Fall keeps teasing us -- or is it Summer? -- as we move from temperatures in the 40's overnight and daytime highs in the mid-60's only, to the 90's this week. Again. We even had .12 inches of cool rain two weeks ago; not much, but it seemed like a start on the winter season around here. Today we are looking at humidity right around 15%. Fires everywhere today, but not right here in Pasadena, at least not right now. This morning the Sylmar area was hit by fires, and we watched the wind gusting as the Mayor of Los Angeles spoke on TV.
When we went to the http://www.wunderground.com/ weather map, you could see sustained winds at 25 MPH with temps in the mid-60s at the top of Kagel canyon, with lower wind speed but temps around 80-85 three or four miles out into the valley. We hear on the news about the dry desert air bunching up then expanding as it comes over the mountains, and the expansion resulting in warmer air (as in Santa Ana winds) but have never seen it so graphically on the weather map.
Tomorrow the Inaugural Pasadena Marathon is being run, and we will
pretty much have front row seats -- three times. The course loops around the city, first passing one block to the west, going three or four miles up hill, coming by the same spot, then passing one block to our south. We will probably go down for at least a little bit and have a look-see. Since most of the roads will be closed encircling our house, we are trying to get our basic errands done today.
Can't wait to see how that goes, too, with 90F weather and two fires. [Update: 6:30 PM Mild smoke here, coming at as from three directions, but mostly moving away from Pasadena. ]
This morning we biked en famille (less one child, who is off at his mother's) to a backyard craft sale being held at the home of a colleague. Saw at least one other teacher from our school there, and one of our staff members with some excellent pottery on offer. Found some lovely local-made items for small Christmas items. Usually these sorts of things are pretty dreary, but the quality of the homemade items was high, and the company convivial. Even in the 90 degree heat it was a pleasant ride along tree-lined streets.
Garden Goings-On
Garlic is sprouting but not yet above ground. Quite a few volunteer sunflowers have come up in the eastern planter box; the watering and warm weather have them all confused. We will probably transplant them out, might even grow them in planters in my classroom. Soon as we get the first serious chill they would be done, but I want them out before they have a chance to damage the garlic crop.
Similarly, over in the south-40 [inches] that we planted in garlic some small volunteer has come up in profusion. Can't tell just yet what they are going to be. The seed-leaves could be anything from a failed salad green planting last spring to latent volunteer broccoli. Or maybe just weeds. We will watch them for a while, and if they look like something edible, will transplant them. If not, they will be simple enough (albeit annoying) to pluck out of the way of the nascent garlic.
Sometimes, like the original accidental cider, the volunteers make the best crops.
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