Daughter Of The Golden West

What's Blooming In Winter

2012-02-01T04:02:00.000-08:00

The camellias haven't been entirely robust this year, helped along in their decline, no doubt, by the likes of this grasshopper.

100 Years Ago

2012-01-31T04:06:00.000-08:00

Photo by Lewis Hine, the caption reads:

"Overcrowded home of workers in cotton mill, Olneyville, Providence. Eight persons live in these three small rooms, three of them are boarders. Inner bed-rooms are 9 x 8 feet, the largest room 12 x 12 feet. 23 Chaffee Street, Polish People. Property owned by the mill. Rent $4.50 a month. Location: Providence, Rhode Island."

Impressionists On The Beach

2012-01-30T04:03:00.000-08:00

A section of "The Stony Beach" by American impressionist Maurice Prendergast, painted in 1897.

At The Fruit Stand

2012-01-29T04:01:00.000-08:00

The fruit stand has a mountain of grapefruit, grown in the deserts just east of here.

100 Years Ago

2012-01-28T04:02:00.000-08:00

Photograph by Lewis Hine with a caption that reads:

"8:30 A.M., Nov. 12, 1912. Two young girls, Murry and Westover, carrying home sacks full of hose-supporters for home work, from American Narrow Fabric Co., Worcester, Mass. Loads are heavy and distances long. They hurry so they won't be late to school. They have to stop frequently to rest. Location: Worcester, Massachusetts."

What's Blooming In Winter

2012-01-27T04:01:00.000-08:00

The stately calla lilies are back - so dependable, so sturdy, such great cut flowers. If you have room at the back of your flower border, they're a terrific addition and once established, you can separate and transplant easily.

Yesterday On The Beach

2012-01-26T04:02:00.000-08:00

The temperatures were in the low 70's yesterday, so it was a delight to join my daughter for a walk on the beach in the afternoon at low tide. We walked at the north end of town, where the lagoon flows into the ocean through the jetty.

Youngsters were busy with shovels and buckets, clambering on rocks, happy for a beach day in the middle of winter.

Seeing Faces

2012-01-25T04:02:00.000-08:00

At the beach, a face in the bluff.

100 Years Ago

2012-01-24T04:02:00.000-08:00

Both photos by Lewis Hine and his caption reads:

"Photos taken during noon hour, October 23rd, 1912, at the Loray Mills, Gastonia, N.C. They said they were working and went in to work. At night I counted over thirty children coming out when the whistle blew, and they seemed to be from ten to twelve years old. The Superintendent was much disturbed over the photos. Location: Gastonia, North Carolina."

What's Blooming In Winter

2012-01-23T04:01:00.000-08:00

It's a toss-up which of these narcissus has the sweetest scent. It's strong enough to waft across the garden and elicit comment from the UPS man. In a vase indoors, they'll fill an entire room with sweetness.

Always Something New To See

2012-01-22T04:06:00.000-08:00

Another day, another (sand) dollar.

Daughter surfing (in hat).

A shell that glowed, and a string of brown pelicans skimming a swell.

100 Years Ago

2012-01-21T04:06:00.000-08:00

Caption and photograph by Lewis Hine:

"Mrs. Montemora, Fifty-five years old, is janitress for a large tenement, 133 W. Houston St., (lives Apt. 7) housing 26 families. When not tending the furnace or occupied with other duties for others and her own family, she makes flowers, assisted by her niece Josephine, 12 years old. They both work until 10:00 P.M. frequently. Photo was taken at 2:30 P.M., Feb 2, 1912, a school-day, and their only explanation was, "She just stayed out." Making buds. Several adult men relatives live with them. The flowers bring in only a dollar or two a week. Location: New York, New York (State)"

Diamond Jubliee

2012-01-20T04:00:00.000-08:00

Queen Elizabeth has been a reigning monarch for some 60 years now. The photo, above, shows her In April, 1945, training as a mechanic during World War II, when she was attached to the Auxiliary Territorial Service, and below, with her children, Princess Anne and Prince Charles, at Balmoral Castle, Scotland, in 1952.

Photos are courtesy Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis and Paul Popper/Getty Images.

Impressionists On The Beach

2012-01-19T04:03:00.000-08:00

A small section of the larger painting made in 1869 by Edouard Manet called "On The Beach At Boulogne".

What's Blooming In Winter

2012-01-18T04:06:00.000-08:00

Nothing like a punch of bright orange on a winter's day. The true name of these perennial daisies escapes me. They're prolific bloomers, don't need much water and come back faithfully year after year. We cut them back hard when they stop blooming and they come back even stronger the following winter.

Snails find other things to eat and except for an occasional caterpillar, these daisies are relatively pest free.

Stormy Day

2012-01-17T04:01:00.000-08:00

The long awaited storm brought rain during the night and a lot of wind during the day. It was cold and blustery on the beach, with white caps on gray water as far as the eye could see, topped by lots of gray sky.

After walking, we took a ride up the coast to watch the rest of the storm pass by.

Winter Sky At Twilight

2012-01-16T04:01:00.000-08:00

From the patio, the sky last night, looking west. Rain has been in the forecast, but we've had nary a drop.

Watercolor Beach Day

2012-01-15T04:01:00.000-08:00

My daughter heading out for a surf.

A curlew, standing on one leg, waiting patiently for something edible to cross his path.

Birds of a feather, well, you know the rest.

Random surfer.

100 Years Ago

2012-01-14T04:06:00.000-08:00

100 years ago, the caption reads:

"Two hobos walking along railroad tracks, after being put off a train".

Old Hawaii

2012-01-13T04:06:00.000-08:00

Impressionists On The Beach

2012-01-12T04:06:00.000-08:00

Just a section of the painting "Walk On The Beach", made in 1909 by Spanish impressionist Joquin Sorolla y Bastida.

The Other Day On The Beach

2012-01-11T04:01:00.000-08:00

Sea gulls were busy working the reefs and clumps of seaweed washed ashore, on the lookout for a tasty morsel.

It's uncommon to see a whole sand dollar, as they usually break apart when the waves push them ashore.

This mussel was shining like a jewel as the water washed over it.

Small shorebirds darted hither and yon, while a young boy burst with exuberance.

100 Years Ago

2012-01-10T04:06:00.000-08:00

Photograph by Lewis Hines, his caption reads:

"1:00 A.M. Sunday, Nov 24, 1912, and still selling. Stanley Steiner, the boot-black and newsboy, is ten years old, and sells until 1 A.M. Lives, 92 Ulmsbec [?] Ave., Providence, R.I. The other, Jacob Botvin, is 13 years old, 33 Hilton St. Location: Providence, Rhode Island".

Until Next Christmas

2012-01-09T04:02:00.000-08:00

The very last of the Christmas ornaments are being wrapped in tissue paper and put away until next autumn.

Back On The Beach

2012-01-08T04:06:00.000-08:00

It was a silvery afternoon on the beach, with the temperatures in the 70s and the tides extremely low.

The air may be warm, but the water is plenty cold and won't be warm again until summertime.

Youngsters were busy on the reefs.

A quick rinse, a climb up 7 flights of stairs and we were off for home.

100 Years Ago

2012-01-07T04:01:00.000-08:00

100 years ago, the caption reads:

"California delegates cheering on stagecoach at the 1912 Republican National Convention held at the Chicago Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, June 18-22, 1912"

Yesterday's Sunrise

2012-01-06T04:01:00.000-08:00

We've been having unseasonably warm weather and high surf. The sound of the waves breaking carried all the way to our house and drew me outside, just in time to catch yesterday's sunrise. The first picture is the sky above the hill to the east of our house, and below, looking south.

Impressionists On The Beach

2012-01-05T04:01:00.000-08:00

A beach scene by Pennsylvania impressionist Martha Walter, circa 1910.

