A wheelbarrow full of colorful flowers on a spring morning, following a light rain. Photo taken near base of the Little Italy landmark sign on India Street.
Early this morning I headed through Little Italy. The streets were still wet after a slight rain in the night. I was admiring all the brightly damp flowers up and down one sidewalk, when it occurred to me I should pull out my camera. So I did!
I love springtime in San Diego. Lots of walking and photos ahead!
Looking east from Kettner Boulevard in downtown San Diego’s beautiful Little Italy neighborhood. Morning clouds catch the rising sun after some nighttime sprinkles.Little Italy streets have many public planters filled with flowers. Orange blooms in this hanging planter are still wet from the recent rain.Many spring flowers provide a burst of color near the windows of a Little Italy restaurant.A small patch of color on India Street. A nearby sign reads Garden by Randall.Some moisture has pooled in the leaves of this potted geranium on the sidewalk.More happy flowers by the outdoor seating area of a restaurant. The clear plastic that provides protection from inclement weather is still wet with many raindrops.Bunches of hanging flowers. Gorgeous spring colors are all about Little Italy’s friendly streets.Banner on a street lamp advertises the upcoming Mission Federal Art Walk in Little Italy. It’s about a month away.Some yellow blooms on a small table in the front patio of a Little Italy residence.An eye-catching bird of paradise flower greets anyone who approaches this door!Walking with the dog up a sidewalk in Little Italy, early one spring morning after some rainfall.A peek through a window at flowers on a table inside a Little Italy breakfast spot.To see lots of bright flowers on San Diego’s streets, perhaps swing by Little Italy during the spring!
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Bagpipe player attracts attention of visitors to San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park.
Real magic can be found in Balboa Park. Simply enter the place with wide eyes and an open heart.
You’ll find beauty, wonder, warmth, laughter, inspiration, and life as it should be.
All of it is magic.
A few photos…
Street musicians add magic to the park, entertaining both young and old.An artist paints the California Tower from the edge of the San Diego Museum of Art’s grassy May S. Marcy Sculpture Garden.A park visitor on roller skates passes through the May S. Marcy Sculpture Court while diners at Panama 66 enjoy life.A pair of penny-farthing riders head through the Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park on a sunny San Diego day.Visitor to Balboa Park reads sign describing an outdoor sculpture recently installed in the Plaza de Panama, part of the Art of the Open Air exhibit.Street performers in the colorful Plaza de Panama. A child readies for a photo on the splashing fountain.A street performer will attempt to free himself from inescapable chains at the foot of the reflecting pool.A large crowd watches some exciting street entertainment. The amazing Botanical Building stands in the background.One of many unique characters that visitors might see during a walk through Balboa Park in San Diego.A photography class in world-famous Balboa Park. Students check out their cameras near the Museum of Man.The very popular Nate’s Point Dog Park at the west end of the Cabrillo Bridge on a typical, magical day.People enjoy sports on the broad grassy area at the west edge of Balboa Park.Plucking arrows from a target in Balboa Park’s 28-acre Rube Powell Archery Range. I took this photo while crossing Cabrillo Bridge.A couple enjoys a lovely day during a stroll through the Alcazar Garden.Victorian street act wows a small crowd within colonnade of the Casa del Prado.A glimpse down El Prado past the Bea Evenson Fountain, from east to west, through the central part of Balboa Park.Another beautiful day in one of the most wonderful places on Earth.
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If you’re lucky enough to be Irish, then you’re lucky enough.
St. Patrick’s Day is almost upon us! Here are a few warm and funny Irish pub signs that I’ve spotted while walking around downtown San Diego.
I can resist anything but temptation.Sláinte! A toast to good luck and good health. Whatever your beverage, be sure and raise a glass in toast to St. Patrick, to the Irish and to yourself.Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold beer and another one!Drink up! It makes other people more interesting. (I think I spotted this in front of an Irish pub. Or perhaps it was just an ordinary San Diego bar.)Lovely day for a Guinness. Especially if you’re a horse enjoying a nice leisurely ride.
