A Spooky Cottonwood Tree in the Park

Spooky Dying Cottonwood Tree, © B. Radisavljevic

I usually never have time to take a walk before late afternoon when there are shadows and the sky can be getting darker. This is especially true on cloudy days such as October 14, when I took these photos of the old cottonwood tree at Larry Moore Park. It's a dying tree and is already beginning to look a bit spooky.

One Live Branch Left on  Cottonwood Tree, © B. Radisavljevic

This second photo shows more of the tree. I focused here on the one living branch that is still green. Most of the mistletoe on this tree is even dead or dying. A bit more of this tree dies every year. I will miss it when it's finally gone.

Watch Out For Poison Oak at Larry Moore Park

Poison Oak at Larry Moore Park in Mid-October, © B. Radisavljevic

As I was walking at Larry Moore Park yesterday, I was surprised to see this clump of poison oak in the middle of the park beside the large willow tree.

This is one tree anyone walking the main path that parallels the river can't miss. It's between that path and the sidewalk next to Riverbank Lane.

Large Willow Tree in the Center of Larry Moore Park, © B. Radisavljevic

Large Willow Tree in the Center of Larry Moore Park,

As one approaches the tree, as children might be tempted to do, it is full of  hiding places. I would be surprised if children did not find it an  attractive place to play. Dogs might also find it an attractive target for their activities.

If you click on the photo to enlarge it, in the lower right corner you will see a green clump with a few red and yellow leaves.  That is the same clump of poison oak I showed you in the first photo. There is likely to be more around the tree I did not notice. Poison oak also grows among the trees near the river and has been known  to grow right onto the trail on the north end of the river trail past the shopping centers and on the other side of the Veterans' Memorial Bridge (aka The Niblick Bridge)

Click here for more information on how to identify poison oak in North San Luis Obispo County,  Show it to your children so they can learn to stay out of it.

If your children play in this park or any park where poison oak is abundant, it would be a good idea to have one of these products on hand to treat it, just in case they do come in contact with it. 

Larry Moore Park is Going to the Dogs

At one time the powers that be talked about making Larry Moore Park a dog park. I think people objected, since it never happened, but I've never been there when I didn't see a lot of people walking their dogs. Most clean up after them, but not everyone does. It's not a good idea to walk off the paths.

Dogs at Larry Moore Park, ©B. Radisavljevic

What do you mean it's not a dog park?

Most dog owners are good about walking their dogs on leashes, but not all.

Responsible Dog Owners Use Leashes in Parks

Dog Loose at Larry Moore Park, ©B. Radisavljevic

Are you a responsible dog owner when you take your dogs to our parks, especially those not designated as dog parks?

Related articles

• Dog-Friendly Destinations for Labor Day
• New Dog Park Opens in the Poconos
• Does Your Dog Climb Trees?
• What's Wrong with Loitering in City Park?

This is the Season When Pepper Trees Steal the Show

The Brilliant Pepper Tree

This particular pepper tree lives beside the path that leads from the easternmost entrance to Larry Moore Park from the Riverbank Tract.  I took the pictures on October 20 last year when the pinkish berries were fully developed.

Peruvian Pepper Tree on October 20, 2014, ©B. Radisavljevic

What Kind of Pepper Tree?

My research leads me to believe this is a Peruvian pepper tree rather than a Brazilian, although both grow in California. The reason I decided that is because the Peruvian pepper tree is deciduous. The Brazilian pepper tree is evergreen. After looking through my winter photos I found this picture taken on December 16. Looks to me as though this tree is definitely deciduous.

Peruvian Pepper Tree on December 16, 2014, ©B. Radisavljevic

Pepper Tree in All its Glory

Autumn Grape Leaves at Castoro Cellars

This is the time of year when wine country is most beautiful. The grapes are almost ready to  harvest in most vineyards. Some have already been harvested. The purple grapes hang heavy from the vines. The leaves are turning various shades of red and gold to complement them. The netting attempts to keep hungry birds from getting the first fruits. You can see the netting if you click to enlarge the photos.

Wineries are preparing to make merry in their harvest and first crush events. The colorful leaves are like banners inviting people to come and taste when all is accomplished. Soon we will be smelling grapes as we drive by at night on 46 West. Let the festivities begin!





While you wait for the harvest festivals, why not work a puzzle like this one?

Puzzle: Autumn Grape Foliage Puzzles

It's Officially Autumn at Trader Joe's

Templeton Trader Joe's Autumn Display, © B. Radisavljevic

I always love to see  Trader Joe's  holiday and seasonal displays. I've discovered that each store does its own thing in creating them. This week I have visited two Trader Joe's stores, and each had its autumn display at the front of the store. This one to the right is at the Templeton store. It is pretty straight forward and focuses on the produce itself. There were many varieties of squash and pumpkins. As it is now, it would be appropriate for any autumn holiday.

Santa Maria Trader Joe's Halloween Display, © B. Radisavljevic

The Santa Maria store had a more holiday specific display.  The pumpkins are there, but we don't see any squashes, or any choices in pumpkin varieties, such as Templeton was featuring.  It's obvious that the Santa Maria store  display is focused on Halloween. I'm expecting they will probably change to a Thanksgiving theme when Halloween is over. I don't expect to get back then to find out.

I suspect both stores have the squashes and more than one kind of pumpkin in their produce departments, but I was really rushing through the store in Santa Maria and didn't check out much outside the display there. I was focused on the displays themselves. They are usually pretty clever. Just click on the photos if you  want an expanded view.

What's More Important in a Church Building -- Function or Form

This photo is the roof of my church, focusing on the cross at the top. It's really the only part of this building that identifies it as a church. In California, many of the churches are in buildings with more than one function. This building started as a Christian preschool, and it continued to be a preschool during the week. On Saturdays, all the small tables and chairs were stored away in other rooms and folding chairs for adults replaced them. After church on Sunday, the sanctuary was set up as a preschool again. It was the preschool that actually grew the church.

The preschool moved out a year or two ago, and now the building is just a church.  No more moving furniture around on the weekends.

Those from older cities may be used to more traditional looking churches, but those building new churches often value function above form. Many churches believe their funds should be used for ministry rather than for expensive buildings. Some churches even look like warehouses and locate in industrial parks. They are designed to be ministry hubs, not ornate places of worship. Those who build them believe that where Christians meet together to worship, God is in their midst, no matter what form the building takes.

What do you think is most important? For a church to build an impressive sanctuary or to put its money into serving people? Or do you believe both are important?