Fountain Changes

Here's what the fountain looks like with the "fans" going.

Music at the Fountain

Here's what the fountains looked like on a cool December evening this week.

Bridge Reflection

The Fantastic Fountains at the Port of Los Angeles are dramatic in the evening.

December Flowers

Narcissus is the birth flower for those born in December.

Common Scene-- Oranges

This house in a low income neighborhood has a prolific orange tree in the yard. This is still a common occurrence in my city. It's always lovely to see California oranges growing in December.

More Christmas Eve

Here's two views of the interior of Wayfarers Chapel on Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas, 2009!

We attended the candlelight service at Wayfarers Chapel even though we're not members there. The service is a simple one of scripture reading, prayer, and carols. It always concludes with the congregation singing "Silent Night, Holy Night" to candlelight. The glass ceiling reflects the lights and blends with the night sky.

Southern California "Snowman"

It's been cold here the last few days, but not cold enough for snow. Here's a "snowman" made out of what we call "tumbleweeds," because they roll around on windy days. I used to see a lot of them when I was a girl, but I guess most of them have been eradicated with fewer vacant lots around. The eyes are made out of pine cones (from the tree in the background) that were sprayed black. The snowman was painted white. Normally, tumbleweeds are beige.

Merry Christmas!

Warning Sign

Public Service Message

I'm surprised that this simple warning is necessary. The public agencies are trying to ensure the H1N1 doesn't spread, though. This is a MTA that is carrying the message.

Yes, there are still pay phones.

This pay telephone is at the Abalone Cove Shoreline Park-- adjacent to a major thoroughfare.

Santa Claus Came to RPV

Santa Claus, accompanied by several L.A. County Sheriff vehicles, came to our street last night.

Sunset over the Island of Santa Barbara

This time of the year, we can see the Island of Santa Barbara-- especially at sunset.

Christmas via the Internet

We got to watch our family members in Hong Kong open their Christmas presents from us via the Internet (Skype). It was a lot of fun. They're going to in the Philippines on Christmas so we started their celebration early.

Point Vincente Interpretative Center

This is part of the display in the entry of the Interpretative Center. We attended a dinner there tonight.

Winter Coastal View

The clear weather that we have in December gives us wonderful ocean view.

Christmas is Coming

Foggy Evening

Palms and Clouds

Rainy Day with Reflections

Terranea Resort at Night

We enjoyed sitting at Nelson's-- the sports bar at Terranea-- visiting with our adult children. On the way in, we passed the fountain which looks a little menacing at night.

Berlin Wall Installation in Los Angeles

This is the largest installation of a portion of the Berlin Wall outside of Germany. It sits across the street from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Wilshire Boulevard.

The panels have been painted by artists reminiscent of what was done in Berlin beginning in 1984. The entire thing is forty feet long.

Stimulus Money at Work

Palos Verdes Drive South and West (a major thoroughfare) is being repaired using federal funds.

Whale Watch

We spent a lovely Sunday afternoon this week on the ocean. We saw two or three blue whales, seven or eight fin whales, and more than forty dolphins. Our family had a great time seeing these mammals that we'd seen from a distance from our patio.

Movie Advertisement

This series of posters is advertising a new movie.

Corbels

After Thanksgiving Outing

Here's how a lot of locals celebrated "Black Friday."

Thanksgiving Morning, 2009

Thanksgiving was a beautiful day, warm and sunny. We saw several whales spouting while sitting on our patio.

Hang Glider 2009

Hang Glider Lessons

Local Fountain

Three Heads are Better Than One!

These family members are trying to read the directions to install a pot rack.

Adaptive Re-use

This arrangements of old dishware makes an attractive piece of art.

Urban Garden

This is one of two raised beds that some people have planted on their front lawn.

Unusual Artwork

This artwork was made from small plastic baskets that were painted and glued in place. I really like the way they make shadows and patterns.

George Washington

This piece of artwork was made from U.S. currency bills- $1.oo bills of George Washington.

Bathroom Arrangement

I'm always impressed by fresh flowers in a public bathroom. It's such a nice touch.

Pleasant Artwork

Art and Ugly Doll

I started taking my Ugly Doll with me when I travel. Here she is next to a wonderful piece of contemporary art

Public Art

I really like this sculpture which is in the De Young Museum in San Francisco-- a long way from Rancho Palos Verdes.

More Lines and Angles

This graphic, painted on the side of a building, is another example of a great use of lines and angles.

Happy Child

This little boy was part of a group of children on the streetcar. They were on their way to Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Veterans' Day, 2009

My childhood friend lives in Santa Rosa. She is an honorary member of the Pearl Harbor Survivors' Group. This was their entry in the local Veterans' Day parade.

Street Recycling

This street trash can was designed with a place for inserting your recyclables-- newspapers, cans, etc. It doesn't take up any more space than an ordinary container, but allows users to be part of the landfill problem in an easy-to-use way.

Lovely Motorcycle

The major road that goes through my city and along the Pacific Ocean is very popular with motorcyclists and bikers. This couple was parked near my car when I finished my 10K run.

Triangles and Arches

Autumn Leaves

Yes, there are autumn leaves in our part of southern California.

Wayfarers Chapel - outside looking in

When I stopped to investigate the scaffolding (see yesterday's post), I took a little bit of time to enjoy the rest of this peaceful and lovely church.

Renovation at Wayfarers Chapel

The bell tower and cross were being renovated last week for the first time in fifty years. The cross was painted and the carillon and its tower were restored. I was very surprised to see the scaffolding around the tower.