Earth Day

 April 22 is Earth Day

Mountain Majesty: photo by Cliff Hutson

We should honor the earth everyday, but today marks an annual event founded by people who hoped to stir activism to clean up and preserve our planet. This year's theme, "Planet vs. Plastics", further aims to raise awareness of the harms of plastic pollution for human and planetary health.

Words to Live By

Earth Day 2014: photo by Cliff Hutson

I make the attempt anyway. One goal of life is to live in harmony with nature.

California Native Plant Week

 An eight day week!

Coast Live Oak: photo by Cliff Hutson

Once again it is California Native Week. This year it runs from April 13 to April 20. That is eight days, perhaps inspired by the Beatles' song. Anyway, in 2010, the California legislature designated the third week of April to be California Native Plant week, so this is the perfect time to take a moment to appreciate the beauty and diversity of California’s native flora. 

Favorites

Monkey Flower: photo by Cliff Hutson

I was just recently asked what was my favorite native California plant. That is a very hard choice that I found hard to limit to just one. But, to narrow it down, my favorite tree would be the Coast Live Oak (see up top).

Tidy Tips: photo by Cliff Hutson

There is a draw for favorite wildflower between Monkey Flower (Mimulus) and Tidy Tips. The former because it was the plant that led to my 26 year stint as a "nature interpreter" at a botanic garden. [A long story best left for another time.] The latter  because a photograph I took of one was published as my first (and so far only) magazine cover. I consider that to be the high water mark of nearly a lifetime spent as a photographer. 

But, catch me during another week and I might have different answers.

Success or Failure

 DIY

Epic Fail: photo by Cliff Hutson

It has been said that whether you are good at a task or not is beside the point. If you try more things you go to bed smarter than when you got up that morning.

On the other hand, a Nobel laureate has told us -

" . . . there's no success like failure

And that failure's no success at all"

But, let us not forget the wisdom in:

"Do… or do not. There is no try."

Feeling the Rain

Gray skies are gonna clear up

Raindrops on Freesia: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Some people feel the rain; others just get wet.” - Bob Marley

While I attribute the above quote to late, great reggae singer, Bob Dylan and Roger Miller have also been given credit. I am going to stick with Marley.

I have griped about rainy days in the past. But, I understand that, in life, feeling the rain allows me to appreciate the sunshine. Which I feel is the point of the quote.

International Waffle Day

I don't make this stuff up . . .

Belgian Waffles: photo by Cliff Hutson

. . . and if I have a photo I am going to run. with it.

A fairly reputable source says that waffles are from Sweden and led to March 25th being International Waffle Day. I can't argue with that, but the only waffles I have ever encountered are "American" and "Belgian".

Something a Bit Different

 

BBQ Ribs and Waffles: photo by Cliff Hutson

Most people in America have heard of chicken and waffles, if not having actually eaten them. Riffing on that, one night I made barbecued ribs and waffles. I am probably not the first, so I am not going to trademark it or anything.

Irish Soda Bread

 Perfect for St. Patrick’s Day (and Any Other Day)

Yesterday was Saint Patrick's Day which gave me an excuse to dig into my Irish heritage and live it up a little. One manifestation of this was going to the local farmers market and buying an Irish Soda Bread.

Soda bread is an Irish tradition that can be eaten any day of the year. But, here in the USA it is mostly baked in droves in the lead up to Saint Patrick’s Day and seldom seen outside of that window of time.

While the traditional recipe calls for just four ingredients - soft wheat flour, salt, baking soda and sour milk (buttermilk is more commonly used today), Americanized Irish soda bread adds sugar and is filled with raisins or currants and caraway seeds. Sometimes, it is almost cake-like.

The loaf I picked up is clearly from the latter school. It is large enough that I will be eating it for several days. I like it heated and spread with butter - Kerrygold, of course.

There is one more Irish inspired indulgence that I did not exercise yesterday. That is having a Guinness Float. I intend to rectify that this afternoon. 

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission. 

National Napping Day

March 11, 2024, is National Napping Day

Power Napping: photo by Cliff Hutson

The day after the day we change to Daylight Saving Time (DST) has been designated as National Napping Day since 1999. The impetus was due to the belief that that most people are tired and sleep deprived after moving the clock up an hour. 

