My Water Post For Today.
I need to take a drive to Santa Barbara.
This was taken almost a year ago, and it brings back so many memories.
Especially since we had not been that far north for at least 5 years.
Beauty, even on the back side of the buildings on the wharf.
Maybe when the weather gets a little bit cooler, we will go.
I hope you enjoy.
When my Son came out to L.A., we almost immediately visited Grand Panda together.
It was lunch time and so we got the lunch deal.
This was mine. Egg Drop Soup, A small salad, Mu Shu Pork, Fried Rice, Egg Roll, and (of course) a fortune cookie. The sauce is for the Mu Shu, though I do not use it.
For the very inexpensive price of $11.55, and we took home half of it for another day.
It was good to share Grand Panda with my Son, once again.
My Brother-In-Law wins two times this week.
On Wednesday I mentioned on our regular call, that I could not eject my 30 Seconds to Mars CD.
He mentioned something to do, and I checked out Youtube, before moving to the car. They said that with the car off, press the power on the radio and the eject button for 10 seconds.
It did not work. For the heck of it, I did the same thing again.
Amazingly, it worked this time. No problem.
From what I read, it is probably my battery needs to be replaced.
I will deal with that in a few months, when we need to smog it.
The other thing he brought up, was regarding yesterdays post about the blue light being so bright. In the comments, he provided a link to a dimmer, that would work with the lamp and bulb.
An inexpensive fix, and I am going to go for it.
Thank you so much.
We went out Wednesday afternoon, and picked up a new blue light bulb.
Unfortunately, a full size bulb.
With the light we are currently using, it is putting out quite a bit of blue light.
I may change it to a lamp with a shade, and we can check out if that mutes it a little bit.
Otherwise, we are pleased to have it back in action, and that puts an end to the revamp/recovery of our automated system.
Here is what it used to look like, before the bulb burnt out.
Ever since my Son went home, the cat has been less than normal.
We don't think she misses him, but something happened to her.
She is not eating her kibble, and that is her normal food.
This has gone on for a week, and so I am feeding her extra Ham babyfood.
Wednesday morning, she seemed to eat more of her kibble than she had been eating.
Hopefully, she is on the better side, finally.
We had some monsoonal moisture hanging around the area on Sunday.
A friend mentioned on Twitter (before its change to X) that we should all run outside, because the sunset was shaping up to be beautiful.
He was so right.
It was nice to get some color in the sky, since it has not been very vivid these past few weeks.
My Son would probably disagree, since I think he shot multiple days of sunrises, and sunsets while he visited us.
God's thanks for the end of another day.
When my Son came to town, he promised to upgrade our watering system.
He did so, almost immediately. Unfortunately, along with the upgrade, he ended up resetting the programming back to factory settings.
I was able to get the sprinklers back in action, because they were hard wired.
The lights were not so easy, so he took a set of our controllers with him to Michigan, and took photos of the RF frequencies we needed for the reprogramming.
Unfortunately, we did not get connections on 2 of the first controller, one of them being the pond in the back yard.
The other one we eventually figured out was not lighting, because the plug in the kitchen was not working correctly. When we finally used another socket, we lighted that one, and others on controller 2.
We also have a small blue light that we shine every evening, in honor of the 3 students killed at Saugus High School in 2019.
We finally figured out that the blue bulb is burned out from age. So that one is also ready to go, when we replace the bulb.
The last one is the pond. It has an antenna in the garage, and if it is not in exactly the right place, in just the right way, it does not work.
Both men in my life swore that it was just fine, after they had cleaned out behind the dryer. Well, I took a look last evening, and saw a wire touching the antenna.
Yep, just a wire touching it, knocks it out of commission.
We rearranged the wire and the antenna, and it now works remotely again.
Yay, we are back in business and ready for our trip in September.
A separate project, is that we are fixing a tear in the pond liner. That is why the dirt and stuff is all around the rocks right now.
My Water Post For Today.
I took you to Belle Island to show off the large fountain that resides there.
