aloft

The wind was up yesterday and the temperatures were down. It was a cool, cool breeze that was keeping this boy's kite aloft Thursday at Live Oak Park in Temple City. The dad was trying to encourage the young boy to fly the kite. This was about as high as the kite went. Notice that the young father has a camera around his neck. I think he, too, was waiting to capture that magical moment.

I rode over to Live Oak Park on my bicycle and needed a full on jacket and that still didn't keep me warm. Nonetheless, despite the cold breezes, I was grateful it wasn't raining! This was a great way to wind down the year. Here's to a very wonderful 2011 for everyone. Keep flying high.

Octo-Mom

My mom, Grace, (middle) celebrates her 80th birthday. Flying in from Kansas and New York to be with her on this special occasion are her two daughters (my two sisters). Happy 8-0 mom!

bleacher seats

Temple City High School field, where kids play football and soccer. I've seen this place filled for a football game on Friday night. It is still the center of town. But this day, after a lone jogger left the track, there was no one there. The field and track were still very wet from the last storm. They had little time to dry out before the current storm hit (last night and today).

I liked the way the clouds and the mountains (eastern part of the San Gabriels) were lurking over the town and the field in particular. You can see Mt. Baldy with snow and Cucamonga Peak (better if you click on the photo to enlarge it). The weather was cool and now wet, again. The field needs some care in order to be ready for the next season.

I wish the people of Temple City and the school board would not neglect this field, this school. It seems both could use a facelift. The high school is important to the image, the soul of this small town.

Go Rams!

"See the USA, in your Chevrolet"

Some of the old cars that came to Temple City were not all that old. Some were like this old model Chevrolet. I'm guessing in the 1940s. Love the white wall tires.

To see other posts on cars, go here and view my post from the Los Angeles Auto Show. Maybe you can spot some similarities.

In with the old ...

The day on Sunday suddenly got very interesting Sunday ...right on my block and the block over. The man on Oak Avenue who has an old car garage was hosting the antique car owners from throughout the West. There were cars lined up on Oak Avenue (seen here) and on Live Oak for several blocks. Most of the black ones in this line are Model T Fords, I believe. But I don't know what kind of car this cream-colored one is. Anyone know?

There were so many cars that yesterday that it was actually causing a traffic jam. An early 20th Century traffic jam. Can you imagine that!? Perhaps because these cars were going so slowly. Also, the residents were driving by and slowing down to take a look. It was fun to watch. When I asked an owner if I could shoot some pictures, he whipped out a camera and said "Sure, that's what I am doing." Very friendly.

We don't often have this kind of excitement in Temple City. Perhaps this is related to the upcoming Tournament of Roses Parade on Jan. 1 coming to Pasadena (which is not far from us). So, I may have to show you a few more of the old cars under the oaks of Temple City's streets in future posts.

Good to the last drop

The rains came back Christmas night to Southern California. And it seems like we notice it more. Even the drops on a fence post get seen more often. We are almost paranoid about it. Will it rain more? Will it stop sooner than last time?

It seems like it has stopped for today, but the ground and streets are wet again. Oh well, we'll take it. We need the rain. But are we becoming like Seattle?

A city yuletide

Merry Christmas, from Temple City Daily Photo!

Christmas at home

It has been more about being home these days than going shopping or even going to parties. These are just some of the baked goods we've made (well, I didn't make these but Karen did). I promised to bake some sugar Christmas cookies today (the ones that my family always made during the Christmas holiday). I will be home these next several days and that means just enjoying family, friends and yes, baking and other Christmas foods.

Hope your family is home and well during this holiday.

Blessings to all.

Sign of the times

There are a lot of new businesses opening up on Las Tunas Drive in Temple City. This one, one of those learning centers, is for students learning art. I don't believe this is new. In fact, I've posted on this school before. They display the students' art in the store windows. And of course, the Christmas party with the rent-a-santa.

No, they were just getting a new sign. Top billing on one of the busiest strip malls in TC, the one with the Domino's and the Subway on the corner of Oak Avenue and Las Tunas Drive.

Cue Santa

Everyone is getting ready for Santa's visit.

