Great Place in L.A.

Surfas in Culver City is a great afternoon destination. The restaurant supply store has been owned and operated by the same family since 1937. I learned about it through a member of the Los Angeles Mycological Society, and God knows they know how to party.


I took the boys for a day trip to pick up a cutting board and candles. But with Surfas, the journey is the destination. We stopped in at Cafe Surfas for eats. I asked for a high chair and the kind woman behind the counter went into the supply store and pulled one off the shelf for our use. Sure, it was shorter than the cafe table, but the youngest was satisfied.

Caught in the Gorilla's Grasp

That's me, trying to get a few things together for Mother's Day.

The real fun was at the beach, celebrating the adoption of dear friends' second son. Proud mama and comedian extraordinaire Maryellen Hooper is to the left.


And here's the man of the hour on a very special day. What a treat to be part of such an important day. Congratulations Maryellen, Mark & family.

Make Your Yard/Balcony/Front Stoop a Wildlife Habitat

As more of the world's open space is used for human habitat, the critters who were there first feel the squeeze. Creating a wildlife habitat in your yard can offer a migrating bird a welcome respite in a long journey. Lizards can roost. And you can enjoy the beauty by observation and know that you are helping the process along. It's like being a benefactor to a Western Tanager.


Whether your garden is a sizable lot or a small balcony, it can become a welcome haven. Your garden must provide water source(s), food source(s), places for cover, places to raise young, and sustainable gardening. Learn more about making your garden a Certified Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.

Happy Camper Shirt

The youngest got a cool hand-me-down shirt from a fashionable friend. The eldest loved how the tent flaps opened up to reveal two feet. Inspiration hit to create our own happy camper shirt for the eldest.

The inspiration:


Materials were procured. One t-shirt, Jacquard fabric paint, paint brush, linen scraps:


A volunteer was enlisted/conscripted. "He's a real pro," the eldest said of the youngest's footprint contributions:


The result..."This shirt makes me happy," said the eldest. Spy the feet down below.



No babies were harmed in the making of this shirt.

The Importance of Reading & Moms & Grandmas

Every Tuesday, my family is fortunate to get a weekly visit from Grams. Out of the bakers dozen of her grandchildren, only my two sons live in California. We are lucky to be close enough to enjoy all that love up close and personal.

We all look forward to Tuesday.

My mother always brings her picks from her local library. The eldest always yells, "Grams!" when he sees her walk up the steps. Invariably, the next thing out of his mouth is, "Did you bring me any books?"

This week, we are enjoying Steve Jenkins' beautifully illustrated and written Living Color. I suspect this book will become part of our own library.



My mother has a gift for bringing books to life. Her talent is one she shares not only with us but with her local elementary school through a program called Rolling Readers. She's been volunteering for the program for about ten years. Interested in learning more or becoming a Rolling Reader? Visit www.rollingreaders.org.

Hummingbird at Rest

Found Sunday. The hummingbird carrion was most likely a result of a mockingbird raid. One of the cruel realities of spring. Rarely am I allowed such a close examination. Fortunately, most stay in flight, out of my reach, admired from a distance.

About This Time Last Year

We rolled out the canvas tent to prepare for a Mother's Day brunch at our house. Our eldest did his share of work.



The tent was later to be moved to a platform about 20 feet from this location. But the move was delayed until the squatters fledged.