Announcing the Big Event!

Pasadena, a city about 30 miles from mine, is the host city for the 120th Tournament of Roses Parade held on New Year's Day and
broadcast around the world. It's an amazing event. Residents and tourists sit outside all night to acquire free front-row seats. Seats in the bleachers cost around $85 each.

San Gabriel Mountains with Snow

Who says that it doesn't snow in Los Angeles? We had a big rain and wind storm on Christmas that brought snow to our mountains. This is the view from Rancho Palos Verdes.

Hidden Mammals

These sea lions, lying on the rocks, were quite well-camouflaged, even though they were sunning themselves in plain view on this clear December day. We only saw them because they made a sound that my son-in-law hear.

December Bikers

Palos Verdes Drive-- both South and East- are popular streets for bicyclists to enjoy on Saturdays and Sundays.

Reflection of Sunset

We have freezing temperatures here in Southern California-- nothing like last year when we sat outside on the patio to eat on Christmas. The sky is very clear, though; the sunset was impressive.

Child's View of the Christmas Story

This is the way a six-year friend arranged my Playmobil nativity set-- everyone is all centered around the Baby Jesus figure. He was concerned that there wasn't a blanket for Jesus. So I had to find some cloth for him to use.

Merry Christmas, 2008!

"The angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. ... Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peach to men on whom his favor rests." Luke 2: 9, 10, 14 These angels on a neighbors house remind us of whom you remember at Christmas.

May Christmas bring you peace and joy.

Santa Claus Checking Out the Neighborhood!

We ran into Santa a few weeks ago making sure he knew his way around the neighborhood.

At the Christmas Tree Lot

Here we are two weeks ago buying our Christmas trees (yes, two of them) at our local Home Depot store. Unfortunately, there's no nearby place to cut our own. Plus, I'm partial to noble fir. The downstairs one is a Douglas fir, though. We do compost them afterwards. So even if we're not being very "green" to use real trees, we try not to be completely irresponsible.

Birthday Man

This handsome couple was at Wayfarers Chapel attending his step-sister's wedding. Today, December 22, is his birthday.
Happy Birthday to the best Christmas present I ever received.

Lawsuit News

According to this article in the L.A. Times, Donald Trump is suing my city, Rancho Palos Verdes, because of a dispute over his golf course property. See the posts from September 18, 19, and 28 to see pictures of the golf course and the surrounding area.

Another View of the Fountain

Click on the video to hear some of the music

Christmas at the Fanfare Fountain

There's beautiful Christmas music at the fountains right now. The Hallelujah Chorus by Handel is very impressively synchronized to the shooting fountains. Other Christmas selections are played on Friday evenings this month, too.

Poinsettia Tree

Poinsettia plants (named after Poinsett) grow in the ground here in Southern California. This tree, however, is man-made and is in one of our local malls.

Scaffolding Close-up

After the Rain

There was a big rain storm on Monday morning. It stopped for a while, but started up again about 4:30 p.m. The parking lot reflected the sunlight and so did my car.

Tardy Musician

We arrived at Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego about fifteen minutes before the performance. Look who was just in front of us as we crossed the street.

Early Morning Painting

These men were working on Sunday morning around 10 a.m. when the traffic was light.

Scaffolding Removal

The west support of the Vincent Thomas bridge has been under wraps. See my post of November 20. This week they removed the protective covering and are in the process of removing all of the steel scaffolding.

Gas Prices are Lower Still!

Here are the prices that were posted this evening. In the last few weeks, the price on Saturday has been at least six cents cheaper than the price I've paid on Thursday evening. It will be interesting to see if the same thing will happen this week.

"The Bath"

This piece of art was part of the "Art in the Library" exhibition.

My Winter View

Christmas Window at the Library

Our library shop is ready for Christmas. The Friends of the PV Library are a very important asset for our library. They have monthly used book sales as well as having this shop. The library is open on Sundays primarily because of their fundraising.

Christmas Decorations

One of the many street decorations in our area.

Knitting at the Library

This library sculpture is wearing a scarf to promote the community knitting project next Saturday, Dec. 13. Knitters of all ages and skill levels knit 7 inch by 9 inch pieces that are joined together for a charity.

More Glorious Sunlight!

I love the look of sunlight on these buildings.

Happy Athletes

These happy paddlers completed an arduous outrigger race around Hong Kong Island. It's hard to believe that they're this relaxed looking after such hard work.

Large-scale Advertising

This ad for the recent release of the DVD is painted on the side of three buildings in downtown Los Angeles.

There Goes the Sun!

Staples Center

I took this while I was stopped at a traffic signal last Sunday evening.

Thanksgiving Morning

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Recipe from the Past

Here's the bread that I made for Thanksgiving. The recipe came from a Better Homes and Garden magazine from October, 1969.

Thanksgiving Tradition

Today, November 27, is Thanksgiving Day here in the United States of America. It is one of my favorite holidays. At our table we take time to say something that each of us is thankful for. Most of our family won't be able to be with us, but we'll definitely be thinking of them. Pumpkin pie is one of the traditional desserts that I usually make. This good-looking pie was made, however, by the students at the high school where I teach.

Here Comes the Sun!

It rained heavily last night so I got to see this beautiful sunrise.

The Illusion of Space

I was driving up the road and realized that it appears to go out into space. There's actually a lot of hillside below.

It's Not His!

I pulled up next to this interesting vehicle and took out my camera. The driver looked over and remarked that it wasn't his-- it belongs to his wife!

Ash from the Fires

This little collection of ash and debris collected in the corner of the stairs of my classroom building in Long Beach. Our school was at least 25 miles from any of the fire. There was so much ash and pollution in the air that it collected on our campus that far away from the sources.

Dinner

Last spring I started a tradition of a once-a-month dinner with my neighbors. All of us are busy people who had seldom spent time together. This is a dish that P & K prepared for us at their home a few Sundays ago.

Vincent Thomas Bridge

A few years ago the Port of L.A. installed lights on the Vincent Thomas Bridge. They're actually two different colors of blue because they ordered the lights from two different companies.

Sun and Smoke

Autumn Evening

These people was enjoying a balmy evening before the Fanfare Fountain started its last display of the evening.

Art at the Library

This scene of the Point Vincente Lighthouse, currently hanging in the Main Library, is a quilted three-dimensional piece of needlework. It's a lovely portrayal of one of the prettiest spots in Rancho Palos Verdes.

Smoky Sky

It was perfectly clear this morning. I sat on the patio to do some reading. About two hours later a brush fire broke out. The smoky sky pictured here is the result of that fire. Fortunately, the fire department put it out. No one was injured; no structures were damaged either. The firemen were finishing up when I photographed their truck.

Sculpture at Getty Museum

Forest Service Mural

This mural, showing individuals enjoying the San Gabriel River, is leaning on the entrance wall of the public restroom at the Forest Service Ranger Station. It reminds me of the WPA artwork that was done in various places in the U.S.A. during the Great Depression last century.

Pier Markers

California Reflections