I stepped quickly back behind the house–but I think my startling it cost it its dinner. Sorry about that.
I came inside a few minutes later with these Yellow Transparents. It is a sign of how different things are this year, drought-wise, that I still have plenty on my tree, proof that the squirrels don’t touch the tart stuff unless they’re starving: this year they have better options. (Whatever they are out there, starting with my California Coffeeberries).
A little apple juice, four small quartered apples, cover, zap five minutes, cool, scrape off the skins and voila! Apple sauce for two.