2890 Greene and Greene, the bungalow architects

Charles Sumner Greene, 1868–1957, and Henry Mather Greene, 1870–1954 moved to Pasadena in the 1890s and developed the style known as bungalow, and were influenced by the same Japanese style as Frank Lloyd Wright. Our guide told us that they were extremely successful, especially with the old money crowd, but then the new money folks wanted something flashier and brighter, so they fell out of favor. We saw some wonderful examples of their work, as well as smaller imitations in Pasadena, and we were able to tour the Gamble House which is owned by the city of Pasadena.





These homes are in the Hillcrest/Wentworth Area of Pasadena. One of the best known is the Blacker House, but I don't think we got a photo. Much of the interior was sold off by an unscrupulous owner causing some new preservation codes for the district. It is being restored.

2889 La Miniatura and Storer House

These were drive-bys on our Frank Lloyd Wright tour of homes in LA. The first of his textile block houses was done for Alice and George Millard for whom he'd designed a Prairie Style home in Illinois in 1906. It's in really tough shape but in its day was considered a perfect backdrop for the owners' art collection.



John Storer was another Chicago client who decided to try out Hollywood. This home at 8161 Hollywood Blvd. is lived in and seems to be in good condition, but we couldn't go in. There are 11 block patterns and it is built on a steep hillside.



Original drawing of the Storer House in Library of Congress.

2888 The Jews and the Democratic Party

As several pundits have noted, the [Democratic political] blogs have become a hot bed for anti-Semitic sentiments.


"Developments in the Democratic Party bode ill for the Jewish people and for the state of Israel – home of up to 40% of the world’s remaining Jewish population. The rank and file of the Party has become increasingly anti-Semitic and support for Israel has noticeably fallen. Democratic Congressmen have reflected this trend in very visible ways: their votes and actions in Congress reveal that support for Israel has eroded in alarming ways. Furthermore, more than a few Democratic Congressman have openly made statements that are either clearly anti-Semitic or can be fairly construed to be at least, “anti-Semitic in effect, if not intent”.

These disconcerting trends can be observed by a bottom-up approach: looking at the grassroots base of the Democratic Party, how these views are expressed in Congress, and how the Democratic leadership has responded to these developments. Since the House of Representatives appears to be headed toward a Democratic majority and certain key Chairmanships will fall into the hands of Democrats with anti-Israel histories, these trends will have very serious implications for Jews and for the state of Israel." The American Thinker

Look out. Can the Blacks and Hispanics be far behind?

2887 Ennis House by Wright

Frank Lloyd Wright designed a home in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains for Charles and Mabel Ennis. Our photo taken from the Hollyhock House gives an idea of its size and the view. Our Ohio tour group was able to visit and tour this house a few years ago, but it has now been closed to the public and is really unsafe. The last owner made a few attempts to preserve it, but caused more deterioration. Our tour guide had been a docent here and said that the inside was in good condition. She told us it was used in a number of movies.

View from Barnsdall Park, Hollyhock House

The front side of Ennis House actually looks better than the back. The lighter colored blocks resulted from an attempt to preserve them with a glaze which actually worsened the water damage and is almost impossible to remove. It was damaged in the 1994 earthquake and the bad flooding of 2004-05 in the area.

View of reconstruction and reenforcement of Ennis House. To stabilize it will cost about $5 million; but about $15 million to restore the whole site to its former grandeur. They are looking for some deep pockets, in case you're interested!
This is a "textile block" house and for more information on this and others, go here.

NPR interview about the Ennis House, listen here.

Ennis House
Frank Lloyd Wright
California architecture

2886 Where are the demands for apologies

from the Muslims for kidnapping innocent civilians, attaching bombs to them, and then letting them get blown up when they are released. Read that AP story today, and just wondered where the outrage is for proving the Pope right? I don't know where the story was buried in your paper, but in the Orange County Register it was on page 11. The Pope stating the Obvious, the Historical and the Truth, of course, gets front page demands for an apology.

"Insurgents are now using unwitting kidnap victims as suicide bombers _ seizing them, booby-trapping their cars without their knowledge, then releasing them only to blow up the vehicles by remote control, the Defense Ministry warned Thursday."

2885 Hooray for Hollywood!

Famous Hollywood sign seen from the Hollyhock House we were visiting
Although Hollywood doesn't look exactly like I thought (our guide called it a state of mind), we had a wonderful architectural tour which included the Frank Lloyd Wright designed homes and buildings, Hollyhock House, Ennis-Brown House, La Miniatura, and Storer House, some drive-bys only because they are privately owned or under reconstruction.

Wright's career was struggling from his disastrous personal failings when he was hired by Aline Barnsdall, an oil heiress, to develop her 36 acre property, called Olive Hill, as an arts community. Much of the supervision was passed along to his son because he was busy in Japan. His fascination with Asian art and elements, which most likely began at the Chicago's World Fair in 1893, is really apparent in these homes. Also, some poor choices in construction materials and building locations.

