A Fall Day--what is this about?

Well, a great Fall day here on The Gold Coast. The sun is out, we have been gardening and lunching out with one of our daughters. It seems like a sleepy day, one of those days when you pet the dog, hold the cat on your lap, and to the strains of a Mantovani CD, relax and read your favorite book, perhaps if you like poetry and adventure, a Don Blanding book, maybe 'Vagabond's House' or 'A Grand Time Living". I have always liked Blanding's books and they are wonderfully relaxing and entertaining. Speaking of relaxation, it brings back memories of beauty and relaxation: Ireland. The above photo which I took, is of a Monet-like pond at Fota House in Co. Cork, Ireland, a very beautiful area with a great house which is very historic and protected by the Historical Trust. One can visit the House and go through it, and the extensive Gardens and Grounds are beautiful and amazing. It is truly a relaxing place.

The breeze comes in today from the sea, and it is so pleasant that one might thing we are in the middle of Spring, but no. Fall is here and we await the first rain to water the hillsides. Will close today with a quotation which I like very much. Until later...............

"Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look up at the stars."

-- Henry Van Dyke

Riverstown House

One of the beautiful old houses that we have visited in Ireland is Riverstown House, located in the Glanmire area of County Cork. It is very historic and beautiful. The original House dated from 1602, but it was rebuilt in 1745. A family lived on the lower floor when we visited. The Bishop of Cork had his seat there at one time. The House has beautifully furnished rooms and lovely plasterwork in fine condition. Ireland has many wonderful and historic buildings and areas for one to see. We have visited the country often and will continue to do so for a long time. The Country is filled with magnificent farm scenes and rolling green hills, with sheep and cattle grazing. Riverstown House is definitely worth a visit and a member of the Family will conduct you throughout the House.

The Christmas Cactus are really blooming now. My Mom used to raise them, and some of her gardening rubbed off on me. I love the neon colors, and in our mild and temperate climate here in S. California, they bloom more than once each year, and now in this balmy Fall, they are doing their beautiful blooming again. What colors! They really are easy to cultivate and garden. All of mine are in pots on the north side of the house--not too much water, a bit of liquid fertilizer maybe once a month and away they go. You can start new plants by breaking off stems and planting in potting soil. Your work will be rewarded by doing this. Below is a bit of writing I have done to share with you about their beauty.

The Christmas cactus does strange things,

Here in the temperate climate

Of the Gold Coast!

Is it supposed to bloom now as Fall ushers in?

No, I don't think so, Christmas is not here.

But it carries the message to all who listen:

Christmas is coming-The Christmas Cactus are blooming.

Prepare your hearts and minds for the celebration.

--BT

Saturday

Blue whales have been seen off the coast of S. California recently, the largest mammal on the earth. They are spectacular and seem to not mind boats of people viewing them and "oooo-ing and ah-ing" at their marvelous beauty. We also get the Orca and the California Gray Whale at certain times of the year, cruising the seas off the coast. Sometimes you can even see them from the beach as they glide along effortlessly through the water. There are boats that take passengers for a fee, out to view them. Very interesting.

bobmaxsmusings

bobmaxsmusings:

'via Blog this'

The Fall comes in now, one can feel it in the cool air in our location near the sea. I garden: Christmas Cactus(Schlumbergera), geraniums, tomatoes when the season is here and other miscellaneous plants and flowers. The hummingbirds love our Mexican Sage, and they are daily buzzing in and out of the sage, sipping its nectar. We love to see them and photograph them. The fog is near today, just off our coast, and it will be in tonight with a chill in the air. I am already thinking of Christmas, the way time slips by, it will be here soon. I like the Christmas Season, it is cheery and so filled with holiday spirit. I also like photography, using digital cameras. I would like to post sometime some hummingbird photos and some hawk photos. We live near foothills and wildlife abounds in this area.