Good Timing

Well, the Bromsgrovians go back home across the Atlantic later this week and, sure enough, the front driveway Cherry blossoms are blooming. They do this every year at the end of March/beginning of April.

The show is always spectacular.

Getting All Ready For Tomorrow

Well, the tempertures are certainly doing their best for the arrival on Friday of Hanako, Mark, George & Henry.

This warm weather is bringing out the Cherry blossoms. They look great! 

Now, if only we had a battery charger!

Final 2010 Budding Report

So, final interim report.

First the Gingko tree. Some landscape architect told all his students, many decades ago, that the Gingko was the oldest known tree species.

Older even than the Sequoia.

Next, a pic of the lavender bushes in full bloom. Look carefully and you might spot the honey bee that was feasing thereon.

And, finally the backyard Cherry tree, with its emerging blooming flowers.









The ten driveway Cherry trees shall have to await DD and DSIL's arrival in less than a week.

And, today, a new flowering tree

This time, it's the weeping Cherry outside the Japanese Room window.

And now. . .

 I do believe that HiltonHouse is getting ready for the arrival of Hanako and Mark later this month.

These pics show the leaf buds from the regular Japanese Maple outside the kitchen.

Still remaining are three different types of Cherry trees. We shall see.

And, Again!

First, the Camilia. Then, the daffodils. Then, Akiko's Peach tree. Now, Hisako's red-limbed Maple tree!

3/3

March 3d is Girls Day in Japan (and elsewhere.) So here's a cheer to all the girls - granddaughters, daughters, mothers, sisters, grandmothers, and greatgrandmothers!

HAPPY GIRLS DAY

(That's a seven-tiered display. The number of tiers is significant.)

Frank Gehry is A Famous 21st Century American Architect

And now, I can see where he gets his inspiration for building designs!

Earthquakes are a bit scary.

You see, if the roadways/freeways collapse, then you can't travel on them, or under them, or over them.

You are trapped!

This is a bit nerve wracking.

We hope that the strengthening that CalTrans did after Loma Prieta and Northridge, will prevent the damage shown above. This pic is from Chile on Saturday.

It Looks Like 1910,

But this pic was taken on 26 February 2010 in the Upper East side of Manhattan.

(Thanks to @alexisglick.)

(Click to expand.)

Hey! I'm only running a quote.

(From today's Health Summit at Blair House) (That's VPOTUS above. He said this.)

"I'm always reluctant after being here 37 years to tell people what the American people think. I think it requires a little bit of humility to be able to know what the American people think, and I don't, I can't swear I do. I know what I think. I think I know what they think. But I'm not sure what they think. And the second point I'd make is..."

Now, back to our regular programming.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mr. George

(Just look at what you helped to create, and wisely set on its way.)

It's Time For You To Smile...

I told you...

Beginning To See Signs

First, the camilia bush, then the daffodils, now:

Akiko's Peach Tree started to bloom today!

San Francisco Municipal Railway (aka MUNI)

I follow @sfappeal on Twitter, and 3 or 4 times each day they report on a collision/injury/death on the San Francisco Municipal Railway, aka Muni. Hence, my affection for the trollys, ancient or otherwise.

Now, I just have to get rid of these images. (I've never ridden Muni!) Enjoy.

(I think there are several messages herein)

DW1- - -

Happy Valentine's Day

(Happy Chinese New Year's, too)

Housing Crisis?

(click to enlarge)

Only in the Socialist Demcratic Republic of Berkeley. Nevermind the inherent conflict between "democratic" and "republic." This is Berkeley, after all.

And, for any housing-deficient birds out there, take your pick.

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2010/02/025570.php

Scary New Pix

The NYT has published these new photos from the NYPD

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2010/02/10/nyregion/20100210-WORLDTRADE_index.html

It's That Time Of The Year

Star-Spangled Banner

This is a great rendition of our national anthem. Thanks to Richard of Albuquerque for the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ETrr-XHBjE&fmt=18

Serious Time, Friends

Here's a dispatch from Michael Yon concerning operations in Afghanistan. It's educational and eye-popping visual, with pics from Yon.  I was mightily impressed:

http://aimpoints.hq.af.mil/display.cfm?id=35673

Please click, and be impressed by the dedication of our troops. (Whether or not...)

Thanks

Saranap Winter 2009

Well, we had snow on Mt. Diablo (Mont St. Georges for those in the know) today. Second time this Winter, which is a bit unusual.

 We're all worried about a drought (i.e. no water), so every drop of precipitation is welcome. We understand that this Winter is about average.
The problem is that we need several Winters of "Way above average!" to catch up.
(Mieko keeps Swiftering the floors, erasing the muddy footprints of the cats. Sigh.)
(Pix are from various sources.)

January 21, 1872

George Clarke Sellery

b. January 21, 1872

Kincardine, Ontario, Canada

d. January 21, 1962

Madison, Wisconsin, USA

(Nice timing, Grandfather.)

Cavallo Point, California

This used to be Ft. Baker, just under the Northern anchorage of the Golden Gate.  Then, the military downsized, and left the area.

After interminable public hearings, many fallen trees made into impact reports, the good guys have a small semblance of victory.

The area is open to the public.  There are conference facilities, a bed and breakfast, and some eating facilities. (I shall have to investigate these latter more carefully.)

No tobacco, hemp is okay, no chewing gum, and sandals only. Other than these restrictions, it may be fun to visit. The views are certainly unusual, and glorious.

Snowboarding is definitely a sport of its own!

Wow! That's some impressive set of tricks.

2 0 1 0 !

Surface Up!

This is looking down. Pictures are very interesting when they are looking down.

And they are really interesting when you look straight down!

(That's Escher looking, isn't it?)

28 December 1966 (67?)

Happy Anniversary, Mieko

December Days in Afghanistan

Flying through these mountains is a bit dicey. But, hey, you're a twenty year old and invicible, right?

Or, you can just sit in the door, with your legs hanging out, and view the villages below.

Wow.