorious, marvelous, wonderful very good day!
NOTE: I think these are the names of the flowers included in this post: California Poppy, Molonopia, Baby Blue Eyes, Valley Phacelia, Tidytips, Milk Vetch, Owl Clover, and something blue on a tall stalk.
IT’S EARTH DAY. AS MUCH AS WE CELEBRATE THE BEAUTY AND WONDER OF OUR EARTH, WE ALSO NEED TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO PROTECT THIS WORLD.
On 11 April 2023, I took a drive out to the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve, eager to see lots and lots of poppies. That glorious orange taking over the fields and fluttering in the breeze is a wonder to see. The Reserve’s live cam was not showing much color around the Reserve itself, but I was hopeful the hills in the area might have a brighter display.
From Bakersfield, I took Highway 58, Tehachapi Willow Springs Road, and then Highway 138 to get to the Reserve. The drive had its own beauty, but not many poppies.
Getting closer to the Reserve, flowers were more and more evident.
Near the Reserve, the hills were still pretty sparse. But I did pick up some local honey. Don’t the local pecans and almonds in local honey look scrumptious?
I drove home via I-5 and Gorman Postal Road—always a pretty good spot for flowers.
Once home, I saw some articles saying the bloom in the area of the Poppy Reserve had fields and fields of poppies dancing around. I did not see them. Not sure how I missed them. But I guess I better take another drive through the area.
Over the last couple of weeks, as a drove around the area a bit, I saw beautiful signs of spring popping up all over! I will have posts soon on my drive to the Poppy Reserve and the Carrizo Plain.
Hills Are Starting to Show Their Colors
Trees Are Starting to Sprout as Well
Phalecia
Monolopias
Poppies
Tidytip
Red Maid
Milk Vetch
Lupine
Yellow Fiddleneck
Anyone Know What This Little Flower Is?
Various Grasses
Some Color in Planters and Parking Lots
WHAT SIGNS OF SPRING ARE YOU NOTICING?
NOTE: I’m pretty sure about the flower identifications, but not 100%. If you see a correction that needs to be made, please share. Thanks.
Yes, I visited Wind Wolves Preserve once again, as I have done frequently over the last several weeks. Again, on this visit, new varieties of flowers were starting to bloom.
It’s always a good day at Wind Wolves Preserve.
This weekend (18-19 March 2023) is an especially good one to go visit. It is the Preserve’s annual Spring Nature Festival. I stick to the main drives and take photos from the car. But you can browse the visitor center, learn from the rangers, take hikes, even camp—or better yet participate in various programs. Go visit!
Here are my photos from my visit on Friday, 17 March.
The fields are lush and green, populated with a growing array of wildflowers.
The yellow Fiddleneck are still evident, but they are starting to wane a bit.
The Blue Dicks are still blooming as well.
I even enjoy the grasses!
Close to the road are some little pinkish purple flowers. I think they are some sort of Wood Sorrel. They seem to just be starting to bloom.
These dainty yellow blossoms are showing up too, but I don’t know what they are. Any help would be appreciated.
The birds were pretty active—in the fields. A few stayed visible enough for photos. The meadowlark with its yellow breast and delightful melody is one of my favorites. Even the scrawny teenagers learning to sing.
On the road toward a parking area for some hiking trails, the hills are now turning a bright yellow,
On one scenic tour years ago, the tour guide said with confidence that these yellow flowers are officially called, “Freeway Flowers!” I have also heard them called Goldfields as well as the stuffy sounding Molonopia.
Grape Soda Lupines are some of my favorites!
Way out in a field, I thought I saw a different color—orange not golden yellow—and I finally spotted this one little glump of California Poppies. I bet there will be more on my next visit!
Definitely put a visit to the Wind Wolves Preserve on your list of things to do this spring–even this weekend!
You’ll enjoy it!
Whenever it was raining when I was a kid—and I complained about getting wet—Dad would say, “Just run between the raindrops!” That’s what I’ve been doing over the last several weeks as I ran errands. Running between downpours. Still always looking for the beauty of Nature!
A few flowers are finally popping up around town.
Clouds are always fun to watch.
One day, a Clowder of Cats caught my eye.
This clowder of cats lives in the parking lot of a fast-food restaurant. There seemed to be about 10 of them, but only a handful ventured out to explore. There is one big cardboard box in a field behind a fence that seems to be their home base. I am hoping someone at the restaurant is taking care of these kitties, especially during these cold wet nights. They do not seem under fed—and are so cute!
“Cats come and go without ever leaving.” Martha Curtis
“Time spent with cats is never wasted.” Sigmund Freud
“If cats could talk, they wouldn’t.” Nan Porter
“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have never forgotten this.” Terry Pratchet
This biggest one seems to be Mama. She wandered by a few times, very slow and nonchalant.
