Little India in Los Angeles

Greetings this beautiful Sunday. My husband took me to Little India yesterday in Artesia, California. It is so great to have so much cultural diversity in our fair city. We had lunch at Ambala Dhaba restaurant and it was the best Indian food I have EVER had in my life. The curry was so flavorful, the basmati rice incredibly fragrant, and the Naan (Indian flat bread) was just delicious. My husband loved his Goat curry (no, honey, I will not be making that at home!!) and the boys their tandoori chicken. It was such a treat. The picture above was taken outside of a traditional Indian grocery with a display of the crysanthemums that are strung together for decorations for celebrations. We then did a little shopping including buying yards of bangles to give as gifts to our nieces and friends. The clothes and jewelry are ornate, heavily embroidered and jeweled, it's almost overwhelming. I wish I had the opportunity to buy and wear a sari, but not this time. Everyone in Little India was very nice and helpful (gosh, what a change from the indifferent snotnoses that staff most stores), but there was a feeling of sadness in the community related to the Mumbai terrorist attacks. I will continue to pray for tolerance and acceptance. We are all from Mumbai.

In Memoriam - My brother Jim

Yesterday, November 27th was the 24th anniversary of my older brother, Jim's death. He has been gone now as long as he was alive, twenty four years. I miss him terribly, he was my protector, my best friend, my source of unconditional love and support. I hope he knows how much I will always love him and try to honor him with my life and love.
He is with me still.
I love you, Jimbo, never forget. I miss you, bro.

Thanksgiving Toast - 101st Post

One of the daily exercises I work on and more than occasionally struggle with is to adopt an "Attitude of Appreciation". The Thanksgiving holiday is a good time to reflect on this and here are some things of which I am infinitely grateful (in no particular order)-

Rain, Sweet Rain - I am enjoying our first rain in 8 months. After days of relentless sunshine, the gray and overcast skies are cozy and refreshing.

My Nursing career/avocation - I am appreciative of the privilege to help my patients and families regain their health and well being.

Letting Go - I am so thankful that I am learning to let go. Whether it's dealing with disappointment or anger with my parents or learning to forgive myself, I am (along with my family and friends) experiencing the benefits of this.

My Pets - Abigail and Charley Barley are the best four legged buddies. They are my officemates, exercise partners, and therapists. They are a continual source of amusement and unconditional love.

My Family and Friends (of which I consider you one) - They center, nuture, and support me. Even when we disagree, they are my rock, my life. They know this because I'm theirs.

Thank you for sharing in my 101st post and the gift of your time and attention.

Perfect Moment Monday by Proxy

Good Morning and Happy Monday to you!

Today, I would like to share a Perfect Moment that happened to our 13 y/o son. Our son, D. is in 8th grade and one of his classes is an elective, "Student Services". He works in the school office as a receptionist and runs campus errands for the counselors and staff.

He was walking on air when he came home a week or so ago and related the story of how a school counselor requested he get something out of her car trunk and gave him her keys. He told me how good it felt to be trusted. His happiness at this recognition reminds me what a gift it is to be considered trustworthy and how he deserves this so much for being responsible and kindhearted.

It is especially joyous to watch our son's transition into manhood and how he makes his way in the world. Scary, but wonderful.

Thank you and for more Perfect Moments, please visit Lori and her Perfect Moment Minions of which I am proudly one!

Show and Tell - Threading

I just love being a woman and all the grooming requirements that go along with it. No, really I am very low maintenance in my whole beauty routine except for a few things which include Threading to keep my eyebrows in check.

A dear blogger, Lori requested information about this method of depilation. (Gee isn't that a Fun Word!!) Thank you, Lori for the topic request. (I love requests and I will post my ghost story soon.)

I am blessed with a healthy set of eyebrows, dark hair, and fair skin. The eyebrows of some women stop growing or Never Grow Back after removal. (This isn't always a good thing, witness the little old lady with the black painted eyebrows and blue tinted hair, whew, I digress.) My eyebrows are not in this category (thankfully I guess) as they grow akin to a corn crop. I have subjected my brows to plucking (owie, owie!), waxing, and now, my forever method of caring for my Brows, Ta-da....Threading!

The threader takes a piece of white, cotton, surgical grade thread, holds it and rubs it across your brow to remove the unsightly hairs one row or even one hair at a time. It is less painful and traumatic than waxing. It originated in India and Persia and has gained quite a following, at least with this beauty consumer. More and more salons are offering this service and it can also be used for other parts of your body if desired. (Yeah, right like anybody desires a "bikini wax".)

This news video provides an excellent overview of threading. For more fun and games, please visit Mel and the other bloggers at Show and Tell. Thank you so much and sending my best for painless beauty to you.

Hiking with the Bison at the Silent Movie Star Ranch

I am happy to report that there are no disasters either natural nor manmade to expound upon today. So at the request of my delightful cousin and workout buddy, I would like to share a wonderful hiking and sightseeing spot in Northern Los Angeles.


Here is Hart Park, one of my favorite nature areas near our home. Hart Park is the former estate of silent movie star, William S.Hart who donated his home to the County of Los Angeles for a park.

William Hart's estate was called "La Loma de Vientos" or "Place of the Winds". (So True!)

This is the front of Mr.Hart's home which is open to the public as a museum featuring Mr.Hart's wonderful collection of Western Art including Remington sculptures and Indian crafts.

This is the rear of the home which was built during the 1920s.



A small herd of bison call Hart Park their home. They are the descendents of the bison brought to the Park by The Walt Disney Company to film a movie.


Thank goodness for sturdy fences. Actually, the bison (Not Buffaloes), are very used to the presence of humans, don't bat an eye when you visit them.)



This is one of my favorite hiking spots and I appreciate you sharing it with me today. It's great to be a tourist in your own backyard.

Firestorm abated/Political storm brewing

"May you live in interesting times." Chinese Proverb

Thank goodness the fires are contained and the recovery phase has begun. The destruction and scope are hard to comprehend. Almost one thousand homes gone, some houses burned within minutes, the fire was that intense. I can't help thinking "that could be our home", (gee, nothing like that pyschological mindgame, transference). Seeing folks lose all their worldly possessions including their pets (incredibly heartbreaking) certainly makes you realize how fragile attachments are to "stuff". Fall in Southern California is wonderful, the cooling of temperatures, changing of leaves, and wearing of sweaters. The skys are gloriously clear due to the powerful Santa Ana winds which move out the smog and clouds. These deadly winds fuel and spread the sparks. I am now beginning to associate my favorite season with flames and vigilance. I am hoping for rain which we desperately need and will help reduce fire risk. However, rain will also stimulate brush growth, providing more fuel for the next fire season. Doesn't Mother Nature have an ironic sense of humor??

As the fires subside, another storm is brewing, the political one pertaining to Proposition 8 in California restricting marriage to a man and woman. The election is over and the passage of Proposition 8 has created a huge cultural firestorm here. Even in my quiet little city, there have been large, vocal, and vehement protests on both sides of this issue. There are continued protests and boycotts and now, of course it is headed to the California Supreme Court. My neighbors who displayed political signs had their houses egged, toilet papered, and air let out of their car tires. (Vandalism is horrible especially when it comes to free speech.) Neither side is backing down and this issue will be slogged out on the streets and courtrooms for a really long time. I admire Spain and Canada for addressing same sex marriage in a much more civilized and unified manner. In spite of the passage of Proposition 8, it is amazing that 48% of voters voted Against it and that this dialogue has been started nationally.

Thank you so much for reading today, best to you and yours for calm weather and politics!