Chukka!

Today was a perfect day to take in a polo match, so off we went to the polo field at Will Rogers' place in Pacific Palisades where we joined Mindy & Chris and Rowan & Grant for a little picnic. The weather was perfect - warm and just a little breezy. The polo match was exciting and Rowan & Grant seemed to enjoy it, although after the third chukka they were ready for a new adventure.

We walked over to Will Rogers' ranch house and got a private tour from a ranger who was more than happy to take us around himself so that we would not have to wait the 45 minutes for the next tour. The ranch house is just the same as it was during Will Rogers' time; lots of great art, first edition books, saddles, and cowboy stuff. The kitchen was incredible, with plates, glasses and appliances from the 1930s that the Rogers family used on a daily basis.

Later we hiked up to the barn and checked out the old stables.

But what Rowan & Grant liked the best, I think, was the abundance of sticks and soft dirt and, oh yes....

the herd of very friendly deer they discovered behind the barn. Handsome fellow, don't you think?

Julia Wheelock Dec. 30, 1897 - Mar. 14, 1929

This is my maternal grandmother. Her first marriage was in 1918 and she had two children, Henrietta and Harry. Shortly after Harry was born Julia's husband Henry died. One year later she married my grandfather, Lee Albert Wheelock. She had 7 children with Lee; Myrtle Eva in 1920, Dorothy Della in 1921, Baby Boy who died at birth in 1922, Adeline Winnifred in 1924, Baby Girl who died at birth in 1926, John Arthur Wheelock in 1927 and Elizabeth Leona in 1929. My mother was Elizabeth Leona.

Nine days after my mother was born, her mother Julia died. Julia was only 32 years old.

The two children from Julia's first marriage, Henrietta and Harry, were given by Lee to a local family to adopt. My mother, a newborn, was given to another local couple who were childless.

All of these children grew up in the same small town in Illinois, but my mother had no idea who her siblings were until she was older. She fell in love with one of them and her parents had to tell her that this boy was her brother.

My mother Elizabeth married someone else when she was sixteen and had my sister Cathy (the dragon). Shortly after Cathy was born, Elizabeth and her husband divorced. She met my father, married him and I was born. Nine years later my sister Debra was born.

Back to Julia...she is buried with one husband on her right and the other husband on her left.

Magnolia Bakery

The much anticipated Magnolia Bakery opened yesterday at noon on the corner of Orlando and W. 3rd Street, just a short walk from our house. Even though people were queued up outside to get in, we decided to jump in line too. There's something exciting about walking into a brand new place on the very first day. While in line we were served samples of their banana pudding and red velvet cake. The banana pudding was chilled just right and contained fresh bananas, vanilla pudding and layers of vanilla wafers - wow! The red velvet cake was just o.k., the sample didn't have any topping on it so it seemed dry.

I ordered a pretty vanilla cupcake with yellow frosting and a pink flower on it. Larry ordered the key lime mini cheesecake. He gave me a bite and I almost passed out - it was SO rich and good.

The bakery originated in New York and now has locations in Dubai and here in Los Angeles. The people who work as bakers and order takers are so lovely. This is a wonderful addition to our W. 3rd Street neighborhood.

Happy Birthday Rowan & Grant

Today my twin grandsons are five years old. Thank you Mindy and Chris for providing us these amazing, funny, sweet, darling boys.

Rowan Christopher

Grant Oliver

Cactus Ranch

A couple of weeks ago we went to the Cactus Ranch out in the valley - Reseda to be exact. This place was amazing. We were looking for unusual succulents and we heard that this place has a huge assortment. Cactus Ranch seems to be the nickname for "California Nursery Specialties". They are open to visitors only on Saturdays and Sundays. The prices are pretty good - $2.00 for a 2" plant or $22.00 for a dozen 2" plants, $4.00 for a 4" plant or $44.00 for a dozen 4" plants. Cash or checks only.

They even have dinosaurs!

They utilize all possible growing areas on their 1 1/2 acres, including the roofs of out-buildings.

Feed me!

Look at these beauties!

Looks like spiny New York City high-rises.

Irresistible!

My closet screamed out for them, I had no choice.

[Photo taken with my iPhone using the "Hipstamatic" app]