A place for my photos and thoughts and stuff.
Horsey touches everywhere.
The fountain, engraved with the names of the winners of the Santa Anita Handicap. Up to a point. They’re gonna need a bigger fountain.
Looking down judgmentally at all of the gambling going on.
One of the many statues in the paddock gardens.
I’ve always loved this pot.
Mare and foal topiary.
The paddock gardens really are beautiful.
They’re doing that public art thing with horses painted by various artists. I kind of liked this one. Sort of mod.
Training great Charlie Whittingham and his dog Toby.
All-time Santa Anita stakes winner John Henry, humble of origin, plain of form, fleet of foot, and evil of temper.
Breeder’s Cup championships will be held here in November, and I am to be there.
The immortal “people’s horse”, Seabiscuit.
Zenyatta, the Queen of Racing. Saw her in person many times. There will never be another like her.
One of the carriage horses that carries the stewards to their posts. He wanted candy, but I only had carrots. Can’t you sense his disappointment?
Headed to the paddock to get saddled.
Looking ready for a race.
On his toes.
Friendly lead pony would only eat mints. He rejected the carrot I offered. Can you sense his disappointment?
Photo op featuring a cardboard cutout of the great Flightline and Flavien Prat.
Flightline rejected my carrot also.
Santa Anita – built in the mid-1930s – is pure art deco heaven…
Look at those beautiful friezes and those curves….
Grandstand windows and wonderful wrought iron detailing…
The clubhouse…
Also the clubhouse…
Another look at the friezes. I’ve always loved them.
Entrance to the paddock and beyond, the jockey’s room.
Asiatic lilies gone wild!
With dog, for scale.
Yellows…
Reds…
Pinks…
And one weirdo that can’t decide…
There were also a few whites that I missed. The day-glo orange ones did not make an appearance this year.
Where are we going today?
Wonderfully colored succulents.
This tells you about when the sidewalks were redone last.
Gorgeous organ pipe cactus.
Security duck keeping an eye on the neighborhood.
That’s my expression when I have Chinese food too!
A lovely day spent in the company of the lovely ladies of my Bible study group. Train trip, lunch, and some wanderings. Excellent!
So green and superbloomy!
I kind of liked the WWI getup, but it’s hard to top the barefooted leg gaiters look.
You can almost hear them rustling in the breeze.
Treebeard!
Old Mr. Tree looks pretty good 220ish.
The way home…
Orchids are just…weird.
The answer, of course, is, “It’s your fault if something happens because no one will do anything about the wild predator coming over your wall to eat your pet.”
Beautiful succulents.
White irises.
Little free library with an excellent selection of kids books. I know this because I’ve donated quite a few.
Alfie, waiting for her friend Mr. Toes to come at her by sticking his feet under the fence. Judging from their size, this dog is as big as a Clydesdale.
Lovely geranium mix.
Alfie’s quite the rebel. And yes, I always pick up after her.