28. Daddy, I want a pygmy owl!

And now..
The Creatures of the El Big Valley
Some of them, anyway. I still haven't seen a moose. And no, stuffed animals or an elk slung over a 4 wheeler certainly do not count.

Culture Shock Level is presently: fuzzy and hoofed

It's nice to live somewhere with so many wild animals other than just the SF regulars such as seagulls, steller jays, sewer rats and 20-something hipsters. It all adds to the charm of this surreal, little big town.

Here are a few recent bird photos from my visit to the Blue Plateau Wildlife Sanctuary. It's about 1 hr north of El Big. If there wasn't a large mountain pass between us, I'd volunteer for them.
This is the amazing pygmy owl. It's body and head are about the size of a baseball.







I couldn't get enough of the birds. I must've taken a hundred photos of this one. It's all head, really.( Click on this pic to get a life size image)












Besides it's diminutive size, it has a calm, lacsidazical nature and hilarious slow blinking eyes...











This eagle is blind in one eye. Unfortunately it will never be released back into the wild.








We saw many hawks, but this one is my favorite— the photogenic Kressel hawk. Note the blue racing stripes around the crown.















Show off!















I haven't seen so many butterflies until my move to El Big.... and spiders, and ants, and cougar tracks...











and the gregarious marmut...

















and lots of sheep!


















And we have a few donkeys, like these two that are huddling together for warmth under the protective evergreens. (Three cheers for Nancy! Pass the wine, please!) Anyway...







Lots of horses, of course. We have wild horses in the surrounding mountains. I haven't seen them yet. The town graphic artist has offered to take us out sometime. He has connections.






El Big creatures can't be mentioned without noting the approximate 50 odd deer that reside in town. Occasionally I see them hanging out in people's yards along the crest of the hills. We haven't seen them in our yard yet, but we know they pass through in the middle of the night due to the magical disapearance of some tender chrysanthemum blossoms.



The El Big area is famous for it's progressive organic farming. It's not all wheat. The area proudly provides Angus beef, lamb, chicken, cherries, pears, and gorgeous blankets of verdent spearmint fields.
This picture was taken last winter on a drive out to the colder, southern desert side of the valley. The black Angus cattle against the white snow covered hills are a stunning sight.
(Click on image to enlarge)




















Poser cows...




























"Gourmet Pets"?! This local pet store logo catches my eye. Oh, why yes, we do have domesticated animals too... and they're delicious sauteed with fresh shiitakes, paired with a delicate Syrah. Bon appetit!

NEXT WEEK: SUMMER AND FALL HILIGHTS IN THE VALLEY and BEYOND!

27. "So, I saw that you raked up your leaves this weekend--"

"Oh. Why, yes. I did rake my leaves this weekend." I looked up from my etching plate to see a classmate had joined me in the printmaking studio.
"Yeah, I saw you raking. It was good that you raked them up before the rain." she said.
"Yeah, I mulched them. Do you get many leaves?"

********************

Dearest Propane Gas Tank friends,

So it's been a little over a year, and I promised you that I'd check in to let you know how I've adjusted to small town living. Though I find myself adjusting a tad, I'm still taken aback by what one friend calls, "the fishbowl effect". As most of you know, I had been taking care of my dear M in Ca in the past year, so I really haven't had a chance to get a feel for El Big in the way my partner Que has. So I've decided to credit that time to my blog. That being said, stay tuned for more Propane Gas Tank!
Blogs away!

xo,
Ms. Jane D'oh


My dear M holding up one of her earlier ceramic pieces; Concord, CA, circa 1971


California, early 60's

26. Intermission (aka On the Road Again)

This week's post is postponed due to another unplanned jot out of town. When I am able to post again, I'll send out an email to all of you who've shown an interest. Take care everyone.

xo, Ms. Jane D'oh

25. Architecture of greater EL BIG; from the Historical to the Hysterical

El Big architecture is fairly conservative.


But I find it really interesting coming from N California, otherwise known as Geodesic Dome Central.


This building looks vacant, but it's not.


A turn of the century hot spring hotel that is being rennovated by an inspired group of Christian artists.


Drive through espresso huts! One can hit the Taco Now and the EX-presso drive through hut all within the same block. I think we need a drive-thru gastroenterologist hut on the next block.
























I recognize the store's logo, but I don't recognize anything else.



















El Big is big on brick. Earthquakes are small and infrequent. Knock on wood (panelling)...









A highrise on the main avenue...


with wonderful original fixtures.


How small can you go without calling it a well-insulated tool shed?


A highschool on the northside.


Living and dead wood for decorative and practical uses...




Que is normally a very agreeable sort, but knotty pine panelling will send him into a rage.












Lanoleum flooring with "braided rug" design.











Hand painted "brick" on the front porch of a home on our house hunt. The home owner is fond of toll painting, so every surface inside and outside, is covered with hand painted texture or floral decoration.







One of El Big's greatest growth period was in the 1970's. It becomes obvious when we begin house hunting...











Another recognizable corporate logo on a small, rural stucture. Cell phone service is available just about in every town, but I rarely see people mashing phones to their ears while driving, or screaming into them at the grocery stores—as they often do in SF.


An art deco period piece. Much of the deco in the area was destroyed and rebuilt in the 1950's or 1970's.


A turn off to the Oregon Trail. Turn right at the delapidated shed with the odd hand painted signage...


Just one of many vacant buildings in the area—just ripe for some artist with a vision to come along and open an art gallery or a cafe. Don't look at me.


Constrasting architecture


An example of many fine, old, handpainted advertising murals on the side of an old brick building. Note encroaching windowless 70's nightmare just below it. Photo by Que


Delapidated structure #042432157


Quonset hut!


This architectural wonder is far, far from the El Big valley, but close enough for my discomfort.








































El Bigians are very fond of the color blue...


and white...

and sometimes pink.

Some rare rustic funk in a town across the valley.
The architecture is one of my favorite things about this area. This posting is just the tip of the iceberg.
***
Next Week: The ART of El Big!...or The Animals of El Big! I haven't decided.