Coyote passing through

Just about noon today, I was in the back room chastising Little One for laying around in the house on such a beautiful day, when I spotted a shape just behind the stone wall and to the left of Sophia's gap. I had my computer glasses on, but I realized it must be the coyote. I ran for my camera, but s/he had moved on by the time I got back, so this was the only photo I got.

I hope Little One keeps a wary eye out when she's wandering. She doesn't seem to go far when her human (PopPop) isn't out, but she does sometimes hang around behind the stone wall. We've already lost two cats to the coyotes, I don't want to lose anyone else.

I still haven't seen a Baltimore Oriole, but I swear I've been hearing one for the last couple of days. In fact, I think I hear one now…

edit: 5/1 - finally spotted the Oriole!

Hummers are back!

I got an email from someone at the Audubon Society yesterday, asking about one of my sightings. I thought I had seen a Yellow Warbler, and they wanted to verify that, since it was two weeks earlier than anyone else. Turned out it was a Pine Warbler - I had managed to snap a quick photo and they were able to tell me positively that it was an adult male Pine Warbler. Of course, they were right, I hadn't even thought about a Pine Warbler, d'oh.

However, a few minutes before the email came, I happened to spot what looked like a hummingbird at the top of the redbud tree. It seemed quite dark with a white throat, and I wasn't sure what it was. It sure flew off like a hummingbird. The Audobon guy said he thought it was probably a male Ruby-throat that I had seen at an odd angle, so I didn't get any color but did see the white throat.

Once again, he was right. On the off chance that the hummers were back early, I put up two of my feeders, and the little guy was just here! He's a gorgeous, brilliantly colored male. I didn't get a chance to get a photo, but there's no doubt now — the hummers have returned!

The Big Apple with YP

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When the Elder Pea went to the Keys with Queenee and PopPop a few weeks ago, the Younger Pea was in school. This week was Spring vacation, so YP and I spent yesterday in NYC, just tooling around and being touristas. She was there as a wee child, but I hoped she'd get a kick out of revisiting some of the spots she doesn't remember having seen when she was only about two years old.

We got up early and took the Bolt Bus out of South Station. Our driver, Bill, decided to go to Manhattan via Queens and Brooklyn and the midtown tunnel, and we were on 34th Street before noon. We walked to and through Penn Station (used the facilities), got our subway day tickets, and headed out.

First stop was actually the first stop, 42nd Street. YP got a quick look at Times Square and the amazing video displays that are on so many of the buildings. She saw where the ball drops on New Year's Eve, and had a look up and down Broadway. Then it was back on the subway and we were off to Central Park and the Central Park Zoo.

From the corner of 59th and Fifth Avenue, you can see the Plaza Hotel, the horse carriages, and of course, the lower East corner of Central Park. The tulips are in bloom and there were a lot of people just out enjoying the day, along with lots of birds and brown squirrels. The Zoo is a short walk into the park. It's a very small zoo, only five acres, well suited for young children and very different (and much improved) from what I remember a few decades ago. The animals have more natural habitats now, and there are very few big animals. There is a pair of sea lions who perform, a pair of polar bears (they could use a bigger pool), and a pair of snow leopards who are on vacation elsewhere while their habitat is being upgraded. Most of the other animals are much smaller. We saw the red panda, who will be getting a mate in about a month. There is a family of snow monkeys, lemurs, marmosets and tamarinds, lots of snakes and lizards, and a pretty impressive tropical forest house, which is essentially an aviary. The birds are gorgeous and plentiful and fly all around you. YP spotted a bright green gecko and a couple of fruit bats, but we never did see the tamandua, the mouse deer or the two-toed sloth. Still, very cool.

From the zoo we walked over to Lexington Avenue, crossing Madison and Park Avenues. Since we were right there, we decided to do a quick tour of the first floor of Bloomingdale's. This too has changed. There used to be women's clothing and accoutrements, but now the whole floor is perfume and makeup, with the men's neckties and smells department over to one side. Still, YP has seen Bloomies! We took the subway to Grand Central Station and went up to the main terminal so YP could have a look. The restoration was completed a while ago and the station looks great. Then we went downstairs and got grilled sandwiches for lunch, saving half for the bus ride home.

