"Woman Paints House Red..."

My heart does a glad dance each time I see a red house. I think it goes back to my midwestern upbringing. Mom and Dad would take us for rides to the country outside Chicago, and the red barns and in particular the "Little Red Schoolhouse" were prime destinations. So today I set out to photograph my three favorite red houses here. The house above is my all time favorite house here. It looks so comfortable, the yard perfect (not too manicured), lots of land, brick driveway, garden, giant tree in the front yard and someone always tinkering in the yard or garden, a place that looks lived in by particularly happy people.

This place, also set back and shaded by large trees is my second favorite. It was this color scheme that I sought when I painted my own red house.

This red home appeals to me because it has a great front porch. Front porches were filled each summer evening in my childhood neighborhood by parents relaxing after dinner, while the children ran back and forth, playing "red light, green light", or statuemaker, or stone school up and down the steps.

We had a red house once. Our family lived on the corner of Broadway and Encinal, and I painted the house red. It caught the attention of Everett Johannes, then a writer with the Times-Star. He wrote a feature story about it back in 1982, and the headline read "Woman Paints House Red...." This week I saw an article that Mr. Johannes died. I won't forget him.

Lucky Dog!

Just a short walk today, but I could not resist this gorgeous orchid in front of my son's house on San Jose. They are at their peak and I keep hoping that Mike will divide his bountiful pot very very soon and share some plants with his mother. Heading home I went out of my way hoping to catch a glimpse of our new neighbor, Beau. I got lucky! There he and Lulu rested under a shady tree with Michelle, their owner, enjoying our beautiful sunny Friday.


Beau's sister, Lulu, still puppyish, needed a calming influence, and stately Beau fits the bill. Naturally I love the boxer breed. They are wonderful dogs and Lulu (above) is the younger image of our boxer, Bolo, now eight years of age. There is a growing fraternity of boxer owners here in Alameda. You can see them often at the Alameda Dog Park near the Washington Park tennis courts. Michelle and John found Beautiful Beau through the NorCal Boxer Rescue.

Michelle's flag was flying at half mast this afternoon and helicopters were still circling the area at around 3:00 pm in memory of the four slain Oakland police officers who were buried this afternoon following a heartfelt memorial tribute at the Oracle Arena. Police men and women from all over the nation met in Oakland today for the tribute.

Walking to Weight Watchers

As a Lifetime member of Weight Watchers, I need to check in each month to record my weight. I'm up a few pounds so it becomes even more necessary for me to attend and see my friends there and keep up my motivation. That is another reason why I've created this blog. I will be devoted to my walk and photo shoots. That and at least 30 minutes of weight bearing exercise are going to keep my bones strong at this critical phase of life.
I like to take a short walk before and after the group, so today I was strolling along Webster street and came upon a woman painting a beautiful spring mural on the side of a commercial building. I asked her if I could photograph her while working on her spring flowers against the sunny wall. Sure! When I looked at her card I realized that we are acquainted. Rachel Gingold has been involved with the Frank Bette Center for the Arts. I am also a member there.

She color consults, creates children's rooms, murals, handpainted furniture and faux finishes.
If you are interested, check out Moonline Arts.

"Front Yard Expressions"

Many a solicitor must have been startled to encounter "Tulip" wielding her rolling pin in greeting.


This fanciful frog and bunny filled yard is a delight, obviously the owner is the recipient of many happy garden gifts from family and friends. So much fun to stop and stare at all the treasures here.

Liberty has one thing to be happy about as she sports her Obama profile shirt. "Yes We Can" be still reminded when injustice threatens our liberties.


Yard art seems to be a universal phenom wherever I have traveled. From the plywood cow in the field to decorative holiday flags people have fun, make a statement or just decorate, causing the viewer to smile, admire and marvel.

A Sunday Movie

A Sunday movie seemed just the right idea since basketball has been dominating our lives since Thursday March Madness. I decided to go to the Alameda Theatre to see Duplicity with Julia Roberts and handsome Clive Owen. On the way I could not resist one last photo of a flowering tree outside Alameda High.

