Things

My sister gave me one of these!

I bought myself these stamps.

I thought I had lost my water bottle and was so happy to find it in a bag I hadn't used in a while.

Another Day Off

Friday was a day off in observance of Veterans Day, but this time instead of entertaining A. I chose activities with other people. As I was sharing the list of plans with a friend she asked if I were planning to swim. What else would I be doing at 6 a.m.?

The next event was a hike, although we were surprised to see the police and ranger at the start and find the gate closed. The helicopters on the hillside and in the air should have been clues that there was a problem. We were sorry to hear about a medical evacuation. We took a different route and took it easy!

I changed and headed off to meet a friend at the annual Pilgrim Place Festival, which is one part an event to highlight crafts made by residents, another part yard sale, and a final part entertainment. I bought a shoe horn, greeting cards with art created by a resident, a book, and persimmons. Socializing was free.

I went on my own to the Friday Noon Concert Series. No one else seemed curious to hear tuba concertos. I think once was enough, but I don't regret going.

The rest of the day was spent cooking and cleaning before people came over for dinner.

Another day off and it was a good one!

On the bright side

I got a blog post out of it.

So sad. No spare because there is a battery instead.
The goo and compressor would not work since it was not a puncture, just poor driving.

The towing people wanted to know if the issue was vandalism, an act of God, or mechanical. 

It was kind of interesting to see the process of the tire removal.

And to see the rim.

I was grateful to get home, safe and sound.

Staycation

The local school district scheduled a voluntary in-service day for the teachers on the day after Halloween, which meant a day off for the students. A. invited a friend and the three of us headed downtown.

Our first stop was to see the see the fountain that contains bits and pieces, mostly large glass and ceramic shards, found during the excavation of the area known as Chinatown when the station was being built. Someone fixing the fountain explained this to us and then took us over to the just-right spot to watch the

light sticks that subliminally create images and words.
I enjoyed reading more about the artist and the art here.

Once we made our way through the station we wandered on Olvera Street, including our annual visit to Avila Adobe, to the oldest house in L.A. It hasn't changed since last time.

We were not in town in the evening for the Dia de los Muertos festival, but several shrines were set up, including one that included a display in memory of pets.

As we walked to Little Tokyo we passed public art in front of almost
every building. I had never notice this mosaic and learned more from this blog.

As we admired a little garden we asked the parking lot attendant if it was okay to look around. He said if we were curious we could go ring the doorbell and go inside to see the sanctuary. Sure, why not?, was the consensus. We were treated to a intimate tour and explanation of Buddhism of this temple. I wasn't comfortable taking a picture, but the one above is from their website.

We finally made it to the shopping area where the teens had fun exploring the plushies, the funko pops, the mechanical pencils, the everything.

I liked the art and the haiku wall.

We ate lunch at one of Jonathan Gold's top 101 restaurants in L.A. (and possibly the only one I have ever heard of), Grand Central Market. For the first time ever there was not a shockingly long line at Eggslut so the boys gave it a try. They were proud that they did not buy the $3 Cokes but went to a small vendor and bought $1 Pepsis instead.

Angel's Flight recently re-opened and we rode it up the hill, but I totally regretted it. Each time it stopped I thought it would go crashing down and we would be the reason it was closed again.

Once at the top I decided we should go to the Wells Fargo Museum since they had never been there and I hadn't been in over ten years. Going when there is no field trip meant we had the whole place to ourselves. 

Our next stop was the MOCA Grand gift shop, The Broad gift shop,
and the Disney Concert Hall gift shop. Maybe next time we'll go to a museum!

We waited in this spot for the bus take us back to Union Station.

It was a great day and I would not have changed anything we chose to do. Just as with each visit I wondered to myself why I don't do it more often.

Halloween

A. and a friend decorated the yard

and made a jack-o-lantern.

We gave out over 82oz of candy. I don't know exactly how much because while D. was out buying more I asked the big kids to take something they liked from the bowl and to give me something they didn't like from their stash. My own teenager was mortified, but the kids didn't seem to mind. We had a great bunch of trick-or-treaters this year.

My favorite costume of the holiday!

Weekend activities

Thank goodness it is Monday so I can get something done.

The weekend started with A. making the counterclockwise
loop of the Claremont Wilderness Park without stopping.

Friday evening included a bicycle maintenance workshop for the cycling team,

high school Comedy Sportz (old video),

and a Halloween party.

Everybody was up early Saturday for different events, but there was still time for a post-run dip in the hot tub followed by

a visit to a church rummage sale. 

The rest of the day was filled with Village Venture.

First stop included the library book sale,

followed by wandering around the booths. I loved these business cards.

I loved the Golden Retriever rescue booth, too!

This is was my favorite costume, which was inspired by finding the cheese at a thrift store.

I spent time volunteering, offering to register voters, handing out information about
how to contact elected officials and encouraging active participation in democracy.

Following in my parents' footsteps we have started going to more live theater.
It was great to see our children's elementary school classmates and D.'s students perform.

Sunday included a mountain bike race (no mechanical problems and no injuries - hurray!).

The last big event of the weekend was the farewell event for our
international teachers, which was an energetic group this year.

 

This video was their summary of the time here and a way to say good-bye.

But now it is time to take out the trash, pay the bills, and get ready for Halloween.

Will I Miss This?

Last week I donated to and volunteered my time for the German Club's Oktoberfest. We were lucky that the weather was pleasant and I was lucky not to be cooking the sausages. I especially enjoyed seeing students I had not seen since they were in elementary school. Nice group of kids at the high school!

 These pictures are from a few years ago, but not much has changed.

I was back on campus on Saturday for the speech and debate team's tournament. My job was to keep the judges fed and happy. This picture is not of that event, but it had the same feel to me!

Another week, another event on campus. Today was pie day for teachers (yes, I understand that it was not March 14, but that is pi day - two different things). It was fun to work at such an easy event - making people happy with very little effort. Plus I enjoyed seeing the faculty and staff.

No volunteering at school next Wednesday since the schools are closed. Good idea to schedule training for the day after Halloween!