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Showing posts with label daily life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daily life. Show all posts
June 24, 2013
Photo a Day - Last Week of May
Lately, I have been taking a close look at what I spend my time on and one of the thoughts from that is - why I do this "Photo A Day" project. Unfortunately, I don't yet have a good answer. Part of me thinks it is laziness, or lack of "time" to tell you the real story behind the photograph, the one I really want you to know. In the meantime, here are some images from the last week of May.
May 24, 2013
Poppy on a walk through the Anza Vista neighborhood.
May 25, 2013
Poppy, Paul and I on a very windy day at the beach near Crissy Field.
May 26, 2013
A guided wild food walk plant identification class in chilly Golden Gate Park. Apparently clover is edible in small amounts!
May 27, 2013
Wild radish, in its prime. On my own wild food identification in the Presidio.
May 29, 2013
Another walk in the woods, I like the one thread of a spider web trailing off of this plant.
May 30, 2013
In the area around Mountain Lake I spot a bird who poses for me.
May 31, 2013
I am on my way to Oregon through the dry rolling hills of California, west of Sacramento on Interstate 505.
May 24, 2013
May 25, 2013
May 26, 2013
May 27, 2013
May 29, 2013
May 30, 2013
May 31, 2013
June 14, 2013
May 23, 2013
Thursday
On this morning, we go, once again, to the Presidio for a morning walk. In thinking of my favorite places on Earth, I would add this grove of trees to the list. Come to think of it, nearly all of my favorite places are set in the woods. There is a wooded gully at Fair Hill in Maryland, on the Orange trail, that I would also include and a grove of giant trees growing amongst giant boulders in a small forest along The Golden Bay of the South Island of New Zealand. I get to see these places often, except New Zealand, but I promised myself I would go back there someday. These places are like old friends, I am humbled by them and they remind me of who I am.
On this morning, we go, once again, to the Presidio for a morning walk. In thinking of my favorite places on Earth, I would add this grove of trees to the list. Come to think of it, nearly all of my favorite places are set in the woods. There is a wooded gully at Fair Hill in Maryland, on the Orange trail, that I would also include and a grove of giant trees growing amongst giant boulders in a small forest along The Golden Bay of the South Island of New Zealand. I get to see these places often, except New Zealand, but I promised myself I would go back there someday. These places are like old friends, I am humbled by them and they remind me of who I am.
May 21, 2013
Tuesday
Happy Birthday to me! I have decided to fill my day with fun and inexpensive things, mostly. After toast for breakfast at The Mill, Poppy and I drive down to my guitar lesson. I have a vegetarian Vietnamese sandwich for lunch before hiking at Stevens Creek Park - a birthday tradition. My very first birthday in California was spent here, hiking to the end of the Tony Look trail and lying in the tall grass by the reservoir, listening to Rumours by Fleetwood Mac on my headphones. This year, I have Poppy and we don't get all the way to the end of the trail, but it is always nice to come here, even for just this one magical grove of oak trees. It is one of my favorite spots on Earth.
Happy Birthday to me! I have decided to fill my day with fun and inexpensive things, mostly. After toast for breakfast at The Mill, Poppy and I drive down to my guitar lesson. I have a vegetarian Vietnamese sandwich for lunch before hiking at Stevens Creek Park - a birthday tradition. My very first birthday in California was spent here, hiking to the end of the Tony Look trail and lying in the tall grass by the reservoir, listening to Rumours by Fleetwood Mac on my headphones. This year, I have Poppy and we don't get all the way to the end of the trail, but it is always nice to come here, even for just this one magical grove of oak trees. It is one of my favorite spots on Earth.
May 19, 2013
Sunday
Today was about being in Santa Cruz. We woke and left the house before 7am to avoid the Bay-to-Breakers craziness that was about to unfold in San Francisco. In the waning hours of sunlight, we had dinner at the Crow's Nest overlooking this typical California beach scene.
Today was about being in Santa Cruz. We woke and left the house before 7am to avoid the Bay-to-Breakers craziness that was about to unfold in San Francisco. In the waning hours of sunlight, we had dinner at the Crow's Nest overlooking this typical California beach scene.