Here, a kid from the High Quality Fine Arts Studio on Las Tunas is awaiting the woman emcee to give Santa the cue to well, do his thing. Let out a jolly "ho ho ho" or just listen to the boy's request for a gift for Christmas.

I snapped this shot serendipitously a week or so ago while the arts studio was having the party. There was a line of cars in the parking lot and parents and kids flowing out of the aluminum and glass doors that I sprang from my bicycle to see what was the matter. And what did my camera lens see but lots of kids and parents at a Christmas party.

Well, I hope those kids were happy. As far as Santa goes, he'll need a boat these days to get to Southern California. Ditch the sleigh. Although today's rains and storms are supposed to be colder so we'll see if the white stuff makes it atop the San Gabriel Mountains. I'm counting on my foothills blogger friends to show me, in case I'm too busy working or shopping these next few days.

Ah, Christmas. I'm warming up to it this year. Even though sometimes I still think it is all wet.

Yeah, it rains in Southern California

You see, this is the fifth straight day of rain in Southern California. Yeah, it is like a year or so ago when it rained for 8 straight days. I would like to hear from that scientist at JPL who said there would be an El Nino this year and a dry winter.

I hope my relatives coming to SoCal for Christmas don't bring their shorts and sunglasses.

Candy-Cane Camellias

At least that is what Karen calls this one, the first camellia to show up in our garden this year. You may or may not know, but Temple City's motto is "Home of the Camellias" and every February the city hosts a camellia festival. These flowers, natives of eastern Asia, usually come full bloom starting in late December and early January. I especially like this one because of the pink and white color, like the candy cane we'd hang on our Christmas tree this time of year. With all this rain we've been having this fall, I can't help but think it is helping the camellia bushes grow and perhaps, poking out a few camellias a little earlier than normal. (Click on the photo to enlarge and getter view.)

Sunset park

Just the sun setting between the tree at Temple City Park. The sun is going down below Las Tunas Drive.

This was shot before the rains came. About one week ago.

I like it because it gives the indication that winter is coming.

When I was a kid, I loved winter. I lived back East and sometimes we'd have snow for Christmas, but that was rare. I guess we'll have to get used to rain for winter and possibly for Christmas Eve.

telling images

When is a photo not really a photo? When it is shot without a camera.

Deb Swanson, photographer, writer and artist, and Altadena blogger, was demonstrating her "telling images" Thursday night at the Coffee Gallery in Altadena. Yeah, a bit far flung from tame Temple City. But the trip north (ha) was worth it. Deb's images are like paintings, sort of like painting with objects that are smushed from three-dimensions into a two-dimensional image via the scanner and her laptop.

On the right, she was arranging a photo using a necklace and a shell? It's wonderful and almost magical when you see the process and the end result.

You can indeed see more of her work at her website. Maybe you want to try this method instead of sticking a camera up to our face and pressing release. Imagine, all this magnificence without a camera. You might say, since there is a "lens" in the scanner, it is an "out of body" experience.

Alone

Irwindale, CA. Santa Fe Dam. This is a place that I drive by every day on my way to work. I've always wanted to stop and take some photos here but I never had the chance. When I saw the lone rider atop the dam trail I knew I had to take the photo. I was happy with the image. I cropped it a bit and barely had to touch up the shadowing or coloring. This is pretty much what it looked like. Shale blue and gray rocks against baby blue sky with white clouds.

I will have to do this bike ride again. It is a very doable ride from Temple City. You can even start in San Gabriel Canyon and ride south into the dam. It's a nice ride.

Dances with clouds

After the rain...or was it before the rain? This was the scene above Live Oak Avenue just east of Temple City Thursday morning. The clouds, like volcanoes, dancing above the San Gabriels... Bring on the rain. Tis the season.

TC Country Christmas

Check out this shop on Temple City Boulevard (5911 TC Boulevard, just north of Las Tunas Drive) for well, Christmas galore. Really, the place is filled with all sorts of little gifts, from figurines to crocheted items. Of course, this time of year Christmas thingies dominate.

I went in there right before the Lights on Temple City was going down. The two owners were working on inventory and staffing. They didn't mind me taking a photo of them. I said this was part of the Community Daily Photo Blog that started in Paris, France. She said we have our own "Paris" here in Temple City, "Paris, China."

