"Every morning I awake torn between a desire to save the world and an inclination to savor it. This makes it hard to plan the day. But if we forget to savor the world, what possible reason do we have for saving it? In a way, the savoring must come first." ----- E.B. White
Truly, the world seems more and more in need of saving. And anyone who has a conscience and a heart and who lives in this country, knows there is so much saving to be done -- each day more and more.
But first, a little savoring. Just a little ramble in my 'hood.
Because of San Francisco's hills (I live in a very hilly neighborhood & don't have a car so I walk a lot, and will probably live forever), there are many hidden little parks that you cannot see from the street. One of them is Peixote, which is distinguished by an amazing cliff. Usually, when I've gone there, people have been climbing it. But this time, not. And there was a new sign: |
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So a rare geological feature was just walking distance from my house! Not only that, it is called a slickenside, which is the coolest name for a geological feature that I've ever heard! And not only THAT, this particular Slickenside "is thought to be one of the largest slickenside exposures in the world!" |
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So apparently the slickenside was at one time one side of a fault and was rubbed back and forth by the other side of the fault for a million years or so and then at some point was pushed upward, so that it could be hidden away in Peixote Park. You can't see it in my photos, but parts of it really are shiny. Apparently some slickensides are like mirrors. Imagine being able to see yourself in a rock cliff.
I did some research on slickensides, as a good Blogmistress must. But quite frankly, I understood very little. HOWEVER, I can tell you that our own moon has a slickenside, and it was photographed by the crew of Apollo 15 when they were up there strolling around. And this proves that the moon has more geological activity than was previously thought.
Onward with the birthday walk. What else was there to see in Peixote Park? It feels kind of abandoned and grubby. The only new thing was the sign about the slickenside.
On a concrete wall, a tombstone is painted: |
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Apparently a fish named Scorchio was murdered by... Godzila? Maybe a cat? ate the fish??? There used to be a whole row of tombstones for various pets. Now only Schorchio is left. I like the idea of naming a cat Godzilla. But then, I'm not a cat person.
Then I see this amazing huge mushroom, maybe 9 inches in diameter: |
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I mean, really, as big as a dinner plate. I never saw such a mushrooom before!
And then a whole row of dancing silhouettes on the backstop: |
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And then a trail leading up the hill.... But what does it say under the little hiking figure? |
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It says "Summit." Now, that's a strange word to see on a trail sign in a city. "Summit." I'm someone who actually enjoys walking uphill. But a summit?? That's a daunting word. I feel daunted. Time to go home.
On the way back, I see one of those goddam AT&T boxes taking up the sidewalk. I remember when they were first put in years ago. We were all angry. Why does AT&T have the right to take up our sidewalk? At the time, I thought, if they actuallty painted them with some flair and imagination, then I could forgive their presence. And now they do: |
This one is Twin Peaks, Sutro Tower, some people and a cow. Sutro Tower was built because people couldn't get television transmission back in the 50s because of all the hills. I remember the first time I saw Sutro Tower after I moved to the city. I was just walking up Market Street -- and suddenly, there it was: monstrous, ugly, looming over everything. I was totally shocked. How could something so spectacularly awful be allowed in this beautiful place? Why haven't they torn it down??? Of course, now after all these years, I'm fond of it just like everyone else. It's quirky, it's unique. If you see it in a picture, you know immediately: San Francisco.
But what is the cow doing there? I have no idea, but somehow, it's perfect. |
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Amd then a special house. I've taken its photo so many times, but it's never made it into a blog. There's something foreign about this house. Does it belong in the French countryside? I'm not sure. |
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These people wanted to keep anyone from robbing their house, in the nicest possible way! |
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And on up Eureka Street toward home, with the Eureka Ginkgo trees doing their full Fall glory thing: |
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And lastly, before I turn onto my block, a solitary Ginkgo... and Sutro Tower! |
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What a city! You got your two bridges, your bay, your museums, your sports teams, your ballet, your opera, your symphony, your ginkgos, your hills.... and the largest slickenside in the world! (Ok, I know it says "...thought to be one of the.." , but just for the moment, let me have it.).
Dear Bloggelinis: HAPPY NEW YEAR! All for now. Terry |
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