The heartland of America

We're not in Downey anymore....not at least for the next couple of weeks. A few of us are on a road trip that will take us as far as Indiana. After that, we will be enjoying the scenic highways and byways on our return trip home.

This is the "heartland of America." The midwestern states, east of the Rockies and west of the Mississippi, were once known as the agricultural center of the United States.

These pictures are from our afternoon in Missouri. Right now there are fields full of bales of hay waiting to be moved to wherever they move them. Even though it is midsummer, there are still wild flowers along the edges of the fields we pass along the highways. The farm scenes are comforting as we drive along.

"Farming is a profession of hope" ~ Brian Brett

Dog days

To beat the summer heat, join us down at the beach (dog beach, that is) where many a friendly dog is just itching to jump in the ocean after a tennis ball or run up and down the shoreline with you. Your best canine friend can have a blast soaking up the waves and the sun while you get your exercise in too. At the end of the day, he'll gladly sit with you while you're on your towel as you both watch the tide and the ships come in.

4th of July celebration

This year the block I live on decided to celebrate July 4th by having a block party. We sealed off half of the street and put up canopies with tables and chairs in the street. The men barbecued the meat and some vegetables and everyone brought some special treat to share.



Several inflatable water slides were rented to entertain and to keep everyone cool on this 83 F day. The little kids had their water slide and across the street, the big kids had their water slide.



And of course, we had safe and sane fireworks after dark.

Summer Concerts at the park

Yesterday Joan wrote about Furman Park and how active the park is during the summer. Tonight it continued to be an active gathering spot for the residents of Downey. Downey opened the 2013 Summer Concerts in the park series with The Answer, a classic Rock band that played a wide variety of tunes from the 50s to the 80s. You can read about them and see their concert tour at their website.

There isn't a bad seat in the house since you bring your own. Tonight my wife and I stopped at The Market Place for a Philly Cheese panini and had dinner as the band played on.

There were other attractions at the concert. This balloon lady entertained the young ones with her colorful outfit and her balloon creations.

I really enjoy people watching though. All kinds come to the concerts. If you want to come, they start at 7:00 p.m. each Wednesday evening.

America's Favorite Park!

Since it is summer and the weather is great, we visit Furman Park quite often. I'm always pleased to see how much activity there is going on. You can find people all over, reading, talking, walking, running, exercising. It is a well-used park.



For the month of July, Coca Cola is sponsoring "Take it to the Park," offering up to $100,000 to the top winner. Think of what extra money could mean for our park:  a new walking path all the way around the park, maybe some new exercise equipment. All you have to do is go on to the website and vote for your favorite park (Furman, of course). You can vote every day and there are even ways to earn extra votes.



"We forget that life consists of small everyday experiences and it is what happiness is made of. A walk in the park, a smile from your baby, a beautiful sunrise, an unexpected compliment from a stranger...those are the moments that count most."
~ Sumesh Nair

Siri knows best

You can ask Siri (your "personal assistant" on an iPhone or other Apple device) just about anything. The meaning of life? "There's an app for that." When will the world end? "In 5 billion years." When will pigs fly? "When inserted into a circus cannon..."

But if you ask Siri for the best hamburgers in Downey, you'll get a serious answer. And even though In-N-Out has ever-so-slightly edged Super Stack out of first place since this picture was taken a couple of weeks ago, Super Stack is still one of the best places to go for a burger!

Both Super Stack and LA Buns are close by in downtown Downey.

Cactus variations

Yesterday's house with the cactus wall also has cactus in the front yard. The variety of shapes and the oddities of each were fascinating.

The one on the left reminds me of my Siberian Husky when he's shedding. Or maybe a mattress with a leak...

Cactus wall

Walking home from the farmer's market last week I noticed this wall of cacti. I'm not a big fan of cactus normally, but I really liked the variety of both pots and plants lining the brick wall. The effect was quite charming.

Did you know? Cactus in French is cactus. Cactus in Dutch is cactus, and cactus in Swedish is kaktus.