Glimpses of South Pasadena: "Up on the rooftop..."

Monday, December 22, 2008

"Up on the rooftop..."

I found this casual rooftop St. Nick perched near the wonderful green house with the pink Christmas tree in the window. I really love the vibe of this neighborhood!

21 comments:

Mister Earl said...: Yesterday's Papers:

Dar Williams is a singer/ songwriter, so The Christians and Pagans is a wonderful song that you can actually listen to! As I posted the lyrics yesterday, I became aware just how much Yuletide symbolism is in it that mirrored Laurie's wonderful words.

Thanks for letting me go back to my young Hanukah memories. I have enough candles to get me through a couple more nights. Went to Bristol Farms yesterday, but forgot to buy candles. I guess I was distracted from too much yakking.

Regarding the comments yesterday about the "religious thing": I am not much for formal religion at this point. In the last year I have discovered, however, that accepting that there is a power here that is outside of my own will and mind changes everything. Those who are actively anti-religion or anti-God, have not yet discovered the difference that surrendering to something outside oneself can make. Formal religion can mess everything up, but the belief in a power greater than ourselves makes magic happen.; December 22, 2008 at 5:36 AM
Virginia said...: This Santa is definitely a blast from the past. Kind of dinky and faded but gosh it brings back memories doesn't it!
V; December 22, 2008 at 6:17 AM
Tanya Breese said...: click, click, click...down through the chimney with good St. Nick! Now that song is stuck in my head,lol. I remember the little pink Christmas tree, cool!

Merry Christmas to you and your family!; December 22, 2008 at 6:31 AM
Knoxville Girl said...: I think it's that gnome from a few days ago, this time with a Santa hat.
I've enjoyed catching up on the discussions and tradition sharing of the past few days, and appreciate your evocative photos. I've had reason to contemplate belief and tradition recently too, while attending a Catholic Mass memorial service for my friend's brother. Although I haven't attended in perhaps 15 or 20 years, and still do not reconsider subscribing to the dogma of the church, it was an astonishing comfort to still know the songs and responses, connecting with my family history.; December 22, 2008 at 7:31 AM
Vanda said...: Watch out! Reindeer crossing.; December 22, 2008 at 8:04 AM
Judy Williams said...: For some reason the "slow" sign made me chuckle.

I'm still whirling from the sentiment and ideas from yesterday's post. I'll just leave it at that.

HO HO HO all!; December 22, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Petrea Burchard said...: There's often an interesting discussion here, and yesterday's was no exception. I've been thinking about it.

I think the world is big enough to hold everyone's beliefs or lack thereof. I don't think anyone's missing out on anything by agreeing or disagreeing with my spiritual beliefs. What's right for you, what gives you strength, may not be of use to me and vice versa.

As long as we leave room for each other in our world and in our hearts, as long as we don't hurt each other and allow space for everyone to believe whatever they damn well please, we've got a chance for a working planet.; December 22, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Laurie Allee said...: Wow, we're still talking about religion! Stepping in to say -- Petrea, I couldn't have said it better. As a humanist, I focus on the capacity for self-determination through reason, the commonality of the human condition and a universal morality based on love, affirming the dignity and worth of everyone. It doesn't matter to me what anyone believes or doesn't believe. It's all part of the rich tapestry we wrap ourselves in.; December 22, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Laurie Allee said...: (Also... it's okay to just talk about the silly Santa on the roof, too!); December 22, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Anonymous said...: Gee, Laurie---you've spent a lot of time in thems tha'r hills of late! ;-) For as long as I can recall, someone has put a Santa on this carport roof.

I always laugh at the SLOW signs b/c where I'm living they have one that says "SLOW CHILDREN"...gee, didn't know we WARNED people about the developmentally slow kids with signs on the street!

As to the religion thing---I was brought up one thing and have moved to another. But what I believe is that we all can get along as long as each of us does not think we know THE answer to it all. My faith works for me. Yours works for you. That's cool. We can talk about it, we can debate a bit, but the hard line digs---aren't productive. My faith is mine and I am happy to talk with others about it, but in the end, it is mine to be and to live with.

I do think the Santa is cute---tho like the rest of us, aging a bit! ;-); December 22, 2008 at 11:37 AM
dbdubya said...: It looks like Santa fell through the roof - where's the rest of his legs?

Only in Southern California can you get a landscape scene with a Bottle Brush shrub, a leaning Eucalyptus tree, a potted succulent, Bogainvillea with one remaining bit of color, and a bunch of other species.; December 22, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Anonymous said...: You can get lost in those hills. I have.; December 22, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Anonymous said...: the faith thing. I believe that others treasure something I do not see. I rejoice in their vision.; December 22, 2008 at 2:24 PM
dbdubya said...: Hey Laurie, I checked out this house, and the green one with the pink tree this afternoon while out and about on this dark and dreary day. In my first post I only touched on what's in their small front garden. They also have roses, pyracantha with red berries, geraniums, bird of paradise, pine trees, and others. The only thing missing is a palm tree decorated with Christmas lights.; December 22, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Anonymous said...: That Santa together with the Slow sign provide a little comic relief from yesterday. You certainly did give us all a lot to think about, Laurie and all who joined in the discussion, and we're still thinking. I, for one, went back and read everything!!; December 22, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Mister Earl said...: How many people think the song begins: "Up on the rooftop reindeer paws..." I probably did till my friend pointed out the anatomical aspects.

But one time in Nashville I heard Chick Rains, a top country song writer, sing a song about a guy who arrives home on Christmas Eve and he hears his wife laughing and he hears the voice of another man, and he sings:

That better be Santa Claus
Those better be reindeer paws
Outside here in the snow
I wanna hear some Ho, Ho, Ho's...

I never questioned that reindeer had paws...never... well I must go, I have a marinated yak paw warming in the oven.; December 22, 2008 at 5:01 PM
dbdubya said...: Hey Mr. Earl - Is it true that marinated yak paw tastes just like chicken?; December 22, 2008 at 5:37 PM
Mister Earl said...: DBW - It tastes like a combination of Spotted Owl and Bald Eagle, with a hint of Baby Fur Seal.; December 22, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Cafe Observer said...: Wow, still talkin bout religion! LA, u got that old time religion in this new world of anything goes.

Your description of a humanist would just be a subset of at least one of the hundreds of religions out there. So, welcome religionist! (How did the humanist party do in the elections?)

Nonetheless, nowadaze I think I'd rather identify myself more with the canineists than with sumthing "human." That's why we dogs carry leashes....; December 22, 2008 at 6:15 PM
Dixie Jane said...: Hey Santa! Are you up there just "chillin'"? Or have you imbibed in too much eggnog? You look kinda stiff. I'm glad to see a "Slow" sign because Christmas comes at us too fast leaving us in its wake with lots of wrapping paper mess, too much food, last minute shopping and "Oops, I forgot Aunt Nell!" Take your time, Santa, you have all night to go "From Natchez to Mobile, from Memphis to St. Joe, wherever the four winds blow."

SO.....

Up on the rooftop reindeer pause
Out jumps good old Santa Claus
Down through the chimney with lots of toys
All for the little ones
Christmas joys

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!; December 22, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Laurie Allee said...: Thanks, everyone! It's late and I'm bleary-eyed so I'll catch all of you tomorrow. Til then...; December 23, 2008 at 12:50 AM