a new spring has arrived in full strong bloom due to high amounts of rain this January. Immense Callery pear trees exploding with blooms, Queen palms blooming , many species of yard dwarf citrus fruit trees heavy with fruit , ready to pick, African bush daisies, marigolds and literally 1000s more.
These are trees just on my block , the entire countryside is exploding with flowers. Humming bids and honey bees having the time of their life , nice near 70s bright sunny weather….. perfect for those walks, runs, hikes, wheelchair excursions, walker adventures ….. e-bikes , etrikes ( me ) …. any. Cause to get out and experience “ fully “ another beautiful spring .
I know that not everyone lives in a place like this where spring comes early, but spring will be coming to your neighborhood theatre very soon. I hope the pictures below encourages others to get out and waft in those glorious flower fragrances and get up off the couch and get some physical exercise , especially with your caregiver….. loved ones ….. to enjoy another glorious spring together . ( one of many still to come we all hope ).
although I didn’t take pictures of them here, I have a minature lemon and a mandarin orange tree loaded with fruit in my back yard as well. Interestingly these trees cross pollinate and produce limoranges on the orange tree and lemoadrins on the lemon tree …. you don’t find those in many grocery stores yayahahahaya. Unique but tasty.
Love ya brothers and sisters.
Come on in, the spring is Devine.
❤️❤️❤️
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Kaliber
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ryte on bruddha, you are located up at nearly 4000’ altitude ( nearly snow line around here oftentimes ) at the unusual confluence of the weather from the western and eastern Sierras. It’s a unique place on earth , often with its own unique weather. Pretty kewl actually , but of course, quite different from here down in the valley at 365’ . Tehachapi is rather unique , and famous, being known by a nickname as “ the land of four seasons “ … smack dab in the middle of land that has only one or two. It’s a quite interesting place ( I don’t live anywhere it snows anymore tho yayahahahaya yayahahahaya ) .
Yea, the deciduous tree leaves up here actually "Fall" LOL. Really windy, that's why so many windmills on the rolling hills clui.org/ludb/site/tehachap...
And quite a few patients who work for them and a few climb up 300 ft to do repairs
Lotta residents have lil gardens, and hens, ducks, goats, and horses.
I’ve been up Sand Canyon Road there , a bunch, and you can get pretty close to some. It doesn’t seem like “ all that “ long ago there were NO wind turbines, but now it’s a forest of them. That’s a good windy place for them. The wind howls in that confluence of eastern and western Sierra Nevadas. Lots of interesting back road desert exploring to be had there on the dry ( east ) side , a vast amount of civilization has come and long gone there ( mines, mining towns, vast military war times stuff , the air base, hidden National communications backbone infrastructure…. and a lot more. Lots of hours , decades ? , of fun QOL exploring to be had there.
alright buddy …. Got on the etrike and made the trip up to R-N market …about 4 miles round trip. Beautiful day, 70f and the seafood counter was stuffed . Live crabs, live lobsters, live whelk, live oysters, live clams and live muscles. Almost bought a big bag of live whelk but I wasn’t sure about cleaning them and getting that salivary gland out properly. Came pretty close .
Pickle ball players crowds in the local park, local ponding basin filled … over filled with wintering waterfowl and a large group of workers in the university alfalfa field with bug nets collecting specimen for their entomology class.
The picture is of one of the seafood cases ( where the live stuff is kept ) , you can see my etrike handlebars in the bottom of the photo.
One of the (/several ) seafood cases at the north town R-N market in Fresno.
Major respect for the effort you put into getting out, enjoying the beauty of nature and tasty food, then taking the time to share here and brighten the days of the rest of us. Blessings
So glad that you go out Bruddah Kal, being out is therapeutic,😊and just being a part of that activity outdoors is wonderful Yea, my kinda place💙Never had whelks, hmmm, gotta put that on my eating list 😂
I made my way to Ventura, will do a QoL post when I get back up
thank you and Carlosbach , I appreciate it. Today played UNO with hammer a couple of hours, went for short etrike ride on nearby hike and bike trail. Tonight , on SvenGoolie, the attack of the killer klowns is playing. One of the greatest “ weird “ horror movies. Tomorrow, of course is the Super Bowl. I have “ all “ the authentic fixin’s for genuine traditional Chicago hot dogs. I’m gonna have a little “ edible “ and Chicago Dogs for SvenGoolie ( those Klowns are hysterically funny ) and tomorrow I’m having authentic Chicago hot dogs and Dos Equis for the big game. Probably a etrike ride after.
