GOOD. RANDOM. FUN. V48

Sunday, JPE & I walked around Arroyo Grande Village (actually, our historic downtown area)... In addition to having a coffee of coffee at Andreini's, we watched the "locals" stake out their spot along Branch Street for watching the holiday parade that started at 5:00pm. 

Grace Bible Church performed at the gazebo on the So County Historical Society lawn... and led a sing-a-long of holiday songs.

The Santa Manuela Schoolhouse had been decorated so we took a "peek" inside.

We had to laugh at the writing on the chalkboard! It IS a GOOD idea NOT to SPIT on the STOVE... all those germs! 

Thinking of dining or having an appetizer at Rooster Creek Tavern? well, the resident rooster will be joining you!! pretty RANDOM eh? having to share your outdoor dining experience with the "local" roosters that prowl the downtown area.

In addition to the holiday decorations in the old schoolhouse, we had FUN reminiscing about how many of the items we had during our elementary school years... of course the American flag, but I didn't recognize the California map displayed. Both JPE & I recognized the two items that were used on the blackboard... I especially remember five-prong chalk holder (the bottom piece of chalk is missing) that drew parallel lines for demonstrating penmanship or for music class. Although we didn't sit at desks like these, I recognized several of the textbooks on top of the desks... a science book from 1959, a history book and penmanship book. I didn't attend a one-room schoolhouse, but there is actually one in our county that still operates. It's amazing to think this teacher is responsible for teaching lessons to multiple grades. 

Last post of November... the holidays are approaching! will share my decorating once I get over the frenzy that 2015 is almost over!

posting with Tamar @ Random-osity

SONG-OGRAPHY 3.2.14

paper sculpture ~ Sunnyvale, CA

 posting with Kathy @ You'll Shoot Your Eye Out

this week's song is "NOTHING MORE"

by Alternate Routes (an two-person indie band from Connecticut)

For some reason, I thought of women when I read the lyrics of this song. I pulled some samples of women from my photos archives to illustrate the theme of this week's SONG-OGRAPHY.

During my research of this week's song, I learned it was played at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics in Sochi...

painting on the side of a building ~ San Francisco, CA

statue of a military woman ~ Arlington Cemetery, Washington DC

wall art ~ Women in the Military Museum, Washington DC

This song, "Nothing More" was written  for NEWTOWN KINDNESS, the organization founded by a family who lost a child in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. You can learn more about how schools are using this song to “to promote kindness as a guiding principle of humanity” by clicking THIS LINK.

Before the Academy Awards begin, take a peek at some of the other bloggers posting their interpretation for SONG-OGRAPHY.

Will you watch the ACADEMY AWARDS tonight?

My prediction.... Best Picture Award will probably go to "12 Years a Slave" - the only movie in this category that we HAVE NOT seen. Having seen the movie trailers, I need to be in the certain frame of mind to watch the "deplorable" way we've treated people... in this case, slaves.

I predict "FROZEN" will win the Best Animated Feature Film & "LET IT GO" (from the movie, FROZEN) will win the Best Original Song. Will see this again when it comes out on video... YEP! it's great!

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 6.2.13

Bumblebee ~ Mount Vernon, Virginia

I disappeared! 

I didn't realize how difficult it would be to post pictures while traveling with family. If you look back at THIS POST, you'll remember I was flying to Washington DC with my mom & grandniece, Katie. 

But, we're back! at school (Katie), work (me) & recuperating (mom)... This week's SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY is a PHOTOGRAPHER'S CHOICE. Can't wait to visit everyone's blog to see what everyone's been up to...

We visited the SMITHSONIAN MALL multiple times... people were walking, picniking, riding bicycles, sleeping, playing football, jogging AND flying kites. This young man (standing just below the Smithsonian brick building) had dual-controls to operate this brilliant green kite... he was pretty impressive!

Katie enjoyed visiting the HIRSHHORN  SCULPTURE GARDEN (outdoor exhibit) along the Mall. This happened to be my favorite...

