Happy Anniversary Golden Gate Bridge

Posted on May 28, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“The Golden Gate Bridge is an icon.
The West Coast Statue of Liberty,
welcoming all to our shores.”
Author Unknown

Opening day celebration for the Golden Gate Bridge, 1937.

Yesterday the Golden Gate bridge celebrated its 78th anniversary.

The bridge might never been built without the determination of the bridge’s chief engineer, Joseph Strauss. He spent over ten years petitioning supporters until finally state legislature was passed.

Non supporters argued that the bridge should not be built due to hazardous tides, constant fog and high winds. The Department of War tried to stop construction stating it would interfere with ship traffic. Even the Southern Pacific Railroad, who operated ferries from Marin to San Francisco, filed a lawsuit to stop construction.

Thanks to Strauss’ tireless efforts, construction began in 1933 and was finished early and under budget. Fortunately for Strauss he lived to see the completion of his beloved bridge, and wrote some poetry dedicated to the bridge and surrounding area. Sadly, Strauss died just short of one year after the completion of the bridge. A memorial statue of Strauss was constructed and can be seen on the San Francisco side of the bridge.

Happy Anniversary Golden Gate Bridge.

Shine On

Spring Visitor

Posted on April 3, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“The traveler sees what he sees,
the tourist sees what he has come to see.
Gilbert K. Chesterton

Orchid Plant from Lisa April 2015.

My son visited us the other day with his friend Lisa, from Germany. She has been to California before but never to Redondo Beach. Sweet Lisa brought me an orchid plant. It’s so beautiful, I had to take a picture and share it with my fellow bloggers.

Last years Orchid Plant from my son. First new blossom January 2015.

A few months back, I posted a photo of the new blossom on the orchid plant my son gave me last year for my birthday.

I can’t believe the flower is several months old and still is fresh as ever. Here’s the original post, Spring Arrived Early

Looks like my collection of fresh orchid plants is growing with each spring visitor.

If you click on the images, you can see the flowers in greater detail.

Shine On

Children Smashing Puddles

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Chronicles of a Blogaholic

“I’m singing in the rain,
just singing in the rain;
What a wonderful feeling,
I’m happy again.”
Arthur Freed

Children Smashing Puddles

Rain is rare in California
The sky is rarely cloudy
Why is rain so rare in California?
Because of Climate Warming

Before the rain begins to pour
The cumulus clouds appear
Like floating pieces of cotton
Or like rounded white towers of fear

The day after rain is a beautiful sight
The mountains and hills
Are filled with tall green grass
And scattered with small orange poppies

But, the most spectacular sight
I love to see after all the rain
Are all the little children
Smashing little puddles from the rain

By: J R

P.S. Today is Dr. Seuss’s birthday. He would have been 111 years old. I dedicate this poem to my hero, Dr. Seuss.

For the last eighteen years, Dr. Seuss’s birthday has been celebrated with the annual “Read Across America Day”, an event sponsored by the National Education Association in partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises. Millions of students participate in one of the nation’s largest reading observance.

Thanks to Dr Seuss, millions of children around the world learned to read and love to write. You can count me as one of his faithful followers even to this day.

Shine On