San Diego, as much as it drives me crazy sometimes, is a beautiful place to live. It will never replace the San Francisco Bay Area in my heart, but it has its moments. This morning we went to Balboa park…
I guess that is supposed to be the explorer the park is named after. The park is full of old buildings left over from World Fairs…
There are also lots of palm trees…
And it is the home of museums, art galleries, and the world-famous San Diego zoo.
But we were there for a very special reason. Mollie, our younger daughter, got her Girl Scout Silver Award, the second highest award they give. It goes back to that project she did where she stuffed water bottles full of little toys and games and stickers and glow-sticks and art supplies for homeless shelters to give to kids on their birthdays.
She even went around teaching school classes and other scout troops to do them, so the idea is spreading. Maybe you could do it in your town. My wife wants me to stop sticking pictures of the kids on the blog, or I would show you the ceremony itself.
But while they were doing a rehearsal, I walked around and took these photos for you.
If you live somewhere covered in snow, I don’t know if this is depressing you or cheering you up.
That is the botanical garden. It is made of wooden lattice and is full of exotic tropical plants.
And there is the Japanese tea garden. Maybe you should leave the snow behind for a while and come and visit San Diego…
I could meet you in the park… or at the beach…
Pouring My Art Out 
You are so cruel – lots of snow here!
Sorry… but you could move…
It’s so beautiful there…
It really sort of is… dang it…
Should I be sympathetic?
I hate it here… I miss my Bay Area…
I know. I miss it too and I’ve only been there twice. Why don’t you go back?
We have a house… job thingies… stuff…
Uh huh.
yup
Wow.
wee
😥
none of that
It’s sad though
Of course it is.
And unfair!!!
that too
😦 that really sucks. You only live once… life is too short to well… I know you understand what I’m saying.
You just got to keep moving forward.
Not me… this isn’t about me…
I mean we all do… figuratively…
True. You KNOW what I’m saying though. You can read my mind.
I know what I think you are saying…
Then you’re probably right. And you probably know that I’m right too…
I always assume your are right… even when I know you aren’t…
Good boy.
…………….
Don’t get too excited there
…ooo000ooo…
No snow here yet, but I’m told it’s coming! I like that Japanese tea garden — nice!
They have the best gardens.
I think your wife is right.
Great photos. You guys seem to lead an idyllic life, surrounded by nature. Not the picture I had gathered from hollywood. I guess the tall buildings and concrete and helicopters and CIA interrogation facilities are restricted to cities.
I think the NSA had a facility under the gorilla enclosure at the zoo.
what happened?
The gorillas got tired of being spied on.
I enjoyed the photo-walk through the park. Nice tea garden! We have no snow… actually we have no winter at present! I just spotted chapter nine, so I will desert you for a moment while I read it.
Carry on.
That’s a good-looking park…I like the bit with the plants and the buildings.
All the best parks have them.
What did you guys call cars in the 1940’s? Automobiles? Cars?
…my guess is cars…I’d watch an old Ealing Studio film or something maybe.
Don’t you know any old people???
I haven’t brought them to work with me today.
oh… how careless of you…
I’m sure they’ll be fine; I’ve left them with enough tea and blue-rinse to see them through the nuclear holocaust.
And a brollie… some rubbers and fags?
They’ll have to restart the population so I’ve left the rubbers out; the rain will be acidic so I’ve not bothered with brollies…of course fags.
Wait… I thought you guys call rubber rain boots or galoshes rubbers…
Don’t play the innocent with me…we call them wellies!
yeah… now…
pft
yup
When is the beach season in SD?
I’m actually planning to go see the city eventually, but the beach is important, too.
The water is a little colder in winter, but you can enjoy the beaches anytime.
Can you swim in, say, March – April, if you’re not into cold water swimming? I know in SF area, you can enjoy the beach, but not the water, even in the summer.
It never gets as cold here as the bay area in summertime… the water I mean.
All year long, minus a few days here and there.
San Diego…my hometown! Balboa Park, especially the Botanical Garden and Art Museum I return to each time I fly in to visit friends. Thanks for the pics, Arthur. Well done!
Glad you like them.
Oh, Yes!!! Thanks again.
no… thank you…
Nice pics.
Thanks.
Yw.