Parker-Mayberry Bridge

The Parker-Mayberry Bridge is a small, graceful bridge under the colossal, graceful and more famous Colorado Street Bridge. The Parker-Mayberry doesn't have a Wikipedia page, nor do many links point in its direction. Scroll down to the second photo in this post by Pasadena Public Information Officer Ann Erdman to see how the two bridges compare in size.

The Parker-Mayberry Bridge was built in 1916, three years after the Colorado Street Bridge. I had thought it was the older of the two, but no. The earlier structures on this spot in the Arroyo Seco were the Scoville Dam and Bridge. "Remnants of the early construction can still be found there," according to the Arroyo Seco Foundation.

The Parker-Mayberry is closed to automobile traffic, but you can approach it on foot. While walking in the Lower Arroyo Park, continue north on the west side of the the wash past the footbridge and cross under the Parker-Mayberry and Colorado Street Bridges. Soon you'll be above the water where I took this picture early in my blogging career. From here you can walk onto the Parker-Mayberry Bridge. Behind you there's stonework; likely the remnants the Arroyo Seco Foundation refers to.

Dogs on leash. Look out for poison oak. Let me know what you find.

Title

It happens from time to time that I bring a blank brain with me to the blank screen.

As I write, it's the night before today. I've spent what little mental capital I had, sitting in front of a computer all day typing numbers. I don't have anything left with which to write intelligently, about this photo or about anything.

Poo. It's not Zen Monday. I can't expect you to write it for me. What's a daily blogger to do?

It would be appropriate to post no photo at all. Then you could see what I'm really thinking.

Coffee Break

John and I cleaned out the garage last week. Yesterday we delivered two carloads of semi-useful stuff to the Salvation Army. I considered offering it to you all, but recoiled when I recalled certain Craig's list experiences when too many people showed up, or no one showed up, and before we'd made a new plan the garage had filled up again.

Our garage is now pristine. I can open the drawers of my potting bench without having to move aside a chaise lounge. I'm able to approach the washing machine without bumping into a box of hardware-bits-we-might-use-someday. I can see out the windows.

Drunk on open-space bliss, I started on my office after lunch. I began to purge, beginning at the top of the bookshelves. Why am I hanging on to Paris guidebooks from 2006? Why do we have a Chinese Checkers set? Why do I keep a magazine from 2005? I had a reason to save it then, but is the reason still valid now?

I got a little less than a third of the way down the shelves before my body shouted out for a break. Once I sat down with my afternoon coffee, I didn't get up again. I'd better finish the job this week, or those shelves will fill up again.

Zen Monday: #144

Does it seem like Zen Monday comes around faster and faster lately?

Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and tell us what you've learned. If you've been lurking, I hope today's the day you'll jump in.

Is this your first Zen Monday? Just say what the picture makes you think of or how it makes you feel. It might be helpful to click on the photo to enlarge it.

There's no right or wrong, no secret, no prize. Just have fun.

Theme Day: Mailbox

Today's City Daily Photo theme is "Mailbox," which can be interpreted in more imaginative ways than I came up with. That's okay, the homeowners here did the interpreting for me. I love their slightly twisted, "approved by the postmaster general" U.S. mailbox.

I wonder what they're commenting on, exactly. Not that I want to know. Right about now, this could mean anything.

There are now 1381 City Daily Photo blogs, the newest being Positano, Italy. Check out how other City Daily Photo bloggers interpreted today's theme.

Idea

Sometimes you have a hundred ideas and no luxury to write them all down. Sometimes an idea for a story is a long time in coming. Sometimes you wonder if the idea for the story you just wrote is the last one you're ever going to have. Or maybe that's just me.

Then I sit at the keyboard, open a document and let my fingers go. Silly me, all this time I thought ideas came from my brain.

Weekend

There's a lot going on this weekend in Pasadena, especially Saturday.