June 13, 2013
May 18, 2013
Saturday
We played tourists today in a different neighborhood of San Francisco - Bernal Heights. It feels more "neighborhoody" than any other neighborhood I have been to here. We made our way through the streets and shops and parks on a lovely, warm day. The park here is a huge, windswept hill covered in long grass with amazing views of the city. Almost every person has a dog with them. I could live here. What concerns me is the how brittle, baked and dry the hills are already. It is just mid-May but everything has already turned brown.
We played tourists today in a different neighborhood of San Francisco - Bernal Heights. It feels more "neighborhoody" than any other neighborhood I have been to here. We made our way through the streets and shops and parks on a lovely, warm day. The park here is a huge, windswept hill covered in long grass with amazing views of the city. Almost every person has a dog with them. I could live here. What concerns me is the how brittle, baked and dry the hills are already. It is just mid-May but everything has already turned brown.
May 17, 2013
Friday
I am reaching the end of my limit of the same dog walking route.
Why the same route every day?
The answer is a truth for me that can save me and enslave me - routine. Routine gets me doing without my brain interfering with excuses to not do. Routine is also a drill sergeant, forgetting that we have feelings and desires, this is life and we are supposed to enjoy it. The real place of harmony might be the discipline of balancing excuses and drill sergeants, doing and enjoying - finding that place where they turn to each other with love in their eyes, ready to get married. Today, I walked Poppy to a different park with different beautiful views of the city, it is good to get a new perspective.
I am reaching the end of my limit of the same dog walking route.
Why the same route every day?
The answer is a truth for me that can save me and enslave me - routine. Routine gets me doing without my brain interfering with excuses to not do. Routine is also a drill sergeant, forgetting that we have feelings and desires, this is life and we are supposed to enjoy it. The real place of harmony might be the discipline of balancing excuses and drill sergeants, doing and enjoying - finding that place where they turn to each other with love in their eyes, ready to get married. Today, I walked Poppy to a different park with different beautiful views of the city, it is good to get a new perspective.
May 15, 2013
Wednesday
Sweet Poppy waits patiently for me outside a coffee shop, while I treat myself to the World's Best Mocha.
Sweet Poppy waits patiently for me outside a coffee shop, while I treat myself to the World's Best Mocha.
June 12, 2013
May 13, 2013
Monday
Back at the Presidio for a foggy morning walk. Once again, I forgot my "real" camera and had to rely on my iPhone camera. Admittedly, it is kind of nice to feel free of the bulky camera and I can still get okay shots with the iPhone.
Back at the Presidio for a foggy morning walk. Once again, I forgot my "real" camera and had to rely on my iPhone camera. Admittedly, it is kind of nice to feel free of the bulky camera and I can still get okay shots with the iPhone.
May 12, 2013
Sunday
It's Mother's Day. We go, in the late afternoon, to Bernal Heights to catch the last warm-ish rays of the sun. The fierce wind blows Poppy's frisbee mid-throw, over the fence surrounding the radio tower. Paul climbs the tall fence to retrieve it (I should have gotten a picture of that). It is too bad I only had my iPhone camera with me.
It's Mother's Day. We go, in the late afternoon, to Bernal Heights to catch the last warm-ish rays of the sun. The fierce wind blows Poppy's frisbee mid-throw, over the fence surrounding the radio tower. Paul climbs the tall fence to retrieve it (I should have gotten a picture of that). It is too bad I only had my iPhone camera with me.
June 11, 2013
May 4, 2013
Saturday
We took Poppy to Ocean Beach. The fog blew in and the fog blew out, as we sat there, warmth and cold, back and forth. Previously hidden people became visible and things emerged from the fog, like a long drawn out surprise.
We took Poppy to Ocean Beach. The fog blew in and the fog blew out, as we sat there, warmth and cold, back and forth. Previously hidden people became visible and things emerged from the fog, like a long drawn out surprise.
May 19, 2013
April 28, 2013
Sunday
We are driving home from Bend, Oregon and it is the middle of the night. I am driving and we are near Redding, California. The moon in the sky is like nothing I will ever be able to adequately describe and my photograph is a dismal failure. But I will try. The moon was two or three times larger than normal, hanging a bit in the edge of the sky. It was glowing orange and dark, night clouds moved in and out about it. It was like seeing right into outer space, to another world, which of course, outer space seems like to me. It was magical and breathtaking and exciting.
