"Bobby"

Around our patio and visiting our hummingbird feeders have been as many as 6 birds UNTIL "Bobby" decided to be the new marshall in town. Perching in a nearby bush or, more recently, on a clothes line near the feeder, "Bobby" vocally challenges, fluffs and then attacks other hummingbirds who come to feed. ~B

La Jolla Shores

Across the street from the beach, between million dollar+ condos, an abandoned broken down wooden shack sits on a grassy lot behind a chain link fence. ~N

The Guardian

In El Cajon, in a small community garden behind a "Senior Living" apartment, an owl stands watch over a small garden plot. ~B

The Eyes Have It

From across the parking lot the eyes caught my eye like a circus had come to town. It was just a delivery truck parked in front of our local Starbucks - an ad for the San Diego Wild Animal Park. ~N

Doin' Good

At Mission Bay Park, amid roaring jet skis, flaming BBQs, partying families, joggers, cyclists, kiteflyers and skateboarders, Zach ran his lemonade stand. Last Sunday he made over $100 in 3 hours - this Sunday the total's still unknown. But what is known is the proceeds are going to support Downs Syndrome efforts. "Buy a lemondade for charity?" he asked everyone passing by. His friend's brother has DS and Zach wants to help. ~B

Lake Dixon in Escondido

At sunset a park employee walks the dock and ties up all the rental tin fishing boats. ~N

Cats of Mission Bay

Along the Mission Bay Jetty live an unknown number of feral cats. Wild and shy they hide and hunt among the rocks. Alongside a portable shelter food, coagulated and fly covered, in a styrofoam container has been left by an unknown person oblivious to the trash that will eventually end up floating in Mission Bay.

Flying Rocks

We woke up early to loud heavy machine sounds. They had the street closed to raise this crane to level, on blocks - then they lifted 2,000 lb garden rocks, swinging them several stories high to put them in our neighbor's back yard . . . where they're building one big waterfall! ~N

Ambiguous Message?

In an old building in Hillcrest at University and 6th, the City Delicatessen has served San Diegans since 1984. Deli meats, pastries and breads, mashed potatoes with gravy, Reubens or pastrami on rye and other deli delights. Above their sign a frieze, recently uncovered or added?, displays a wide selection of fruits and vegetables. ~B

Old Town

Walking through Old Town this afternoon we found pajamas, clay pots and lots of shadows. ~N

In A Galaxy Far, Far Away

In a window in South Park, an eclectic neighborhood of San Diego, posters advertise events/happenings/gatherings that trigger flashbacks to the 60's in San Francisco - Buckfast Superbee?? Bragging Wealthy Whore Entertainment Vaginals??? ~B

A Pinot Twilight

The sunset tonite almost seemed to borrow the ruby color of our wine. ~N

Pining Away

Behind our fence, down the slope, there was a forest of tall pines. Leaning more and more, even cracking, roots smelling of turpentine invading neighbor's drains and shedding needles that find our pool with every breeze. Their owner, our down slope 'neighbor', refused to acknowledge protests, turning angrily away and voicing threats if a tree was harmed.

Yesterday morning we awoke to a miracle - chainsaws and men climbing the trees lopping branches. By evening the trees were all gone - but not missed. ~B

Floaters

We often find floaters (or sinkers) in the pool. My heart sinks when I find their quiet bodies moving slightly with the rippled water. Out of the corner of my eye I saw this hollow eye and gaping mouth, fresh - todays death - oh no.

