Author: Petra

Request

Last night a mockingbird practiced his scales near the house – so loud that I woke up. A quick check of the time told me that it was just before 4 o’clock in the morning. Wow, I thought, that mockingbird seems to be wooing his mate along the lines of: “I’ll sing for you until the earth moves.”

And then the earth did move… At 4.04 this morning we had a 4.4 earthquake!

No more sleep after that; I always feel a bit uncomfortable for several hours after a “shaker.” Instead we had an early breakfast and then took a walk – and who did I see still doing his little song and dance act on a telephone pole near the house?

Bingo! Our friend the mockingbird.

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Young man, as much as I admire your efforts to attract a mate, don’t overdo it again, right?

Charge Down

Law 12 of the International Rugby Laws: Charge Down

If a player charges down the ball as an opponent kicks it, or immediately after the kick, it is not a knock-on even though the ball may travel forward.

Too complicated? Not at all – this is a perfect example:

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Descanso Gardens – Part II

Descanso Gardens is not only a delight for lovers of flowers, but also for connoisseurs of architecture and interior design. Overlooking the garden area sits the “Boddy House,” built by the Los Angeles architect James E. Dolena, well known as the “architect to the stars.”

In 2007 Boddy House was completely renovated and restored to all its glory. Interestingly each room was done by a different interior designer with only one rule applying: The redecoration had to be done in “Hollywood Regency Style.”

The result is nothing but spectacular. Hollywood Regency is all about the glamor. A design style from the early 60s, this style has the minimalist details of modern design, infused with ornate and classical details. It is the perfect meeting of the minimal with decorative scroll work, shiny metals and opulent fabrics.

Boddy House is a place I would not mind living in!

Foyer
Foyer
Salon
Salon
Formal Diningroom
Formal Diningroom
Every corner is just so beautifully done
Every corner is just so beautifully done

Descanso Gardens – Part I

With the weather being what it is in SoCal, flowers are blooming all year round. Some, however, can only be seen in winter. One of the most spectacular displays of camellias one finds in Descanso Gardens, famous for its display of 34,000 plants on 20 acres. A walk through the Camellia Forest is probably as near to walking through an enchanted garden as one can get.

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Before / During / After

Before the rains the L.A. River looked like this:

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After four days of rain and storms one could see this:

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Once the rains stopped the mountains looked like this:

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I have never seen that much snow up in the mountains – it is simply amazing. In the ski resorts everybody is happy – skier, snowboarder, they all put the chains on their vehicles and drove up to enjoy the freshly fallen powder snow.

They are having fun up there, while we down here in the Flatlands are enjoying the lush green sprouting everywhere.

Stormy Weather

Breaking Waves in San Pedro
Breaking Waves in San Pedro

Yes, yes, the rains have arrived – finally! That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the rains came on the wings of some quite remarkable storms; we’re just through the second wave of winds with gusts of over 72 miles per hour and two more storm waves are expected until Friday of this week.

Down at the coast jetties and piers are closed, a sensible precaution in the face of 15-foot waves. There was some flooding of streets, an urban and small stream flood advisory plus a coastal flood watch is out.

The most damage is expected from mudslides in the areas which burned down last summer. Hopefully it won’t come to that…