I’ll make a fun QOL foodie post about Chicago hot dogs … using the genuine fluorescent green relish , Chicago sesame seed buns , the Vienna brand dogs etc. a dog - bun steamer, and all of that stuff. Chicago dogs should be a fun family foodie event and getting to try different cuisine. Fun to do and fun to eat.
haven’t been to Chicago for a while to sample a dog. Used to travel there for work, but the pandemic spoiled what would have been my farewell tour (unofficial). Had my trips scheduled so I could catch a cub/cardinals afternoon game, an evening at Kingston Mines to hear Carl Weathersby again, and plenty of time to make the rounds of several of my favorite eateries.
Beautiful day here today in NW Oregon, but nothing blooming yet. May get snow tomorrow. Worked out this morning so I’m resting before prepping for the game. We go all in on baked nachos for the game, and I’m planning on splurging on the toppings in an effort to match an Olvera St spread.
I lived in Cincinnati-Covington off and on. The “ Reds “ were serious big time sports locally too. You could hear it blaring out of radios all over town. Like Chicago, mid westerners , were passionate about it.
Both the hammer and I both have friends living up in Oregon. It’s interesting to see the differences in habitats yayahahaha. Much more pleasant in Oregon in summer, milder .. warmer here in winter.
Yum ….. nachos are a perfect game good too … along with some Cerveza’s yayahahaha my mom worked and lived in Long Beach , I loved to hang out over on Olivera Street a lot when I went down to visit her. All the food wafting thru the air, the open air markets. That great ambience …. It a treasure.
I've got some great (at least I think they are great) "old timer" stories about baseball. Over the last several years I've watched more semi-pro ball than the pros. Love the smaller parks, and the hitters are often ahead of the pitching, so lots of long balls.
I grew up in Northern CA, and still am drawn to the area (except for the taxes), but where we are in Oregon is beautiful as well.
Olvera St. is one of my favorite destinations in LA for the exact reasons you described. Although I did finish off a couple of Modelo's last week, I'm addicted to really hoppy beers now. Fortunately, here in Oregon there is no shortage of breweries and distilleries. Now we just need to learn how to make a good Cuban cigar locally and the good life can rally kick in.
Lol …… the hammer is the sports freak in this family. She can watch it endless hours. . I like football and baseball in the playoffs and championships games.
I’ve just gotten back from etriking , off-road ( light off-road ) in a local almond orchard. Almonds just about ready to burst out there, getting some fresh air and sunshine. Now getting ready for the big game. C-ya later big guy.
yessir buddy …. That’s exactly what I did. I’ve been stuck in the house so much, I really appreciate being out of doors in the fresh, air and sunshine. Surrounded by nature.
Oh f*ck Bruddah Kal!!! Yea, getting out to enjoy nature is wonderful therapy, I can't even fathom the difficulty/pain/stress that you are enduring.
I'm so sorry that you're going thru nasty stuff :-(.
Do you mean "messed up" physically that makes it difficult to get out? I know that you're on some pain meds, and those can cause constipation which leads to more concerns.
Does your etrike like go onto a trailer? that would be difficult to do esp with The Hammer and her own physical issues.
I actually told several pts how Blessed I am to still be here 8 yrs on, and be able to work, hike, cook, and QoL. I mentioned how difficult others have and gave your situation as an example.
Yes Bruddah Kal get out tomorrow, it says 68 in Fresno on Friday.
QoL outdoors and post pix for us to enjoy
And you have your trip coming up to Monterey and Cioppino. QoLing to the Max Bro
I have driven by Boron on my way out East, but never stopped, I'm gonna have to build that in with maybe my May hike for Make A Wish in Big Bear borax.com/about/community/b...
