Hey, Wait a Minute!

Exactly seven (7) days, I was furiously raking leaves from a clogged storm drain in front of my house.  We had very heavy rains all morning and that brought a torment of water down the hill from where I live.  Trees were falling, roads were flooded - it was a mess....

Off of Park Blvd.

Highway 580 through Oakland

But then the rains stopped and the weather began to get better..so today we are

expecting temperature of 81 degrees in Oakland!

So I can either get my warm weather gear out........

or stay prepared for another drastic weather change....

 

Or plan for a relaxing lunch with Mr. Lou....

                                       

Or take a stroll around Lake Merritt...

Or enjoy spring flowers in San Francisco....

but definitely stay ready for the next rain!!

OaklandBreakfast 411

On Fruitvale Avenue, a cool mural is going up which depicts the sights, sounds and history of Dimond District which is not too far from where I live.  Patience, focus and a steady hand is required and by the looks of it, these artists are excelling on all points.  I'll post more as the mural reaches completion...

                                 

And then up the block on MacArthur Blvd, I found this string of stars....

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So here's the 411....

As you might know, I post my street art photos on my other blog - StreetsScenes.  Beginning this Friday, StreetsScenes will be moving to OaklandBreakfast and will be featured here every Friday (or as close to Friday as possible).  You might see some street art "reruns" for the first few weeks but I hope you'll enjoy the new combo!

A Boy Made of Wood

Last year, I was in Italy and ran into Pinocchio in Sienna and Florence.....

Waiting for someone to play with....

An empty wine glass in Italy?..I don't think so.......

Here P is sporting the latest fashion trend...a striped tee!

Back to Arithmetic 101.....

On a horsey surrounded by marbles....

Pears and Chianti for lunch with Signore Bear.....

Big Brother, Medium Brother, Little Brother, Tiny Brother....

Salute!

And don't forget what happens if you don't tell the truth!!

Have a good weekend Oakland Breakfasters!

Welcome Spring!

Sunday was the official first day of Spring.  Although it rained off and on all day, there are plenty of blooms out there to let us know that the season is changing. Here's what I found around town...

Wouldn't you love this for your favorite outdoor spot??  I would!

Piedmont Avenue

This beauty was found at Fenton's Ice Creamery....

Berkeley Farmer's Market had buckets full of color....

From a neighborhood garden....

This birdie has his Spring Coat on!

A swoosh of cherry blossoms in Geyersville....

And this hummingbird hitched a ride on AC Transit Bus..

smart thinking!

But don't put away your rain slicker quiet yet...

Hope your Spring is off to a good start!

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling....

I always look forward to St. Patrick's Day.....I love corned beef and cabbage, Irish jigs and fondly remember my Irish teachers at St. Anthony's in Oakland - Sister Mary Eugenia,  Sister Agnes Marie, Sister Mary Jonathan, et al.

In honor of the day here are my photos that I took in Ireland a few years ago....

My ancestral home...just kidding!

Misty morning in County Kerry....

My grandmother's cottage...hehehe....

In Cork, I did manage to kiss the Blarney Stone

but can't remember why you are suppose to kiss it upside down...

My cousin Jose!

Cliffs of Moher..this is for real....

Uncle Juanito and his herd of cows...wait, I  mean his flock of sheep...

Trinity College in Dublin

On the way to the Ring of Kerry and Moll's Gap..you know the place?

Erin go Braugh/Ireland Forever!

A most beautiful castle in Killarney...

An Irish Toast:

May neighbors respect you, trouble neglect you, the angels protect you

and heaven respect you....

Isn't the whole world Irish on St. Paddy's Day??

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Malmo, Sweden

My last post was about my recent trip to Copenhagen, Denmark. I did manage a one day visit to Malmo, Sweden as it is just a 45 minute train ride from Copenhagen...

Malmo Train Station

Welcome to Sweden.....

Sculpture across from the train station...

First things first....a very filing lunch of....

Swedish Meatballs!

Artsy shoes at the Design Forum..do NOT wear these on

Swedish cobblestone streets!

Even the kiddie high chairs are Swedish stylish...

The sun was out but it was even colder in Malmo than in Copenhagen...

All the rivers were frozen including this one in front of

Malmohus Castle.

The 70's (still) rule in Malmo!

 Cafe Latino serves vegetarian enchiladas...

I didn't try them but the photo did look appetizing...

I didn't eat at this restaurant either but the sign was interesting..!

Malmo was founded in 1275...it is a lovely mix of old and new

and I was very happy to have made the visit!

Bye Malmo!