Smoke in Air

Even though I am 40-50 miles away from the closest fire, the atmosphere is filled with smoke and coloring the sunlight a deep orange, even though it is almost noon.

Click photo for 3 images in gallery

Multiple wildfires around Los Angeles are still out of control with homes being endangered, although only a few have been lost so far.

If I were still living back in Ohio, I would be heading for the storm cellar if I saw this yellow light and sky. It is the nearly sure sign of an approaching tornado. Perhaps it is this sense-memory, along with all the news coverage that leaves me feeling slightly uneasy.

Fun Halloween Stuff at HGTV.com

I visited HGTV.com today and found a wealth of Halloween projects and information there.

For your computer, they have a collection of templates for carving the perfect pumpkin and four wonderful desktop pictures. You can find the pictures at the bottom of the page.

Small beauty in big places

When walking about the Getty Center, one expects to be surrounded by beauty. The architecture is overwhelming and inspiring at the same time, the art within is some of the best in the world and the gardens are admired around the world.

Still, I was surprised while walking along a rather nondescript, even passageway-like, area on my way to the central garden when this planting caught my eye.

Click the photo for a larger version

I must admit, I am a fan of purple. Still, the way these simple containers glowed in the afternoon sun was amazing. There are no fancy plants here, no fancy containers, just a considered juxtaposition of material. The contrast between the cool greens and the hot purples balance the composition. Simplicity is usually best and this unknown gardener seems to have taken that philosophy to heart.

For my thoughts on a past visit to the Getty, here is a previous AGN entry.