The Jewels Of Rodentia

Do you see that little guy up there, standing in the shadow of my blue ceramic birdbath?

That's a round-tailed ground squirrel, and we have them all over our property.

Sure, they're cute.  Those big black glassy eyes, the quick darting movements around the yard, the nibbling on scattered bird seed.  Look how alert this little guy is, standing up on his hind legs.

They are a little bit of a nuisance, though.  They dig holes all over the yard, connecting their tunnels underneath and sometimes creating hazards in the areas we walk.  A lot of the ground is soft and sandy around here and it's a little unsettling when the ground gives way beneath you, no matter how little it throws off your gait because you stepped on and collapsed an underground tunnel.

These little guys are well-adapted to life in the desert, although they're smart enough to stay out of the sun in the late afternoon when it's the hottest.  They live underground for most of the winter - going into torpor, not hibernation - in late August or September, and coming out in January or February. 

That explains why I've been seeing a lot more activity over the last month or so.  Just the other day I watched one of them eat around the entire bottom of this halo cactus.  I was waiting for the bite that was going to topple it on his head but it never came.

Here's the same guy who was eating the cactus, coming back up out of his hole to plan his next move. 

Information from the ADW says, "While active, these squirrels show two peaks in their activity, one in the morning, and one in the late afternoon. This pattern may lower the amount of time S. tereticaudus is exposed to the heat. These squirrels have been shown to have long periods of activity on overcast afternoons. When active, they spend about 50% of their time foraging."

So this is where the post goes in an unexpected direction. 

Squirrel porn.

Ed and I watch these little guys right outside our front living room window.  This week while we were watching I said to Ed, "What is that white fluff they're dragging around?"  I couldn't really get a good look at it because like I said, they're fast.  And small.  And I'm getting old and can't see things that small, that far away.

Ed said, "Those are his balls."

"His balls??" I said.  "No. That can't be right.  They can't possibly be his balls.  Look how big they are.  They're completely out of proportion."

"Well, I think that's what they are," he said.

So I kept watching.  And they dragged those furry white sacks everywhere.  Around cactus, over rocks, flailing behind them as they scampered across the yard.  I had to pay very close attention because it's difficult to follow them when they're moving so quickly, especially when there are several of them, darting around.

I was determined to get a picture of their balls.

And finally, I got this guy.  He came up out of a hole, scurried a few feet, and right behind him....

Boom!

Palline! 

I'm sure you didn't come here to learn about the breeding habits of round-tailed ground squirrels, but here we are.

So after my conversation with Ed, I Googled "ground squirrel testicles". 

I can't believe I just wrote that sentence. I really hope no one is reviewing my browser history.  And I really hope I don't start getting spam based on that search.  

Anyway, what I discovered is that ground squirrels breed once per year, from January to April.  The breeding season of the Spermophilus Tereticaudus (Round-tailed Ground Squirrel) starts in mid-January with the enlargement of the male's testes.

Hence, the giant furry white sac. 

Geez.  That just looks so uncomfortable.  

According to the breeding information, females were observed to be pregnant from mid-March to late April and then in mid-April, the testes regress, and the males are no longer capable of insemination. 

Wow.  Never in my life did I see myself getting this much information on what's essentially a rodent.

Biology lesson over.



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2017: Oh, The Horror I've Seen
2016: Barbed Badlands
2015: Exotic Tropicals
2014: Eggs, Milk, Bread, And Good Blood Pressure
2013: Clowns Looking For A Place To Live
2012: My Early Version Of Google
2011: Food With Integrity That Fuels Creativity
2010: If Only It Were Dollars Instead Of Miles
2009: The Last Bit Of Winter
2008: Eddie Fr-Eye-Day
2007: Authorized Personnel Only
2006: Stolen Zillow
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

A Spin Around Town

A few photos as we drove around Puerto Peñasco, Mexico will provide a glimpse into the life of this colorful coastal community. 

Tropical drink vendor.

An interior design company.

The Edificio Municipal (Municipal Building).

A float from the "Vive Peñasco Carnaval" parade that ushered in the Spring Break festivities. 

The Curios Sofía Pottery Shop at the corner of Calle Ignacio Zaragoza and 18 de Septiembre in the Old Port area.

One of the many pharmacies you'll find in town.  

El Delfín Amigable (The Friendly Dolphin) restaurant.

All Mexican towns have innumerable bright buildings.

An elote (grilled Mexican street corn) and churro (fried dough pastry) vendor.

The flag of Mexico.

Ocean toys, bathing suits, souvenirs.

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2017: A Little To The Right
2016: Around Town In 80 Days
2015: The Gold On The Hill
2014: Be Happy You Don't Have A Bolt In Your Head
2013: Seriously Up To Our Ass In Alligators
2012: Such A Fragrant Sprig!
2011: Coast To Coast
2010: The Joke’s On Us
2009: Eddie Monsignor Starbucks Friday
2008: All The Better To Smell You With, My Dear
2007: Neon Railroad
2006: I Left My Heart…
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Columns Of Cacti

The Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument share 31 miles of international border with Mexico.  It's located on AZ-85, the state highway that runs between Why, Arizona and Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.  On our way through, we stopped at the visitor's center to gather some information and drive through some of the park to take a few pictures. 

Taken from the National Park Service brochure and the NPS website:

The organ pipe is a large cactus rarely found in the United States, although it is common in Mexico.  The monument protects the bulk of its US range.  Like its fellow cacti and other desert inhabitants, the organ pipe is attuned to rhythms of the sun and infrequent rains.  A glutton for heat and light, it grows on warmer slopes where it can absorb the most sun.  This is critical in winter months when severe frosts can kill the cactus.  It blooms in the heat of May, June, and July, opening lavender-white flowers after the sun sets. Organ Pipe Cactus can live to over 150 years of age, and will only produce their first flower near the age of 35.



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2017: Flashback To The South
2016: Debonair
2015: Geographically Centered
2014: Full Brain, Full Belly, Full Wallet
2013: Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Mo
2012: Honing Her Skills For The Nursing Home
2011: Fire Up The Grill
2010: The Voice Of Tucson Speaks
2009: Crossing Over To The White Side
2008: Eddie Voyager Of The Seas Friday
2007: Indiscriminate Discrimination
2006: Dancing Queen
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Today's Catch

As a complement to yesterday's blue boats, here's a trio of red boats, also found docked with the other commercial fishing boats at the marina in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico. 

The commercial fishing industry has taken some hits over the years.  The author of this article, The Fish in Our Foodshed, written in 2014 states, "As overfishing drives fisheries toward collapse across the Sea of Cortez, connecting fishermen directly to their markets may offer them a more sustainable future."



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Antiques Around EVERY Corner
2016: Flashback Friday
2015: The Rich Coast
2014: Getting Hosed
2013: River Of Grass
2012: Stupid Rock
2011: Crab Rangoon Makes Me Swoon
2010: Bonnie And Clyde Meet Toni And Frank
2009: Finally…A Bib That Is Both Functional And Accurate
2008: Trickling Down
2007: Anonymously Yours,
2006: Over 7,000 Feet Of Pristine Beauty
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Go Fish

Fishing boats at the docks in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.

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2017: Flatout New York
2016: Hill Town Transportation
2015: 651 Miles To Go

2014: I May Not Love Your Traffic, But I Do Love You

2013: Astonished That Anyone Could Schedule All Those Things

2012: A World Of Imagination Left Behind

2011: Betty’s Got It Going On

2010: Don’t Miss The Latest On TDR. Today At Eight, Noon, Six, And Midnight

2009: No Hothouse In Sight

2008: ’Till The Cows Come Home

2007: Salt Lake City Special

2006: It’s More Expensive To Say No

2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Beach Boy

A boy strolls along a beach wall in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.



