2010 Doo Dah Highlights...

The Doo Dah parade was a smashing success! We enjoyed the new parade route, a controversial ambling along the Eastern edges of Pasadena, which I felt allowed for a more intimate connection to the crowd and experience. I was part of a Corvette Cavalcade of past Queens-- afraid I don't have any pictures of me hanging out of the side of a black Corvette, but will post if any turn up. I was pelted by the obligatory tortilla and unending barrage of marshmallows- always welcomed.

A few of our favorite entries-- Count Smokula on his accordian and Dennis with his multi-colored happiness...

This year's Queen Erica Valentine, who shreds a mean guitar...

Me and outgoing Queen Skittles...

Here I am with Tom, the mastermind and organizer of the Parade...

A wacky time was had by all--long live Doo Dah!

Doo Dah is coming.

Each year, the phenomenon known as the Pasadena Doo Dah Parade hits town in a flurry of zany, good-spirited madness and ribaldry. This year's parade steps off on May Day, this Saturday!

Past Doo Dah queens, myself included, have been invited to ride in the parade with the classic Corvette cavalcade. Looking forward to that, along with the new parade route that will prance down the streets of East Pasadena. A parade that needs to be seen in order to be believed...

The parade will be streaming live on Saturday, May 1st beginning around 11:00am Pacific time at: http://doodahlive.com/

Pinball and butterflies...

Arachnids, insects, isopods, local urban fauna... featured subjects of one of my favorite LA artists Paul Pitsker. His current exhibit, up until 25 May, combines two of my choice obsessions--bugs and pinball. Ding-ding, full tilt...

You want some Madeira with that?

One thing I love about this time of year is the Echium that are in full bloom. On the hill where I live, there's a patch that raises its head every Spring, begging for attention. These purple darlings, commonly known as Pride of Madeira will probably be bright like this for another few days. They generally do well in poor, dry soils and attract the company of bees, butterflies, and birds.

Naturally, for me there comes a bit of nostalgia knowing that they won't last for long, and that I'll just have to save some patience to see them again next year. To that, I raise a toast to the other good thing from Madeira.

The smell of the ranch...

There was a party on the Westside. In the alley, I spied a gentleman pruning some overgrown ivy on a fence. Against this fence, I also spied a lovely planting of iceburg roses with nopales. Here's an interesting thing about Los Angeles-- you can find the traditional north meets south plantings buttressed up against one another, maintaining a peaceful coexistence.

This gentleman, Juan, mentioned that he'd rather have planted yellow roses but couldn't find them when the iceburgs went in the ground. His face took on another life as he described the smell of yellow roses, a humming pollination aroma from his childhood on a Guadalajara ranch.

Under a pepper tree...

Ernest E. Debs-Montecito Hills Park is one of my favorite haunts. My dog is often treated to a morning hike, wandering the myriad of trails, sniffing along the pond's edge, and taking in the views of the downtown skyline. He decided that he'd had enough and lay down under this particular pepper tree. I'm reminded of Cleo, and have high expectations that she will be able to outweep this one.

All the pretty weeds...