We are driving home from Bend, Oregon and it is the middle of the night. I am driving and we are near Redding, California. The moon in the sky is like nothing I will ever be able to adequately describe and my photograph is a dismal failure. But I will try. The moon was two or three times larger than normal, hanging a bit in the edge of the sky. It was glowing orange and dark, night clouds moved in and out about it. It was like seeing right into outer space, to another world, which of course, outer space seems like to me. It was magical and breathtaking and exciting.
May 18, 2013
April 27, 2013
Saturday
We are in Bend, Oregon. Desert flowers are blooming and I am frustrated with finding a way to compose them. Poppy and I walk, she was not supposed to be with us on this trip, but she is now.
We are in Bend, Oregon. Desert flowers are blooming and I am frustrated with finding a way to compose them. Poppy and I walk, she was not supposed to be with us on this trip, but she is now.
May 17, 2013
April 22, 2013
Monday
Back to the beginning, of the week, this is. It is still warm and we are at the park where Poppy and I both spot two fluffy white dogs. They want to be pet. I hear two young women speaking a language I can't place. It sounds a little like Japanese, but not quite and it does not sound like Chinese, so I figure it must be Korean. I ask them where they are from and I wonder if that is rude so after they say "Korea" I try to be friendly. They are nice and shy or at least, that is how they present themselves as I observe that they judge their little white dogs as obnoxious, while I think they are just flirtatious. I wonder why the one girl wears pantyhose with her shorts, maybe that is fashionable somewhere I have never been. The two girls don't stay long and as I hear them leave the park I hear them scolding their dogs.
Back to the beginning, of the week, this is. It is still warm and we are at the park where Poppy and I both spot two fluffy white dogs. They want to be pet. I hear two young women speaking a language I can't place. It sounds a little like Japanese, but not quite and it does not sound like Chinese, so I figure it must be Korean. I ask them where they are from and I wonder if that is rude so after they say "Korea" I try to be friendly. They are nice and shy or at least, that is how they present themselves as I observe that they judge their little white dogs as obnoxious, while I think they are just flirtatious. I wonder why the one girl wears pantyhose with her shorts, maybe that is fashionable somewhere I have never been. The two girls don't stay long and as I hear them leave the park I hear them scolding their dogs.
May 16, 2013
April 21, 2013
Sunday
We spend a few hours at the beach, warm, with shorts! Poppy chases ball into the water, jumping over the little bit of wave that makes it all the way out to here. It is refreshing to have warm weather, so rare. Summer is coming and this warm weather won't last, probably. In the evening we splurge a little and head to Giordano Brothers for a couple of sandwiches. It is still warm and no one wants to sit inside. I watch the Mission life go by.
We spend a few hours at the beach, warm, with shorts! Poppy chases ball into the water, jumping over the little bit of wave that makes it all the way out to here. It is refreshing to have warm weather, so rare. Summer is coming and this warm weather won't last, probably. In the evening we splurge a little and head to Giordano Brothers for a couple of sandwiches. It is still warm and no one wants to sit inside. I watch the Mission life go by.
May 15, 2013
April 20, 2013
Saturday
It is a beautifully warm day and the three of us walk out the front door, down a couple of handfuls of city streets to the Panhandle. We walk parallel to the park until we reach Golden Gate Park. We explore all the unknown trails, through meadows and tree groves, past ponds and sports complexes we have never seen or knew existed and yet, we were still in the city. At the park's edge, across the street from the ocean, we sit in the grass at Beach Chalet and share some fries and a burger before heading back home. It was a wonderful, eight mile city hike!
It is a beautifully warm day and the three of us walk out the front door, down a couple of handfuls of city streets to the Panhandle. We walk parallel to the park until we reach Golden Gate Park. We explore all the unknown trails, through meadows and tree groves, past ponds and sports complexes we have never seen or knew existed and yet, we were still in the city. At the park's edge, across the street from the ocean, we sit in the grass at Beach Chalet and share some fries and a burger before heading back home. It was a wonderful, eight mile city hike!
May 14, 2013
April 19, 2013
Friday
We walk above Japantown, the pedestrian bridge and Poppy is scared, but just a little. The traffic stops beneath us and she watches. We meet a girl, a young black girl who likes Poppy and asks her name while she pets her. I tell her, "Poppy" and she thinks for a moment.
"I had a friend named Poppy!"
"That's an unusual name!"
"Yeah, she was the only person I've ever known to have that name."