We stayed at the Holiday Inn, Arlington, VA (located three blocks from Ballston Metro stop & two blocks from where my daughter lives)... The "ROLLING THUNDER" was celebrating 25 years of Memorial Day festivities... so, we got to see a motorcycle procession (with 250 motorcycles) leave the parking lot for Arlington Cemetery!! each evening the hotel lobby was "jumping" with the excitement of the motorcyclists "meeting & greeting" over coffee, drinks & cigarettes. 

Another "mall" shot... Outside the MUSEUM of AMERICAN HISTORY was a sculpture that rotated! we didn't realize it rotated UNTIL the shadow changed shape (at the top). I also captured our shadows... all lined up, watching the oval change to a kidney-bean shape!

We drove out to MOUNT VERNON, the home of President George Washington. Katie is a member of her school's GARDEN CLUB, so she enjoyed checking out the vegetables, flowers & ornamental plants. She was surprised the bumblebees are so LARGE!

Had to include this picture... the day was gorgeous & reminded me of Mr. Rogers famous words, "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood"... (l-r) Moi, Katie, Mom, Stephanie... four generations (Katie's mom is a bit older than my daughter, Stephanie) standing outside the WHITE HOUSE. 

Well... thanks for your patience! Actually, our two "traveling words" were PATIENCE & FLEXIBILITY. It's difficult for nine-year olds to be PATIENT... (while waiting for a connecting flight or breakfast to be served).

I'll update you on our "remodel / renovation" later this week. Still editing Washington DC pictures for Katie.

HISTORICAL ADVENTURE...

 Thursday morning... we're leaving on a jet plane!!

NOPE!!! not JPE & I...

but, the two girls in RED!

I'm traveling with mom (who celebrated her ?? birthday, May 3rd)

& Katie (who turned 9 on Cinco de Mayo)...

Sadly, we are leaving the "gal in the purple & gray plaid" behind...

She needs to take care of Derek & Matthew!

Oh, you're asking where we are GOING?

Ummm... ALL "history-lovers" need to visit 

the Smithsonian Museums & Washington DC...

psst! we get to visit SLE & MB & Sea-Bass too! we're staying in Arlington, VA --- only five Metro stops from Washington DC.

We'll be posting our adventures!

so, check back tomorrow!

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 3.24.13

SPRING BREAK!

yay! time to break out the camera...

Posting some new discoveries for SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY.

This week's words are: ASIAN, WAVY, DRAW, SOFT & TEXTURE.

ASIAN

We spent some time at the Japanese Tea Garden - an ASIAN influence was found at every turn in the pathway.

WAVY

Hayes Valley (a family-oriented neighborhood in San Francisco) is the home for this awesome sculpture with WAVY tendrils reaching to the sky. What you don't see is the children racing in & out of the bottom portion of this structure. It's almost like a house & has peek-holes for the kids to look out. 

DRAW

Check out this very cool hand-DRAWN lampshade. One-of-a-kind... seen looking in a pub window (San Francisco).

SOFT

Spring has arrived in California. Everything appears to be in full bloom. This was definitely SOFT to the touch!

TEXTURE

One more shot from the Japanese Tea Garden! We loved the TEXTURE of this sign describing the statue of Buddha.

Don't forget to check Ashley's blog RAMBLING & PHOTOS.

Oh, and next week's are: WATER, EMPTY, FRESH, WEATHERED & ORDINARY. Consider getting your camera out & posting your interpretations!

SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY 2.24.13

Lola's "DREAMY" eyes

This week's SCAVENGER HUNT SUNDAY words appeared to be meant for bloggers with children, but the more I thought about it, the more I was able to put "my 60+ year perspective" on these phrases...

 

TIME TO EAT, GETTING READY, PLAYTIME,

SWEET DREAMS, SCRUB-A-DUB

I'll be spending some time checking in with the participants found at ASHLEY'S before the Academy Awards starts...

what a relaxing way to spend a Sunday!

Our "bluebird" is back!

He {I'm sure it's a HE} was pecking at the edge of the fence, sharpening his beak & then flying near the sliding glass window to get our attention. Of course, my nature "guy" had to connect with our "visitor from nature" & offer him a snack. Then, off he {the bluebird, not JPE} flew --- taking his walnut with him. Definitely TIME TO EAT for him.

My patience paid off --- after GETTING READY to capture a water drop, I was lucky enough to catch the action.

