FrogBlog | Translating Los Angeles

This was the first time that I saw one of these fabled, very American, lemonade stands in action. What a marvelous teaching tool for children!

These three young girls learned about patience, money matters, how to be nice to customers, how to advertise and how to withstand the heat, because they were selling lemonade for a good cause.

It’s like a course in Business Economics and customer service in the front yard – but much more fun.

That’s it! I am done for the day.

Freshly picked

unto the plate.

Amongst simple but delicious dishes a Caprese Salad ranks high. Prepared with freshly picked tomatoes it turns into goodness on a plate.

To get hold of something that yummy one only needs: A few feet of ground, some tomato plants and a neighbor with very greens thumbs and a love for sharing.

Thank you, Collin!

They show their love for the sport – always and everywhere.

This was the scene four weeks ago: Mom sitting on the eggs, dad patrolling the pond, hissing and snarling at everything and anybody he deems dangerous for his family.

Yesterday the cygnets were already two weeks old and paddling around. Mom kept a watchful eye on them and dad patrolled the pond, hissing and snarling at everything and anybody he deemed dangerous for his family.

And what was happening behind the back of Cygne Père? Someone sneaked in and test-sat in the nest.

I assume that around bedtime there was some loud hissing and snarling to drive the pesky intruder away.

Always watchful in case something wicked this way comes.

We don’t want that.

A trip to San Francisco is always fun: Walking along the streets, hopping on buses, going down to the Bay and…

…yes, having sushi at my favorite restaurant in SF – Isobune in Japantown.

Not only is the food delightful, eating at Isobune is just fun! Sitting around the moat, watching the boats with their tasty morsels float by, grabbing one and then waiting for the next little dish which is just calling out to you…

As a kid you were never allowed to play with your food – here the eating experience is playtime in a big way!

Classic cars – simply gorgeous.

No problem – take the car and go down to Long Beach.

As far as pyramids go, the Mike and Arlene Walter Pyramid on the CalState University Campus is quite impressive. And very pretty in blue, which makes a change from the hue these structures normally come in.

Yes! Today was THE day! First Tom LaBonge, Councilmember for the 4th District, gave a short speech and a shout out to all those who helped to get the much needed and long petitioned for traffic lights up and running.

Then we had a short blessing ceremony – never a bad idea.

Finally the big moment came – one, two, three and hit the switch!

The first family to cross the street safe and sound.

Yes, our little corner has become a much, much safer place for all who live here.