Walking closer I realized it was only a recently saved paper image for a possible journal page - cut from a magazine on a patio table, one I neglected to tuck under a paperweight the night before. ~N

E Street Coffee House

At the E Street Coffee House amid a scattering of tables patrons study, read newspapers, hustle business, plan weddings and just hang out. Glasses are free; water is 25 cents. Attitude is, well, attitude. ~B

Painted Walls

This one downtown San Diego is on 8th Ave at Broadway. ~N

Pool Pals

WARNING!! Do NOT leave your pool toys unsupervised!! ~B

Lines & Shadows

Harsh lines and shadows embellish the porch of an Escondido nursery store in the hot noontime sun. ~N

Serenity

Above the trees, looking over the valley, away from the clutter of our every day life, shaded, but airy, is our studio in the sky. ~B

*!!*~Happy Birthday~*!!*

It's B's birthday today! Cards were opened, presents were had, wine was poured, pizza was eaten and cake and ice cream are coming up! ~N

High Tide Line

In front of a local coffee house a line of chairs stretches down the sidewalk. Just as lost items gather at the high tide line along the beach so gather a mix of humanity to argue and discuss, pontificate and illuminate, telling tales of their youth - either true or just wishing they were so. Tonight the "beach" was mostly deserted, but tomorrow when the evening tide comes in, it will be littered with hopes and dreams and tales of lost opportunities once again. ~B

The Gazebo

Today we set up a canvas gazebo. B worked hard for hours and put together a patio furniture set too . . . then he relaxed in the sun. Maybe we'll sleep in it on hot nights - maybe we'll write the great American novel in it, in dawn light. ~N

Daisy Chain

So how does an old diving board get into the back of a truck?? Start by taking two cars in for service. Just one and you could wait, but with two it takes longer. So they offer you a cheap basic rental. But the line is long and the cheap rentals are gone so they give you a Toyota Tundra for the cheap price. Ah Ha! you say "we can run truck errands!!" So you track down a gazebo for the deck and pick it up 35 miles away. Then you see a table and chair set that would go with the gazebo. But together they are too large for the Rubicon so you have to take them home. While home you start looking around and see the old diving board, covered with dead leaves, beside the house. "The Dump" she says! So it goes in the truck. Unplanned, but satisfying. ~B

She Sells T-shirts by the Seashore

Down at the beach she sat quietly behind a table draped with t-shirts for sale - no tourists were buying. Her face sagged with mood and boredom - another summer job not as fun as promised. ~N

California Dreamin'

Today N and I pursued our long held dream of a small place in the mountains. Peaceful, small and needing little care, a place where we could go, alone or together, to relax, commune with nature, rejuvenate our souls and pursue our craft. After hours of surfing the web, analyzing offerings, tweaking our budget and rejecting those that failed to meet our highest standards, we drove into the mountains to visit our "short list". We are now considering a large tent in the backyard. ~B

How San Diego Celebrates

They flutter and snap

flicker in the wind

like candles on a cake

announcing our county's birthday ~N

Monologue at SD Bay

Bayside San Diego - Observed over 45 Minutes--
Guy on the left sitting next to shopping cart piled high with his belongings:
"You watch the guys on the pedicabs who get all the business...they know how to sell...blah, blah, blah...the situation with the G8 meeting concerns me...our budget deficit is a problem...blah, blah, blah...all the money I earned in Hawaii is sitting in my safe deposit box in Honolulu...blah, blah, blah...the tourists all come down here to walk...blah, blah, blah..."
Guy on the right twisting his ear:
"I can't HEAR you..." ~B

4th of July

Have a happy! ~N

God's Extended Hand

At the corner of 17th and Commercial is a bright yellow building with vibrant mosaics wrapping around its corner. God's Extended Hand serves the homeless and down-and-out on the east side of San Diego. As I was photographing it, a couple stopped and, without saying a word, posed for me. As they left he jokingly said "our faces are up here - why was your camera pointing at our legs?" I answered, "You have beautiful legs" and we laughed. ~B

A Mannequin Beside the Antique Store

With dust in her hair
and spiders on her breast
she startled me leaning
plastic and wistful
her perfect
speechless profile ~N

Splish Splash

This evening at the zoo a young, paint splattered man stood on the stage entertaining the crowd. Behind him a blank, black canvas. He then turned and using his fingers and a small brush, bopping to a hard driving rock beat, he created the painting of a Cheetah in less than 10 minutes. ~B