"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Friday, July 25, 2014

July in the Valley of the Moon - Last Post



Ah.....after being in *Heaven* for two weeks in Santa Fe, then being in *Foggy Purgatory* in San Francisco, it was great to return to the Valley of the Moon - and spend time with Joyce and Mimi!

Russian Sage...my FAVOURITE plant!  I first *discovered it 14 years ago in Santa Fe!


Look closely....a flock of Geese, *honking* their way through the Evening Sky....

Another gorgeous Sunset...(you know I never enhance my photos..)

The One and Only Mimi!



The first few days I was there.....*Mother Nature* was petulant....we had clouds and even some rain!  (Still, it was in the 70's...so much warmer than SF!)







Mist over the Valley of the Moon










Shopping for Mimi....don't you love the name of the Pet Store!

Look closely....there is Joyce entering the Pawsarottis!

Critters

Mr. Jack Rabbit

Show me your Ears!

Then there were two!





*My* Woodpeckers

Their Tree in Summer


Sadly, last Winter, there was a terrific storm and one of the tree branches came down...killing one of the Woodpecker Family..


But there they are!  Beautiful and angry that *that Girl with the Camera* is back!


Look closely...there are two! The Streetlight where they go to *complain about me* is just across from their tree!



Sunset through the Trees




*Not So Wild Critters*

On one of my walks, I encountered this sweet, Orange cat!  (Sssh....do NOT mention it to Mr. Orange)





Hmmmm..I like you, might jump down to visit!






I really like you!  So I will rub against your feet!


Mr. Grey lives next door to the *other* Mr. Orange....don't know if they are friends....

Geese!



Deer!

Mama, Yearling and Fawn





 Quail!

Darn....though I did see a few, It was hard to photograph them....they are so speedy!




You see, they ARE plentiful...  even the Weather Vanes have them!




There was also time for....OPERA!  Joyce and I went to a Met HD Broadcast from 2007 of Gounod's *Romeo et Juliet*...with Anna Netrebko (I am a huge Nebtreko fan)  and Roberto Alagna.....(I have never seen or heard it before..EXCEPT for this lovely Waltz...)  Just loved the Costumes. the Set and the Singers acting abilities...(sadly, the score was for the most part unmemorable)...
















Baseball
Joyce and me (Baseball fans...though not for the same team)..watched a few games..including a 14 inning (that's over 5 hours long, folks) game between the Phillies and giants....Mimi, wisely, gave up and went to sleep!


Mimi just couldn't take all of the 14 innings of Giants/Phillies Baseball!


And...I've saved the best for last...

Last night, out for a final *Violet Hour* Walk....I felt someone looking at me.....I glanced around and ...OMG..here's who I saw...







You KNOW I have been wondering for a while *What Does the Fox Say*....  ah...he didn't say anything..except with his beautiful eyes!  I was honoured he didn't run...and stayed for me to take these photos...our eyes did meet, and I think he knew I was a friend!

All in all, I had a wonderful and relaxing sojourn in the Valley of the Moon!  Just home...and a wonderful surprise....NO FOG!  In fact, it's quite warm...70 degrees!

Okay....I am refreshed and ready for August AND Autumn! But, sadly, this is my last post. As so many know, fewer people are on the Blogs - and on mine, no comments for the past few months....so, I am *retiring*... 

Love to you all,

♥ Robin ♥

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Fighting the Gray..

July has been a rough month for me...mostly cold, grey, windy days and nights... overwhelmingly depressing?  Oh yes.... I dislike San Francisco Summers....particularly this year after spending two glorious, happy weeks in Santa Fe...seeing Operas and being with the man I love.  I have not felt so alone in quite a while.

That being said, I have tried to combat my sadness by photographing things bright and warm looking.













Don't these look like tiny Bananas?







Mr. Orange waiting for his Dinner!

Although the nights have been foggy, I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of La Bella Luna, peeking through the misty veil....



That's all I can say.....less than two weeks until July ends....  


BUT, I am travelling North to the Valley of the Moon on Sunday for a few days with Joyce and Mimi....it will be warm!  Hooray!

Sending you all many warm hugs and love.

♥ Robin ♥

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Santa Fe 2014








Ah.....Santa Fe....what can I possibly say that I haven't before?  Except, this trip was close to perfect....

Santa Fe Clouds











Chris and I were fortunate to have the same beautiful house we had last year....away from the City, with the Sangre de Christo Mountains as our *backdrop..




Our beautiful, magical Gazebo..where we often cooked and ate outside..

*Chef Christopher*

When we didn't go out to eat, I was blessed to have a man who LOVES to cook....and is a truly great one!  It was lovely to be spoiled .....the only thing I ever did was make coffee in the Morning!



We did have one Storm with Thunder and Lightning!







But, in half an hour, it had departed and the Sun returned!





Chris was busy preparing for Santa Fe Opera.  He had five Operas to do Supertitles for...translating from French, Italian and (a first) Chinese!





Of course, we did go out for lunch, dinner and driving through the spectacular country side...


Lunch at one of our favourite spots....Chimayo


Prickly Pear Cocktails....yummy!


Some of the gorgeous scenery driving back from Chimayo....










Beautiful....BUT, I know you are waiting for some of my *Critter Photos!


Lizards








Bunnies




Even a Hummingbird!



And....of course, Ravens!





A gigantic.....who knows what!



Mr. Stinkbug strolls around...

La Bella Luna
The Moon rose particularly late - so this was the ONLY Moon Photo I took!



Blooming Cactus.....everywhere!





And.....Operas!  (You didn't think I would post about this, did you?  A-ha-ha!)



The 2014 Season





During the Day.....doesn't it resemble a Tanker Ship?



Nighttime




Final Dress Rehearsal for *Carmen*



Here's what Chris does for a living.....all his translations for every Opera appear on this screen.  The Metropolitan Opera in New York has the same system.


Nothing is as gorgeous as the Santa Fe *Violet Hour* as the Operas begin...

A panoramic view of the Opera House as Opening Night begins!


And here we are, all dressed up on Opening Night for *Carmen*!



Whew... a lot of photos....(and I took even more)!  I hope you enjoyed visiting Santa Fe with me!

Love,

♥ Robin ♥