Fenced in

Our back fence had been in horrible shape for several years. During that time, we had tried to contact our neighbor several times to see about replacing it. No response. But then we learned, through a mutual neighbor, that he had decided to redo his backyard, deck and fence.

The new fence was completed this week, and oh, what a fence it is.

I promised to post a photo, so here we go.

A timely Halloween decoration

In October, it's become common to see front lawns with fake tombstones. But someone in our neighborhood took this Halloween tradition and gave it a timely twist.

In their front yard, one tombstone reads, "RIP Savings."

Another, simply: "401K"

Nice hat

This is a wonderful photo. It's both strikingly lovely and strikingly silly.

The story in the New York Times says the photographer, Hendrik Kerstens, staged the photos to be similar to paintings by 17th century Dutch masters.

In this one, his daughter strikes the classical pose ... but of course it's a plastic trash bag she's wearing on her head, shaped like a lace hood. There's another one where she assumes a similar pose but wears a napkin on her head.

What a good sport and what a fun idea.

California Sto

People in other states refer to a driving technique called a "California stop," in which a driver rolls through a stop sign.

Here is evidence that we in California aren't even patient enough to paint the whole word on the pavement.

Anachronism Day

We thought today was Bastille Day, but it turned out to be Anachronism Day.

The radio broadcaster at the baseball All-Star Game, noting that many people had decided to take photographs of a hometown batter coming to the plate, remarked about the "thousands of flashbulbs going off."

I bet zero flashbulbs went off, but the broadcaster demonstrated himself to be of a certain age.

Later I learned that my wife, when driving home, had seen a young man crossing the street and holding a boombox to his ear. That seemed like a throwback, too.

I would type more, but I have to go repair my buggy whip.

Marines and mules ...

... and donkeys, mainly. As an admirer of Marines, I enjoyed this story from today's LA Times, about young Marines working with pack animals at the training center near Bridgeport.

They do it for a terribly serious reason: to be able to lug the gear they need up the mountains in Afghanistan. But the writer manages to capture the enthusiasm and optimism of young men who have volunteered to do dangerous work.

I also recommend the slide show accompanying the story. There are a couple of photos of the Marines working to pull, and push, their animal up the hill.

God bless 'em.

Room with a view

Attitude is everything. It's something we say all the time but every so often there are real examples that bring the old saying home. As our son continues an amazing recovery, we're convinced that his positive attitude is having a significant impact.

I admire what he posted on his Facebook site the other day: "One thing I learned from my situation, feeling sorry for yourself only gets you down. Remember this, it could be a lot worse."

The view from his room at the naval hospital barracks emphasizes the benefit of taking the glass-half-full approach. Is this a view of an ugly, government-built parking structure or a view of lovely buildings at Balboa Park?

Attitude is everything.