I have pts who work there, and had one today works in a coal mine up here!
Sending Positive Vibes and Prayers to you Bruddah Kal
Thats really warm but I do a lot better in warm than I do in cold these days. Though my definition of cold changes with activity level and amt of direct sunshine and once we get back to the 50s I will be happy and good into the low 90s as long as I have the right kit.I got a bone scan today and it's clear. CT scan on Tuesday and hopefully. PSMA PET soon after so I can see where the beast is growing.
Glad you getting out as often as your able. What a ride we're on.
So sorry to read the details of what you are going through. Enjoy the spring there and the sunshine. Here in the North of Blighty the snowdrops and crocuses are peeping up cheering us up.
I'm sure I'm not the only one horrified to hear about what you are confronting . Remins those of us who are luckier(so far?) to give thanks for just being able to take a normal walk...umbrella or not here in Puddletown, ie Portland.
I regret posting that stuff now … not in keeping with the intended goal of “ upbeat “ QOL posts “ ……as hopeful1956 graciously and kindly pointed out. No one needs to hear that, I could - should have gone PM with Randy to respond to him. Hit myself over the head with a SvenGoolie rubber chicken to knock some sense loose yayahahahaya.
Mobility can be challenging to QOL efforts for sure. Yayahahahaya
IMHO no problema ! Might even motivate one or more to take advantage of their luck while they still have it!!! Made me think !!!!! Real world !!!! Open the drapes, and let that sun in !!!
yea , that’s right … I got out of doors today, out of the house again…… three days in a row now. Went etriking to a local shopping center … supermarket and drove around shopping in the store. Its great to get some sunshine and fresh air ….. see real , live, humans again yayahahahaya. Think about something different for a change. It was great.
I am in the Sacramento area. Yes we are starting the blossom season, but we are being warned that, because of the moisture this year, we must anticipate an abundance of Lyme Disease bearing ticks. Still, I greet each new day with thanksgiving.
ticks yikes. I think the farmers have about nuked everything with an exoskeleton in these parts yayahahahaya. I’d guess that the unusual amount of water has caused spring to happen about a week or two early here. Gonna be 70f today before dropping back into the low 60s - high 50s the weekend. Good etrike weather today … getting mine charged back up right now. Your area has the best , easiest , high speed to the mountain - ski areas and the bay in the opposite direction. Lots of great QOLing to be had up there.
yea … make a desert - cactus blooms QOL post. The desert is fascinating, full of exotic plants and beautiful countryside. Yes buddy. Love it out there.
yayahahahaya … actually Alcatraz is a great QOL tour. It’s a great bay boat ride …to an island that precedes the prison by 250 years when Spanish explorer Juan Ayala sailed into the harbor and claimed and named the island. Centuries of interesting history there. Plus some enormous rays like to hang around the island as well, you can see them playing around on the surface near the island . Scary as heck. That would be a wonderful QOL trip. You have good tastes in island trips buddy. Yayahahahaya yayahahahaya
I hate to brag but it's time to. We have an Island here with a wonderful sightseeing tour, it's Riker's Island. Free entrance with a minimum of 12 muggings or 2 murders. They have a great school for those who wish to carjack cars or push you onto a subway track. You get a free uniform and the opportunity to play that famous game, "You wanna be the husband or you wanna be the wife". You also have the opportunity to meet someone who will be your significant other until you find another other...Note: Every thousand patron will receive a free trip to a great facility in up state New York, "Attica".
yayahahahaya yayahahahaya I think you actually do have the best , most well known, islands there buddy. All the TV shows about them ….. and we’re not talking about Coney Island either. 😂😂😂
Someone on Riker's Island "stole" my brother's Social Security payments. Took months to straighten it out. Very stressful for brother. On the floor hilarious for me.