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Do you like to read short pieces of thought-provoking fiction? Please visit Short Stories by Richard.
These very short works of fiction attempt to dissect human life using sudden, sharp cutting edges. The revelations can be surprising.
Many endings are uplifting. Some aren’t.
Almost every time I reread one of my stories I make changes. New eyes–new dissatisfaction–new inspiration. So you might notice they’ve evolved a bit. Hopefully for the better. To read, click the links:
Kids love the Dr. Seuss displays all around the Old Globe plaza area during December Nights in Balboa Park.
I’m not in the least embarrassed to say I love reading Dr. Seuss. Even as an adult, he remains one of my favorite authors. He created pure joy.
Today is Dr. Seuss’ birthday. He was born March 2, 1904. His actual name was Theodor Seuss Geisel, and he lived in beautiful La Jolla, just a short distance up the coast from where I now sit in downtown San Diego.
I’ve included some Dr. Seuss related photos on my blog over the years, so to remember the immortal children’s book author, I’ll share them once again!
Dr. Seuss seems to be a favorite author of the City of San Diego Park and Recreation Department, marching in the Garden Party of the Century event in Balboa Park!Dr. Seuss’ Cat in the Hat walks along a north window of the San Diego Central Library in East Village.The Cat in the Hat on the San Diego Central Library children’s room wall.Front of the Old Globe Theatre features a banner of the Dr. Seuss Grinch during December Nights.It’s Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham! This fun art was photographed outside the Legends Gallery in La Jolla, hometown of popular children’s book author Theodor Geisel.
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Smiles, hearts and yummy pastries await on Valentine’s Day in the House of Sweden.
I often meander about Balboa Park on Sunday. Today being Valentine’s Day, I naturally had to take photographs depicting love, and love of life in Balboa Park. Here they are!
I spotted these heart-shaped treats inside the House of France at Balboa Park’s International Cottages.The San Diego Bonsai Club was listening to a lecture about their beloved hobby inside a meeting room in the Casa del Prado.Some bonsai plants and other related items were on display during the club meeting, as well.A couple walks hand-in-hand down El Prado and into the Plaza de Panama on Valentine’s Day.Young people were watching a lady artist paint a lovely scene in Balboa Park.A BE MINE heart banner welcomes people at the door of the Balboa Park Visitors Center.An International Dance Festival was underway in the Balboa Park Club. These folks were dancing happily to a fiddle.Hearts were placed on the sculpture at the center of the Balboa Park Club’s indoor fountain.A couple peruses colorful paintings for sale by local artists.Close-up photo of tender Mother and Daughter Seated, by Francisco Zuniga, 1971. Part of the San Diego Museum of Art’s new outdoor exhibition Art of the Open Air.A mysterious hand reaches for some Viva Pops!A romantic banner advertises In Your Arms, a production last year of the Old Globe Theatre.Someone wrote Will You Marry Me in chalk near where people walk down El Prado. I wonder what the answer was?A loving pair holds hands as they enter Balboa Park on Valentine’s Day.
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I was walking along the Embarcadero today when I happened upon a super nice lady who was trying to raise support for the Helping Hands Foundation! What is this organization? They help parents and children affected by a very unfortunate circumstance. According to their website, “Every year, 1 out of 2,000 children in the United States is born with an upper limb anomaly. During childhood, many more lose hands and arms to accidents or disease.”
I learned from the volunteer that they’re sending 100 kids with developmental disabilities, autism and other very difficult physical problems to our world-famous San Diego Zoo! How cool is that?
Would you like to provide a little support for this worthy cause? You’ll make the lives of children and their families so much better. You will add a little needed sunshine to this sometimes difficult old world. What could be more important?
This wonderful, smiling lady is spreading sunshine. She’s trying to help unfortunate kids live a better life, with days full of joy and happiness. Can you help?
