Family, friends, deer and dolphins...

This past weekend this dad had the sheer joy of sharing it with his daughter. Laura flew out for a long weekend and we made the most of her short visit. A native Californian, Laura set out to fill our days with an itinerary that covered visits to Old Town Temecula for Pete's birthday celebration on Friday evening with his car club compadres. Saturday was filled with a trip to Hollywood and cherished time with Reuben, Joyce and family. Sunday was set aside for a nice getaway to Catalina Island. Monday we revisited the neighborhood that Laura grew up in topped off with a lunch visit with her best friend from childhood Rachel and her family. Tuesday meant the weekend was over and her return to Michigan. I was bummed but grateful that not only was I so happy for her visit but to know she enjoyed her time spent with new and old friends along with our family that loves her so much.

Images I wish I had taken...

Waimea Bay shorebreak surfing pioneer, husband, and father of two, Clark Little has gained nationwide recognition for his photography with appearances on Good Morning America, Inside Edition, and many local news stations across the U.S.
It all started in 2007 when Clark’s wife wanted a nice piece of art to decorate a wall. Voluntarily, Clark grabbed a camera, jumped in the water, and starting snapping away capturing the beauty and power of monstrous Hawaiian waves from the inside out. “Clark’s view” is a unique view of the ocean that most will only be able to experience safely on land, while studying one of Clark’s photos.
Now with a camera upgrade and an itch to get that better shot, Clark has taken this on full time and has moved his office from land, to the inside of a barrel. Since the recent stir of Clark’s work, his images have been run on the Today Show, ABC World News Now, Paris Match (France), Hana Hou (Hawaiian Airlines) magazine, Surfer magazine as well as multiple publishers and newspapers in the U.S. and overseas.

Thanks to Gerry Gamet for bringing these images to our attention.

Jackie Lee...

This guy likes to incorporate one's middle name when addressing someone I know well. So is the case with Jackie Lee Campbell. I met Jackie over thirty years ago when we worked together (I made a career guest appearance at Caltech). Ever since then I am fortunate to call Jackie, her husband Richard and their beautiful family my friends. All during our friendship shared in Southern California I was not aware of Jackie's artistic talents. Only years after they moved to Colorado in 2000 did Richard share with me Jackie's success and recognition she has gained for her art. That is typical of the young lady from Boron, California...yes, there actually is a town in the California desert known historically on laundry room shelves for it's twenty mule teams (Borax). Jackie doesn't draw attention to herself, she's known by all those that come in contact as one of the kindest and most caring individuals on earth, with her loved ones coming first in everything she does.

Jackie works in most mediums and as you can see she delivers memorable results whether they be wildlife, landscapes, floral or modern. You can visit her web site to learn more of her work and teaching career at: http://campbellscreativeart.com/info.htm

I miss my friends that have moved to Colorado, I miss our other mutual Caltech friends, the Merediths', who now call North Carolina home. If I were afforded the chance to be selfish I would have both as next door neighbors on each side of me and life would be very good! Colorado or North Carolina, I'm still blessed to have them as friends.

Oh, that middle name thing... Jackie nicknamed my daughter Laura soon after her birth as "Laura Lou". To this day, thirty years later, it has stuck.

Jackie, beautiful work from a beautiful individual and friend.

When TV was innocent...

Gordon Arthur Kelly was born July 17 1912 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. We know him today as Art Linkletter. Art is a Canadian-American radio and television personality and the former host of two of the longest-running shows in United States broadcast history: House Party, which ran on CBS radio and television for 25 years, and People are Funny, on NBC radio-TV for 19 years. Linkletter was famous for interviewing children on House Party and Kids Say the Darnest Things, which led to a successful series of books quoting children.

Some of you are old enough to remember as a child watching these shows. Take a moment to click on the link to revist some memorable visits that Linkletter enjoyed with the kids. It's a guaranteed smile.

http://carolynspreciousmemories.com/Videos/kids_artlinkletter.html

Color it "Farmer's Market"...

Farmers' markets are one of the oldest forms of direct marketing by small farmers. Growers from the area and beyond gather weekly on Saturday mornings in Old Town Temecula to sell their produce directly to the public. In the last decade they have become a favorite marketing method for many farmers throughout the United States, and a weekly ritual for us the shopper. You can find creative artwork, baked goods and most anything grown, whether that be produce, plants and more. A stroll through the market for me this morning allowed me to capture the colors of the venue. I hope you enjoy the palette.

Santa Barbara sunset...

OctoMom at her best...

OctoMom Giving Birth - Video

In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day...

There goes the neighborhood....

The following article appeared in our local North County Times this past week. Now fellas, when it comes to the arresting officers, you gotta have a heart here. How in the world can you slap the cuffs on that poor slob at age ninety two?! ha Geez...give it up for ol' Hughie!

LAKE ELSINORE ---- Eight people were arrested this week after allegedly soliciting sex acts for money from undercover deputies, a sheriff's sergeant said Thursday. The Wednesday sting took place in the area of Main Street and Library Avenue between noon and 5 p.m., Sgt. Michael Yates said. During the five hours, the sergeant said, deputies arrested Lake Elsinore residents Hugh Brown, 92; William Bridges, 48; Johnny Fuentes, 23; Francisco Alcala Nuno, 37; and Che Coye, 37. Also arrested were Gerald Grippo, 42, of Murrieta; Arthur Pereida, 38, of Quail Valley; and Rodger Williamson, 35, of Wildomar, Yates said. All the men were booked at the Southwest Detention Center on suspicion of solicitation for prostitution, jail records show. Their vehicles were towed and stored.

Harlee is happy now...

...her partner-in-crime, Granny, has returned home from successful hip and wrist surgery.

Welcome home Granny!