1. The Doo Dah Parade. Eau mai gawd.

2. Arlington Garden's sixth anniversary celebration.

3. The grand opening of Reese's Retreat (9am-1pm).

4. And if you're bookish (I'm bookish!--and you thought I was American) there's the LA Times Festival of Books, not in Pasadena but too close for comfort. This year it's being held at USC instead of UCLA. I don't know why, do you? Anything to do with football rivalry?

5. Plus, if you have energy left after Saturday, Sunday there's the Altadena Home Tour.

Which do you plan to attend?

Geology Lesson #3

It's been a while since Pasadena Daily Photo's resident geologist paid us a visit. Earlier this week, Becca brought her geology students to the Arroyo Seco on a field trip. I asked her to tell me about it:

"The students are enrolled in physical geology at Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC). This field trip to Hahamongna was to get their feet wet (no pun intended!) before going on their overnight field trip next week to the Mojave Desert. Some of them had never seen a fluvial system (river) before. Several of them were super-sunburned in class [the next day]. They did a great job--I really enjoy working with them."

Boz and I met the group out on the northwest reaches of the flood plain in Hahamongna Watershed Park, where they'd spent the previous hour in the riverbed identifying the many different types of rocks washed down from the mountains in last winter's storms. Then we guided them southwest to this location:

This semester, the class is writing a feasibility study on the proposed athletic field at Hahamongna. Boz and I were invited along to show them where the field is going to be. That's the spot, right there.

I enjoyed meeting the students. They were interested, inquisitive, polite, smart and just generally pleasant to be around. According to Becca, most of these young adults are from the city and get their first taste of nature from these field trips. I hope they had a good time in the Arroyo and, more importantly, I hope they learn an appreciation of nature and its preservation.

While we stood on the shore, Becca quizzed her students about the topography and geology. They asked questions of her and of me. Boz strained at his leash. The water's kind of smelly because at this spot it's standing water. The only thing Boz likes more than stinky water is stinky water with mud.

Guest Author: Amy Ratcliffe, Geek With Curves

For the third month in a row, I'm happy to present a guest post by a local writer. Today, meet Amy Ratcliffe.

I love her story. She wanted to be a writer. She thought about it. Then she decided to make it happen and bam! 

I think you'll like Amy as much as I do.

My name is Amy Ratcliffe. I'm a geek (that will be relevant in a minute). For most of my life I said I wanted to be a writer. However, I didn't do much to make that dream happen. I wrote as often as I felt like it in my writing notebook, and if you only write when you feel like it, the notebook doesn't fill up very fast. I participated in National Novel Writing Month a couple of times and actually defeated it once. I started blogging and realized it was fun to get feedback on the words I was putting out there. But I didn't know how to translate any of this to making my dream happen.

Then I was watching Star Wars for the nth time in January of last year, and I thought to myself: why not create a blog just for discussing your favorite geeky things?  So I started Geek With Curves. I signed up for Twitter around the same time. This started a new chapter (pun entirely intended) for me. I made myself sit down and write every day whether I felt like it or not. I started making connections. I also found a huge geek community on Twitter. People that didn't judge me for reading comic books or dressing up like Han Solo.

Through these people, I found writing work. Slowly but surely I am building a list of sites that are happy to accept articles about the politics in Game of Thrones or the female role models in The Clone Wars. I contribute to websites such as Tor.com, ScienceFiction.com, and the L.A. Times Hero Complex. I am doing what I love. A talented artist I know always tells people, "Don't tell me how bad you want it, show me." This is the phrase I keep in mind when I've had a long day at work and don't feel like sitting in front of a blank screen. I don't sleep as much I'd like, I definitely don't watch as much television as I want to, but I hope the sacrifices will be worth it when I'm doing what I love to do full time. And I believe I'll get there. Eventually.

Just a Bunch of Guys

Meeting these guys and taking their picture might be a turning point in my blogging career.

They were getting ready to leave just as I pulled into the gas station to fill up. I've been shy about asking people if I can take their photo. I could have let them go.

