inkspired musings: California

Friday, October 23, 2026

Colorado California Connecticut

Colorado

California

Connecticut

Let’s explore 3 more states of

the United States of America.

I’m going alphabetically but since I live in Colorado I will explore Colorado first today. You can find the first 4 states (alphabetical) in a previous blog.

(Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas)

Colorado

Song sheet graphics, c.1904

Colorado was the 38th state to join the Union, in 1876.

It’s known as “The Mile High City” because the state capital, Denver, sits at 5,280 feet above sea level - exactly one mile. The capital’s 13th step marks the exact spot.

SimplyColor.me

The Colorado River starts here, and then travels to carve out the Grand Canyon (Arizona). Colorado is also part of the Rocky Mountains, where it gets its other slogan - “Rocky Mountain High” (thank you, John Denver). It has 58 fourteeners (mountains that are 14,000 feet high or above) and has Mount Elbert as it’s highest at 14,439 feet high.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Colorado has many different animal wildlife. Rocky Mountain National Park is where elk have the right of way on the trails! Bighorn sheep climb almost vertical heights and are the State Animal.

Bighorn sheep

Colorado has a strong mining history, with gold, silver, uranium, molybdenum, coal and materials like sand and gravel. It has active gold mines. You can even go and try your skill at panning for gold in a stream. It’s not uncommon to leave with a little gold.

Courtesy Comstock

Colorado has some quirky laws, as most states do. You cannot sell automobiles on Sundays. In Boulder drinking and riding a horse is illegal. In Logan County it is not permitted to kiss a woman while she is sleeping. Don’t you just wonder what the history is behind these laws?

WordSearchAddict.com

Colorado is home to the Great Sand Dunes National Park, and Native American cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde. Outdoor sports are popular, including white water rafting, skiing, hiking, bicycling and mountain climbing.

The Royal Gorge suspension bridge (across the Royal Gorge) is one of the world’s highest at 1,053 feet from the ground. Yikes.

Mesa Verde cliff dwellings, Colorado

California

California became the 31st state of the USA in 1850. The capitol is Sacramento, although Los Angeles is the most populated city. If California became its’ own country, it would be the 5th largest economy in the world. It also would be larger than 85 of the smallest nations. And yes, it is home to Hollywood.

Hollywood Walk of Stars

Being such a large state, it has a wide range of climates and terrain. California has 840 miles of coastline. In the North there is the Redwood Forest. These trees are the tallest in the world, growing more than 350 feet tall. That’s like a 35 story building! It is also home to Death Valley, a desolate desert where the highest recorded temperature was 134 degrees Fahrenheit.

Beeloo Inc.

The state flower is the California Poppy. The state animal is the grizzly bear but unfortunately there are no wild grizzlies living there now.

Graph for the California poppy

Song sheet cover, c.1915

There are many vineyards in the state, and California produces more than 17 million gallons of wine every year. That’s a lot of grapes… Fresno is the Raisin Capital of the World. Figures.

Courtesy Jen Racine Coloring Books

The San Diego Zoo is respected worldwide. It is home to more than 12,000 animals, and 680 species.

I can’t forget to mention - DisneyLand is in California, close to Los Angeles.

Connecticut

Seymore, Connecticut

Connecticut became the 5th state to join the USA in 1788. Its’ capital is Hartford. It is ranked 48th out of 50 in size. That means it’s pretty small, at just 5,544 square miles. However, it played a significant role in the Revolutionary War for independence.

FactRetriever.com

The Hartford Courant is the oldest, still published, newspaper in America. The first issue rolled off the presses in 1764.

Song sheet cover graphics, c.1911

For being such a small state, there are several things Connecticut is known for. Perhaps the most well known is it is home to Yale University (established in 1701). It also has splendid fall foliage drives, beaches, covered bridges and small coastal towns with fresh seafood specialities.

Craft pattern

Connecticut is known as “The Constitution State”.

Some also call it “The Nutmeg State” and residents are called ‘nutmeggers’.

Muse Printables

A favorite regional food is hot lobster rolls with butter.

Song sheet graphics, subject is New Haven, CN; c. 1910

There are about 100 days of sunshine every year (out of 365).

First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Connecticut

Connecticut is also famous for Samuel Colt’s invention and manufacture of the Colt Walker pistol, 1847.

