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| Jun | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| May | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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On the 1st, Kathy had 3 office patients. Jef walked to town & did some shopping.  After getting home - 4 miles to go shopping in town - Daisy was glad I was home On the 2nd, mostly took it easy at home - Jef did paperwork for Kathy's prior day. On the 3rd, Jef drove Kathy to MD in Escondido & stopped at fruit stand and Staters on the way home.  Sunrise this morning  We took puppies on a 2 mile walk this morning to east side of BS Road. Here is an area that is more deserty than normal  Walked by the original house Kathy got when she moved to Borrego. Kathy, btw, whined that it was too HOT this morning(high 80s)  As we reached S-2, Kathy spotted neon orange on west side of San Ysidros - poppies!   Humid enuff to really bulk up this contrail!  Flowers near Henshaw with poppy-coated mountains in background |
 Most of foreground flowers are poppies, as well      Panorama from S-2      Panorama of Borrego Valley from Crawford Overlook  |
 Rain shafts over Santa Rosas   Panorama of clouds after arriving home       Some sunset colour, but not much - not clear to the coast       On the 4th, took it easy at home as heavy winds were predicted all day, but we did get a good(measurable) rain midday! | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Apr | 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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On the 1st, mostly took it easy at home. Took Kathy to clinic & waited an hour in the car.  My dog team pulling me around the circle  View from heliport next to the clinic  Mesquite blooms On the 2nd, too windy for Kathy again, so Jef took doggies on a walk. Road maintenance got around to starting to finish resurfacing our road.  Panorama at sunrise after I took out trash  Fresh tar with lots of gravel on our road On the 3rd, walked to town to mail taxes, pick up mail, med from pharmacy, and muffins for Kathy. Otherwise, took it easy at home.  Lillies starting to bloom out front  Meter still heading south, again below 4000  Panorma of clouds at start of hike  Beavertail blooming at vacation house on Bending Elbow  For some reason they put a 2nd re-surface on Bending Elbow!  They paved over the coldenias that had broken thru prior resurfacing  Panorama at Methodist church  View coming home over the spur  This couple, apparently out-of-towners, was standing on a boulder at the old country club and seemed to be discussing what a different place Borrego is On the 4th, drove to dentist in SD for quick visit, stopped by Santee house, and did some shopping before coming home.  View from new Santa Ysabel gas station - note that it's green everywhere  Panorama of Santee living room  Looking towards hallway  Holley's old room  Guestroom - note the hole in the wall (Rob's laundry chute)  Master bedroom  Master bath  Guest bath  Back yard  Front yard   Storm clouds near Henshaw - actually got some rain!  Panorama at Crawford Overlook  Very clear, as Salton Sea easily visible  Sunset this evening  Puppies playing  Pepper puppy On the 5th, mostly took it easy at home.  Pepper puppy fetches socks... but doesn't want to part with them On the 6th, mostly took it easy at home.  We took doggies around block with 2 spurs - about a mile On the 7th, mostly took it easy at home and prepared for 5 day trip the following day.  Kathy (for 2nd time) started oven & forgot we had stored some peanuts and thawed out Cornish game hens in the oven  Most of the peanuts and the game hens were salvaged in time, however. On the 8th, Kathy worked most of the day, doing home health. After work we packed and drove to Huntington Park and spent the night with Stella, Alvaro & Holley.  Sunrise this morning  Barrel and amarylis both blooming out front  We made it to LA  Puppies made it too!  On the 9th, Kathy drove all of us to LA County offices in Norwalk & Holly + Alvaro got hitched. We took pix of this process and also got pix of the house Kathy was raised in, as well as her old high skool.  Heading to Holley & Alvaro's appointment    Stella & Kathy at the place where it happens   While paperwork was started, Stacey joined in a video call   The couple and the "gallery"  The actual event (photos not allowed, but Kathy insisted Jef take one)  Afterwards, we went to the arch where couples get photographed, but Alvaro & Holley were enamered with this...  ... jumping spider on the arch  Holley & Alvaro with the certificate  The couple with the moms  The kiss  Photos on the nearby lawn  Lots of little flowers on the lawn    Besides the bigger daisy-like flowers, there were a few non-dandelion little flowers in the lawn  These were the most noticeable flowers  Mother & son   The entire wedding party  Kathy showing Holley her grandma's house for the first time  Panorama of grandma's old neighborhood  Snapped a pic of Kathy's old high skool  Doggies in back yard    Kathy feeding doggies  Doggies in front yard   On the 10th, Jef & Kathy checked out a few possible venues for Holley's main wedding, should she ever have one. No pics from first 2, as we were unable to get in to check them out, and they were in nasty congested areas. We then checked out the lodge in Elysian Park. Dropped by Landa St. house on the way to the next venue and wound up getting tour from Jez and Phil - also meeting dad Jimmy, who was busy in new granny hut behind the house doing a remote therapy session.  Kathy had to go, so tracked down a bathroom at a Food 4 Less, where I noticed that portable security trailers are in use in a lot of areas in LA  Poor guy probably thinking "why am I in smell-A?"  This art piece building(intersection of Echo Park and Sunset) was a drug store when I was young, catty corner is still a dry cleaners(was Hollyway Cleaners when I was young), BofA is still there,but the Pioneer Market is gone  Scott Avenue entrance to Dodger Stadium  At bottom of Boylston St. is one of my old school chum's house(Raymond Petty)  Mom's old house completely redone(1610 N Boylston)
 Parking area    Jef & Kathy  Interior  Connector from main building to outdoor area  Water falling into duck pond  Panorama of outdoor area  Kathy walking from lodge to outdoor area   Fountain in pond  Dropoff point for guests who don't want to walk uphill from parking area  Looking towards parking area  Arriving at 1964 Landa  Kathy heading up   The hand rails are gone  Panorama at garage level  Panorama at garage roof level  Now a structure(playhouse?) on the garage roof   Jes giving us a brief tour - note the missing walls!  The old laundry room now has a breakfast nook!  New kitchen countertop. Phil says nothing has gone to waste & dad's fancy woodwork has been redistributed around the house  Now an open staircase  Living room is now bright with windows open!  Note that dad "signed the house" - this beam had been hidden behind lowered tile ceiling(now removed)  Grandpa Jimmy's work room - he was doing a remote therapy session at the time, explaining why the "on air" light was on outside the granny shack  With windows open, dad's terrace art can be seen from inside the house  Big windows open again  Front door replaced with a glass door for even more light!   Phil pointing out the missing blackberry vines  No more blackberry vines!    Jimmy finished his session & came down to say hi  Kathy talking with Jes & Phil  Heading back to the car  Tex's old house across the street
 Kathy walking to the entrance  Main hall for any event  Kathy in main courtyard     View of main courtyard from small bar  The small bar  |
   Main entrance  We left and came by the next day for a tour  Some parts of the city are pretty dirty  Kathy at home feeding doggies On the 11th, Jef & Kathy checked out a few more possible venues for Holley's main wedding & Kathy determined her favourite. We had to negotiate rush hour traffic to get back home, and we did our last minute shopping for bridal shower the following day.  Back at the LA River Complex: San Fernando Courtyard - some events could be done on this lawn, but this courtyard gets some heavy duty freeway noise  Gina was our tourguide for this venue  The big bar  View of main courtyard from other side - the giant chiminea behind the guy walking is the wood fireplace available to us 
 Kathy in the banquet hall  Sample table setting and 15' diagonal LED display - Kathy talking to Gor, our guide  Looking from banquet hall across entry hall to the courtyard  Grand entry hall  Outdoor courtyard panorama  VIP area panorama(oops, mangled Gor and Kathy)  You must take this staircase from courtyard to go up a flight to get to this VIP area  Panorama men's bathroom  Panorama ladie's bathroom  Even fancy overhead lighting in bathrooms  Toilet in ladie's bathroom  VIP section in banquet hall(across from stage)  A more complete example of how all tables appear at the start of festivities  Sample chandelier  Dancing area  Panorama of entire banquet hall  We found parking in residential area a couple blocks away  Cool little houses in this area  We drove off with a lot of flower petals on our car  Kathy getting cards, bridal party gift, and other supplies for big party tomorrow On the 12th, Kathy was too tired to continue checking out wedding venues, and Holley, Alvaro & Stella were too busy prepping for party this afternoon, so declined to participate. We enjoyed a great catered party this evening with about 70 in attendance.  Set up before guests arrived for bridal shower  Ready for guests   Party starting before everyone arrives  Most people here now  Yan, at left is the neighbor who sat at our table - a Vietnamese chemical engineer who left Vietnam for Japan, working there for 10 years, before coming to US. Couldn't get engineering job here, but lucked into position at the main LA library when it was seeking translators who spoke Vietnamese and Japanese - they got a "2-fer" with Yan! He worked there for 33 years before retiring  Party was catered by Carnicerķa La Potosina   I estimated around 70 people showed up   Getting ready for pix with shower gifts nearby  Groom & bride    Sun getting low    Couple with Holley's proud mother     Kathy paid for the cake     The secretary of Belmont Hi Skool & daugter came later and also sat at our table - she had that position for 37 years and was nearing retirement     Alvaro & Holley later this evening - not cold enuff for a jacket for most of us   An announcement of fireworks got some of us to go in back  We were in an alley between a big strip mall and some houses  Fireworks were powerful enuff to trip car alarms on the other side of these stores!  