Bridging the gap

The bridge on Firestone Boulevard over the Rio San Gabriel riverbed is getting close to being done. I'm so glad we got some decorative pillars.

“Let every man praise the bridge that carries him over.”
~ English Proverb 

Cleared for landing

I like old-fashioned, rusted-out equipment, so this windmill caught my eye the other day. But when I got closer, my imagination took over.

Just as it's important for a pilot to know the wind direction and speed before landing his plane, I imagine a young kid, getting ready to go down this slide. Will it be safe? Is the wind coming from the right direction? (From the west to slow him down? Or from the east to provide more speed?) He checks the windmill, ensures that everything is to his liking—and slides down for his safe landing!

Humans of Downey - Elliot

"The passing of my dad, he had a chronic illness but more importantly, the difficulty of managing an estate, federal agencies and the legal problems he had, helped to redirect my career from a music education major to a law major. So I did my pre-law, then went to law school.

"Watching him struggle with the regulations and the legal requirements and all of that after working on defense ships for the Navy, he developed asbestosis. It was literally caused out of working for the defense contractor but he couldn't get any support. So he suffered for two years before passing."
~ Elliot

Humans of Downey - Diana

"I've liked tattoos for a long time and I've wanted one since before I was 18. I started with a couple of smaller ones then I saw this one and I really wanted it. You see about 8 hours of a ten hour job to complete this tattoo. I sit for two or three hour sessions. The next session they will put the color in the face.

"I'm not married yet but I'm not worried about that someone not liking my tattoos. These days, everybody is getting them. My co-worker has a lot more than me. She has them on her legs, arms and her back. I think having a tattoo is becoming more acceptable." 

~ Diana

It ain't easy being green

With the water restrictions continuing, the City has not been left out. The new median on Paramount Boulevard is looking a little worse for the lack of water.

Eating in style

Feral cats abound in a small area of downtown Downey, where there are some vacant lots and empty buildings. Typically, feral cats scrounge for their food and at best eat off of paper plates. But these cats get to eat in style.

Still on duty

I first met Woody in April, 2010 (see Woody the neighborhood watch cowboy). Then, I saw him again a few months later, all dressed up for Christmas (see Santa Woody).

It's been a few years, so I decided it was about time to check on him. Woody has spiffed himself up a bit in the years since we first met (some new clothes, new hat, new glasses), but he is still keeping watch for co-residents Andy and Betty Wolfe.

More yard art

Our yards are in some ways an expression of our personalities. Yard art seems to be part of that. At the same time, yards do just seem to collect things. Sometimes it is intentional, sometimes almost random. I think that is what I find so fun about the objects I find in people's yards.

Take this yard, for example...I wondered why the squirrel and frog looked like they were both sort of hiding in this water fountain,.. until I saw this crocodile a little ways away. Then it all made sense.