after venice

we drove south on pacific coast highway for awhile hoping to enjoy the ocean view.

i didn't realize that it veers away from the water for such a long way.

we eventually ended up starving in san pedro.

i remembered about ports 'o call from being there many years ago.

it was nothing like i remembered.

mostly due to the economy forcing many of it's shops to close.

we did find a restaurant that looked promising.

it wasn't a picture postcard setting overlooking the pacific ocean

but it was interesting anyway.

we had a nice dinner while we watched the sunset over the long beach shipyards.

the answer is blowin in the wind

thursday, april 7, 2011

john's aunt rita is visiting from scotland, staying at his mom's house.

her friend, katherine, came down from san francisco for a few days.

they invited me to go to venice beach with them.

i have never been and they always seem to have a good time when they go places.

so i jumped in the car and off we went.

the weather forecast was for possible rainy weather.

we didn't get rain,

but boy, did we get wind.

i have lived in socal all my life

and i have never seen the wind blow at the beach like it did when we were there.

it wasn't even a warm refreshing breeze.

it was just a plain old cold wind blowing in off the ocean.

we decided to brave the elements and see what venice had to offer.

i had a general idea of what we would find,

but the other 3 did not.

most of the pictures i took tell the story of venice.

but they also tell a story of america today.

i know that what we saw down there was not as much as is usually there.

the weather had forced alot of people indoors.

venice is a haven for homeless and forgotten souls.

i wanted to get more pictures of what we saw,

but i also did not want to offend anyone.

after all, this is their lives

and for a few of them, their homes.

i wouldn't want someone taking pictures of me in my home without permission.

we didn't stay very long because of the wind and cold.

but we were there long enough to see that this is all wrong.

america is supposed to be a good country that takes care of it's own.

but it doesn't.

america is too busy taking care of the rest of the world.

there are too many venices all across this country.

i know that the average american sees what is wrong and wants things to be right.

i know that the average american doesn't like seeing the homeless and forgotten and troubled souls being forced out on to the streets to live like beggars and tramps.

i know that the average american  would and does help when they are able.

i know that the problem is not with the average american.

i know that the problem is with the so called "government for the people".

i know that the so called "government for the people" is actually doing only for themselves and their big business friends.

i know that it is going to get very very bad before it ever begins to get better.

i know that i am very unsettled about it all.

i know that most of my fellow americans feel the same way.

i know that i don't know what to do.

i know that i will try to help who i can, when i can.

there is a saying that i think of when i see a person living a tough life.

"there, but by the grace of god, go I"

there are way too of  many us one of god's graces away from the streets these days.

we all need to have a bit of compassion and sympathy for our fellows beings on the street.

what started out as a fun adventure with 3 lovely ladies down to venice beach, california

ended up as a different kind of trip all together.

not only did the wind blow a little bit of sand in my face,

it blew a lot of questions and very few answers into my head.

doctah, doctah

wednesday, april 6, 2011

audrey invited me to go with her to her doctor visit.

of course, i went.

i never turn down an invitation to hang with audrey.

she was asleep when we met up.

woke up happy

practiced holding her head up

and talked to us while we waited to see the doctor.

once we were in the room,

the nice nurse measured her head

and her length

and weight.

by that time, audrey was giving me the look that seemed to say

hey grandma, what is going on here?

while we waited, she watched the baby in the mirror.

then she talked to the doctor in the mirror.

finally, it was time for the dreaded shots.

first it was the oral meds.

the nurse wasn't looking so nice by this time.

remember that old saying -

"this is going to hurt me more than it is going to hurt you"

well, by the look on krystin's face

and the knot in my stomach,

i think the saying definitely applied in this case.

two more shots and we were all done.

and that so called nice nurse?

well, audrey didn't think much of her at all by then.


i think the happy face bandaids are more for the adults than the baby.

as soon as it was over, audrey was a happy baby again.

and even fell asleep after getting to eat.

i don't know who this visit was harder on,

audrey or me and krystin.

but i am glad i got to be there to suffer along with her.

our little coo coo bird....

follow the link below....

http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1947231763047#!/video/video.php?v=1947231763047






.

sweet baby girl

we were lucky this week

we got to visit with audrey and her mommy & daddy

twice!!

wed, we met for a belated birthday dinner for travis.

after dinner, we hung out in the parking lot for a bit.

and then were treated to an awesome sunset on the way home.

today

i went up and hung out at audrey's house.

her mommy & auntie kortney played a new video game.

i didn't get any pictures of them, but i sure wish i did.

they were dancing and not very well.

but audrey & i had a great time watching.

daddy worked close to home today

so he got home before i left.

i love this picture of the three of them.

there is definitely lots of love in this baby's life!

sometimes i feel like

somebody's watching me

.

clouds and shadows

hwy 40

between needles and barstow, ca

friday, march 25, 2011

.

madison

flower girl

the wedding of her mother, jami to jerry

christmas tree house, rancho cucamonga,  november 4, 2006

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