The Garden in January

We're not having winter this year. I'm told it's a national phenomenon. Today was almost wintry, with gray skies and cold air. I took the opportunity to water.



Typically, it only rains in California when it's cold. I wouldn't have mentioned that, but I lived in Atlanta for a spell and I found it so remarkable that summer was the rainy season there. A life lesson: Things are different in different places. That what makes them different.



So it goes. The gray-skinned buckeye in the top picture will leaf out soon. I saw leaf tips emerging from buds this morning. I hope it flowers too. It would be the first time. Buckeye flowers would make my whole spring. Usually I cut the grasses back in winter, but this year I only cut back one that I thought really needed it.

This is my favorite picture from today and, hey, it's all foliage. That should make some people happy.



I like the Phormium 'Black Adder' so much I bought a second one last fall. It seems to grow kind of slow for a phormium, at least in my garden. That's one of the reasons I like it. They get congested and unappealing so quickly. Take it slow.



The moss on the birdbath comes back thicker and more lush every year. In the summer it dries out completely. I once said "it disappeared in summer" and someone, a designer, on Twitter, said to me, "I don't think it disappears, I just think it gets really small." What an idiot, I thought to myself. Did this woman really think I thought the moss just seasonally DISAPPEARED? Like it de-materialized from this earthly plane? People who do not understand what figurative speech is drive me nuts. I un-followed her immediately.



Here are the glass balls I regret not buying more of when I was in Rome last summer. Well, I was already pressed for room in my luggage.



Besides, we have glass balls in California too.

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Everyday sights in Bernal Heights

It was cold last night. (Well, you know, like, lower 40's...)

Along with this cold air, we're supposed to get some rain--finally. A good rain rain will relieve the parched ground and also the the air quality which, lately, has been lousy.

We had Monday off from school for MLK. Since I only go to school on Mondays and Wednesdays, I had a week off after just having had four weeks off for winter break. They begin each quarter with a break. Are they trying to ease us back in? I don't need any easing. I want to get this over with!

Anyway, I've been working on math-related side-projects. I decided to take a walk this morning.

























This bougainvillea/geranium (Pelargonium) mash-up is a real stand-out most of the year. This is a bit of a seasonal low-point. Use your imagination.















Catalina Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus), with swing, on Winfield.



And the Winfield Slide. It's a playground.

Bale Grist Mill SHP

I just realized I've had at least one winter-time blog post in California's mixed oak woodland every year that I've been blogging. I made a mental note to put up some links when I do this post next year. This year, I'm relaxing with a glass of Sauvignon blanc and I don't feel like it.

We did the two-mile RT hike (Can we get a consensus that a 2-mile trip with half-a-mile of uphill in both directions makes it a hike, not a walk?) from Bothe-Napa Valley SP to Bale Grist Mill SHP. Bale built the mill in 1843. It was last used in 1905, and fell into ruins. Restoration, began in 1979, was completed in 2000. The wheel turns and everything! The trailhead begins at a small pioneer cemetery. There are about a dozen graves, but I think one picture will suffice.





There has been nearly no rain yet this winter. None in the forecast either. The creeks are dry and the hills everywhere, usually green, are summer-brown. Statistically, at this point, it is unlikely that we will catch up to normal. I'm afraid California will burn this summer.





We'll worry about that later. Like everything else.







We see this crustose, sage green lichen on manzanita all the time. I should learn its name.











The mill. Note Guy for scale.







You don't have to walk/hike here to visit the mill. You can drive right up off Highway 128, the main road through Napa Valley. Today was my winter break's last hurrah, so I wanted bit of a hike. I go back to school tomorrow, and expect to go blog-silent for most of the next few months. :|

Admission to the mill is $3, and that includes a guided tour if you want one.







Or, you can guide yourself.





Pun warning.