I mentioned the bridge that you need to cross to get to the island, in THIS post.
I thought the bridge made the river look so much better, than just the river itself.
Enjoy the view.
This is High Prismatic, it was created by Pearl Hsiung for the Grand Ave Arts/Bunker Hill Station that is on the new Regional Connector section of the subway. The station is over 100 feet underground, which you can see from the elevator height. We did not exit the station, so I have no idea why this is so. I am assuming it has to do with its Bunker Hill location.
Here is what Metro has to say about the work:
"Reflecting upon the geological, anthropological, and cultural histories of the region served by the station, Pearl C. Hsiung’s artwork High Prismatic depicts an explosive, colorful eruption rising out of an infinitely roiling landscape toward a spray-tinted, celestial expanse. This ‘geyser’ visualizes the hydrological, social, and political forces that collected, flowed, and sculpted Bunker Hill. The saturated palette, variegated painting techniques, and compositional approach in High Prismatic allude to the buried, exposed, and still-forming stories of this aspirational arts space and vein of human movement and connectivity."
It is an impressive piece of work, and it utilizes the extreme vertical canvas, very well. Each station had its own restrictions, as to what the canvas entailed, and the artists made each one their own. Here are my posts on the other 2 stations. Little Tokyo and Historic Broadway.
I am so glad we took the time to give the stations a courtesy visit and look forward to seeing them again, someday.
When we came out of Little Tokyo/Arts District Station, we saw a red buiding about a half block away.
We didn't have time to give it a closer look, but I did take a photo of it.
It is the Little Tokyo Watch Tower, and it was built in 1978. Here is an explanation.
"Little Tokyo Historic District which is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and U.S. National Historic Landmark District lists. This watchtower was built in 1978 as part of a revitalization effort at the time. It is a replica typically found in rural Japan of traditional fire lookout towers of the area. Due to their height and visibility, small communities in Japan use these towers to help identify them from one another."
The watch tower is beautiful and worth the time to visit.
We get launches quite often, here in California.
Nowhere close to the number that Florida gets, but several a month.
This launch was delayed twice. Once the same night, and then moved to the next evening.
After going out for the second attempt on Tuesday, I decided to try again on Wednesday, and I was rewarded.
My Husband came out, and we watched it together.
It was pretty cool to see.
Last time we were at 888 Seafood, it was October of 2021. You can see the post HERE.
It was in the midst of the Pandemic, and I was not sure how it was going to go.
All went well on that day, and so we made another pilgrimage to the San Gabriel Valley, for Dim Sum.
Once again, the other Son wanted tripe, and he got two of them.
On top of that, this time he wanted to try tendon.
So we did, and all three of us were impressed with it.
Thanks "Son".
New Orleans Corridor was just recently dedicated, on Jefferson Blvd in Los Angeles.
I was not aware of the extent of Creole and Cajun eateries around the neighborhood that includes Jefferson, until this event was announced in June of 2023.
When I saw this panel on the wall at the Historic Broadway Station, I realized that it was probably referring to the connection between Los Angeles and New Orleans.
They say that the migration goes back all the way to 1883 and ended in 1970. Though I think some people came here after Hurricane Katrina, in 2005.
It is nice that they formally acknowledged the long time connection between these two areas.
While we were checking out each station on the Regional Connector, we came upon these art panels in the Little Tokyo/Arts District Station. The Artist is Audrey Chan.
"Chan's piece, entitled “Will Power Allegory,” can be found at the Little Tokyo station. It consists of 14 vignettes along the subway platform walls, stretching 168 feet and depicting people and symbols from the storied history of Little Tokyo, Arts District, Skid Row, Bronzeville, and the Gabrielino-Tongva tribe."
Obviously, highlighting the orginal people who lived in the area that became Los Angeles first, was a no brainer. Highlighting the Japanese people and their struggles, also a no brainer.
Bringing Skid Row to the forefront, on a work of art...this one spoke to me, the most.
The ignored people, forever highlighted. A very powerful statement.
