The Lotus: "Primordial Purity of Body, Speech and Mind"...

Lovely Lotus at the Japanese and Chinese gardens at the magnificent Huntington Library...

"[edit] Lotus

lotus flower
The lotus flower (Sanskrit: Padma), representing 'primordial purity' (Tibetan: ka dag) of body, speech, and mind, floating above the muddy waters of attachment and desire; represents the full blossoming of wholesome deeds in blissful liberation.[edit] Lotus"

Ashtamangala

Wikepedia

"You must be a lotus, unfolding its petals when the sun rises in the sky, unaffected by the slush where it is born or even the water which sustains it!"

Sai Baba

LA Zoo...Animals Too!!!

Yes, there are animals at the zoo...not just flamingos!!!

Fantastic Flamingo Fandango!!!

And from whence they come...

I LOVE Flamingos!!!! It all started with my downstairs neighbor...Justine...little did I know that I would grow fond of the pink plastic flamingos she put in the bushes by her window downstairs in our age appropriate upstairs/downstairs duplex on a great street in Long Beach! The first sign that I was succumbing to the seduction of the flamingos was the shower curtain in my 40's style bathroom that of course, was pink and black. From there it was the collectibles which grew into vintage porcelain pieces. Now, in the privacy of my tucked away turquoise tile bathroom circa the 50's, I continue to display my collection year round...with a summer seasonbreak out display in the kitchen!!! What's not to love?

If you're so inclined to go and see what's so interesting about them...you'll find a whole passel of them at the LA Zoo...on the way into the main displays as well as the aviary...

It Is Truly a Small World....

How many among us are truly aware of the vastly different cultural experiences that are available to us here in Southern California? On Monday I had an opportunity to visit the Hsi Lai Temple in Haciendea Heights. This temple was completed in 1988 after 10 years of planning and construction. The temple was built by the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order (of Taiwan)with the objective of providing a spiritual and cultural center for those interested in learning more about Buddhism. Hsi Lai actually means "coming to the west". The Hsi Lai Temple is an extraordinary tribute to the beauty of Chinese architecture and the inherent beauty and peace in the Buddhist teachings. If you have an opportunity...take the time to visit this extraordinary place.

New Orleans anyone????

Born on the Bayou, anyone??? The Long Beach Bayou Festival this past weekend was awash with color, hats, beads and decorated parasols. Great food, good music and lot's of dancing were enjoyed by all!!!

Trees!!! Did DB want trees????

Trees, trees and more trees...at the request of my darlin' hubby in honor of Dad's day!!!!

Proof Positive...Blue Skies and Sunshine DO Exist!!!

I was so relieved when "Sunshine came softly upon my window today...". When I went outside this afternoon, there was actually "Sunshine on my shoulders..." and I was so happy, it was like "Walkin' on sunshine...". It occurred to me that if there "Ain't no sunshine when she's gone..." I needed to figure out who she is so that we can all implore her to remain. We could all sing to her, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine..." and maybe, just maybe, she'd decide to stay. But alas, she may only be his "Sunshine on a rainy day..." and not our sunshine at all. So I thought and thought, how can we get back our "Good-day, sunshine..."? And it occurred to me that if we meditated on pictures of sunshiny days, maybe it would become "Brighter than sunshine..." and with any luck, "We'll sing in the sunshine..." again.

I'm just a "California sunshine woman..." looking forward to the day I can sing and shout "Here comes the sun..."

Southern California's June Gloom is getting to me...