But I grabbed my camera, jumped out of the car, told them who I was and and asked them to pose. They were most obliging. Admittedly, it's easier to approach a group, even a motorcycle gang. It's a Pasadena motorcycle gang, after all.

I asked if their group had a name and one of them told me they were "just a bunch of guys." What a pleasure it was to meet them. From now on, I think I'll be braver about asking people to pose for the blog.

I asked the guy on the left how we'd know if he was smiling. I think we know.

Zen Monday: #143

Is it Zen Monday again?

Why, yes it is. Zen Monday is the day you experience the photo and tell us what you've learned.

Is this your first Zen Monday? Just say what the picture makes you think of or how it makes you feel. It might be helpful to click on the photo to enlarge it.

There's no right or wrong, no secret, no prize. Just have fun.

My Church

It could be in the mountains, too--or the desert, or lost in the woods. It's a big place.

Have a nice holiday, whatever you choose to do.


Heads up for those who follow the Hahamongna happenings: 
A special meeting of the Hahamongna Watershed Park Advisory Committee will be held on Tuesday, April 26th at 6PM at the Flintridge Retreat Center, Room 117, 237 West Mountain Street in Pasadena. There will be an update on on the LA County Department of Public Works Post Station Fire Sediment Removal Short-Term Solution in Hahamongna/Devil’s Gate Basin, with a presentation by LA County DPW staff.

The next regular HWPAC meeting will be May 24th.

April 23rd

It's Shakespeare's birthday. I thought I should say "Happy Birthday, Will!" seeing as we--okay, I--so ill-used him on the blog merely a week ago.

It's also St. George's Day in the United Kingdom. From what I understand it's not exactly a big deal on that precious stone set in the silver sea, but it makes a good excuse to go to the pub. Luckily, this year the day of St. George (who wasn't British and never set foot on the sceptred isle) falls on a Saturday, because the day of Britain's patron saint is not a holiday. But Happy St. George's Day to our British friends nonetheless.

I didn't have any pictures of dragons, or knights, or even pubs for that matter. But I'm a sucker for an archway.

Impasse

I walked out onto the Colorado Street Bridge yesterday to see a memorial. I had driven by earlier and seen flowers and balloons, so I went back on foot. Knowing someone had jumped from the bridge on April 12th, I thought it might be a tribute for him.

But now I don't know. Near where the balloons had become stuck in the cement columns, someone had taped a piece of paper. On the paper were photos of a young man who jumped a year ago, and a poem, and words of love and sorrow.

I took pictures of the memorial, or memorials. Then I sat for a while looking out over the Arroyo.

I decided not to post the pictures. But you could go and spend a few moments with this small tribute.

Sweet

My life was profoundly changed when a friend brought me a bag of the famous Sea Salt Caramels from the Little Flower Candy Company. You may already know you can find a jaw-dropping variety of handmade candies there. But did you also know you can sit inside the charming shop and sip a cup of coffee or tea while you eat homemade soup or (and) a tasty tartine?

Now you know, and now you have a new favorite spot. Isn't that convenient? Just in time for the second biggest candy weekend of the year. (Do remember them come Halloween.)

I'll be going back soon. There were some marshmallow things that looked like ice cream bars and I haven't been able to sleep since I saw them.

Speaking of sweets: every so often, Postie checks in here From the Sidelines. In fact, one day he clicked the "follow" button and won a t-shirt. Here he is, modeling his prize. Thanks, Postie!

The Gamble House

photo of the Gamble House pond by John Sandel

Oh, gush gush gush.

After nearly six years of Pasadena living, John and I finally visited a Pasadena icon--thanks to the generous invitation of the Public Relations Manager at the Gamble House. We loved it. Our tour was so interesting I want to go back again and again.

