BEAUTIFUL SPRING & UGLY DRIVEWAY

I am grateful where we live, in the lovely area known as The Oaks, adjacent to Griffith Park.  In late May it is especially pretty.  My favorite tree in the 'hood is a block and a half from our house.  It's an ancient colorful jacaranda tree.  Although it is not a native CA tree, I don't mind it being here.

The purple canopy spans the entire street

A bit of trivia information for you rock n roll trivia fans.  This purple tree rests two doors down from the house of Inara George, the daughter of Lowell George, the founder, guitarist, vocalist and song-writer for the 70s band Little Feat.   Tragically, Lowell passed away in 1979, at the young age of 34.

His musical talent was passed down to his daughter, Inara. whom Gerry and I saw perform at the Echo Plex, a small concert venue in the hip area of Silverlake.

Home of Inara George, on the corner before the Jacaranda

Off of the pavement and into Griffith Park, more beauty await us this time of year.  Although we try to avoid the Poison Oak, the reddish hues of their leaves from a distance are pretty on the hillside.

Two miles from our house, what is called Brush Canyon

When one gets off the main trail and onto the narrow ridge line trails, he or she is often rewarded.

CA buckwheat, a native

The  Mariposa lily, always a pleasure to see with its purplish hue.

Back home, we're making progress.  Finally, we are replacing our torn-apart driveway, which took a beating during our house remodel.  It's a huge job.  Workers will probably be here for a month as they first have to put in a retaining wall, before they lay the concrete for the driveway.

In the past week they have dug up mass quantities of dirt and rock, to prepare for the wall.

Tearing into the hillside adjacent to our driveway

It is no surprise I didn't get any mail yesterday. Postman couldn't get to the mailbox.

Large dumpster in front of our house filled with rock and dirt

Yep, we got a real job on our hands.

It will be nice and functional when it is done.   But concrete is concrete.  I'm sure it will look nice. 

Yet I take comfort I can walk out my door, and be within Griffith Park, which feels like home.