Oak Tree

Oak Tree - Marin County  2020

Oak Tree - Marin County  2020

We see this oak tree on one of our hiking routes. And each time I pass it by I have to take a photo.

Bay Trees

Bay Tree - Marin County  2020

Bay Trees - Marin County  2020

Early morning cloud cover.

Stable Sightems

California Buckeye Leaves - Marin County  2020

Cow Parsnip - Marin County  2020

Photos taken on our stable hikes/walks. 

Firewood, Shovel - Marin County  2020

Hiking

Hali Hiking - Marin County  2020

Lupin, Hills - Marin County  2020

At the end of our street there's a trailhead for the Loma Alta Open Space District. We've been doing a lot of hiking there recently.

Monday Horse Blogging

Horse - Marin County  2020

Horses - Marin County  2020

We can hike from our house to a nearby stable, thus enabling me to post some horse pix.

Azalea

Azalea (Fairfax) - Marin County  2020

Azalea (Fairfax) - Marin County  2020

Wish I could grow azaleas like that.

Kdrama PPL / Quiznos

Quiznos - Richmond  2020

Quiznos Sandwich - Richmond  2020

So, I've been watching some Kdramas on Netflix. Very interesting. For one thing, it's hard to miss the product placement in them (PPL in Kdrama lingo.) See below.

As I was returning from Mariposa I was driving through Richmond during lunchtime . . . and the PPL worked! I remembered that there was a Quiznos in Richmond and found it with a little help with Google directions. Alas, there were no bulgogi sandwiches on the menu. What I had was OK, I guess, but I won't be going back.

Steak and Bulgogi Sandwiches (One Spring Night - Netflix)

Village Sake

Hali, Village Sake (Fairfax) - Marin County  2020

Village Sake Takeout Meal (Fairfax) - Marin County  2020

So, no eating-in at restaurants. But we have had a few takeout meals. Above, Hali waiting to pick up our order at Village Sake in Fairfax. Quite good!

Fairfax Sightems

Garden Door (Fairfax) - Marin County  2020

House (Fairfax) - Marin County  2020

More AM photos.

Fairfax Sightems

Gargoyle in Driveway (Fairfax) - Marin County  2020

Frogs (Fairfax) - Marin County  2020

. . . seen during our routine early-morning walks through Fairfax. I almost always take a Canon G5XII along.

Dessert (The Kitchen Table) - March 13 (Friday), 2020

Dessert (The Kitchen Table) - San Rafael  2020

Lead story from the March 13, 2020 edition of the New York Times:

Broadway, Symbol of New York Resilience, Shuts Down Amid Virus Threat

Facing restrictions on audience size and concern from actors and audiences about health risks during the coronavirus pandemic, the industry announced that shows will be shuttered through April 12.

***

On March 13, Hali and Mike had dinner out with some friends who were visiting from Ohio. We were a little surprised to find that the restaurant hadn't moved any of the tables apart or made any other health-related adjustments. Oh well. That was the last dinner out for us and it looks like it'll be quite some time before the next dinner out happens. 

BTW, dessert was good!

Monday Western Tanager Blogging

Western Tanager - Marin County  2020

Western Tanager with Blueberry - Marin County  2020

Our blueberry bushes are regularly visited by birds, of course. But this is the first year we've seen tanagers partaking of the bounty. ID, of course, by Barbara.

Below, some blueberries that we picked before the bird onslaught.

Blueberries - Marin County  2020

Gym - March 13 (Friday), 2020

Highway 101 Overpass - Marin County  2020

Parking Lot - Marin County  2020

Lead story from the March 13, 2020 edition of the New York Times:

The President as Bystander: Trump Struggles to Unify a Nation on Edge

School superintendents, sports commissioners, college presidents, governors and business owners have taken it upon themselves to shut down much of American life without clear guidance from the president.

Lead story from the March 13, 2020 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle:

Good morning, Bay Area. It’s Friday, March 13, and the ripples of a global pandemic are being felt in the region and around the world. Here’s what you need to know to start your day.

San Francisco’s 113 public schools — serving 54,000 students — will shut down for three weeks starting Monday to curb the spread of the coronavirus as the city struggles to prevent a surge in cases, the district announced Thursday.

The district was the first of six Thursday in the Bay Area to announce the closing of schools serving tens of thousands of students.

***

On March 13 Mike drove over to the gym. He took highway 101 south from San Rafael to the exit leading to Sir Francis Drake Boulevard. As he waited for the light to change for his left hand turn he noticed a neat overpass configuration though his side window and used an iPhone for the top photo.

Once at the gym it was clear that the parking lot had quite a few empty spaces.

Attendance in the gym was low. Mike used the treadmill while listening to a podcast, then skipped the weight machines. Did he realize as he left that he probably wouldn't be going to the gym for the rest of the year?

