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.

Chill in The Air

It's lovely. Not cold enough to stop me from trekking in sandals, shorts and tee shirt but cool enough for an early morning layer of fog atop Mt. Hollywood. Yesterday couldn't even see the Observatory lights.  Eerie and wonderful at the same time.  Made for fun photos.

A bit darker this morning as the moonlight has all but disappeared. More flashlights on the trail. Ramona and I are either stupid or brave and trek without one. Coyotes were yelping like mad this morning. Reacting to the barking of a yipper yapper dog on the trail. Those little ones think they're tough. A couple bark at Ramona who ignores them. Given their 3 lbs. and her 67 if she had a fighter's disposition we know who'd win. Instead she's focused on the trail. Nose to the ground. In search of critters or a morsel of something edible that a hiker may have dropped. Relentless. As we neared the bottom of the Mt Hollywood trail I liked this look, stopped and snapped.

Another day in LA.