Two Tone

It looks like this camellia can't decide if it wants to be pink or white!

Rainy Day Hike

It was raining today, so I went hiking, because I adore hiking in the rain. Very few people are out in the rain, and I have the trails all to myself. My waterproof clothes make it pleasant.



I even have waterproof pants and shoes. Unfortunately they don't get much use here in Southern California, so I have to take advantage of the few rainy days that we have.



The purple nightshade plants are in bloom now.



And the exposed wood on the dead ceanothus is gorgeous in the rain. When the weather is dry, the wood looks drab and ordinary.

Jerry Waxman 1941 - 2009

I was going to write to Jerry Waxman, to let him know that Hubert had died, and I found out that Jerry died, too, just over a month ago. He was only 68 years old. You can read more about him here.

Jerry was the phenomenal astronomy teacher at Santa Monica College when Hubert and I were students there. We both worked as his teaching assistants, and that's where we met.

Jerry was one of the best teachers I've ever had. He was so excited about astronomy that he got everyone else excited about it, and I was an astronomy major because of him, until I had to take physics!

The last time I talked to Jerry was several years ago, but it still feels sad, losing these people from my past. It brings up so many memories of those days, good and bad, but surprisingly, mostly good!

Hubert Stamps 1948 - 2009

I just found out that Hubert Stamps died last May. He was my first boyfriend, back in 1973-74, and he was only 61 years old. I hadn't talked to him nor seen him in many years, but it still felt sad. From what I hear, he was well-loved by many who knew him in Santa Barbara, where he lived. You can see some of the tributes to him here.

We were an interracial couple in the days when that was rare. We were only together for about a year, but I learned a lot during that time. Here's a picture of us in January 1974.



And here's a picture that he took of me, that is still my favorite picture of myself. I always felt that he really captured my essence here. A little bit shy and a little bit sad.



Thanks for being my friend, Hubert. I'm sure the world is a better place because of you.

Fall

All of the leaves are falling off of the Evergreen Pear trees right now.



I don't remember ever seeing so many beautifully spotted ones like this before. It's an exceptional year for them.

Cushion Cats

The cats love it whenever I bring out this cushion!

After the Rain

I love the way rain drops look on these spider webs.

Rainy Day Cats

Rain makes strange bedfellows. These guys would never sleep together under other circumstances.

Too Hot for Cats

It was really HOT here today. This is Alex and Enzo trying to stay cool. They look like two peas in a pod! So cute.

Alex Chasing Her Tail

This video of Alex chasing her tail is really funny! She does this almost every morning, and she never grows tired of it. Nor does she ever catch her tail!