I will have lived in Pomona for 40 years in July. Since I moved here, I have been defending it. People felt uncomfortable coming to Pomona. People were afraid of parking their cars on the street. There was crime. The schools weren't good. And I defended it all: Pomona is a diverse community. Pomona has issues but is trying to improve. Schools in Pomona are good and the teachers are excellent.
And now...I am done.
It started with the 70% rise in homicides in 2013 and in 2014 there have been 3 already. I was encouraged by one Police meeting, but the bottom line for the Police Department is that they are understaffed. Can the city hire more officers? Evidently not. And there seems to be the attitude that the people who were killed were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I keep wondering what that wrong place is and if I am in it as I drive through Pomona.
I went to the Pomona Public Library for a special event on Saturday. My friend, who is quite intolerant, was with me. She picked me up. She got to see first hand how my neighbors, who are renting from an absentee landlord, use the alley as their trash can. She didn't get to see how they have parties and park in the alley making it difficult to get in and out. And she didn't get to see them gather around the bong in the garage.
At the library, she did get to see the wide expanse of grass between the library and the courthouse and the more than 20 homeless people in various states sleeping/lounging/getting high on the grass. She got to see two men from the city hall side of the homeless encampment engage two people from the courthouse side. And when we walked up to the doors of the library she got to see the man sleeping/passed out in front of the exit doors. She got to see me point out the man to the Security Guard who evidently didn't notice or didn't care.
I am trying to improve my house. But I am now thinking what's the point? Living next to the garbage pit is driving my home value down. And can I point out Pomona's lovely features? Like the library? I don't think so.
I can't defend Pomona anymore.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Dreaming of tomatoes
February 13, 2014
This week I found a patio tomato plant at Walmart for a dollar. It called my name, I went over, saw its potential and bought it. For a dollar! And then this week I (well, Matt) planted it in a large pot because I could see its potential. And then I counted 70 days on my phone so that on the 70th day (no pressure to the little guy) I will be able to have tomatoes!
This year I have a whole gardening plan for tomatoes: a new plant every two weeks until about the end of March. i will alternate between Best Boy and Early Girl and the smaller cherry type tomatoes.My goal? To have tomatoes until November or beyond even.
Also this week I made Valentine's for Ms. S's class. Last week we go the great idea to show them how to make some simple shapes and make them into Valentines. Then they wouldn't have to buy them and everyone would get one. I showed them three bird shapes that we turned into Valentines and they took to them like a duck to water! They were so cute! So I thought I would follow suit and make the same shapes as Valentines for her class as well. But then...I watched Shoo Rayner draw a Frankenstein monster and knew immediately how I could make that monster into a Valentine. And I did. I only made three of them, but I like how cute they are. I painted them and then put red glitter glue on the hearts.
I used to love Valentine's Day as a kid, I loved carefully printing the names of my classmates on the Valentine envelopes. And I loved receiving the cards! I know it's commercial but I still love it!
Happy V day!
"I want you to be my Valentine."
This week I found a patio tomato plant at Walmart for a dollar. It called my name, I went over, saw its potential and bought it. For a dollar! And then this week I (well, Matt) planted it in a large pot because I could see its potential. And then I counted 70 days on my phone so that on the 70th day (no pressure to the little guy) I will be able to have tomatoes!
This year I have a whole gardening plan for tomatoes: a new plant every two weeks until about the end of March. i will alternate between Best Boy and Early Girl and the smaller cherry type tomatoes.My goal? To have tomatoes until November or beyond even.
Also this week I made Valentine's for Ms. S's class. Last week we go the great idea to show them how to make some simple shapes and make them into Valentines. Then they wouldn't have to buy them and everyone would get one. I showed them three bird shapes that we turned into Valentines and they took to them like a duck to water! They were so cute! So I thought I would follow suit and make the same shapes as Valentines for her class as well. But then...I watched Shoo Rayner draw a Frankenstein monster and knew immediately how I could make that monster into a Valentine. And I did. I only made three of them, but I like how cute they are. I painted them and then put red glitter glue on the hearts.
I used to love Valentine's Day as a kid, I loved carefully printing the names of my classmates on the Valentine envelopes. And I loved receiving the cards! I know it's commercial but I still love it!
Happy V day!
"I want you to be my Valentine."Friday, February 7, 2014
Do Over
Lately, I have been allowing myself to have a "do over." For me, this means I am going to pretend that the last minute/hour/day/week/month/year? didn't "count" and I am going to do it all over. And this time it will go more smoothly and be more pleasant.
And that applies to a blog as well. I started a blog and then found it all too difficult to take care of (much like a giant puppy)--or at least I thought it was difficult. But really I found it too scary to share with the public the life I was leading. However, I am past all that and ready to do over the blog.
Before, I wanted to share my art and my life as a newly retired person. Now: you get what you get. No set program/agenda/goals. Just my life being easily pleased.
"“The key to knowing joy is being easily pleased.” Mark Nepo
And now a valentine:
I have fallen in love with retro advertising images and wanted to draw something for a Valentine. It is watercolor and marker on watercolor paper. Oh! And glitter on the text, of course!
Here is the result:
And that applies to a blog as well. I started a blog and then found it all too difficult to take care of (much like a giant puppy)--or at least I thought it was difficult. But really I found it too scary to share with the public the life I was leading. However, I am past all that and ready to do over the blog.
Before, I wanted to share my art and my life as a newly retired person. Now: you get what you get. No set program/agenda/goals. Just my life being easily pleased.
"“The key to knowing joy is being easily pleased.” Mark Nepo
And now a valentine:
I have fallen in love with retro advertising images and wanted to draw something for a Valentine. It is watercolor and marker on watercolor paper. Oh! And glitter on the text, of course!
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