I took this shot a couple of weeks ago, before the storms rolled in. I believe those gorgeous trees are flowering pears. I always associate them with February, and the unforgettable scent of mock orange trees. Although the mock orange tree is not as showy as others, it manages to upstage everything else that blooms with a heady fragrance that rivals the sultriest night blooming jasmine.Cherry trees have also begun making winter blossoms. Soon, the purple jacarandas will begin to dazzle and then drop lilac petals all over the streets. By spring, the crape myrtle trees will start making flowers that will last the summer.
Take that, New England. Fall foliage is great and everything, but just look at our winter flowers!
(And just try to beat that classic San Gabriel Valley topiary tree at the end of the street...)
22 comments:
My eye is drawn quickly to the tiny moon, but it is lovely when you look at it LARGE, filling the screen. I know what Bradford pears look like with their large artichoke shape, but not sure about flowering ones. I never realized what a tree freak I am until the last 20 years. When I'm among them, I just feel like everything is alright, no matter what the situation.
But back to that moon- something about seeing it visible in a blue sunny sky. That makes me smile. Thanks for that, Laurie. TGIF.
I sang to you and the moon
But only the moon remembers.
I sang
O reckless free-hearted
free-throated rhythms
Even the moon remembers them
And is kind to me.
Carl Sandberg
I hate to say this, but this shot makes me think of a David Lynch movie. What's really going on beneath the surface of this perfectly serene neighborhood?
Calling the Moon - Dar Williams
The moon wanted more of my night
I turned off the engine and the headlights
The trees appeared as they'd never been gone
I promised the fields I'd return from now on
And the moon kept on rising
I had no more to say
I put my roadmaps away
And surendered the day
And I know you'll be calling me soon
And if I don't answer, I'm calling the moon
Calling the moon, I was calling her then
I'm wondering, will she take me again
Oh, I'm calling the moon
When I called the moon back to me
I thought she wanted my beauty
I shone in the best that vanity buys
I covered the path where my life turned to lies
And the moon kept on rising
But I felt nothing at all
She comes when the empire falls
And shines on crumbling walls
Calling the moon, by the name that she chose
As Tennessee wandered in moth-eaten robes
Oh, I'm calling the moon
Calling the moon
Oh, I'm calling the moon
Oh, make sense of me, night
I can see so much from this cold height
The moon said, "Oh darkness, my work is done
I've poured this bottle of light from the sun
But their anger keeps on rising
And they don't understand
I've shown them all that I can
That the world is at hand
And I know they'll be calling me soon
And if I don't answer I'm only the moon
I can see by her light
This one's going out to the moon tonight
Oh, I'm calling the moon
Calling the moon, 'cause I know what it's worth
To tug at the seas and illumine the earth
Oh I'm calling the moon
Oh I'm calling the moon
Love this photo. It is great when February brings the blooming trees to South Pasadena with so many lovely pinks ... because we know that the Jacarandas will be here in May!
Night when the moon has risen
Silence of wind
Silence of the black surface of the mountain,
Silence of echoes rising from the valley,
of air over water, silence
of form gliding over form,
of earth turning under liquid skin,
silver under silent stars.
Silence of cloudshadows
Drifting by moonlight to Africa
I love these trees, LA!
Just don't assume they'll always be there. If So Pasa is anything like what's begun to happen here in Pasadena, the city can chainsaw them away. And their replacements, if they do replace them, will hardly be an improvement.
It's a beautiful day for lunar poetry.
When the moon hits your eye
Like a big pizza pie
That's amore.
Dean Martin
I like the large pine trees that serve as a backdrop to the flowering pears.
Cafe Observer - don't worry about South Pas trees. If anyone suggested doing what Pasadena is doing, people would be lined up at the door of City Hall to protest and recall any elected officials who supported the idea. To many people in South Pas, trees are more important than people. This poses an interesting dilemma. There's a push to go solar in town. Some have suggested solar be required for new construction. Sounds great, but isn't there a conflict between solar and a thick canopy of trees?
