14 oz.

After hours and days of boiling, we think we have about 14 oz of syrup that is passable as actual maple syrup. These photos are from the first batch and beginning of the second.

Lamberton Conservatory

Doug and I visited Lamberton Conservatory in Highland Park a few weeks ago so I could prepare for an upcoming field trip. I really liked the desert room. I learned that cactus spines are actually modified leaves and serve not only as protection from being eaten but also as sun protection (for some cacti that have a million spines). Here you see a Golden Barrel Cactus in the upper left, a Bunny Ear Cactus in the lower left and I don't remember the other 2 kinds!
Side note: if you google Lamberton Conservatory, Neil Cowley's website comes up as the 5th entry I think (we went to college with Neil).

A Lucky Dog

Daru had a run-in with some object in the woods last weekend and had to go to the vet for surgery. In the bottom left, she is recovering from the surgery. The top left shows some of her shaved chest and leg (for the IV) and the right side shows Daru in her day wear. She has to wear the lamp shade and shoes to keep from scratching her stitches out. The vet said she was a lucky dog since there were no major organ injuries.

I love seahorses

The Monterey Aquarium is opening a new exhibit on seahorses on April, 6th so Dawn and Nate will have to enjoy it for us, but we did get to ses a couple of different kinds of seahorses in their regular exhibits. Doug took this photo.