Some things change quickly, other things, not so much

Worm or beetle – drought or tempest – on a farmer’s land may fall, Each is loaded full o’ ruin, but a mortgage beats ’em all. ~ Will Carleton (1845 – 1912) American poet Two months ago I took a picture of a newly tilled field, hoping to show the progress of it over time. …

Change happens

“There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction” ~ Winston Churchill  As I wrote previously, the blossom season for almonds is very short.  A week ago, it looked like a snowfall. This morning, it is already greening.   You can also see that the farmer mowed the greenery between the trees…

Making money in a tough economy

“Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’” ~ Robin Williams Out in the country, you can see these guys about every 5 miles.  They usually sell locally grown fruit at a small discount.  They also prepackage some yummy fresh fruit with lemon juice and hot sauce, good on a hot day – you can see…

Brangus Beef ?

The feeling of friendship is like that of being comfortably filled with roast beef; love, like being enlivened with champagne.  ~ Samuel Johnson (1709-1784), English author When I first moved to the country, this hay barn’s lettering mystified me.  That is, until I looked up “brangus.”  As it turns out, a Brangus is a breed of…

Death is real, and your car is dangerous

Recklessness is a species of crime and should be so regarded on our streets and highways.  ~ Marlen E. Pew This marker is out on Hwy J17 between Patterson and Turlock, CA.  I stopped here, and at the marker to the right with my daughter.  Not sure why, just sharing the real world with her,…

Dating is fun, especially when your date is your daughter

A son is a son till he takes him a wife, a daughter is a daughter all of her life.  ~ Irish Saying This is my sweet daughter, age 6, looking at the concession stand at the movies, already donning her 3D glasses for our viewing of Alice in Wonderland (which was pretty good, 3.5/5…

Storms make nice skies

 "A storm in a cream bowl." ~ James Butler, first Duke of Ormonde  Spring is here in California, but the rain storms of winter (that's how it works here) are still rolling through. But winter is vanquished!  Thank God for spring.  Here's a couple shots near Hwy 580 and Patterson Pass Road (seen in second…

More orchard petal snow

The almond blossoms look so much like snow.  Nice, and right off the side of the road on my way to work.

Top of the Altamont Pass

“Never measure the height of a mountain until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was.” ~ Dag Hammarskjold, Swedish Statesman Larry did an excellent panorama, and this is my first attempt at one using a couple of photos.  I don’t think I’ve outdone him, but for many of us, this…

An emotional banana

“My baby is freckled and sweet, just like a perfect banana.” From my never published country song of the same name. I just found out that you can draw with a sharp object on a banana skin, and a few minutes later, it shows up in stark relief.  I can’t wait to show my kids.