A Photo a Week Challenge: Peaceful Place

I love the poppy fields in the Antelope Valley west of Lancaster, CA.

This year, the Poppy Reserve is closed (thanks COVID-19) and the situation is not at all peaceful. There are mobs of people without masks (a current CA strong suggestion) wandering willy-nilly into the blooms from the side of the highway. 

I wouldn't be surprised if a road block is soon deployed.

Anita and I (in our social distancing separate cars) stopped about a mile west of the Reserve and found a piece of peace and quiet.

The Reserve has an active webcam -- it's very relaxing!

Visit https://nadiamerrillphotography.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/a-photo-a-week-challenge-peaceful-place/ to see what she and others are sharing about their “peaceful place” this week.

Custom "Commuter Quilt" Phone Case

I ordered my "Commuter Quilt" Society6 phone case last week and am quite pleased with the results:

(That's the original art piece in the background). I think I prefer the rich blacks of the print on the case!

Tomorrow I'll be hanging my show, "The Commute"
Check my Instagram @annembray for some "in process" snaps.

The reception will be in two weeks, April 6, 5-8pm.
TAG Gallery 
Bergamot Station,
2525 Michigan Ave, Bldg D3, Santa Monica, CA  90404

Note: I received the artist discount for the phone case. It retails for $35 + shipping.

Gluttony in Chinatown [this post not for vegetarians]

Roxanne and I had a long draining day at Norris Keck Hospital.
A little gluttony in Chinatown was just what the doctor ordered!

We were apprehensive that, it being the Friday before Chinese New Year, it was going to be crazy. Not at all! When we saw all the available street parking, we knew it would be OK. While walking up Ord Street, we saw a busload of Chinese entering CBS Seafood. Most auspicious!

tanks of dinner await

the pictorial dim sum menu for us guilaos

pig delivery!!!!!!!

salted pepper shrimp -- my favorite

Roxanne saw the neighboring table with this, so we got it too:
crab with green onions and garlic

baby bok choi in garlic -- so cute and easy to pop in one's mouth!

shrimp dumpling with with leek

we are very happy!

On the Town in Instagrams

Severo and I had a rare sync in our schedules so we went out.

In the car, heading downtown

The Place: dinner at The Nickel Diner

For me, catfish smothered with pecans, etc
For Severo, Smack n cheese
Verdict: delicious

He's ready to try the entire dessert selection

One of our choices was Root Beer Creme Brulee
I found it too strange, Severo liked it

Iam8bit was hosting the ArtHouse Sketchbook Tour
Here is the instruction card

The line for registering and checking out books

No! Yes! SpyGirl book checked out
(I kept getting this message, later to find it was misshelved)

The stacks

Our first set of books. You get two at a time.

Viewing Robin's book
you can view it here

Scary voodoo heads in the window of Yosmar on Sunset

Freedy Johnston at The Mint

Freedy on the uke

A blinged Lincoln outside the club

The next day, we went down to Encinitas to see Freedy and Cindy Lee Berryhill (and Severo) at a house concert. Altogether, a very fun weekend!