“We have been endowed with just enough intelligence
to be able to see clearly just how utterly inadequate
that intelligence is when confronted with what exists.
If this humility could be imparted to everybody,
the world of human endeavors
would become more appealing.”
Albert Einstein
Shine On
“Yesterday is history,
tomorrow is a mystery,
today is a gift of god,
which is why we call it the present”
Bil Keane
Shine On
“I’d rather have roses on my table
then diamonds on my neck.”
Emma Goldman
Today on my walk, I came across some birds of paradise that were in full bloom. I couldn’t resist taking some photos of this exotic looking flower which happens to be the official flower of Los Angeles.
How did this South African flower become LAs official flower? Well, back in 1952, Mayor Fletcher Bowron decided to name the bird of paradise the official flower of LA, after heavy lobbying by seed company president and civic booster Manfred Meyberg. Soon after, the plant and seeds from this orange and blue flower became a hot item in nurseries throughout California.
The bird of paradise flower is so named because its magnificently colorful petals resemble a colorful bird in flight. The flower is a symbol of paradise as well as a symbol of joyfulness.
How apropos for Angeleno’s official City flower to be a symbol of paradise and joyfulness.
Shine On
“With freedom, books, flowers,
and the moon who could not be happy?”
Oscar Wilde
After the sunset yesterday around 8:00, I noticed a beautiful bright full moon. I grabbed my camera and shot quite a few images including this zoomed in shot.
This morning I downloading the images to my laptop, grabbed a cup of coffee and read the daily news. I was surprised to read that last nights full moon was the final of the super moon type.
Super moons occur when the moon is on its closest approach to Earth in orbit. The moon will appear brighter and bigger in the night sky. This full moon was only visible from the evening of May 6 until the morning of May 8, and comes on the heels of the biggest and brightest super moon of the year in April, but it’s still more spectacular than a typical full moon.
The past few years I’ve attempted to get a clear crisp image of a full moon but this is the first time I was happy with my image of the final super moon of 2020.
Shine On
Aerial view of Portuguese Bend looking out on the Pacific Ocean.
There’s a very special place that is not well-known among Angelenos. I always felt extremely fortunate to have been part of this very special place. The beautiful flowers, trees and vegetation encompassing this place made it my secret garden.
The aromas from fresh hay, flora and fauna were always intoxicating. The 1920s Spanish architecture of the home and stables so breathtakingly dreamlike, that it was often used as a film location.
For over eight wonderful years I would visit this place daily, rain or shine. The reason for my visits was because my best friend Jimmy lived there. He and I would explore the surrounding hills and valleys. Every spring we hiked and then we relaxed on the rich green grassy knolls.
It was my church, my sanctuary, my favorite place to be. It made me feel needed, wanted, and safe. It gave me purpose. It kept me happy and sane.
I miss this place more than I ever thought possible.
Now, it is forever in my daily thoughts as well as my nightly dreams. I would like to return someday, but it is much too painful to return. For to return to this place, where Jimmy once lived, would not be the same without him.
So, for now, I look at old photos and videos and reminisce about a time when I was the happiest I’ve been in my life. Those years seem as if they were all a glorious and magical dream. A time when I was the closest to heaven as I’ll ever know.
This wondrous place was and always will be, my little piece of heaven.
Shine On
