Another tree

A quick look through our posts on trees shows what incredible diversity there is in the sizes, shapes, and colors of the trees in Downey.

This tree caught my eye the other day. It too displays fall colors, although not in the way that we traditionally expect.

Present patience

Just as Joan pointed out the day before yesterday, the signs of Christmas are showing up everywhere. When I came home from work today I found wrapped Christmas gifts on our Family room floor. My daughter spent part of her day wrapping them but there is no tree yet to put them under so here they'll wait. The tall one in the back is mine she says. But I'll have to wait 26 days to see what it is.

Do you try to figure out what your presents are? Do you shake them, roll them or see if the wrapper left a section of the paper loose so you can sneak a peek? I remember when I was young I would unwrap then re-wrap my presents because of my impatience. But I found 1. that the giver didn't see the joy on my face as I discovered their gift and 2. it was hard to act surprised when I opened the gift a second time and the giver sat across from me. I learned to wait.

Patience is the companion of wisdom.
Saint Augustine

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Snack shop

The Discovery Sports Complex in Downey has two baseball diamonds and a soccer/football field. Between the two baseball diamonds is the snack shop run by D.J.A.A. (Downey Junior Athletic Association). They have the usual snack shop fare of sunflower seeds, candy, chips, bubble gum, water and juices. But they also have a man-sized barbecue for hot dogs and hamburgers.

Going by tonight reminded me of my Little League days of getting a snow cone after every game, of working on the scoreboard for the main field and getting paid with a hot dog and coke, of hoping the baseball card package I just bought for 10 cents had somebody good in it. Actually, it was a treat if I just knew someone in the pack. Isn't it fascinating how some crushed ice and flavored syrup can be just the thing for a hot July afternoon.

What was your favorite item at the snack shop?

Christmas time is here!

Everyone knows:  that once Thanksgiving is over, it is officially the "Christmas season." It's time to start baking and making fudge, and Christmas decorations (both inside and out) can officially appear! I like decorating and I like seeing how other people adorn their houses for the season.

Six geese a laying

Many years ago when I worked for several weeks in rural New Jersey. I enjoyed my daily drive to work  past the local lake, where geese always stopped on their way south.

In southern California, seeing a flock of geese resting and feeding isn't a daily occurrence, but the geese are attracted to the open fields of the local schools. There's no water at Rio Hondo Elementary School, but there was lots of open space and early morning moisture to attract this flock of Canada geese for a couple of days.

Seen in a different light

Photography is all about the light. And the light changes constantly!

I usually walk in the morning in Furman Park. But a week or so ago, I took my work in the late afternoon, when the sky was ominously dark and getting ready to rain. And against the darker sky, the trees seemed to glow with different shades of greens and golds.

Imagine, dream, believe

Today the feature performers from the soon-to-be released 3D movie "Cirque du soleil, worlds away" appeared at Stonewood Center. They rode their "Vessel of Dreams" as they drew in the crowd, hoping to pique everyone's interest in going to see the movie when it comes out.

I had come to the mall to try to catch any of the sales that lasted past "Black Friday" so I could finish up my Christmas shopping. Luckily, cell phones have cameras (even if they aren't the greatest.). It was fun to take a quick break and watch the performers navigate their umbrellas (their "vessels of dreams") which slid across the floor without any apparent effort.  To see the trailer for the movie click here.

Brick wall

This brick wall lines the backside of one of the yards that back up to this alley. I have always liked the "feel" of  brick.

“I like talking to a brick wall- it's the only thing in the world that never contradicts me!”
~ Oscar Wilde, Lady Windermere's Fan