Spirit , Wind, and Kite

The Spirit of Theme Day

The first day of every month is theme day for City Daily Photo Bloggers, so I try to get into the spirit of it by posting something related to the theme. This month that theme is "spirit." I will try to relate that theme to a simple kite.

Man Trying to Get Kite into the Air, © B. Radisavljevic

The Wind Lifts a Kite

Without wind, it would be difficult to get a kite into the air. In the Bible's John 3, Jesus told Nicodemus that unless a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus asked how that was possible. Would a man have to return to his mother's womb and be born all over again?

Jesus answered: ...unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit....The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you don't know where it comes from or where it is going; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. 

Just as a kite in the air lets us know where the wind is blowing and in which direction, so the actions of a man let us know whether the Spirit of God is working in his life. What people do shows us what kind of spirit motivates them.

No one has seen the Spirit of God except when it moves in the lives of people. No one sees any spirit, holy or not, unless it acts on or in something physical, just as the wind acts on the kite to move it around.

Man Flying Kite in Paso Robles  City Park, © B. Radisavljevic

See how other City Daily Photo Bloggers worldwide have interpreted this theme.

Magnolia Flowers Like High Places

Magnolia Flowers are Blooming at City Park

As I was driving past Paso Robles City Park a few days ago, I noticed the flowers on the magnolia trees, but had to hurry home and couldn't stop. I went back yesterday in the late afternoon to photograph them. I couldn't help but notice that most of the flowers were near the top of the tree.

© B. Radisavljevic

Most of the magnolia trees were next to the parking area on 12th Street. Here are a couple that were next to each other. You can see that most of the flowers are at the top or on the outer edge of the tree, close to the light. As far as I can tell, these are Southern Magnolia trees (Magnolia grandiflora.)

These evergreen magnolia trees are one of California's most widely cultivated street trees. The trees around the park aren't as tall as those I found on Oak Street two years ago. (See them here.) On those larger trees the flowers were more evenly distributed. The park trees also have some flowers on the lower branches but they seem to prefer to grow at the edges.

© B. Radisavljevic

The flowers seem to want to get as close to the sun as they can. One on the tree below actually got above the roof of Pappy McGregor's Irish Pub, or so it appears from this camera angle.

© B. Radisavljevic

A Bird Fell

It was as I stood on the park side of Pine Street between two parked cars shooting the picture above that I felt something fall lightly against my leg. When I looked down, this is what I saw.

© B. Radisavljevic

I have no idea where the bird came from. I was not standing under a tree. I never saw the bird in the air. I just felt it hit me. I didn't see it until I looked down where it lay on the street. It was alive and could move its tail to fan it out, and it also spread its wings a couple of times. Its actual size was smaller than this photo. I wasn't sure what to do with it, so I left it there, hoping it would recover and move before something hit it.

A Closer Look at the Magnolia Flowers

It was hard to get a clear close-up shot of the flowers because they were not only high in the trees, but they were also facing the sky. I had no way to get a shot of them from the top where one could see their faces best. Below you can see the white edge of a flower near the bottom right edge of the photo. When only partially open like this it somewhat resembles a very large tulip.

© B. Radisavljevic

In the photo below, taken in front of Pappy McGregor's Irish Pub, there are two visible open flowers . The open flower at the top right gives you an idea of the flower's size, even though you can't see its face. You can see the face of the open flower near the center of the photo close to the bottom. The flowers are eight to ten inches in diameter and are very fragrant.

© B. Radisavljevic

Do magnolia trees grow near you? Have you enjoyed their fragrance during the summer?


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Photos of Central Downtown Paso Robles at Dusk

I Love Downtown Paso Robles at Dusk

The sun is no longer bright and the signs of the businesses around the park are beginning to light up. People walk in the park because in summer and early autumn it's cooler than in the daytime. On this October 1 walk, even the moon was making an appearance. Below is a popular attraction, the Park Cinemas Theater.

Park Cinemas Theater, Paso Robles, © B. Radisavljevic

Here's a slightly different view available as both poster and postcard from Zazzle.

Poster: Park Cinemas Downtown Paso Robles, CA PosterPostcard, Park-Cinemas, Paso Robles, CA Postcard

Parking in Downtown Paso Robles Around the Park

Good luck with that. The more popular Paso Robles becomes, the harder it is to find a parking place with a block or two of the park. At night on weekends it's almost impossible. Very few businesses supply parking, so most parking is on the street. I circled the park twice and even contemplated parking at the library and walking three blocks to get to Studios on the Park Saturday night. I finally found a place two blocks away on Park and 11th Street in a handicapped space (Yes, I have a placard) beside the park. As I walked toward my destination, I saw others still looking for a parking place.