Still waiting for spring to hit over here, still recovering from PC radiotherapy, highlight so far a sparrowhawk getting rid of a birdy [tearing the wee thing to pieces] under my bird feeder🙄 My wee sister gave me tulips and daffodils bulbs, which I planted recently, my cherry trees looking hopeful🤞
I have some Japanese maples I bought last year, always spectacular👍
we have those kinds of birds too. Crows and blue jays, will attack sparrow and dove nests to kill the hatched babies or break their eggs… territorial fighting. Wintering humming birds will fight to the death over a feeder, even if you have several. Cute birds are often brutal. This part of the world is a migration flyway … in the winter we can have several hundred different kinds of birds in places. In some local wetlands, there are birds called sand hill cranes that are tall enough to nearly look you in the eye.
Wintering Canadian geese at a central California wetlands near los banos.
More like a cold jungle over here long grass, nothing to show, a daff bud beginning to show, have cut back a lot of old dead stuff, at least bird feeder is open to all 'small' birds, no cover for any birds on the 'prowl', I do mean sparrowhawk, [no crows or blue jays,] in for the kill of young birds, bits of their heads and legs lying around🥴
I see from your bio that you look as screwed up as I am yayayayyayayaaya. You’ve got brothern here brother. 😁. Of course my being in a Mediterranean climatic zone heavily influenced by the Pacific Ocean , in a natural low desert ….I’m in a dramatically different locale than almost anyone else short of the Greek isles. 😂😂
Still the British isles have their own unique interesting places too. Great massive concerts, summer fairs , London …wow ….. Brighton… pristine Northern Territories. You have your own brand of kewl and amazing stuff to enjoy. Id guess you don’t have to pay $800usd a month for summer air conditioning as well. Yayahahahaya.
It’s the differences that make the world interesting …all part of the rich texture of life brother. Fun stuff.
Beautiful photos K! We’re getting early blooms down here in Sandi too. I would love to get one of those mini-lemon trees for my patio— probably about the only thing varmits won’t eat. Enjoy the new season at 251’ and four-eyes on your e-trike!
local nurseries have potted citrus trees of different sizes, many of them already bearing fruit. Keeping them in the pot keeps them small like bonsai. You get one of those $30 irrigation kits to water it ( timer hose etc ). It’s maintenance free. You get two or three dozen fruit a season and in bloom those citrus flowers are powerfully exotic. Animals carry away our oranges at night but like you said, don’t bother the lemons. Fresh lemonade off your tree is a treat.
Spring has not yet sprung, but you all inspired me to brave the brisk 38 degree day. I logged 3.5 miles on a walk about town. Not a cloud in the sky. Gorgeous day.
If so, then maybe you can do a Virtual Hike all across the Globe. The Conqueror Challenges App can grab the walk info after you save it. It places you on whatever Hike you signed up for. Most have the Google Street views
I'm in the brown trench coat in the doorway and my Daughter is right below me.
Casting wanted parents of the child background actors to bring Winter outfits to act like we're just waiting for our kiddos. I saw where the camera was, so I set myself right in front 😜
When daughter was doing background work, we got to eat from the Craft Services Food Trucks - really wonderful food. We got to sit & wait in a Luxury RV at times
We were around a lot of actors
Tim Allen cussed around the kids. Jamie Lee Curtis told him that he to give each kid a dollar every time he swore. Think it was Christmas with the Kranks
Ben Stiller screamed at us parents on a hill to get outta his sight line. Drew Barrymore was so sweet, she ate lunch with all the kiddos and parents in a tent. Duplex was that movie.
Daughter did commercials too, the most fun was Disney. She played the daughter and had to grab Dad's hand and run excitedly to a ride. Later they filmed in a hotel room with the family looking out the window at the roller coaster with an outline of Mickey.
When she was in college, they played a drinking game and you had to tell one truth and maybe three lies or something. The players had to guess which was true and she said that she was on Friends😜 and no one believed her
you’d be shocked if you knew how littered the country side is with those places …..many / most defunct now. This ….out west in Utah, Montana, Nevada and California. There is something interesting about nearly all of them. Some will get you on the “ watch “ list … many will get you followed and recorded when you get too close to some. Some are “ extremely “ heavily monitored like Area51. Government signs mentioning “ lethal “ force outside of some too. I could write books about my exploits over 40 years of exploring them, but the government surely wouldn’t want me to draw attention to a number of them. Just say’in 😁😁😁
comm’on man …… that wasn’t a grandma. It was two little kids on an electric scooter. They can run fast too …. I had to “ run “ three blocks and almost drained the battery trying to get away.