My Water Post For Today.
Ducks swimming on Walled Lake, in Michigan.
This was back in May of this year.
Always a beautiful lake to hang around at.
Someday, maybe we will take the time to picnic there, rather than just walking around.
I think the ducks would agree to that.
Next to the Saugus Cafe, this is one of the oldest restaurants in Santa Clarita.
We have gone here for special events, for decades.
The Backwoods Inn is still rocking the old time look, and we truly appreciated the fact that it made it through the Pandemic.
The food was how we remembered it and the Backwoods Coffee was to die for, as usual.
A nice final meal with our Son. He leaves on Monday.
This is a screen capture of the Southwest Chief coming through Hesperia/Cajon Pass a bit late. It normally passes in the dark.
The sun is coming up, and gives the train a golden glow.
This engine is my favorite, it's one of the 50th Anniversary engines.
It looks really good in this photo.
We had an evening where all three of us were home, and we decided to check out the new kid in town: D & D FireArt Chinese Restaurant, in Skyline Ranch (up Plum Canyon in Saugus).
It was a modern place and so very different in atmosphere, from our normal, Grand Panda.
We got Sweet and Sour Pork, Pan Fried Noodles with Beef, and Chicken with Garlic Sauce. Our soup was Won Ton and our appetizer was Crab Wontons.
The only major negative was that there was lots of baby spinach in the Won Ton Soup. It was not cooked, or barely cooked, and it was very hard to pick up in our soup spoon. Another minute or two, and it would have been perfect.
Otherwise, good food and lots of leftovers.
Oh and being it was our Anniversary week, my Son picked up the tab. Win!
We have seen Metrolink cars attached to The Southwest Chief heading East many times. You can see them, HERE.
They go to the Talgo factory in Milwaukee, for a total rehab.
They then pass again, after they are finished. Looking pretty special, IMHO.
My Son noticed that this car was #101, the first car ever sent to Los Angeles, back in 1992.
We decided to ride it, to check it out.
In our opinion, it did not give us a good ride, lots of swaying (which was making me a bit ill).
In a nod to the 21st century, they had plugs for each seat, where you could recharge your electronics.
Obviously, they are safer then the old cars were, though not as comfortable.
(yes, that is my Son in the next seat)
It hasn't been perfect, what in life ever is, but it has produced some really incredible moments that have been unforgettable.
1st time we married in Downey in very hot, humid weather. My wedding ring didn't even want to go on. (Whose idea was this, anyway?)
2nd time we got married by a Priest and a Rabbi at my home church in Canyon Country. Once again, the weather was BRUTAL! My AC could not keep up with 60 guests milling around my house and it was hot as hell. Seeing a trend here?
The 3rd time we had the ship's captain marry us in February of 2020. Maybe we actually figured this hot weather thing out. Of course in July we were still basically living in lock-down from COVID-19, so we were totally on board with the early celebration.
We have survived these and many other adversities along the way and have had some wonderful times.
10 years into our marriage we were blessed with a son to raise. Yes, that meant that for my second wedding I was 3 months pregnant. I kidded my Dad that I finally gave him his shotgun wedding.
Thanks so much for realizing that maybe marriage might be something worth pursuing and that I might be that someone for you.
It's nice to know that your idea was right on.
Happy Anniversary. More to come. I love you.
(Photo from our second wedding, 1990)
You get what you ask for...and then some.
I asked my other "Son" to take a photo or two with my real Son.
This is what I received. 13 photos!
I am not sure what the sign they are making means, but at least I have something.
I am afraid to ask them. :-)
My Water Post For Today.
On a hot day, there is nothing better than some cooling water.
I have not taken a Metrolink train for 3 years, so I had not seen this waterfall, recently.
It was nice to know that it was working just fine, and it cooled the air, as we climbed the stairs to the station.
Lots of water sounds, too.
All in all, something to treasure.
The other day, while walking the streets of Downtown LA, I noticed something embeded in the sidewalk.
