Another tree gone 05-07-24

Yesterday morning when we walked there were tree trimmer at work. This house was the #1 model home when this tract was developed and stands at the "point" where Warren St. and Brain St. divide. So, the trees were planted in about 1970 pretty old and they haven't received very attentive  care.  The two California Sycamores also shed large leaves and, for some reason, homeowners in S.California do not like trees that shed leaves, or anything else.  Anyway, the guys were only taking down one of the two sycamores.   So sad. Maybe it was diseased, it looked pretty scruffy.   I miss all the trees that have been removed in  the 36  years  we have lived  here.   I  had to  take  out the melaleuca tree that we planted  when  we  first moved in because it decided to grow way over our neighbors driveway and inhibit his access.   There are no trees in our yard,  just the ficus in the neighbors yard which grows right against the fence, half shading both backyards.

 

Right in  middle is the guy with the chainsaw on top of the stump. 

Here he is cutting off another chunk which he let fall after looking and shouting for all clear below.  

That huge piece down, he adjusts to take another cut.  Notice his chainsaw dangling below his butt. 

Around the corner out of our tract there is a huge planting of Algerian ivy the length of the property.  This they could take out, if they asked me.   I am very allergic to it and get a horrible rash.  In the late 50s and 60s one could hardly walk  a  block  without seeing a sea of this ivy.  It is a foot to a foot and a half deep and shelters rodents and snails.  Take it out!   

 I was trying to take a picture of KoKo next to the ivy to show the depth, but he just wouldn't stand still and wanted to WALK,  Finally I got him to sit, but in my shadow. 

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Shadows 01-30-21

We went a little later for our walk today, so the sun was well up in the sky and very bright.  I have always been interested in shadows; they come in different colors and "thicknesses" depending on the light that is casting the shadow.  

This is a crape myrtle tree in the strip between street and sidewalk.  It is one of the few really healthy ones left from those that were originally planted some 50 years ago.  Many were taken out because they were in an inconvenient spot or the homeowner didn't like them.  Ours lost a limb that was ripped off by a big truck, so it is a little lopsided and anyway not as large as this one.  I love the bark, or lack thereof, and the soft lavendar blossoms in the summer.  It makes a lovely shadow, I think. 

Of course, KoKo and I also cast a shadow.  Not nearly as interesting as a tree, though!

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Agapantus season 07-14-20

Agapanthus are such a beautiful blue and growing them clustered together looks like a piece of the sky has fallen.  

 I love the plants and also the shadows they make on the sidewalk.  

Each individual flower in the cluster is so perfect .

 But now the season is almost over and the seed heads form clusters on long stems. 

Each "ball" of seed pods glistens in the water from sprinklers like weird chandeliers.   When dried and the seed pods removed the bare stalks make interesting additions to dried flower arrangements. 

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Wordless Wednesday 02-06-19

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Dinner at Green2Go 11-08-13

I had to have my hair cut before the reception tomorrow night at Visions Art Museum in San Diego.  It is the opening for "Recent Acquisitions From the Thomas Contemporary Quilt Collection" and pictures will be taken.  In keeping with the theory that one should dress so as not to compete with their work (or their collection) I will wear black.  I've considered spiking my hair (it is the perfect length), but I'm afraid if I don't wear a hat, nobody will know who I am!  If you are within reach of San Diego, stop by and say Hello!  The reception is from 5 to 7pm.    


I combined my haircut with dinner out.  Right around the corner from Supercuts is Green2Go a restaurant that serves tasty, healthy food.  It was packed this evening at dinner time, but I had a magazine with me and was okay waiting.  When the waitress brought my plate I almost questioned her because it didn't look like I expected.  But, hey, she was rushed and it looked delicious and I dug in.  Then a different waitress came and stood there with a plate in her hand and a concerned look on her face.  It turned out they had given me the wrong plate - I had the Poke Tuna Rice Bowl, not the Salmon Rice Bowl.   Too late to give it back, so she boxed up the Salmon offering and I paid for it when I left.  It  will be okay until Sunday dinner.  I guess that is why restaurants have pictures of the food they serve.

My friend Mary says I shouldn't show pictures of dirty plates (as I did with the green tea ice cream the other day), so I'll just show you a few inches of dirty plate.  There were these little orange flowers among the greens on my plate.  I don't recognize them and the staff was much too busy for me to ask.  Anyone know?  I tasted this one, but it just tasted like salad.

  

The "atmosphere" was a little psychedelic and next time I think I will chose a seat that faces away from the windows.  The place is brightly lit and since it is at the end of a strip mall sort of arrangement there are cars turning and many parking lot lights (the array of little round spots).  But the discombobulating thing was the presence of the TV screen over the bar which was reflected three times in the angled windows.  It was tuned to a surfing program -
I think they were in Ireland or maybe Wales - so it appeared that the guys were surfing through the parking lots.  It was almost mesmerizing, maybe that is why I wasn't paying enough attention to what was on my plate.  However, I ate every bite and loved it.

Wordless Wednesday 05-08-13

 

 

 

 

Wordless Wednesday 10-24-12

 

Wordless Wednesday 08-15-12