White Christmas

White Christmas, starring Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye, warms the hearts of all who watch annual Christmas specials. Sitting on their favorite easy chair in their cozy living room, they can romanticize all they want. But do they really crave a white Christmas? Or are their White Christmas dreams just a fantasy?

Old timers are often called snow birds, not because they fly north to enjoy a White Christmas, but because they head south for warmer conditions. Arthritic joints like it hot, while unstable old legs seek less slippery sidewalks. They look for a holiday where they can take a walk in the park without wearing heavy coats or boots.

http://larrywall.hubpages.com/question/191323/does-living-in-a-snowy-area-have-more-advantages-or-disadvantages

If you had spent your first 20 years of life above 40 degrees of latitude, you might have a gentle view of snow. Munich, my hometown, is above the 48^th parallel. That translates into seasons that include a healthy sprinkling of snow in winter. Most people know the downside of winter, i.e. avalanches, white-outs, ice storms, black ice, and icicles—big ones that kill. There are power outages, and falling trees and power lines, not to mention frostbite. Even I can remember walking home in the snow with my toes nearly falling off and then bracing for the bite of them warming up painfully. Those who have grown up in snowy conditions know to dress, how to stay indoors, and how to rev up the generator. They’ve learned to survive in conditions fit for an Eskimo. A wintry trip to Wisconsin renewed memories:

Soft sheets furrowed white

Diamond sparkles in light.

Sugar coated red pines

Iced branches and lines

Snow-angels, snowballs

Ice skating and fun falls

Comet Lovejoy Still Bright

Comet Lovejoy continues to burn. Currently in the Corona Borealis it is dimming from its earlier appearance in Leo. Nevertheless, the comet is still fun to follow as he moves through the different star fields. Today's ephemeris are:RA 16 05 08 and the Declination is +34 41 55
What do the numbers mean? RA stands for Right Ascension. That designation refers to longitudinal lines superimposed on the sky. In other words, the numbers given are written in hours, minutes and seconds.
Yes, you've guessed right--Declination is equivalent to latitude and is written in degrees. The listed positions puts the comet squarely between  Kappa and Tau, the two stars on the upper border of the Corona. Both stars shine at nearly 5th magnitude.  The comet itself is dimmer. If you would like to follow the ephemeris which are calculated cometary orbits here is the link: 
http://in-the-sky.org/cometephem.php?obj=ck13r010 

Here's a page of Edmund's Mag 6 Star chart. It shows the RA and Dec. The pencil marks are the comet's position as seen two days ago.

COMET LOVEJOY

http://www.steamboattoday.com/news/2013/nov/11/comet-lovejoy-upstages-ison/

Lately many crystal clear nights have dazzled this amateur astronomer. Out in the wee morning hours (3 am through 5 am), the sky is studded with jewels.  The hunt for Comet ISON, expected to become naked eye within a week, goes on. One would think that a 10 x 50 binocular would haul it in. But no, the Virgo field of stars still cradles empty space. With such nightly disappointments over the proclaimed “comet of the century” amateurs like me happily stare at other things in the sky; for example, M-81 and M-82 or a quick sweep of Mars and Jupiter with its tiny moons. A satellite, a meteorite, a bolide now and then, like the one that streaked across the dipper last night, pumps the adrenaline.

Of course, other comets are in the sky in the pre-dawn hours.

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/The-Other-Great-Morning-Comet-231157211.html  

Encke and Lovejoy are up. My search of posted internet locations, as well as a look at my Edmund Mag-6 maps fixed the coordinates in my mind. According to reports, 3 am Pacific Time, since I live in Southern California, would be ideal for getting out under the stars.

Bingo! High in the sky just north of the sickle of Leo’s head, Lovejoy makes its appearance. No longer crushed by ISON’s poor showing, Lovejoy has stolen my astronomer’s heart. Bright as the Andromeda galaxy in my 10 x 50 Celestial Innovations Binocular with its 6.5 degree field, Comet Lovejoy kept me up through 5 am. Of course it’s rounder than the galaxy, has a brighter head and bulges slightly right, it's tail? Here's the best image as I saw it.

http://www.space.com/23580-comet-lovejoy-visibility-night-sky.html

So get out your binoculars!

http://vimeo.com/79188919 

This site shows both ISON and Lovejoy in time lapse video. Although ISON needs telescopic capability, Lovejoy puts on an almost naked eye show.

