Ugly Business of Life

I try my best to notice the pretty things, the interesting things, the inspiring things. But some days all I can notice is the business of life not yet taken care of.

'nuff said (in 2 languages)

Mushroom

Rarely see wild mushrooms and if I wasn't paying attention might have trampled over this one.

GET OVER HERE!

I went into the library to return a book. On the shelf near the entrance was a sign that read:

"Free. Please Take."

Uh, oh. I knew I was in trouble.

It might as well have yelled out:

"HEY JEANIE! GET OVER HERE!"

Apparently, the slide library was being tossed. Sigh.

And of course, I took a big box home with me.

You can only see one layer of slides. There's more underneath.

Flower Power

Stairwell Guy

Found this guy in the stairwell at Otis.

May Day is Lei Day

Celebrating May Day/Lei Day here in NYC with beautiful lei--

gifts from lovely friends who are also lovely hula dancers. 

Feeling blessed.

Squirrel

This squirrel seemed to be welcoming me went I wen for a walk in his park. Quite the greeter.

Poor Donkey

Donkey's been walking around with a 3 inch deep hole in chest. What?! I know!

I don't know how long he's been like that. Only noticed it because he was licking it, and licking it, and licking it.

This is a dog that hardly leaves my side. When did he have a chance to impale himself? And on what? 

Don't know what's worse, from a dog's point of view - mysteriously impaling yourself, having to go the vet for a little minor surgery, or having to wear a ridiculous "Elizabethan Collar" and your owners laughing at you while they take your picture for the web.

Quail

When I was growing up, I would stand on our balcony facing our back yard and in the early morning hours I could see quails running across the yard and it always delighted me so when I saw this lone quail in the drive way at my mom's house in the central coast, I was taken back to a time long gone yet just as delighted.

Kite festival

Kite festival; Mary Poppins would've had a wonderful time.

Sweat Peas, Finally!

Can you see it? There's a sweat pea growing up right in the middle of my jasmine! For a couple years I've been picking seeds from the wild sweat peas on the hill. I just toss them around in my yard. I figure, if they can grow wild, they should be able to figure out what to do in my backyard. Finally!

tree

Found this piece from an old fallen tree fascinating.

Homework Assignment

As much as I wanted to quit my life drawing class six weeks ago, that's how much I now DO NOT want the class to end.

Phone Center

While picking up my son for his 10 day liberty, I noticed this abandoned Public Telephone Center; it now houses one pay phone booth although I didn't go inside to check if there was still a working phone inside the booth; As I looked at it, I was taken back in time when I could imagine Marines holding their coins, standing in line possibly talking and smoking to pass time while they waited for their turn to use the phone to connect with a loved one. I imagined this was a hot spot and crowded most times and that there might have been multiple booths. They must have had limited conversational time as well as privacy and might have had to choose which loved one would receive a phone call. I had a new sense of appreciation for cell phones and how easily we can connect at any time with our loved one and not be rushed or over heard (depending on where we are I suppose). I appreciated how my son when deployed will be able to communicate with me to let me know he's doing well and that I don't need to wait near my phone on pins and needles hoping to receive a call and then beat myself up over having missed a call if I was away from home; my phone and I will be available anytime anywhere.

Guacamole dreaming

So excited to see multiple buds on our avocado tree; images of guacamole, turkey & avocado sandwiches, avocado omelets...so many possibilities to anticipate.....smiles

Gutter Flower Box

A few weeks ago, I planted two rows of sunflowers in my yard. Only two seedlings came up; one of those got munched to oblivion by a grasshopper. One lone sunflower remains. I worked pretty hard for one flower.

Today, I looked up at the rainy sky and saw this growing from the rain gutter above my neighbor's garage. With no work at all, they got an instant flower box. Jealous.

What a great idea for a flower box! I hope they never clean their gutters. Ever.

Glass Tile at the Trash Heap

I've noticed this glass and stone tile several times at the trash heap. Today I decided it really did need to come home with me. I think there might be more buried under the rubble, but I had all I could carry for today.

Loquats

I think the birds, squirrels and possums enjoy our loquat tree more than we do.

Nemo found

Left behind after bath time.