Tuesday, March 17, 2026

Day 4953: The Griffith Observatory & Apocalyptic Monument


"Cowgirls": junk collage, old photo, ink. (j.long)



                                                                       
  

Want music?



    Click: Switch, There'll Never Be


2GN2S



In high school, I lived with my Dad just six miles from this observatory in Griffith Park. I can even remember it as a child, and being fascinated by Foucault Pendulum. The hanging pendulum knocked a wooden pen off each trip of the arc. Hypnotizing! One of those little kids hanging on the edge could have been me. I seem to remember them dragging me off. 


I found this article and all the memories downloaded into my 84 year old brain. Surely on of Los Angeles' best attractions, with a spectacular view of the city and gorgeous surrounding park.



A terrific date night when I was in high school was to go to the "SAMUEL OSCHIN PLANETARIUM  with its spectacular Zeiss 

star projector, digital projection system, state-of-the-art aluminum dome, comfy reclining seats, enabling a great  view of the show on the big ceiling, sound system, and theatrical lighting, the 290 reclining seat Oschin Planetarium theater known as the finest planetarium in the world at the time. Every show was presented by a live, engaging storyteller."  I also remember the "engaged" speaker with a powerful 

yet soothing voice that fit the show perfectly. A great evening.

Zeiss telescope


Colonel Griffith J. Griffith left funds in his will to build a public observatory in Los Angeles because he believed in the transformative power of observation. After looking through the research telescope at Mt. Wilson.  Griffith said: “If all mankind could look through that telescope, it would change the world!”



Since opening in 1935, Griffith Observatory has fulfilled his vision by offering public telescope viewing through the historic Zeiss telescopecoelostat (solar telescope), and portable telescopes on the lawn. 

A magical place I'd like to revisit. I believe reservations are required.



    



 



  
 
A 6 minute video, Ugly Moche, here


 
Just because ...

 𝗥𝘂𝗱𝗱𝘆-𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗲


Tuesday's Smiles ... 

 





















Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.


  


 

 

Monday, March 16, 2026

Day 4952: Happy Birthday WonderWoman! & Schoep's condition.


    
"Hot yoga": ink, watercolor postcard




Want music?



    Click: Tammi Terrell & Marvin Gaye, Your Precious Love.


2GN2S

Happy Birthday WonderWoman!!!



Since reaching 84, I find that my tears are really close to the surface and I can tear up reading a book! So when my only offspring has a birthday, it is really easy for me to get sappy! I am going to try hard not to sap this up. 
But that's hard! I read somewhere that "happiness is when your kids turn out to be good people". I agree with that, but there are also bonuses beyond that. I am just going to share a few photos that make me smile.

3 year old future WonderWoman with Mickey at Disneyland, 1976

Saturday, March 16, 202

with "Good Golly Miss Molly"
 
At 4, already  WonderWoman fan 


Erin 4, Shogun 4 months

Besties, Cheryl & Erin, 1979

Young WW and big sis Lisa Suzuki, 1980.


1982

age 8, Chicago, IL 
WW & Aunt Vonda, JKF Picnic, 1989

WW awarded Sho-dan, 1990

Then she met Superman ...
 
Engahed on WW's 21st Birthday, 1994, Las Brisas, Laguna

Married, August 26, 1995, Orange, CA
WonderWoman and Superman are still so in love, I couldn't have asked for a better husband for my daughter, or father for my grandsons.  
WW, Magic Mountain, 2009



WW, Anaheim, CA, 2019

WW, in flight, 2020

  
WW, Real Estate license, 2020


Best friends (40+yers), Cheryl & WW, Irvine, CA. 2021

GH#2, SM, WW, GH#1, GH#3, Mothers Day, Anaheim Hills,  2021

Jordan and Raquel Salloum (10-04-2025)
Manu & Jacob Salloum (12-7-2025)

Zack

Two new daughters, Raquel and Manu. Life is very good.



Latest Mother-Daughter photo before make-up



   


This unforgettable image captured the bond between John Unger and his elderly dog, Schoep. As Schoep aged, arthritis and hip problems made rest difficult and movement painful. To help ease his suffering, John carried him into the calm waters of Lake Superior, where the buoyancy took pressure off his aching joints and allowed him to relax enough to sleep.
The photograph touched millions because it showed something deeper than pain — it showed loyalty, patience, and love returned in full. John later spoke about how much Schoep had meant to him during one of the darkest times in his life. Whether people saw the image as grief, gratitude, or devotion, it became a lasting reminder that kindness given to an animal can come back with extraordinary power.

 



  
 
A 2+ minute video, Swan Lake ballet, here.
 
 
Just because ...

Black-breasted thrush

Monday's Smiles ... 













Hoping you feel all the good things in your day.