Senses working overtime #523

1 Autumn at Maple Grove

Seasons seem to be speeding up. Feels like, just the other day, I was doing a post on autumn.

Above picture was the view from my music room when I got home from school last night.

2 Reading: Earth To Moon - Moon Unit Zappa

3 Watching: Andor (Season 2)

I'll need to rewatch this season - I was a little lost in the early episodes but it has steadily got better and better. The attention to detail is superb (even if the AI generated sets look a little obvious at times).

4 Reading: Lost Pueblo - Zane Grey

5 Listening: Jean-Luc Ponty - Imaginary Voyage

Overtime: James Clear

"Worrying about the future is like watching a leaf fall and trying to predict where it will land. Stop trying to guess where the wind will blow and get to work."

Senses working overtime #522

1 The Kalicki-Purdy wedding (May 2, 2025)

These two wonderful people took centre stage and dominated the last few weeks. No official photos as yet, so this week's Jewels For The Thirsty includes some approved for publication un-official snaps.

2 Supporting Cast: Rachel and Jade; best man and beer boys

3 The G-K's almost stole the show: Poppy and Asher

4 Family:  

5 Rehearsals on Asher's birthday (May 1)

Overtime: Couples of yester-year were honoured

Senses working overtime #521

1 Experiencing: Denver

Highlights so far (or scheduled before the wedding) include a BBQ at Samantha and Andrew's place; babysitting Asher and Poppy; walk around the botanical garden; visiting the mind-blowing Bass Pro Outdoor store; a ball game at Coors Field (the NZ and New York presence inspired the Rockies to a win); Asher's birthday trip to the zoo; purchases at Wax Trax Records; Union Station and a variety of eateries and coffee outlets. The photos will come from the funnest wedding of all time - once I get home.

2 Bass Pro Shop

3 Squirrels

Park in Arapahoe Stret

4 Coffee

5 Culinary delights: IHOP

Overtime: Botanical gardens

Senses working overtime #520

1 Experiencing: The second week in California

Jade, Chris and Asher joined us for the second week and we have had lashings of ripper adventures at places like Universal Studios and Disneyland. We have certainly seen some sights - including Jesus and Spiderman teaming up to (I think) entertain tourists on Hollywood Boulevard.

2 Universal Studios and Disneyland

Farewell to Universal Studios

Y'all come back now ya hear!

Hello from the happiest place on Earth!

3 Browsing: Record shops

I've been cruising into record stores along the way. Amoeba Music (on Hollywood Boulevard) is the star turn but the ambience in this store in San Luis Obispo was superb.

4 Dining: Saddle Ranch Chop House on Sunset Boulevard

A great experience, even if we couldn't persuade Chris to ride the mechanical bull. We did indulge in toasted marshmallow and chocolate sandwiches though.

5 Dining: Mel's Drive-in diner in Santa Monica

Framed poster in Mel's.

If it's good enough for Lana Del Rey, it's good enough for me!

Overtime: Watching and listening: Whales and seals at Big Sur

I looooove the Big Sur coastline so much. This shot includes two whales frolicking around with some noisy seals providing the soundtrack on the shoreline. The slaps by the whales echoed all around us.

Senses working overtime #519

1 Experiencing: The first week in California

Fisherman's Wharf SF. Jacky loves fish, right?

I thought I'd provide 5 images, plus an overtime, from our first week in California. We went north then south (San Francisco > Santa Rosa > Mill Valley > Capitola).

2 Driverless taxi

Embarcadero, San Francisco

We had no idea what this was until we looked inside and there wasn't anyone sitting in the front seats! Freaky, but normal in places like San Francisco, I guess.

3 Nibblin' on sponge cake/Watchin' the sun bake/All of those tourists covered with oil

It's in Capitola

Jimmy Buffett was right. Margaritaville is anywhere you want it to be!

4 Viewing: American supermarkets

No Weetbix, but I did find a wide variety of
Snapples - Kiwi Strawberry is a fav!

I love looking around food markets and especially the cereal aisles.

5 Walking: Armstrong Woods

We always do a lot of walking on vacations. The redwood forests in California are beautiful. This one had obviously lived through some wildfires - the charring went a long way up the trunks.

Overtime:

Garcia by Grace.

Visiting the San Francisco branch of the Hard Rock Cafe (for food and pictures of the displays) is another labour of love.

Senses working overtime #518

1 Study break has arrived! 

Looking forward to some well deserved indulgences in California. Donuts - here I come!

2 Listening: California Road Trip playlist

Getting in the mood via this nicely curated playlist.

3 Gobsmacked viewing: Declan Rice

I could watch those free kicks over and over - things of beauty!

4 Listening: Return To Ommadawn - Mike Oldfield

5 Listening: WTWMC - Aussie Battlers

And, we're done!

Overtime: Danny Kaye

Life is a great big canvas and you should throw all the paint on it you can.

Senses working overtime #517

1 Second to last week of term feeling

Photo by Vlad Tchompalov on Unsplash

2 Reading: The Sea, The Sea - Iris Murdoch

3 Watching: Jack Irish (Netflix)

We're currently watching season 2 (of 3).

4 Reading: Courage is Calling - Ryan Holiday

5 Listening: WTWMC - Aussie Battlers

One week to go for this list.

Overtime: James Clear

"Although losing is never fun, there is a certain satisfaction that can be found on the other side of losing — but only when you give your all. To lose with half effort offers no pleasure in the moment and no peace in the long run. But if your ambitions were full and your attempt was genuine, after the sting of losing wears off you'll be left with something resembling contentment. The reward is not always in winning, but in striving."