Best Buddy

It's been 5 years to the day that Carin died. 

We grew up together, played together, laughed together and not a day passes when I don't think about my best buddy. Although her love for sports centered around the 49ers, especially the Joe Montana years, she humored me one day and along with our friend Christa we went to see the Giants play. She's wearing my Pac Bell cap in the picture taken only months before she left this earth. It's one of my favorite pictures. I miss ya kiddo, each and every day!

Torture, Exhilaration, Depression

All 3 words define my emotions from watching the Giants in their quest to go to the World Series.  The Wednesday night game was one for the ages and will become Giants lore. Truly one of the best games ever played!!! We won and euphoria reigned. Last night, one win away, we sucked and lost.  Damn, damn, damn.  Now back to Philadelphia.

Playoffs

It's 6:30am and I'm lounging on the couch at my friend's house in Mt. View, CA. Same couch the hound and I slept on last night   It's one of those great L shaped units so I got the large section and Ramona slept comfortably at my feet.  She's a happy hound as she has 3 other dogs here, Bodie, Lulu and Moose. They're now best buds. In fact at this very moment all 4 are in the backyard taking a pee.  It's dog's life.  Later today my friends and I will be heading into the City By The Bay to watch our SF Giants WIN another game from the Philadelphia Phillies.  Nothing quite as enjoyable as watching baseball especially when your team is in post season play and getting to the World Series is on the line. Hummmm Baby.

Early Morning

For me always the best time of the day. Quieter, fewer people, less traffic, cooler weather wise, and I enjoy watching the sun rise.  Since my return I've been good about taking the hound to Griffith Park and enjoying pre dawn hikes. Tuesday we did the jaunt up to the Observatory. See the ghosts? 

Watching as darkness becomes daylight relaxes me.

Cruising the Rose Bowl Flea Market before the hordes arrive is also an early morning ritual.

No lines. Pricier to go in early but I still believe worth the $15.  Good deals to be made, aisles to wander without bumping into strollers, shopping carts, etc. You get first peek at everything. 

Even Nazi flags. 

Really???!!! Damn, we can trivialize anything to make a buck!

Still shaking my head over the vendor's choice to display it.

This guys spot on the other side of the bridge, kinda like on the "other side of the tracks" was where I found the coolest hanging lamp. He wanted $60. I paid $40. Very pleased with myself. It's going to the home in NoCal. Heading home Ms. Mona and I stopped and watched these folks knock the crap out of one another.

Great Sunday morning!

GBoys

GIANTS WIN! GIANTS WIN!

Tomahawks

Shove 'em where the sun don't shine Atlanta Braves!!!!!
Giants win 3-2 in the 9th!!!!!!!!!
Hummmmmmm Baby!!!!!

Sunshine

Rain welcomed me back to LA but those clouds have given way to the weather known worldwide. Somewhere else on the planet leafs change color, skies are grey, sweaters are being worn. Not here on Sunday, October 10. This week's forecast is in the 80's.

Strikeouts

             KKKKKKKKKKKKKK

Timmy Won't Need Lassie

GO GIANTS!!!!

Honey I'm Home

Hiking the Mt. Hollywood trail with the hound before sunrise and shopping at Trader Joe's.

 Yep, back in the Land of La. 

Long Ride Home Day 2

That's the time I hit the road.

Caught the sunrise in my side view mirror as we left Albuquerque.

Was totally into my Inspector Gamache novel wondering how I'd not heard of this writer as I passed into Arizona.

Beckoned by fake dinosaurs I HAD to stop here.

Great fun.  Bought a few polished rocks.  Snapped pics.

Fed it.

Way too much fun.

Back on the road could see some rain ahead.

The hound periodically would stick her head on the window to sniff the air. "Nope, not LA."

We'd crossed into CA. A storm was brewing.

Darkness had fallen as we hit Los Feliz Blvd. Artsy fartsy don't ya think? 

The Long Ride Home Day 1

I left the lovely burg of Dallas around 8am on Sunday.  Not sure what I was thinking or if I was thinking but started north on 35E before I realized I was heading toward Oklahoma.  Guess I was already caught up in my Inspector Gamache book on tape.  Waisted an hour getting my bearings. Geez. Once I got myself turned around it was a long but easy ride to Albuquerque.


                         Spied these classic autos outside Ft. Worth.

Then saw this great old diner.

Took an off road adventure and found Ranger, Texas.

Nearly completely abandoned I wonder what Ranger was like in its heyday?

Definitely Last Picture Show ambience.

From there I plodded along listening intensely to "Bury Your Dead,"

while Ramona snored in the back seat of the packed 4 Runner.

Can't believe all the "stuff" I brought back with me. Then again there was the shopping spree in the Bishop Arts District and my finds at the

First Monday Flea Market. Still it felt like my 4 Runner had shrunk in size.

Kept snapping interesting sights through the car windows.

Then there was the black hole of a thunderstorm. Imagine the end of the world and this was it.  You think I'm kidding?!? That's the light of day on the right side of the picture.

Pretty freaky and yet ever so exciting!