the november report or agnes versus the squirrels

 Aesculus california has been a favorite plant of mine to propagate, perhaps because it requires very little work other than collecting the seed pods. I have two favorite spots, Devil's Gulch at Samuel P Taylor State Park and at White House Pool alongside Lagunitas Creek. It's a wonderful excuse for a trip to west Marin. This year was a very special one in that my next door gave me three pods from a tree growing in his front yard, one of my children, and I am now attempting to propagate my buckeye grandchildren. So this is where Agnes and the squirrels do battle. Evidently squirrels are the only animal which can eat these buckeye pods without ill effect. In past years I have a couple gone missing. Not this year!

 

Last Thursday morning when we left to go grocery shopping I noticed several missing pods. By the time we returned home, complete carnage. Fortunately I managed to secure the grandchildren before they disappeared as well. My neighbor reported they stole all of his that he trying to propagate.

 

 

This prompted a return trip to collect more. And further protective measures. And we even bought sunflower seeds to feed our begging squirrel friend who finds us on the back porch, but I have to maintain my vigilance against thievery. Stay tuned for further reports.

the october report

As the yard turns it's fall colors, nicely washed by the atmospheric river I think the month began a day earlier on September 30 when I met a unicorn on the ferry. I was introduced to Uni by a fellow passenger who asked if I would like to meet her. My new friend led Uni over to me and asked if I would like to pet her. Of course. After being told of the very soft fur, the rainbow tail and the silver boots I realized who I was meeting. When asked if I see her, I replied yes. Because, I quote Antoine de Saint-Exupery "One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes". I've tried to keep the magical vision in my heart. And so the month of October started with baseball, another slight quilt change, and proceeded to go by with rain, high surf, and an early celebration of Diwali.

I decided flying geese were appropriate for the fall.

Point Lobos on October 26th

Wishing all a celebration of light over darkness.