Swag White

... we've seen this cat--and his swag--before. I think his choice of an all white outfit, as well as choice of scarf, struts a defiant "Aint no gloom in my June."

Voy a Cerrar los Ojos

Window Seat

Can't Forget It, Jake

Broadway Ave. at Ord St.

Awake?

Qué What?

Aiming

... it's been one of those slow weeks for mobile photography. so a photo of a shopping cart seems like a reach for me. but i do like this pic, the colors mostly.

Bassist, composer, and band leader Charles Mingus didn't think of his groups as just a band but as workshops. So, too, this is not a blog but a workshop. Dig?

I haven't always had much to say about the photo(s) i post everyday--sometimes a found quote expresses and expands the mood best, sometimes the text lays out--but, i do want to workshop more writing here. In addition to the bursts of haiku, and short poems i tag as "freestyle", i may begin assigning myself a monthly project or topic to write on and explore in more depth. As always, I welcome your suggestions for subject matter and comments. Thank you for jamming with me!

Put Your Paw On My Shoulder

"There is nothing in the animal world, to my mind, more delightful than grown cats at play. They are so swift and light and graceful, so subtle and designing, and yet so richly comical." ~Monica Edwards

San Fernando Road: Spring (Part 1)

... these are the flowery days. even at bus stops. (even to Burbank.) been reacquainted with an old friend, the 94, the first line i take into Burbank for work. At Olive and San Fernando, a new friend, the 155: media city route. north or south, the 94 never feels like the same ride. and yet, no matter where i point and shoot along the Road, i can't help imagine Rod Serling will soon pop up in the frame ... "Your next stop, The Twilight Zone."

Just Passing Through

Every time i get off the Gold Line at Mission Station i enjoy the serenity of a walk through Barristers Nursery & Garden Center. (Although on this day a caretaker did not appreciate me snapping pictures with my phone. But on a day like this, i couldn't help myself. Next time i'll show them flowery pix i have saved on my BlackBerry, mention this blog, recite "flower and song", ... ) 

If only the knew ...

Where Flowers Go

"From within the heavens they come
the beautiful flowers, the beautiful songs.
Our longing spoils them,
our expression makes them lose their fragrance."
~Ayocuan of Tecamachalco

Flowers Ahead

"The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers." ~Thich Nhat Hanh

With This Ring

Annular Eclipse on Canvas

... at 5:24 PM yesterday i was at the top level of the public parking structure on Orange St and California Ave. I had driven up there with a pair of binoculars, cardboard, plastic tape, utility knife and cutting matt, an 8x10 canvas, and mini easel (I was inspired by this set-up). The annular, or ring, eclipse was occurring. Alone. Together.

The lot security guard was making his rounds and wanted to know what i was up to. We spoke of the eclipse at length and he told of how he was in Mexico City on 11 July 1991 for a total eclipse of the sun. He and his son experienced the eclipse at Teotihuacan. His recollections of the spectacle of that day, and the pictures i took pointing my BlackBerry to the sky, were indeed messages i was supposed to receive.

Check out my peculiar pix of the eclipse here!

And, for your sonic pleasure, a little solar jazz.

"Sometimes I Can't Help Seeing All The Way Through"

There's a road that's wide open now ... And so Tree Week comes full circle with a visit back to the forest. Thought i heard her calling, Hello, it's me.

"What's The Sense Of Going Elsewhere"

... because i just return here where i still hear an extended mix of your eternal groove like broken branches that still whisper back at the crack of footsteps in the dark.

Wish You Were Here

If you've been following this blog for even a short time, you know i would be remiss if I failed to include a postcard shot like this for Tree Week. Can't think of a better way to begin a sunny, warm and breezy weekend in the city of angels. Also, a new moon on Sunday and at 5:24 PM (PST) an annular (or ring) eclipse of the sun ... a sure sign, perhaps, that the days of the Fellowship are upon us? (Naw--just me getting ready to view The Lord of the Rings trilogy again.)

Friends In High Places

(Untitled)

Art in the Park

Bark Splotches on Bark

Sprouting Roots

... walked home--a very long walk--from work this afternoon. This is where I rested. Blessed.