On The Beach

2012-01-04T04:01:00.000-08:00

A family of tourists on the local reefs at low tide, enjoying a sunny winter's day.

100 Years Ago

2012-01-03T04:03:00.000-08:00

The photograph is by Lewis Hine, made in 1912, and he wrote the caption as follows:

"Mrs. Larocca, 233 E. 107th St., N.Y., making willow plumes in an unlicensed tenement. Photo taken Feb. 29, 1912. License was revoked Dec. 19, 1911.Applied for again Feb 7, 1912, inspected Feb. 13 and refused Feb 14, 1912. Feb. 29, 1912 I found nine families (including the janitress) at work on feathers or with traces of the day's work still on the floor. Still other families were reported to be doing the work also, but were not home. When our investigator made her first calls here, she found the whole tenement in much worse condition (see schedule) Children had bad skin trouble, fever, etc. Grandmother was working the day this photo was taken. New York, New York (State)"

Old Hawaii

2012-01-02T04:02:00.000-08:00

New Year's Day

2012-01-01T04:02:00.000-08:00

Father Time sets off into the sunset as the baby New Year bids him adieu.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T04:01:00.000-08:00

Thanks for stopping by! Best wishes to all for a happy, healthy new year.

Old Advertising Posters

2011-12-30T04:01:00.000-08:00

A circa 1940s advertising poster for the Union Pacific Railroad, featuring Las Vegas.

Gifts From The Heart

2011-12-29T04:01:00.000-08:00

It was a wonderful Christmas - no rushing about or pressure. My daughter embroidered new kitchen towels for me, above, and made an oil painting of my favorite neighbor, Kevin, below, to be framed as soon as it dries.

We walked on the beach in the afternoon. The sun was out brightly, with temperatures in the high 60s and a stiff wind blowing out of the north. Shorebirds hunted and pecked for sand crabs and each flock would scurry if we passed too closely.

What's Blooming In Winter

2011-12-28T04:01:00.000-08:00

We've had a bumper crop of narcissus bulbs blooming early this year. The cold nights and warm days must have them convinced it's spring already, as they normally don't bloom until February. They're a great bulb to cultivate - gophers avoid them, they multiply every year and their sweet scent will fill a room when you bring a bouquet indoors.

The Day After

2011-12-27T04:01:00.000-08:00

The last of the Christmas trees at the fruit stand are looking a tad forlorn.

Christmas Past

2011-12-26T04:01:00.000-08:00

Joy To The World

2011-12-25T04:01:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve

2011-12-24T04:06:00.000-08:00

Wishing you the magic of this blessed season.

The Day Before Christmas Eve

2011-12-23T04:03:00.000-08:00

First Day Of Winter

2011-12-22T04:01:00.000-08:00

We strolled through the shopping district last night, admiring the lights, festive evergreen swags, trees and wreaths. Although amusing, the "bird nest tied to the head" decor was lost on me. Once my daughter stepped into the picture, it was a lot easier on the eyes.

Christmas

2011-12-21T04:04:00.000-08:00

Old Christmas Advent Calendar

2011-12-20T04:08:00.000-08:00

We love old advent calendar images!

A Christmas Film For The Whole Family

2011-12-19T04:01:00.000-08:00

We stumbled across this film from Finland a couple years ago. It's dubbed in English, and although the dubbing isn't the greatest, the story is so charming and all other production values so high, it's become a favorite in our house. It's available for streaming on Netflix or in DVD form. Highly recommended for young and old.

This is what the blurb on Netflix says; "This heartwarming drama from Finland follows a young orphan named Nikolas (Hannu-Pekka Björkman), who shows his appreciation to a series of foster families by starting a new tradition: He gives their children gifts at Christmastime. But when Nikolas is forced to move in with a cantankerous old man (Kari Väänänen), the new holiday custom may fade into oblivion in director Juha Wuolijoki's enchanting fantasy about jolly old St. Nick as a boy."

