Going Solo

Doug and I met at UCLA.  We found that we had common interests in music and the love of nature. Doug was a city planner with the City of  San Diego.  After retiring we continued our love of traveling the U.S and International travel. We spent his final days remembering past travels and our friends and family while peacefully listening to classical music.   Doug was a kind and caring person who touched more lives than I ever imagined.  Don't grieve for what is lost, rejoice in what you have shared.

It has been just over 6 months since Doug passed away. I will try to add blogs from time to time as I learn how to use the site. The Norton Simon museum visit will be my first effort. Marie

Mingei Museum Tour to Pasadena

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The Norton Simon Museum is known around the world as one of the most remarkable private art collections ever assembled. Over a thirty-year period 20th-century industrialist Norton Simon (1907–1993) amassed an astonishing collection of European art from the Renaissance to the 20th century and a stellar collection of South and Southeast Asian art spanning 2,000 years.

Mingei International’s Director of Exhibitions, Christine Knoke, will lead a curator’s tour of HIROSHIGE: Visions of Japan, the last exhibition she curated while at the Norton Simon Museum, where she was Curator of Asian Art prior to joining the Mingei International staff. The exhibition features 175 woodblock prints by the celebrated and prolific Utagawa Hiroshige

The grounds of the Museum have a long history of beautiful gardens. The original garden was planted in the 1870s when Dr. Ezra and Jeanne Carr created Carmelita. It was the most extensive garden in Pasadena, filled with plants from all over the world, many being planted by the donors themselves, including botanist John Muir, who was a friend and former student of Dr. Carr. This was part of a day trip sponsored by the Mingei museum that Ed Inskeep and I took.

An excellent Thai lunch was enjoyed by the group at Saladang.

In the afternoon we enjoyed a tour of the Gamble House in Pasadena, California, an outstanding example of American Arts and Crafts style

Architecture. The House and furnishings were designed by Charles and Henry Greene in l908 for David and Mary Gamble of the Proctor and Gamble Company. The house, a National Historic Landmark , is owned by the city of Pasadena and operated by the University of Southern California. 

Ed outside the Norton Simon museum

"Staycation" Walk: Kensington

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Today was Marie's birthday, so before a dinner out, we decided to stroll through the bucolic Kensington neighborhood. Only downside: streets were torn up for a major water project, and an utility undergrounding program. Nonetheless, the homes and gardens were beautiful.

"Staycation" Walk: Bankers Hill

May 13, 2010

Jacarandas in bloom on Bankers Hill.

Eclectic residential architecture on Bankers Hill, including an Irving Gill restoration (beige house with an iron gate and Mission-style exterior lighting).

Self Realization Center (former campus of Bishop's School day camp site). Note elephant sculptures and lanterns in front.

Restored 1912 Spruce Street Pedestrian Bridge. Note: lush Spruce Canyon was carpeted in nasturtium flowers this mid-May day.

Apologies to readers: Due to cancer recurrence that affects the left arm, commentary is brief and may not be located exactly where it should be.

We are trying a second round of chemotherapy, to see if another partial remission occurs. Let's hope so.

"Staycation" Walk: Normal Heights

May 8, 2010

This is the first of a series of blogs about walkable neighborhoods in San Diego. Our first neighborhood was in the community of Normal Heights. This walk focused on the scenic north side of the community overlooking Mission Valley.

Our first destination was Cromwell Gardens, a six-acre estate located literally on the edge of Mission Valley. Note: this is a privately owned property available for viewing by invitation only.

The main house, built in 1927, was originally of English Country design, but has been remodeled extensively over the years. There is also a brick cottage, set within the rose garden.

The extensive gardens are a labor of love for the Parenti Estate, maintained under the expert care of the Friends of Cromwell Gardens.

One of the more unusual features is the bougainvillea tunnel, overlooking a side canyon. Note: bring a cane or walking stick to help navigate the steep trail.

Also note the beautiful flagstone waterfall.

Marie's service club, Altrusa International of San Diego, held a fundraiser there for the Wellsprings Faith and Hope Community School, located in Zambia. Here are some pictures of members and guests who attended the function.






After leaving Cromwell Gardens, we decided to stop by the Carmelite Monastery of San Diego, 5158 Hawley Boulevard. Click this link for a detailed description of their mission.

Although the chapel was closed to the public, we still enjoyed walking through their beautiful gardens. Note the exquisite architectural detailing of the chapel.