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April 22, 2009

Ode To Santa Cruz

There's a town people visit, they can't stay away.
They drive "over the hill", down to Monterey Bay.

It's a place where there's always a bit of a breeze.
Even when the rest of the West must resort to A.C.

The fog rolls in and out; it is quite a routine.
Keeping redwood trees healthy on Route 17.

It's spunky and funky, with a laid-back sort of charm.
Where you can eat a burrito as thick as your arm.

The students in school here think the trees deserve hugs.
Their mascot is infamous--the fighting banana slugs!

The locals--Well! They march to a different drummer.
You won't find many here who'll be driving those Hummers.

Head down to the wharf and stare out at the water.
That crunching you hear--it's a hungry sea otter!


The Boardwalk rollercoaster is right on the beach.
Even the surfers on Steamer's value freedom of speech.


Old Route One beckons, with its views of the coastline.
And its reminders of the big earthquake in 1989.


It's a town without nukes, where you can grow giant cukes,
It's a place people call: SANTA CRUZ.

Posted by sorsha at 6:39 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Spring Gardening Journal

I think we may have gone overboard this year... but we had a lot of old seeds from various sources to clean out of our garden drawer, and plants in the yard to move around.. and seeds we harvested from stuff we ate last year. So here are the ABCs of what we've got growing around this year that is new....

A.... avocados. At least 5 have made it through the winter in jars. We just planted them in pots with dirt. Also, trying to get some old Agrimony seed to grow.
B.... Basil, of course, and a new bleeding heart for the front door bed. Plus some blueberry bushes for the front bed as well. And beans for the veggie garden. Borage...
C.... Trying to decide if I want to plant some old red Clover seed in the garden as a green "manure" crop. Must research this further. Swiss Chard, too! and Cukes! Planted so many columbine last year (in same areas they were already thriving) I expect awesomeness this year. Two types of fast growing little carrots. Early corn. Cilantro.
D.... We transplanted a bunch of ditch lilies under our cherry tree. Maybe grow some dill for our pickling.
E.... Three more Elephant ears... hope for better results this year.
F.... Our fennel made it through the winter!
G.... Garlic! Two kinds, plus garlic chives.
H.... lots of Hosta in the yard. Need to divide it more. Also, adding more Hummingbird feeders.
I.... Impatiens, a favorite annual for borders. Got a big border box of seed.
J.... Transplanted a bunch of baby Jade plants. Some I've had since college.
K.... Not going to try Kale yet, but maybe in the fall.
L.... Lettuce! Several different kinds. Maybe this year I will be able to save some seed. I tried last year but it didn't work out. Lemon balm overwintered inside well, and thrives here.
M.... Got a border seeder for marigolds. Good for attracting bees, and keeping pests away. Trying to grow some old mint seed. The marjoram made it through the winter inside!
N.... harvested nasturtiums from our hanging planters of last year for this year. In New England, these grow like annuals, whereas in California, plant them and you'll never get rid of them! Nice, edible flowers.
O.... Onions: little red salad onions, bunching white onions...
P.... Potatoes! Shane is going to try a potato tower this year. Hot Peppers, same as last year! The peppermint made it through the winter inside! Scavenged heirloom and pie pumpkin seeds from our thanksgiving/halloween pumpkins and squashes, they just sprouted! Peas. Passionflower for a houseplant. Parsley. Pak Choi!
Q.... Well, I certainly question my sanity here.
R.... Radish!
S.... Strawberries, several different kinds. Had to take a really cute strawberry pot back to the store when I realized the glaze was not food safe (which generally means it contains lead). Spinach! Some Squash! The sage made it through the winter! Just ordered two Saskatoons!
T.... Added a few more red trillium where we know the other giant trillium is coming up in hopes of encouraging these natives. Tomatoes! Thyme.
U.... Including one Upside down tomato in a bucket-my experimental tomato!
V.... I planted violas last year. This year I've got tons of native ones, too.
W.... White onion. found some old watermelon seeds (we'll see if they germinate)
X.... Well, no X's, but I am building trellises.
Y.... updating the Yard by adding two raised beds for veggies.
Z.... Planted some bright neon green Zinnias. My favorite color. Also, a bush zucchini.

Posted by sorsha at 12:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 20, 2009

19 Ways to Slash Your Utility Bill

It's spring, a great time to putter around the house and yard, working on maintenance issues in the attic before it gets too hot and making changes you might not have been able to do in the winter.

Recently, I read this great Popular Mechanics article by Jim Gorman, entitled 19 Ways to Slash Your Utility Bill. This article is particularly powerful because it gives a cost, and how quickly the cost is recovered in turns of energy savings.

Here are some highlights from the article:

+ Unplug the beer fridge
Cost: $0 | Monthly Savings: $12.50 | Payback: Immediate

+ Seal HVAC Ducts
Cost: $40 | Monthly Savings: $9.33 | Payback: 4 months

+ Program the Thermostat
Cost: $42 | Monthly Savings: $15 | Payback: 3 months

+ Keep A/C Filters and Coils Clean
Cost: $50 | Monthly Savings: $8.33 | Payback: 6 months

+ Throttle Back Showers
Cost: $9, for two no-frills, 1.5-gal./minute heads | Monthly Savings: $15 | Payback: 3 weeks

+ Slow the Flow
Cost: $4.80 for three aerators | Monthly Savings: $0.93 | Payback: 5 months

+ Wash only full loads in dishwashers and washing machines: Save $51

+ Turn the water heater down to 120 degrees from 140: Save $22

+ Wash clothes in cold water: Save $33

+ Air-dry clothes during the warmest six months: Save $57

I do like how Gorman included electricity and water bills as part of his listing. Unfortunately, this list doesn't really help our household much, since we made these kinds of changes long ago, but I am amazed when I see how many people haven't made these types of lifestyle changes. Once you've made as many of these simple changes, then it's time for an energy audit.

Posted by sorsha at 7:26 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

April 8, 2009

Irish Rainbow

Sorry all, but I've been away for the past couple weeks, roadtripping around Ireland and celebrating a prolonged St. Patrick's Day by sampling the local Guinness and irish whiskey. Back soon!

Posted by sorsha at 6:25 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack