My First Open A Obedience Trial at Del Valle

Hi Pals! Last March, I passed my 3rd and final leg of Novice A, earning my CD. Mom and Barbara had a little chat and Ma told Barbara somethin' like this: "I feel so good about Del Vallethat our new goal is to be ready for Open A by Del Valle ." Barbara was wary. We pushed on. I knew I could try to be ready!

So we worked and worked and worked. I had problems with the broad jump. I hated the dumbell for a long time. And finally, I wouldn't even "Come" for the Drop on Recall. OMD! But Ma entered me in Open A at Del Valle . It's a five day show, from Thursday to Monday. I was due to "do ma thang" on Friday (indoors) and Saturday (ourdoors). My teach, Barbara, even worked the video in two parts. Here they are.

And Part II...

After these tests, I had to go back in the ring with other doggehs to do "Sits and Downs," where I have to Sit for 3 Minutes while Ma is out of the ring away from my sight, then Down for five minutes with Mom out of sight. Even if I've done good on my exercises, I can just as easily get an NQ if I get up from a down, or ... the reverse. I stayed on both and Mom was patting me hard and finally giving me treats when I got back to my area!!! Then imagine all our surprises when...

Holy Moly... I won Open A! So after a while of partying and such, we went home and slept soundly... believe you me, it's just exhausting to answer to Ma's commands!

The next day was "Specialty Day" when it was all Golden Retrievers - woo hoo! And guesses to who was there? No pix, but my boyfriend, Jackson, was there! Also, Avalon met up with her brothers, Ronan and Thistle. Above is Avalon with Ronan!

Even though I was entered in Open A again, I failed to "DROP" on the recall and NQ'd... bummer. Jes' didn't hear Ma right heheh! But I was due to be in a "Rescue" parade after my class. Here I am trotting out with so many other NorCal golden retriever rescues!

And here I am with Momma! Man, was I tired!
And so was my sis! We was exhausted!

Gaudy Redefined

This post, "Gaudy Redefined" was written by Annie in Austin for her Transplantable Rose blog.

Seven years ago I started a blog on a whim, mostly so I could comment on other blogs (back then you needed a Blogger ID just to comment). I named the blog The Transplantable Rose and posted a photo of my white perennial hibiscus with the title "Define Gaudy". The Hibiscus 'Blue River II' is still alive but the ground warmed up slowly this spring, so we have buds instead of blooms this June 7th.



And a new Passalong Plant from Pam/Digging, called Monarda 'Peter's Purple', is currently wearing the crown as Most Gaudy. I have tried Monarda over & over since we moved to this house nearly nine years ago... only a couple of those plants lived at all and none bloomed until this powerhouse took root last summer.


A glance at the first few posts reminds me that plants can grow a great deal in seven years - the first triangle bed with the 'Little Gem' Magnolia was brand new in June ...



Yesterday there were 12 flowers open at once on a tree that is dwarf by Southern Magnolia standards, but still quite a presence in this small garden!



A post about the double Mock-Orange from my dad's garden showed it blooming in the newly-made Secret Garden. I took the photo for the blog, but it ended up being a memory - that Mock-Orange didn't make it through alternating days of flood & drought. But do you see that tiny fig tree close to the white iron fence? It is no longer tiny.



The Secret Garden seems a little more Secret today, with the now-large fig tree, crepe myrtle and pomegranate casting shade, borders on all the edges, a different bench and the usually-unhappy grass replaced by stepping stones & decomposed granite.



Another summer is on the way, perhaps preparing to draw its twin daggers of heat and drought to murder the plants I love. But just for today, I will celebrate that the garden is fuller, the shrubs are larger, a few tomatoes and peppers are getting ripe, the beds and borders are stuffed with plants native and adapted, the containers are stuffed with plants that are totally inappropriate and/or beloved for sentimental reasons, and the birds, insects, lizards, and squirrels think it's just swell.

I may not write often, but I'm not giving up yet. Year 8? Bring it on.

This post, "Gaudy Redefined" was written by Annie in Austin for her Transplantable Rose blog.

A Tawny Owl in the Wood, & Bird Poop on My Head

Today was going very nicely - gardening jobs are getting crossed off the list and everywhere is looking much tidier.

George was fitting shelving into the shed when he heard a Tawny Owl and he very kindly abandoned his tools to come and tell me about it.

