Rubel Castle, Rocks

Enter beneath the portcullis and you are in a weird and wonderful vision made real by Michael Rubel and is friends and neighbors. He enlisted help and free stuff wherever he could, and what he got was magical. They made towers...

...walkways...

...stairwells...

...art... (door courtesy of the old Glendora jailhouse if I've got it right)...

...and jumbles of all kinds.

Huell Howser visited twice and said the place "defies description." He hit that iron nail directly on its head. (The video is well worth watching. You get to meet Michael and see some great vintage photos.)

We wandered a bit but it was more fun to stay with our friend and tour guide, Scott Rubel. Scott grew up in the castle and helped his uncle Michael build it. Scott shared stories of the history of this unusual place, as well as his own memories.

Scott doesn't give tours often, but all the tour guides are great.

You can bet they all know what this is. We'll talk about it when I post Rubel Castle, 4.

Rubel Castle, Security Door

It looks a bit off, doesn't it? Like maybe I need to straighten the photograph, or perhaps try a little tilt-shift to sort it out. But if I did that, you wouldn't know what it really looks like.

Prepare to enter the artsy, creative, eccentric, heartfelt and beloved confines of Rubel Castle in Glendora, California. 

Mount Wilson: Solar Telescope

The Solar Telescope at Mount Wilson is still used for studying sunspots. 

Great strides have been made in this science here.

The telescope is tall. And look what a beautiful day it was! I didn't alter this photo one bit.

The wooden frame. The screws. The old courier typeface. I wonder how long ago this sign was hung.

Craig Woods, our guide, has been up in the elevator. We were forbidden to go. I'm sure that was for the best.

This door is an entry beneath the Solar Telescope. I remembered it the moment I saw it.

Boz visited there on his Mount Wilson tour in 2011.

More Mount Wilson insider photos to come!

Zen Monday #277

 

An imperfect photo for your perfect Monday Zen.

Zen Monday #270

Have a Zen Monday, everyone.

Zen Monday #263

Is this your first Zen Monday? It's the day you tell us what the photo's about, rather than me telling you.

Zen Monday #256

photo by John Sandel

It's Zen Monday. Let's entertain each other.

Blue skies, smiling at me, nothing but blue skies...dooyadooyadooya....

Zen Monday #255

photo by John Sandel

Pop one open. Let's start the week off right.

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Starting Thursday, 8/15 through Monday, August 19, I'll be part of the "Wonder of Rome" blog hop, featuring writers of historical fiction who know all kinds of cool Roman history. If you can't figure out how Camelot & Vine fits into the Roman theme, or even if you can, come visit my writer blog and leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy.

Screenwriters! Last year's ScriptKitchen was a success, and they're starting up again this fall. Do you want to learn how to make your idea into a finished script? Ask me about it or write to scriptkitchen@gmail.com. You can also like their facebook page and follow them on Twitter @ScriptKitchen.

Zen Monday #254

Happy Zen Monday! Leave a comment and let us know what you "think."

Zen Monday #252

photo by John Sandel

Are you new to Zen Monday? Welcome! This is the day you tell us what the photo's about, rather than me telling you.

Zen Monday #251

photo by John Sandel

On Zen Monday, we search for meaning in the photo by sharing our interpretations and impressions. Often we find no meaning whatsoever.

Zen Monday #249

Okay. Your turn.

Zen Monday #243

Hello, hallowed Zen Monday!

Please express your thoughts (about the picture, about Monday, or about any subject of your choosing) in the comments section.

Zen Monday #241

Zen Monday continues! I've missed you!

Zen Monday #237

A bit of Zen from my trip north along highway 395 late last month. Feel free to leave your own caption/description/comment/snark.

Next Door Cafe

New favorite place!

Next Door Cafe at 1174 N. Lake Avenue is just what the tummy ordered. I knew it was there but hadn't stopped by, until a friend suggested it for coffee. I didn't want to go at first, because although the place had good reviews, we were going for coffee and just about all the reviews said the coffee was bad.

Here's the deal: front patio with umbrellas, clean and comfy indoor cafe, plus a spacious rear patio you can enter directly from the parking lot. Delicious food (very fresh), and sweet service.

And the coffee was fabulous.

The first time I went, the (you might say cook, I'm gonna say) chef brought a sample of mango salsa to our table, just to try. Super fresh, unusual, tasty, and I know I'm going overboard here but I'd never had anything like it.

I went back yesterday and had the cranberry chicken salad and a raspberry smoothie. Both fab. I asked about the mango salsa, but it's not on the menu. Apparently the chef was just trying something. Try it again, please!

I'll go again, salsa or not.

Hahamongna Detail Week, Just One More

photo by John Sandel

Thanks for coming along on our Hahamongna details tour. There are a million more intriguing little bits to discover out there. To give you an idea of how varied and variable Hahamongna is, I never even noticed the sign here in John's picture, and I've walked in the park at least once a week for seven years.
The landscape changes with every season. Paths we learn in summer and fall are rearranged with the spring rains. It's a place where city dwellers can relax and let their lizard brains reach out and connect--with ancestors, with nature, with what was and with what is. Hell, you can even connect with lizards.

Hahamongna Detail Week, 4

If you look closely at this photo, you'll see Boz was a younger dog when I took it. I still think it's a fun shot, and so does he.

We've encountered rattlesnakes at Hahamongna many times. They don't want to bite you. They just want an opportunity to get away. So when you come upon them, you do not sniff them or lick them. You stand back and let them pass.

It's also a good idea to keep your eyes open and stay on the path, so you don't surprise a rattlesnake in the grass.


This week, Boz is giving you a tour of Hahamongna Watershed Park to show you some of his favorite details. I'll check in and respond to comments as much as possible. It shouldn't be too hard. I hope you're having a week full of wonders.

Louisiana Fish

Have you been there? Please report. Sure looks funky. I can't tell from the outside if I mean that in a good way or a bad way. But I'm intrigued.

Corner of Washington and Catalina, north end of Bungalow Heaven, west end of East Washington Village.

(Update: A well-liked spot. Bellis sends this link.)

Zen Monday #230

Pardon the saturation and the oversized photo. I want to make sure you can read it.