Eagle Rock

Sun is shining and the day feels calm. Headed out the door soon and life begins again. Attended another family party in Eagle Rock. Throwing the Frisbee and football around. Talks of past adventure to the Bowl, to Tecumsah Falls, to Hearst Castle. Fighting off flies hovering near the tables of food. Sitting next to the giant Domo talking to kids about baby trees and searching for worms. Talking to the next gen about trips to Yosemite and Mission San Juan Capistrano.

Watching childhood cousins with their husbands and kids and I think of my own life. My own choices. I move on. Think about tomorrow. I look at today. Then I think, it has been okay. Blessed to be here. Blessed to alive. Blessed to have family and friends, to share adventures. To smile and cry. I look as the child as he bends over with a stick looking at discarded gum and roly polys. I see the awkward kick as the little lady of three throws the orange Hooters disc for the very first time. Unnatural as it is, knowing she will be okay.  I see the brown haired mini Pippy Long Stocking with clear blue eyes hugging her Daddy so.

Many of attendees I do not know. Filipinas with Hair-Did speaking my culture’s language. A tongue I do not know. I see the Filipino men, with their faux hawks and Androids. Texting their adventures with Facebook universe.  I see the uncles and aunts lounge by the park bench talking about stuff I don’t know.

Couldn’t spend more time this time. I was passenger on this mini adventure. She had to go. Searched for the rock with Eagle on its skin. Turned the corner and there it was. Had no time to take my picture because I was driving home this time.

Darted through traffic, she promised her work to be there on time. Wondered what my week would be like tomorrow as they slept inside. Thought of a wonderful day. Caught moments of Love when they were unaware. Won’t share them this time. These are mine. Tomorrow is today and I reach out for the energies are expanding.

I am reminded that things are alright. Instead of fighting some wrongs, I rather sing a few songs. I am reminded to do what is necessary, it is important to remember what is important. It’s moment like yesterday, that fuels the fire for tomorrow. These are the moments that makes walking out the door as important as other things. It’s the work that reminds us that things are okay. Its sharing moments of past. Its planning of future tomorrows. Its digging for worms and bugs stuff. Its all the big, little things that makes everything important.

I hear a baby’s cries outside. I hear the Mommy’s negotiating tries and her exasperating sighs. Little lady does not understand why mom does not adopt ice cream first policy. I smile for time flies.

Descano (Part 2 of 3)

(Cont)

It's a Journey
Got there and I am glad that I did. Spent a few hours there. It is a beautiful place. Sitting in the parking lot doing some reading and writing. Got a call from cousin Jason and asked where I was. Figuring I’d be here an hour or two. Said let's, "Hook up before the graduation party."

Many Things For the Senses
Well, it was an adventure at the Gardens. Koi, turtles, almost breaking my ankles, Japanese tea garden, Lilac lots, redwood trees, walk up hill to the Boddy house, getting lost, off trail, trams, trains, wedding parties, bonsais, chips, class on bonsai pruning, herons, jumping fish, waterfall, lots and lots of pictures (648 for the day). It was cool. Couple are not enough.

Listening to shuffled songs on the blackberry as I was on my journey. Thought of my Dad. This must be  where his inspiration may have manifested.

Altitude Equals Attitude
Sitting atop of the stone bench above his house. It was an adventure. Met up with Jay and we took a tram. Was not going to do the walk again around the place. It was tiring. Plus, the Salmon/ spinach crepes were escaping my digestive tract. Went to the bird observation and took some photos.

Remembering Special Moments
Don’t like to take too many pictures of people because that feels like an invasion of privacy. If they are far off and can’t get a good picture of the face, I am less troubled. If you noticed, don’t have too many pictures of my family. Just those things are private and special to me.

Rebirth, Renewals, and Wet Willies
The rest of the day was marking things to do on life list. Finally went to Vromans to get that Phoenix. Hung out with the family. Discovered that Cathy, Marn’s ex, got married that day.

Messed with Jillian. Gave her wet willies. (Jillian, It wasn’t coke. Just joking with you.) People don’t laugh and smile a lot. Some much tension around. Wet willies to all.

Sabbath and Serra
Went Saturday Mass in this huge church in Pasadena. Fourteen multi-colored columns. Pictures of saints. Father Serra statue was in the parking lot. (Forgot to take his picture) Church was huge. Had to be at least five stories high. I think a Filipino priest. Could tell by the slight accident. Notice atop of one of the arches that there was this gold mylar balloon overhead.

Feel My Flow
Got me thinking there is so much out there. If we just notice the signs. Would not have gone to the Descano Gardens if I didn’t notice the signs. Some stuff is in our mental hopper just percolating. At the right time, things begin to flow. You will remember some obscure factoid and you will be somewhere you are supposed to be. Don't forget to take pictures.

(Cont)

Descano (Part 1 of 3)

Back Again
Haven’t been posting for a bit. Been writing a little, but nothing I want to put out in the internet universe yet. Let’s call it first draft. Been busy. Yesterday, found me in the Descano Gardens. 168 acres or place to recharge. Green, green, and more green. Lots of colors.

Signs Overhead
What drew me to this place were signs on the road. First sign was tents on the overhead of a bridge. (Balloon in church—I’ll get back to this)

Free Food, Okay?
Anyways,  headed to my cousin’s graduation party in Pasadena. Got up early and was out the door. Anyways on the 210 freeway, saw these tents overhead. Thought it was a 5k and thought. "Free food, healthy giveaways, lets get off the freeway and go. Lots of time before the party" (There was a run on North Sierra Highway early in the morning)

Go This Way
Wanted to explore anyways. Some things on the fly are the best. Anyways, the sign on the fence, as I was getting off the 210 Freeway said, “Descano Gardens.” It piqued my curiosity. Must have read about it somewhere and it was in the hopper of things to do. 

Not a 5k Run, Just Vegetables
Back to the tents. It was a 5k. It was a farmers market on a deserted section of parking lots. Growers were bringing their wares. Vegetables, fruits, pastries, flowers, and there were a few restaurateurs.

Flower Power
Had a salmon, spinach crepes. My first. Took some photos of some flowers. Actually lots of flowers. Don’t know what it has been lately, but flowers have been motif for me. Perhaps it was the orange poppy fields. Perhaps, it was the Getty Smell Garden?

Minutes Away
Whatever, it was I started asking about the vendors about the Descano Gardens. No one knew what I was talking about. Going to say, just go to the graduation party. Walking to my car, almost bumped into a person was fumbling with his wallet. He glowed, a bit. I asked if he knew about the Descano Garden. He looked at me startled, as if I was an old high school buddy that forgot his name. In an excited, exasperated enthusiasm he told me about this local treasure.  He was quite descriptive. His glow and zeal fired me up. Guess, this is where I need to be. He said, "I must go and it was only a few minutes away."

(Cont)