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2017: Atomic Appetizer
2016: There's Always Time For The World Wide Web
2015: There's Always A Church
2014: The Parking Problems For A Big Rig Never End
2013: Need I Say More?
2012: Despite The Name, This Might Not Be Your Place If You’re Truly Bashful
2011: Then Someone Lit The Flame And Plain Rode Away On Lion’s Mane
2010: It Once Had A Life
2009: Life’s A Planet Beach
2008: I Wasn’t Even Fishing, But I Certainly Got A Great Catch
2007: Royal Air Force Typhoon Blows Into Nellis
2006: This Dandelion Needs Rogaine
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Five Spices And A Few Cuties

I was in the mood for a little stir-fry this week but I've had so much chicken, I needed something different.  Beef and broccoli sounded good so I searched the internet and found this recipe for Five-Spice Orange Beef and Broccoli.  It was super easy and reallly delicious. 

Here's what you'll need:

• 1 pound flank steak, trimmed 
• 3/4 teaspoon five-spice powder 
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper 
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil, divided 
• 2 cups small broccoli florets 
• 1 1/2 cups vertically sliced onion 
• 8 (1-inch) strips orange rind 
• 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 
• 1/2 cup unsalted beef stock 
• 3 tablespoons orange juice 
• 3 tablespoons hoisin sauce 
• 1 tablespoon lower-sodium soy sauce 
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar 
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch 
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 
• 1 (8.8-ounce) package precooked white rice 
• 1/2 cup sliced green onions 
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Since it was a last-minute idea, I didn't have a few of the ingredients - beef stock, hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, green onions, sesame seeds - but that didn't affect the meal.  I used chicken stock in place of the beef, 2 tablespoons of sugar and white wine to make up for the hoisin and rice vinegar (since hoisin is a sweet and rice vinegar is sweeter than white vinegar).  As for the green onions and sesame seeds, they're just garnish and I can do without them.

Next, there are just three steps to put it all together!

Step 1
Sprinkle steak evenly with five-spice powder, black pepper, and salt.  Heat a large wok or skillet over high heat.  Add 1 tablespoon oil to pan; swirl to coat.Add steak; cook 4 minutes on each side or until browned. Remove steak from pan; let stand 5 minutes. Cut steak across the grain into thin slices.

Step 2

Return pan to high heat. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil; swirl. Add broccoli, onion, rind, and garlic; stir-fry 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Combine stock and next 6 ingredients (through red pepper) in a bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add stock mixture to pan; cook 1 minute or until slightly thickened.

Step 3

Spoon 1/2 cup rice onto each of 4 plates; top each serving with 3/4 cup broccoli mixture and 3 ounces beef. Sprinkle evenly with green onions and sesame seeds.

I didn't do the broccoli and beef separately, I mixed the meat in with the broccoli before I served it.  I wanted everything coated with the sauce. 

I will definitely be making this again.  In fact, I'm kinda craving it right now.

Also - I was surprised at how delicious the orange rinds were.  I used Cuties because I had them on hand and they were perfect.  

Enjoy!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
2017: Water That Saved The Life Of A Princess
2016: A Few Blocks From Fort Apache
2015: Única…Original
2014: Living The Examined Life
2013: Trucking Like We're On Fire

2012: Looking For A Coffee Fix
2011: Container Port, You Are No Friend Of Mine
2010: Encased In Plastic
2009: No Lifeguard On Duty
2008: Palm Sketches
2007: You Know Who You Are
2006: I Fear The Family
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Dove On The Sea Of Cortez

While in Puerto Peñasco last weekend, Ed and I went to an open house named La Paloma Del Mar, The Dove of The Sea. 

Here's the estate site plan from their website:

The estate consists of a beachfront main house, Casa Joya; a large off-beach house, Casa Cabana, and three guest houses; Casa Estrella, Casa Fiesta, and Casa Buena Vista.

The house with its spacious patio is situated right on the beach, with the Sea of Cortez less than 300 feet from your door.  It's beautiful and I can definitely see the appeal of owning or renting a place like this.

