Times Change

I have not been going to this event for all 26 years, but probably more than half. My regular parking spot is no longer available without a permit, but I was still first in line.

The 70%-off section was enormous this year.

So many good books and no one at home to appreciate them. I picked up lots of books and then put them down. Sigh. I hope they all find good homes.

I didn't buy this.

And didn't even consider this. I did consider a Halloween joke book.

In the end I bought this.

Despite not having anyone to shop for I am glad I went. It was good to see some old favorites and something new.

I Won!

There were only three people running for two slots, but I was still happy to be elected to the school site council, a state mandated committee.  I received a letter of congratulations and an agenda for the 6:30 a.m. meeting. Careful what you wish for! But I love this committee, learning a bit about budgeting of supplemental and discretionary funds, and some of the workings behind the scenes.

The same day I had a 6:30 a.m. meeting I received a package from the CicLAvia people. They had selected a winner for the bag of swag and that person never responded (maybe concerned that it was a phishing scam?). I was happy to be the second pick and to receive these goodies!

I have no plans to buy a lottery ticket in hopes of making it three in a row.

Public Art

Claremont is known locally as the city of trees and Ph.D.s but in front of city hall there have been several trees that have not survived. If was decided (by a 4-1 vote with the dissenter saying the city should be able to keep a tree alive) to place a sculpture in front instead.

The mayor, the head of the public art commission, and the artist spoke to the assembled public.

Names of local trees are engraved on the sculpture.

I hope the remaining trees stay healthy.

Pancakes with Police in the Park

Election day is Tuesday and I had a chance to text people (so much easier than calling or knocking on doors) to get out the vote. Locally there is a bond issue for a new police station. The last one failed and this time there is a different financing mechanism, it is half the price, and the new station would be adjacent to the old one. It needs a two-thirds majority to pass.

This morning the police and local commissioners we at the park with information

and food.

They also had games, the police dog (no picture, it had gone to an assignment), and police vehicles.

I tried to take a picture of the sign on the street,
but even from different angles only a few letters would show up.
Maybe the lights flash in a way that my eyes can't see but the camera can.

Memorial Day

I attended the holiday observance at Oak Park Cemetery but didn't think it was appropriate to take pictures, plus they wouldn't have captured the sounds and feelings of the event. I am glad I went.

Many neighbors had flags out today. 

Maybe next year in Cleveland to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the planting of the Liberty Row oaks.

Love

I had quite a bit of time at the Phoenix airport last week so I caught up on my language practice. As I was working a person came up to me, pointed near my feet, and said, "Excuse me, I dropped my buckeye." I was confused and asked if he meant I dropped my buckeye. How could it be that someone else in Arizona carried around a buckeye.

No, no, he meant his buckeye. He picked it up and showed it me.

Just in case he was wrong I looked in my bag and, sure enough, my buckeye was still there.

We tapped buckeyes and he said, "O-H." Of course I responded, "I-O." He insisted that I take his buckeye, which I was hesitant to do until I remembered that I had a California buckeye, which he accepted. Interactions like that make me love humanity.

One more bonus buckeye picture, one from my purse (yes, I had been traveling with three buckeyes). His was dark with a small belly button (not sure of the right word). The one I showed him was light with a large belly button, and the one in my purse was dark with a large belly button. Time to learn what that means. And do buckeye trees that have white blossoms produce different buckeyes than buckeye trees with red blossoms? I think I need to travel to Ohio in fall to do some research.

Best Location in the Nation

Look what comes up when you do a search on that phrase!

from American Greetings