A closer look reveals that they are Grammy awards, starting at 1999.
Being a BIG Steely Dan fan, I know for a fact that they won the Grammy for album of the year in 2001.
2 awards later, there it is!
Steely Dan, along with U2 winning song and record of the year for Beautiful Day, and Shelby Lynne winning for best new artist.
To say the least, it totally made my day.
I promised some photos from The Original Pantry, and here they are.
It is located at 9th and Figueroa Street, which is 2 blocks from the 7th and Metro Station and 3 blocks from Pico Station on the Metro A line. Former Mayor (the late) Richard Riordan, owned the place for many years.
Many years ago we made this journey, so we felt fairly safe returning to the area.
It had many convention attendees walking around, and then the Grammy Museum, and hotels in the area. I would say very safe.
It was a short wait and the food was good. I personally would not get their pancakes again, but other wise the potatoes were excellent, and so were the scrambled eggs.
We were glad we made the effort to get there.
Our Son had a few days free, and so I asked him if we could ride the 3 stations that make up the Regional Connector.
He was slightly apprehensive about the people we might meet on the subway, but he OKed it.
We took the subway down to Pico, right across the street from the former Staples (now Crypto) Center.
We walked 3 blocks and had lunch at The Original Pantry (more on that another day).
Then we walked another 2 blocks to 7th Street Metro Center and began our journey.
The stations are Grand Ave Arts/Bunker Hill, Historic Broadway and Little Tokyo/Arts District.
The artwork in all three stations is excellent, but the one I wanted to see the most, was Mark Steven Greenfield's huge mural "Red Car Requiem" at Historic Broadway Station.
As you can see in the photo, it delivers quite a punch, size wise.
He is married to my former co-worker, Val Zavala, by the way.
The fireworks this year seemed to be more concentrated, then in the past 3 years.
I remember that (due to boredom) there were fireworks constantly over 2 months during 2020.
Every night you heard something and people were complaining on Facebook. It seemed to never stop.
This year we heard about 2 or 3 on Friday, and then nothing until about 8PM on the 4th.
It was intense, since we have 3 firework shows in the area.
Of course, then the local displays began and were still going on when I went to bed at 11:30PM.
I hope that most got set off, and we won't have the same thing again on the night of the 5th.
Glad to be past it all.
My Son made it to LA.
He spent the day with us, and we visited some of his favorite haunts...Saugus Cafe, and Grand Panda.
I made hamburgers for dinner, and now he is off to watch fireworks for the 3rd time this week.
My Husband and I stay home, and watch it on TV.
He has a lot planned for the 10 days he is in town, so it should be a good time.
Happy 4th of July to America!
With luck, my Son arrives today.
I am looking forward to catching up, and spending time with him.
I don't have many plans for the 10 days, but I am sure it will be interesting.
Oh, and we managed to get the house cleaned. :-)
My Water Post For Today.
My Son is coming to visit us tomorrow.
While we were out with him in May, he sent us some really beautiful sunset photos at Walled Lake.
This one speaks to me, because he shot it through a concrete conduit.
Very artsy and beautiful.
It's another weekend and I have upwards of five containers of 2% milk in my fridge. I am lactose intolerant, so I don't drink it, thus it ends up being my Husband who uses it.
I hear that the free meals at the Senior Center are going to be ending, at least the weekend ones (it was COVID-19 funding). That means less milk coming into my house. Yay!
The main way I use up the milk is by making pancakes.
That is on the agenda, for the weekend.
One does what one can.
My Son will arrive on the 4th of July.
When he comes into our lives, he steals the fan for 10 days.
I decided to make life in my house a bit better, by buying a new fan.
Again, we had discussed it and he posted a link to us, regarding the fan that he bought last year.
Unfortunately, it was sold out then, and is still sold out now.
He gave us a different brand, Better Homes and Gardens fan (say what?).
We bought it, what the heck.
What made it interesting (besides that the thing is massive compared to what we currently have), is that it comes with a year subscription to Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.
A hard pass.