We were able to tour Hollyhock House which is in the early stages of restoration. Some furniture has been recreated by local artisans and there are pieces of Stickley furniture of the period in the house. Our docent was able to point out the various changes to the original from over the years, and it was interesting to see the models of buildings that were never built.




For awhile in the 1940s and 1950s the Barnsdall house was a memorial to Dorothy Clune Murray's son killed in WWII, and was used by the USO. Various arts organizations have also used it, changing some features to suit their needs.

Theater and pond; Wright loved elements with water, but always had a problem with leaks and materials

Note: I can't get blogger to upload the rest of my photos, so will try later.


Stylized representations of Hollyhocks are throughout the house.

The models of development that never happened.


Library with Aline Barnsdall's portrait

Frank Lloyd Wright
California architecture
Hollyhock House

Friday Family photo

This isn't the best quality because it is a scan of a photocopy, but I was so thrilled to get it last week. The handsome young man on the right is my Uncle, and I think I know why my Mom used to say my brother (and now his son) resembled him. This is the graduating class of the country, one room school, Pine View, in Lee county, Illinois. Often in these rural schools, the teacher wasn't much older than the students (which in fact is still true in some high schools where a new teacher/graduate might be 22, and some of the students 18 or 19). However, I think it is interesting that the teacher and her 3 female students are all wearing identical dresses. I'm wondering if it was a home economics project, or if the photographer had clothing on hand for the photo shoot. Is anyone an expert on studio photography, or have you seen this before? I know many photographers in those days had suit coats and ties on hand for the men, and much later when my father had his formal portrait taken in the Marines in his dress blues, he didn't really own the uniform.

1916, when this photo was taken, was a good time for farm families, and my grandparents were doing well. My uncle went on to high school, I think he had a year or two of college, and then travelled in Europe (WWI was over). However, the disaster in this country known as the Great Depression was actually affecting farmers by the early and mid-1920s because many, including my grandparents, had over extended themselves during the war because of the demand for food. When the war was over, the market for their crops stopped, but they still owed on the loans.

2883 Thursday Thirteen about health fads, habits and myths.

Like many Americans, I'm concerned about my health. After all, if I don't care, who will? So I do things now that I probably should have done many years ago, and used to do some things better than I do these days.

1. I watch my weight. I watch it go up. And then I'm really careful and I watch it go down. This is called yo-yoing, and all the ladies know this is not good, but we all do it. My reunion is next July, so it is time to start watching it go down again. I need to plan now and decide if I want to be a size 6 again, or fill out my facial wrinkles and be a 10.

2. I exercise semi-regularly, in fits and starts, with lots of good intentions. If good intentions and resolve were good for me, I'd live to be a very toned 120. I was never a good athlete and hate to get sweaty, so I don't look back with regret. Negative thoughts are bad for you, so I have none about formerly being buff. Never played tennis, golf, climbed mountains, swam competitively or tap danced like some of you other bloggers.

3. I've never smoked. This is a biggie for good health. It's #1 in our culture. Kills thousands every year and cripples many more. If I want to throw out my arm patting myself on the back, this would be the time.

4. I've never had a beer--this helps my brain cells with 8 blogs and the weight thing in #1, since beer is pretty high in calories, and most of the people I've observed don't drink just one.

5. After 2002 I began having a glass of red wine occasionally. This is supposed to help my heart and protect me from all sorts of bad things, but mainly it just makes me dizzy and fuzzy. I just can't imagine why people are fond of putting things in their bodies that cause them to feel yucky and addled. That comes with time so why speed it up? I've had conversations with people whose brains were damaged by alcohol and those who have Alzheimer's, and trust me, there's very little difference.

6. I stay out of the sun as much as possible. I'm very fair, but why would I want to be brown if it will just promote wrinkles and skin cancer? I have discovered sun screen in the last 5 years, but most of the time I forget to use it and I think it makes me smell like a swimmer. See #2.

7. I have a pet. I've read a lot of articles about this and I think the research is pretty squishy, but I'm going with the guys who say a pet helps your blood pressure and heart rate, and as long as my daughter is willing to take our kitty in while we're out of town, I'll go with it.

8. I love fruits and vegetables. My favorite breakfast is an apple, because if I eat a "healthy breakfast" I'm hungry all day. See #1. I particulary love Honey Crisp, and it is just about time for them to come on the market. (Fall)

9. I'm not o.c. about cleanliness. Keeps the resistance up and saves wear and tear on the body.

10. I get an annual check-up. My doctor usually reminds me about #1, but other than that he tells me I'm a good girl and then we talk about church, family and community matters.

11. I obey the speed limits and traffic rules, and I don't drive a lot, nor do I drive much at night when all the crazies are out there. See #4. I wear my seat belt always. I mean, if I'm in the car.

12. I chose healthy parents and grandparents, and most have lived to near 90. Now that doesn't always work if you smoke or drink, but it helps.

