The foreground in the back.
Because of the heavy rains of the last two days I wanted to see what effect they’d had on the property outside the Rancho’s back fence. I was most concerned about our most recent cactus acquisition, a ferocactus with striking red spines, and I wanted to see if it looked okay. It looks fine, jutting stockily up out of the gravel, and still deadly prickly. In the foreground, above, an equally lethally sharp agave shows off snake-y stripes. Up on the berm, yellow clouds of cassia artemisioides float. The light of the afternoon sun brings each gravel pebble into sharp focus. I think I’ll step back a bit …
Where's the party?
So, today was supposed to be a party day. After I impulsively made the invitation early in the week, several of our Long Beach chums agreed to come out. The plan was a nice lunch at a downtown trattoria, followed by champagne and dessert at the Rancho. Sadly, it was not to be … sickness, previous engagements, Superbowl parties … suddenly it was off. Which was really for the best as Paul was not feeling that well either. Sigh. I was really looking forward to blogging about it, too. But, why waste a clean house? This is that post, only with less fun and festivity. Living room looks great, right? That’s Ricky and Charles Boyer on the TV. Lucy marathon today …
Muy temprano por la mañana
This morning the rain started again; a fitting end to what was a long, fraught week at work. To prepare myself for the day ahead I decided to visit one of my favorite places in downtown LA: La Plaza Olvera (otherwise known as Olvera Street). My goal was to take pictures showing the quiet time before throngs of turistas descend upon the place in search of souvenirs. While walking to the office I sometimes take a shortcut through the plaza; it was while doing this I was struck by the closed-tight vendor huts. Painted in bright hues and made of simple materials they looked like little houses, perched on cinder block feet. Today, because it was raining, I wasn’t sure the colorful nature of the plaza would show through in the photos. I needn’t have worried: the rainy day only made everything’s colors that much more bright and saturated. Here’s what I saw…
Blocky geometry, circular logic
One of the last times I was at the Long Beach Flea Market, I made one of those controversial purchases that only I seem to make. I bought 7 cinder blocks for the low 3 figures. That’s right: $100. It was the end of the day, we were tired, hungry and ready to go, when I happened upon them at a certain vendor’s booth known for having really interesting things. And, I fell in love with them. Looked to be 60s vintage, some with large circular openings, others made up of 4 smaller bricks but also with circular openings. Not huge, not overly thick, but still heavy. I wanted them so badly I didn’t even flinch when the vendor told me the price. I paid, added them to an already overly-laden cart borrowed from a fave plant vendor and away we went. No, I had no idea what I was going to do with them — until now…
Wow ... there's a mammoth over yonder!
After the Aloe Walk at the Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center, I was able to finally take pictures of the terrific, and huge, dinosaurs on the grounds. I’ve been wanting to bag this prehistoric quarry for some time. I loved the rusted steel dino at the entry to the center, and others in common areas near both the museum and the nursery, but I really wanted shots of the dinos I could only see bits and pieces of up the hill behind the nursery, called the Dinosaur Mesa. And I got them today! (I think this is when I lost the memory card with the aloe walk pics: too excited, I got careless when switching them out.) Taking the walk up the hill I could finally see clearly what had only been hinted at from a distance.
From last week, but just as gorgeous today
Today was the 10th annual Aloe Walk at the Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center. And, it was great! Succulent expert Buck Hemenway was our guide, and there was quite a crowd of expectant aloe aficionados on hand for the event. I wish I could show you just how great it was …
The big five-oh!
When I first began this blog late last August, my only hope was that I’d get at least 10 posts up … I never thought less than 6-months later I’d be posting my 50th! I would’ve never gotten to this point without input and feedback from so many people: family, friends, colleagues, people who’ve found RR through links on other blogs and websites, and people who’ve just stopped by the Rancho to say how much they like what we’ve accomplished. When we first began work here, anytime we were outside working, the encouragement from neighbors and passersby was really overwhelming. Not to mention gratifying. The same has been true about this blog: so many positive comments (170, to be exact!) from so many people; it’s really been confidence-bolstering. Thanks, everyone! We’re very close to the 5,000th hit mark, too, something I can hardly believe. So, to say thanks and to give something back to you, the readers, I’m offering some original designs at the new Rancho Reubidoux shop on Zazzle … Click here to have a look at what’s now in-store!
You don't say?!
Today is so gorgeous Paul and I head out to the Jurupa Mountains Cultural Center to take in the afternoon sun. We love going there because there’s always something new to see: new terraces, new planted areas surrounding the nursery area, new prehistoric greeters, like the toothy fellow above. The staff who work in the nursery area are always very friendly and today’s no exception. We’re treated to a personal tour of the grounds beyond the nursery — somewhat rushed, as the staff is anxious to close up for the day — but we still get to see terrific plantings not seen without a guide. And, this is when we get the news …
Front yard fire
I’m feeling much better today, partly because the rains have officially stopped. At least for now… so, until Tuesday, when they’re supposed to resume, I venture out to see what all that water hath wrought. And, I’m happy to see, the answer is not much. There’re a few fallen branches from surrounding trees here and there, but aside from that it’s just sodden debris and leaves. Phew, not bad. While making my rounds, I’m dazzled by the front yard’s aloe ferox. Its flower stalk still blazes orange but I notice something new …
Fish out of water — swimming with water
… and this ol’ man was snoring well past his usual wake-up call at 5am. I’m taking a sick day as I haven’t been feeling well for the last 3 days. The whole week has been a wet one, but being inside all day at the office I was scarcely aware of all the wet excitement going on outside. Flooding, mudslides, freeway shut-downs, power outages, I missed all of it getting to and from home to the train, and Union Station to the office. So, waking up to the steady beating of a heavy rain on the roof, warm and dry, was comforting. Getting up and looking out the window everything outside looks saturated, literally. Colors are darker and somehow brighter at the same time. Outside the living room door, the Mexican terra cotta fish is full of water, big drops still splashing clumsily into the opening on its back. In the background the little concrete baby (Hay-seuss) sits in a puddle looking off into the distance, completely oblivious to his wet bottom. Weird. Could I be feverish …?
