Beachin’ Cobra

“I’ve always been asked,
what is my favorite car?
And I’ve always said,
the next one”
Carroll Shelby

 

Cobra at The Beach

My admiration for the automobile began at a young age. I guess it began when my younger brother started collecting those famous “Matchbox” cars. We would play with them and admire the detail and beauty of each car. My favorites Matchbox cars were the ones with hinged doors, hoods and trunks.

My first car was a $100, 1962 Ford Falcon station wagon with faux leather, mustang patterned seats. Not my dream car by any means, but, on a good day, it did get me to where I needed to be. Except for the occasional California rainy day. The brakes never worked in the rain, so I was not allowed to drive the Falcon when it rained.

Whenever I see a unique or beautiful car, I usually take a photo. Today I spotted a black beauty I’ve seen over the years on the Esplanade. I approached the owner and complimented him on his wheels. Knowing well that this car is worth in the tens of millions of dollars, I just had to ask the burning question….I asked him if it was real? His response was, “close enough”. I gave him a thumbs up and thought to myself. Original or a knock-off, that car was one beachin’ Cobra.

Shine On

Sweet Creature

“Sweet creature, sweet creature
Wherever I go, you bring me home
Sweet creature, sweet creature
When I run out of road, you bring me home”
Harry Styles

Harry Styles

I haven’t had a celebrity crush on someone in quite a while. Although, Hugh Jackman is probably my last crush. Not only because of Jackman’s looks, but he is the epitome of Hollywood talent and compassion. However, in the past year I’ve been listening to Harry Styles’ music. I must say, I’ve got my first celebrity crush of 2020.

If you’re not familiar with his music, give him a listen to. Every single one of this 25 year young mans songs, which he writes, is exquisite and sweet sounding. You can hear his Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and Simon and Garfunkel influence in his music. From his song “Watermelon Sugar”, to “Adore You”, I can’t get enough of this talented artist.

Whether I’m home writing, relaxing, on my daily walk or driving somewhere, I’m listening on Spotify to the wonderfully gifted and charismatic Harry Styles. Who also happens to be a sweet creature.

Shine On

Here’s Harry performing Sweet Creature.

 

Hopes, Dreams & Good Wishes

“Sunrise sunset, sunrise sunset
Swiftly flow the years
One season following the other
Laden with happiness and tears…”
Sheldon Harnick

Redondo Sunsets.png

Sunsets have always represented beauty, mystery, romantics of life as well as a completion of a journey. A journey of life itself. Whereas a sunrise marks the beginning of a brand-new day. A day which we can start something great and new.

I’ve always been a night person. Loved the energy and magic I felt at night. Often watching sunsets with the ones, I love. I especially have enjoyed photographing sunsets.

Redondo Beach has dramatic sunsets. As the sun begins to set in Redondo, it’s a magical time of day because people line up on the Esplanade to capture and experience these breathtaking beach sunsets.

For more than a decade, I’ve photographed daily sunsets each year. Every one of these sunsets are unique. When I look back at these sunset photos, some will remind me of the events that unfolded that particular day. Most are good memories. Some, not so good.

Now in the twilight of life, I’ve shifted from an evening person to a morning person and discovered the appeal of sunrises.

When I rise in the early morning hours, I’ll watch the sun slowly appear. The sky turns from a spectacular bright red to a cooler orange hue as the sun begins to peek through the California palm trees.

After watching the first 2020 sunrises this past week, I suddenly realized, I don’t have a single photo I’ve taken in my life of a sunrise. How can that be? Well, I plan to rectify that. This year I plan to add more shots of sunrises to my photo album.

I’ve concluded, I need to appreciate these sunrises. Getting older, we begin to see how precious are sunrises. Because, sunrises give us what we all could use more of in our lives these days.  Hopes, dreams and good wishes.

Shine On

 

On the Esplanade

“Pacific Palisades
San Onofre and Sunset
Redondo Beach, LA
All over La Jolla
At Waimea Bay
Everybody’s gone surfin’
Surfin’ U.S.A”
Beach Boys

On the Esplanade

There is a city
Beautiful beyond belief
Though not well known
I call it home

This city has been around
For over a century
Where the sea meets the sun
For everyone to come and see

The Beach Boys song Surfin’ USA
Lyrics mention Redondo briefly
Few remember these lyrics
Fewer witness Redondo’s beauty

On my walk each day
Feeling the ocean breezes
Watching whales, dolphins and seals
All of them playing, jumping freely

I call Redondo my home
I feel so very fortunate
To be able to promenade
On the breathtaking Esplanade

JR

 

Shine On
Copyright ©
January 3, 2020