Comet Ison

From the Dome

Hats and Flags

Drill team is exciting. It’s also unnerving. Shay is a typical horse frightened by anything new. First practice had her whirling. I wasn’t on her.  It was the first time she saw a flag that was attached to another rider flapping in the wind.

The benefit of drill team is its knowledgeable leaders.  “I’ll take her,” Christine called out. She ponied her around the ring close to the flag about five rounds.  Then she said, “She’s ready.”

I mounted and followed the drill team around the ring inching closer to the flag. She did OK. Fast forward one week. Shay behaved well. After all, I’d trained her at home. Using our own flag I put her in our ring and let her run circles around me and the flag. She was willing to come close for a carrot. By the time we were done, she dared nearing the flag in order to enter her stall where I’d put some carrots.

The winds had been high, the sun bright. No hat would bear the brunt of the 35+ mph winds without blowing off my head; except one--an alpine fedora. For some strange reason, those head hugging hats were invented to withstand the alpine gusts. And they do. I’m so fortunate my late Auntie Hilde sent it to me many moons ago. I’d not used it except for Halloween “dirndl” costumes. This time, I wore it this time in my windy horse ring. It never budged off my head. My alpine ancestors were soooo smart!!!  

 

a windblown feather

Feast Of St. Francis

Today all you animal lovers should hug your pets. Francis loved not only birds and wolves but all of nature. We also ought to pray for our Pope, his namesake. He leads a simple life just as Francis did. Don't forget our priests who will be out today to bless numerous pets in Francis' honor.

Our own pet activities included:
1. Shampooing our accident prone rug with our little steam machine..

2. Shampooing our dog with our I-Pethead dry shampoo. Both she and the rug smell nice now.

3. Praying at our home Pet Cemetery with St. Francis.

Of course our other animals weren't left out. Shay the horse was well fed, but in her stall, because of today's high winds. Our eclectic taste-budded Bear the guinea pig got her lettuce, cilantro, carrot shreds, candied dry fruit and grass, and Dottie the dog got a change in diet to Pedigree, which she favors over the last mix of feeds. Her hair will stay long during the cold winter months. No trim for her.

Oh, and the clowns will get their fish flakes and the tank will be cleaned too. The sanitation crew snails will munch on the algae growing on the tank's rocks and walls.

Have a fun St. Francis day and love those wonderful beasties that brighten our lives.

Oktoberfest

So what if he's wearing a British shirt and drinking unapproved Erdinger Beer

Oktoberfest--Ein Prosit!

Yes, The end of September marks the actual celebratory beginning of Munich's traditional Oktoberfest. This year it began on the twenty-first of September and will continue through October sixth. Whether you start early or late, it remains the world's grandest beer festival. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oktoberfest
No one should miss out on enjoying some of the best beers brewed locally, nationally, or internationally.

Munich was founded by Monks who made it a point to alternate their fasts with a strong brew that provided calories for sustenance. In German, Munich means Monks. Thanks to them, the country produces some of the finest beers in the world.

The favorite fare for beer guzzling folks in Munich is covered by the refrain, "Radi, Wurst, and Beer." So here's the Wurst, four big ones. Weisswurst, Bratwurst, Knackwurst and a Danish sausage served up at a cozy restaurant in Solvang, California. No Radi(shes) were served, but red cabbage and potatoes were on the plate. Couldn't ask for a tastier accompaniment to the Erdinger Weissbrau.

Only wish everyone could come to the Munich Hofbrauhaus for the camaradarie: "Oans, Zwoa, G'suffa!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hofbr%C3%A4uhaus

A Hubble Shot

No! Comet ISON, discovered by a team of astronomers from the International  Scientific Optical Network, won't look this good in the upcoming weeks unless you own the Hubble Space Telescope.  For die-hard amateurs willing to pull out their telescopes it might be worth a shot (photographic, that is) by mounting a camera to its visual back. I prefer naked eye or binocular assist.

