Rocks

Today I volunteered at the Holiday Craft Workshop for the last time in my Elementary School Volunteer Mom career. My assigned table was dedicated to the creation of pet rocks. I did my time with felt squares, pompoms, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes of assorted sizes. And it was grand.


(I've been getting some questions about the fires. The wildfires here in southern California rage on, but save for a little smoke, we have been fortunate to not be affected so far. XoXo)

How Lovely Are Thy Branches

I usually end up decorating the tree by myself. Mr. Rosenberg will hang the lights and Bob will put up an ornament or two and then move on. This year was a new deal. Since ye olde shoulder is not great, this guy took it upon himself to decorate the whole tree. There was hot chocolate and Christmas music and a little story about each ornament. Assuming my shoulder is 100% next season, I still might fake it anyway.

Pals

The smoke detector went off tonight due to another battery situation. Teddy hates the sound of the smoke detector. (Who can blame him?) He ran out to the back porch as soon as the door opened and wouldn't come back in. He wouldn't even come in for a dog snack I waved wildly in the air while I encouraged him to come in an annoying sing-songy voice. (Who can blame him?)

Levi went out to get him and ran in and out four times to show him it was ok. Teddy wouldn't budge so Levi gave up and just stayed out there to keep him company. Now neither of them will come in.

Have a good evening.

The Tinsel Tree

For quite some time, I've been looking for a little tree to house the glass bird Christmas ornaments I've been collecting for the past thirty years. Last summer I found this little tinsel number. I set it up this evening on the piano and it's making me very happy.

Smacksy Sunday Links

At Descanso Gardens

Turning towards instead of away.

Words journalists write that no one ever says.

They've made this tiny house thing work for them.

A 1920s secret society clubhouse. 

And a raccoon eating grapes.

Happy Sunday.

Smacksy Saturday Photo: Super

I am always astonished that wherever, whenever we are, we look up and all see the same moon.

I Still Dream I Live in the Villa Carlotta

In 1992, I was looking for a new apartment. I was specifically looking in Hollywood near my job on Ivar Ave just south of Hollywood Boulevard. I found myself looking at an apartment in a building called the Villa Carlotta on Franklin. It was beautifully shabby in an artsy old Hollywood way. The apartment that was available had a murphy bed and a Juliette balcony overlooking the garden patio in the center of the building. Pets were allowed. I wanted it.

I was offered the place. Then I told the manager I had a labrador. They only allowed small pets. Stella was too big for the Villa Carlotta. I soon found a place in another old building that would accept me and Stella, six blocks away on Argyle Ave. It was fine, but it wasn't the Villa Carlotta.

Since then, a handful of times a year, I have dreams that take place in that apartment I never lived in. I had another of those dreams just recently. I searched for more information about the building. This article describes it well. This one is fascinating.  This has some great photos. This article gives an update.

Oh, Villa Carlotta. I wonder if she dreams of me too.