Our local wild chia (Salvia columbariae) is closely related to commercial chia (Salvia hispanica). It was a favoured food of the Chumash and other Native American peoples, being high in both protein and fat. The seeds were gathered in large quantities, stored and traded, then roasted and ground into flour. The seeds were also used medicinally and ceremonially. It is an annual herb, and is flowering now in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Yesterday morning in the Park, some people found a newborn gopher in the middle of a wide, well-traveled trail and didn’t know what to do with it. The blind, hairless little thing was shorter than an adult thumb. It was way too young to try to rehabilitate, so we advised them to return it close to where it was found, just in case the mama came back for it.
I’ve had the same thing happen myself, with a newborn rabbit. In both cases the mystery was how the baby got to the middle of a bare trail. Was it dropped by a bird of prey? Carried there by its mother?
Sweet little table arrangement at my birthday lunch.
It’s my birthday, and these chive flowers are all the “candles” I need.
The horseshoe-shaped mansion on the hill above Malibu lagoon and pier was previously owned by Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue, now vice-president of Equatorial Guinea. “Known for his lavish lifestyle, he has been the subject of a number of international criminal charges and sanctions for alleged embezzlement and corruption.” (source) The US Justice Department forced him to sell this property in 2016, and the sale itself is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit … but that’s another story.
The mariposa lilies are showing their pretty faces again.
Experimenting with stencils and mark-making, à la Esté MacLeod.
Our writer-naturalist-historian-artist-musician friend Suzanne just gave a presentation on the “ghost railway” of Malibu. This vase of flowers was on the coffee table in front of me at the event venue; I knew S. wouldn’t mind if I sketched it for her while listening to her excellent talk.
Lots of folks are out enjoying the State Park this weekend. We had 230 through the Visitor Center in four hours yesterday; that’s the most I’ve personally served while on duty there.
The most-asked question was: “Why can’t I get to the M*A*S*H site?” (A: The bridge across the creek was removed at the start of winter to prevent it being destroyed by flood. It’ll be re-installed soon, probably later this month. Come visit again in May!)
Around here, we lean heavily towards DIY, as opposed to hiring an expert. Mostly this means saving a lot of money. Mostly it also means that repairs take a longer time. But then, skills and knowledge are gained, so that’s a plus. And there’s the couples bonding that comes with crouching uncomfortably in tight spaces, breathing decades-old dust, barking knuckles, lifting heavy things, and solving problems.
All’s well that end’s well. We have hot water in the kitchen again!
hashiworks 