Taking a nap today is supposed to help you recuperate from the “spring forward.” 

. 

Reading Log: February 2024

 The books that I finished reading in the month of February 2024

February 2024 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"The Left Hand of Darkness," Ursula K. Le Guin

"A People's Guide to Orange County," Gustavo Arellano et al.

"Bombs Away: The Story of a Bomber Team," John Steinbeck

"Lives of Weeds: Opportunism, Resistance, Folly," John Cardina 

Cliff's Notes

"Darkness"

A story based on the proposition that truth is a matter of the imagination. And, science fiction is a genre that allows one to imagine that things can be very different. Most current reviews stress that this book is a study of gender, However, it also speaks to government, psychology, sociology, and human emotions. I highly recommend it.

"Orange County"

I grew up in Southern California during a time when Orange County was known as a land of oranges, oil, and opportunity for white people. This explains how and why it was, and is, much more than that. 

"Bombs Away"

Watching "Masters of the Air" reminded me of this book on the shelf with my collection of Steinbeck works from the Penguin Classics series, which I read quite a few years ago. So, I took it out and reread it.

Written in the early days of World War II, it is a description of how the U.S. Army Air Force recruited and developed a bomber team. It also describes the two planes that they would be flying. Reading it in conjunction with watching the streaming series gives one more insight into role that each crew member fills and the capabilities of the Boeing B-17. (This plane is also known as the Flying Fortress, but I notice that show usual just refers to it as a "Fort".)

Some refer to this work as a piece of propaganda, however I see it as worthy bit of journalism. It is not of the caliber of his novels, but is well worth reading as a part of history.

"Weeds"

Some, unnamed, history professor supposedly suggested that some kinds of problems could be fixed by understanding how they came to be. This book informs us that if there is going to agriculture, there are going to be weeds. This book explains why that is and how we might come to terms with that.

Reading Log: 2023

 A Year of Books

Books From My Past: photo by Cliff Hutson

The past year was a slow one in terms of the number of books that I read, a total of a mere fifty. This paled in comparison to local writer David Allen who's total was 63 books: 33 fiction, 30 nonfiction. However, I’m apparently in the top 1% of people in the USA as a reader of 50 books or more. So, I seem to be noteworthy after all.

The reader of this blog will already have noted that each month I post a "log" of the books I read in the prior month. What follows is a unified list:

1. "Zone One," Colson Whitehead 
2. "Dignity," Ken Layne
3. "Reminiscences of a Stock Operator," Edwin Lefèvre 
4. "The Old Gringo," Carlos Fuentes 
5. "Sea of Tranquility," Emily St. John Mandel
6. "The Plot," Jean Hanff Korelitz 
7. "Gaia," James Lovelock
8. "The Big Ones: How Natural Disasters Have Shaped Us," Dr. Lucy Jones
9. "The Afrominimalist's Guide to Living with Less,' Christine Platt
10. "The Forgotten Man." Robert Crais
11. "Racing the Light," Robert Crais
12. "Baseline Road," Orlando Davidson
13. "Myth America," edited by Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer
14. "Rugby for Dummies," Mathew Brown, Patrick Guthrie, Greg Growden 
15. "The Unknown American Exodus," Natalie Goodrich Amato 
16. "The Moving Target," Ross Macdonald
17. "No Plan B," Lee Child and Andrew Child
18. "Picnic in the Ruins," Todd Robert Petersen 
19. "Swamp Story," Dave Barry
20. "The Drowning Pool," Ross Macdonald
21. "Soccer for Dummies," Tom Dunmore and Scott Murray
22. "Chasing Giants," Zeb Hogan and Stefan Lovgren 
23. "Clean," James Hamblin 
24. "The Empty Copper Sea," John D. MacDonald
25. "Righteous Prey," John Sandford
26. "Black in White Space," Elijah Anderson
27. "IQ," Joe Ide
28. "The Green Ripper," John D. MacDonald
29. "Free Fall in Crimson," John D. MacDonald
30. "Cinnamon Skin,"  John D. MacDonald
31. "The Lonely Silver Rain,"  John D. MacDonald
32. "Harlem Shuffle," Colson Whitehead
33. "The History of White People," Nell Irvin Painter
34. "The Complete Guide to Mysterious Beings," John A. Keel
35. "Crook Manifesto," Colson Whitehead
36. "Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law," Mary Roach
37. "Judgement Prey," John Sandford
38. "Naming Nature: The Clash Between Instinct and Science," Carol Kaesuk Yoon
39. "War and Peace and War: The Rise and Fall of Empires," Peter Turchin
40. "The Ninth Inning," A.J. Stewart
41. "Big Thaw," A.J. Stewart
42. "Devil's Backbone," A.J. Stewart
43. "Below the Belt," A.J. Stewart
44. "Making the Drop,"  A.J. Stewart
45. "Chasing the Ghost Bear: on the Trail of America's Lost Super Beast," Mike Stark
46. "The Gods of Guilt," Michael Connelly
47. "True West: Myth and Mending on the Far Side of America," Betsy Gaines Quammen
48. "Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains," Bethany Brookshire
49. "Hondo," Louis L'Amour 
50. "Out There: The Science Behind Sci-Fi Film and TV," Ariel Waldman 

