~Entertainment Tour in Venice~
The first phenomenon in this story’s parade blooms right outside our back gate.
The Muscle Beach skate park marks our first excursion as newbie residents. With graceful ease, skaters flying around and over cement curves take our breath away.
We holler and cheer as the kids practice diligently to jump over the cone. Tyree jumps the cone with ease. He confesses he’s mighty pleased to be a highly skilled, recognized champ 51 years young.
Entertainer #2 prize goes to our visiting friend, Patricia Greer, who belts out O Solo Mio on the pretend Bridge of Sighs on the Venice version of the Italian Venetian Grand Canal.*
Also at the canals, a monarch alights right in front of me.
At least once and week, Jim and I receive a message from the sea. It says “Go right now, go barefoot in surf and sand!”
I had been missing the wild drama of Northern California’s coast, but…the southern sky and gentle breezes, the smooth, long stretches of damp sand and lacy, warm wavelets lapping my old lady legs are refreshing and exciting.
We relax with the folks.
Iphone magnification allows me to spy on the creatives.
Colors cheer us on.
This Santa Monica Pier gymnast lifts us up as he defies gravity.
Strolling along, surprises jump out.
Back on the main drag, Ralph’s grocery employee happens to have this fresh hibiscus prominently perched. I tell her she made my day.
Another Ralph’s delight are Happy Eggs, a family-owned free-range hen enterprise:
Near home, we often tour the park. We practice “Rolling Thunder” walking while the others are practicing batting, pitching, basketball, soccer, sliding, swinging, and dancing. Best of all, we watch dog parties. We look from outside the cyclone fence–still feeling like outsiders. Some day we might actually join the party even though we don’t have a dog.
Closer to home, walking the alley, we discover surprises~
the passion flower leaps out of a tangled jungle of foliage.
Yoyo always catches our attention.
The polka dot plate from Pick of the Litter thrift store makes me happy. Jim says he never had a plate make him happy, but a plate never made him unhappy, either.
One of the trillion things that make Jim happy is effervescent drinks:
The next surprise starts as the Hall of Mirrors catches the individually wrapped toilet paper rolls from Who Gives a Crap.
The toilet paper wrapping, which will be repurposed as gift wrap, puts me in a playful mood.
The sturdy inner roll inspires more entertainment–
a new way of looking.
The toilet paper roll perspective reminds me to take out Sieglinde’s magic crystal ball bottle stopper:
The crystal ball helps me imagine what fun our long-time-now-far-away friends are finding.We greatly enjoy your communications and hope you continue to join the parade of cheerful surprises.
Footnote:
*The Bridge of Sighs at the real Venetian Grand Canal connects the Doge’s palace with the prison. According to the traditional story, criminals crossing over to prison sighed, lamenting their fate. For fun, opera singers perform tragic arias there.
Gretchen Butler Wild Art 
oh my what kind of magic day this is,
awakening at 5:24am to experience a Ram Dass satsang, after peaceful half guided meditation, this marvelous journey/walk through your new territory. Thank you so much for being here and there. My heart is so full and smooth. Joy is where you are and what you share. Thank you
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Greg, we’ve had lots laughs and I appreciate everything you say. Have some challenges coming up–will reread and re-remember what you say,
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You just made my day! Thank you. Susie
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Hey, we make each other’s days!
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Oh how wonderful that you and Jim are finding all the advantages and
joys of living in your new place. Love your eye for beauty, detail, and
things of curious interest. Reading your words, I could almost feel the
warm Southern California sand between my toes. The morning glory is
glorious indeed, and it reflects your bright spirit.
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Ruth, thank you especially for small stuff appreciation. Sometimes I’m reluctant to put stuff in for fear it will seem too silly.
Hope a visit from you some time will fit in with your full life. LMK what you are working on.
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AHA!! I see you are navigating the neighborhood quite well. So glad you are enjoying the fine fall weather and exploring some of Venices fine characteristics. As you continue to get out, I suspect you will find an abundance of great photo ops to fill your future reports with. I especially have enjoyed the sights at what used to be called PO, Pacific Ocean Park…the amusement park on the pier, with its iconic carousel. And taking a Sunday stroll along the strand, adjacent to the skate park, has always been populated with a host of interesting characters, some of which you have already met. I hope you guys continue to explore the neighborhood; as you know, LA is an endless opportunity.
As for up here, fall has definitely arrived. Cooler temperatures, included in autumn’s welcome quietness, all accompanied with intermittent storms beginning to come through. I suspect those with gardens are welcoming the change. The anti-Trump protests continue to grow; I am encouraged that people continue to be engaged with their hopes for the future.
As for me, I found a new wrinkle yesterday. I am slowly coming out of my funk this morning. By noon, I should be back to normal. Haha!
Thank you for keeping me abreast of your adventures. You are truly an inspiration.
Slater
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Thank you for your generous reply + teaching me the local lingo (PO) + funk recovery news. We are always around to help each other do that.
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I particularly love the toiletbpaper roll 😁
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Lots of glories 💚
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As all ways appreciate all the ways you relish , treasure the wonders of life and share them through your lens. Thank you for sharing all the inspiration. Much Love, Sunali and Healthy High 🙂
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