The Sunday Traveler~ A Quick Shot in Playa del Carmen

Memories of a lunch on the beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

Photo Rehab ~ The First Exam

First exam so cold

his world awaited

hugs and kisses

~~~~

Photo Rehab is sponsored by Lucile de godoy, and you can find out more about it on her blog.

 

Phoneography Challenge~The Green, Green Grass of Home

Sheep hanging on a hillside. In Northern California, the hills are alive, and oh so green. This photo was taken a couple of weeks ago as we drove through a pass in San Francisco’s East Bay.

Photo taken with a Samsung Galaxy for entry into the weekly phonegraphy challenge hosted by Lens and Pens by Sally.

Title used is from the song written by Claude “Curly” Putman, Jr.

Photo Clinic Rehab ~The Word on the Street

I’ve decided I need rehab, and what better place than at Lucile’s Photo Clinic Rehab. Lucile had a challenge for photo rehab back in December, and patients decided they were having withdrawal symptoms and needed more rehab. I know I fit the description of needing some rehab. See the link for particulars.

A Sunday Traveler Quick Shot~ In San Francisco

The sidewalk café; Café de la Presse. In the warm sunshine of San Francisco. Rain is needed, but this warm spring-like weather of February is so incredibly enjoyable.

After The Rains Came

To the artist there is never anything ugly in nature ~Auguste Rodin

The rains came leaving green hills and valleys covered with wildflowers strewn about like gold; poppies and mustard stretching for miles. And in the garden, the roses that had decided to come forth were left to their own devices, dealing with the aftereffects of the rain the only way they knew how.

Phoneography Challenge in Black and White~A Tray of Miracles

A Mexican custom in seeking help from the Divine, asking for a miracle to overcome some health issue, requires buying a little silver totem that represents the location of your health problem, and taking it to a church to put by a statue of the saint you pray to for help. This tray of milagros (miracles) was only hearts, but usually there are many different totems for arms, legs, etc. I am sure these hearts were out for Valentine’s Day, but if one looks beyond that…….anything is possible.

Photo taken with a Samsung Galaxy for inclusion in today’s challenge brought to us by Lens and Pens by Sally.

The Sunday Traveler~ Quick Shot In A Winery

A quick shot of Wente Winery in Livermore, California. Grapes that are grown in this incredible valley of Northern California rival any of those in Napa, Sonoma, or the surrounding wine country area. A  forty minute drive across the San Francisco Bay Bridge, into the East Bay and you’re here. Wente has a wonderful restaurant with exquisite offerings of fresh, locally grown foods, and outdoor seating under shady oaks; there is also an onsite golf course that has a lovely café with outdoor seating to enjoy a casual meal and glass of wine, with vineyards at your feet.  There are about forty wineries in the Livermore area, so make a weekend of it if you have the time.

Getting My Spring Back On

Northern California has decided to celebrate spring; why wait. The hills and canyons around me are a resplendent green, and the trees? Just look at what they’re doing!

As a side note today, I would like to thank all of the new followers I have had in the last several weeks, and I will be paying visits to your blogs soon. I would also like to let everyone know that my visits to your blogs have been few and far between of late due to ongoing health issues with my daughter. Things are on the upswing and slowly improving, so I’ll be back again soon.

The blossoms pictured above are in my son and daughter’s back yard. I may not be posting a lot, but my eyes are always on the search for beauty.

The Sunday Traveler~Chinatown Markets In Living Color

To see the real action, just migrate up a couple of blocks from the tourist area of San Francisco’s Chinatown. Weekends seem especially busy with people buying produce for the week, or maybe just that evening’s meal.

I spent an afternoon wandering up and down just about two square blocks of Chinatown, entranced by the street stands with fresh vegetables and fruit. And the people. It was a busy place!

I think this could be any place in the world. This just happens to be my little corner of said world.

Chinatown SF

Chinatown SF

Chinatown SF

Chinatown SF

Chinatown SF

Chinatown SF

I know Chinatown is in the tourist book, but venture further than the few streets mentioned in the book. It’s just a matter of blocks.

I’ll post a few more photos here and there throughout the weeks to come.