How was your own year in reading? What are your reading goals for 2024? Comment if you like. I'm listening.

 

Presidents' Day

Or,  Washington's and Lincoln's Birthday

Flag with Cat: photo by Cliff Hutson

I am more than old enough to remember when most of the USA celebrated two separate presidential birthdays  -  Abraham Lincoln's on February 12 and George Washington's on February 22. Nowadays, the third Monday of the month is a day to honor one or the other, both, and/or any other president. 

Additionally, it seems that some of the traditional observances have fallen by the wayside. No longer do we hear much talk of splitting rails or honesty. Nor, are there as many sales on cherry pies. I might miss that the most. 

Cherry Pie: photo by Cliff Hutson

Supper Bowl

 A Bowl Day, a Slow Day

It should be no surprise to my faithful reader that I sometimes have trouble arriving at at idea for for something to post for this little weekly blog. This weekend was no exception.  I spent yesterday immersed in a combined celebration of the Lunar New Year and Super Bowl Sunday. So, that gave me a reason to procrastinate. 

This morning the muse was still not with me. Then I discovered that today is National Football Hangover Day. But, that led nowhere as I don't have a photograph that could do justice to that topic. However, turning to my online subscription to The Guardian I found this amusing, bowl related, article.

Emma Beddington may be a bit over the top. I have never been to Sweetgreen, there isn't one close to me. But, a quick search showed that the one near my granddaughter's new apartment actually has plates on its menu. However, I also searched my archive of food photography and found that I frequently turn to bowls in my own cooking.

So, here is a random selection of bowls, super or not:

By the way, I was satisfied with the outcome of yesterday's game.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Reading Log: January 2024

 The books that I finished reading in the month of January 2024:

January 2024 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"The Hammer of God," Arthur C. Clark

"My Gun Has Bullets," Lee Goldberg

"Dead Space," Lee Goldberg

Cliff's Notes

"Hammer"

An amateur astronomer discovers an asteroid that is on a collision course with earth. Then the race is on to see if disaster can be averted.

An interesting point is made that a willingness to accept risk is what makes life worthwhile. 

"Gun"

A Beverly Hills police officer is shot by the star of a popular TV show, during a routine traffic stop. The studio buys his silence by making him the star of his own program. Murder, mayhem, and some hilarity ensue.

"Space"

A sequel, of sorts, to "My Gun Has Bullets". Charlie Willis has abandoned his acting career to handle "special security" for the studio. It is not quite as entertaining, in my humble opinion. However, it does provide an interesting look behind the scenes of the network television industry. 

The Lassie House

Is Timmy in the well?

The Lassie House: photo by Cliff Hutson

The Lassie House, located in Pomona, California, is the childhood home of Jon Provost, famously known as Timmy, from the television series "Lassie".

