Container gardens

There are advantages to growing your garden in containers.

You can start one anywhere, and if the light doesn't suit the plant, you can move it to a new location. It's easier on your back—less bending and lifting.

Weeds are few, and bugs are less likely to take over. You can easily change the look by introducing new plants, or new containers.

And you can mix some friendly ceramic animals in between the pots.

We will never forget

Today is the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy of the terrorist attack on the United States. Americans across the country remembered the anniversary in various ways. Here in Downey, among other things, we flew our flags at half mast. This one is at city hall.

This one is at the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

I see the moon and the moon sees me

Last Saturday, Joan showed you pictures of the astronomers at the Columbia Memorial Space Center on International Observe the Moon Night. I went later that night to also observe the moon and the people observing the moon.

This is Mark, a recent member of the Columbia astronomers. He is giving back a thumb drive to this lady. He has transferred picture files of the moon that he took with his 2000mm telescope. Anyone bringing a flash drive could get these pictures.



This is one of the moon shots I received.



And this is a closeup of Sea of Tranquility, which is where Apollo 11 landed in 1969. I can't see the American flag though.

"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
~ Neil Armstrong

The night, the moon, the clouds

This night the moon was amazing. It kept hiding behind the clouds, but as I watched, the clouds would move out of the way and let the moon peek through. It was eerie and a little mysterious....it was the night before the rain came.

"We love the night and its quiet; and there is no night that we love so well as that on which the moon is coffined in the clouds" 
~ Fitz-James O'Brien 

Lines, angles, and rhymes

The lyrics of the old Fifth Dimension song, "Love's Lines Angles and Rhymes" come to mind when I look up at these electrical towers at Wilderness Park. There are so many variations of lines, angles, and repetitions (rhymes?) to make them interesting.

"Of the angles and rhymes
And the triangle lines
The feeling touching
Mine with time"
~ Dorothea Joyce

Huskies at the park

When I got my first Siberian Husky, back in 1985, Huskies weren't very common. This was long before movies like Snow Dogs and Eight Below made them as popular as they are today.

Now Ivan and I pass Huskies on our walks several times a week. And last week at Downey's David R. Gafin Dog Park (at Rio San Gabriel Park), the Huskies easily outnumbered all the other large dogs put together.

I didn't know anything about Huskies back in 1985. I lucked out in that I fell in love with all their qualities, the good and the bad.

• They "talk" instead of bark. They howl, especially if  you're laughing at something. (Ivan has taught his big, tough Belgian Shepherd companion to howl too.)
• They're smart, but they're inclined to use their intelligence to suit their own purposes. 
• They are born to run, which is great if they're pulling you on your bike or skateboard (not me!), but not so great when they escape out the front door. 
• They have a high prey drive ("Squirrel!"), so they'll chase anything, but they're not good at bringing anything back again.
• They aren't smelly, but they shed their entire coat two (or more) times a year.

I wouldn't trade Ivan for anything!

Observe the Moon Night

Tonight is International Observe the Moon Night—an annual event dedicated to encouraging people to look up and take notice of our nearest neighbor, the moon.

People were gathered on the lawn of the Columbia Memorial Space Center with telescopes set up ready for an evening of viewing.



"Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars." 
~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Bike Downey

The City of Downey wants you to be healthy. Here's a colorful reminder to ride your bike around Downey.

And if you need any help or encouragement, get together with the Downey Bicycle Coalition. Monthly bike rides resume on September 27.

Or come out to the community workshop tomorrow morning. The workshop includes a bicycle master plan update, displays with draft recommendations, and community feedback.