November Afternoon Skies, Oakland

Over Eastmont.

Over Harrison Street and 20th Street.

Over East Oakland.

Over Fruitvale.

Over my house.

Monday Morning around Jackson Street, Oakland

Monday morning was a foggy morning.

About 17th St, looking towards that corner of Lake Merritt.

Looking up.

Looking out, from five stories up.

Already the Past – 42nd Ave, Oakland

42nd Ave under San Leandro St and the 880 freeway. I was lucky one morning and the stopped traffic was just right to snag a photo. Cleaned over now. We miss FROG. The guy’s pretty neat too.

I’m seeing GERMS tagging the BART pillars along San Leandro St, just the other side of High. But which germs?! Should I pull out my mask? (it’s a professional hazard, and a dose of contrary literal mind)

Walking East Bay Hills – Grass Valley Trail, Anthony Chabot Regional Park

I walked down the Redtail Trail until it met up with the Grass Valley Trail.

The willows along the creek were blooming, full of the heavy sound of buzzing bees.

The plums were in full bloom, scattered through the valley, with plenty of their own working bees.

A week later, the same plums finished blooming.

Walking on Wednesday

Wednesday I took myself for a walk up in the East Bay Regional Parks in the Oakland Hills.

I saw weaving.

I saw seed heads lighter than down.

I walked through fog, and sun through fog, and sun.

I picked the Kid up from school (yup, already) and dragged him to Alameda Beach. Poor Kid. Heh.

I’m on vacation at home this week. I like it.

Trees in January, Oakland

Dog Park, in Anthony Chabot Park

Redwood trunk, in the dog park

Redwood trunk base, in the dog park

Tree stand down by the creek in the dog park

Continuing in the dog park

Underside of a manzanita

Outside of a manzanita

Olive trees, I think, still at the dog park

Peeling eucalyptus at Chabot Space and Science Center

Tree in the rain, through a window at Chabot Space and Science Center

More rainy trees, through a blue window at Chabot Space and Science Center

City Wildlife

Grabbed a pigeon and stopped in this tree, right above us. It stayed a long time here, whistling at another hawk a couple trees away. We pulled out the super duper wildlife camera (the iphone – what can I say? It’s always at hand) and managed this photo. Dimond Rec Center, less than 1/2 mile off 580.  Ah, life in the Oakland wilderness.

In other news, my back is still sore.  Nuts.

Still, the trip was worth it.  We only went to Alabama to visit my parents so I could pick this up.

What’s this? Why, it’s Mom’s old Louet S10, and now it’s here with me in Oakland!

Such a simple wheel. Simple to take apart, simple to put back together, simple to spin with. There’s only one mysterious small plastic piece I found on the living room rug during the reconstruction process. But it could be from anything, given the boys who live here (not a lego for a change). After 5 days back (and back at work), I spun up a little of my old favorite oatmeal wool.

I am not a one-project person. I started this in the Atlanta airport on the way out. And I’ve got half a batt spun up as of right now. See?

Abby Batt verdura – 60% merino 37% tussah silk 3% firestar nylon. On the Kid’s bloodwood Jenkins Turkish Delight. Spun mostly long draw from the fold, not trying for tiny. And I’ve got another batt just like this one!

Not knitting much.  Seaming Sprossling very slowly.  I blame the back.  Because of course I would have the sweater finished last week for the cool weather, if it weren’t for my back!  Heh.

Here a pop, there a pop, everywhere a pop BOOM

It’s the Fourth of July, and my neighbors are celebrating in style!  Kiddo is running from window to window, chasing fireworks.  Why would we go to the professional ones, when we have all the fun right here at home?  The parking’s better, too.

I celebrated by sorting and tossing/recycling and actually putting away lots and lots of stuff.  All day.  I think I’ve stopped.  I’m not done.  I could do this all day and night for days and not be done.  But the recycling bin is full, and the trash isn’t far behind.  Kiddo and Papa hung out with the Richmond cousins and their other cousins and left me to my own, unusually house productive, devices.

Kiddo and I are finishing up our week of summer vacation together.  I was very happy to miss the family time today.  We’ve had a mostly awesome time, but a break is good.  Tuesday we’re back to the grind.  Summer camp for him, so not quite a grind!  But lunches, and up and out of the house, and coming home late.  We can tell it’s summer, because he has no homework.  Lucky boy.

Oh dear.  Frustrated kid.  He keeps missing the fireworks.  Must offer sympathy.

Bags of Koigu!

Walked past Article Pract yesterday.  Bags of Koigu KPPM are piled in the window.  It might be the most beautiful window display I’ve seen…

I couldn’t go in.  Not enough time.  Sniff.

Work Trucks

Seen in Albany:  Newton’s Apple Hauling

Seen in East Oakland:  IF IT’S TOO LOUD YOUR TOO OLD Stereo Installation

And a bit of graffiti off San Leandro St at about High Street (Oakland):  the usual tags, nothing special.  The top tag is Rob Lowe.  Hee!

Sometimes, I love driving all over the place.