I like to notice lines and shapes while I walk, while I concentrate on my feet, my arches, my gait. I tell myself to land mid-foot, not with a heel strike. So I find myself staring at the ground while I concentrate and I like to see the shapes that nature fits into man-made containers.
We walk above Japantown, the pedestrian bridge and Poppy is scared, but just a little. The traffic stops beneath us and she watches. We meet a girl, a young black girl who likes Poppy and asks her name while she pets her. I tell her, "Poppy" and she thinks for a moment.
"I had a friend named Poppy!"
"That's an unusual name!"
"Yeah, she was the only person I've ever known to have that name."
I like to notice lines and shapes while I walk, while I concentrate on my feet, my arches, my gait. I tell myself to land mid-foot, not with a heel strike. So I find myself staring at the ground while I concentrate and I like to see the shapes that nature fits into man-made containers.
May 13, 2013
April 18, 2013
Thursday
And we walked in the Panhandle, Poppy waiting patiently, while I enjoy the cartoonish vision of cherry blossoms dancing in my head all the way back to my childhood.
May 03, 2013
April 17, 2013
Wednesday
I walk through the park, looking for inspiration. It is the same park, same light, same, same, same. How many times can I admire the same curve of a tree? Well, as many times as it comes. But how many times do I need to take a picture of it? But the photograph does not always correctly portray the seeing. So, today I decide to let the camera do the admiration, so that I could, afterwards, do the seeing. My wish for the camera was not perfect, maybe not even good, but it was different and it allowed me the breathing room of admiring all the same things and introducing something new.
I walk through the park, looking for inspiration. It is the same park, same light, same, same, same. How many times can I admire the same curve of a tree? Well, as many times as it comes. But how many times do I need to take a picture of it? But the photograph does not always correctly portray the seeing. So, today I decide to let the camera do the admiration, so that I could, afterwards, do the seeing. My wish for the camera was not perfect, maybe not even good, but it was different and it allowed me the breathing room of admiring all the same things and introducing something new.
April 30, 2013
April 15, 2013
Monday
Tax Day. I arrive at the post office five minutes before they open. We wait in a civilized line in front of the gate, filing in like animals after they open. While waiting in line, a man yells at the lone woman working behind the postal counter, "Can we get someone else out here?" I guess he doesn't feel he deserves to wait that long.
It is so cold and windy that during our brisk walk through the park, I fear the sunlight will blow away too.
In the evening I drive the five blocks to Safeway, to avoid the cold and I judge myself as a wimp. I am so spoiled, that I have not shopped regularly at Safeway in years. As I walk through the crowded-after-work-shopping aisles with bad Pop music booming through the speakers, I begin to smile. Suddenly, I am so happy to be out amongst ordinary people. I can't stop smiling. I see the beauty in their ordinariness, the elderly lady, the yippie guy on his cell phone, the black lady with her solemn kids, the Mexican guy in his construction clothes. You may get all politically correct and say I am stereotyping, but I am not, I am just recounting what I saw. I see humanity and its beauty, and we are all part of it, no matter who we are or what we are or where we came from. I felt like I belonged.
In the self-check out line, which is so long it is almost to the doors, I am a little surprised at the length of the line. What surprises me even more is the lack of surprise of anyone else. Each party takes their place at the back of the line like it were any other day and no one yells, "Can we get someone else out here?"
It is so cold and windy that during our brisk walk through the park, I fear the sunlight will blow away too.
In the evening I drive the five blocks to Safeway, to avoid the cold and I judge myself as a wimp. I am so spoiled, that I have not shopped regularly at Safeway in years. As I walk through the crowded-after-work-shopping aisles with bad Pop music booming through the speakers, I begin to smile. Suddenly, I am so happy to be out amongst ordinary people. I can't stop smiling. I see the beauty in their ordinariness, the elderly lady, the yippie guy on his cell phone, the black lady with her solemn kids, the Mexican guy in his construction clothes. You may get all politically correct and say I am stereotyping, but I am not, I am just recounting what I saw. I see humanity and its beauty, and we are all part of it, no matter who we are or what we are or where we came from. I felt like I belonged.
In the self-check out line, which is so long it is almost to the doors, I am a little surprised at the length of the line. What surprises me even more is the lack of surprise of anyone else. Each party takes their place at the back of the line like it were any other day and no one yells, "Can we get someone else out here?"
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