One of my favorite statues at the Huntington Library in Pasadena {had to pull this picture from my photo archive}. I think it represents PLAYTIME .

Another archived photo {sorry about that}... We babysat Lola this past summer... took her to the cabin... all that fresh mountain air! She certainly looks ready for some SWEET DREAMS.

There's something "very meditative" about washing dishes by hand... think it's the bubbles? warm water? the light reflecting off bubbles? rubbing the sponge over the dishes? ah! for me, it's about the water dancing over my fingertips. SCRUB-A-DUB!

Off to watch the Academy Awards... My vote for BEST PICTURE? BEST ACTRESS? oh, you'll have to wait until tomorrow... to see my prediction.

FRIDAY R&R...

the view of Santa Barbara coastline & the Channel Islands

was actually S.O.  M.U.C.H.  P.R.E.T.T.I.E.R

than this picture

(practicing my camera settings - not quite there, yet!)  

FRIDAY,
JPE took me for a drive to Santa Barbara

for a much needed break from work!

 the coastline pic was taken from a trail

at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens.

the sun was warm...

(SORRY! my East Coast friends)   

the streams were gurgling...

 the discoveries were meditative...

and interesting to photograph!

we drove back downtown Santa Barbara
to have lunch & more walking...

... and saw intricate carvings in the architecture...

...a cool-looking car...

...an Indian...

(outside a cigar shop---urggh, not good!)

... & some pretty things to buy!

we also stopped by the park near JPE's former SB house... 
:: ALICE KECK PARK ::
 

 for more fresh air & some turtle-sightings!

KECK PARK "friends" enjoying the sun too!

& ate lunch at 
CRUSHCAKES on Anacapa St in Santa Barbara

 the owner was on the Food Network - Cup Cake Wars!!
we didn't have room for a cupcake, but
the sandwiches were out-ta-this-world! 

Thanks... JPE, what a wonderful day! 
1 - 4 - 3!! 

SERENE + SACRED...

National Museum of the American Indian

A trip to Washington DC always includes a visit to my favorite Smithsonian Museum... the National Museum of the American Indian. Some of the items are part of the permanent collection, but I've found there's always something new to see or experience due to the rotation of the collection & addition of new artifacts to the museums.

hands to welcome visitors

The exterior of this museum is so serene...  when you enter the building, even the symbols on the doors are welcoming.

As might be expected in a museum of Indian artifacts, there are two carved wooden totem poles on the main floor... 

Depending on the tribal tradition, a totem pole may document:

   stories
   historical events
   clan lineage
   cultural beliefs
   symbols or art 

Plains Tipi

The newest exhibit, A Song for a Horse Nation, discusses the Indians relationship with horses & how it changed their lifestyle.




With the arrival of horses, traveling became easier - Indians were able to travel further, faster and with larger loads (including tipis). 

Lakota beaded tipi bag

The acquisition of horses also affected the Indian women... their work load was lightened! and they gained more time for beading and socializing. The bead work often documented a story (actual or embellished is not always known). For example, this Indian has stolen horses (he has more than one), he has been in three battles (three weapons) and he has killed seven enemies, as represented by the heads at the top of the artwork.

Paint on paper - sorry I don't remember the details of this artwork

Ever the educator, I was thinking this would be a great photo to share in the classroom & ask students to tell a story about this picture. When does this event take place in history? why is the horse wearing an American flag mask? is this decorative wear? or battle wear? Describe the clothing worn by the Indian. What is the significance of the buffalo on the Indian's shield? what other symbols are shown & what part do they play in this story?

Then, back on the main floor as you exit the building... this boat from Lake Titicaca region of Peru & Bolivia. We missed this area on our travels to Peru this past summer, so it was interesting to see the size of the boat (2-3 meters) & the tightness of the woven totora fibers. This boat was constructed in 2005 by members of the Aymara peoples. Amazing that reeds can hold a person, as well as the items they are transporting to their homes built on the reed island. 

 

It was interesting to see families posing next to the statue of the Indian (main floor)... what a great spot to capture a final memory of this Smithsonian Museum.

BTW, the Song for the Horse Nation exhibit closes January 7, 2013... if you are in the Washington DC area, it's worth a visit.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!