Please don't eat birds

The San Diego Zoo is open every day, including holidays. So we went at 9:30 in the morning on Thanksgiving day. We wished all the birds a happy thanksgiving day, starting off with the very pink flamingos that are at the start of their new exhibit, Monkey trails and forest tails. There were smaller birds that looked like kiwis, but they were the same pink color. It must be the food, they must be sneaking the flamingo food that enhances the bird color. Indeed, you are what you eat.

The orangutans were very entertaining, two adults and a baby swinging on the trees and ropes, looking much like a barrel of monkeys. We walked to the back end of the park to visit the polar bears. Being thanksgiving, their enrichment was a pumpkin. We saw the shredded remains floating in the pool. Yes, pumpkin floats.

Happy Birthday, Larry!

Larry chose to walk the beach and take pictures at Torrey Pines and Del Mar for his birthday. We stopped off at Jimbo’s to get some lunch. Alas, they did not have the Lonestar sandwich available. I was going to explain carefully that this was Larry’s birthday, but when they don’t have the special ingredient, it doesn’t matter. We grabbed a french baguette and a big bottle of fruit juice instead. It was a beautiful day for a walk as you might imagine by the picture. We parked at Torrey Pines state beach and walked north to Del Mar where we snacked and rested on their little grassy park area. On the way back, Larry paused to photograph some surfers.

Adopt an attitude of gratitude

This Sunday morning, I did not visit my hospice family. The father’s health is failing and I wish to respect their privacy as a family in this difficult time. Per the mother’s wishes, I will pay at least one more visit to the family. They radiate much love and spirituality. It is these experiences that remind one to be thankful for their blessings and to adopt an attitude of gratitude.

We still woke up early. Thank you, kitty “alarm clocks” where the snooze button is to feed them. But they bring us such joy, thank you! We took a walk up University Avenue to Bread & Cie in Hillcrest. This is a very popular breakfast spot and this morning was no exception as there must have been forty people in front of us. They have a system down, taking our order and cashing us out while it is being filled. I enjoyed an espresso which allegedly has less caffiene than coffee. Some contest, I get all giddy on a thimble-full of java.

On our walk back, we stopped at the Hillcrest Farmer’s Market to pick up some produce. I admired all that the flower vendors were offering and chose a bouquet of red-orange sunflowers, dahlias, and marigolds. It’s beautiful to see people walking home with flowers to brighten their home. Today, I was the recipient of some smiles!

One block from home, we met an older gentleman and Winston, his terrier who may be the same age in dog years. At least I may assume that they have been with each other for a while as their gait was the same speed. We said “good mornings” and I crouched to scratch behind Winston’s ears. As we parted, the gentleman said good day and “Winston thanks you.” My pleasure!

At home, I was able to refer to my class notes and make three flower arrangements from the bouquet. Our sensei, teacher, would no doubt have a lot to critique on these, starting with me not exactly following the style of Moribana Inclining Form. Pictured here is my second attempt at an advanced Hana-isho form. I love how the red in the stem colors the water a light magenta. Many thanks for all the beauty and wonders that surround us.