Snow in San Diego

It was chilly last week in San Diego. We turned on the three lava lamps to heat up the back room. That, four cats, and fleece blankets got us through the worst. Of course it wasn’t as bad as it could be. I didn’t see anyone having to scrape their car windshield with a credit card. We just had the illusion of snow.

In December, the jade plant decorates itself with small white star-shaped flowers. The jade plant is originally from South Africa, from an area with a climate very similar to that of Southern California. There, it can also flower in the spring or summer. Here, it just blankets itself in December.

Christmas morning

Merry Christmas everyone. Our neighbors gave us a stocking full of cat toys for the boys. We opened it up on Christmas eve. Balls that jingle, catnip mice that tingle the nose, but their favorite toy of all is the chenille and tails on an elastic string. Make it sail through the air and they’re all mesmerized by it. Cappuccino is perched, patiently waiting his turn.



On Christmas morning, we were awoken quite early to the sound of jingle bells. Honey, did you hear the cats playing with new toy last night? That was fine, kids are always excited on Christmas. We wanted to get up early to go to the San Diego Zoo to wish the animals a Merry Christmas. The new panda cub, Su Lin, is almost 5 months old. She comes out of her den by herself now and was out at 7:30am this morning, the volunteer said. Mom, Bai Yun, enjoys her bamboo while Su Lin is climbing all over the place. At one point she tumbled off the log and we all chuckled and then covered our mouths, because you really have to speak in hushed tones so as not to startle the pandas. The panda pup looks to be a little bigger than Cappuccino and just as fluffy. One, two, three, awwww.

Ocean Beach Christmas tree

We went down to OB to walk on the beach. We parked in the lot near dog beach to check out the excitement. There’s always something to bark about and that day was a french bulldog meetup. It’s just a riot to see more than ten of the same breed frolicing together. Scratch the little pug-nosed fellas and they grunt like a happy pot-bellied pig.

We walked south down the beach to the pier. I thought I was just connecting the soles of my feet with the sand, but we got a nice holiday surprise.

Each year, Ocean Beach decorates their giant tree on the ocean front near the pier. Perfectly harmless ornaments of inflatable toys decorate the branches. Of course a giant crane is needed, no bumble snow monster here to help out.

Rockin' out in Mission Gorge

We wanted to go for a hike, but saw that the tides were high, so we nixed a walk on the beach. Larry suggested Mission Trails Regional Park. We parked near the visitor’s center and walked visitor’s center loop trail. This is where you can see a portion of the San Diego river in this area where it’s not protected and preserved for area wildlife. We then took the path to the 1-mile-long “Rock Climber’s Loop Trail”.


This is a challenging trail which climbs some 400 feet by way of many switchbacks. At the “top” of the trail nicknamed “middle earth”, climbers may test their skills on giant columns of granite. With a fear of “splat”, I will not be challenging myself on this extreme sport. Rather, I turned around and paused, taking in the beautiful views of South Fortuna Mountain and the San Diego river basin.

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.

We've got candy!

Halloween fell on a Monday this year and with that, I think we got fewer trick-or-treaters. That means more candy for the office the next day. Thankfully our neighbor has such an arrangement so we didn’t have to eat Twizzlers for the next few months. Several of us in the complex pool our stashes and sit out on the front stoop to hand out candy. A lighted jack-o-lantern welcomes families from around the neighborhood.

The costumes were very impressive this year. Here’s Diedre and Destiny from our complex, as devil and vampire. And our first visitor dressed in the purr-fect costume! The night cooled down nicely for that little lion costume. I laughed the hardest with the little two-year-old police officer on his first Halloween. His parents were pushing him around in his stroller. He was wheeled up to our front steps and then hopped off, taking his pumpkin pail off the handle bar. Even with the assistance, it looked like a long shift.

Blazin' Hot Rod

Each day puts something familiar in a whole new light.

Larry and I head south for our afternoon walks. Just north of Balboa Park and Morley Field are some lovely craftsman style homes. It’s delightful to walk through these neighborhoods to see their personal gardens and latest renovations. This time of year, we walk around looking for festive Halloween decorations. There are a few homes with giant spider webs, tombstones, and pumpkins on display.

By heading south, we have to cross University Avenue. We always cross at a small mechanic’s shop with used cars on the lot. There is a lot of turn-over in inventory, but this blazin’ hot rod has been on the lot for many weeks and perhaps it’s not for sale. I’ve admired it in the past, but today it really stood out as the best Halloween decoration in the whole neighborhood.

Wooster takes a bath

Wooster is getting a little more neurotic every day. He’s always liked to eat away from the other cats. He walks to the other side of the front room and waits for you to bring the food bowl over to him. He would probably like to be an only cat, but not in this lifetime, not in this house, not right now, sorry.

After he eats in the morning, he likes to go to the little green rug in the bathroom to groom himself. Today I noticed that he was peeking into the bathtub. He hopped in on his own; if you try to put that cat somewhere, he would rather be any place else. He jumped into the dry bathtub and proceeded to groom himself. He may well be the smartest cat we’ve ever had. He also sings to me when I’m in the shower, but he’s not interested in that much water. Or like I said in the beginning, a very neurotic cat.