(Let's have a Tree Week! I welcome any inspiring quotes and your reflections about our tree relatives.)

The Lady of the Forest

... i see her, do you?

We Come In Peace ... and Love

To all the moms who are simply 

out of this world, 

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Still We Sing

Happy Birthday Abulla!

My grandmother,
Ana Mercedes Portillo
born this day, 1926.
Berlín, Usulután, El Salvador

Felíz día de las Madres
... always

Strumming Away

... right after i snapped this photo, guitar-playing Sam sparked a conversation with me about photography, head shots, this blog and inspiration, in general. Nice guy. Still don't know what he was playing, but i'm in a Jim Croce mood tonight and looking at this photo, i imagine he could be strumming this. I love Jim Croce--bet you can't hear just one of his songs.

... This Day To Live Feline

... perhaps I should consider a cat blog. After all, I've been taking pictures of my ragdoll cat, Moon, for over eight years. Unless you've lived with a cat, it's difficult to explain the almost daily fascination to shoot the feline subject. Until then, the two strays I feed (yes, it's officially two!) have a home here, too.

Xochitl: West and East

Flor

Flower

May flowers along California Avenue. The white one is a large flower of a very tall plant. Its petals flapped in the breeze like a parachute (I almost gave up trying to get a shot). It seemed almost otherworldly, as i walked toward the bus stop along W. California Ave. to San Fernando Rd. The red one is a small kind of rose. I was struck by its brightness, being the lone blossoming flower next to a handful of buds, on the way home from Trader Joe's along E. California Ave. 

What's For Lunch, Doc?

... this crow and i are destined to become friends. I've been trying to get a  good pic of this giant beauty since i began working. Its aerial performances have astonished me and eluded my camera on my breaks, as well as teased me in the parking lot. On this day, i was sure it would join me for lunch at my table as it cooly picked out cafe delicacies from trays left on top of the trash. No siree, the crows of 3400 Riverside Drive are not looney!

Here's a must see video on the magical intelligence of our urban corvid friend.

Monday's Moon

... and this is how we stay super on a Monday.

Focusing on Super

The "Supermoon" of 5 May 2012

Drove to the top level of Target's parking lot at the Glendale Galleria to get a shot of this month's full moon. After a couple frustrating attempts (my BlackBerry's camera focus was more sluggish than usual), i switched the white focus option from "automatic" to "night" mode and managed to get this shot of the moon's glow above the streetlights. I thought it had a cinematic feel to it.

For photos and more on the Supermoon--and all things cosmic--check out EarthSky here.

Festive Feeling

A quiet Cinco de Mayo at home. I made a delicious roasted red jalapeño guacamole (pictured), a chicken quesadilla, and served myself a shot of tequila ... the moon is full tonight.

Snapshots still cross my mind of festive moments on the 5th of May at El Portal and Don Cuco's, the mariachis and margaritas, the smile on your face from across the table as we raised another glass ...  salúd!

No Caption Here, Move Along

... finding lots to shoot along San Fernando Road since i began working again. This kid with the aviators caught my attention while on the bus. Once the family was off the bus, and while his momma secured his little sister to her stroller, i caught the kid staring right at me as i pressed BlackBerry to window. Looks like he's guarding them as if he were part of Secret Service.

That's The View, Folks!

Riverside Drive

I've always preferred taking my breaks outdoors ...

Between Black & White

"Way down deep, we're all motivated by the same urges. Cats have the courage to live by them." ~Jim Davis

Just Bees and Things ...

... and flowers for an overcast misty May Day. Instead of joining my L.A. proletariate peeps in the streets, i boarded the Black Pearl to babysit that swashbuckling Capt. Jack Sparrow, Yo Ho! (That's him with his "sword" peeking out beneath his chin--really a drumstick which he also uses to play the bongos. And, really, that's how my almost 3-year old nephew introduces himself: "I'm Captain Jack Sparrow!"). We were out for a brief treasure hunt outside when he stopped to point out this bee--apparently it had walked the plank and was still moving. We respectfully brushed it off the pavement and down into the dirt of the neighbors yard so as to not step on it as we commenced our one of many many sword fights today. "En guard!" 


Here's to his mommy and daddy, working parents of two, doing the toughest and greatest job there is.