I have mentioned this before, but one of the things I did not expect before moving here, but have come to cherish, are the way the sky looks here in winter. Especially at dawn and dusk. It is beautiful and it suits me.

Jordan the Rat and I went for a walk this evening, in the 90 degree heat (F). We walked all the way around the block, with a brief layover in a nearby park so that Jordan could snuffle the grass while hiding under my crossed legs, and I could listen to a few lines of Henry V and watch the clouds change color with the sunset ( Read more... )

Last night I caught a few gorgeous moments of sunset. The sky a color of blue that is somehow bright blue, deep blue, and light blue, simultaneously. A cloud lit to startling white by the last glimpse of sun (yet only showing so brightly because of its grey edges). Behind it another puffy cloud in bright soft pink. The moon rising, somewhere within ( Read more... )

I went for a walk this evening with a friend. We were up in the Oakland hills and the sunset was amazing. It was full of rich reds & oranges & yellows, and lasted a long, long time. It was much more like a midwest sunset than the pale peach & champagne sunsets I am used to seeing here. It would have been nice to just sit & watch, but sitting would ( Read more... )

Monday night as I was driving the sky was filled with a fascinating mix of clouds (mostly cumulus & cirrus, for those who care). The big puffy cumulus were grey, but the wisps of cirrus were lit bright colors by the lowering sun. The contrast of colors & textures was very pretty.

Also, rum drinks can be tasty. Forbidden Island is a good place. ( Read more... )

Tonight as I came over the hill the sunset was calmly waiting for me across the bay. The water was an incredible shimmery shade of blue, Mt. Tamalpais a silhouette against a glowing pastel sky, & all the lights of the bridges & city a-twinkle. Pretty!

Then there was birthday dinner for a friend at PPQ Dungeness Island. I should most definitely ( Read more... )

A pretty & very pale sunset, in apricot, lavender, & steel blues & grays.

I hear amazingly melodic birdsong. I look for its creator. Finally trace it to a tiny, innocuously drab bird. An even grey - no parts noticeably lighter or darker. In fact, not a distinctive mark on it. Beak more like an insect eater than a seed eater. Titmouse sized, maybe a smidge larger, but not a titmouse. Not a clue what it is, can't ( Read more... )

It's not winter here anymore, but there is never snow to crunch underfoot in this particular climate, and this poem is relevant for other reasons.

WINTER: TONIGHT: SUNSETTonight at sunset walking on the snowy road ( Read more... )

Friday evening I was driving along the freeway. Ahead of me, the sunlight angling in from low in the west was bathing everything in that beautiful, rich light that time of evening can bring. I was enjoying watching the play of light on the hills, and even on the cars on the freeway ahead of me. And then I came out from behind the sound wall, and ( Read more... )