Lizard Tail

 Lizard Tail

Lizard  Tail: photo by Cliff Hutson

Lizard Tail (Anemopsis californica) is also known as Yerba Mansa. Yerba, is Spanish for herb. Some say that mansa is the feminine form of the Spanish word manso meaning tame, tranquil or calm. But, as the plant has none of these effects, the best translation is probably “soft herb”. The common name Lizard Tail derives from its family name  - Saururaceae. It is the only member of that family native to California.

What looks like a flower is actually a succession of bracts which sit below a petal-less flower with six stamens and an inconspicuous pistil. 

The plant flourishes in very wet soil or shallow water. Thus, today, it is much used as an excellent plant for water features in home landscaping. It can be planted in the water or along moist edges and will trail down along rock faces or fountain edges. 

However, it may be said that it better known for its medicinal uses.  Native peoples from the coastal Chumash to the desert Shoshone have used yerba mansa as an anesthetic and antiseptic for a very long time. Its dried roots, ground into a powder, are used to relieve sore throats Yerba mansa is used as an antimicrobial, an antibacterial, and to treat vaginal candidiasis. It has been used to treat colds, coughs, asthma, kidney problems, and venereal disease.

NOTE: This post is an examination of traditional medicinal use of a plant. It is intended for cultural and environmental education purposes only, and should not be taken as medical advice.

Another Birthday and an Anniversary

The Birthday

Cafe 1919 Margarita: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am taking a rest day by reposting a story from five years ago. But, first an explanation.

Yesterday was my birthday; in way of celebration my daughter, my son, and I met in the morning at The Huntington for a few hours of walking through the gardens, followed by drinks and lunch at the 1919 Cafe. It was a wonderful time for me as it had been well over a year since we last saw each other in person.

But, the upshot of it is that I am stiff and sore today from what was a proverbial stroll in the park. That is quite a contrast to the way I remember feeling after the excursion I took for my 16th birthday. I have assuredly lost a step (or more).

The Anniversary

So, this weekend is the sixtieth anniversary of my oldest brother and I summiting Mt. Whitney. Here is the rest of the story:

Mt. Whitney Summit - 1962

This past weekend marks the fifty-fifth anniversary of my summiting Mt. Whitney, with Loncy, my oldest brother. It was his idea that we should do this to celebrate my sixteenth birthday.

Neither of us had ever backpacked prior to this. Although, he had done a stint in the army, so he had some experience with bivouacking. Also, we were both in good physical condition - he from his job, and me from my participation on high school sports teams - so we gave no thought to training.The whole trip was put together in a couple of weeks.

We obtained most of our equipment from the Army Navy surplus store at the Sunset Junction (which still seems to be there in some iteration, imagine that). The main purchases were knapsacks, Army canteens - which included a cup which could be used for cooking, and a foldable Stereo stove on which to cook. Loncy also bought a sleeping bag. But, I had my Mom make mine out of a wool blanket based on a design from a  card found in a box of Nabisco shredded wheat. Our food supplies were just things from the local market.

I have read that, nowadays, each year 19,000 people now attempt to climb Mt. Whitney from the east. We saw only about 10 - 12 (most of whom were very surprised to see us) over the duration of our trip. We spent one night at Whitney Portal.The next day we hit the trail and hiked to Mirror Lake and overnighted in the open. The follow morning, we summited and walked down to the base camp by late afternoon.

It was a great way to spend a birthday, and a trip that I shall always remember. 

The Bear Flag

 Remembrance of Animals Past

Bear Flag: photo by Cliff Hutson

The California grizzly bear (Ursus arctos californicus) is the official state mammal of California. However, the only grizzlies left in the state are on our State flag, t-shirts, and coffee mugs. The last one is said to have been killed in 1920 in the western San Fernando Valley, though accounts vary.

 The "Bear Flag" became the official state flag in 1911. It is based on the banner of the short lived (about three weeks) Bear Flag Republic which was formed when American settlers wrestled the area from Mexico during what is known as the Bear Flag Revolt. 

