Fantazzle

Two Tone

2009-12-16T10:53:00.001-08:00

It looks like this camellia can't decide if it wants to be pink or white!

Rainy Day Hike

2009-12-07T19:01:00.000-08:00

It was raining today, so I went hiking, because I adore hiking in the rain. Very few people are out in the rain, and I have the trails all to myself. My waterproof clothes make it pleasant.

I even have waterproof pants and shoes. Unfortunately they don't get much use here in Southern California, so I have to take advantage of the few rainy days that we have.

The purple nightshade plants are in bloom now.

And the exposed wood on the dead ceanothus is gorgeous in the rain. When the weather is dry, the wood looks drab and ordinary.

Jerry Waxman 1941 - 2009

2009-11-16T13:31:00.000-08:00

I was going to write to Jerry Waxman, to let him know that Hubert had died, and I found out that Jerry died, too, just over a month ago. He was only 68 years old. You can read more about him here.

Jerry was the phenomenal astronomy teacher at Santa Monica College when Hubert and I were students there. We both worked as his teaching assistants, and that's where we met.

Jerry was one of the best teachers I've ever had. He was so excited about astronomy that he got everyone else excited about it, and I was an astronomy major because of him, until I had to take physics!

The last time I talked to Jerry was several years ago, but it still feels sad, losing these people from my past. It brings up so many memories of those days, good and bad, but surprisingly, mostly good!

Hubert Stamps 1948 - 2009

2009-11-16T13:18:00.000-08:00

I just found out that Hubert Stamps died last May. He was my first boyfriend, back in 1973-74, and he was only 61 years old. I hadn't talked to him nor seen him in many years, but it still felt sad. From what I hear, he was well-loved by many who knew him in Santa Barbara, where he lived. You can see some of the tributes to him here.

We were an interracial couple in the days when that was rare. We were only together for about a year, but I learned a lot during that time. Here's a picture of us in January 1974.

And here's a picture that he took of me, that is still my favorite picture of myself. I always felt that he really captured my essence here. A little bit shy and a little bit sad.

Thanks for being my friend, Hubert. I'm sure the world is a better place because of you.

Fall

2009-10-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

All of the leaves are falling off of the Evergreen Pear trees right now.

I don't remember ever seeing so many beautifully spotted ones like this before. It's an exceptional year for them.

Cushion Cats

2009-10-22T17:06:00.000-07:00

The cats love it whenever I bring out this cushion!

After the Rain

2009-10-15T14:25:00.000-07:00

I love the way rain drops look on these spider webs.

Rainy Day Cats

2009-10-15T14:22:00.000-07:00

Rain makes strange bedfellows. These guys would never sleep together under other circumstances.

Too Hot for Cats

2009-09-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

It was really HOT here today. This is Alex and Enzo trying to stay cool. They look like two peas in a pod! So cute.

Alex Chasing Her Tail

2009-09-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

This video of Alex chasing her tail is really funny! She does this almost every morning, and she never grows tired of it. Nor does she ever catch her tail!

Afghan

2009-09-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

A lot of people commented on the afghan I'm working on in my September newsletter. The yarn is 50% silk, 50% wool, and incredibly soft and warm. I hand-dyed it myself using acid dyes.

Here's a close-up of the pattern, a crosshatch stitch.

Wasp Nest

2009-09-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

I thought this was a small bee hive, but on closer inspection, it's a wasp nest, under the eaves of the house.

Enzo's Birthday

2009-09-07T10:31:00.000-07:00

Today is Enzo's 17th birthday! He's doing really well since his stroke last November. He has a homeopathic vet, and he's much improved.

The story is that he was named Enzo by his first owner because when he was a kitten, he chewed up an expensive Enzo shoe. But I also heard that he was a barn cat where he was born, in Virginia. Did they keep their shoes in the barn?

He's definitely a shoe boy. Here he is attacking my shoe:

He's not allowed out of the yard anymore, because he's not too steady on his feet, and he lost his hearing. So his favorite pastime now is peering underneath the gate to get a glimpse of the world beyond the backyard.

He's a very sweet cat, but the other cats don't think so. He's the alpha male around here, and he bullies everyone else. To them, he is known as Enzo the Terrible! Also to the birds, but fortunately his birding days are over.

Norfolk Island Pine Cones

2009-07-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

Watch out cats! Pine cones have started to fall off the Norfolk Island Pine tree in the back yard. These cones are big, heavy and dense. Not a good tree to sleep under right now.

You can clearly see the shadow of the tree on Google Earth:

The Getty

2009-07-17T15:08:00.000-07:00

I was up at The Getty this morning visiting the Conservation Institute. It was a beautifully warm day, as long as you were facing the right direction.

Facing the other direction, you can see the usual LA smog. This is looking down the 405 freeway towards the South Bay area.

The clouds were interesting today, and unusual for us in the summer.

More about The Getty Conservation Institute in my August newsletter. Subscribe now!

Painted Cat

2009-07-05T01:00:00.000-07:00

Oh great . . . it looks like someone has been in the studio. Enzo! How am I going to get this off? I guess we'll have to wait and let it wear off.

Nice color combination at least.

Cat Antics

2009-07-04T19:58:00.000-07:00

The couch seems to have developed some unusual lumps! Luci likes to get underneath the slip cover and attack anyone who comes near.

Baby Possum

2009-06-06T20:25:00.000-07:00

Now there are two of these little guys hanging around eating the cats' kibble. They're so cute!

Agapanthus in the Yard

2009-06-01T15:19:00.000-07:00

Aren't the agapanthus incredible looking when they first start to bloom? They look like little alien creatures to me.

Guard Cat

2009-05-31T17:59:00.000-07:00

Nelson guarding his food from a juvenile possum . . . NOT!

Mercedes Planter

2009-05-22T20:37:00.000-07:00

Have you seen this Mercedes parked at Bergamot Station that has been filled with dirt and turned into a planter? The license plate says FARMLAB.

Elizabeth Gilbert

2009-05-17T15:07:00.000-07:00

Please watch this twenty-minute talk by Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity. It is both funny and moving.

I haven't read her book Eat Pray Love yet, but you'd better believe that I'm going to read it now.

Nelson Yargling

2009-05-02T15:40:00.000-07:00

Here's another video of Nelson being talkative. He's such a funny cat! Very photogenic.

Nelson Sleeping

2009-04-27T12:32:00.000-07:00

Check out these two videos of Nelson sleeping, and turn up the volume! He's so funny!

Cinnamon-Scented Geranium

2009-04-21T16:12:00.000-07:00

The cinnamon-scented geranium on Cinnamon's grave is just starting to bloom. The flowers are small, but gorgeous. I'm sure Cinnamon would have found them to be tasty! She liked to eat flowers, especially cut flowers on the dining room table.