Very pretty, and the sky is such a lovely blue. These are the best days of the year.
Wow! These poems and lyrics are great. (Dbdubya -- I'm cracking up at That's Amore!)
Cafe, I was out of it until recently about the tree removal in Pasadena. I'm shocked by it, actually.
Hey diddle diddle, hey diddle diddle, the cow jumped over the moon.
The little dog laughed to see such a sport
The dish ran away with the spoon.
Nursery Rhyme
P.S. I think the trees are fabulously beautiful. You know how much I drool over them when I come a visitin'.
I should really give credit where credit is due. Dean Martin, of course, only sang the cheesiest wedding song of all time. The music was by Henry Warren and the lyrics by Jack Brooks. When my kids were little I used to sing this song,always resulting in a sychronized rolling of the eyes.
In Napli where love is king.
When boy meets girl here's what they say.
When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie,
That's Amore.
When the world seems to shine like you'v had too much wine,
That's Amore.
Bells will rin ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling,
And you'll sing "Vita Bella"
Hearts will play tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay,
Like a gay tarantella
When the stars make you drool just like pasta fazool,
That's Amore.
When you dance down the street with a cloud at your feet,
You're in love.
When you walk down in a dream buy you know you're not dreaming signore.
Scuzza me,but you see, back in old Napoli,
That's Amore.
What a beautiful part of the world!
I apologize for envying where you live. I live in central Canada where, tonight, the wind is howling, snow is flying, and ice covers our streets. The temperature is scheduled to drop to about -17 degrees C tonight and, I hate the winter!
We are still a good two months away from spring, which is my favourite season.
I love the photo. I can only imagine the wonderful aromas in the air from the scented flowers and the fresh sounds of chirping birds.
Last year my son visited San Diago (sp) on business and came back with wonderful tales of your beautiful State.
Enjoy!
I invite you to visit my site at garyross.ca.
All the best,
Gary
YAY for all of the lunar verse today. I love all of it.
How about a little MOONSTRUCK
Chicago and Phillie, eat your hearts out!
The Dar Williams song, "Calling the Moon," can be heard as the music for this YouTube video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP_c0dF0_Xs
If you're not familiar with Dar Williams, although she's a songwriter, I think of her more as a poet who sets her poems to music.
this beautiful pic just oozes California to me! Hope you never take for granted all the lush foliage you have there.
Hi again,
Welcome, Gary! I think we usually take our fair weather for granted here in Southern California. We had a few cold spells this winter, so I've really enjoyed our classic February mild days lately.
Ken, the trees are spectacular here. So Cal is definitely more than palm trees. (Though you know I love palm trees...) I, like dbdubya, love the way that blooming trees nestle up against evergreens. I'm stunned that Pasadena is pulling out old growth trees. Glad South Pas seems to be part Druid in its love of them.
Judy, you and I are definitely part Druid! I love trees almost as much as you.
And Dixie Jane, I know you performed JOyce Kilmer's poem as a young girl so I know where we get it from.
I love all the poems and songs and links today, gang. You rock!
Until tomorrow...
Hi Laurie,
What a beautiful place and gorgeous photo! It looks calm and serene...
Thanks for your visiting and nice words. I am glad you found me through my dear friend Ken Mac. If you have the time, please, come to see my main blog, Leaves of Grass. I have been in "vacation", but there are many post and photos from Brazil.
Have a nice weekend.
Welcome, Sonia! I am going to check out your other blog. I enjoyed the other one so much!
David Lynch / Desperate Housewives!
Aaah, jacaranda time. November here of course, but same lovely carpets of mauve. Until they get wet and slippery and brown! Then washed away til next year....
Great to see all these...
Thank you so much for giving..
I like this blog..
Thanks for sharing...
___________________
Andrew
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