Fourth of July friends

It is so exciting to see people you know in a parade.

This year, my boyfriend Chad won best male and Jen was best overall in the Alameda Idol contest. They’re singing “Love Shack” here.

Our neighbor Carrie is active with the Alameda Small Dogs organization. They host a doggie costume parade at Halloween that is not to be missed.

The guy who lives down the street is always walking the route with his bagpipe.

Gloria and her family own Acapulco restaurant.

but we really know her and her husband from karaoke at Lemon Tree and Clubhouse. That’s where Chad got started singing.

Rick is in more bands than I can name. You can see the Frisky Frolics, who sing songs from the 1920s-1940s or thereabouts, pretty much every week at Speisekammer or Julie’s.

I didn’t know this guy before, but I waited almost the entire parade for someone to come around handing out miniature American flags.

Dr. Porter, thanks for the flag. You are my newest friend!

Fourth of July bicycles

The town I live in has a big 4th of July parade every year. It’s fun to watch all the decked-out two- [and sometimes three-]wheeled contraptions cruise by.

Be mine?

This is my favorite, it is part of the display at Ole’s Waffle Shop here in Alameda, which is the most perfectly oldschoolest diner around. I highly recommend the pancakes and bacon and hashed browns and sitting at the counter and grabbing a box of crayons so you can have drawing contests on your paper placemats while you wait for your order.

Happy St. Valentine’s Day.

all the world will smile for me

1. daughter heart 2. musee mechanique heart 3. karen + jay heart 4. antiques fair heart

Querido

1. avec SPARKLE!! at daisy’s 2. the calm before the storm 3. nola heart

Are you ready?

1. west oakland heart 2. community garden sailor art 3. heart art 4. tree heart