I keep hearing that parking is a real problem near Park Street, but I have to mention that there is a new parking structure on Oak Street, right around the corner from the theatre, so please check it out. The view from the top of the parking structure is really wonderful, but today, I was in a hurry and didn't go up there. Maybe next time...


Our theatre is a gem. The main theatre was built by the same architect who did the Paramount Theatre in Oakland and the inside is the same as it was then. When I moved here in 1974, the place was a little shabby, but now the murals, the lighting the bathrooms, have all been restored to its original pristine condition. (If you follow the link to the theatre, you will see a short video, showing this history). By the way, Duplicity, was a cute and satirical film, all the actors really pulled it off in my estimation.

Lagoons

Our city has a series of Lagoons. On the main island, lagoons mark the place where the San Francisco Bay shoreline was before fill was added in the 1950s, creating the south shore area. So everything south of the lagoon to the Bay is on sandfill. On my walk this afternoon I noticed a new addition to my lagoon view off Willow Street. Two happy blue whales playing follow the leader along the edge.


Our street is just opposite this part of the lagoon and the textures along this walk and across the lagoon always make me stop and stare. Beautifully planted and tended lush palms, evergreen trees and palms form lovely shapes along the water's edge.

Starlight at the Beach

I started out around 4:00 pm today and decided to head south toward our Alameda Beach. Once again the sun shone after some morning fog. We had a high wind, though, and the effect of late afternoon sunlight and that wind at low tide was just lovely. I shot this puddle and had no idea what it would be like until I see tonight that there was indeed starlight in the afternoon.



I grew up in Chicago where dinners at 79th Street (Rainbow) beach was a common occurrence after Dad came home from work. As a teenager we spent every spare moment there each summer with only inches between ourselves and our neighbor vying for every square inch of space. Later, in Los Angeles the hour long trip to Santa Monica beach was a real treat. Now I live just 3 or 4 blocks from the lovely sandy San Francisco Bay coast, and every time I stop here I wonder why I don't do it more often. The San Francisco skyline is fantastic and like today, the fog over the city lends itself to strange pillowy areas overhead.

Springtime, of course, brings our showy wildflowers along the sandy sidewalk, perfect for bikers and walkers. On the day my husband and I married in December, 1983, we had hurricane like winds which tore down all the fences here and blew the sand across Shoreline Drive. That prompted the plantings along the walk which reseed each year. Today I noticed lots of ground squirrels for the first time at this end of the beach. I wonder why?

Strolling to and from the Bus

Another beautiful day and I'm headed over to the City. The bus stop is conveniently located just around the corner and I'll take advantage of the morning light to take a few photos. The breeze is light and subtle and the spent petals from the blooming tree across the street snow down upon the ground below. It is hard to believe that there are areas of the country where cold and snow still cover the ground. Sorry, New York and Duluth.

I dart across the street just in time to meet a strolling couple just turning onto our street. I ask permission and our tropical friend poses beautifully with it's human companion. Anything can happen today!

Headed home after a beautiful day at the Modern Art Museum and a lounge at the Yerba Buena Gardens, I get off the bus early and browse the windows on Park Street. I couldn't help but notice this appropriate sign at Sway, an accessory and clothing store. Put some Spring into My Step. I've been feeling exactly that!

Stunning Day

A little Bicycle "Bling"

"She Dreamed of a Blue Home"

Wonderful Porch

Charming Oak Street Cottage

Today I started out toward the eye doctor's office and realized that this is indeed March. We first arrived in Alameda in March; and each year thereafter I have the same realization...glorious! Color fills every lot, from the flowering fruit trees to the lush colors of the azaleas, camellias and rhododendron.

Special to this day is the combination of colorful bulbs and bushes with sunshine at the tail end of our rainy season...a stunning day indeed.

March 18, 2009