my back door

My big poppy...i'm going to miss it.

Newly made...created from stuff that was lying around....I have to move so I can only go minimal. Most everything is in pots.

 

My beautiful rose...

 

Chicken emergency

Last night I got a call from my landlord....he wasn't going to be able to make it back so he asked me to shoo the cixs back in their coop...I had to write down the count...16 total.

This morning I had to let them out and feed them...

It was a pleasure.

He lives up in that unfinished house to the right.

chicken coup is behing the bamboo poles.

 

Sunset clouds

Through 2 windows screens and pouring rain! 

Yesterday walkie after lots of rain.

 

in a beautiful muddy puddle.

beautiful impression

A Personal Phenomenon

 Not such a big thing but this time I am thinking about it beforehand. I leave for Italy soon. My brain has decided ( without out my consent) that when I cross the border into Italy, I should be able to speak French in everyday life.....I don't know why it won't get with the program but...

when I cross the "frontier" ( french word for border...which I love as it makes me think of the old west)... you get going on the autostrada through the tunnel after tunnel you must go through, eventually you have to stop at an "Auto Grill" rest stop just for a break. You wander inside to maybe buy a panini ( ham and cheese on a long flat roll with no mayo or mustard that they will put in a compressor like grill to heat up and then charge you 7 euro) or a quick espresso ( rules here..ALWAYS pay first with the cashier, take the little receipt and give it to the bar man to have him make your espresso, no need to tip) and the place is filled with stuff...colorful circus like stuff...toys, chocolates, ham, clothes,...and it's always packed with yacking people. 

However, if you do anything in there that requires you to talk to anyone...

the Phenomenon occurs...

French pops out of me!...but French doesn't work and suddenly I am tied up in a knot about it...it's very frustrating fighting my brain...NO, no French! It's close to a small time warp feeling

The Italians are not keen on the French. Perhaps it dates back to back in the tribal days BC before J Caesar starting fixing that mess but I think as lot comes from WW2..

so then, I worry that they think I'm french and will give me attitude by lumping me in with the Gauls.

I never think of speaking english...it sounds odd to my ear. 

So imagine me all twisted up trying to buy something that I don't even want ( all unhealthy!).. so this time I will bring something to eat but still be able to go in to get the circus atmosphere and all of the color as it is part of the road trip for me.

( of and a further description...all kinds of people are milling about outside smoking and on their phones.)

Crazy Busy grasses...

 

Wild Gladiolas

I have only ever seen these in Europe, Mediterranean...they are on tall stems that rise above all the rest of the rabble.
 

The sky this morning..

 Looking north....clouds making shadow on this hillside.

My Icelandic Poppies

are blooming.

 

I need a little dog like this

I think she must be older...but so, so sweet! Where can I get me one. I want to adopt a senior dog...and as soon as I move...a small one....like this doggie with the expressive eyes on my friend Patricia's lap.

 

New

White Cistus

 

Install shot

Primary care department in Fremont, California. Kaiser Permanante