Happy 2016

Rubel Castle, Glendora, California

Best wishes for all your holidays, and a Happy 2016. See you then!

Christmas Wish

May your days be merry and bright.

Wassail

Last night, the neighborhood carolers serenaded the block with songs of the season. It's a sweet tradition. Every year I like to receive the carolers and offer them something. This year it was hot chocolate—and it was cold enough out to justify it.

The kids sat on our curb to drink their chocolate. The parents visited.

Not world class photography, but I love this photo.

A Girl Friday for the Holidays

December is a good time to tell you about a new small business in the Dena: Girl Friday. I've mentioned them before because I visited their book club to talk about my novel, Camelot & Vine. But Girl Friday is much more than a book club. It's a Girl Friday, just like it says.

Here's the email I received from them yesterday:

The holidays are upon us and our elves are ready to go!

Top 10 Tasks Our Holiday Elves Enjoy:

1.  Getting your Christmas tree (it's fun!)
2.  Hanging holiday lights / decorating (so bright!)
3.  Gift shopping & wrapping (we love bows!)
4.  Baking goodies & treats (tasty!)
5.  Proving babysitters (parties are more fun without kids!)
6.  Cleaning your house (dirt is bad!)
7.  Holiday centerpieces & table-scapes (pretty pretty!)
8.  Creating care packages/gift baskets (gifts are good!)
9.  Shipping holiday cards & packages (long lines are no fun!)
10. Pet / house sitting while you are away (meow, woof etc!)

What do you need to make this holiday season a success? Our elves await you.

I don't know about you, but I need all these things. And I can attest to the baking and decorative talents of these women. They are so creative. And they're having a holiday party December 11th, where you can meet them and check out the goods. Click on the flyer to enlarge it for the details.

If you need the assistance of an elf or two, contact Cindi Knight, Girl Friday Personal Assistant Services, 626-221-5111.

I took the photo at Kidd's Jewelry Heist in South Pasadena, where I met the Girl Friday Book Club and where you want to do some shopping, now or any time.

Zen Monday #277

 

An imperfect photo for your perfect Monday Zen.

It's Everyone's Holiday

Blessed be.

Zen Monday #271

 

It's Zen Monday, the day when you tell us what the photo's about. I hope you've had your coffee.

I Love a Grainy Night

Christmas isn't over 'til everyone takes down their lights. A stroll in the neighborhood last night told us that's not going to happen soon. I like the nostalgic glow, but I think it's lost on Boz.

Post-Prandial Perambulation

Our Christmas day walk on the upper path, east side of Hahamongna Watershed Park.

I did not saturate the colors in this photo. When we get rain, we get green.

Considering how we've been eating, it's going to take a lot more walking.

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.

Wreath

I like walking in Bungalow Heaven because:
It's quiet (no main drags);
It's got big trees;
It's nicely-groomed, for the most part;
It's historic;
Folks are friendly, if and when you see folks;
It's not far from my neighborhood, but far enough that I feel like I went somewhere.

Twenty years ago I was happy to live in Hollywood near Fairfax and Beverly, close to a TV studio and a popular shopping district. Now I crave quiet, serene calm.

Welcome to middle age.

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.

PB Phone Home

First picture taken with my new iPhone. I guess I'm not the only one who thinks it's Christmas.

So my brother called yesterday while J. and I were hiking out of cell phone range. When we got back into range and I saw the message I thought, "I know! I'll call him back!"

Yeah. I'm crazy that way.

You've got to have a phone--or at least I do. Yet since last year, when my phone began its downhill slide to iHell, I've put off buying a new one. We're having a recession over here and I'd rather save money for a vacation than spend it on a phone.

But it was getting ridiculous. John's tired of hearing about how slow the phone is, how bad the service is, how I can't download new apps because the operating system is too old. There's a tiny pocket of space in my office where I could make a phone call if I leaned sideways and didn't move my head, but mostly I've been going out to the median to make calls.

Yesterday, even that option was no longer available. When I stood by the road and tried to return my brother's call, my poor old iPhone decided not to be a phone anymore.

So I got a new one. And a new carrier (yahooey! that's a biggie). Then I called my brother. (The smiley face goes here.)

Boz Humbug

Notice the pretty eyes, no longer hidden by a horrible old cone.

Boz and I have found a lot of Christmas trees lying, drying at the curb. We wondered what the deal is so we did a bit of research. It wasn't easy to find but by searching the city's website for "christmas tree" (quotes included) I found this information at the bottom of the Pay as You Throw Program page:

"What should I do with my Christmas Tree?
There is a separate, free, Christmas tree recycling program. Notices will be sent to residents to inform them of their tree pickup date.  For your tree to be collected and recycled, you:

1.  Must place your tree at the curb by your specified time

2.  Must remove all tinsel, ornaments and decorations

3.  Must remove all metal and plastic bowls/stands

4.  Must place tree on the curb, not in the alley"

There are two kinds of people in this world: those who are so anal that when they received their notice umpteen moons ago they put it in a safe place where they would remember it and they now know exactly what their Christmas tree collection date is, and those who think they never received their notice.

Guess which kind of person I am.

Boz is an expert at disseminating information and he wants me to spread the word. Drop-off dates have already passed but you can still put your tree by the curb on your normal curbside pick-up day through January 13th. After that, I imagine you'll have to call the city to arrange for a large item pick-up.

Boz (aka Teddy Butt) suggests you get it done while the do do doing is good.

Zen Monday: #177

Because this is a very special Monday, at least for Pasadena, we have two kinds of Zen today. First, we have Zen Zen.

Then we have Zen Monday Zen.

Please share your opinions, wisdom and wisecracks in the comments.

Merriment

That's me in the foyer of Pasadena City Hall, reflected in an ornament on the city's official Christmas tree.

John and I have each other, our home, work we love and a host of friends and neighbors we're grateful for. Boz is healing. All is well.

Happy holidays to you from the entire staff at Pasadena Daily Photo (me)!

Look Up

The Christmas tree in the foyer of Pasadena City Hall is a big one. We're looking up up up toward the ceiling. City Hall has an open plan; anyone can visit the tree any time. If you do, be sure to visit the inner courtyard, too. It's a nice place to sit and enjoy the fountain while you eat a sandwich or read your book or give someone a present.