I’m getting tuned up for the “ orange blossom trail “ for that intoxicating orange blossom fragrance. Saw on cable that the Blossom trail is going already.
Beautiful! So envious, far too cold in the UK at the moment. But come March/April Daffodils, snowdrops and crocus will appear to give us a splash of colour at least.
Getting lighter too at night, its five pm before we switch the lights on .We have a small lemon tree in the orangery, dont think we will get anything on that .... Enjoy ! xx
Top of the morning to ya Kim. How has Clint been doing lately. Well. I hope.
The British isles are famous for their temperate, sometimes foggy , weather. I don’t think those Sherlock Holmes and Jack the Ripper movies would be the same if they were wearing Hawaiian shirts, short pants , Panama hats, and sunglasses yayahahaha yayahahaha.
Fresno …. Without all the mountain snow water runoff ( for irrigation ) would be all cactus and tumbleweeds , powder dry and super hot summers.
Our environment is totally man made… synthetic . Absolutely none of the exotic yards and trees , endless blooming flowers are native. Man created it all … beautiful yes, by design… but in a manor of speaking… all fake. Yayahahaha It’s an odd thing but think if the rains disappeared, like they have in the last few years …. This place would revert back to intensity hot desert, ….. where you live … on the other hand would still be lush and green and mostly natural. It’s an odd world we live in yayahahaha.
Clint is not doing too bad. Still a lot of hip pain , but thats down to arthritis, but they won't give him a new hip because of the near by cancer all other MRI scan etc are stable, so thats a plus. Might end up getting him a trike like yours! Or even move to warmer climes.... you lucky people .
the real good news is that Clint is stable. Sorry to hear about his bum hip tho . A mobility cart might be a great choice for him. He can still get around and not aggravate that hip. There are real small ones that are very maneuverable around the house and fold up to fit in the boot or back seat of your car. You can usually buy these used for a few hundred USD. Or new is better if you have the financial resources. You get exactly the one that suits your fancy / needs that way.
Warmer is always nice , but a nice temperate warmth. I think Greece is warmer but not a whole lot warmer in winter, not sure. They have almost nonsnow tho.
We have places like Los Angles and especially San Diego that have paradise weather all year long … but it’s extremely overpopulated and expensive because of it. Flordia in the winter is nice but hot and steamy in the summer. Where i live , in the Central Valley , is great fall thru spring, but our summers would make Death Valley envious yayahahahaya. Summers here, late afternoon thru evening, can melt the rubber soles off your shoes and damage your cars sometimes . lol. Its cool the rest of the day tho.
It’s good to see that both of you are doing pretty well overall, how good is Clint’s stability !!! Nice to talk to you again Kim and say “ hi “ to Clint for me.
Clints PSA is still rising a point every two months. OC dosn;t know why, so more scans. So still a worry, even though lymph nodes have shrunk even more and mets on spine no change. ???? Still taking the Zytiga, amongst other things,
Been a bit hectic, didnt really celebrate Christmas,or New Year as my Mum went in to Hospital on the 17th Dec, and sadly passed away on New Years Eve, at nearly 89yrs old.. So lots to sort out. Just about getting back to 'normal' now. (whatever normal is) anyway onwards and upwards, Clint says Hi back, and regards to your wife ! xx
ooh …I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. Nothing much merry about the holidays when you are grieving for your mother. That’s a big chunk out of your life. Dang nab it.
and ….. ( yikes ) those aPCa bugs can hide in impossible to find places ( so far ) a “ lot “ of the time it seems like doesn’t it !!! That sounds very slow growing tho … maybe it’ll take years and years before it gets too scary….not that it isn’t already scary …. Seems like we never get many ( any ? ) breaks doesn’t it. One point every two months gives your oncologist time to find more treatments to put it to sleep again.
There just isn’t much good or upbeat to say about any of this …
Thanks to Clint and you Kim … again so sorry about your mother , I know how heartbreaking that is.
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