The wood was silent by the time I arrived, but I walked in as far as the owl box and stood contemplating it, wondering whether there was an owl inside it. Something made me look up and there in the tree, about twenty feet off the ground was a huge pair of eyes...they belonged to a Tawny Owl and she/he was calmly looking back at me.

Tawny Owl, image by rspb.org.uk

Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me. We must have looked at each other for a full minute, before she unhurriedly flew off. I wonder whether this could be one of the pair who raised the young owlets in our box a couple of years ago ... or, perhaps it is one of the young owls, checking on the old family home.

The white 'V' at the top, middle of the photo

is where the Tawny Owl was perched!

Of course I keep finding myself wandering into the wood to check the trees for owls - we heard her call a short time ago. Fingers crossed, I shall see her again before too long. Probably when I am least expecting it.

I took Toby and the two cats for an evening stroll around the wood. I didn't expect to see the owl, especially as the cats were being energetic and running up and down trees, showing off to each other - but I did keep scanning the tree tops, just in case.

Suddenly, there was a plop on my head as a splat of bird poop landed on target and splattered down my blouse. Remarkably, in all the time we have owned this place, and during the many thousands of walks I have taken around the wood, this has never happened before.

I stood there in disbelief... and then I started laughing.

Long Day on the Road.

Got a early start on my drive - about 1:30. Stopped at Wally-World for a couple things. Was getting close to breakfast time as I neared North Platte.

Since there was a Denny's at the Flying J, I pulled in there. Wanted to do some surfing in the tablet while waiting for my meal. Tried to log in, and was met with "Make an Account". Asked what I need to log in, I was told that they do not have Wi-Fi. There's Wi-Fi at Flying J, but there is a charge. I thought that all Denny's have free Wi-Fi. I registered my complaint. Since I had already ordered food, I was stuck. Had I known, I would have stopped at the Village Inn! Will be writing a letter to the manager to complain. With the problems at the Denny's in Ogalalla (beck in May) it looks like its time to stop eating at Denny's.

Needed to use the rest room as I crossed into Colorado. Checked on when the Information Booth would open - just 10 minutes. Walked back to the car (it was getting too cold and windy to sit outside). I saw some money on the pavement at my car door. Two 5's. Not, I did not have folded 5's in my pocket, i realized it was found money.

It was 43 when I headed out from home. As i climbed toward Denver, the temperature kept dropping. Finally, the sun came up and the temp started climbing. By the time I got to Denver, it was in the mid 60s.

Knew I would likely run into some rain. It started at the Eisenhower Tunnel. Drizzled off and on until I hot Vail Pass. There, I was hit with a deluge. The road was a river. At Eagle, it looked like it might clear off. As I drove down Glenwood Canyon, the clouds got darker.

Except for the rain, it was a beautiful drive down Glenwood Canyon. The Aspen were changing color. Besides I-70, the Colorado River, a railroad track, and bicycle path wind through the canyon. Almost made me want to find a place to park and explore on bicycle.

Got off the interstate and started looking for my hotel. After a couple wrong turns, I found the hotel. The hotel is along the Colorado River. One of Glenwood Springs bicycle trails runs between the river and the hotel (see photo).

Once I got settle in the room, it was time for some food. A friend on fine had suggested the Italian Underground. I did not see beer on their menu and i was in the mood for a local brew and a burger. The Chamber's tourist Trail & Street map (got it from the hotel desk clerk) had an ad for Double Dog Pub. Checked out their web site and opted to head that way.

Eric (a transplanted cyclist) suggested a local brew by Rifle Brewing Company - either an Amber or IPA. I selected the Amber (Anvil Point Amber). Great brew, burger, and kettle chips. BTW - Eric usually rides his nw CX bike to work at the pub.

Would have liked to go downtown to take some photos. But with the rain and being too tired, I just returned to my room. Speaking of the room, I used rewards points for the room (some about to expired this year). They gave me a suite - large room with king bed, fridge, microwave, eating table, desk, and lots of cupboards. View of the Colorado River, though had to settle for a second floor room.

Now that I have checked my mail, scanned fb, and wrote this blog posting - its bed time!

X-Stitch: Iris … Faith, Cherished Friendship, and Much More

In the language of flowers, the iris symbolizes faith, wisdom, cherished friendship, hope, and valor.  It is a showy flower that is named for the personification of the rainbow and messenger of the gods in Greek mythology.  With over 200 varieties and the vivid colors in which the iris comes, I think you would agree that it is aptly named.

Here is my cross stitch project featuring beautiful iris blooms ... the bird in the flower pot just adds to the charm.