There's not much to do in the town of Rocky Point, but if you are stocked up at the house, and your goal is to relax, there's really no reason to go into town.

La Paloma Del Mar is available for either sale or rent.  To buy it, you'll need to fork over $1,750,000.  To rent it, you can check VRBO listing to see if a visit will fit into your budget.



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2017: A Spicy Little Secret
2016: It's Uphill From Here
2015: A Place Of Rare Beauty
2014: Thumbs Up For A Real Bronx Tale
2013: A Mountain City Fit For A Queen
2012: Sprinkle Of Seaweed, Anyone?
2011: Shopping To The Maxx
2010: Ed Unloads An Oil Platform
2009: You Never Know When You Might Need It
2008: Eddie Climbs A Wall Friday
2007: What Showing Off For Your Kids Looks Like
2006: What’s It All About?
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

I Don't Care What You Call Them, These Paws Will Never Touch My Lips

I know there are many countries (and probably my friend Marlaina) that eat the feet (and other parts) of a chicken that I'd never even consider buying and would throw away if I found them attached to my chicken.

I don't usually see the unusual parts at my grocery store, but today when I was shopping I saw a package of Chicken Paws.  My brain exploded a little.  Chicken PAWS??

Thank God for Google.  Because Google led me to this.  Gag.

Apparently, the United States Department of Agriculture has specific descriptions for both paws and feet (pages 78 and 79 of this document, designation numbers 71801, 71802, 71803, 71804).  Scrolling through the pages I was amazed at how specific they get with poultry.

But honestly, really, I don't care what you call them.  You couldn't pay me to touch them, let alone eat them.  I don't even think I could bring myself to use them for stock.  I've gotten squeamish in my old age.  I don't like to touch icky stuff.

I'm still traumatized by being forced to try liver when I was a child.



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2017: Spicy Rubs In Bulk
2016: Tiny Life
2015: Where The Sierra Madre del Sur Mountains Meet The Pacific
2014: A Spontaneous Slumber Party And An Italian Feast To Go
2013: Bright Spot On The Mountain
2012: Thinking About Adding A Few More Wheels To The Rig
2011: Cooled By The Ocean
2010: Oh, Mother!
2009: Eddie Adds Culture To His Day
2008: One Armed Bandit
2007: 614
2006: Having A Good Reason
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

The Malecón And More

The Malecón

This past weekend, Ed and I took a trip to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, more commonly known in our neck of the woods by its English name, Rocky Point.

I haven't been to Rocky Point in 35 years.  The only thing I remember about it is an abandoned wooden boat on the beach, and these sweet little bolillo rolls from a local bakery.  I was also 15 years old so had no control over where I went or what I got to see.

We had some time before we were able to check into our hotel so we drove around to see what was happening in town.  We had lunch, checked out the hotel zone, weaved through the streets of the Old Port Fish Market, and drove the street along the malecón (a word used in Spanish-speaking countries, and especially in nations of Latin America, for a stone-built embankment or esplanade along a waterfront).

We were there a few days before they were expecting students to arrive from the U of A, ASU, and NAU for Spring Break.  Rocky Point is known as "Arizona's Beach", as it's the closest beach to these three universities and major Arizona cities like Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma.  The stores along the malecón were ready, stocked with items emblazoned with the invidual college logos.

There were a lot of kids riding ATVs, quads, and side-by-sides.  I definitely wouldn't have wanted to be there for the entire week and the place was crawling with drunk college students, and although I wasn't blown away by the area, I think I might take another trip down there to take advantage of the Sea of Cortez once the weather gets warmer.



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2017: The West Side
2016: The Populace Of Winter
2015: Two If By Sea
2014: Beauty And The Bleak
2013: Don't Even Ask
2012: Click Mouse, Make Money
2011: Buttons Beware. There’s Someone Cuter In Town!
2010: Eddie Dials Up The Lunch Order
2009: Trucking Superhere And Sidekick
2008: I’m Just A Goy In Love With A Boy
2007: When Pork Goes Pornographic
2006: Now Where Did I Put Those Underwear??
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Urban Art

Murals on the walls surrounding one of the boat storage yards in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.