Back on the subway and down to Spring Street. I used to spend an inordinate amount of time in SoHo fifteen years or so ago. The area from Houston to Canal Street and between 6th and Broadway was art gallery central, but they've mostly moved up to the meat-packing district and I didn't see any galleries on our walk across Spring Street. We dashed in and out of Kate's Paperie, which now seems geared toward wealthy scrapbookers and brides-to-be. The wonderful art papers are gone. Crossing Broadway we saw a busker selling soap bubble guns. Naturally I had to have one. But our real destination on Spring Street was Evolution, which is just as I remember, full of bones and skeletons and stuffed heads and bugs. It's an interesting little shop, almost a tiny natural history museum, and I was sure YP would enjoy seeing their wares. We could have gone wild buying stuff, but settled for t-shirts.

Another subway ride up to 34th Street and the Empire State Building. Every time I go there, something has changed. The security line is long, but unavoidable. When I went through the metal detector, I told the man that I would set the machine off, and of course I did. I also told him it was my knee, and he was prepared to let me go right through without checking. Fortunately, his supervisor was there, and I guess he figured I was a willing subject, so he told the guy to scan me anyway. He still didn't get it, so I assumed the position and his supervisor told him, NO, you have to scan her properly. Finally he did a cursory job and the supervisor shook his head and let me go. I hope he reams that guy for not doing his job.

Anyway, after security, we were able to avoid the ticket line, but there was the omnipresent photo op. I'm getting really tired of these things. We went through that at the zoo also, but at least there they didn't have you cornered against a screen. Neither of us were interested in having a completely unrealistic photo of us floating in front of the ESB, so we pretended to be with the French family of four that was in front of us. After they had their photo taken, we slipped through with them. Then it was yet another line for the elevators. By the time we got upstairs, we only had about 15-20 minutes before we needed to start down again. But YP did get to see the city from the 86th floor and the weather was clear so she could see quite a distance. She saw the Statue of Liberty and where the WTC towers once stood. She saw Central Park, the Chrysler Building and the immensity of Macy's. We even got some free cat food from the Science Diet folks before we went up.

The line to come back down was as long as the line to go up and I was getting worried that we'd miss the bus. We bought drinks and then skipped forward into the line, saving ourselves probably 10-15 minutes, and it was a good move, because we got to the bus with about five minutes to spare. Back to Boston and home by midnight, tired, but what a fun day. I hope YP enjoyed it as much as I did.

Thanks Y'all

It's been a wonderful week up here. I'll miss everyone (as usual). I fly back today, and will give all the hugs to the Krew. Thanks for everything while I was here. I'll be back.... Count on it! OXOXOXO

Fluffy Duf's Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday, FluffyDuf!

Hoist one from me!

Filby Cocktail

Thought you all might like to try this:

1-1/4 oz. gin
1/2 oz. Amaretto
1/2 oz. dry vermouth
1/4 oz. Campari

Combine all ingredients in a shaker glass with ice and stir until well chilled. Strain into a cocktail glass. Express the oils of a large orange zest, rub the zest around the rim and drop it in the drink, and flambé.

The Filby Cocktail won the 1979 Paris bartending competition and was created by British bartender Peter Brennan.

Tuscan Grill

This past Friday night, Key Dear's friend B invited her to the Tuscan Grill to taste the new menu. She has a new chef, Brian Schermer, and the food is wonderful.

We started at the bar with tapas spreads: basil pesto, tomato pesto and herbed goat cheese on toasted French bread slices. All were good, but the herbed goat cheese was the hit. Bartender Sean serves up a variety of drinks, ranging from the typical to some interesting spins on newer drinks, like blueberry martinis made with fresh blueberries. He is magic with Canton Ginger liqueur. Tuscan makes their own Sangria and it is very good, don't miss it.

One of the specials was goat-cheese filled ravioli with a [garlic] cream sauce. If this dish is any indication what the chef's specials will be like, we'll be happy to try them all. We had the grilled asparagus, served with a fried egg and fresh Parmesan cheese. The asparagus was crispy with a distinct, but not overpowering, wood flavor. Tuscan's breads are all house made and served with a very fine olive oil. You'll be tempted to fill up on bread, but as good as it is, save room for what is to come.

Next we tried two risotto dishes. The Risotto Verdura with eggplant, onions, tomato and oregano was fine, if rather average. The Risotto Fragola with roasted pork-loin, shallots, strawberries and a balsamic reduction was a pleasant surprise, an unexpected combination of flavors and quite tasty.

We had five different entrees. The veal was stuffed with the house made mozzarella, barely pink in the middle and well matched with braised artichokes. Lamb chops were served with a tomato-olive pesto. The olive flavor was robust and the chops were perfectly cooked, pink and flavorful. Pollo Arrosto, a wood-fire roasted organic chicken half rubbed with blood orange, rosemary and thyme, was served with fresh spring vegetables and a white wine sauce. The chicken was moist and tender, with a hint of wood flavor.

The table favorites were the skewered wood-grilled tenderloin tips and the poached salmon. The tenderloin tips were tender enough to cut with a fork, served with morel mushrooms, Marsala cream sauce, and Parmesan polenta. The poached salmon, in a saffron, fennel and tomato nage and served with small roasted red potatoes, is a dish not to be missed. I could have this for dessert.

Speaking of desserts, we were so full we almost passed on dessert. Happily, we managed to try the Key Lime pie and an unbelievable chocolate something. The Key Lime dessert was not overly limey and the torte crust was almost a shortbread. The chocolate was heavenly; warm and gooey in the middle with a chocolate cake surround, and really chocolaty, not sugary like so many chocolate desserts.

The kitchen is open to the dining area and you can see Chef Brian, in his red coat, and the kitchen staff at all times. Service is excellent, attentive without being obsequious. The wine list has a good variety, but won't overwhelm you with too many choices. Make reservations if you plan to go on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday night.

Oooh, trippy!

Instructions:

1. Stare at the image for 10 seconds.
2. Look at something -- your hand, a book, your friend
3. Enjoy!

Spring turtles

The Elder Pea was here today, helping PopPop plant beans and hone his cribbage skills. While in the garden, they came across a hatchling painted turtle. EP spotted another one behind the stone wall.

How precious! I saw one digging in the soft edge of our neighbor's driveway last year, so maybe these babies have made it from there all the way down to our garden plot. Or perhaps another turtle put her eggs in the garden, who knows? It's just nice to see the little things making their way to the pond. EP helped them out, a lot. Let's hope they survive the birds and snapping turtles.

I spotted a pair of house finches yesterday. I didn't get a good look at the male, but the female is clearly a house finch, not a purple finch. We have at least three pair of goldfinches, flying around like mad things and singing their songs.

Key Dear arrives tomorrow afternoon. I have no idea when.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to all!

We had a lovely dinner with the D's and Peas. Dawg and Fluffy were there too. Ham, delicious veg, fab desserts, wine … couldn't ask for anything better!

A sad day for a Canada goose

I went to work with Queenee today. The new phone system has a protocol for entering new phone numbers — each number that any extension might want needs to be programmed into the main directory first. Queenee actually works when she's at work, and her co-worker is no help. So I went to see what I could do. What I could do took less than five minutes. No problem, I did a system backup and update while I was there.

After work, we went to Costco to buy a ham, wine and whatever else for Easter dinner. At the exit on Rte 24 we saw the saddest thing I've seen in a long time. A lone Canada goose was standing in the exit median area … just standing there, looking around. Then we saw its mate, obviously dead, not more than fifteen feet away.

