Proof is in the puddles
I stand before you, falsely accused.
Ina is the horticulturist on our team of gardeners. She is expert at selecting and nurturing native or drought-tolerant plants that can survive California’s waterless years. She has taught me a lot about planting for success in our clay-heavy, sun-baked garden.
One of her first soldiers – a large silver ragwort (jacobaea maritima) – was recently lost. You can see it here in its magnificence. She suspects I snuck it water and thus, contributed to its untimely demise.
When we were deluged with two storms in December, where was Ina? Maui. While all of January was dry, we were visited by a Pineapple Express this weekend – a warm, wet storm that blows in off the Pacific – an “atmospheric river.”
Before:
After:
Here, before you I present the photographic evidence which should exonerate me: proof positive that Ina’s garden sits in one of the lowest spots of the garden. Her beautifully appointed crushed granite pathways serve as perfect vessels, creating self-contained rivers that hold water for days. Yes…those are her rosemary, lavender, tulbaghia violacea (aka…smelly society garlic), artemesia, lamb’s ear, asters, lion’s tail, and tanacetum plants and grasses sitting in the flood zone.
What say you jurors…kind blogger peers? Regardless of the verdict, the rain is SO very welcome.
Before:
After:
The downside of a Pineapple Express is that creates rain in the Sierras instead of snow pack. We depend on the snow pack to refill our rivers and reservoirs later in the year. But, at this point, we are grateful for water in whatever form it arrives.
Before:
After:
It all made for soggy, dog-walking duty this weekend at the rescue – but who can argue with the rewards?
The Birds
Our Sacramento Valley is a hub of bird activity in the winter. Tens of thousands of birds come a calling, traveling on a super-highway called the Pacific Flyway. It is a major north-south route for migratory birds extending from Alaska to Patagonia. The Sacramento Valley is a key rest stop along the way, or even a winter home for some – where birds gather by the thousands.
According to the Audubon Society, you will find about 250 species of birds in the Sacramento area alone. Expand your search east to the Sierra foothills & mountains, south to the San Joaquin River delta, and west to the Pacific Ocean and that increases to about 400 species.
Some pass through…and some find it very cozy to stay on in our nearby parks where they are very well fed.
Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue is surrounded by rice fields…a perfect landing spots for birds who flock together, including these beautiful snow geese.
Unfortunately, they are perfect sitting ducks for hunters as well. Throughout January, shotgun pops rang out and the birds took to the skies by the hundreds.
This past weekend marked the end of hunting season. The birds could not be happier.
Now that the skies are safe, you’ll find geese-covered fields putting a welcome mat out for their friends –
and even cohabitating with cows.
The worldwide Great Backyard Bird Count runs February 13-16. Thanks to my friend, Rob for capturing this Alfred Hitchcock moment. Anyone want to take a guess on this count?
Wordless Wednesday: Reawakening
Our Puppy Bowl
While waiting for the big game to get underway, a far more agile team took to the field. These players are not in it for fame or fortune – they just enjoy the love of play and gladly accept payment in cookies. Get your game face on –
for the Golden Rule Training Puppy Bowl! We start by sizing up the competition…
accompanied by a Pregame Staredown…
And then, Kickoff!
There he goes…Man in motion!
Excuse me…Defensive Holding!
Pooch Kick…
And Punt Return!
Hey wait, is that a deflated ball on the field??
Let’s Huddle Up and rethink our strategy…
And they’re off…
Oh, Sack!
I do believe that is an Illegal Horsecollar Tackle! (I have no idea what that is, but my husband says “use it.”)
And is that a lame attempt at Illegal Substitution?!
Hey Ref! Unsportsmanlike Conduct on the field!
This game is getting out of hand. Two Minute Warning!
Special Teams. Is it just me, or is it hard to tell who’s on what team?
No fair, no fair…Piling On!
Regroup: Calling an Audible
Hey, that’s what we call a Forward Pass!
And Fumble!
This game is rough! Intentional Grounding…
Nose Tackle…
Chop Block…
Running Back…
and Touch Down!
Did someone call a Time Out?
Water Boy!!
This game was called on account of excessive cuteness…
Play resumes next week in puppy class!
Wordless Wednesday: Sully’s Smile
Go Daddy’s Superbowl Commercial: What were they thinking?
Thanks to my sis for sharing this petition. I know some publicist somewhere is yelling “there’s no such thing as bad publicity!” But this commercial from Go Daddy needs to go. So wrong, in so many ways. Please consider weighing in.
