more Spain

Bird banding - an excellent class, the guides set up nets and caught 6 birds; logged them and checked banding or, for new birds, banded them.

Next: Roman ruins on the beach!

Southern Spain for a Change

Southern Spain was beautiful. See just how beautiful. For instance, that's the "rock" of Gibraltar in the background! And the 12-year-old mosque built for I don't know how many Euros on a prime waterfront lot!! The 2 bodies of water: the Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar.

The barbary apes on Gibraltar are an amazing experience...

Feet on holiday in the beautiful city of Ronda:

Reading while touring:

Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri

The Namesake, by Jhumpa Lahiri

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, by Lisa See

Highly recommended!!

Reading for growth

Well, growth and relaxation!
Growth:
1) "Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?": A Psychologist Explains the Development of Racial Identity (Paperback) by Beverly Daniel Tatum
2) La Nueva California: Latinos in the Golden State (Paperback) by David Hayes-Bautista (Author) "THE NARRATIVE OF THIS BOOK BEGINS IN 1940, when Latinos were a small minority and lacked political representation or public voice in California.

Relaxation:
Just One Look by Harlen Coben

Which leads to . . .

Vacation:
http://www.ebd.csic.es/
Elderhostel Trip to southern España --
Here, where Europe greets Africa, nature and history have combined to create a land of great fascination and beauty. Andalucia’s coast is embraced by the Atlantic and Mediterrean -- separated from Morocco by the Straits of Gibralter -- with Portugal to the west, Castilla-LaMancha and Sierra Morena to the north, and Murcia to the east. As we walk, we discover the flora, fauna, and geology of natural parks with ecosystems that have been little altered by man. We also learn about the rich human heritage and art of this autonomous region at the southern tip of Spain. Distance/Time: 4-8 miles per day, 3-5 hours per day. Terrain: paths and mountain trails uphill and downhill over mixed terrain. Ascents/Descents: 500'-1,000' over two miles.

Birding in Andalucia May 07

Preparing for the May journey to southern Spain - walking and birding. nuff said!

Well, I can say more - or quote, as follows:

Itinerary: Arrivals Málaga, coach to Sierra de las Nieves Nature Park, 2 nights; coach to Alcornocales Nature Park, 2 nights; coach to Straits of Gibraltar, 4 nights; coach to Doñana National Park, 4 nights; coach to Seville, 1 night; departures Seville.

New Roommate

Meet Monchito - my new roomie!

Alex found Klaus, now renamed Moncho, at the Oakland SPCA yesterday -- what cutie!!

I'm out of town and just heard the good news -- can hardly wait to meet the new boy!

Betcha can't say "no" to Aunt Julia!

Aunt Julia had the force with her ... and brought the family together in Jan 2007.

Two new foster kittens!

2 cute new foster kittens! They're both black/white. Difference; one has a black mustache! so soft and affectionate!

New Year's Readings

In addition to constant knitting, have squeezed in some good reading over the holiday...you just HAVE to do something while riding BART, although so many folks are staring into space,well... Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Odichie is a must-read. Just finished her first novel, Purple Hibiscus. Excellent!!

Birds Galore!

The winter birding is wonderful along the Pacific Flyway.

December, 2007, at the Cosumnes River Preserve
black shouldered kite, meadowlark, black-neck stilt, say's phoebe, long-billed curlew, tundra swan, house finch, swallows, some kind of sandpipers, northern harrier, Great blue heron, Egret, American Coot, Hawk,Red-tail, Kestrel, Turkey vulture, Yellow warbler, Ducks, American white pelicans, Sandhill cranes, Crows, Red-winged blackbirds.

cleopatra

Cleopatra helped me with picture-taking today ... as I was taking Ebay fotos, she stayed close by. She's whining ... desperate that one of the 3 humans around should open a can of food for her. Ahhhhh....the whining stopped...I guess someone complied with her noisy request.

Foster Kittens

Alex volunteered to be foster mom for 5 kittens from a Berkeley animal shelter. So, after a couple days corralled in the bathroom, I opened up my bedroom to them. Plenty of room to stretch! They're delightful. We now have only 2 kittens left, Torti and Snowball. Word is that a number of folks saw the Craigslist ad and most likely these little critters will be adopted out this weekend!

