Effusive Valentine

I thought about using this picture for Zen Monday, but apparently that thought has crossed my mind before.

I decided not to make fun of this house, though, or these people. I think they just love their holidays. I don't know if I'd want to be their neighbor, but it's better than gang members hanging out on the front porch. (Always looking on the bright side, that's me.)

So, happy Valentine's Day to you. Some people hate this day. I did, when I was single. But I love you! Isn't that enough?

Yeah. I know.

Six, Day One

First things first! You should be able to see the Tournament of Roses Parade right here. We'll chat after the parade.

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I hope you enjoyed the parade! I'll add links later as I find them.
Here's one already! Dive is watching the Parade in Norwich, England.

The first of the year is traditionally a theme day for City Daily Photo. In the past we've shared our "best photo of the year." We're skipping that today and will do a different theme later in the month. I'll do a little "best of" retrospective tomorrow.

For now, here's a favorite picture I haven't posted before. I took it in December of 2008, while Boz and I were gallivanting about in the Lower Arroyo near the Colorado Street Bridge. I began this blog on January 1, 2008, which means today marks five years of daily blogging.

I am nuts.

You get it down to a system, but it's still nuts.

Rewarding, but nuts.

Thank you for visiting and commenting, for your support and encouragement. I wish you the happiest new year. Make every day better than the last.

Rarin' to Go

I went out to get a picture of snow on the mountains. I was too late for the best of the stuff, and I got rain instead. It was cold out, though, so maybe that rain will be snow tomorrow. Always look on the bright side!

Down here in the flatlands there'll be sun, a parade, and a football game to kick off the new year. From my house I'll be able to see the Goodyear blimp floating over the Rose Bowl Stadium. (We saw a low-flying plane pulling a banner ad above the Arroyo Seco yesterday--some folks start early.)

2012 was a good year, yet I'm ready for 2013. Rarin' to go, actually, with my big fat plans. What are yours?

Lights All Aglow . . .

Christmas Wishes

Peace, serenity, tolerance, beauty, prosperity for all...just a wish list. Much like yours, I imagine. May Christmas day and every day hold all of these for you and yours.

Revival

I took this photo from my car Thursday, while sitting in traffic on south Fair Oaks Avenue.

Old Town Pasadena was stopped up like my Aunt Tildy used to get after eating too much of Uncle Rory's Christmas cake. ("I can't help myself," she'd say, "it's the sprinkles!")

I got stuck in the middle of Old Town, then found my way out, then drove around instead of through it, to get to south Fair Oaks for more of the same. Most of the time Pasadena's an easygoing place, but this time of year along with Christmas and New Year's, we have the Tournament of Roses Parade and Rose Bowl game, and everything is packed. It's fine, really. Really. It's fine.

So I got to sit in traffic and take this picture of the outdoor display area of Revival Antiques. It's a beautiful store, with gorgeous furniture, art and lamps inside. Outside, the unique pieces that can hold up to the weather wait to be visited. It might be chilly for us natives right now, but I'll bet at least our Wisconsin visitors will find the weather refreshing, and probably those from northern California, too. I just hope they don't mind the traffic.

Holiday Time

I've thought of all sorts of things to ask Santa for this Christmas, but I don't really need anything except more time. I'm one of those people who always wants to get more done. It seems there aren't enough hours in the day. 

I'm not going to get more time, though, and more time wouldn't help me anyway. My problem isn't time. It's my attitude toward time and how I use it. 

I could look at it this way: I will get more time if I take time. If I take time to smell the roses, as they say, or the pine needles, or the underbrush, or the cheese, I will have more time. Or at least I'll feel like I do.

Ack. There's a reason I never studied philosophy.

Santa, maybe you could just please bring me a tripod. Thanks.

Christmas Cheerubs

Guess who went with us when we walked Boz yesterday?

It was faster than a walk at times.

Santa should have such elves. And such reindeer!

Zen Monday: #225

It's Zen Monday, your turn to tell us what the photo's about. There's no competition. Just say what comes to mind.

Black Friday

Mueller Tunnel, near Mt. Wilson

Black Friday! Shopping! Deals galore! Everybody's heading to the stores!

Not everybody.

When I was a kid our family used to drive to Chicago on the day after Thanksgiving to see the displays in the windows at Marshall Field's, and to have a chat with Santa. The last time we did that was the last time I went shopping on the day after Thanksgiving.

Is today a shopping day for you? Share your experiences!

Thanksgiving, 2012

Raspberry pie is a traditional food at my family's Thanksgiving feast.

Thanksgiving

I think it's a good idea to have a day set aside for thanksgiving. I'm a positive person and I count my blessings more than once a year, but it's good to be reminded. What a great holiday. A whole day set aside for being thankful.

I thought of listing the things I'm thankful for, but you know what happens--the list gets too long. Of course that's why we do it--to remind ourselves how long our list is. My husband, my dog, my home, my friends, my life...how fortunate I am.

Blessings on you!

Honor

Today, Veterans Day, we pause to honor all American veterans wherever and whenever they served our country.

Be Afraid

Happy Halloween. Get scared but not too scared. Have fun. And if I come trick-or-treating at your house, please don't give me any candy. Just admire my costume and send me home.


(Scary guest photographer John Sandel says, "ooga-booga marriage.")

Zen Monday: #212

It would be nice if I had a Labor Day-specific Zen Monday shot, but it matters not. It's Labor Day, it's Monday, it's Zen.

Justice, Honor, Strength

This bronze relief on a monument to the International Hod Carriers Labor Union (Laborers International Union), is located in Mount Wollaston Cemetery and seems like a fitting post for acknowledging this national holiday.

Final Summer Holiday

This is officially the last weekend of the summer here.   This view of the Boston Harbor Islands and surrounding coastal areas is from Sea Street in Adams Shore.   Enjoy every moment of this Labor Day Weekend!

O Beautiful for Open Space

Hahamongna Watershed Park

Go vote for something. Stand up for a right or two. Or a left, or something in between, whatever suits you. Fortunately we have a choice and we'll keep it as long as we're as vigilant as our foreparents were. 

I wish you an independent Independence Day.

Fourth of July

Happy Birthday, America!  Today's photo was captured at Merrymount Park.

Fun Fourth Facts:  Three American presidents died on July 4th and one president was born on this day. Do you know the 4 names?  The answers will appear in the "comment" section later today (after the fireworks).

Father & Son

To all the dads out there:  Happy Father's Day!