The last comet that flew by Earth, PANSTARRS, surprised. I was lucky, or should I say determined, enough to capture it twice in my binocular and see it naked  eye. I also shared it with family and neighbors, both of whom were awed to see their first comet. It looked very much like this wonderful photo by Michael in Australia.
 http://en.es-static.us/upl/2013/02/PANSTARRS_Michael_Goh_Perth_western_Australia_early_March_2013.jpeg

In the interest of  capturing another cool comet I crawled out this September morning in the pre-dawn hours to see if I could locate ISON, or at least Leo which will background it soon. Like all cloud bait, and with binoculars in hand, my mere thought of scanning the sky chased away clarity. The heavens was a murky mist. Not even Luna could cut through our California marine layer. Duh.

No matter, somehow in the next weeks we should catch a clear view as ISON rises higher above the horizon. Like many sun-grazers, it will rapidly fade out with the approaching dawn, but if you're up to it, get out there before the sun rises and look for Leo. The constellation is bright enough to find easily in a dark sky (stay away from street lights). October should present about a 10th magnitude appearance, not naked eye material, but within the range of small 4" telescopes. Late October will bring it into naked eye range, and it is only then when we can determine if the predictions of a grand display will materialize.
http://cs.astronomy.com/asy/b/daves-universe/archive/2013/08/26/comet-ison-the-real-story.aspx
With the onset of twilight the comet will be a high 30 degrees above the horizon. It stands above the eastern horizon, so look for a spot with a clear view to the east.
There are two other signposts, if you're not familiar with Leo the lion.
First, the bright red planet Mars will be just 2 degrees south of  ISON in early October. Look for Mars before it drops below the horizon. ISON will be just above it.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/23aug_marsison/
Second, both at the end of September and again at the end of October, the crescent moon will hang low in the east with Mars just 8 degrees to its upper left. ISON is in the same line of sight 2 degrees higher.

By the way, 8 degrees is about the width of a closed fist held at arms length. Play with that measurement against the sky before you hunt for the comet. It will turn you into a true astronomer as you get your bearings on sky distances.

If you prefer to hunt for a predictable comet search for Comet Encke. It too rides high above ISON in the pre-dawn hours during October. It will move faster, but it will brighten to naked eye visibility as well. Binoculars are encouraged. October's Astronomy Magazine publishes the star fields for both comets. You'll need the maps or a veteran astronomer if you are serious about catching your first comet. Here are some Encke stats.
http://www.fallofathousandsuns.com/comet-encke.html
    

Update

Friday's astronomy page will post information about Comet Ison. This sun grazer will appear in the predawn hours next month. Get ready for the show.
http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2013/18jan_cometison/

Fleas, Fleas, Fleas

I've had it with the fleas on my Dottie. The hot weather has literally made them multiply till she was scratching herself to death. Enter the veterinarian--yes I tried the "cheaper" over the counter flea collars and squeeze on drops. They did nothing.

Luckily the Vectra 3D the vet provided really works. It breaks the pocket book at $20 per month (three vials in the box). Since I've applied it, Dotty is in heaven. No scratching, no itching, and even when she goes outside, she doesn't pick up more fleas. They don't like the stuff.

A lesson in chemistry has kept me going.  The three active ingredients:

Permethrin

Pyriproxifen

Dinotefuran

 . . . take care of juveniles, repell adults, and block a flea's normal neurotransmiters. In other words, it kills them dead. Pay attention to warnings. Cats have died when given dog meds.

Our horse feed shop Kahoots, where I get my hay, sells Frontline and Advantage II. Both items are equally expensive and have active ingredients similar to Vectra 3D.

