San Quentin

This morning my knee felt better than it has in ten days and I managed a leisurely walk and an interesting picture of what I believe is called a "mackerel sky" If I had managed to catch the plane flying by, it probably would have been today's blip, but by the time I got the camera out and adjusted for the rising sun the plane had moved on.

There were two dogs, a labradoodle (what a silly, silly name for a rather dignified dog) and a sheep dog waiting for their person outside Peet's, both heads turned at exactly the same angle. They were an appealing pair, but I cut off the shepherd's nose.

I have taken several pictures of what I call the "Feng Shui" house. It is quite an impressive sight with a grand staircase rising to a Grecian columned building. There are flags waving on tall poles across the front of the house, flanked by two couchant stone lions, and a line of green painted circles marching up each side of the stairs. I'm told that it is the home of a great fang shui master. Once again however, I have decided on favor of something else.It will always be there, especially if the feng shui is as good as it ought to be.

On the way to the farmhouse, next to the freeway, is a field of what I call "Cammo Cows"--a herd of jerseys in a jersey colored field of dried grass. I took a flying picture out the window and really liked the two color picture of golden hills and blue sky. I hope the cows and the blue sky will still be there another day.

Crossing the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge I grabbed the winning picture of the day-- also from the car window--of San Quentin with Mt. Tamalpias behind it. It looks more like a high end resort than a high security prison. Yet it is the home of California's only Death Row. I cannot justify in my own mind the taking of a life, no matter what the person has done, and continue to hope that the efforts to stop it will succeed. The contrast between the idyllic setting (from a distance anyway) and what goes on behind the guard towers and razor wire walls is compelling to me.

An interesting day of potential blips ended with a visit to a local nursery, owned and run by women, which has a beautiful collection of Talavera pottery. The brightly painted pots from Mexico are eye catching alone, and spectacular in large groups as they are here. I especially like the winged pig with large painted flowers on his sides. I'm sure he will still be around another day.

A pleasant day and a difficult choice....