"Life is completer in a Chevy..."

This pristine beauty looks like something Dinah Shore might have been singing about.

Hardboiled Spring

Literary types love to pontificate on just why sunny, flower-filled Southern California inspired the uniquely dark stories of James M. Cain and Raymond Chandler, ultimately leading to the cinematic movement of film noir.

I say it's because June Gloom makes everything feel a little sinister.

in the sunshine of life

Friendship is precious, not only in the shade, but in the sunshine of life, and thanks to a benevolent arrangement the greater part of life is sunshine.

--Thomas Jefferson

(It's a nice thought, especially during June Gloom...)

It Could Happen

I imagine it looks like It's a Small World inside that cheerful house. And late at night, clowns go out joyriding in that car...

Caption This Photo (#66)

I can't wait to see what you guys do with this one...

And Many More...

A personal message for Dixie Jane on her birthday today:

Don't try to climb all of these at once!

Happy Birthday, Mom. The sky's the limit.

Historic Beauty

It's hard to believe the gorgeous Comerica Bank Building was ever covered in weird, aqua tiles! I explore the history of this structure, along with several other notable South Pas buildings, in my column this week at Patch. (It should post sometime around lunch today.)

UPDATE: Thanks to those of you who emailed that my latest column isn't linked with the others over at Patch. I'm sure it was just a glitch in putting it up. Try this link to get to today's column. Also, for those who can't seem to find me over there, just put my name into the search box and it should bring up all my stuff. The latest Patch layout doesn't keep columns on the front page anymore.

Carry on!

Darker the bark, Longer the shadows...

Shaken,
The blossoms of lilac,
And shattered,
The atoms of purple.
Green dip of the leaves,
Darker the bark,
Longer the shadows.

Sheer lines of poplar
Shimmer with masses of silver
And down in a garden old with years
And broken walls of ruin and story,
Roses rise with red rain-memories.
May!
In the open world
The sun comes and finds your face,
Remembering all.

--Carl Sandburg

Rules

Well, I don't mind giving up the dogs and rollerskates but no tackle football or golf horses? Forget it!

Caption This Photo (#65)

Love this shot ... got nothing to say about it. Anyone?

All Bark, No Bite

Take a look at the odd bark here. Is this tree cracking up? Is it an oak that has torn its sycamore disguise? Is this what happens when too many dogs mark their territory?

What is up with that trunk?!

(De)Construction

Today is the first day of the month, and that means it's Theme Day for participating City Daily Photo bloggers. Today's theme is Under Construction.

In South Pasadena's case it might as well be called Under Destruction. The city continues to wait (in traffic) for the finished result of the Fair Oaks construction project. I'm no statistician but it seems to me that most residents disagree with the bizarre design plan of curb bulbouts, center medians and loss of right turn lanes. (Just read some of the comments from my column about this subject over at South Pasadena Patch.)

The city's merchants have taken the hardest hit as months of open trenches, detours and general gridlock have kept shoppers away from the business district. Several of the city's firefighters have expressed concern about the medians impeding ability to answer emergency calls. Handicapped citizens have pointed out that the construction has all but destroyed accessibility, possibly violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Will the finished product make sense? Will it enhance traffic flow, add to pedestrian safety and beautify our main thoroughfare? That's what some city authorities have said -- the few who have actually offered any kind of explanation for this expensive project. Maybe they're right. But count me among the many who are dubious.

For other construction examples from around the world, check out examples presented by my fellow City Daily Photo bloggers. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants