10 October 06
Advantage Tigers
The lesson of their last three games seems to be don’t give up much of a lead to the Detroit Tigers, because their pitching will make it very tough to catch up. We watched most of tonight’s game over at Barbara’s; when I left from work to go over there Barry Zito of the Oakland A’s seemed to be very much in command. But he faltered at the end of the 3rd inning, giving up a home run to Brandon Inge, and by the time I arrived it was 2-0 Tigers. The Tigers picked up 3 more runs to make it 5-0 in the 4th inning, knocking Zito out of the game. The Tigers held on to win it 5-1.
The Tigers thus take the first game of the seven-game series on the road. Their lead is hardly insurmountable, but if the rest of the Tigers’ starting rotation pitches like they did against the Yankees, the A’s have their work cut out for them.
9 October 06
Digital to Analog
Not finding such a thing as the perfect calendar/planner system to buy, I may be closer to designing my own: while perusing a fountain pen forum, Numenius found a site where you can put together your own paper PDA. The most interesting idea, I think, is a stack of index cards you carry around with a binder clip, called a Hipster PDA . Watercolor paper, calendar, cards for projects: what more do you need? Plus you can choose what kind of paper to write on rather than having it chosen for you.
8 October 06
Past the Scary Part
Now that the Yankees have been eliminated from the rest of the postseason, we can relax and enjoy all the remaining games. Tuesday the American League Championship Series kicks off in Oakland as the A’s take on the Detroit Tigers. I’m glad this matchup is taking place now rather than in the Division Series just completed. I’d like to see the A’s in the World Series, but will still be happy if the Tigers go instead. No predictions—the series is definitely a toss-up.
7 October 06
Native Plants and Gopher Cages
Today was all about finding California native plants to fill out my herb garden. I went to the Arboretum Plant Sale and got some great finds. We drove over to Grass Valley to the Peaceful Valley Organic Farm and Garden Supply Store, which was a bit like going to another universe. Gopher cages are for my herbs, but the California fuchsia, currants, and penstemons are on their own.
The Tigers beat the Yankees, we heard over the radio all day. The Cal Bears are beating Oregon. This is the backdrop of the day…
6 October 06
Above 9000 Feet
I’m back now from Colorado, land of the aspens and steep, beautiful mountains.
5 October 06
Frisbees for Turkeys
As I get ready to start putting plants into this herb garden, my thoughts turn to the visitors we have twice a day.
The extended turkey family (3 hens and multiple adolescents) passes through here morning and evening like a panzer division on patrol, eating everything in its path. They used to be shy. Now they stare me down as if they own the place. I fear for my salvias.
I don’t want to fence this garden in, so I’m hoping a) they don’t like oregano, b) they will be deterred by the five frisbees I found at work today, new and unused in a file cabinet. I’ll leave them outside as ready ammunition….
(Note: wild turkeys are NOT native to California and were introduced at great expense and effort by the California Department of Fish and Game for hunting. Now they are proliferating wildly, eating acorns and people’s gardens and terrifying rottweilers.)
4 October 06
Off Season
I am now at a conference in Keystone, Colorado, up at 9300 feet elevation, surrounded by mountains that are 11,000, 12,000, and even up to 14,000 feet high. Keystone is a resort town, and we are betwixt and between the summer mountain vacation period and ski season. This means that the town is quiet, very quiet. Foraging for dinner is a challenge—the cafe I went to for dinner the day I arrived is closed Tuesday through Thursday.
The area got some snow about two weeks ago, and there’s still some remaining on the higher peaks. The aspen is in full fall color—an intense warm yellow. The cadmium yellow hue in my paint box is getting plenty of use.
3 October 06
Embarking on Copperplate
I’ve enrolled in a copperplate calligraphy correspondence course. The first lesson arrived today.
This had had always fascinated me, but I’ll also admit to being a bit put off by its fussiness. No matter. Now I’m going to be spending my evenings working at a 70° 55° slant, perfecting the art of allowing spreading tines to make a perfect square top.
I’ll let you know how I get on.
2 October 06
Closing Day
The baseball season ended yesterday. Most noteworthy was the collapse of the Detroit Tigers, who after leading their division the entire season, relinquished first place in the last game of the season to the resurgent Minnesota Twins. I’ve been rooting for the Tigers all along this year, since three or so years ago they barely avoided setting the record for worst season ever in all of baseball history.
The Tigers will still be in the playoffs as the American League wild card. The good news is they will not be playing the Oakland A’s in the first matchup of the playoffs, thus leading to a personal rooting conflict. The bad news is they have to play the Yankees straight away, which for a slumping team will be a challenge. Go you Tigers!
I’m off to Colorado for a business trip this week, but this means I’ll get to watch some of the playoffs on the telly.
1 October 06
Digging in October
Apologies to all my friends in northern climes, but I’m working at getting the winter vegetable garden in as well as planting a new herb garden. I had no idea gardening involved so much time with a fork and spade, or what good they did, but I’m getting the hang of this.
We took a break today to go on a little sketching outing to the Arboretum. Here’s some California fuchsia, which I’m hoping to plant with the herbs…