Additions

                    Abutilon palmeri or Palmer's Indian Mallow

                  Gambelia speciosa or Island Snapdragon

                  mirabilis laevis villosa or Bigelow's Desert 4 O'Clock

A few additions to the garden today. The heat has been winnowing out the laggards. Now we are going to be planting only the hearty desert plants.

Early Morning Hollywood

We had a sunrise call yesterday in Hollywood. We were on time but production and the equipment were not. Here, the DP tries to call the producer to see what's up. Unfortunately, it would be this disorganized the rest of the day. Thankfully, we were done in 5 hours.

Cassoulet

I made a really good Americanized cassoulet the other day. Perfect top, for me at least.....

Andre

Special guest star DP Andre L. looking at home in 1st AC's Monty's outrageous Crown Vic.

More Cars

Back on stage last week dealing with more cars.

Front Yard Brunch

The squirrels are back in the Tipu tree munching away on seed pods. Some prefer the dried ones on the ground while others like their pods fresh. Glad we can accommodate.

New Blood

I had to take Irene in this morning for an oil change. I've always loved Shant's workspace. Exposed beams, skylights..... It would make a perfect artist's studio cluttered with gorgeous but in need of repair vintage Mercedes.

Oliver from Oliver

Our Vancouver PM Oliver found out about my love of gin and obtained for me a bottle of Deep Cove Brewery's excellent Oliver gin. They add olives and rosemary to the usual botanicals for a unique, sublime flavor. Hopefully they will make it available in the States someday. Check out their recipes  page for some beer-centric meals.
Our script supervisor was impressed with their oyster infused gin, Ahab.

Suza Smiles

After a bit of a rough morning last week, producer Suza shares a onset laugh with AD Paul.

Volcano

En route back to LA from Vancouver and passing over one of the Cascade Volcanoes

Dust Up @ The Birdbath

A lot of puffing of chests and mid air fighting around the birdbath this morning. I guess we should a maximum occupancy sign.

SLC Grand Cocktails

While working in Salt Lake City, I often found myself in the late afternoon enjoying a few pages of my current book and a cocktail in the lobby lounge. You could have a different drink each night and never repeat a concoction. Very civilized.

SLC Ellen

 Ellen and I were recently working in Utah. On a fine sunny morning, a very dapper DP chats with our actor. Below is the view on my return to LA after a week of high altitude.

Summer Shuffle

Our Lion's Tale plant out front has died. It was in a bad way for awhile. The Tipu's expanding canopy might be beginning to affect the full sun plants. So we ripped it up and moved an under performing tea tree bush in it's place. Where the tea tree was, there is now a:

 Calliandra eriophylla or Pink Fairy Duster.

Over on the other side of things, we tore up one of the invasive but pretty iceplants. After a quick trip to the California native specialists @ Theodore Payne, we replaced it with:

 Baja Spurge and a few clumps of Canyon Prince Rye grass. Hopefully they can live together and gives us some blooms next Spring.

Of Figs and Wasps

The fig tree out back is producing a lot of fruit this year and before the squirrels get to them, I've been harvesting the juicy ones. This morning there were some very small fly-like bugs crawling out the bottom of a few. My brain searched that part that stores all forgotten trivia but google provided a faster answer. Fig wasps pollinate the fig "flower" and lay eggs inside. These little women I saw were on their way out, to find a new fig tree to pollinate. The visceral reaction has been now to cut open all the figs and see what's squirming inside. Fascinating stuff. Read more here or watch here

Weekend Dog +4

It's been four weeks since we lost Seven's light and I find walks to have become boring. Without my friend's unseen sense of smell, I now rush past those places that before would have given us pause. I would contemplate on his process as my friend sniffed and compared a lifetime of smells to this current one. Would he then lift his leg to alter it or dismiss it and walk on? With only the banality of sight, our past paths are now devoid of the layers he brought. I do miss my guide.

Beach Babes

After lunch along the PCH, we headed to Point Dume and stuck our toes in the Pacific. After a 15 hour flight, Sara will be dipping her toes in the Pacific from a Sydney beach, experiencing both the east and western edges of the ocean within 24 hours.

Hi Brow vs. Low Brow

Future niece in law Sara H blew through town on her way to the South Pacific. The first night, after a hearty vegetarian tagine, we drove over to Pasadena to watch "The 7th Voyage of Sinbad", alfresco style. The next day, with Simone joining us again, we trekked to the Palisades and the Pompeiian inspired Getty Villa. Great gardens, mosiacs and some excellent herb ideas. Fascinating exhibit on the Byzantine going on now.
Via Simone: