…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!

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.

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.

A trip to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach brings one right into the most spectacular octopus’s gardens imaginable.

Swimming jewels.

What Old Grumpy and friend are lacking in color, they more than make up in size.

If that isn’t enough, one can always pet a Manta ray or a shark.

Now I can distinguish a shark (small) from a Manta ray (huge) by touch alone – and yes, it is a completely different tactile experience.

Rumor has it that they will all be up and running in about a week and a half.

Then the men with the hard hats and the plans moved in.

Today the jack hammers went all day outside.

Do I grumble? No! Those jack hammers are music to my ears; finally, after years of petitioning from all neighbors, traffic lights are being put up at our corner.

It will take about two months until the lights will be up and running, the friendly engineers told me. Until then the sound of the jack hammers will be with us some more. But after the work is finished, one sound will be gone from the neighborhood for good: The screeching of brakes and the terrible moment afterwards when one is waiting for the scrunch of metal on metal of yet another horrible accident due to speeding cars.

Yes, work those jack hammers! A lovelier noise I have never heard.

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

Salon

Formal Diningroom

Every corner is just so beautifully done

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

Once the rains stopped the mountains looked like this:

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.