In case you don't know, the 1908 Gamble House is one of America's finest examples of Arts and Crafts architecture and the crowning achievement of Pasadena architects Charles and Henry Greene. I especially loved how much of it (a lot) is intact. With the exception of the velvet ropes that keep one from bumbling about, catching one's heels on rare Persian rugs and knocking over the Steuben glass, the home is furnished as it might have been 100 years ago, with many original pieces. 15 watt bulbs glow softly in the custom light fixtures, thanks to the original wiring. It's dim! I guess in those days people had to depend on sunlight coming through the custom-made stained glass windows.

photo of the eaves by John Sandel

Thank goodness John came with me. His photos are inspired. Mine--enh. Some days you have it and some days you don't. But don't tell that to Greene and Greene. Real artists create whether they're inspired or not. That's how you make it your life's work.

The architects designed not only the home but every detail from light switches to furniture, with thematic motifs running through chair backs, window glass and mantelpieces. Even the piano was custom made.

I could go into further detail about the details, or you could take a tour of the Gamble House and stand in that famous foyer yourself while you learn things like:
Why is it called the Gamble House?
Who built the items that Greene & Greene designed?
Is there a ghost?
How old is that creeping fig out front?
Who owns the house now?
Who lives there? (Someone does!)

For information about tours, call the Gamble House at 626-793-3334. You can take a general tour like the one we took, or find out about more detailed tours. Check the website.

Then let us know what you thought. If you like Pasadena history, I think you will gush gush gush.

Here, Right Here

L.A. CO. F.D. Camp 2
To our brothers Art Ruezga and Chris Herman
who will always live in
our hearts and never be forgotten
August 20th 1993

Two firefighters died in the Glen Allen Fire on August 20th, 1993, in the steep canyon beneath the Altadena Crest Trail. Their colleagues are quoted in this LA Times article.

This memorial stands alongside the trail. If you look carefully, you can see a second cross in the canyon below where you're walking. The memorial is a heart-catching sight. It punctures the solitude hiking can create and makes you realize you're not alone.

The plaque (quoted above) doesn't lie; a couple of those fire station caps on the cross are brand new.

Sure, people have died here. People have died everywhere, we just don't always think about it. That's what a memorial is for.

Zen Monday: #142

It's the day you experience the photo and share in the comments what you've learned. We call it Zen Monday.

Is this your first Zen Monday? Tell us what comes to mind--what the photo makes you think of or how it makes you feel. It might be helpful to click on the photo to enlarge it.

There's no right or wrong, no secret, no prize. Just have fun.

Moving On

Before everything dries up, I want you to remember Pasadena's not always a desert. We do get moisty things here. We do get sylvan things, faerie things. In the heat of summer, when everything's the color of straw and it feels like if you light a match the very dirt will catch fire, think back: remember the rain that wouldn't stop; remember the clouds that rolled across the mountains to reveal snowy peaks; remember how depressed your pets were and how many umbrellas you went through and all the green, green green that resulted from the storms.

Remember how glorious our winter was this year, and don't forget to enjoy our beautiful summer.

Are we going to have spring, or are we just going to plunge right in?

Unjust

I think today will be our final test of the translation software at the pirating website, Just Pocket Camera. If you're reading this post there, it was stolen from http://pasadenadailyphoto.blogspot.com/. Come on over and see the post in its original form!

After today, I'll update you when I hear news about the legal proceedings. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check my posts of the last several days. We're messing with a pirate website that's stealing my posts, but this wild, wacky fun won't last forever 'cause that sucker's coming down.

Karin suggested Shakespeare. I couldn't resist one of my favorite Sonnets, number 152.

In loving thee thou know'st I am forsworn,
But thou art twice forsworn to me love swearing,
In act thy bed-vow broke and new faith torn
In vowing new hate after new love bearing.
But why of two oaths' breach do I accuse thee,
When I break twenty? I am perjured most,
For all my vows are oaths but to misuse thee,
And all my honest faith in thee is lost.
For I have sworn deep oaths of thy deep kindness,
Oaths of thy love, thy truth, thy constancy,
And to enlighten thee, gave eyes to blindness,
Or made them swear against the thing they see;
   For I have sworn thee fair: more perjured eye,
   To swear against the truth so foul a lie. 


I guess he was mad when he wrote that.