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2017: Rockin' It
2016: Former Trees
2015: Birthday At The Blowhole
2014: Dreaming Of Blue Skies And Swaying Palms
2013: They Never Ask If You Have Invisible Ink
2012: I Didn’t Break A Leg, So I Guess I Can’t Regret Doing It
2011: Why Couldn’t It Have Been The Canola??
2010: I Like To Call Him The Kite Master
2009: Talk About Making Good Use Of Your Time
2008: Don’t Three Feet Equal One Yard?
2007: New And Improved
2006: Maybe I Don’t Need To Know Everything
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005! 

Do Not Be Afraid

This structure, located in the harbor area where the fishing boats dock in Puerto Peñasco, bears the image of The Virgin of Guadalupe, or Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is the patron saint of Mexico.

The words inscribed in Spanish, "No tengas miedo, ¿no esty yo aquí que soy tu madre?" mean, "Do not be afraid.  Am I not here, I who am your mother?"

Our Lady of Guadalupe holds a special place in the religious life of Mexico, is one of the most popular religious devotions, and her image has played an important role as a national symbol of Mexico.



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2017: Grounded
2016: The Zombie Apocalypse Could Be In Full Swing And I'd Never Know
2015: Creamery On Congress
2014: Eastern Influence In A Southern State
2013: The Wegmans Cheese Tour
2012: Balls In The Air
2011: Branded
2010: Don’t Lose The Fun 
2009: I’ll Get To It As Soon As I’m Done Churning The Butter, Dear.
2008: Trees At Sunset
2007: Giving Directions To This Place Is Easy
2006: A Cloud Of Words
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Checking Out The Pipes

Ed and I starting our weekend away in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico.

The first stop on our way down there was at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.

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2017: Gravitating Toward Good Tunes
2016: A Little Thing With A Long History
2015: It Was A Kona Kind Of Day

2014: Award-Winning Plan
2013: Watch Closely Now
2012: Mission Of The Sacred Heart
2011: Vintage Photo And Clothing
2010: Just How I Like It…Cold And Colder
2009: Snagged
2008: The Writing Is On The Wall
2007: Eddie Waits For A Ride
2006: Truckers And Travelers Know Good Food
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!

Forty-Seven Years Later, I Stood In Her Hood

I've been scanning old photos when I'm home, to make a digital copy for, I don't know, the future generation I guess.  I came across this one of my mother standing in the driveway of the house where she grew up in the Bronx. 

The photo of her was taken in August 1959, she was 17 years old.  The photo on the left was taken by me, in April 2006, a few months after my father died when I was in New York handling all of his affairs.

My mother's grandfather owned the six-family building they lived in, and her parents and three sisters occupied the bottom floor.   I think the window near her right elbow is the one on the top left of my photo because the other two together are too far off the ground.  But, the brick lintle on the window in her photo is curved and the ones in my photo are straight.  I'm thinking they might have been replaced between 1959 and 2006, changing the top of the window. 

My mother and her sisters used to climb out of the window in the kitchen rather than going in and out of the door.  I think they used the first single low window, directly under the fire escape.

I'm so glad my grandfather was into photography and preserved these moments for me.  Someday I'll pass them on.



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2017: Giving New Meaning To "Letting The Dishes Soak"
2016: Shake And Rake
2015: Hawaiʻiloa's Favorite Son
2014: Into The Mouth Of A Lion
2013: A Barn Serving Steak Good Enough To Eat
2012: A Quick Update
2011: It Takes Nothing To Win A Contest
2010: Sorry, no post for this day.
2009: The Hags Hit The Big Time
2008: One Thing At A Time
2007: Snaking Across Broadway
2006: Psssst! Wanna Buy A Hot Dog Truck?
2005: Sorry, no post on this day. The blog didn’t start until May 2005!