Just a little smokey afterwards  About to head back to party  These 2 were both headed for University of CA after this summer - I think one at least was going to UCR         The couple with the other side of the family (Stella & her beau)    Freddy's a bit taller than these 2       Dancing commencing     Kathy traditionally dances with Holley at weddings!     We cleaned up most of the tables after the party was winding down  A more intimate setting    Concha   Modelo levitating in mid air???  On the 13th, we packed and Jef drove back to Borrego. Kathy was not feeling well, so took medications to prevent car-sickness & pain, so shortly after arriving home, she laid down and slept 12 hours straight.  Gifts were not opened until following morning  On the 14th, Jef drove Kathy to get a PET scan in Indian Wells, had some sushi (as Kathy had missed dinner & couldn't eat prior to PET scan, so was starving afterwards), and then did some shopping before we got home.  Sunrise this morning    Snow on Gorgonio from Indian Wells  As Kathy couldn't eat before PET scan, she was starving so afterwards we dined nearby at Dragon Sushi    Paloverdes still going full blast in Borrego  At the library  A 5 magniture earthquake had hit when we were driving to Palm Springs area  A picture frame leaning against wall had come down in earthquake, causing destruction of at least one knick-knack - a candleholder given us as a wedding present by Kathy's cousin John - later we found a piece of another important knick-knack On the 15th, Kathy went back to work, working a full day.  Paloverdes still going crazy  On the 16th, Jef drove Kathy to vet surgery place in SD, to get suggestions on what to do with deformed left front leg on Pepper. Vet suggested seeing how she did on our trip up north this summer. If we think it should be fixed, cost is about $6K plus whatever 8 weeks of followup dressing changes would cost. Problems might include Pepper coming down hard and breaking the fix before it is healed.  Saw this huge crane over Clairemont Mesa as we drove off from the vet  Ceanothus blooming at the base of Iron Mtn  With Kathy driving, Jef snapped pix on the way home  Taking Old Julian detour to avoid Ramona rush hour, we drove by a free-range egg ranch    Nearing Old Julian Hwy  Fancy houses near Hwy 78  Starting on Old Julian Hwy  Field of African daisies   Driving by Camel Ranch  Now on Hwy 78  Trumpers fruit stand  Windy-windies  By Santa Ysabel Preserve, note the oaks are blooming  Green meadow just before Santa Ysabel  Approaching Dudleys On the 17th, another windy day with Kathy working the whole day. On the 18th, another windy day. Jef walked doggies about 1 mile around the circle & did chores at home.  Pepper is just too enthusiastic when Kathy comes home!  Paloverde at the Mall with clouds by Toro Peak  The library |
 Jef drove the truck today On the 19th, Jef made deviled eggs for the next day, Easter.  Easter Bunny about to make an egg-hiding run On the 20th, met John in Glorietta & we had a potluck with about 12. Had an egg hunt, but only Joseph participated as his brother had no interest. Went on 2 mile hike with Dave.  We set up Easter potluck 100 yards downwash from usual spot, as it was occupied  Creosote and ocotillo were blooming   Joseph playing one-armed golf, as his good arm is in a caste  There were about 9 of us at this point, as Joe and David had not yet arrived  Tied puppies to the ice chest for most of the party  12 in this pic, means there must have been at least 14 total(Jef & Joseph off-camera)    David watching as Joseph finds Easter eggs    Joseph finds a basket of chocolate eggs!    Another successful desert potluck for John. Lorraine, I suspect, was an agent for the Easter Bunny     Dave wanted to go on a hike, so we walked up to the pass - about a 2 mile round trip hike   One of Dave's friends had no idea what an ocotillo was, so one of his tasks on the hike was to get pix of ocotillos  Old guy on the left had to insist Dave slow down going up the steep inclines  Some barrels were also blooming   Dave about 5 minutes before we hit the end of the road  Back at camp - Joe & friend had already left  John, Terry, Bobby, Lorraine & John   Puppies spent most of time on short leashes, as they wrapped leashes around chairs  Joseph jumping out of Jeep  Joseph was not an angel - just ask Kathy   Golfing in Glorietta  John spent the whole time playing with his teency cars  Quick way to cook marshmallows for s'mores    Looking towards Salton Sea   After David left, camp is smaller  Took doggies on a little walk before we left  We were last to leave right behind John(at right) On the 21st, drove Kathy to MD appt. in Rancho Mirage & did a little shopping before driving home. On the 22nd, a full day for Kathy. Jef did chores around the house. On the 23rd, drove Kathy to MD appt. in Palm Desert, got gas and drove straigh home. We both mostly slept the rest of the day.  