This one was mostly staying behind the fence with several who never ventured out at all.
This little grey tabby was the most curious.
These two—Yin and Yang—were almost always together.
On another day, I took a Selfie, as I arrived for my tax preparation appointment. (I’m in the car!)
It was good news overall (getting back about $250, combining federal and state totals as well as tax prep fees). I had to celebrate since Krispy Kreme was just a few blocks away. [Isn’t it against the law—or at least un-American—to not buy donuts if you drive right by a Krispy Kreme?]
The clouds that day were gorgeous, even when it rained off and on.
When the sun did peek out, a full rainbow came into view.
“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you have to deal with the rain.” attributed to Dolly Parton
“Rainbows have a way of making the world seem right.” Anthony T. Hincks
A friend (thanks BLR!) has a phone with fancy editing options—so she took the ugly buildings out of this photo.
The day ended with the rainbow anchored right over my apartment complex.
“Maybe you should stop looking for the gold and just appreciate the rainbow.” Unknown.
HAPPY SAINT PATRICK’S DAY!
California has been in a state of drought for years. Therefore, the extensive storm fronts and atmospheric rivers that have bombarded the state lately with rain and snow and floods and mud slides have been mostly welcomed. Collectively, the state is even hoping for a good wildflower season, maybe even a Super Bloom. Some wildflowers have been spotted up and down the state, but nothing massive is in sight. Yet.
“And sure enough, even waiting will end. . . if you can wait long enough.” William Faulkner
I’m getting so impatient.
While waiting, I have been visiting Wind Wolves Preserve, a great place only about a 45-minute drive from me. My first visit this year was in late February. While the hills were green, the grasses were not filled out yet, and the only color was a little yellow from a few early blossoms. Even without lots of color, it is always a great respite to be out there!
Since that first visit, I have been back on several days, noticing more and more color spreading across the fields. Snow even became visible on the distant mountains. Obviously, Spring is coming—and changes in the fields at Wind Wolves Preserve over a couple visits document its arrival.
18 February 2023
“One of the most delightful things about a garden (or a preserve) is the anticipation it provides.” W. E. John
“Adopt the pace of Nature. Her secret is patience.” Emerson
“Only with winter-patience can we bring deep-desired, long-awaited Spring.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh
4 March 2023
“Patience is not simply the ability to wait—it’s how we behave while we’re waiting.” Joyce Meyer
“Spring is the time of year when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade,” Charles Dickens
“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of Nature—the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.” Rachel Carson
9 March 2023 Driving to the Preserve
9 March 2023 At the Preserve
It was great to see the fiddleneck (yellow) and blue dick (I think) take over the fields. But on this most recent trip, some new flowers were bursting forth as well: Grape Soda Lupine, Douglass Milk Vetch, and one lone Red Clover bloom. I am eager to wander back to Wind Wolves Preserve in a few days!
“I have seen many storms in my life. Most storms have caught me by surprise, so I had to learn very quickly to look further and understand that I am not capable of controlling the weather, to exercise the art of patience and to respect the fury of Nature.” Pablo Coehlo
“You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming,” Pablo Neruda
I did not get out into Nature much in 2022 because I had some minor health issues that impacted my independence and mobility. But I am now getting back to a more active routine.
It’s been a long dry year. Until recently.
In 2023, it has been raining and raining, helping to undermine the ongoing drought being felt across California. The hope is that a great wildflower bloom will erupt any time now. In some places down south, flowers are already showing.
I decided to take a little drive, just needing help from a friend to actually get in the car. I can do everything else: pick up lunch at a drive thru, maneuver into decent parking places to get some photos, wait patiently while enjoying the beautiful scenes, even getting myself and walker out of the car once home. It was a good afternoon.
Being a long weekend, there were some other folks out and about, enjoying the Wind Wolves Preserve. But I was mostly alone and could ignore the others and simply enjoy the solitude.
I was hoping for the start of a growing display of wildflowers, but very few were evident. Little pops of yellow were all I could find.
But the hills were delightfully green and the skies were blue.
I avoided people but enjoyed the company of some prairie dogs and a few birds. Most of the birds—including meadowlarks—were heard but not seen. The meadowlark photo is from here in an earlier year. I have never yet seen a Kit Fox or Tarantula, but maybe I will get lucky on future trips.
Overall, it felt like a nice early spring day. But the drive home reminded me that winter was still lurking. As I crested the road into the mountains, the temperatures dropped, the vistas were dusted in a bit of snow, and the sun was muted behind some clouds.
But I also drove right by some almond orchards as they are starting to blossom. Gorgeous!
Overall, it was a great afternoon of contrasts. I hope to make more drives over the next several weeks to see more and more blossoms as they dance across the hills.
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