San Diego Mission Part 2 Inside

I stepped into the side door into this large sanctuary and it took my breath away!
I never expected it to be so long and so beautiful and so holy. Well, yes, I did expect the holy.

Looking from the back.

Looking to the back.
Notice the painted ceiling!
The 14 Stations of the Cross
are copies of the originals.

Closer to the altar and you
can see the canopy which
identifies this mission as a
basilica, an honor bestowed
upon a church by the pope.

A candle for my son Charles.
He would have been 46 today.
He committed suicide in 1986.

The scallop over the door is a
liturgical symbol of baptism.
It is also used by some pilgrims.

The chapel or "Capilla"
 was more the size
I was expecting.

I hope you can see the animal faces
on the ends of the beams.

Casa de los Padres

I've learned that 4th graders have
to make a model mission as
required by California's schools.

San Diego Mission Part 1 Outside March 6, 2013

First California Mission founded by Fr. Serra in 1769, the first of many missions along the coast of California. As it happened, it is also the first mission I'm visiting.

From the street view.

San Diego de Alcala'

I was amazed at these blooms!
I remember the plant from when
we lived in California, but not
the blooms.

I couldn't believe how large
 these Aloe Trees are!

A kind tourist took my photo.

Always archeology digs going on. 

A beautiful fountain and grove
in the back parking lot. There
was a metal Pieta' but my camera
didn't cooperate with the sun.

The  Kumeyaay American Indians lived here
during the mission days and built this 'Ewaa,
a home made from willow trees. The adobe
oven had a chameleon sunning himself on top.

This cactus has so many
thorns it looked fuzzy!

A good explanation of the Roof Restoration Project.
I don't know if you can see the large screw in the beam
as it's in the shadow.

In the courtyard behind the bells.

Love this statue. All the
statues had real flowers.

St. Francis is standing
on a water fountain.

Interesting grist mill wheels.
I was peacefully making my
way around the courtyard,
engrossed in taking my photographs,
and just happened to be right under
the bells when they began to ring.

Look carefully on the lower left bell and
you will see a man ringing the noon bells.
He wore ear protection like they wear
on carrier decks!

Cousins at DiMille's March 3, 2013

I've emailed and exchanged Christmas Cards with Libby Nyblade for years. She has twin girls who were preemies and are now 24 and visually impaired. Or as the twins say, visually inconvenienced. Facebook as brought us closer and the girls use electronics like all teens. Alicia is in college and couldn't join us. Heather has recently returned home from San Francisco learning how to live independently and is job hunting. We were also joined by Libby's sister Kathy Jo which was my pleasure to meet for the first time. You have already met their parents Bill and Cynthia Nyblade in Phoenix.

Heather, Kathy Jo, Libby, Carolyn
p.s. they got their beautiful eyes from their Mom.
Now we get techie:
Kathy Jo and Libby are 2nd cousins once removed.
Heather and Alicia are 2nd cousins twice removed.
All "twice removed" means is 2 generations away.
Makes sense if I'm 70 and Heather is 24!

We met at Di Mille's Sunday Brunch, a sampling of
fantastic Italian breakfast and lunch.
We sat outside under the red umbrellas on the right.

It's not a blue
vase but an
attractive shape
and a real flower.

Simply Delicious!

Grocery shopping
and found a jar
of sliced cactus!
Don't think this is on
my menu', thank you. LOL

St. Matthew's Episcopal Church Feb 24, 2013

I'm staying in San Diego Navy Gateway Inn on the "dry side". I've never seen a base with 34+ gates. It took me a week to find my way around! It's a very nice room and the laundry is across the sidewalk. I want to catch up on this blog, so I'm not going out very much. The Internet service fades in an out and I'm going through 2,722 of mine, Mary Ann's, Catherine's and Skylar's photos! It's a good thing I have lots of patience. I did get to church both Sunday's, a Friday Stations of the Cross, and I got to know the people of the church family. They participate in the Stations and a soup meal every Friday night during Lent.

Built in 1887.
Today it has
multilingual services.

Timbers were brought around
 the Horn. Construction is
of California Redwood.

Me with the Prayer book
in English and Spanish

Fr. Peter who is from the
Philippines and lived
10 yrs in Columbus, MS.

The Bible is propped on a pillow
on the altar.

National City, CA
is by the Base

Stations of the Cross Friday
night with lentil soup
and a Philippine soup with
shrimp and fishballs.
Both were really good.

Alcove

Looking from the Altar. There is a balcony.
The alcove is on the left near the rear.
Can't you just see the spirit alive and well here?

Nancy Olson and Malibu Park

Cynthia and I had lunch with our famous movie-star cousin Nancy Olson. She was delightful and lovely as she shared her part of our family stories. I did take notes.
I will add that she starred in Sunset Boulevard in 1950, with Fred MacMurray in the 60's and several parts throughout the years and even today.

Cynthia Kelly and Nancy Olson
1st cousins

Carolyn and Nancy
2nd cousins

One day, I drove north on Pacific Coast Highway and enjoyed an outing in Malibu Park.

A delightful spring day for flag football.
Pepperdine tower is in the background.

This doens't look like Charlie but he would love it!
He was umpire for Arlington Little League

Spring Practice
has begun.

It's Spring for the animals, too.

Berry Cake at Sweet Lady Jane's
with Cynthia after choir practice.

Jacksonville has the eastern end of I-10 as it merges into I-95 going north and south.
Santa Monica has the western end of I-10 as it merges into Pacific Coast Highway.
I didn't get a photo as I approached the Pacific, but I got one leaving. I wish I had a windshield camera, but California has a law that you cannot mount anything on the windshield, even a GPS.

Disney Philharmonic Hall Feb 20, 2013

In October 2003, the doors to one of the world’s most celebrated venues – the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall – were opened and the Los Angeles Philharmonic took the stage in its new home, which has become known not only as a local cultural landmark, but also as “…a sensational place to hear music... In richness of sound, it has few rivals on the international scene, and in terms of visual drama it may have no rival at all.” (The New Yorker)

L.A. skyline at dusk

Street near the Hall

Courtyard for four halls of the
Los Angeles Music Center

Pinot Grille

It was a cool evening so they
had covered the Grille for warmth.

I was outside for the photo.
Cynthia is inside.

We split an apple dessert!

Walt Disney Concert Hall

My photo of the Hall

You definitely need an aerial view
to get the whole picture!

The Pipe Organ was designed and built by
Rosales Organ Builders and architect Frank Gehry.
It has 6,125 pipes from the size of a pencil to
as large as a telephone pole.