Trees at Grouch estates



I love trees.  I love them so much I've planted numerous trees at Grouch estates.  We're surrounded by them in fact.  However the tree in the front yard had to go.  It is a liquid amber tree from Mexico and its main attractiveness is that it is drought resistant and has leaves.  However it has these spikey seed pods that drop everywhere and are like walking on ball bearings if you happen to step on them.  Ball bearings with spikes that is.  The roots go everywhere and had already plugged up the drain pipe that flows water from the backyard when we get our every other year one inch an hour rain.  A gardener warned me that our sewer line was going to be the next casualty so the tree had to go.  We replaced it with a flowering pear tree which will probably be a skinny little tree for a long time but at least whoever buys the house from us will have a nice shade tree without spikey balls underfoot.

 

 

The liquid amber tree.  Sorry you couldn't stay.

 

Our new tree.  That is Kerby checking out the action.

Going bananas





I was walking to work the other day early in the morning through an L.A. neighborhood when I spied something that made me stop and take another look.  I've seen many strange sights in Los Angeles, but this has to be the first time I have seen bananas growing in some one's front yard!   Because the sun was just coming up and I was using my cell phone as a camera the pictures aren't very sharp but here is the evidence:  bananas in L.A.!



 

 

 

I wonder if there are tarantula spiders in there?  I had heard as a kid that they would hitch a ride on bananas shipped from central America and bite unsuspecting moms shopping at the grocery store. 

 

"The Bridge aka Most" The choice

So, for my latest class in my master's program the instructor assigned us to watch this short film and then write a paper on the ethical choice that the father faces.  I still don't know what I will write but I found the film to be well done and moving. 

Watch it and ask yourself:  what would you do?  It is 30 minutes well spent.

 

B-29 Superfortress overhead!

So, I am a warbirds fan, I love the old military planes (or any old airplane for that matter) and I have traveled far and wide to see them.  When we lived in Michigan my father and I traveled to Kalamazoo for their big airshow several times in the early 80s.  The sight of the big four engine bombers in the air brought tears to my father's eyes.  

We live in a designated training airspace and many times I hear the sound of a vintage aircraft approaching and I'll go outside to see what it is.  T-6 Texans are frequently in the air, doing formation flying.  The slow sound of a radial engine usually means a DC-3.  I used to see a couple different B-25s on the weekend but they haven't shown for awhile.  The powerful snarl of a liquid cooled Merlin engine means a P-51 is scooting by. 

This morning I was outside watering our redwood tree, creating an artificial mist for it so it will feel at home.  It really doesn't belong here in the heat and dry climate of this area but it is still growing and may yet make it.  It's been here for 17 years now and is still mostly alive.  Anyway I heard the sound of a multi-engine prop plane approaching.  The sound was like nothing I've heard before; very powerful sounding, purposeful, fast - not the slow, laboring sound of a B-17 or B-24.   I waited and watched up in the sky and then there it was, a B-29 and not just a B-29 but the only flying B-29 left in the world!   I've seen it before at airshows but having it fly over my neighborhood was amazing.  Yes, I did get goosebumps!  

I was rooted to the spot and watched it go by followed by two chase planes.  Then, after it was gone I ran inside to get the camera in case it circled back.  It didn't.  What a sight to see! 

School update

Second class finished, ten more to go!   I hope I can keep up the pace.  The 5 week sessions, 4 hour class one night a week without a break between sessions is grueling but I can do it!

Citizen Grouch recommends: Gone Girl

I had heard about the book "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn and thought I would give it a try.  I put it on reserve some months ago at the library and recently it became available for me so I checked it out and brought it home.  I started reading it and almost couldn't put it down to go to bed, it was that good.  I stayed up late, I read it on the train, I read it as often as I could.  It isn't just good, it is really good!

It is the story of Nick and Amy, two hip New Yorkers who lose their jobs and move back to Nick's home town in Missouri.  They were much in love but by the time of their 5th wedding anniversary Nick is thinking that he's made a really big mistake.  On the day of their anniversary Nick comes home to find signs of a struggle and his wife gone.  As time goes on Nick becomes the suspect in his wife's disappearance.  Nick seems guilty...or is he?   It is written from both Nick's viewpoint and from Amy's diary.  Nothing is as it seems. 

I found the story engrossing, scary, and a major creep-out.   It was like a really good 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episode.   It is a bit of a love story, a bit of a disintegrating marriage story, and a whole lot of suspense.  Absolutely loved it.   Full disclosure:  the Missus hated it and didn't read past the first chapter.  She didn't like the characters and as we both feel, if you don't enjoy the book, don't waste your time.  But me on the other hand, I loved it.

http://www.amazon.com/Gone-Girl-Novel-Gillian-Flynn/dp/030758836X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363931149&sr=8-1&keywords=gone+girl


 

We're all Irish today!

In fact the Missus and I are part Irish:  McNamara and McCrory to be exact on the mother's side.  On a wonderful Sunday afternoon, sunny and mild, here's my wish to everyone for a happy St. Patrick's day

I leave you with this bit from the best movie ever made with an Irish theme:  the fight from "The Quiet Man" with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.