More on that one at a later blog post. But this place is one of the few stores that appeals to anyone, from any background. I admit I haven't ever gone in there (must be a guy thing), but I do know some women who have. There's this review I pulled from the Internet which is praisworthy.

If you're in the neighborhood, check out Christmas Gifts. It is part of my buying local series. (See post on Temple City Bike Shop).

buying local

One of the remaining local shops along a changing Las Tunas Drive in Temple City is Temple City Bike Shop. We bought both of our bikes there and they always repair, adjust and maintain them for free for the life of the bike. This was shot on Saturday evening when they were having a sale on bikes for Christmas. Everyone must remember getting a bicycle for Christmas. It is a magical moment in any kids life if they were so fortunate.

I haven't really gotten into the Christmas gift-buying spirit this year -- yet. I guess (see last post) I have felt a little of the empty-nest syndrome combined with the business of the season to shop. But when I do, I would like to support the local businesses. I know many of you in your communities do just that. We don't have very many choices here in Temple City. But the Temple City Bike Shop is a great spot to go when you are looking for a bicycle or accessories.

Yes, I rode my bike to this shot.

Merry Christmas, bicyclers.

TC gazebo decked

Rudolph visits Temple City. Film at 11.

Actually, the old gal, the Temple City gazebo, is decked out for Christmas. This shot was taken just before the full-on "Lights on Temple City" event was underway.

I am always amazed how many people ignore these events. I rode my bicycle around town Saturday and saw many people gardening, fixing things in their homes, and business people going about their business. They didn't seem to know there was a parade coming down Las Tunas Drive, or the festival at Temple City Park.

Perhaps it is like that for those who do not celebrate the holiday. I get that. But for others, and I think I would include myself, when your children are grown and especially when they are not living at home, you lose interest in the trappings of the holiday. The gift-giving doesn't ring with the same joy. The light-stringing loses some of its luster. I think I can adjust to this but I don't know to what. The next step? May be focusing on neighbors, helping the poor and needy, and visiting with family and friends. Ah, be of good cheer. Yes, I will try.

But I may not be as rosy as Rudolph's nose.

Park slope

Lights on Temple City was launched Saturday night and featured snow and disc rides for kids.

I loved watching the kids tear up the mini hill of snow set up at Temple City Park, quickly get into the plastic disc "sled" and ride down. Not everyone made it all the way down smoothly.

This boy, wearing the red cap, had a spinning, whirling ride. He lands, coming to a screeching halt, after several spins. The human top looked satisfied after he caught his breath.

Ironically, it was 78 degrees in downtown Los Angeles, so the TC temperature was probably about the same or a degree or two higher. The skies were partly cloudy. The real shock of heat is expected today. We shall see.

It is Christmas time, Southern California style. Sure we can truck some snow from the nearby San Gabriel Mountains, but this region is hardly a "winter wonderland." That's why we watch "Frosty The Snowman" on television (it aired last night at 8 p.m.)...because we so rarely see one. A snowman that, is. Magical beings that come to life? We see them all the time. That's called Hollywood. But that's another post entirely.

What once was

There was no house. No curb with a number on it. Just an empty lot with this hop-scotch court drawn on the cement. I just wondered whether some kids played here at some time in the past. And if so, was that when a house was here? What happened to the house?

This was shot in a North Arcadia neighborhood, on the other side of the county Arboretum (in fact, just beyond the gate to the place).

I remember feeling sad when I saw this. It was like something was missing. Did you ever play hop-scotch when you were a kid?

Let Cato tell it

Hey all you Green Hornet fans... the car is awesome. Well, yeah, I shot this at the recent L.A. Auto show. But that's not what I was going to say. The movie is coming out on Jan. 14. That's right. The Green Hornet movie, with Kato, is ready for release by Columbia Pictures. In case you haven't seen it, it has been promoted on those Carl's Jr. commercials. But Seth Rogen as the Green Hornet??

OK. I am curious. I'll have to see the movie.

Anyway, you'll have to wait until then. For now, you can check out the car.

whisker in my ear

I couldn't resist...

Meet Emerald, left and Baby. They like to groom each other.

