On one of these days with perfect weather a hike in Griffith Park rewards one with this perfect view of Downtown:
Yes, summer is nearly over and done with and we still enjoy the balmy weather – and will for a long time.
Category: Places
Moat Seating Only
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!
Want To See A Pyramid?
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.
Up And Running
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.
I Want To Be Under The Sea
Nothing easier than that!
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.
What A Beautiful Noise / Part II
As luck would have it, I saw one of the new traffic lights being erected.
Rumor has it that they will all be up and running in about a week and a half.
What A Beautiful Noise
It started a week ago with some cryptic markings on the sidewalks and the street. Yesterday a palm tree had to be taken out.
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.
Cool And Shady Places
With summer around the corner, it helps to know where to find those cool and shady places to spend whole days once temperatures rise. These are some examples from Descanso Gardens in Glendale:
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!
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.