Parking is scarce in Paso Robles on Saturday night, © B. Radisavljevic

An Old-Fashioned Sweet Shop

Got a sweet tooth you want to indulge while strolling around downtown? Try Powell's. Last time I looked it had all the candy bars and sweet treats the stores used to carry but are hard to find in stores now. I thought they'd stopped making them until I visited the Powell's SLO Sweets Candy Store.  Evidently the name is in transition. You'll find the store on the corner of 11th Street and Pine. It's in an historic building that used to house the Municipal Bathhouse around 1905.  Do you see the moon lurking behind the palm tree?

The Candy Store, © B. Radisavljevic

Pine Street at Dusk

There isn't room in this post to show you all the buildings on Pine Street between 11th and 12th across from the city park. I will show you these. As you cross Pine Street on 11th, you will be in front of the Park Cinemas. (Top photo) Walk west toward Studios on the Park and these are some businesses you will pass.

Red Scooter and Good Times (hidden behind tree) © B. Radisavljevic 

The Red Scooter is a deli open for breakfast and lunch. I've never tried it. After checking out their menu, I just may try it soon.  I've had lunch several times at the Good Times Cafe and been satisfied. It resembles a fifties burger hang-out. Or you could eat at the Paso Robles Inn across from the park on Spring Street for a more formal atmosphere. The food there is delicious. If you walk around the streets surrounding the park you'll find almost any kind of food you desire being served at one of the many restaurants on 11th Street, Pine Street, and 12th Street.

Walk a bit further on Pine Street past Good Times Cafe and you'll be in front of Pappy McGregor's Irish Pub. If you eat there you can choose sidewalk dining or eat inside. I've haven't eaten there since it was the Crooked Kilt years ago. It's only a few yards more from there to Studios on the Park -- my destination for the evening. I was not looking for food, but for a feast of art for my eyes.

Pappy McGregor's and Studios on the Park on Pine Street, © B. Radisavljevic

Souvenirs from Downtown Paso Robles

Clock Tower Downtown Paso Robles Postage




These are some other scenes you will find downtown very near the park. At Zazzle you will find even more Paso Robles designs. There are also more  product options for these designs. 

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Poster: Sidewalk Dining in Paso Robles, California PosterClock Tower Downtown Paso Robles PostcardPostcard: Superior Court, Paso Robles, California Postcard

The Paso Robles City Park at Dusk

Since the park covers two city blocks in the center of downtown, I will not even attempt to get all of it in this post. Its most famous landmark is the historic Carnegie Library, now the home of the Paso Robles Historical Society. Did you see the statue of Paderewski in front of it? Paderewski loved Paso Robles. We outgrew the original library and build a new one. Tour the new library here. It's across the street from the park and shares a building with the City of Paso Robles City Hall.

Historic Carnegie Library in City Park, © B. Radisavljevic 

The other structure most Paso Robles locals think of in connection with City Park is the bandstand. It's used for special events and for the summer concerts in the park. It's also where some teens hang out in the afternoon. I'll devote an entire post to it soon. But to close this post I'll just give you one shot of it. See how tall the trees are in comparison? To the left is a glimpse of our brand new playground. We will also devote a future post to that.

If you don't live in Paso Robles, what first impression do you get of it from these photos of our downtown?


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Photos of a Catalpa Tree in October

Fruits Hanging from Catalpa Tree in October

One thing I love about living where there are so many trees is watching their appearance change from season to season. I showed you what the catalpa tree below looked like in bloom a few months ago. Last night I was walking in the Paso Robles City Park again and found two catalpa trees. Both had the hanging fruits you can see now.

Hanging Fruits of the Catalpa Tree in Downtown City Park, Paso Robles, © B. Radisavljevic

The spring blossoms are gone. The heart-shaped leaves have not yet turned to gold. That will happen before the leaves fall. I hope to get back to photograph the tree then. Read more about the catalpa tree's characteristics on the Cal Poly website.  The pods you see hanging above are some of the very longest found on trees. Although the website states the fruits are three inches long, I can tell you many of these were at least twice that long. Perhaps you can see why the catalpa tree is nicknamed the bean tree, though the fruits are not edible.

You can see why the catalpa tree is also called a bean tree. © B. Radisavljevic

The tree above is closer to the center of the park near the Historical Museum housed in the old Carnegie Library. You can see that a few of the leaves show signs of the approaching color change.

The Whole Catalpa Tree in Autumn

Here's my photo of the entire first tree (at least that which I can see from one side.) As you can see, it's a tall tree. It often grows as high as 60 feet tall and 40 feet wide. I had trouble getting the entire width into the photo. You can see how tall the tree is compared to the man walking beside it. It also grows fast -- up to two to three feet a year. It can live up to 150 years.

Please pin this photo to your Pinterest page to share it with others. 

This is my post for Day 3 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge for October.

Is This a Catalpa Tree is Blooming in City Park?

When I Was Walking in the Park I Met a Tree I Didn't Know

I took that walk at City Park May 3, and the tree got my attention because it was in bloom. I still don't have a positive identification, but it seems to be a catalpa tree. I was using A Californian's Guide to the Trees Among Us by Matt Ritter, a botany professor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to try to identity it. (This is a great reference book if you are interested in identifying California trees.) I also  double checked on the internet to see other photos and they seemed to confirm the identification. Here is the overview. It's also just the right size to pin.