Snow, Mud, a Single Speed and Lunch

At lunch today, I took the new single speed out for it's first inaugural Oakland lunch mud ride.
I like that it's simple with no gears, just lots of hard pedaling. It'll be good for my little bird legs. Tweat, tweat. Some nice lunch time power intervals. I think I'll make Wednesdays my official single speed ride every week.
I found that in order to get up any decent hill I had to work the rest of my body a lot harder then when on my mtb or cross bike. Right now as I sit writing this, my hands and forearms hurt and my shoulders hurt and my lower back is sore. And of course my legs are tired. I feel like I got a good workout.
I remember being a kid riding my little 1-speed cruiser, trying to ride up the steep street to my friend's house in my jeans and having to weave back and forth across the street riding an S all the way to the top. I had to grind the pedals hard to stay upright. Riding the single speed reminds me a lot of that.
I saw some snow and daffodils and the Bay from the Bayview Trail. I rode Big Trees and passed the little fairy circle of trees. And I rode West Ridge and East Ridge through Roberts and back down to Bayview.


And I think I saw Mt. Hamilton with snow on it. I think that's Hamilton way in the back.

Gone to the Birds

Sunday, December 23
Pelican Roost RV Park — NS Mayport, Florida
Temps: Lo 43 / Hi 60 (6C / 16C)

After two nights of slide-topper-flapping winds, last night was a welcome change as quiet once again reigned and we slept peacefully.

(Photo to the right is of Christmas decorations at one of the sites down the road from us.)

Mui and I went our separate ways today.

He was bound and determined to wash the coach; I wanted to go out and play with my new camera — the recently released Canon Powershot SX50 HS. So, once Mui was safely down from the roof of the Phaeton, I hopped in the car for the short ride to the beach, where I found plenty of opportunities to put the camera through its paces.

I wasn’t really in the market for another camera, but a couple of things played a role in changing my mind — an intermittent smudge that’s been marring my G12 photos; a B&H gift card I received from DCS as a retirement gift; and an $80 off + free overnight shipping offer from B&H, our preferred source for camera gear. What’s a gal to do in the face of such incentives ;-)

I’ll let the photos from my beach outing speak for the camera — it will never replace my DSLR equipment, but with its 50x zoom (equivalent to 1200 mm), I’m going to enjoy using the SX50 HS as a walk-around camera.

Fewer jelly fish on the beach today; this was the biggest one I saw.

Juvenile ring-billed gull

From this at the wide end of the lens …

… to this at near full zoom.

Fascinated with the way this crab was feeding, I sat with it for a while;
good opportunity to test the full HD video capability of the SX50 HS.
[the clip is 14 seconds long and worth a watch, if I do say so myself; edited by Mui]

Sanderling (I believe; correct me if I am wrong.)

Watch out for the tsunami heading your way!

Royal Tern

Black Skimmers in flight.

Black Skimmers

No trip to the beach would be complete without sea shells.

Osprey resting with its catch secured by sharp talons.

Having run out of space on the memory card — and also because my butt was frozen from sitting on wet sand for several hours — I returned …

… home to the Phaeton, which was sitting pretty thanks to Mui’s hard work.

I wasn’t quite ready to call it a day, however. After a hot shower to warm up, I dressed in comfy layers and footwear appropriate to go jetty hopping at the turning basin to see what I might find to photograph there.

Left: Royal terns and a ring-billed gull; I think the small bird is a tern chick.
Right: Great Blue Heron

Left: Double-Crested Cormorant
Right: Great Egret

A fishing cat? Not really, but I found the scene hilarious and had to take a snapshot.

Since Mui had worked hard all day on beautifying the coach, we decided to go out for dinner. Our first choice was a seafood market/restaurant not far from the ferry terminal in Mayport Village. It turns out that they’re closed on Sundays.

So, we asked Ms Garmin for some suggestions. From the list she presented, we picked another seafood restaurant 7 miles away. Well, it turns out that restaurant was a billiards pub in Jacksonville Beach.

Not ready to give up, we drove along the main strip where we found several restaurants doing brisk business. We settled on the Campeche Bay Cantina. It turns out that was the perfect choice. Third time’s the charm, I guess.