Built on 1/2 acre, in 1897 (or 1900 - sources vary), the house is an historic landmark and is said to be one of the largest and most beautiful homes in Pomona. It has under gone renovation over the years. The above photograph shows how it looks today, after work completed in 2018. It would have been quite different when the child actor lived there.  I can say that with a lot of confidence because I first encountered it about 35 years ago. Back then, it had a fence and hedge around it. While it was difficult to to get a good look at, one could tell that it was painted white and was tatty looking.

The new owners, one of whom is the president/founder of a construction company that specializes in historic restoration, certainly improved upon the property. Some of the changes were quite extensive. One example is the addition of a well - which actually seems to be a fountain.

Lassie House Well: photo by Cliff Hutson

I guess this was done in recognition of the popular belief that Timmy at least once fell down a well and his faithful collie fetched rescuers to save him from his predicament.  However, even though Provost titled his 2007 memoir "Timmy’s in the Well" he points out Timmy never once, in the show’s 571 episodes, fell in a well.

 

A Rainy Day and a Monday

Talking to my cat and feeling old:

The astute reader of this blog might have realized that I often borrow from song titles, or lyrics, for the titles of my photographs and topics. Today underscores that. We have  had several days of rain and today is a Monday. And, I am down.

The rain is appreciated as I live in a state that has recently experienced a. spate of droughts. But, I used to the dry weather and the recent series of storms makes me realize that I would probably not do very well in the PNW or similar climes. 

Raindrops: photo by Cliff Hutson

But, this has presented some interesting opportunities for photos. The grey skies allow me to experiment with different lighting than I am used to, venturing no further than my patio. 

Rainy Day #12 or #35: photo by Cliff Hutson

Even when the raindrops keep falling on my head.

More Raindrops: photo by Cliff Hutson

MLK Jr. Day / National Hat Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the third Monday of January each year.

I an no more optimistic about his legacy than I was last year.

National Hat Day

Can a man have too many hats?

Probably, I have  plenty anyway and it is hard to pick a favorite. So, in celebration of  National Hat Day this January 15 I herein share a small sample.

All writing and images ©Cliff Hutson unless expressly noted. Do not use without permission.

Reading Log: December 2023

The books that I finished reading in the month of December 2023: 

December 2023 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"True West: Myth and Mending on the Far Side of America," Betsy Gaines Quammen

"Pests: How Humans Create Animal Villains," Bethany Brookshire

"Hondo," Louis L'Amour 

"Out There: The Science Behind Sci-Fi Film and TV," Ariel Waldman 

Cliff's Notes

"True West"

I was very disappointed in this book, thinking that it would contain more history than personal stories. The author maintains, based on her personal experiences, that America can be brought together if we meet our fellow Americans where they are.

That may be easy for a well to do, somewhat noted, white woman to say. It is not so practical in a land where a service station in Arizona refused to sell me gas, or where my wife were seated in a restaurant in Idaho Falls but never served. 

She does write well though.

"Pests"

"Pests are what happens when we think that we've got nature all figured out, and nature decides to give us the finger."

This was both an entertaining and informative read.

"Hondo"

My newspaper of record recently devoted several paragraphs to a discussion of the movie of the same title and the novel as they both mention a local community - San Dimas. I decided to watch the movie and then read the book, which was based on the movie rather than the usual sequence. They were both pretty darn good. Each in its own way.

See how they differed was illuminating. A novelist can use extensive character description and metaphors.  A screenplay has to solve the problem of how to put necessary information in to the mouths of characters whereas a novel can just tell the reader about it.  

So, at bottom, I will say that I enjoyed the book more. Mostly because it gave me some leeway to enjoy the landscape as it were, rather than have it relegated to the background as I keep an eye on the actors. But, let me go on record as saying that I will never give up one form for the other.

"Out There"

Another enjoyable read. But, then I seem to have an inborn fascination with the juxtaposition between science fiction and real science. I came of age during a time when many of the things first hinted at in books and movies became (more or less) actual technological advances. This book limns the way real life and science fiction may intersect. 

Bonne année!

 

Happy New Year!

Dogwood: photo by Cliff Hutson

Wishing you a happy New Year, filled with peace, love and joy!

I am resolving to get up early and go outside.