100 Years Ago

2011-12-18T04:07:00.000-08:00

Random Christmas scenes from 100 years ago.

Old Christmas Advent Calendar

2011-12-17T04:03:00.000-08:00

This old calendar is especially appealing to me, particularly how the artist was able to depict the nativity scene with a whimsical charm.

Old Advertising Posters

2011-12-16T04:02:00.000-08:00

The French Line's "Normandie", circa 1900s, by artist Herkomer.

One Of The Trees

2011-12-15T04:06:00.000-08:00

Part of the little tree in the entryway.

A 400 Year Old French Christmas Carol

2011-12-14T04:06:00.000-08:00

So beautiful. The title is 'Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella", written in France, circa 1553. The lyrics, in English:

Bring a torch, Jeanette, Isabella
Bring a torch, come swiftly and run
Christ is born,
Tell the folk of the village
Jesus is sleeping in His cradle
Ah, ah, beautiful is the Mother
Ah, ah, beautiful is her Son

Hasten now, good folk of the village
Hasten now, the Christ Child to see
You will find Him asleep in the manger
Quietly come and whisper softly
Hush, hush, peacefully now He slumbers
Hush, hush, peacefully now He sleeps

101 Years Ago

2011-12-13T04:04:00.000-08:00

A Salvation Army Santa attracted a crowd on a New York City street in 1910.

Old Hawaii

2011-12-12T04:03:00.000-08:00

Saving The Best For Last

2011-12-11T04:06:00.000-08:00

These are always the last of the ornaments to come out, still nestled in their cotton lined boxes. They've started to lose their silvering and are showing wear, but besides treasured ornaments made with love by earnest little hands, these are my favorites.

Tiny glass figures of Santa, pine cones, hearts, acorns and bells, handed down over the years.

Our Colorful Fruit Stand

2011-12-10T04:01:00.001-08:00

Our favorite fruit stand was colorful in the late autumn sunshine, from deep green Christmas trees to bright red pepper wreaths.

Local satsuma tangerines are plentiful, picked fresh daily and oh, so sweet!

And golden honey from hives about 2 miles from here.

Swept Ashore

2011-12-09T04:05:00.000-08:00

A few more pictures from Sunday's beach walk. Above, a mussel, pried open and feasted upon by a bird.

What was left of a lone, tide-worn shell.

A magenta sea fan tangled with bright green eel grass.

Looking south from half way up the stairs, and below, a daughter waiting patiently for a mother who takes longer to climb the stairs.

What's Blooming In Autumn

2011-12-08T04:06:00.000-08:00

Waiting in the parking lot at the grocery store, it was surprising how many shrubs and trees were still in bloom. Above, a tropical hibiscus soaked up sunshine.

The magnolia trees were still setting buds and blooming, with flowers up to 12 inches across.

Pearl Harbor Day

2011-12-07T04:03:00.000-08:00

Seventy years on, the day still lives in infamy.

Below, a car strafed by attacking planes.

Christmas Sewing

2011-12-06T04:06:00.000-08:00

We love making handmade Christmas gifts. This year it's Italian linen (yardage found here) kitchen towels, bound with homemade cotton bias tape and hand embroidered with birds, flowers or something equally cheerful. Even the gentlemen on my list appreciate a colorful hand towel. Several years we made natural soap and beeswax and almond oil hand cream, and it was the men who were asking for more, mid-year.

Evenings pass quickly in front of the fire, with Netflix and embroidery!

Yesterday On The Beach

2011-12-05T04:01:00.000-08:00

My daughter took me along to walk on the beach while she surfed yesterday.

There was a fresh slide on the cliff since my last walk there.

Looking south, you could see all the way to La Jolla.

Birds of a feather, wading together. Below, my perch on the reef, a perfect spot to watch my girl catch waves.

91 Years Ago

2011-12-04T04:06:00.000-08:00

All three pictures are from the Library of Congress and all three were taken on Dec. 4th, 1920.

