Coastal Southern California doesn't experience the onset of winter in the same way as other parts of the country but after a sharp cold snap and three solid rainstorms, the seasonal shift is becoming more obvious even here. Here are a handful of photos I snapped from the back garden looking out toward the harbor over the past week.
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| A relatively clear view of the Los Angeles harbor as one rainstorm moved out of the area last week |
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| A rainbow following the storm that ended on Sunday |
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| The snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains to the east late yesterday as the sun began to set |
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| The sun glinting off buildings in Long Beach and the cities beyond, giving them a pink glow |
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| The moon rising through pink clouds at sunset |
Meanwhile, in the garden itself, there's still work to be done - and I'm not the only one doing it.
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| This is Argiope aurantia, aka the golden garden spider, the zigzag spider, and the writing spider among other names. It may be the biggest spider I've ever seen (outside of a tarantula) and it startled me when I came upon it. It will bite if harassed but, this late in the season it's intent on procreating and watching over its young as long as it can. A hard frost will kill it but, as we don't get those, can she hang around until spring? |
This post is actually a feeble attempt to divert my thoughts from surgery my cat Pipig is scheduled to have this morning.
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| "You're going to do what?!" I'd feel better if she understood but can anyone explain cancer? |
For more Wednesday Vignettes,
visit Anna at Flutter & Hum.
All material © 2012-2019 by Kris Peterson for Late to the Garden Party
Poor Pipig! I hope her surgery is successful. We worry so much about our pets, don't we? Hugs to you too, Kris.
ReplyDeleteShe came through the surgery fine, although it was significantly more extensive than originally anticipated and a second surgery is recommended to cover what wasn't possible to include on the first pass, once she recovers from this round. After we get the results of the biopsies back, we'll have to assess whether the impact to her quality of life is adequately balanced by the increased life expectancy she can expect. She's been so much healthier overall that the 2 "boys" that preceded her, I was completely taken by surprise by this.
DeleteOh dear..... sending you and Pipig all kinds of good karma for a successful surgery. Fingers and toes crossed!
ReplyDeleteBeatiful views as always, but I can totally see why you seek a good distraction. Hugs to you, Kris...
Thanks Anna. Pipig's spending one night at the clinic but I visited her this evening. She's bandaged like a sausage and, as soon as she saw me, she was flopping all over her enclosure to get to me. She wanted to GO HOME!
DeleteBest wishes to Pipig. We have an old guy with pancreatitis and cancer, so I feel you!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard, isn't it Kristin? Pipig's not quite 12 and I thought she was so much healthier than my prior 2 adoptees, which came from what was ostensibly a rescue outfit but I think was a front for a kitten mill. They had serious medical problems from the beginning that persisted throughout their lives.
DeleteHow your view can change. All lovely.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes. I hope beautiful Pipig will be all better.
Thanks HB! Right now she just wants to come home and I plan to act on her wish tomorrow, even though she's got to wear a sausage jumpsuit and an Elizabethan collar for 10-14 days and make do with rooming in our guest bathroom where she can't climb or jump on anything.
DeleteThese scenes are spectacular. The garden spider tells me that you have a healthy garden. I hope our next report about Pipig is a healthy report.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that surgery went well, Lisa. The bad news is that, at present, there's reason to believe the cancer is aggressive and she'll probably need a second surgery before we can really claim a positive prognosis.
DeletePigpig looks young and an otherwise very healthy kitty, so I'm banking on successful surgery for her. Sending all best wishes to "make it so." I'm glad you have those lovely views. Distraction is sometimes necessary and even healthy, so I've read. Yours is like a meditation.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandy! She's actually about 12. I adopted her in 2008 and was told she was about a year old. She was found on the street in a nearby city with 2 kittens so I don't know what, if any, care she received in her first year but she's received professional care, as well as love and attention since then. Up until now, she's been very healthy. I contacted the vet as soon as I felt a lump but I can't say how long it may have been there. Our household have been in an upheaval for 6 months now so perhaps I just didn't pay enough attention.
DeleteDistraction is good. I am envisioning Pipig's full recovery and her purring to tell you so. xo
ReplyDeleteThanks Eliza. She was clearly happy to see me this evening when I visited the clinic but she was growling when I didn't pack her up to bring her home after 15 minutes. She REALLY hates the Elizabethan collar she has to wear.
DeleteI'm so sorry to hear about Pipigs' health challenge. I hope all goes well,and that Pipig is able to retain quality of life. We have had rain for several days now here-very gray and gloomy. This is to be expected so I am in rainy hibernation mode, but need a break so I can plant the 350 tulips that are in the fridge !
ReplyDeleteMaintaining Pipig's quality of life is my chief focus, Kathy. I held onto one cat with cancer longer than I should have because I had a hard time letting go.
Delete350 tulips IS daunting! Heck, I was dragging my feet about getting the 35 species tulips I had in the fridge planted but I finally took care of that last Saturday.
Poor baby. Poor you. My heart aches for both of you. Sending prayers your way!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cindy. I hope to be able to bring her home late this morning.
DeleteOh Kris! I read your replies to the comments above and I hope you get your fur baby home with you asap. Poor girl having to wear a collar and special suit...hopefully she'll surprise you with her willingness to recover without incident. Sending all the good thoughts I have to you both!
ReplyDeleteShe's home now - and already desperate to get out of the guest bathroom! But she's stuck there for the next 10 days to avoid tearing any of her stitches by climbing or jumping.
DeleteChin scratches for the patient! So glad she healing at home now.
ReplyDeleteShe's more of a lap kitty right now than she's ever been, Denise!
DeleteSending positive thoughts and good wishes for Pipig. I hope she makes a speedy recovery from the surgery. It is so hard when you can't explain.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jessica!
DeleteGlad to hear that you have had more in the way of rain Kris. Sending Pipig healing vibes and hugs for you xxx
ReplyDeleteThere's a little more rain in the 10-day forecast but it may be too early yet to count on that. My rain barrels are full so, in the interim, I'm making use of that. Thanks for the good wishes for Pipig, Anna.
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