.
Recently I re-read Parmahansa Yogananda’s Autobiography of a Yogi. It was all quite fantastical and did not tempt me to sign-up. But then as far as I know no one has been killed in the name of the Self-Realization Fellowship.
This pair was particularly ‘active’ today, chasing each other, making grand displays, generally acting as if it was Spring already.
Here’s some text I copied from the Lake Shrine website about how the Fellowship came to buy this property in the mid-1940s:
(…the owner had written to Parmahansa Yogananda offering to sell him the property based on a dream from the night before.) “Rather than waiting until the letter arrived the man telephoned Self-Realization Fellowship headquarters later that morning. Coming to the phone, Paramahansa Yogananda said–before the man could introduce himself or explain his purpose—“You have some property for sale, don’t you? When can I see it?”
“But you haven’t received my letter,” the man replied.
“The letter will come tomorrow morning,” the Guru told him. “Can we meet tomorrow afternoon?”
Paramahansaji visited the lake and its grounds the next day, and immediately began making plans for the open-air shrine of all religions he wished to establish in Los Angeles. Shortly thereafter, with the help of several generous benefactors, he was able to acquire the property, and the Lake Shrine was born.”
January 12
The orange tree is doing the same thing. I’ve got to get these babies picked and given away!
Nancy and I saw Another Year this evening. I liked it a Lot. As usual you can read the Roger Ebert review that expresses my feelings rather precisely.
January 11
It’s Rome and her around-the-corner friend Daniella. Here they are, Rome and Daniella in 2008.
January 10
Today I helped Lynn get her website together and it was good fun, and satisfying too because Lynn was committed and did all her parts right on time.
January 9
Susie and Elizabeth and I took an excellent morning walk from Susie’s house down to the beach, along the boardwalk, and back by way of this blocks-long city park.
I totally could not see these guys with my eye they were so small and so far away but no one could miss knowing they are there since they are so loud. I just shot up in the direction of them and pulled this out of the frame.
It seems there are flocks of parrots around Hermosa Beach much like the Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill.
Then I went with Ken and Bill to see True Grit and eat dinner at The Odyssey. The waiter took this picture on the veranda – I had the flash set at ‘fill’ which produced a very entertaining result.
And more. Two at UC Santa Barbara and a law school student. More degrees than you can shake a stick at. And delightful folks all.
We closed down the place. We stayed so late the tram was done and they had to call a van to come pick us up.
Thank You Les and Happy Birthday Elizabeth, what a Treat!
Happy Birthday Elizabeth! Elizabeth and her family and friends.
Sooo many college professors. Makes me want to read a book. We’ve got two at Harvard, plus Carl and Lynn.
January 8
Happy Birthday Elizabeth! What a fiesta Les and Elizabeth hosted at The Restaurant at the Getty.
January 7
They’ve redone their decor over at Drago. They’ve reduced the number of items on offer too. But the food is still wonderful and it was fun to see my ex-boss again.
January 6
Ann, Marija, and I met for lunch at the sushi bar in the north valley. Ladies, I failed to notice that your eyes were closed Marija, and I had you out of focus Ann…but YUM on the food.
Around 4 I left the valley and drove downtown to pick up Elizabeth, visiting from Boston, and we did a little downtown LA turn.
An organist was playing at the Cathedral and we had his concert all to ourselves. They close the building at 6pm and by 5:45 we were the only ones there. What an excellent treat.
After visiting the Cathedral we walked through the Music Center complex, through Disney Hall and the Disney garden…
…and it was Free Thursday at MOCA which is always a delight. At the moment a room is devoted to Franz Kline’s work (a MOCA favorite of mine) and wow, a guy here who so clearly belongs.
We had dinner at Philippe’s. Oh yeah. Elizabeth was particularly pleased as she had never seen any of these places. Welcome to LA!
January 5
I’m out with Sharon for The Beach Walk where, half-way through snacks and beverages await. We walk-walk-walk, nice pace, no stopping. . .except for the occasional photo of course.
At the end of Pico Blvd., the two snappy hotels on the boardwalk, Shutters and Casa del Mar.
…the kids are chatting among themselves. A couple hours later and a few more kids in play – I should have taken an after picture to go with this before!
I could mention the six perfect homemade oatmeal-walnut-chocolate chip cookies I ate. .YUM. .ahh, the memory.
January 3
I saw Rabbit Hole today with Nancy. It was very well done – I wept from moment first to moment last. You’ll want to bring Plenty of tissue.
It was Celina’s birthday too – the Shutmans drove out west and I got to go to dinner with the fam. Lucky me!
January 2
Carl and Lynn and I shared our respective trip-to-India pictures today. Their two weeks were fanTAStic and they had wonderful photos.
My trip was in 2002 with my first digital camera when I didn’t have the website idea down in its current form and the pictures are pathetic. Pathetic I tell you. 2011 Resolution! Redo those photos!!
(internet pic)
January 1
Happy New Year! After Marsha and Tom’s party last night I slept over at Sharon’s. And then Sharon cooked. For breakfast we had welcome coffee of course, a great egg bake, fresh biscuits, and homemade jam, and watched the Rose Parade.
Nancy came over and made salad, and we ate that, yum, and Sharon’s bean and ham bone soup and fresh cornbread.
Ahh, good food and fine friends, what a wonderful way to welcome the New Year.
I stopped by at Ann’s to see Josh and Carrie and fabulous little Clara who are all returning to Belgium tomorrow, to Josh’s posting with NATO. It was lovely to see them!
(I do have a special attachment to Josh and Carrie because I went to their utterly spectacular Southern Belle wedding in Atlanta back in 2007.)
November 3
I set the alarm and rose with the dawn to reach the Supreme Court in time to get a seat to hear oral arguments. Yes! I sat at the Supreme Court for two hours.
But first I had to stand out in the FA-REEeezing cold from 8:20 until 9:50. One hour and thirty minutes. Fortunately I didn’t make friends with anyone in line so I wasn’t tempted to verbalize the tale of my discomfort. And once in I forgot all about it and let myself be taken over by the experience.
