Four-leaf Clover Day
It might have been a good omen this AM when I took head out of paper and found myself agog over aerial shots of the Cliffs of Moher (sp?) in County Clare, Ireland, courtesy of the schlocky "Where is Matt Lauer" schtick on the Today show. In general, I work hard to deny the presence of the show during breakfast, wholly disgusted with the pretense of newscasting and the personality cult stuff.
But that scenery was quite beguiling.
Work and the paper are commonly less than that, so 700' cliffs and soaring seabirds definitely got my attention.
But it never fails to brighten my way and bring a grin to my day when I can as today route my lunchtime walk by way of The Laughing Buddha. "Tattoos and Piercing" reads the top of the sandwich board, with "Branding and Scarification" at the bottom. Everything you might want in one small shop!
And today there was the extra fillip of discovering that the largest Dove Tree (syn: Handkerchief Tree, Davidia involucrata) I know of is loaded with flowers this year and at the peak of bloom. This is a beguiling tree, with flowers that include large white bracts a la dogwood only larger, and dark center. Truly stunning.
And on the home front, I felt favored by visit from White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows, both in terrific color. More jaded birders resident at this address say these are "common," but as for me it was terrific, especially with Pine Sisken mixed in amongst them. And then there was the mini-flock of Goldfinches, three electric yellow males and a female, who hung around and entertained during dinner prep. I missed the Bewick's Wren, but then I am the old hand on that one, having tracked it through raspberry patch a couple weeks back.
Just to top it off, my rhubarb crisp is just starting to put our that savory aroma.
And we have veto #2 for savour.
But that scenery was quite beguiling.
Work and the paper are commonly less than that, so 700' cliffs and soaring seabirds definitely got my attention.
But it never fails to brighten my way and bring a grin to my day when I can as today route my lunchtime walk by way of The Laughing Buddha. "Tattoos and Piercing" reads the top of the sandwich board, with "Branding and Scarification" at the bottom. Everything you might want in one small shop!
And today there was the extra fillip of discovering that the largest Dove Tree (syn: Handkerchief Tree, Davidia involucrata) I know of is loaded with flowers this year and at the peak of bloom. This is a beguiling tree, with flowers that include large white bracts a la dogwood only larger, and dark center. Truly stunning.
And on the home front, I felt favored by visit from White-crowned and Golden-crowned Sparrows, both in terrific color. More jaded birders resident at this address say these are "common," but as for me it was terrific, especially with Pine Sisken mixed in amongst them. And then there was the mini-flock of Goldfinches, three electric yellow males and a female, who hung around and entertained during dinner prep. I missed the Bewick's Wren, but then I am the old hand on that one, having tracked it through raspberry patch a couple weeks back.
Just to top it off, my rhubarb crisp is just starting to put our that savory aroma.
And we have veto #2 for savour.
posted by Sir Gumbo at 9:46 PM
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