I have been out of commission at this blog recently and I feel badly about it, though I have
mentioned before that I meant for this to be a short term project. At this time I am at a cross roads because I have begun to lead a double life - office drone by day and
creating a more meaningful life for myself by night and weekends...
I began this blog for two reasons:
- to learn how to use this blogging system so I could launch my personal blog project
- to use this blog as a means to share something that has meant a GREAT deal to me...Leimert Park and it's denizens
I really can not put into words how much this neighborhood means to me while I work at a day job that has ceased to serve me, and I no longer fit in the culture. However, I do fit in the neighborhood of Leimert Park, though I couldn't really say why. I always felt embraced by the locals and the many business owners I've met and they have shown me so much warmth and generosity of spirit but most importantly, they have honored parts of myself that have gotten lost in "cubicle nation". This neighborhood has been a saving grace and I wanted to share that at this space.
I will take time to consider a way to continue with this blog because this neighborhood is so very dear to me and I truly want to find a way for the world to discover it's many charms. I may continue on a weekly posting basis instead of a more frequent schedule.
I thank any readers who have been visiting this site for your patience and I'd like to know if you have enjoyed the views I have shared from this little area of greater Los Angeles. You are always welcome to comment (please be nice and polite!) and please comment anonymously if you feel shy about it - I know how it feels! =-)
This is a beautiful mosaic/ art installation on the wall just outside of Sika's shop on Degnan; it's located in the alley next to his shop.
This is on the wall of SIKA'S on Degnan Street at the alley to the parking lot. Good words to live by...
...This is taken standing in the median in front of the offices where I work at the corner of Leimert Blvd. and 43rd/11th Street...
...This is at the corner of 43rd and Edgehill...
...This is at the corner of Stocker and Creed...
There are some Jacaranda trees on the block where I live in the San Fernando Valley, but Edgehill Drive in Leimert Park is lined with them, as you can see by this image.
Earlier in the year, during the grey cloud season (can we call that a season here in LA?), I was struck by the cloud formations that occur in the Leimert Park area, since I don't see this kind of cloud formation in the San Fernando Valley where I live. The clouds tend to break up when they hit (literally) the Santa Monica Mountains before they enter the valley proper. Here in Leimert they were quite rich and lush looking, as though they would just drop tons of water upon the city if you gave them a poke with a pin...
I also liked playing with my camera in this median with trees located at 9th Street and Stocker at the Audubon Middle School. In the far distance I could see the Hollywood sign but wasn't really able to capture it with this grey sky...
...but I did hope that I might be able to capture it on a sunnier day. My little camera could only zoom in this close but I could see the Hollywood sign from Leimert Park. And the trees have more leaves to provide more shade on a sunny day...
This mural can be found on the wall of Eso Won Books located at Degnan Street. There is a great selection of African-American literature and writers at this cozy bookstore where jazz is usually playing...I hope to capture an image of the whole mural to share here, it is so beautiful and colorful!
I was walking toward the park this morning and noticed the fountain at Leimert Park had turned into the biggest bird bath in town!
Since it might be difficult to really see the birds bathing in my first photo, I added these close-ups...
Wish my bathtub was this big!! ;)
There is an amazing tree in Leimert Park and I chose this picture to share with you all. I've taken other pictures of it's fantastic surface - there is so much texture to it. I will try to locate those close ups and share them later this week, but for now enjoy a moment under the leaves of this wonderful tree as this young man has done...
This is the fountain of the park of Leimert Park, located at the corner of Crenshaw and Vernon. The water is clear and the sound of it is quite soothing. You can find locals hanging here playing music, dominoes or just relaxing with the birds...
I took this picture of downtown Los Angeles when I discovered this vantage point of L.A. on one of my many walks in the neighborhood of Leimert. This area is part of Mount Vernon near the corner of Mount Vernon and Paloma. I liked how the haze makes the city look like it's a ghost of itself...I'll be sharing other photos of downtown L.A. from this vantage point soon!
