Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Value


Entry No. 170




These shoots have been the bane of our existence, since we moved into this house 12 years ago. When we moved in they covered our entire back yard, head high, and took three men 7 hours to remove. Since then we've built a deck, but they still spring up every summer between the boards.  Not to mention the thousands of seeds and leaves that fall into our yard. Their source is two majestic 70-foot tall slippery elm trees that sit in our neighbor's back yard.  Don't get me wrong, we appreciate them, they offer a shade and a cool breeze to our yard. They are probably partly responsible for our son's love of birds as they are home to a multitude. Or should I say,  have offered and were home. Over the last three years,   both trees have died off mysteriously and are now awaiting imminent removal by the city at our neighbor's request. We are bummed.

So this afternoon, as I was dutifully ripping them out from our deck, I suddenly noticed for the first time how pretty the subtle rust color on the leaves was in the light.  From there, I realized that this tree was struggling to survive and I wondered if I could start a new one in a pot with one of these shoots. I know it's not logical since I can't replant it in the same spot ,(it's not in my yard), and even if I could it'll take more than my life time to match the size of it's parent tree. The truth is, though, that it took the threat of loss for me to have shift in perception and really see the true beauty and worth of this tree.  I wonder what else I'm missing?

Monday, July 29, 2013

The Blacker The Berry...


Entry No. 169


These have definitely been worth the 10 year wait.  I hope there are more next year. 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

The Beauty Of Netflix


Entry No. 168



Allowing me to share the wit of Scully and Mulder with my son, and prove that there was good science- fiction television before Fringe.

The Power Of Positive Thinking


Entry No. 167


Ever since my husband's parents moved to Oregon, we've been enjoying this delicious locally made bread when visit them.  We've never been able to find it here, however.  Just this morning my son said to me, 'do they have Dave's Killer Bread here mamma, or is it just in Oregon?'.  I  replied that although I had looked in many stores I had never seen it here, and that I was pretty sure it was just an Oregon thing. To which he replied,  'I really wish we could get it here'.  This afternoon I went to our usual Whole Foods to pick up some staples, including bread,--- and there it was.


Friday, July 26, 2013

Slowing Down But Certainly Not Out


Entry No. 166


Rather than sit in the car and wait for take out as usual, she wanted to go in and sit down, (and throw down,  she ate a bowl and a half of kimchee by herself).  Go Mom!

Thursday, July 25, 2013

These Are A Few Of Her Favorite Things

Entry No. 165


Sitting in the sun eating the best peach ever. Nothing makes my grandmother happier than that.

Perspective

Entry No. 164


As I was standing photographing this tree in bloom, I remarked to a passerby how beautiful it was. 'Yes', he replied, 'unless you have allergies'.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Monday, July 22, 2013

Hoop Dreams



Entry No. 162


3 months ago he was dejected because he couldn't even do one on his waist... Today, out of the blue,
two on the knees, no problem.



Sunday, July 21, 2013

Devotion



Entry No. 161



I was struck by beautiful precision of this garden in Glenview. I've kind of gotten used to the big bushy native-planted front yards of the Bay Area, so May and her traditional garden really stood out. She obviously has fans in the neighborhood, as there was an elderly woman, (who declined to be photographed), sitting on her brickwall taking it all in.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Almost Human


Entry No. 158


The veins on this beet leaf look very much like the human circulatory system, don't you think?

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Is It Live, Or Is It Memorex?


Entry No. 157


It must have been the light, but I drove by these today, and they just looked to perfect to be real.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Don't Even THINK Of Golfing Here


Entry No. 154


Tiny little neighborhood park.... with an apparently golf-obsessed constituency.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Be The Change



Entry No. 153


I know it's a little pixilated, but there is an impeccably dressed man in white pants and orange shirt making his way down the Embarcadero in San Francisco.  I witnessed him cheerfully sharing a bag of grapes with the 3 homeless people that are sitting on the middle bench.  It was a beautiful thing to witness.

Friday, July 12, 2013

So Clever



Entry No. 152



The signage at the Model Bakery in Napa is alive!  Those are little succulents growing on each letter.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

What A Difference A Year Makes



Entry No. 151


Last year he swore he hated the skate park and that he would never return... He just need the right vehicle, and the encouragement of a friend.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

We Are Family


Entry No.  150



So lovely to spend the morning with these women and their families. I get teary just thinking about the things we've been through together in the 37 years that we have know each other.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Happiness is...


Entry No. 148


Watching your kid having a blast with the children of people you used to babysit.



Sunday, July 7, 2013

Great Blue Heron



Entry No. 147


My son took this picture of a Great Blue Heron we observed at our friend Raffa's memorial. It landed, and stayed watching us while we admired it for at least 10 minutes before taking flight.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Unexpected Pleasure Revisited



Entry No. 146


My new friends Mike and Grant dropped me a note to let me know that their cactus was in full bloom.  That was yesterday,  but a day later even a spent blossom looks gorgeous against the background of their beautiful front yard.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Strange Volunteer


Entry No. 143


I don't know what this is, but every spring, green leaves that look like the leaves of a lily come up in this spot.  Then,  at the beginning of summer, these little seed-filled sacks appear.  We never see a flower.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Fairy Convention At Sunset


Entry No. 142




This Acacia tree looked pretty cool at mid-day, but I know I'd be rewarded if I came back at sunset.  Sure enough.

Monday, July 1, 2013

A Plumeria Grows In Oakland


Entry No. 141


It's so exciting I could scream.  I have been trying to get one of these to bloom here for 8 years.  I begged this cutting off a guy in Ventura last month, it's not even  planted yet!