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People walk along narrow outdoor deck of Anthony’s Fishette, a popular casual dining spot for half a century in downtown San Diego.
Their 50 year lease is almost up. Anthony’s Fish Grotto on San Diego’s Embarcadero will soon be no more. They are to be replaced in 2017 by the Brigantine seafood restaurant. A golden era that produced many wonderful, irreplaceable memories is coming to a close.
I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve lingered in ecstasy at Anthony’s outdoor Fishette, which is adjacent to the more formal indoor restaurant. Except when I was a child, I’ve never eaten in the restaurant. But outside, on the deck, inhaling the ocean breeze, listening to the cries of circling seagulls, squinting into the sun and feeling its warmth on my face–I’ve devoured acres of tasty french fries and oceans of fish.
Millions of people around the planet have golden memories of the place. This is my small photographic tribute to Anthony’s outdoor Fishette. I stopped by for a delicious grilled tuna melt sandwich late yesterday afternoon.
Over the years, many of the people who have worked at Anthony’s Fishette gave me a friendly smile or hello. To them, I say thank you.
You have until January 31, 2017 to enjoy this true San Diego tradition and treasure, and to say thank you.
Front of Anthony’s Fish Grotto as seen from Harbor Drive. In early 2017, this iconic San Diego restaurant will be demolished.Smiles are typical at Anthony’s Fishette. So is sunny outdoor pleasure and yummy seafood.A photo through glass of the small boat dock and blue San Diego Bay as a glowing sunset nears.A reflection in window of Anthony’s Fish Grotto of the setting sun. A golden era is coming to a close on San Diego’s waterfront.Possibly the best outdoor seating in all of San Diego. Just above the lapping water, with a sweeping, wonderful view.Passing by Anthony’s Fishette one fine January day. I’ve walked past perhaps a thousand times.Countless millions of fond memories have been made here.
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Let’s be friends. Two cool faces on a utility box in North Park.
I’ve got so many fun pics from a walk around North Park that I need to break them up into separate blog posts. Here’s a collection of cool street art faces! I took these photos as I strolled along University Avenue and 30th Street.
Hey dude, don’t trip! More fun artwork on two other sides of the box.A happy sun shines on a sidewalk in San Diego’s hip North Park neighborhood.Two faces rise from one neck in this unusual utility box street art.Cool people wait in line. This graphic can be found outside Lucha Libre, a popular gourmet taco shop.More colorful urban art featuring several unique characters.Abstract faces look at each other.It’s hot! A warm welcome on a sign at North Park’s Cardamom Cafe and Bakery.Lurking in a North Park alley–it’s a graffiti SpongeBob SquarePants! He seems to be blowing a jellyfish bubble!
Getting a balloon ready for today’s Holiday Bowl “Big Bay Balloon Parade” in San Diego!
The Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade kicks off this morning at 10 o’clock on Harbor Drive near the County Administration Building!
At this very moment, folks are busily inflating the many fun balloons that will be parading down the Embarcadero to the delight of thousands of onlookers.
I can’t make it to the Big Bay Balloon Parade this year because I have to work. But I did get some cool photos that you all might enjoy!
People were out early this morning filling balloons with helium in the parking lot north of the County Administration Center.A truck hauling helium. Numerous big balloons await, ready to be filled.This fun-looking one is inflating!Looks to me like Humpty Dumpty. With all that gas inside, I think he’ll bounce should he fall.A balloon has been wheeled on a platform across the parking lot, waiting its turn to be inflated.Meanwhile, on Pacific Highway next to the County Administration Building, marching bands have begun to arrive for the parade! Highland High School came all the way from Ewing, Missouri!Band members get off the bus with instruments.The balloon-filling had just begun when I walked by. Then I had to rush home to share my pics!It’s a happy Gingerbread Man rising in the blue San Diego sky!
Cool San Diego Sights! 