(I was looking for an old cartoon we haven’t seen in a while when I ran up on this post, from four years ago this month. I figured I’d share the entire post with you and give you an update: the olive trees didn’t make it. The olive trees didn’t nearly make it.)
Tonight, we’re supposed to get the coolest weather of the season so far in my neck of the woods. It might frost, which would be about on schedule. Remember the olive trees? They’ll be facing their first winter outdoors. I think if they survive a couple of winters, they’ll have a chance. The problem with where I live in Zone 8 (Refer to the above link for a refresher in all that.) is that many tropical and sub-tropical plants—citrus plants for example—would thrive year-round 99 percent of the time, but sooner or later will come that two or three days in winter when the temperature hovers near zero. Then, it’s game-over for many plants that may have been perfectly happy for years. Olive trees could be another example. I’ll keep you posted.
198 responses to “Olive Pits”
Peregrines nest here in warmer weather, and sometimes es gibt lots of sea birds, but the scenery itself is a treat. Peace,
https://explore.org/livecams/falcons/peregrine-falcon-anacapa
Privies are archaeological gold mines. More often porcelain mines, and also pollen mines, if the privy itself decays in time for windblown pollen to blow in. One of BSU’s prize biology grads became a Ph.D. ethnobotanist, who specialized in studying pollen at Paleoindian sites. Died young [45-50ish, scleroderma; nasty disease]. An exam rm. in our new cancer unit w/b named in her memory. Girders going up currently.
Peace,
Trip to Tulsa to see the plastic surgeon today had mixed results; we thought, based on decreased output the last couple of days, Jackie would get her two chest tubes pulled. Oddly, one of the drains got very active while she was showering this morning, so that one has to in stay until at least Monday. But the other drain is gone, and we will take any progress we can get.
We got to talk to one of the younger office nurses, a really sweetie and easy to look at, as well. We were talking about procedures, and she volunteered that she’d had some cosmetic work done herself. Not too surprising for someone working for a cosmetic surgeon, but it was so well done that even the Mark I Calibrated Ghostly Eyeball could not tell for sure before she said. Her boss is a real artist.
Last night, Jackie prepared a large pot of yellow split-pea soup (and you may have thought all split-peas were green) and refrigerated it for our evening meal tonight. It was made from Polish sausage and a ham hock and lots of chopped fresh veggies and various seasonings. I decided the only thing that might improve that was a loaf of rustic beer bread, which I proceeded to bake.* The combination worked. And the leftover bread will be used for French toast with fresh strawberries tomorrow morning.
*Jackie just advised me she posted a photo of the loaf of beer bread on Book of Face, and it is apparently garnering a number of favorable comments. So if any of you FBers want to see it…
The pickup of the new CPAP machine provided a bit of pleasant scenery as well. The respiratory tech was quite attractive, dark red hair and green eyes. And the new machine will be a huge improvement over the old one I’ve been using. Smaller, quieter and smarter. Sends usage information, etc, to the VA via cell signal so they can track my progress and call me in for adjustments.
https://scontent-dft4-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22196205_1660778050639476_4329538852137313293_n.jpg?oh=e754150c69e9b2f233ed7883f7e7fd9e&oe=5A419B8A
Ghost likes soups as much as I do. We have amazingly similar tastes in almost everything. He read off his list of soup
Recipes and just so varied. I want to eat the turnip one.
His bread was delicious.
Split peas come in oranges, reds, black, browns and dozens of shades. Play important role in Indian cookery and that region.
Ghost: a little dill seed is good in beer bread and might have gone well with that soup.
RA I second that
I also like a few Dill Seed when boiling rice.
GM Debbe & Mizz Charlotte
Mark:
My old machine was making noise, so they came out and replaced it. However I saved the old machine and last year when I went to Mackinac Island, several people took the wrong machine from the ferry boat we were on, so I used the old machine for several days until I got mine back.
My machine has me use the water reservoir, which is like a built in humidifier, which really helps as my sinus don’t act up as much. Keeping it clean is critical. Sorry to those who don’t use the machine as you probably get sick of us talking about it.
Reticulated giraffe, oxpeckers. Gazelles at adjacent sites. Peace,
https://explore.org/livecams/african-wildlife/african-watering-hole-animal-camera
Reminds me of Tom Lehrer’s ‘Fight fiercely, Harvard.’
http://www.gocomics.com/shoe
Peace,
Buncha hippos at that first site now.
Thanks, Jackie: https://scontent-dft4-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22196142_1509285615803468_6570135191279226494_n.jpg?oh=3a373e58be6c1dd9e877fefa8a16689c&oe=5A440D27
And a cat funny for Debbe: https://scontent-dft4-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/22154276_1819140691468237_8294738515327026760_n.jpg?oh=be9396b0d2ba81f8dc1956ac25676ec9&oe=5A831490
Where are you, anyway?
Elephants
https://explore.org/livecams/african-wildlife/african-watering-hole-animal-camera
Jackie, I like most soups, but have never cared for split pea. It could be that the first split pea soup I had was just poorly made and I am letting that color my thinking. One of these days I might wander out your way and you and Ghost Sweetie can show me the error of my thinking.
I don’t think I am a Grammar Nazi, but certain errors irritate me, especially when I hear them on NPR. Yesterday’s offerings within ten minutes:
None are…
There has been three elections…
There is many reasons…
Rick, the grammar error that bothers me most, especially with NPR, is the confusion over the use of “and I” and “and me.” Given that the former can be reduced to “we” and the latter to “us,” well, it really grates on my ears.
https://scontent-dft4-3.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/14581400_1133934033338630_2035347528077137659_n.jpg?oh=0af725f6e1931eafb0d56136938ddbf9&oe=5A78D2EE
Now I am thinking of making BLT soup which I have not made in decades or eaten but was wonderful. I will look for recipe.
Another I love is stuffed pepper soup which is what it sounds like, green or colored peppers, ground meat, rice, onions, tomatoes.
It is officially fall but still hot here. Still, one thinks of autumnal offerings. I took out two beautiful pork chops and I am thinking maple glazed with apple nut compote on side with sweet potatoes baked.
Speaking of delicious things, my MBH found – a few days ago – a box of my favorite Claxton fruitcake in the freezer! I suppose it has been there since last Christmas, but that is fine with me. Said cake will not live to see suppertime…. YUM!
FRUITCAKE!!!!!
yum 🙂
Split pea soup (Momma’s recipe)….. bag of green split peas. Big pot of water. Heat. Too thin! Add instant potatoes. Hmmm perhaps too thick now? Add water. Too thin? Add more instant potatoes…and repeat water/potatoes several times more. Don’t add salt. Perhaps add a lot of pepper. No other seasonings or vegetables. (Do NOT let this cool in the pot unless the pot is no longer required)