We've had them for almost 12 years. I've never posted a shot of them ... I don't think. Like I said, I couldn't resist this one. Enjoy.

blue christmas

I drove by this empty parking lot off Goldenwest and Naomi actually in Arcadia (on edge of Temple City) last night and I was struck by the blue lights on the poles.

It is also funny to see this lot empty . This is one of the busiest centers in Arcadia and Temple City. It is home to one of the best dim-sum places, too. Well, at least the most popular. I forget the name, but it is just past the Ranch Market sign.

Have you ever seen the rain?*

I remember when the photographers at the newspapers I've worked at would hear the city editor say: "Get me some rain art!" they would always groan.

Because it is tough getting a picture -- a still photo at least -- of rain. The typical shots were always the ones the photographers hated -- the ones of people in rainslickers traipsing through a big puddle. Or worse, the one that shows the cars driving through a flooded street.

So when I snapped this one last night (shutter speed about 1 second), I wasn't satisfied but I thought: Do I really want to trudge around in this rain for a better shot. It was really raining hard hear in Temple City Sunday, nearly all evening and night. We've had steady rain and some violent squalls of rain. No sleet. No hail and no lightning (so far). My son told me his drive down to south Orange County (to UC Irvine) last night was treacherous due to heavy rain.

This is unusual for Southern California. We usually get Santa Ana winds and clear skies in December. It's very unusual for early December. My wife, who usually pays attention to weather, had just finished watering the garden. Oh well. We need all the rain we can get for the thirsty underground aquifers. I hope it gets there rather in a big rush to the ocean. (*My apologies to Creedence Clearwater Revival).

save a tree

Folks take a walk in an unofficial trail near Santa Anita Wash. The county plans on cutting 179 coast live oaks, like this one, and 79 sycamore trees, to make room to dump sediment to be cleared from behind the Santa Anita Dam.
This is an example of sycamores co-existing with oak trees in the Santa Anita woodlands, part of the about 20-acre stand. The county is in the process of letting contracts to clear the trees -- on about 11.3 acres -- for a sediment dump. The county will build a conveyor belt from the upper sediment disposal area to the lower sediment disposal area which will run through the "untouched" portion of this oak/sycamore woodland. For more information see this story by Janette Williams of the Pasadena Star-News, which broke the story.

I shot these photos on Saturday. By the end of the walk, the wind rustled in the sycamores and large drops of rain began to fall. A lovely end to a pleasant nature walk. Let's hope it is not the end of a beautiful natureland situated so close to residents. Perhaps there are other alternatives to cutting down the trees for the sediment dump.

sports weekend

Want to watch UCLA vs USC football, the two top SoCal teams in a heated rivalry but don't have tickets? Or, would you rather watch the first NCAA match-up between last year's final two teams: Butler against Duke.

Of course, you can probably watch these today on your own flat screen (assuming you have cable or a satellite network, of course). Or you can catch them here, at the hottest place to watch sports in Los Angeles, the ESPN Zone restaurant at La Live! in downtown Los Angeles.

Then on Sunday, watch all the NFL games you can. Of course, there is a minimum amount of food and or drink you have to buy. Still, the place does a professional job of treating fans. And the midnight blue interior/bar is very artsy.

Da-da-dant. Da-da-dant.

Objects in mirror

"Caution: Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear."

I caught the storm clouds forming over the San Gabriel Mountains in my side-view mirror last week while I was traveling on Sunset Avenue in Temple City. It was a windy, getting-ready-to-be-stormy day. It ushered in rain and then, dry, colder weather. The temperature last night was supposed to go down to 31 degrees in the good old San Gabriel Valley.

Love this weather. Normally. But our heat/thermostat in our house has been a little bit on the fritz. Oh well, it is nothing that an extra blanket can't cure.

Home for the holidays

Part of the routine of being empty nesters is that, well, the routine changes. I notice that the most during the holidays. The family gatherings become more important, while the tinsel, decorations and candles becomes less.

Above, our youngest son, Andy, 19, is home for the Thanksgiving weekend visiting with us and his beloved cat, Baby. He will be home for the longer Christmas holiday (between quarters) and so will his brother.

I can still remember me coming "home for the holidays" from college to my parents house. Of course then, I had no idea how much that meant to them.