I really enjoyed the California Burrito I ordered (flour tortilla stuffed with shredded beef, beans, guacamole, and sour cream; topped with chili con queso and chopped tomatoes), and Mui was equally satisfied with his Seafood Campechanga (two small chimichangas stuffed with a mixture of herb cream cheese, shrimp, and Alaskan king crab; topped with chili con queso, guacamole and sour cream). A couple of cold beers washed the food down quite satisfactorily. Pleasantly stuffed, we brought dessert home for later consumption — Margarita Pie (pretzel crust filled with tequila, fresh lime juice, triple sec, and cream; topped with a raspberry sauce and a dollop of whipped cream) … yummy!

Sorry no photos; I forgot to replace the memory card in the camera after I uploaded the pictures to the computer. But I’ll just say that Campeche Bay gets a thumbs up from us and leave you with …

The End!

Pismo Beach

Pismo Beach, originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.

Last night I watched the sunset over Pismo Beach, a community on California's Central Coast about 10 minutes away from San Luis Obispo. With offshore winds, the temperature was in the 70s even as the sun was setting, making for a great evening. Spring is here in California, what about your part of the world?

Being Creative

"Unless we are creators, we are not fully alive." Madeleine L'Engle from Walking on Water
She continues, "What do I mean by creators? Not only artists, whose acts of creation are the obvious ones of working with paint or clay or words. Creativity is a way of living life, no matter what our vocation or how we earn our living. Our freedom to be creators is far less limited than some people would think."
Do something creative today, then come back here and tell me what you did. I'm going to create a birthday memory for my oldest daughter who turns 29 today.

Easter escape part 2

NOTE: SCROLL DOWN AND READ PART 1 FIRST.
I awoke the next morning to a flat tyre. Instinct told me it was sabotage rather than anything I rode over late on in the previous day. The fact that the German backpackers from the campsite decided to swerve at me later in the day made me even more suspicious. Either way, it was nothing I couldn't deal with. I fixed the flat tyre and got on my way. I passed the villages of Mallanganee and Mummulgum, separated by a solid but beautiful climb of the Richmond Range.

Things passed uneventfully after this for a while, I just wound my way along toward the old ruins of Dyraaba (or so I thought). I took a detour through this area along yet another rocky, stony old dirt road, but it seemed most of the monuments and things I was supposed to be seeing here were hidden away on old properties that couldn't be accessed by anyone other than the property owner. It was pleasant enough, just not really what I had been expecting.


In the end I did pass through the actual village of Dyraaba (yes, there was something there). Evidently it was once a busy place that time seems to have forgotten over a number of decades. There were even some old ruins here too. After this I had just about had it with rocky dirt roads for one day, and decided to head for Kyogle and stay at the caravan park for the final night. It's pleasant enough without being overly special.

Of course, the ride home from Kyogle is one that I've now done many times, but it's so pretty that I continually enjoy it. It opens with the climbs of the MacKellar and Nightcap ranges, before descending into rolling country in the Tweed valley. The odd thing about it is that I was just 30km into the ride (and about 90km from home) when I started thinking about this ride as being "over" -- simply because the two climbs were now behind me.




After this there isn't a lot to tell. The southerly wind was still behind me, and it seemed to make things easier. There was the prospect of a heavy shower just outside Murwillumbah, but it never arrived. I did, of course, take the route home via Urliup, revelling in the fact that this place still retains some old world charm, but unfortunately it still leaves me with around 25-30km of suburbia to negotiate to the finish.

The coastal strip was surprisingly quiet for the final stretch. At least it was quiet in terms of volume of traffic. The idiots were still about. I rode past yet another car crash on the way home (I discussed that in another post), and evaded several other idiots (not all of which were in cars incidentally). It's astonishing that after that 25-30km of idiots I was suddenly glad to get home. Still, it is the Gold Coast, so there's no real reason to be at all surprised.
Overall, however, it was quite a rewarding weekend. The scenery of the ride was pretty, the little historical monuments were interesting, and and the traffic was quite reasonable once I evaded the usual Gold Coast snarl. It was also nice to be riding in some cooler air after six months of summer. There is, however, a lingering feeling that I've just about done all the touring there is to do in that area. I'll find something else there to interest me in time, of course. However, it's now time to move on and find somewhere else to occupy my long weekends for a while.
The Crows Next/Lake Perseverance tour to the north is the next on my agenda during the June long weekend. It will also be a final chance to try out the cold weather gear I plan on acquiring for Scotland in July. Before then, however, I've signed up for a 300k audax ride in Brisbane for Saturday. Far from being burned out by this tour, I'm actually quite enthusiastic about my next cycling challenge. Bring it on!