1847 Colt Walker Revolver. Only 1100 were made of this model.

Did you know in Devon, Conn. it is against the law to walk backwards on city sidewalks after sunset? And in Hartford don’t try to walk across the street on your hands - you’ll get ticketed!

Groton, Connecticut

There is so much more to learn about these 3 states. My hope is that my blog has roused an interest in you to learn a little bit more. I am really looking forward to completing all 50 states.

Can you fill in the blanks?

Here’s a fun map:

‘Til next time,

inkspired

Saturday, August 27, 2011

What Poland and California have in common

czesc

pronounced 'cheswhch'

Polish for "hi"

a just-bursting-from-the-pod red poppy

So what in the world do California, USA have in common with

the country of Poland?

poppy necklace including free earrings, by www.RachelleD.etsy.com

The red corn poppy is the floral emblem of Poland, set against a blue sky.

www.aeleppo02.etsy.com

The State Flower for the state of California, USA is the golden poppy.

Now, I realize that the red corn poppy is red,

and the golden poppy is kinda' orangeish,

BUT

they are both from the same category - the poppy!

vintage 1970 botanical print, www.NaturalistCollection.etsy.com

So today I celebrate the Month of August Flower

the poppy

and the Floral Emblem of Poland

the red corn poppy

and the State Flower of California

the golden poppy.

punched, cut and shaped flowers on 2 greeting cards

Floral designs from Dover. I think the bottom right one looks like a poppy.

Scandinavian Glansbilleder, 'Poppy girl', courtesy of OrigamiBears

Here are some beautiful photos of places in Poland:

postcard for Ziebice

Poland's Coat of Arms

Now let's throw a little California in -

Remember - you can right click on any photo/graphic

and it usually comes up bigger.

These golden poppies are growing in a parking lot in CA!

California state bird and flower.

Can anyone tell me what the state bird for California is?

You can tell me in the COMMENTS section of my blog,

or you can e-mail me here:

dominoes@myinkspired.com

Poppy Plate Clock

www.makingtimetc.etsy.com

"Summer set lip to earth's bosom bare,

And left the flushed print in a poppy there."

- Francis Thompson

double poppy hybrid

from ferenc.biz/red-corn-poppy-pictures-national-flower-poland/

In Persian literature the red corn poppy flower symbolized love.

It is often referred to as the eternal lover flower.

poppy earrings and adjustable ring,

www.HoneyCase2.etsy.com

I found these pretty to-color costumes in my files.

The one on the right is "Polish".

poppies table runner from www.ivyandhollychristmasshop.com

Here is a pretty costume from Liana's blog.

I think the flowers on the dress look like yellow poppies!

a wood album to use as a guest list, photo album, wedding memories, etc.

www.elizalenore.etsy.com

One of my favoritist muffins is the Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin.

(I can make up words like 'favoritist' because it's my blog!!!)

Here is a recipe I turn to again and again:

torn from a Ladies' Home Journal, October 1991

Lemon poppy seed muffins:

prep. time 10 - 15 minutes

preheat oven to 400'.

Grease twelve 2 1/2" (regular size) muffin pan cups. Or use paper liners.

Whisk together in a medium bowl:

1/4 Cup butter or margarine, melted (I like to use butter), cooled for a bit

1 Cup milk

1 large egg

1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel (I use the pre-powdered kind)

Combine in a large bowl:

2 Cups all-purpose flour (since I'm high altitude, I like Hungarian Flour brand)

1/3 Cup sugar

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tablespoon poppy seeds

Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients just until combined. (over beating makes a dull flat muffin)

Spoon batter evenly into prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.

(I usually have enough batter for more than 12.)

Bake 20 - 22 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center of muffin comes out clean.

(I like the re-usable cake tester from Pampered Chef)

While just out of the oven, spoon/brush topping over hot muffins.+

Cool in pans on wire racks for 5 minutes.

Remove from pans and serve warm,

or cool completely, wrap well and freeze up to 1 month.*

+ Topping:

Combine 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1 Tablespoon lemon juice.

Brush on after baking. Lemon juice in the bottle works just fine.

*To reheat, loosely wrap each muffin in a paper towel and microwave on High 15 - 20 seconds. I would NOT put on the sugar glaze topping when freezing. Then when the muffins are re-heated I would brush on some glaze after microwaving.