Humans of Downey - Nezad

"I am from Bosnia and I loved it there. It was my home. I was born there, raised there. My parents and my friends that I grew up with are there. But I love it here also: the weather; the variety of food; the freedom. There are so many nations here. Even though we come from so many different cultures, people are friendly here."
~ Nezad

Summer sunset

I love sunset! It is my favorite time of the day. It's not just the colors, it is that the quality of light seems somehow different, perhaps a little magical. It is a time of day that forces you to stop and just look and appreciate the beauty.

"My mother is a big believer in being responsible for your own happiness. She always talked about finding joy in small moments and insisted that we stop and take in the beauty of an ordinary day. When I stop the car to make my kids really see a sunset, I hear my mother's voice and smile." 
~ Jennifer Garner

Union Station

If I can't actually go anywhere at the moment, I can at least dream of travel. Union Station in Los Angeles encourages those dreams. Whether you're taking an Amtrak train up along the Pacific Coast, taking the metro to Hollywood, or just having a fun outing, you can imagine taking off for a new destination.

In addition, Union Station is simply beautiful. Its huge main hall has an elegance that harks back to the days when train travel could be a luxury and fashionably dressed men and women loaded up their trunks and had a fancy pre-trip dinner served on white tablecloths.

"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."
~ St. Augustine

The 5th of July

This is what "the morning after" looks like. All around town, there are little pockets of fireworks trash lining the gutters.

So please, everyone, help keep Downey beautiful by picking up a little bit of trash in your neighborhood this week.

And the rockets' red glare

Today we celebrated our 239th year of independence from Great Britain.

We enjoyed the day with our friends in the usual way: swimming and a BBQ. Of course, the day had to end with fireworks.

When we couldn't find our usual firework show at Downey High, we headed for South Gate, the next town over. I couldn't believe the displays we saw. In addition to the official show at South Gate Park, there were fireworks everywhere, lighting up the sky and creating such loud pops and whistles that car alarms were set off all around. We got to watch all this from the rooftop of Grace Bible Church. It was a great viewpoint.

In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote his wife a letter talking about how we should celebrate this day (although, he clearly thought we should be celebrating on July 2nd.)

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

The setting sun effect

The setting sun turned these walls into a flamingo shade of pink. After I looked beyond that, I noticed the faded flag in the window, and lastly, the moon overhead.

Did you know that five of the six flags planted on the surface of the moon, beginning in 1969, are still standing? However, after 46 years in the harsh environment of the moon, the stars and stripes have long faded away.

Fourth of July preparations

Driving around Downey, we can see many different preparations for the citizens of Downey to celebrate the 4th of July. This year we get a three-day weekend out of it.

This house is getting ready by renting a couple of jumpers for the kids to enjoy. I understand it is only part of the festivities planned by several houses in this neighborhood. The whole block is invited for this one.

How are you going to celebrate the anniversary of our independence from England?

Let's go to the beach

Yesterday it rained but this weekend is July 4th. So this weekend, like these young men, many southern California residents will flock to the beaches along the coast.

It's great to live where we can go 30 minutes and be at the beach to celebrate with friends and family on July 4th. Or any day of the year for that matter. Enjoy this three-day weekend and remember why we celebrate July 4th, our independence from the colonial rule of England.