Mesquite pollen drifts On the 24th, Kathy was not feeling well, but went to work anyway.  Did some trimming of dead paloverde at Sewanee house  Paloverde still going strong at the Mall  Allergic reaction to bandaide adhesive after Kathy got mauled by Pepper puppy  Kathy pushed herself & walked dogs for a mile around the circle  Meter definitely heading south  On the 25th, as Kathy was spending most of the time in bed & we had too much wind for her, Jef decided to go on an ambitious hike from the house to Hellhole Canyon - doing 10 miles in 4 hours - but as he didn't stretch beforehand, he was in pain the last half of the hike.  Headed up the first tributary to main wash behind the old country club  A rugged route with boulders, dry waterfalls & vegetation, but no big problem  A couple bones from a small mammal  Hornblende is one of the kinds of rocks in this wash  As I neared the top, started to see the San Ysidros  One of only 2 plants blooming in the 1/2 mile trek up this wash - this is a windmill (other was a trixis)  Webo Peak became visible  This small barrel cactus had fallen onto my route  Nearing the top of the wash  Reached S-22  After crossing road, found Surprise Canyon rim trail & followed it  About to drop down to Hellhole trailhead  Hellhole trailhead  "They didn't bring enough water" monument  One of 2 hikers 1 minute ahead of me for the 2 miles I hiked up this trail - Flatcat Canyon is straight ahead  Hikers still just ahead of me as I reached the outskirts of the oasis  Not sure, but this could be a goldeneye bloom  Apricot mallow bloom next to first sycamore  Sycamore with flowers in foreground  Yerba Santa blooms  Turnaround point at elevation 1600' and 4.5 miles into hike (took flatter but longer return route)  As I went several minutes into the grove before reaching my 2 hour limit, still in the oasis for the first few minutes of my return  Panorma - left is Borrego Valley, right is up canyon  Borrego Valley in distance  The mortero on the trail  Last few palms  Back to sycamore signifying the edge of the oasis  Past the oasis  Even 1 cholla flower was blooming  Noticed sandstorm blowing from Rockhouse as I was 20 minutes from home  Paloverde doing great - note palms being blown by the wind - I wasn't the only one  At home - more then 10 miles in just over 4 hours  1100' elevation gain On the 26th, mostly took it easy at home.  Despite the wind and cold, Kathy persevered and walked the dogs around the circle  While Kathy & Kym worked in back yard, Kym mentioned there was a rainbow - here it is above the house  It had been sprinkling just before this  Rainbow can still be seen faintly on the left On the 27th, mostly took it easy at home again.  The rat that has been terrorizing the house for the past few weeks, apparently, finally ate one of the several poison cubed it had cached, and is here on it's deathbed - threw it in front yard after this  Did some shopping & took this panorama at the Mall  About half an hour after I tossed rat in this area, I went to take a pic, but only a blood trail was here  I think these are raven tracks by the nearly dead rat & blood was caused by rat putting up a little fight before being flown away On the 28th, Jef decided to walk on ridge behind old country club, doing a 4 mile hike.  Meter still heading south  Approximate route of hike after passing old country club  From first pass, much of water tank trail is visible  At 2nd peak, elevation 910'  Near end of route up ridge and S-22 is now visible  Looking towards Hellhole trailhead - this is where the finale of a DiCaprio movie was filmed last year  Turnaround point of hike  Multiply by 2 to get distance for hike  Unusual vantage of grade where part is below and part above. This is a mark of Zorro, and is the "windy-windys" of the grade.  Panorama - left is upper part of ridge and right is lower part  You can see the Surprise Canyon rim trail behind this truck   As I was about to enter a long flat area, wasn't paying much attention to footing, and slipped & fell on my butt, arm & hand - here's the area of slippage and injury to my thumb   Enuff flat area on this mesa for a small village!  Crypto-gramic crust    This looks like it might be used to have a register(cursory exam found none, so it might no longer)   Flat areas of this rim have trails - might be old indian trails  Possible sleeping circle on last peak before the old country club  Arriving back to old country club  Summary of hike after reaching home  Elevation history of hike  Kathy harvested these carrots from our raised gardens this afternoon  Night light might have made one of the fiddleleafs scary big!  On the 29th, Kathy went back to work for a fairly short day. We actually had enuff rain to get back patio wet this afternoon!  Paloverde still going strong  Only clouds mid-day these days vs. at sunrise or sunset On the 30th, did some chores around the house. Kathy went to lunch at Red O with Kym.  Possibly a native bee in cactus flower in front patio  Kathy harvesting hot peppers from pots in front patio  Meter still heading south  Looks like dust column in center of pic - perhaps a distant dust devil | |||||||||||||||||||||
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3Q'25