Canada geese pair bond. Once they have chosen a mate, they stay together for life. While they may not be 100% monogamous, they do have a very real bond. I was heartbroken for the lone goose, standing there by the highway keeping watch over its dead mate. I don't know how long ago the dead goose was killed — from the quick glimpse I had, it appeared recent — but the mate will remain there for days before giving up.

It's heart wrenching to know that there is nothing you can do for the remaining, ever loyal goose.

Blast from the past

New Year's Eve in Key West, 1990, I remember it well! Key Dear dug these photos up from somewhere and sent them along, I haven't seen them in years — thanks for the memories, KD!

More new teeth coming

Poor Queenee had two more teeth pulled last Friday. She went through this almost two years ago with another tooth, so she knew what to expect. The bone above the teeth was infected and had to be scraped out — the doc loaded her up with novacaine and did what needed doing. By yesterday her jaw was a little less swollen (she's been keeping ice packs on it as best she can), but she has a lovely bruise on her cheek. She's got stitches and will eventually have two teeth implanted into her jaw to replace these two, probably in about six months. Meanwhile, she's got a temporary plate to wear.

Unfortunately, the temp plate was made with only one tooth. The periodontist had to make an additional tooth so she wouldn't have a gaping hole in the front of her smile. She'll have a new plate made later this week.

We're on our way to the periodontist in a few minutes for a quick checkup. Wait until he sees the bruise on her face!

Two Men of Florence

Yesterday afternoon, Queenee and I went to see Two Men of Florence at the BU Theatre. It was great!

Playwright Richard N. Goodwin developed his play, produced in England as The Hinge of the World, into the Huntington Theatre Company production of Two Men of Florence. The play is about Galileo Galilei and Pope Urban VIII and their adversarial positions on Galileo's support for Copernicanism and heliocentrism. The church supported Aristotelian geocentrism. Galileo had no problem reconciling his science with his Catholocism. The Vatican saw many problems, and Galileo was eventually forced to recant heliocentrism and spent the last years of his life under house arrest on orders of the Roman Inquisition.

Galileo is played by Jay O. Sanders, and he spends the better part of two hours on stage. The play is a ton of dialog, almost all by Galileo, and Sanders makes you believe in and sympathize with Galileo. Edward Herrmann brings humanity to the "bad guy" role. You expect not to like his Pope, but you can't help but see the predicament in which he finds himself. You may not agree with him or his opposition to Galileo, but you understand his position.

The play isn't historically accurate (his daughter was a nun, but she was cloistered, not his assistant), but it hits the main points of Galileo's passion and problems. The Boston Globe says, "…Goodwin reveals both men as fascinating and complicated human beings, full of intellectual curiosity and spiritual passion." You can read the Boston Globe review and listen to theater critic Louise Kennedy discuss the play while seeing some slides. The set itself is spectacular, simple but very effective. The center part of the stage rotates at various points throughout the play, and stagehands dressed in dark shrouds silently move the set pieces around. I disagree that the staging was 'heavy-handed', but she's right about the dialog. You really need to pay attention and doing a bit of pre-play re-reading of your high school Galileo wouldn't hurt. I didn't have any problem at all relaxing into the play and am very happy to see at least some people don't want everything dumbed down to the lowest common denominator. If the play had been just the two men arguing, I suspect Kennedy would have had problems with that as well.

A few people around us, Queenee included, thought the first half was too long. I thought it was fine, but that's me. The play closes today, but if you get the chance to see it, do.

Bluebirds are here!

No big report, except to say that we all saw the bluebird pair today! Spring is official now!

Memories of Elmo

Funny Looking Kitten

Actually, Elmo raised Pepin, who wasn't more than about four weeks old when C brought him home. We did the feeding, but Elmo did the nurturing, tucking Pepin under his ruff for a nap and playing with him. I always thought the cats figured Elmo was just an ugly cat with a really strange way of walking.

thanks Anhaga!

Back to Woodstock

Trust me … if you have any kind of beverage in your hand, put it down before you watch this video.

Safe to watch at work, so long as your coworkers like Joe Cocker.