Seen on The Streets for Almost Wordless Wednesday

Crosswalk street markings in Chinatown, L.A., CA.


A Fork In The Road. (I am powerless against all puns, especially visual ones.)

Music Of The Movies at The Hollywood Bowl

I had the most wondrous of evenings this past Saturday night when our family went to a performance of Music Of The Movies at The Hollywood Bowl with the LA Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by John Williams. Everything was delightful- the venue, the company, (we went with our son's piano teacher and her family who are also friends and neighbors), the food, (picnicking is encouraged and we brought a beautiful crab salad with avocado and tomatoes, teriyaki chicken burritos, turtle brownies with caramel and pecans, and a bottle of wine to share because with us it is all about the food too!), perfect weather, (cool enough for a sweater and a cuddle), and of course, first and foremost, the Music.



The Hollywood Bowl is a unique venue, it is outdoors and built into a natural amphitheater created by the Hollywood Hills. In addition to encouraging picnicking where you can bring your own food and drinks, they also allow cameras and for this particular concert, LIGHT SABERS!!!! Mr.Williams is the composer of the music from Star Wars and many of the audience bring their light sabers for when he plays music from Star Wars.


(Light sabers powered up during The Imperial March from Star Wars).

To share and listen to musicians of this caliber tampers with your sense of reality. While listening to the movie themes, there was frequently a video montage of the movie and I had to keep reminding myself, "This is Live Music, not the soundtrack".

For the first half of the performance, the orchestra played music from The Harry Potter movies including the main title theme song and also the music that signifies a particular place or character in the movie such as Diagon Alley or The Night Bus. Actor Lynn Redgrave provided the introductions to the music in the first half including how the music becomes an essential part of the character and action. The First Violinst played her violin in the style of a witch fiddling as part of the Diagon Alley theme. I could practically see the sparks coming off her bow and the cobblestone streets with Harry and Hagrid shopping for wands and brooms while she played.

(Red, White, and Blue lighting during the Superman Theme.)

For the second half of the concert, the Orchestra played "As Time Goes By" from Casablanca, jazz from "Catch Me If You Can", the "Superman" and "Batman" themes, and then concluding with Not One, Not Two, Not Three, Not Four, But FIVE, Yes, Five Encores with Star Wars Theme Music. That was when the light sabers powered up and the audience raised their glowing weapons in salute to the Orchestra and conductor. Live music touches me, us, in a way nothing else does and I feel privileged to share in this evening with my family and friends and now you. We can't wait to go again next year.


May The Force be With You.

Thank you for sharing in Perfect Moment Monday, Mellow Yellow Monday, Ruby Tuesday, Midweek Blues, and The Color Carnival. (I'm multitasking this week. Can you say blogger slacker? Yes, I thought so, ;oD)

Gilded Rose Manor Tea House for Pink Saturday

A dear friend of mine and I took some "girl time" over the summer and enjoyed a Victorian Tea at the Gilded Rose Manor in Northridge, California. It was so hot we had our tea iced, but everything else was the traditional British High Tea with scones, devon cream, lemon curd, cucumber and finger sandwiches, hot savories, and petite fours and sweets to finish. It was a lovely time spent with my friend matched by the charming surroundings with lots of pink throughout. It's hard to believe this tea house is a tract ranch house in the middle of the San Fernando Valley!

This is the main dining room with its pink tableclothes and deep pink paint on the walls.

I found this indoor tree with multicolored "silk" roses to be very charming.

This is the private party room for large groups and special occasions. The pink against the deep blue walls is quite stunning.

Please let me know if you are ever out this way and in the mood for a "spot o' tea", my treat! Thank you so much for stopping by and to Beverly for hosting Pink Saturday. My best to you and yours for a week "In The Pink".

Rainbow Connection for The Color Carnival

A month ago I captured this image of two rainbows on each of our sons' bedroom doors while they were sleeping. The rainbows were created by a prism that belonged to my late brother, Jim. I had put it on my office window ledge a couple months ago and was delighted to see this. My sentimental heart thinks it is my big brother come to visit his nephews. And who is to say it isn't?

