Sweet Pea Shrub Sightings at The Market at Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget

Sweet Pea Shrub Sightings at the Market at Pebble Beach, California by Ruth Paget 

While drinking my Peerless organic coffee at The Market at Pebble Beach (California), I used the Google lens app to identify a sweet pea shrub grown by the side of The Market. 

The sweet pea shrub is originally from South Africa and grows well in coastal conditions like those at Pebble Beach. 

It requires frequent watering when first becoming established, but once it is established it can withstand drought conditions. The sweet pea can be trimmed to a hedge with purple-magenta flowers poking out of the hedge like those at the Market at Pebble Beach.  

More information about the sweet pea shrub follows: 

https://www.thespruce.com/sweet-pea-shrub-profile-5074216

Happy Garden Strolling! 

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Painting in the 1980s Art Book on sale by UChicago Press reposted by Ruth Paget

The overarching ambiguity of Painting in the 1980s characterizes outwardly diverse styles such as Neo-Geo and Italian Transvanguardia in this book by Rosemary Vohane Erpf sold by the University of Chicago Press during its book sale which runs until June 15, 2026.

Details about the book and purchase information follow:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19e455f9e35b502a

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

UChicagoNode makes 200 Special Library Collections Available to Researchers reposted by Ruth Paget

The following article in UChicago News discusses UChicgoNode which makes 200 University of Chicago Special Library Collections available to researchers in digital format.

These collection reflect the diversity of the University from archaeological digs in Turkey to 1960s news television.

UChicagoNote comments on collected data (metadata) and is designed for the easy addition of future materials.

The article follows:

https://news.uchicago.edu/story/new-uchicago-digital-research-tool-opens-paths-connecting-cultures-and-continents?utm_medium=05.19email&utm_source=UChicagoNews&mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGh4AzgoUOZsLO-MulJ7Rukz0BjZdsHtSLTeJWU-Q6hYX7ea3Ef_zKXwag9Oi0vLPvzzcyj2Pl5OQ2EzRAQVoBy8rU8Vp-WrOrigM6xUoyOeHq87Xo

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Chicago Booth article on making AI training faster and cheaper reposted by Ruth Paget

The following article on ways to make AI training faster and cheaper so businesses can use their own data to develop AI human language models for business needs according to Kawin Ethayarajh from Chicago Booth (one of the article’s authors) details one of  the reasons AI is expensive to implement and how to potentially lower implementation costs:

https://www.chicagobooth.edu/review/ai-works-better-when-its-little-bit-human?source=ic-em-20260519&mkt_tok=MjUwLUNRSC05MzYAAAGh37md3Qyng25f9hdCmgxj_tv1SYe0irSC34Wfyzil116NrgQ4pngdhJHD4ZZ9ZCjeBLpf8fj8zcj2ZovIGqXnV1GNAXErzgRh1bOO4-gMr7Svb5U

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Great Courses Travel Videos Look Good reposted by Ruth Paget

I have used Great Courses videos to study photography, nutrition, tai chi and qigong, microeconomics, and English literature.

I have been very happy with these courses and think their travel videos might be great preparation for trips to the following countries:

-Germany

-Vietnam

-Great Britain

-Japan

-Norway

-France (Paris - Belle Epoque)

-Italy (Ancient Rome)

Information about these travel videos follows:

https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/465/#cv/priority/%5Esmartlabel_promo/19e3adbeca47fea8

Happy Trails!

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

Upcoming Food Festivals 2026 on California’s Central Coast by Ruth Paget

Upcoming Food Festivals on California’s Central Coast by Ruth Paget

Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival 

May 23 - 24, 2026

Morgan Hill, California (30 miles north of Salinas)

Event information follows:

https://morganhillmushroomfestival.org/

Taco Festival 2026

May 30 - 31, 2026

Salinas, California

Event information follows:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/taco-fest-2026-tickets-1980288197306?aff=ebdiglgoogleliveevents

Pinot & Paella

June 7, 2026

Templeton, California

Event information follows:

https://www.slocal.com/event/pinot-%26-paella-festival/16386/

Gilroy Garlic Festival

July 24 - 26, 2026

Gilroy, California

Event information follows:

https://gilroygarlicfestival.com/ 

Japanese Bon Odori Events in California (typically in August)

https://www.japanese-city.com/calendar/events/p/obon-popular.php

Strawberry Festival

August 1 - 3, 2026

Watsonville, California

Event information follows:

https://www.watsonville.gov/1117/Watsonville-Strawberry-Festival

Turkish Arts and Culture Festival

August 22, 2026

Monterey, California

Event information follows:

 https://whatsupmonterey.com/events/food-wine-events/california-turkish-arts-culture-festival/504

Artichoke Festival

September 5, 2026

Castroville, California

Castroville claims to be the world capital of artichoke production.

Event information follows:

https://kioncentralcoast.com/news/2025/08/18/organizers-confirm-artichoke-festival-will-return-to-castroville-for-two-events-in-2026/

Festa Italia

September 11 - 13, 2026

Monterey, California

Event information follows:

https://festaitaliamonterey.org/

SLO Oktoberfest

October 3, 2026

San Luis Obispo, California

Event information follows:

https://www.slocal.com/event/slo-oktoberfest/16581/

Food festivals which I always associate with Italy, Spain, and France are very much part of Central California’s culture as well. ((See Carol Field’s book Celebrating Italy and Discovering Spain by Penelope Casas on this topic.  For France, the fete de Cochon or late fall hog killing festivals in Auvergne are examples.)

By Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games

The Mystical Arts of Tibet on May 22, 2026 in Carmel, California by Ruth Paget

The Mystical Arts of Tibet Culture Showcase will take place on May 22, 2026 at the Sunset Center in Carmel, California.

More information about the Mystical Arts of Tibet Showcase and ticket purchase details follow:

https://www.sunsetcenter.org/event/the-mystical-arts-of-tibet-sacred-music-sacred-chants/

Reposted by Ruth Paget, author Eating Soup with Chopsticks and Marrying France and developer of the Novgorod and Bento War Games