05 April 2008

Soft Velvet to Rock Hard

Health update: My allergist says I don't need another round of allergy shots! Hurray. Just need to keep to my Cinderella duties and groom the cats regularly. My allergies are more subdued than we both thought from my bronchitis attack earlier this week. The Nebulizer machine finally arrived at my home and the treatment does help my breathing. If you recall a scene from the movie "Blue Velvet", Dennis Hopper was breathing through a mask in his intense scene; that is what it looks like when taking one of those nebulizer treatments.


Here is what you all missed on our Poppy field visit. My friend Camille drove up from OC the night before so we can meet up with Nancie before we hit the high desert Poppy Reserve. Unfortunately, we missed Sandy and Preita joining us today. Sandy wasn't feeling well still and Preita had a job committment. I can relate to both instances so there will be another poppy run later this month or early in May.


It was very windy so we felt like sails trying to walk through the trails of the reserve. But the beautiful velvety petals of the sprinkled poppies made it worth the trip. There was an interpretive center where we had a momentary shelter from the winds to view artists impressions of the California wildflowers. They had a natural habitat exhibit of the wildlife and a short film of the environment's beauty.


Once we had enough sand and wind blowing through our sinuses, we proceeded to drive back via route 14. I exited Aqua Dulce to visit the Vasquez Rocks park. They film a lot in this park; you may recognize some scenes from the old Star Trek episodes when you drive through the place.

If you look closely, you can see the people at the very top tip of this rock formation that looks like a shipwreck.



These rock formations are absolutely surreal standing upward from the ground!




We could have used a shelter like this in the poppy field.

03 April 2008

Reptile Sitings & Succulents

Ok...I forgot to include the 2 lizards from our hike last Sunday. Beautiful red spots on this one



Then there was this handsome one with green spots. I think he was checking me out while taking the photo.





I am always facinated by the wall of succulents. Chalk Live-Forevers growing in this one wall - love the rosette formations.

Another Walk in the Park

Being on a home vacation has certainly made me conscious of many things:
1. I am allergic to cats, dogs, horses 4+++ to the point of near status asthmaticus in my home yesterday after wiping down and vacuuming everything possible that would have flying cat dander. I will NOT give up my girls! I have to sacrifice my life to Cinderella-hood to keep my environment clean as possible. This includes a weekly grooming of the cat dander and house cleaning :(
Otherwise, I am living with a companion now called the nebulize machine. One step toward a respirator (ventilator) if I am hospitalized for any chest trauma or cardiac surgery. This is a result of my childhood viral pneumonia - my respiratory immunities are shot!

2. Because of resurfaced allergies, I am destined to go for another round of allergy testing and therapy with my allergist who scolded me for getting cats in my house again. The idea of purchasing the 'Grand Feline Hotel' business (cat kennel in Ojai) is out of the question if I have to maintain the environment of 2 cats. Being around up to 40 will kill me.

3. I updated my ravelry account with the photos of finished projects; a bit delinquent in that area. Being bedridden for #1 above has helped me advance on the Charlotte's Web and Clapotis shawls. Not that I am asking for this situation at all.

Before my big asthma event, I hiked with Lisa, Beck and Terry last Sunday capturing cool pictures of nature.
From the book of "Flowering Plants" this blossom is on the Mexcian Elderberry bush. The fruit is a blueberry eaten by Indians. They made a soothing tea from the dry blossoms for fevers and spread it on sprains and itches.

Wild Cucumber: trailing vine from a huge fleshy root with long stalked leaves.The bright green fruit has several 'handsome' seeds inside. California Indians made necklaces out of those seeds.






Hummingbord Sage:







Fuschia-Flowered Gooseberry (couldn't get as close for a good picture)


If anyone knows what flowering plant this is, please let me know while I persuse through the book. I love the bright red coloring!



Coming back from the hike the sunlight was just right filtering through the trees onto the ground ferns.