Courtesy of the Bain News Service, the caption on each reads, "Letter To Santa". They all purport to have been shot in New York City, but the lad in the middle seems to be dressed for warmer climes.

Old Christmas Advent Calendar

2011-12-03T04:09:00.000-08:00

This Santa arrived by airship, goggles and all!

Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

2011-12-02T04:06:00.000-08:00

The vow to get an earlier start on Christmas decorating seems to fall by the wayside every year, best of intentions not withstanding. We change things up every year, but the old favorites always make an appearance.

A work in progress...

Orange isn't exactly a Christmas color, but the Swedish dala horse fits right in.

A happy chaos reigns, with boxes out of the closet and jumbled across the living room floor.

108 Years Ago

2011-12-01T04:02:00.000-08:00

Rose O'Neill was most famous for inventing the kewpie doll. She won a national drawing competition when she was 13 years old, began magazine work two years later and was America's first published woman cartoonist at 22. She painted the picture above in 1903 for Puck magazine.

Christmas Is Coming!

2011-11-30T04:01:00.000-08:00

We're busy with holiday preparations, decorating the house and hanging the lights outside - there never seem to be enough hours in the day!

There's Something About Blimps

2011-11-29T04:01:00.001-08:00

This meandering blimp can't hold a candle to the Goodyear blimp, but it was a treat to see it go by yesterday.

It took me by surprise when it executed a 360 degree turn.

As suddenly as it had appeared, it slipped silently away.

Autumn Colors

2011-11-28T04:02:00.000-08:00

With the weather in the 70s these past few days, our towering ginkgo tree is in all its glory, ready to shed the last of its leaves.

Taking A Break

2011-11-27T04:01:00.000-08:00

Thomas the cat and my daughter both stopped by to help decorate the trees - you can guess who the biggest help was!

Faces From The War Between The States

2011-11-26T04:01:00.000-08:00

April 1865, a soldier of the 2nd Regulars, US Cavalry, posing with his horn.

Old Advertising Posters

2011-11-25T04:02:00.000-08:00

Before the iceberg, advertising poster by Peter Fussey.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T04:01:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving Dinner

2011-11-23T04:01:00.000-08:00

My favorite neighbors took me out for an early Thanksgiving dinner last night. We drove down the coast to a seaside town for Thai food.

After dinner, we wandered, window shopping and taking in the crisp evening air. The Armani store was brightly lit and full of sparkly holiday attire.

The toy store was all neon and plastic.

We explored six floors of an iconic hotel in town, from the lobby and great room to the hallways and gardens. Constructed in 1926, the builders were discerning in their attention to detail. Looking back at the steps we'd descended, even the stair risers were decorated with hand painted tiles.

Heading South For The Winter

2011-11-22T04:09:00.000-08:00

Over 1 million geese, migrating south from Canada for the winter, captured by Mike Hollingshead. More in the Daily Mail, thanks to the irrepressible Gerard.

Old Hawaii

2011-11-21T04:01:00.000-08:00

The caption reads "David Kaapuawaokamehameha and his one man island home". Heck of a name for a language that only uses a total of 13 letters.

Autumn Sunset

2011-11-20T04:01:00.000-08:00

We had errands late in the afternoon and pulled over on the Coast Highway to watch the light fade from the sky.

Faces From The War Between The States

2011-11-19T04:02:00.000-08:00

An unknown Union soldier, posing in front of the Union flag.

Yesterday On The Beach

2011-11-18T04:02:00.000-08:00

There wasn't much sunshine yesterday, but it was a great day to walk on the beach.

A lobsterman's float had washed ashore, along with lots of kelp and a few seashells.

Along The Coast Highway

2011-11-17T04:08:00.000-08:00

This is what the Coast Highway looked like in 1940, above, just south of here in Del Mar, and below, up north in Malibu.

What's Blooming In Autumn

2011-11-16T04:03:00.000-08:00

Cyclamen thrive this time of year and are easy to grow. Think about massing several plants together in a pot. They tolerate both sun and shade along the coast and once established, will bloom 6-9 months straight.

