January 23rd: Some fun

It's hard to believe we're approaching the end of January. The weather has been a little erratic. Typically in January the temperatures run in the low sixties during the day and 40's at night. That's the way the year started. I actually enjoy walking the beach when it's windy. The waves are fun and if the tide is just right the waves retreating over the millions of stones make a really cool sound. 

I looked at the ocean out my window one morning and saw what looked like the rain that was predicted. Hmmm! Should I chance it? Why not, I've been wet before. I did put my phone in a plastic bag just in case. 

It worked out well. The waves were just right hitting the rocks so I was able to get a couple good videos. (Make sure your volume is up.)

It was only 55 degrees so I did not want to get my shoes wet. Here's a good wave dodging video!

I was finally able to get a good video of my favorite little birds, sanderlings, running in and out with the waves to catch a small meal. I love watching them run.

I had some buttermilk left from our New Year's turkey brining so we decided we might as well use it to do a chicken. This time I spatchcocked it. (Cut the back bone out so it will lay flat and roast better.) It turned out great. It's the only way to roast a chicken. 

I woke up one morning to what sounded like more construction, or I should say destruction. I looked out my balcony doors and there were a couple little bulldozers with claw like attachments tearing down a building in the back yard of the house across the alley. The yard was very overgrown, and there was also an old concrete fence being knocked down. I wondered if the house was going also. Then I noticed a painter painting the trim on the house, obviously just the yard and building were being demolished.

I was impressed at how quickly they worked. By the afternoon, there was just a big pile of rubble in the middle of the back yard. Several large dump trucks came through the alley, were loaded up and by the end of the second day everything was cleaned up. That was Friday so I wondered what was next and if they'd work Saturday. At 7:30 am I had the answer. Fortunately I was already awake. This time it was the roofers. It was 80 degrees and had to be very hot but they just kept going. They had the old roof torn off by the end of the day, and a conveyor dropped all the new roofing materials on the roof. There were also a couple guys with a chain saw working on the palm tree. I was afraid they were going to cut it down. It's a very nice tree and that would have been sad. They just did a nice job trimming it. 

Sunday morning the crew showed back up and installed most of the new roof. Monday morning they finished it and trucks hauled away the rest of the debris. These guys really work hard. Made me tired just watching. It was fun to watch the project move along so efficiently. It looks really nice. Quite an improvement.

Thinking about trees, tree trimming is different here. The trees in this picture are quite popular here and when they trim them, everything green gets cut off for the winter. Even the branches. They look very strange. But when the branches start growing again they fill out quickly.

Wendy and I finally got around to the swing project. A while ago we had noticed it getting rusty. So Wendy bought some purple paint to fix it up. Then we kind of forgot about it. A few days ago, as I was enjoying the swing, I noticed the rust was increasing. I suggested it was time and Wendy agreed.

My job was taking the swing apart and preparation. Wendy is a more patient painter so that was her job. Then of course we both put the swing back together. 

It turned out great! I'm wondering if stickers will start appearing.

I've enjoyed watching the full moon come up. The timing and location are perfect for viewing from my balcony. There is little humidity so the sky is very clear and I can see many stars in spite of light pollution.

Rebecca sent me a very cool photo. It's definitely blog worthy! I just try to get a clear picture of a bird! Talk about persistence!

Speaking of bird pictures, I still keep trying to get good pictures of the birds at the San Elijo Lagoon. I was able to get this one of a Snowy Egret, but it was all hunched down. 

Then I finally found a way to include the birds of the Lagoon. Turns out they had some nice pictures outside the visitor center. I've seen all the birds pictured here plus others. I really should get a pair of binoculars because the lagoon is very wide and the birds tend to keep their distance.

December 1st

My yucca plant at the lagoon continues to open. I didn't realize how far out the blooms would extend. I'm curious to see if more will open all the way down the stem.

January 5th

January 20th

I estimate the height to be 12 - 15 feet tall. It's very impressive.

It's fun to see the variety old cars here near the beach. I was able to get a picture of this classic at Swami's. Surfboards and all.

Classic Corvair

Another fun vehicle comes with a story. I went for a walk to Moonlight Beach and was crossing the road at a four way stop. In the middle of the road I found a set of car keys with the electronic key fob. I knew someone would be looking for them. Fortunately, there was a tag on them that said Encinitas Auto Repair with a phone number. I called and told them I found the keys in the middle of the road. The serviceman said he'd looked everywhere for the keys. He was only a few blocks away so he happily came to retrieve them in this old classic Corvair. It is apparently his pride and joy. He intends to convert it to electric!

Cheryl often entertains me with funny cartoons, etc. She is the one sending the minions. Here are a
couple well worth sharing.