FRONT PORCH POST - GLENDORA, CA

Glendora is described as a sleepy community nestled in the foothills.  I lived and worked  there in a few different places until I was 26.  The area near their little downtown is a great place to walk if you like historical districts and old houses.  We lived in an apartment and then bought a house in 1972/3.  We lived there until my first son was 2.  It is SO expensive to live there now.  I would like to live in this area again but that isn't going to happen as far as I can see into the future.

These are some front porches of a few houses right near town. This is another area I would like to visit again - it's been seven years since we took this walk and I photographed these houses.

I THINK OUR DROUGHT IS OVER

LAST TIME I TOOK THIS WALK WAS FEBRUARY 7, 2009

Upon looking back at these photos I decided I am definitely taking this walk again in 2017.  The next time we go down the mountain, get on the freeway and head west I will go walk in Duarte, California.  I'm getting excited at the fact that the trees, at least down the mountain will soon be blooming, if they aren't already.  The amount of rain that Southern California has received over the last few months will make for a spectacular spring.

This path  below - I can't wait to walk on again and visit the horses (assuming that eight years later they are still there.  When I am out walking I'm in the moment and excited as a kid because there is always something new and beautiful to see.  In fact, I am so surprised that almost every where I turn, whatever corner I choose to turn on, or hill to walk up - the most amazing sights are in front of me.  It's always there if you seek to see more beauty and then pay attention.

No plans for the weekend  and in that case  I'll edit photos and sketch or do something creative.  Any plans for your weekend?


"A JOURNEY IS TIME SUSPENDED"   Louis L'Amour

DRONE FOOTAGE OVER CHINA

A friend of mine emailed a link to this beautiful video!  I'm so glad drones were invented so we can have bird eye views of so many beautiful areas of the world.  Thanks T, for emailing this to me.

MORE PHOTOS FROM THE OTHER DAY - BLUE JAY, LAKE ARROWHEAD, RUNNING SPRINGS

Lou and Eddies is a pizza place that has artisan pizzas.  I had one a long time ago and it was good.  Very different kind of pizzas here.  

Down from the pizza place is this shop filled with Mountain Decor items.

Sky Forest has a deli and another shop for mountain decor items.

Below is the fire department in Lake Arrowhead.

A BEAUTIFUL AREA IN WINTER - LAKE ARROWHEAD

We went over to Lake Arrowhead yesterday, about 15 minutes from our house and while there, after walking around and enjoying the shore birds at the lake, we stopped in a bar and grill to have a beer and get warm  While inside i took a photo through the window.  It came out looking like a painting.   With the first photo  I think some how the light was refracted in a way through the glass as I held the camera kind of sideways to get the photo.   Both of these views are far across the lake but with zooming in I could see more details.

Because of the snow I actually could tell with the contrast of white and colors that the buildings are actually very colorful which you can see in the bottom photos.

During the week the traffic hasn't been as bad going up the highway as on the weekend, so we took the opportunity to get out yesterday before the heavy traffic starts.  It was so beautiful there and we enjoyed the day out.  It was  somewhat windy but inside the restaurant was a perfect place to enjoy the scenery.

ONE OF MANY FALL PHOTOS I TOOK IN NOVEMBER

I feel that autumn comes and goes too fast in the mountains.  Down the mountain you can still see fall colors in December and January and even some in February.  That is one thing I miss by living in the mountains.  We get about two months maybe of great colors and then snow can show up.  I came across several folders of autumn photos so thought to post this one today.

This is one of the last trees as we drive up to the Rim Highway to retain their color - which was on December 6.  Soon after we had our first snow - like the next day I believe.

Seeing this van with the luggage thing on top makes me want to take a long slow road trip up the 101 to Northern California, Oregon and beyond.

"MAMA CAT" OBSERVING HUMANS IN CAPTIVITY

(Mama cat in the background in a box and Beanie inside looking out)


Through all the cold weather and snow we have had - Mama Cat has been perfectly safe and seemingly warm in a box we put towels in and placed on a glass table where she can look in the window.  This table sits under our wide roof  that covers that part of the deck so she stays dry and out of the rain.    We know when she is hungry as she says "food" or so it looks like which is probably just her mouth making "meow" sounds.  She is right by the door and at night she can look in.

 Sometimes I feel like animals must feel when being observed by humans in a zoo.  She seems to be entertained by everything we do inside.  She still won't come to us except she will get close when we put her food out and we have even petted  her on her back but I'm pretty sure if we tried to grab her she would remove our hand very quickly.  She really is part of the family although she wants nothing to do with us up close.  She still runs if we appear to be walking towards her.   She probably wonders why, when we escape our containment (to go have fun or shop) ...we actually willingly go back in.

Here is Beanie looking out the window and Mama cat watching Beanie and I.  Sometimes when she lies in her box we can just see her eye looking out at us through the hole.