Just a few thoughts

There have been fires everywhere. "They" say that the reason is Global Warming. That car and truck emissions are the cause and the coal that the power plants burn for electricity. That could be true, but has anyone thought of all the buildings they have put up? Huge skyscrapers full of concrete. Hummm??? What does concrete do? Hold heat. Humm..maybe that is why the downtown areas of a city is warmer than the areas further out from all the buildings. Then there are the freeways and roadways. Does anyone have any idea how much concrete they lay down before they put the asphalt down? Heat retention??? Contributor to Global Warming???

OK, I will get off my soap box now. At least for a bit. :o)

We had the opportunity to go and meet with our friends in California. What a wonderful visit we had. It was a little warm the last day, but well worth the time. I was able to eat homemade Chinese food, and what a treat. Even got to try my hand at making dumplings. Rather eat them than make them, but it was great fun.

Just a few of the dumplings that were made. With the filling of leeks, egg and not sure what else.

As you can see everyone was in on the making of the dumplings, even Tom tried his hand at making one or two.

As you can see, our friends were happy that we weren't the ones making the dumplings..

And now the pan that the dumplings are to be cooked in. This one steams them.

These are the dumplings that are ready to be cooked. Look how nice they appear.

Fuchuang and Linda are busy frying and steaming the dumplings. What a yummy treat.


The following day we went to a Chinese place to eat. You order from a menu and they bring the food from the kitchen hot and ready to eat in these little tin pans. It can take up to two and a half hours to eat a meal.
Here is Linda and her friend from Taiwan and her little girl, Kitty. She has such a wonderful laugh. When you hear her laughing you can't help but smile.

The two sisters. What beautiful young ladies.

Esau, a cousin was in attendance also. He has a sense of humor and a great guy to be around.

Needless to say, when we left the place we were all full and happy.


The following day we were able to go to the Arboretum, not far from the Santa Anita Race Track.
It was a warm day, and we were short on time, but we were able to enjoy a little bit of the place.

Linda always likes to point out the flowers of interest.

The two of them found a lot to investigate, throughout the park. We have decided the next time we are able to stop for a time, we will go there and have an early morning picnic.

Even the squirrels were out for a little bit in the heat of the day. I suppose he was wondering why the humans were out in the heat and not in where it was cool.

We did decide to take a break and go to the cafe and have a drink and some ice cream, where it was cool.

While we were inside we saw a peacock up in the tree calling out. He sat there for the longest time.

And, when we came out, we saw why he was up in the tree. He was watching over his mate and little chick. They were so cute wandering around the building.

As we traveled through the park there were different zones. The zones were from different areas of the world. This was a seat that had been carved out of a tree. I guess it was the root or the actual trunk. Not sure on this one.

The Fuchuang did find some water to cool off in. The sprinklers was going, and the boy in him came out and he couldn't resist running through the water. He was happy to be able to cool off from heat.

Now, be nice..that isn't a bug on Linda. You are just trying to tease her.

At the end of the day, Tom was ready to head back. He patiently waited for us to catch up and head for the car.

At the end of they day, we hated to leave our friends as they took us back to our truck.
But, we will have another day.  Until then we will see you on the Otherside.
Until the next time be safe and keep the distance