marine mammal sightings

avocado egg rolls

A nice side to supplement our salad at Finney's Crafthouse. At the time I had never seen anything like it, but since then I've been noticing them here and there.

the lure of Lure

A memorable visit involving above-average crab cakes and key lime pie (in addition to the usual blackened salmon on caesar salad), an unusually long wait, and the surprising benefit of such a long wait.

the book of Jack Russell

This compact booklet on the same place that "Puffin Island" described (see my earlier blog) is a keeper, written by one of the tiny number of people who actually lived and worked on the island. The opening page is signed by the author and I think it's highly likely that my late aunt took the tour of the island.

The Book of Jack London

The Book of Jack London, volume II - the way it looked the day I finished the book. My intuitive decision to skip volume I and read volume II proved fruitful, as I found it entertaining and informative. I now have a pretty good handle on all things Jack London.

Bluey

I humorously thought that "Bluey" was a variety of apple. The actual variety here is "Ambrosia" - first cultivated in British Columbia in the 1990s.

morning beauty

Some mornings you wake up and, while you open the blinds, are struck by the beauty of plants and objects by the window. Then you photograph it.

Mexican marigold

On that same evening walk I encountered this exceptionally fragrant plant that, according to the info button on my camera goes by the names Mexican marigold and lemon marigold (two varieties being Tagetes tanuifolia and Tagetes lemmonii). I remembered that one of these grows in our neighborhood and that I had long hoped to identify it.

the setting sun

pink oleander

Some pink oleander I encountered on an evening walk, illuminated in the setting sun. I hadn't really thought about oleander in a long time.

new Venty Starby

We were shocked, in a good way, that the new Burger King-turned-Starbucks seems, to all appearances, to be clean, spacious and well-designed. We gave it a test run and so far it works (knock on wood).

malai kofta repeat button

This time Mrs. wore a perfectly matching shirt!

Lucky Llama plant

This interesting plant right next to us at Lucky Llama seems to be a fan aloe (Kumara plicatilis) from South Africa. This identification is courtesy the information button on my camera.

Lucky Llama revisited

We hadn't been here in a while. We discovered that this outdoor area in the back is more wind-protected and therefore a touch more pleasant that the usual outdoor seats.

Faria surf

The way the surf looked from Faria beach.

Faria picnic

Rather than settle for a "failed Faria", because it was closed that day, we tried something completely different and had a Faria picnic. It worked out well because although the owner was painting the tables, he kindly let us use one of them for our picnic.

Sea Fresh revisited

Evidently this place is a winner, pops.

a bear runs in Connecticut

From coast to coast, there's something going on with the bears this year. I don't ever remember there being so much ursine activity.

some lost short stories

Puffin Island

Sort of a children's book about two boys who visit this island with a biology teacher to study its wildlife. The territorial status of tiny Machias Seal Island is disputed between the U.S. and Canada, but the latter nation has for many years operated a lighthouse and bird sanctuary there. Puffins, razor-billed auks, Arctic terns and others use the island as a safe, predator-free breeding ground. Consequently it is a birdwatching hotspot, known to many serious birders including my late aunt to whom this book belonged.

jacaranda 2026

Full bloom in June, par usual.

malai kofta

Malai kofta is a popular North Indian dish that translates to "cream dumplings". Not everyone at our table liked the dumplings but the curry sauce is creamy and delicious. We're always on the lookout for good vegetarian options at Himalaya Fresh and this one checked all the boxes. To put it another way, "Sounds like a winner, pops".

pakora revival

As seen at Himalaya Fresh. 

CAVA revival

We first encountered CAVA a couple years ago while on a road trip through Texas and are happy to see one open in our area. This chain is the successor of the now defunct Zoe's Kitchen, which we also liked. It's healthy Mediterranean fare served up on the Chipotle model. Like the first visit, I just dove in and made my choices in a spur-of-the-moment "jazz improv" style and was happy with the results.

Clover Coffee revisited

gas prices

 

I forget the source of this graph, but I give them full credit. I'm realizing now that I had read this wrong. I thought it showed Washington state as the most expensive at $6.71, but scrutiny of the photo and the color gradient suggest it's actually $5.71 there, putting California in the top spot at $6.03.

field guide

noodle house with a view

My view while sitting inside the Ojai Noodle House. I forgot to mention that Mrs. just received a vaccine so this trip to the noodle house was intended to help offset any possible side effects.

Ojai Noodle House inside

First time eating inside and it was a different experience. It was pleasant, but in a different way. The Hibiscus & Star Anise (above) was as delicious as it was beautiful. The Bun noodles however seemed different - maybe a touch less substantial? But the added crispy tofu roll made up for that. Otherwise we were left to ponder the meaning of the word NHAU ("noodle house alternative universe"??)

toaster

Sometimes you keep the toaster but get rid of the box. But you photograph the box before getting rid of it. I must say it's a decent toaster.

a fine cup

Or, if you prefer, a fine mug.

crosswords old and new

Above, the old crosswords books, two of which are completed. I was told at Barnes & Noble that there are no more available in that series (maybe they're wrong?). Below, the ones I bought to fill the vacancy. New territory but am willing to give them a chance.