Tick, Tick, Tick

From the abode of Ramona, Cooper, Emma and I wish everyone belly rubs, good health and prosperity for 2012!!

I Gotta Say

I'll admit I still experience a slight shiver when I hear Tubular Bells from The Exorcist but this one sheet will cause nightmares. Holly crap!!!!

Only In LA

The day after Christmas is always so quiet. Streets nearly devoid of cars. The only sounds that caught my ear as Ramona and I began our sojourn up Mt. Hollywood were the owls hooting a greeting as we started out on the trail.  Quite lovely and eerily soothing to hear them call out. Refreshing hike. Few people on the trail. A chill in the air. Crisp and clear sunrise.

At the top Ramona looking to see if some one has a treat for her.

As we were nearly done two others were just beginning.

And so it goes. Another holiday Monday in the State of LA.

Merry Christmas

The Eve Of Christmas

Typical LA holiday season.  Sunshine.  It is chilly in the wee hours, down in the 50's and 40's, but warms up later. Snapped a couple of tis the season images this morning when The Hound and I trekked in Griffith Park.

No clue who Frank James might be but the Christmas spirit lives within!

Creeping Along

The end of 2011 looms. Christmas is this weekend. In my humble household that means eating, lounging and watching football or old movies.  Maybe I'll surprise myself and take Miss Mona on a longer morning hike than usual.  Ya never know with me. It's lunch time so a tuna sandwich on sourdough awaits.

Happy Habit

No need to say more.

Santa Ana Winds

The winds battered the City of Angels all night.  Poor Ramona was beside herself with the noise.  Cats did okay. I kept the TV on so I wasn't kept awake by the cacophony.

When Ramona and I got down stairs we could see the damage done.  Huge palm fronds and tree branches were every where.

Trying to get up to the Observatory proved impossible.

Fallen trees blocking both roads.

So Ms. Mona and I parked below Ferndale and made the climb.

Even a fallen tree on the trail. Very few people.

See not a soul in the parking lot.

So as the sun rose Miss Mona and I hit the Charlie Turner trail.

Nice to nearly have the damn thing to ourselves.

Just a few folks.

I'm now hearing the winds where as high as 95 mph is some places.

Yikes. Ramona is now Todo.

Gorgeous

Stunning sunrise over the Land of La this morning.

Even Ramona paused.

And so another day begins.

Saturday Post

Sun is shining. Dog, cats are sleeping. MJ playing on iTunes. Long 6am trek this morning. Police were in the hall earlier. Neighbor had called 911. She'd fallen from bed. Poor woman. Lives alone and has health issues. See her with a caretaker now and then. Don't know if she is diabetic or not but she sounded incoherent when I was standing in her doorway talking with the police officer. Left when the Paramedics arrived.  The odd thing was her front door look liked it had been pried open. Then again although the door jamb was scarred, pieces of wood missing, nothing was on the floor.  The officer was puzzled. I'd heard nothing. If something like that had occurred I would have heard it. Trust me. This is a quiet building. I hear any disturbance.  In fact it was the squawking of the officer's radio that brought me out into the hallway in the first place.  Hope she's okay. Don't really know her. Exchange hellos and she gives Ramona pets. Typical neighbors.  Strangers.

Gooble

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Enjoy the day.

Hollywood Royalty

Remember them? The Cary Grants and Kate Hepburns. Saw both in person. Movie stars today are Adam Sandler or Jennifer Aniston. Really? Really? There remains one beacon in the starless tinseltown sky.

Saw him in the flesh the other night following the screening of his film,

"The Ides of March."  May I say two things? First, what a brilliant director and secondly what a generous, self effacing, witty man. His appreciation for his craft is a huge turn on. Thanks George for reminding me about what film making is truly about. 

Hooah

All quiet on the Western front didn't describe life on the Charlie Turner trail this morning. Mona and I got a late start. Sixish. When we got out of the car at the Observatory lot we could hear yelling and chanting.  Couldn't see what it was, didn't care really.  Hit the trail. Sun was up, hills were golden, chill in the air. the usual quiet sojourn was continually interrupted by what I soon identified as military  cadences.  Loud, obnoxiously loud.  Even heard one hiker yelling, "Be quiet, be quiet."  Her pleas were drowned out as the plebs, isn't that what they are called, plebs, were forced to climb the hill. Noticed a USMC tee on one of the instructors who booming voice was the loudest.  Semper Fi.

Hollywood My Ass

Picture isn't great but got a chuckle when I framed the image on the trail this morning. Our first trek after the time change and a storm.

Witnessed sunrise.

Saw Joseph and Maria.  He's carries 20 pound weights up. They were by my feet when I snapped this shot of him taking the short cut down from the top. Maria is in her 70's and greets everyone by name on the trail. 

 Ramona and I made it to the top and immediately started back down the trail. Always lovely as sunlight hits it. See the people high above? That's the top.

When we approached the exact spot where I'd taken the snap of Maria and Joesph, the Manny Pacquiao was there with his dog and a guy who is either his brother or a decoy.  Looks are very similar. Ramona was on leash because Pacquiao's dog is a Jack Russell. A male and thinks he's the alpha dog so he yips at Ramona. She's ready, wants to play but because of her size everyone thinks she's the aggressor.  So, as she and I strolled by Manny asked, "Boy?" I told the Champ, "No, a girl." He smiled and said, "Big girl." I nodded, wished him luck and started back down the trail.  Within a few moments he, his dog and his buddy jogged past. They were ambushed by fans who wanted pictures and Pacquiao obliged them.  The 3 guys, one in a suit ???, then asked if they could run with him and off they all went.

When Ramona and I got to the bottom of the trail he was doing his thing.

With his little buddy keeping guard.

Whatcha Doing?

Are there treats involved?

Aren't They Lovely?!?

Morsels of joy!

Habitat For Humanity

And I thought the 12 mile hike in my attempt to conquer Half Dome was hard work. Dang!! Spent yesterday in Long Beach with fellow Locos working on a Habitat for Humanity project. Two houses. At one point was chuckling as I tried to remember when was the last time I'd used a shovel. Last century was the realisation. I live in an apartment. Why would I need one?  Anyway, great stuff.  Can now include ditch digging in my skill set.

  

1495 Chestnut Avenue, Long Beach, CA

Sonia in the green. She, husband Enrique and 3 sons will inhabit the 4 bedroom home. Quite a difference from the small one bedroom apartment the family has lived in for over 9 years. They've lived in Long Beach for over 24 years. Sonia is a child care work for Long Beach Unified School District and Enrique is a housekeeper at a local hospital.

Hugh was our project manager. This the backyard at Martha's house.

Fruits of labor

Hugh laying pipe.

Tim Hillman

Making a plan

JJ Levine

Measuring.

Wondering.

Laughing.

Fun and frivolity.

Hammering.

 Dumping, spreading, raking.

Biding good wishes!

I plan to return for the dedication to see the final result.