75 Years Ago

2011-11-15T04:05:00.000-08:00

Nightlife in the heart of downtown San Diego, in the early 1940s.

Old Hawaii

2011-11-14T04:02:00.000-08:00

Lei vendors in Honolulu, circa 1930s.

On The Nod

2011-11-13T04:09:00.000-08:00

Thomas found a new spot to rest, where he can keep an eye on the bird bath and another on the front door.

Faces From The War Between The States

2011-11-12T04:05:00.000-08:00

Soldiers carried cabinet cards of pin up girls.

Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T04:05:00.000-08:00

God bless the United States military.

Photo by Caren Firouz for Reuters.

By The Sea

2011-11-10T04:02:00.000-08:00

When my daughter stopped by last evening, we drove up the coast for burgers. There was a touch of autumn in the air and a colorful tree.

It gets dark fast this time of year.

We pulled up to the bluff above the ocean just as the sun was setting.

What's Blooming In Autumn

2011-11-09T04:06:00.000-08:00

The trumpet vine is still blooming strong, even in November, and vigorous enough to need pruning every two weeks.

Then And Now

2011-11-08T04:02:00.000-08:00

Above, the old Stratford Inn, a landmark along the Coast Highway in Del Mar, and below, what replaced it.

Sunrise Yesterday

2011-11-07T04:01:00.000-08:00

Looking east at sunrise yesterday, above, and below, the massive Norfolk pine across the street is starting to lean.

Impressionists On The Beach

2011-11-06T04:09:00.000-08:00

Gustave Caillebotte's "Cliffs At Normandy", 1880.

Faces From The War Between The States

2011-11-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

Families sometimes followed their men to war, making camp with the soldiers.

100 Years Ago

2011-11-04T04:01:00.000-07:00

Looking north along the coast, the old train station in Del Mar, circa 1910. The old station still stands, although trains no longer stop there. And now the coast is developed as far as the eye can see in both directions.

Two Visitors

2011-11-03T04:01:00.001-07:00

My daughter and Thomas both stopped by at the same time yesterday. Their happiness was as great to see each each as mine was to see them both.

Standoff At The O-Cat Corral

2011-11-02T04:07:00.000-07:00

My daughter sent me this picture of Thomas, who had stopped by to visit her and had a through-the-glass standoff with another neighborhood cat, Kitler.

The Way It Was

2011-11-01T04:09:00.000-07:00

This is an artist's rendering of what the old Noah's Ark restaurant looked like, at beach at the edge of town in the 1950s. It had 12 foot wooden painted animal cutouts standing on the bluff and the restaurant itself was shaped like Noah's ark. To my child brain back then, none of it seemed out of the ordinary. Seeing it meant we were almost home.

Halloween

2011-10-31T04:06:00.000-07:00

Autumn Bouquet

2011-10-30T04:00:00.000-07:00

This autumn bouquet is almost as beautiful in its decline as the day it was fresh.

Faces From The War Between The States

2011-10-29T04:02:00.000-07:00

A Union soldier posed with his rifle, wearing his Hardee hat.

100 Years Ago

2011-10-28T04:06:00.000-07:00

An anonymous cowboy, circa 1910.

Old Advertising Posters

2011-10-27T04:10:00.000-07:00

A circa 1940 advertising poster for a fiesta in Valenica, Spain, artist unknown.

What's Blooming In Autumn

2011-10-26T04:02:00.000-07:00

The paperwhites have started blooming, 2 months ahead of time, and freesias, daffodils and irises are all up out of the ground with foliage already. Makes me wonder what they know about the coming weather.

This wee caterpillar found them much to his liking, as he ate his way across one blossom and onto another.

Washed Ashore

2011-10-25T04:12:00.000-07:00

Walking on the beach last week, we came upon a stingray, washed ashore, with a hole eaten in its back. All those little holes in the sand are from where the stingers on the ray's tail pierced the sand as the tide washed it in and out.