Friday Flowers

Crepe Myrtle 

This morning, I made a quick stop at the veterinarian's office to pick up Laydee's medications. The veterinary building is a nice building and the meticulously maintained landscaping always adds a pleasant touch to the surroundings.

I noticed that the cross beams of the building are lined with spikes, which I learned were installed to deter pigeons from perching and nesting there. It used to be a common sight to see pigeons nesting in the corners of the beams from the waiting room, and it was quite entertaining to watch them. However, their presence led to some destructive consequences, and they also posed a nuisance by leaving droppings on people as they entered and exited the building.

Rock Pigeons of Shasta County

I believe I'm among the minority who have an appreciation for pigeons. They are closely related to doves, and I find them to be quite beautiful, especially with their iridescent markings on their necks. In my opinion, they have a gentle and endearing nature.

I've noticed that pigeons are quite common around the WinCo store in my town, whereas I rarely see them anywhere else. It's curious how they seem to congregate in that particular area. Across the street from the store, there's a Vet office, and around the corner from there is a Target, both of which have become territories for different birds. The Target area is overrun with ravens, while the WinCo area seems to be dominated by pigeons. It's fascinating how these birds establish their own territories and start taking over specific spots. 

I remember an encounter with a pigeon when I was working in San Francisco. I had just dropped off my car for service at Ellis Brooks Chevrolet and was walking down Van Ness Avenue to catch the bus. All of a sudden, a pigeon decided to relieve itself right on me, and it went straight into my eye and mouth. It was pretty gross. We don't have as many pigeons here as they do in San Francisco. Dealing with that on a regular basis would definitely get old fast!

The two crepe myrtle flank the entrance to the Veterinarian's office. 

I've noticed people cut and train crepe myrtle in different ways. I actually like the way these are cut because it shows the beauty of the tree limbs. 

White Rose of Sharon Tree. 

Those pretty white flowers were on the grounds of the Trinity County Courthouse. 

A fun little tidbit of history

After an 1860 grand jury reported that "bed bugs had invaded the offices of the sheriff and the clerk, had defiled the records, and had even attacked a judge on the bench," Trinity County supervisors began to consider moving from the old Weaverville courthouse, which at the time was shared with the Masonic Lodge. 

In 1865 the county purchased the existing brick building that housed offices, hotel rooms, and the Apollo Saloon, which boasted the first piano in the county. The courthouse is the second oldest courthouse still in use in California and serves as a cornerstone landmark in Weaverville's Historic District.

Red Valerian  

My phone couldn't recognize the type of woody flowering shrub/tree.  It looked like a type of rose particularly because it had thorns. I spotted it just outside the art studio on the main street (299) of Weaverville.

Hollyhocks. 

Our drive to Weaverville, nestled in the Trinity Alps, on Wednesday morning, was a delightful journey back in time. Established in 1860 amidst the frenzy of the California Gold Rush, walking through its streets, one can't help but feel the peaceful rhythm of everyday life, interrupted only by the occasional traveler venturing towards the coast.

We enjoyed a large double dip ice cream cone for lunch, but it was so big that I should have only ordered a single. My husband ended up benefiting from my mistake.

Retirement allows us to explore for a couple of hours, return home, and take a well-deserved nap. Our proximity to historical landmarks and charming towns is a true blessing.

Thanks for stopping by - 

Debby