A Long Line For Beans on Pioneer Day, 2010

An important Paso Robles Pioneer Day tradition is a free bean feed in the park after the parade. Everyone knows that the Lions Club makes enough beans to feed all who are willing to stand in line for them.  To make the line a bit shorter, some folks have some of their group or family spread out a blanket in the park while a representative stands in line with a pot to bring enough beans back for everyone else in the group. As you look at this line, you can see why this might be a good idea. To understand why we celebrate Pioneer Day and to watch the 2010 parade, see Pioneer Day is a Proud Paso Robles Tradition.

Pete Johnston Has Come a Long Way -- Scenes from 2010 Pioneer Day Parade

Disabled Tractor, Pioneer Day, 2010, © B. Radisavljevic

Here are some highlights from the Pioneer Day Parade, 2010. The parade backed up at one point because this vehicle got stalled. The parade couldn't move on until it could get started again. In this photo, they are trying to start it. Click to see the photo full size.

Too bad Pete Johnston's tow truck wasn't able to get out of formation and come rescue the tractor. The tow trucks have come a long way since these were in use.






See more of the vehicles in this video clip of the 2010 parade. You will also see horses,  Mexican dancers, NCCS, Bitterwater Bitties, lots of old cars, Studios on the Park, International Club, Masonic Lodge, Winifred Pifer School,  Cortez  for Sheriff, and more. Enjoy.

Have a happy  Pioneer Day!

Spooky Shadows for the Halloween Season

Sometimes ordinary plants can cast some spooky shadows. This is the shadow of a mullein plant dying back at the end of summer.

Burning the Candle at Both Ends Burns Me Out

Enjoying Time with Friends Around a Fire

Life is catching up with me. Medical issues have arisen, including the need for cataract surgery at the end of the month and the beginning of next month. That means pre-op and post-op appointments filling the calendar and some recovery time during which I may not be able to get to the computer. We also need to  go  out of town for a couple of days to attend an important reunion before that.


I don't want to get too stressed and burn out trying to keep my current blogging schedule while I  have these extra real life commitments, I have decided to take a mini-blogging break. That will mean for an indefinite time period I will actually treat this blog the way I intended when I started it. I will keep my commitment to the City Daily Photo Blog international network by posting one photo a day I have taken in my local area with some words to describe it. I will observe theme day. But I will not be writing long posts until  I have more time.

This will enable me to schedule ahead for days I'm not sure I'll be able to post. I appreciate your understanding during this time, and hope you will still stop by to see the daily photo. In the meantime, enjoy this poster available at Zazzle. Here's the quote you see on it.

My candle burns at both ends

It will not last the night;

But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends-- 

It gives a lovely light. 

Edna St. Vincent Millay

My Candle Burns at Both Ends--Millay 24W x 36H Poster

Gardens in Harmony, California

Harmony Gardens are Full of Bromeliads

Harmony, California isn't a very big town. It really is more like a small neighborhood. There was, however a garden or two near the pottery shop. One of the most interesting sights for me there was that of bromeliads growing in trees. In this photo you can see a group of them on a host tree.

Bromeliad Growing in Tree, © B. Radisavljevic

Most of the plants I saw in the gardens were bromeliads - stemless perennial plants with leaves springing up from the center. Some of these were epiphytes, also known as air plants. Those are the ones you see in the trees. They  were also growing on the ground under the trees. Most weren't blooming, but this one was.

Bromeliad in Bloom, © B. Radisavljevic

Some of the other flowers I could not identify were also in bloom. You can see them below.  The one with light purple flowers looks very much like a sage variety to me, or something in the mint family.

I have no idea what this bright yellow and orange one is. If you recognize it, I'd love to have you identify it in a comment below.

This rock garden was next to a metal wall. It consisted of a raised bed with another garden bed under it.

Harmony Garden Beds, © B. Radisavljevic

Gift Someone Special with One of These Bromeliads to Enjoy!

Bromeliads in bloom can be very beautiful. You can see some of them on these Zazzle products. They will keep blooming in the photos forever.

Bromeliad Canvas PrintEpiphyte Bromeliad in Florida Forest Jigsaw PuzzleBromeliads iPhone 8 Plus/7 Plus CaseGreen Blue Red Bromeliad Plant Image Canvas PrintBromeliads Poster

Autumn Brings Apples, Walnuts, and Quince

Quince Almost Ready to Pick

It's time for me to get serious about harvesting our fruit and walnuts this year. As you can see, the quince are getting ripe.

Apple Season

The apples are beginning to fall to the ground, and I've picked those I've found there. They are really small this year because they've had so little water. I keep hoping if I leave them on the tree longer they will get bigger.

Walnuts Need Harvesting

I've only begun to pick the walnuts off the ground. I'm grateful for the crop, but my back does not enjoy the harvesting. I hope to get what I can off the tree. The ones I can reach are easier to pick than the ones on the ground. I'm hoping to treat myself to one of these harvest helpers this year.

 Garden Weasel Gatherer Pro Nut Wizard - Large Good Cook Classic Nutcracker with Picks

Related articles

• Freshly shaken > Fall marks the start of California's nut bounty.
• Remembering the 2013 Threshing Bee at Jack Creek Farms

Ghosts of Paso Robles Halloweens Past

Yards Decorated for Halloween in Paso Robles

My neighbors in the Riverbank tract really like to decorate their yards for holidays. As I was looking at my picture files from past years, I came across these creatively decorated yards. I thought I'd share them with you.

Graveyards are a popular theme, as are jack-o-lanterns, of course. And it's hard to escape the ghosts.

There are also plenty of witches. I liked this one climbing a tree.

                                                 

Witch climbing tree. © B. Radisavljevic

 Halloween Porch Decorations for House Above, © B. Radisavljevic

One of my favorite ghosts is hiding in the flowers. This is one of my  favorite houses in the neighborhood all year round because of the wonderful flowers. Something is always in bloom. These are, of course, October flowers.

Ghost in Flowers, © B. Radisavljevic

There's still time to decorate your yard for Halloween.