Update: RIGHT WINS OUT. GoDaddy has pulled the ad. It really is amazing what people can accomplish when they work together. 🙂
I don’t share a lot of petitions, but this Super Bowl commercial from Go Daddy simply appalled me on so many levels. Take a look, and sign if you feel so moved! I think they were trying to mock all the Super Bowl commercials featuring puppies, but they must be completely unaware of issues in animal welfare. Big miss.
Life is Hard…
Squirrel introduced to squirrel-proof bird feeder:
Squirrel introduced to dejection:
It’s hard to be a squirrel sometimes.
Worth Working For
Now begins the time when every day turns up another treasure – a hint of how the garden will take shape this year.
Lots of people appreciate the final result, but a gardener takes pleasure in watching each step that unfolds from their labor.
Now I know, a refuge never grows
from a chin in the hand and a thoughtful pose
Gotta tend the earth if you want a rose. ~ Indigo Girls
It’s a cliché – and it’s true – anything worth having usually has to be worked for.
I hear over and over…”We’re looking for a young dog.” What they often really mean is, “I’m looking for a perfect young dog.” They want a dog that is socialized to others, bonds quickly, has impeccable house manners, and knows all those things we call rules (don’t we all?!). When a young dog has all of that going for it, it is because someone invested all of the hard work required to get it there. And you generally won’t find them surrendered.
Our young four-legged kids are generally not “perfect” – because someone didn’t take the time to make them so. But that does not mean they don’t have the potential. Young rescue dogs are often like adolescent humans in so many ways. Willful, a little wild, often insecure, sometimes mouthy, but ultimately trainable and loveable – if someone will just make the effort.
Our Lucky is one of these.
It pains me to see him passed over because he is still a work in progress, especially at his young age of eighteen months. He’s thoroughly adorable – if a little rebellious – and a bundle of playful energy.
He would make a perfectly devoted and active companion for someone willing to accept a dog with “some assembly required.”
With a little time and some work, you’d be amazed at what takes shape.
“I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
This…
starts as this.
This…
becomes this.
I’m hoping that someone sees that in Lucky soon.
(Thanks to Rob Kessel for the photos of Lucky.)
Walk With Me: II
My work commute is an hour drive each way. Not fun. The good news is that it puts me out of town and within walking distance of tucked away walking trails filled with old oaks, small ponds and flocks of birds. Walk with me through some protected trails in Roseville, CA.
Fifty years ago, there was nothing here but miles of oak trees.
A suburban city sprouted, but someone had the foresight to set aside designated open space – areas where natural beauty would remain for the generations to come.
It remains largely unspoiled – save for a few forgotten or visiting treasures.
Oh to be as free as a bird and stay all day.
Someday.
Wordless Wednesday: Marshall Tucker
Catching Up
For those of you suffering through snow and ice, let me catch you up on our Northern California garden!
The Narcissus arrived – a bit early thanks to all that water in December (and woefully, none in January).
The roses took a final bow following a brief freeze…
and let us know that their time had come. January is the month for pruning roses In Northern California. By my count, there are 41 of them in the garden proper with another 20 along the perimeter. To help get the job done, Ina brought a fresh recruit. Beth is a knowledgeable and focused gardener – and a great addition.
St. Francis, Patron Saint of Animals, took a serious tumble from his housing in a high wind storm.
Sadly, we were unable to revive him. Given his stature, a proper burial was planned at the base of the podium. Because of conflicts with her plantings, however, Maria wanted to save space and lay him to rest with his head upright.
While discussing the inappropriateness of this plot, Scrappy misplaced his ball, adding insult to injury.
The plantings were displaced to create a proper resting place; the ball was retrieved…
and disaster was averted.
You might remember Yule – the frightened dog that Maria took home to foster. Well, that was two weeks ago, and she is not showing any signs of giving him up at this point! He has adapted really well at home and become much more confident and clearly relaxed.
He is an excellent garden dog. Another great addition to our team.
Late in the day, one of our longer term residents went home. At only six years old and gorgeous, you’d think that Ernie had everything going for him.
But he is one of those very independent dogs that doesn’t connect right way to people. Not to mention that his manners were less than perfect. He went home for a time with our dog photographer/whisperer, Rob, to work on those. Today, it paid off. His new people spent a lot of time with him and learning about him. Their “going home” photo (thanks Rob) reflects a match that was worth the wait.
Happy life, Ernie!
Gardens For Goldens 