Heavenly Gaze

Summer in Felton has arrived and is in full swing. It's not as hot as in previous summers, the mornings are often cool and overcast from the movement inland of the marine layer that forms over the Pacific Ocean only 10 miles westward. Late nights can be damp from the mist that drifts upward into the coastal redwoods. Not that I am usually out and about "late night" but last night was an exception. I lugged my new telescope out to my astronomy club's prime viewing area in Bonny Doon. What an incredible display of the universe! More on that later.

In the garden, I am enjoying the fruits of my labor with delicious cherry tomatoes. These little darlings are red and sweet. I had less robust results from the lettuce I grew this year, but I do enjoy going out in the morning, picking some tender lettuce leaves and ripe tomatoes and calling it "lunch".

What a simple delight. In the evening, I use the fresh greens and tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and fresh basil drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar to make a caprese salad paired with a very tasty Cab, 2009 Joel Gott 815. Delish.
I also have a bunch of green beans that haven't produced anything to eat yet, but they sure look nice as they turn their leaves towards the sun or cup them to collect moisture. They were supposed to be bush beans, but I have discovered tendrils commingling with the neighboring blackberry bush so perhaps they have bigger aspirations.

Now to the sky... Up here in the hills, we have skunks, we have deer, we have spiders, we have birds and bees, and of course, we have trees. And the folks who go to the trouble to live here like it quiet and dark. No or very few street lights. The beauty of that is the abundance of stars that are visible on most clear nights. After years of watching them sparkle, I was compelled to go further and get a telescope. My little view of the sky from my deck rises almost directly overhead with a small V between the tall trees towards the Northeast sky. The brightest star in that V is Vega, appropriately, and it was the first star I caught in my scope. A beauty. To enrich my knowledge and viewing opportunities, I joined an astronomy club and attended my first big sky star party last night in Bonny Doon, a nearby tiny mountain town far from city lights.
The location is up a winding mountain road to the top where there is a wide open space. Clear views of the West, South and East skies offered a night sky right out of the star charts. What a treat! I'm still learning how to use the beautiful telescope that is now so treasured, but I saw Polaris, the Big Dipper and many other constellations, and got Mars and Saturn to show me their best sides. Wow. 4 hours flew by until I started to fade and drove down the winding road to home. But I shall return.

Winter Garden

Winter is a time for contemplation and reflection. The earth goes into hibernation. The plants die back into the ground and the soil goes cold. The rain breaks down the leaves, roots, stems and fruits into nutrients that are absorbed into the soil and the bugs help break them down and return them to the dirt.

Up here in the mountains, the humans take advantage of the sparse limbs to trim back the growth so that in spring, we might have a fighting chance against nature. All around there are sounds of chainsaws and trimmers during the shortened daylight. The squirrels are staying warm somewhere and are not as frequent visitors dropping onto the deck to check the birdfeeders. But skunks still wander, not as visible or as noisy as before, but the nose knows they are around. The deer are keeping still and not encountered on the roads as often, but they are around too.

While we are having a mild winter, it is still cold in the trees. But it's a nice break from last year's unyielding rain and storms. And I for one am enjoying the relief, the warm sun, and the comforting glow of my little woodstove with the sweet furry creatures I call my family, Penny and Stella. Our sweet little Blanche is still here in our hearts. And my human family is in my thoughts and heart as well. Spring will come, life will renew, and the garden will blossom again. This season is a time to rest, renew, reflect and prepare for the challenges to come.