Below is just the upper part of the tree so you can see the leaves and flowers more clearly.

Upper View of Catalpa Tree, © B. Radisavljevic

The fruits of the catalpas tree are also present. The photo below shows them clearly along with another close look at the leaf shape.

View of Catalpa Tree Flowers and Fruits, © B. Radisavljevic

The book says the catalpa tree starts blooming next month, but a lot of my flowers that aren't supposed to be blooming yet are early, so  I'm guessing that's the case here. The catalpas are native to the Midwest, so maybe they will wait until June to bloom there. We are in a warmer climate. Mother Nature doesn't always go by the books.

Related articles

• My Neighborhood Trees are in Bloom
• Looking at Deciduous Oak Trees in Winter
• Sweetgum Tree with Two Years of Fruits
• Theme Day: A Simple Acorn #AtoZchallenge

Changing the Lightbulbs at City Park

Changing the Lightbulbs at City Park in Paso Robles, © B. Radisavljevic

While taking photos at Paso Robles City Park this morning I happened to see a workman changing the bulbs in the lampposts in the park. I had often wondered how they did this, so I thought I'd share the photos I took of it with you. The one on the left is cut out of the photo below so that you have a closer view. 

I included the photo below because I wanted to include the beautiful trees. This is one corner of the park that is not under construction. 

Related articles

• Big Change on Pine Street by the Amtrak Depot in Paso Robles
• Art in Unexpected Places

Paso Robles City Park is Wrapped in Orange

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Tuesday I read in the Paso Robles Daily News that the bandstand/gazebo in the City Park had been attacked by termites. Even before that we had construction going on in the park. The entire 12th Street entrance walkway and landscaping has been surrounded by orange netting for months. Now with the bandstand tented and surrounded with the orange fencing, it seems as though the city park is wrapped in orange. 

The photo on the right shows part of the tented gazebo with the orange construction fence.

The photo below shows the area closest to the 12th Street entrance. This is where the fountain used to be before the drought. This shot was taken from the north, as you enter the park from Pine Street with 12th Street on the right.

The photo below shows the same dry fountain area in February 2011, surrounded by planters with flowers and shrubs. This view is what one walking  in from 12th Street, looking toward the old Carnegie Library, would have seen until recently.

The next photo shows you an overview of the orange-wrapped construction zones from a distance as one enters the park from Pine Street.  Do you see the large pine tree leaning toward the gazebo? I hope it doesn't fall on it later on. A drought often weakens the roots and the tree begins to lean before it falls. We had to take out a pine tree that did that this year, and in Templeton one of our trees did fall.

Below is a closer look at the leaning tree from the other side of the gazebo, looking toward 12th Street. I'd hate to lose it, since it's the Hospice Memorial Tree.

Below is a close-up looking up toward the sign in the Hospice Memorial Tree.

They are supposed to remove the tent from the gazebo sometime tomorrow along with the orange fence around it. I can only hope they also finish the rest of the construction before the spring festivals begin in the park. 

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Late Friday Afternoon Walk through Paso Robles City Park

Studios on the Park Sign, © B. Radisavljevic

I spent some time at Studios on the Park Friday afternoon to preview the SoundScapes exhibit so I could  share it with you. It was overwhelming and I still need to digest it. Be sure to go  see it. Tonight between 6 and 9 would be a great time to go because there will be music, wine, and refreshments, and most artists will probably be there to talk to. 

I  decided to walk around the park before going back to my car, since I'm in need of exercise and it was still light enough to  get interesting photos -- way too many for one post.    

First I wanted to get a view of 12th Street . This is part of the block between Pine and Park. You will notice the construction sign warning that the sidewalk ahead is closed. They are tearing out much of the park near the 12th Street entrance. More about that in future posts.

Looking Across to 12th Street from City Park, © B. Radisavljevic

In the photo below we are looking across the park toward Powell's Candy Store near the pine and the palm trees. You can click the photo to enlarge it for a better look. You can barely see Park Cinemas in the center back behind the shorter palms. Notice how tall the trees are compared to the buildings, many of which are two story. 

Looking Diagonally Toward Corner of 11th and Pine from City Park, © B. Radisavljevic

As we walk past the old Carnegie Library, now the home of the Historical Society and Museum, you can see part of the construction area. It extends through the center of the park from the 12th Street entrance all the way to this oak tree's fence. 

Walking North Through City Park Past Old Carnegie Library, © B. Radisavljevic

When I was ready  to go back to my car the sun was already low in the sky, so I was able to get this silhouette of the Spring Street skyline. 

Skyline of Spring Street at Dusk from Park, © B. Radisavljevic

I hope you enjoyed walking through the park with me late on this Friday afternoon. We will be taking a closer look at some of the park's trees in future posts. And I promise we will also see a lot more art this month.