This link offers you a chemistry lesson. I looked up each ingredient independently online.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=521

Since the primary method of attacks on fleas is cleanliness, it behooves anyone with a flea problem to vacuum, wash bedding (especially the dog's) and follow up with a topical spray that kills eggs and larvae which have dropped off of the dog to the rug where they grow. The important ingredient here is methaprene which kills the eggs and larvae. BioSpot has it.

Hopefully the weather will change. Hundred degree temperatures increase infestations and Moorpark hit that record today. Fleas don't like cold. Below seventy degrees,, they hop away leaving behind their eggs for the next heat spell.

Good luck  with your research.

I still wonder if horse pucky would chase fleas away. My dog loves to roll in those little green apples, and I haven't seen any fleas on my horse . . .yet

A writer who doesn’t post is no writer at all. Vacations are no excuse to put down the pen, I mean ipad. Vacations stops offer access to the internet, be it Starbucks, a chosen hotel/motel, or the library. Here are vacation photos. Locations include Washington State, Oregon, and Northern California.

The vacation began the 5^th of July

Traveling with Baby Austin

Camping All the Way

Naval Museum, Washington

Birthdays in Silverdale

And Sacramento

With lots of fun in between

Look Familiar?

Covered Bridge and Swinging Bridges of Oregon

And Sundial Bridge, Redding

What a Vacation. Let's do it again.

Today is the feast of St. John Vianney.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Vianney

Also known as the Cure of Ars, this simple parish priest was so successful in converting hardened sinners that people from all over the known  world would come to the little town of Ars, France just to go to confession. As a result, St. John spent upwards of 16 hours a day in the confessional. He has been designated as patron of all priests. Here are a few words taken from his catechetical instructions:

St. John Vianney

"It is the glorious duty of man to pray and to love. If you pray and love, that is where happiness lies. Prayer is nothing else but union with God. When one has a heart that is pure and united with God, he is given a kind of serenity and sweetness that fills him with light. In this intimate union, God and the soul are fused together like two bits of wax that no one can ever pull apart.  This union of God with a tiny creature is a lovely thing. It is a happiness beyond understanding."

Vacation Time

I won't write about glitches. Every vacation has them and it's no use getting upset. Everything's replaceable but life itself, and we are healthy, happy, and here in Washington with Walter. We saw some interesting sights along the way. The rolling forests of Oregon and Washington are to die for. Too bad that when you're flying by at 55mph, you just can't catch a good view. We did get a little of Portland.

And of course Dad, with little Austin in arms so he could be the ultimate grandpa. Taken at Walter's house, it shows how relaxed he is after the long drive north.

The clan is always busy. Prior to vacation we attended Terry's graduation. She is now a BS.

Flowers

A super happy couple

The graduate

Celebrating with a special sister

Augustine Grass Front Yard

There's a plus to gophers. They do a marvelous job of aerating the soil. The piles of loose dirt they leave behind are great for planting new grass.
Still, who needs holes and tunnels that collapse under your feet as you walk across the yard? That's why gophers don't belong on the manicured ranchette.
We are now four gophers down but probably have ten more to wipe out. Our little black box trap (Viktor) is doing its job. Yes, it's cruel. Yes it kills 'em dead. And--Yes, the holes are slowly disappearing. Sooner or later, all the gophers will go away. We hope.
Uphill, we're using the loose tunneled ground to plant more Augustine grass. Gophers seem not to like the stuff. Maybe it has a funny taste? Or maybe it has a too thick packed root system? Only once did a little hole open in our Augustine lawn, but it quickly disappeared. The gophers just didn't want to stay there. They prefer the dry hard as rock dirt area full of prickly dandelion type weeds.
The trap has now been duly moved to the horse area.

The smart weeds are up again. They are particularly virulent because we gave them water. The real problem, though is the gophers. Just yesterday they took down our avocado tree. It was already five feet tall with a three inch trunk and in full leaf. Like beavers, the animal underground managed to sever the tree at the root. Duh. Off we went to purchase a gopher trap, not the cheap wire ones. We got the heavy duty black box. Yes, it worked! One gopher down, and probably ten more to go. There are holes all over the yard.
Of course no photos of the deceased are available. The beast is in the trash can already.

Pocket Gophers