Sunday, March 27, 2016

Golden Egg

I was recently gifted a souvenir chocolate egg from Europe. My friend said there was a toy inside as I shook the egg and heard the rattle of an object. Cool beans, how fun.

I did a google search for "Kinder" and found out the candy eggs are banned from importation into the United States. The Kinder Surprise eggs have been banned because the little toy was a choking hazard, even though the toy is separated from the chocolate layer by an inner plastic shell. There is a monetary fine if you cross into the U. S. with the chocolate contraband.




My little 1.1 oz egg may be worth it's price in gold if the U.S. Custom Police should arrive at my door. Though, you know, it won't be much of a hardship to get rid of the evidence. Just gotta remember to wipe the smile (and the chocolate) off my face.


Happy Easter Everyone.

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Hello, Spring

Spring,
it's a beautiful
glorious
joyful
time of year
on the Central Coast.

The Santa Margarita Longhorn cattle have returned to their favorite sunny spot along Highway 101.








The wildflowers - California golden poppies, yellow mustard - are abloom and blanketing the hillsides above the Cuesta Grade.








Closer to home our animals are enjoying the lush landscape.












In a few months we'll be carefully checking the animals for barbed seeds - foxtails and Ripgut brome - and The Man will spend many (many) daylight hours with his Stihl weed wacker in hand.

But, at least for now - today - we're celebrating spring.



Sunday, March 13, 2016

River Walk: Along the Salinas

Last week's Pineapple Express delivery c/o El Nino provided several inches of much needed rain.

The local news reported a story about the Paso Robles police warning homeless folk living in encampments along the Salinas river to evacuate because of potential flooding.

After years of drought, some of the "homeless" have gotten quite comfortable living next to the river.


The Tribune


Back in December we started taking the dogs for walks along our own home stretch of the Salinas.

The trails we frequent are shared with horseback riders, motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts, and folks just desiring an undeveloped open space for their dogs to run off-leash without getting into too much trouble.

For us, keeping the dogs out of "trouble" means not allowing them to run near the train tracks or slipping beneath the barbed wire fence to run across private ranch land - a shootable offense. Unfortunately both activities seem to rank very high on the dogs' "To Do" list.

Or maybe it's their Bucket List.





Except for scaring the occasional rabbit we usually have the place to ourselves.

Our last river walk was back in January. On that warm and sunny day no water remained in the main channel but there were signs that water had flowed.

It's about time.






Sunday, March 6, 2016

All Aboard

The Pineapple Express roared through here last night. All night long we could hear the howling winds, sheets of rain, and objects being tossed about outside.






This morning water flowed in the little creek that cuts through two of the neighbors' properties down at the end of the road.






More rain is expected tonight and also through the week. It's clear right now, the sun is out, and the Clean Up Crew is eager to get to work.






All aboard the Pineapple Express. Woo-woo!