Reading Log: July 2022

The books I finished reading in July 2022

July 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Loving Day," Mat Johnson

"Perchance to Dream," Robert B. Parker

"Land of Sunshine: An Environmental History of Los Angeles," William Deverell and Greg Hise 

"Double Indemnity," James M. Cain

"One-Shot Harry," Gary Phillips

Cliff's Notes

Double Indemnity: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Loving Day"

We have, through out our lives received countless messages about which categories we belong to, or don’t. This informs how we tend to view the entire social world and our place in it. This book asks the question — "Why are you calling yourself black and not biracial? " 

The novel's title obviously refers to Loving Day, when the U.S. Supreme Court nullified bans on interracial marriage. Baz Dreisinger has described it as "a semi-autobiographical" "extended literary metaphor about race and mixed-race in America." 

Certainly, if any of my friends were to read it they would have a greater insight into my life, which can be viewed as partly truth and partly fiction.

"Perchance to Dream"

This title is a literary reference — to Hamlet's famous soliloquy which begins "To be or not to be",  But, rather than a contemplation of suicide, it is a clever sequel to "The Big Sleep" by Raymond Chandler. 

It is my opinion that Parker does a much better job of emulating Chandler in this volume than he did in "Poodle Springs." I very much enjoyed it.

"Land of Sunshine"

The title of this book also harkens back to a prior publication. As the full title implies, the book is an exhaustive look at the environmental history of greater Los Angeles from ancient times to the very recent past. Which is to say that it provides a framework to examine where the city started and how it got to where it is today.

It drags a bit in parts, but rather than just reading what I thought would be the sections that held the most interest for me going in, I read the entire book.

"Double Indemnity"

First published in 1935, or 1943 depending on your source, this novel is probably the exemplar of noir fiction. One review says that it is  — "Tautly narrated and excruciatingly suspenseful, Double Indemnity gives us an X-ray view of guilt, of duplicity, and of the kind of obsessive, loveless love that devastates everything it touches." I can't put it better than that, so I won't try.

The 1944 film of the same name, whose adaption was co-written by Raymond Chandler and Billy Wilder,  is one of my all time favorites.  The book and the film are both excellent in their own right. I can't recommend them highly enough.

"One-Shot Harry"

Gary Phillips has been a writer for thirty years, but this book is my first exposure to him. I like on several levels. First of all it is about a photographer and is well written, the suspense keeps drawing the reader along. Secondly, it is set in Los Angeles. during the time I was there in my teens. I know well many of the places to which the plot takes us. Phillips also captures the essence of the ubiquitous racism that permeated the LAPD under the leadership of chief William H. Parker. So, not only is it a good crime story, it provides a bit of history that many people are unaware of or have chosen to ignore.

National Sandwich Month

 A Month of Sandwiches

Langer's #19: photo by Cliff Hutson

National Sandwich Month is observed each year in August.  It can be a good excuse to to go exploring for something new and different, or to fall back on an old favorite. And, they can be be found for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a quick, nutritious, and tasty meal.

What is a Sandwich?

Bologna & Cheese. Sandwich: photo by Cliff Hutson

A sandwich is typically thought of as two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between. However, many are willing to broaden the definition as illustrated in this Sandwich Alignment Chart.

Wet Chile Verde Burrito: photo by Cliff Hutson

Thus one could say that a burrito is a sandwich. I tend not to agree with this. This is especially true when I think of a "wet burrito" that has to be eaten with a knife and fork. It is my opinion, though I may be wrong, that a sandwich should be handholdable. (Yes, I do know that many burritos, hot dogs, and their kin can be handheld.)

Cheeseburger in Paradise: photo by Cliff Hutson

But, Wikipedia informs us that in Britain, the British Sandwich Association defines a sandwich as "any form of bread with a filling, generally assembled cold". This definition would include wraps, but clearly exclude burgers.

Tony's Famous French Dip: photo by Cliff Hutson

Then again, I strongly consider that hot pastrami makes a wonderful sandwich. And, tonight's dinner will probably be a ham and cheese melt. So, at bottom, if you want to call your meal a sandwich I am in no position to argue. 

My Favorite Sandwich

Tuna & Avocado Sandwich: photo by Cliff Hutson

Oddly enough, when I combed through my image files I found that I do not have one of my favorite sandwich. That would be the BLT. So, above we have my second favorite - tuna. I make and/or eat these in many configurations. But, as I write this on July 31st I should get extra credit for this photo as it is National Avocado Day.