Gym Sign - Marin County  2020

Eucalyptus, Building - March 11 (Wednesday), 2020

Eucalyptus, Building - Marin County  2020

Lead story from the March 11, 2020 edition of the New York Times:

Talks Begin on Stimulus Plan as Trump Plays Down Virus Threat

A proposal to eliminate payroll taxes through the end of the year, estimated to cost $700 billion, faces bipartisan opposition, but some version of it could be the basis for a broad agreement to provide aid.

***

On March 11 Mike was walking around Larkspur Landing in back of the Bed, Bath & Beyond store.

July 13 news:

If you've got any of those infamous "20% of your entire purchase at Bed Bath & Beyond" coupons laying around, you better use them soon. A whole crop of stores is closing. The retailer, which also operates buybuy Baby, Harmon Face Values, and World Market, announced that it will be shuttering around 200 stores over the next two years. While the retailer didn't disclose which stores will close their doors, most of them will be Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

Starbucks / La Boulangerie - March 10 (Tuesday), 2020

Latte, Starbucks - San Francisco  2020

La Boulangerie - San Francisco  2020

Lead story from the March 10, 2020 edition of the New York Times:

Why the Outlook for the Economy Just Got Worse

Coronavirus worries already signaled a slowdown in consumer and service sectors. Then came abrupt moves in oil prices and bond yields.

***

More photos taken March 10 on Union Street in San Francisco. We made a point of thoroughly washing our hands when at Starbucks.

Window, Flowers / San Francisco - March 10 (Tuesday), 2020

Cat, Flowers in Window - San Francisco  2020

Flowers - San Francisco  2020

Lead story from the March 10, 2020 edition of the New York Times:

Economy Faces ‘Tornado-Like Headwind’ as Financial Markets Spiral

Crashing financial markets are increasing the risk of a vicious cycle that could usher in a recession.

***

On March 10 Hali and Mike traveled to San Francisco to take Shawna to her dentist appointment on Union Street. We were somewhat uneasy walking up and down the street . . . but just somewhat.

Barbara's - March 8 (Sunday), 2020

Flowers, Barbara's House - Marin County  2020

Barbara's Back Yard - Marin County  2020

Lead story from the March 8, 2020 edition of the New York Times:

Inside Trump Administration, Debate Raged Over What to Tell Public

The administration’s response to the coronavirus has repeatedly matched public health experts against a hesitant White House, where worry of panic dominates.

***

On March 8 Hali and Mike had an excellent dinner at Barbara's that night. As always, her garden looked magnificent.

Signs - March 6 (Friday) & March 8 (Sunday), 2020

Gym Sign - Marin County  2020

Starbucks Sign - Marin County  2020

Lead stories from the March 6, 2020 edition of the New York Times:

In the U.S., More Than 300 Coronavirus Cases Are Confirmed

Stocks fell as Europe and the U.S. struggled to contain the virus, while the Chinese province at the center of the outbreak reported no new infections outside its capital, Wuhan.

***

On March 6 Mike visited the gym, taking care to wipe down the treadmill handles, then to Starbucks and over to Target.

Target Sign - Marin County  2020

Monday Quail, Deer Blogging

Quail, Deer - Marin County  2020

We heard the quail before we saw it, making those distinctive quail sounds: "The California Quail’s main call consists of three syllables and sounds like the bird is saying Chi-CA-go."

After I downloaded the photo I noticed that I had somehow gotten a deer in there as well.

Oak Trees

Oak Trunks, Poison Oak - Marin County  2020

Oak, Fence - Marin County  2020

I can't quite remember, but the top photo might have been one of my recent hand-held HDR attempts. (The Olympus camera takes a number of photos over- and under-exposed and combines the results.)

The bottom photo is in our "back-back yard," in the common area. It's now been decorated with some kid swings.

Joshua Tree, 1999 - 2

Joshua Tree - Joshua Tree National Monument  1999

Branches, Rocks - Joshua Tree National Monument  1999

Photos taken with a Toyo-Field 4x5 camera.

Joshua Tree, 1999 - 1

Agave - Joshua Tree National Monument 1999

Branches, Rocks - Joshua Tree National Monument  1999

Originally a national monument, now upgraded to a national park.

Death Valley 1995

Cliffs, Sagebrush - Death Valley  1995

View Camera - Death Valley  1995

Top photo taken with a 4x5 camera. (See self-portrait above.) The campground below appears to be the Texas Springs campground in Death Valley.

Second thoughts: I'm not really sure that that's me using the view camera. I do like to take photos of other photographers, after all.

Truck, Campground - Death Valley  1995

Death Valley Junction, Amargosa Hotel

Death Valley Junction -  Death Valley  1995

Amargosa Hotel - Death Valley  1995

Very remote locations. I hope that they've remained remote.