If you crave more color, please stop by the Color Carnival. Thank you.

For fellow lovers of the song, "The Rainbow Connection", I hope you enjoy the music video, (only one I could find with Kenny Loggins original recording), and the lyrics below.



Rainbow Connection Music and Lyrics - Kenny Loggins

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
and what's on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
and rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we've been told and some choose to believe it.
I know they're wrong, wait and see.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard
and answered when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that and someone believed it.
Look what it's done so far.
What's so amazing that keeps us star gazing
and what do we think we might see?
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell. We know that it's probably magic.

Have you been half asleep and have you heard voices?
I've heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that called the young sailors.
The voice might be one and the same.
I've heard it too many times to ignore it.
It's something that I'm supposed to be.
Someday we'll find it, the rainbow connection.
The lovers, the dreamers and me

Teen Revelations with Kids Say What?

D., our eldest son, 14 y/o, started high school a few weeks ago. He is enjoying school including not having to wear a uniform, (there is a dress code, no gangster or hoochie mamawear, exposed midriffs, spaghetti straps, inappropriate tshirts, the list is quite detailed), but it is much more liberal than his junior high uniform. He is very happy to be wearing his Beatles, Metallica, and National Sarcasm Society (Like we need your support) Tshirts to school.

D.told me after the first week of school that despite partially expecting the Seniors at the school to "stab me in the heart, they ignored me." He was relieved with this outcome.

He is taking Spanish and is also enjoying the class very much. He practices the Spanish alphabet with our dog, Charley. Charley is a very attentive student learning to roll his Rs.

D.also determined that my new car "wasn't new any longer after a month". Just in time for my first car payment.

Thanks for sharing in my reflections through a teen boy prism. For more Kids Say What?, please visit Cammie at The House of No Sleep.

Actually, it's the adults who say "What?", kids say "Huh?".

A Couple Befores and Afters for Almost Wordless Wednesday

I love Before and After pictures whether it's fashion makeovers or home renovations. So, in that spririt, I would like to share a couple of my little projects presented as "Befores and Afters."

Here are some broken, single earrings and chain that I made into a pendant necklace.

Black and white is a favorite color combination especially with this retro mod look.


Last Spring, I replaced a small strip of grass that was impossible to mow with a perennial garden.




The garden came out great after much back breaking labor, mind numbing planning, and too many trips to recall to the building supply and the nursery. All the perennials have filled in and are doing great.
Just call me "The Rock Whisperer", I swear it took longer to place the granite and rocks than other part of this project.

I hope you enjoyed these pictures and that you have lots of great Befores and Afters, In Betweens too, because that's where you spend the most time. Thank you for your visit and all the good wishes about the wildfires nearby.

Hazy with the Smoke

My Dad in San Diego, my sister from Philly, my brother from Florida, and a friend from New Jersey called about the wildfires. We are fine, not anywhere near a burn area, thank goodness. The air quality is poor and the skies have an eerie cast from the smoke and ash in the air. Outdoor activities at school and community sports have been cancelled, this is Southern California's version of snow days.

Last week was tough with processing our own little conflagration and stressful stuff with the boys. Plus, PMS, housework, and not enough hours in the day, have me feeling out of sorts and ready to whinge like Mrs.Spit says. (What exactly is a whinge? Is this a Canadian or European expression?? It sounds like a kitchen tool, "Honey, please pass me the whinge for the aioli.")

Anyway, here is my PSA, the Sense of Humors are great in North LA county in regards to the wildfires. My thoughts and prayers go out to our firefighters and the families who have lost their homes including our animal friends who are the primary residents of this urban forest.

(It's really tough to feel sorry for yourself for Any Length of Time when you think about this, so much for my whinge.)

Thanks, I will take a (Hug), Martha

P.S. I have two more slots open for the Pay It Forward Giveaway! Thanks so much.