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.