Weekend Reflection: more views of the Lake

It was a mild evening and the lake waters were fairly still.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

Skywatch Friday: another clear day

Another clear day without rain.  Sometimes there are clouds in the morning but they tend to dissipate by noon.  December's rain seemed to say the drought is over; January seems to say "not yet."  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

canine companion

It was a nice day and I think they were taking each other for a walk.  Linking to ABC Wednesday.

vertical bicycles

For some reason, bicycles are mounted on several poles around Jack London Square.  Don't know why.  Biking culture is big in Oakland and every year bike lanes are added to our roadways.  JLS also hosts the annual Pedalfest.  So, I'm assuming a connection.

Monday Mural: Queen of the Deep

This beauty by Mark Bode graces a metal recycling center in West Oakland.  He also painted this one I showed you four years ago.  This new one is on the opposite side of the same building as the mermaid.

Welcome to Monday Mural:  if you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Weekend Reflection: dusk at the Lake

Clear skies and calm air provides nice flat water for reflections.  The conical building is the recently constructed Cathedral of Christ the Light for the local Catholic diocese.  Linked to Weekend Reflections.

veiled view

I don't know who was more surprised---them at being photographed or me never expecting to see veiled women in West Oakland.  Cultural diversity in Oakland is something we're proud of; seeing these women walking on Mandela Parkway taught me that our diversity is greater than I realized.

sculpture detail

This detail of a sculpture by Karen Cusolito gives you an idea of how massive it is.  Her creations often appear at Burning Man.  Spotted at American Steel Studios in West Oakland.

Monday Mural: asana bees

Bees by Ernest Doty cover a new yoga studio in West Oakland.  He has a fondness for the creatures in nature when he is not painting imaginary beings with four or five eyes as featured two weeks ago.

Welcome to Monday Mural:  if you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

Weekend Reflections: Lady of the Lake

Docked near the Lake Chalet restaurant on Lake Merritt.  Linked to Weekend Reflections. 

Skywatch Friday: lights around Lake Merritt

Our weather pattern is the same these days:  overcast mornings, intermittent sunshine by 11AM, blue skies from the afternoon into the evening.  The high fog returns again late at night.  So here is a typical sky shot at dusk.  Meanwhile our graceful Necklace of Lights creates a pretty light around Lake Merritt.  Rain predicted for this weekend.  Fingers crossed.  Linked to Skywatch Friday.

the Superior Court at dusk

This is the Superior Court building at dusk.  Built in the 1930s, it is a well-recognized profile around Lake Merritt.

Monday Mural: Lady in the alley

Another example of the murals in Solano Way that I introduced last week.  This one is by Granillo.

Welcome to Monday Mural:  if you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato

outdoor living even in winter

There's a new place down at Jack London Square called plank (yeah, a lower case "p").  It replaces a Barnes & Noble bookstore that closed without warning.  Besides food, it offers billiards, bocce ball, bowling, a children's play area, and of course, an outdoor sports bar.  What can I say, it's California.

embarcadero

This is one of a number of the former boat launching points around the lake.  They have a stately feel and are often now used for gathering, talking, and just viewing the Lake.

Z is for zheng

I'm going out on a limb here, but I think this is a traditional Chinese instrument called a zheng.  The guy playing it was engaged in a decidedly untraditional performance with his jazz quartet!  They sounded great at this summer's Chinatown street fair.  Linked to ABC Wednesday.

walking at Jack London Square

After a rainy December, we're in a period of cold, clear weather.  (Assuming you think 59 degrees is cold).  Even though we're freezing, it doesn't stop us from walking out in the sunshine.

Monday Mural: Solano Way

I do my best to keep up with street art in Oakland, but it took the National Geographic website to turn me on to Solano Way.  Check out the article for a nice explanation of the difference between tagging, throw-ups, and pieces.  Not far from the Lake, this four block alley is full of works, many by well-known artists.  This wall is by Doty who you've seen several times on this meme.  When I came upon it I couldn't tell what it was.  Only when I took the picture did the composition become clear.  Aha!

Welcome to Monday Mural:  if you like murals or have a mural you'd like to post, this meme's for you.  Just follow the Linky steps below.  You decide what constitutes a mural.  Once you start looking, you find them everywhere.  Be sure to link back to this blog and visit your fellow posters.  Looking forward your mural finds posted this week.  Google+ users, please configure your post so we all can leave a comment.  Thanks.

 “ Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”  Plato