Hats, Peanuts & Persimmons

A sunset view from my window showing off spectacular colors on the melting clouds

Decided to treat myself this beautiful sunny 73 degree day in December by heading down to my favorite farmers market in Santa Monica on Ocean Ave and Main street. Had a delicious cup of coffee at Peets and tooled around the market. I bumped into my friend Ginger and met her husband and daughter at her baby hat and blanket stand. The picture below is just one of her hand made hat creations and her web site address  Too late for

Christmas. Or, maybe not. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5053438

Its a good feeling to walk around a cool, neat and hip high energy outdoor farmers market just a few blocks from the beach. Its full of yuppies, breeders, artists and hippies. I see smiling faces among the crowds who actually know my name and face. I've lived in the area for years and never connected with anyone until recently. Hmm.

Today, I bumped into people who know me well enough to say hi. Especially the tall young innocent and naively looking kid who's been selling me fresh peanuts, apples, trail mix, almonds, persimmons and other exotic goodies for years. I ask for a pound of peanuts and he usually measures out a little more as he says with glee how its over a pound. He's very generous to me and others in many ways. What a nice kid.

I love fresh peanuts and persimmons. Peanuts are perennial but persimmons are only available during a short window. I like that you really have to find the right moment to eat persimmons. They ripen during a very very short period. If you eat them too early they're a bit firm and tart. If they're too ripe they're mushy and blackened. Just like the story of the three bears the persimmons, like porridge, must be just right. I like that I need to keep on an eye on them to monitor whether the time is right.

Thanksgiving Farmers market and hidden walk

Hi folks,

Glad that Thanksgiving weather has arrived in sunny California. The cooler

weather makes the holiday more authentic. 

Well yesterday was a fun day at my life class at the E-Tribe, shopping at Santa Monica farmers market and one of my hidden neighborhood walks. There weren't as many people there as I had  anticipated but it was fun.

Bought some fresh foods and headed down to the more interesting part of the neighborhood which is in a hidden part of town. 

Unless you know its there one might never stumble upon it. So I brought my camera along for the ride and started taking some pictures before the sun set and the fog rolled in.I must admit it was a strange night but I couldn't put my finger on it.

Anyway my blogging is turning into blabbing since I'm in a funky mood, so please take a look at these photos I enjoyed taking.

Here are some hidden streets and beautiful small secret homes in....?

The first is that of a famous fig tree rooting in front of the Miramar hotel in Santa Monica. It is noteworthy in that is the second largest fig tree of its kind in the entire great state of California. "This 80-foot tall Moreton Bay Fig Tree (Ficus macrophylla) is the second largest of its kind in California, and possibly the United States. It was planted more than a century ago at Miramar, the private estate of Senator Percival Jones, and has a charming story to accompany it."

Here are some colorful Farmers Market goods....

   

Drizzly Sunday

Drizzly Sunday.

With all the sunshine and heat we've had for the last several months the cloudy skies were a welcome relief and calming feel of some cooler temperatures and light drizzle.

Picked up a rye bagel with butter and very hot cup of delicious coffee at Peet's on San Vicente on my way to Venice to meet a new friend where I pulled the plug to join a new group I now call the M-Tribe. Judy helped me make the transition with kindness and a warm welcome.

Was feeling a bit pensive but also a little better than usual so I walked up Main Street to my favorite Farmer's markets on Ocean Park. Tooled around, had some more coffee and bumped into smiling Ginger. Seeing her reminded me that I didn't send my kids and their kids birthday presents a couple of months ago.

Ginger being the extraordinary craftswoman sewer that she is will begin making some handmade blankets and aprons for the clan back east. We'll work out the details next week over a cup of coffee and apple turnover at Starbucks on main.

Didn't want to head back home right away so I read the local press calendar section and noticed a book review group meeting at the main branch of the library at two o'clock.

Headed up there and found a good parking spot, probably because of the rain. The library was fairly well stocked with people. I was surprised at the large turnout for the book group. What a wonderful leader and very sharp literary comments from the participants, most of whom were elderly women. They were smart, articulate and fearless in their comments of the book's author, characters and plot points. What an exciting 90 minutes. I didn't want to leave. Evidently neither did they as they continued socialized for some time afterwards.

Was Asian food hungry so I stopped by a Thai restaurant nearby which I haven't frequented in years. It was early in the afternoon so it wasn't crowded and they showed off a new baby introduced to the family. They were very proud. Got my food, went home and began reading and writing. Settling in to finishing this piece. Thanks for listening.

OK. Time to say adieu.
Abba