I will miss them. Well, job well done. Looking forward to another litter after the new year.

NYC November 2006

4-day weekend in NYC. Beautiful sunny days were my reward. As always, had a yarn emergency - thank goodness for the Yarn Co. @ 79th & Broadway! They always come through for me!
The leaves were turning colors.
It wouldn't be a Carla trip if there weren't travelin'feet! So...here you see us walking through town.

Business in Guad

Short business trip to Guad. Visited with family on Sunday. This morning walked around the hotel neighborhood and had breakfast at La Chata Restaurant. Good trad mex food.

Hotel Morales is a good one. Very comfy and the staff are helpful and cordial.
Check it out here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g150798-d582442-r5806690-Hotel_Morales-Guadalajara_Central_Mexico_and_Gulf_Coast.html

On to the meeting now.

La memoria es como el mal amigo; cuando más falta te hace, te falla

Today is a day for wandering thoughts:

Lovely song -- "Mala Memoria" por Jose Zamacona

When I saw the quote above, it immediately resonated with me!! Cure for failing memory: Complete 3 crosswords per day.

I bet following a knitting pattern is an aid to memory, too. Stimulates the brain cells.

Going east

Preparing for a trip to DC next week. Hit Nordstrom Rack. Being on vacation is a wonderful, scary feeling. Because I'm spending a few days vacationing at home. Not travelling. That's scary, something I'm not used to. But, there are so many things to do, including waking up & getting dressed whenever I want.

I made my nail appointment at 11am, so I wouldn't have to rush to get up. But, since I was up at 7am, after all, I happened to hit the Nordstrom Rack @ 8am for their early morning sale. Ah...when was the last time I got some quality shopping in? Very nice, to be there first thing...with only a few other shoppers!! Who knows...maybe Macy's will get a visit tomorrow!! And, maybe I'll be able to check out fall styles in DC and New York next week!

how to cope with distressing?

I AM DISTRESSED . . . worried about a work issue, dismayed at a home issue . . . I've got this nifty cd staring at me -- so, what to do? Exercise is a sure cure. Even if it's short-term, it's better than this icky feeling!

15 minute workouts "cardio" by, who else: McDonalds!!!!!! Will march away those worries. Or maybe color my hair and then go for a bike ride when the sun tips below the horizon.

Must finish this weekends reading also:

Floaters by Joseph Wambaugh. Good, clean murder mystery! (See "Current Reading" below, on the right, for links.

Have you read this one yet? Noted on the New York Times Book Magazine "Notable Books"

Outside Passage - A Memoir of an Alaskan Childhood by Julia Scully

Sacramento Jazz Jubilee 2006

Workin' the Jubilee this weekend with Anastacia. Last nite's zydeco sets were rockin'! Tonite? The Blues ... all over Old Sacramento. Want to see this New Orleans group, new to Sacto Jazz Jubilee, group: Bonerama from New Orleans.

tijuana...on business

Tijuana -- I've been to Tijuana twice on business -- in about 2 months time. Aaaaahhhh....that's a nice thing. Seafood...good people...it's good to get to the border again. Even a day trip is a good feeling. I got caught up with the new Restaurants in the Zona Rio Tijuana. We went to Saverio's or something like that.

Since my next vacation will be in September 06, I need a little R&R, even if it's a dinner -- after a day of meetings! For the first time in approx. 25 years, I walked across the border back to the U.S. The woman driving has one of those commuter passes -- only the person holding the pass may cross in the car. And, knowing how loooooong "la linea" is, we jumped out and walked across while she got in the "short" commuter line. A very pleasant trip. *sigh* Hope to be back real soon!

one beautiful sunny day...today

The sun finally shone through today...ah, it's a beautiful day!!
In spite of the beauty, your elected officials are embarking on an ugly
course of action. It's HR4557 or some such...the immigration bill.
Just say NO to idiocy!! Don't get me started.

I'm going to find a book and read it.

LONG WEEKEND

What a nice long weekend. Got a kick in the pants from Anastacia, to get working on my projects! Continued working on the Flying Geese crocheted afghan. Going to start on the one-skein scarf with beaded tassels. Thank you, mi hijita.