13. I read a lot of medical books and articles and used to work in a medical library so I know how to find all the scary stuff on paper or on-line. Even so, I like to read the current medical journals and not rely on the rehashed health scares. But basically, it boils down to: eat all the colors, in moderation, get 8 hours of sleep, don't smoke, drink lots of water and marry a nice person and stay that way. That pretty much sums it up.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! Leave a comment and I'll add your name and URL. View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
I don't use Mr. Linky, so you don't need to register and your links will stay put! When I visit your site, I'll leave a comment only.
Visitors and visited:
Mrs. Lifecruiser, The Shrone, Southern Girl, It’s all about, Nathalie, Kaye, Sunshine Blues, Joan, Raggedy , TC, Just Tug, Darla, Nat, Mary,
Jane, Kendra, Ghost, Chelle Y. Aloysius, Buttercup and Bean, Carey, Lazy Daisy, C.A.Marks, Blessed Assurances, Beckadoodles, Test, Lyndsay, TNChick, Dorothy, BabyBlue, Friday's Child, MommyBa, Ma, Ribbiticus, Chaotic Mom, has diet plans, Jane, Randy, who has even more blogs than I do! Kate, Barb, Michelle, Bubba, Kelly,

2882 Wedding preparations

We have come to California for my sister-in-law's wedding. My husband and his brother will walk her down the aisle to "give her away." We spent the day with the bride and groom, visiting their new home and the site of the wedding. It is a joyful time and we look forward to welcoming a new family member.

2881 The new poet laureate of the United States

Somewhere I read that today is the birthday of Donald Hall, the newly appointed but not yet seated poet laureate. He begins his "duties" on September 30 according to this notice from the Library of Congress.

"Librarian of Congress James H. Billington has announced the appointment of Donald Hall to be the Library’s 14th Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry.

Hall will take up his duties in the fall, opening the Library’s annual literary series in October with a reading of his work. He will also be a featured speaker at the Library of Congress National Book Festival poetry pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 30, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Hall succeeds Ted Kooser as Poet Laureate and joins a long line of distinguished poets who have served in the position, including most recently Louise Glűck, Billy Collins, Stanley Kunitz, Robert Pinsky, Robert Hass and Rita Dove." News from the Library of Congress

Since I had previously blogged about Ted Kooser, I thought it only fitting to say Happy Birthday to Mr. Hall.

2880 The Getty Center Museum

What a special birthday treat. We visited the Getty Museum yesterday In Los Angeles (there is also one in Malibu), and although I had read many articles about it when it first began appearing in my husband's magazines, I was not prepared to fall in love with it. We both thought the design was wonderful and very human, unlike so much of modern architecture that seems to fit the whim of the designer with CAD. We started with the architectural tour with a docent, and if you care about architecture as well as paintings, drawings, sculpture, etc., I would recommend beginning there. This is a place to go back to often--as long as your brother-in-law is driving and a native Californian.

Rubens and Brueghel, a working friendship. Until seeing this exhibit I was unaware that the great masters worked together on some paintings. I'm looking a bit Rubenesque myself here, don't you think?


I wish I'd gone inside, but there was so much to see. This is the library/research institute. Oh, I just must go back!

The separation of the buildings and exhibits allows for many visitors without feeling closed in and cramped.

Getty Museum
Getty Center
Peter Paul Rubens
Los Angeles

2879 Katrina Refugees Update

These two lovely Rhodesian Ridgebacks escaped Katrina with their people in their owners' car with a few emergency supplies, but all else was left behind--home, friends, careers, and belongings. Most was lost, but some things are portable and irreplaceable, like the love of family, a good education, and a professional network. So pups and people resettled here in Huntington Beach where their people are starting over, living with his mother and her husband, our hosts. They are big--and although you don't want to be in the way when they hear the doorbell--they are loveable and friendly, and a great comfort to their owners who have lost so much. These dogs know quite a few words, so if you want to mention the beach, you have to spell it, b-e-a-c-h.

Diesel and Nola at the pool

Rhodesian ridgebacks

2878 Enjoying Huntington Beach

Yesterday we viewed a few local sights and sites. Had dinner with the happy couple at Zubie's--I think that was the name. Huge quantities of food--we split a dinner. My husband's father used to have a restaurant in the same shopping center many years ago. John, the groom, grew up in Huntington Beach and remembers the old days when much of it was farm land and oil fields.

I haven't been in the pool yet, but did enjoy some quiet time in the shade. Maybe today.
Me with my coffee by the pool



My sister-in-law and hostess with 2 of her other "guests"

Rhodesian ridgebacks

Monday Memories: The neighborhood story I missed

When I'm at Lakeside, I only read USAToday occasionally, so I missed the story September 1 about Krema Nut Co. and the Chef-O-Nette Restaurant, two local favorites of mine that were featured in a story about "down home dining."

When we moved here in 1967 we rented an apartment that was one block from the Chef-O-Nette--in fact, I think we took a short cut through a neighbor's drive-way into an alley to get to it. We bought a house in the same neighborhood and later when my daughter was in pre-school, I started stopping by with my son to get a cup of coffee for me and a treat for him just to pass the time. I became one of the regulars, dropping in when the kids were in school across the street. I can't remember how many years I spent discussing the news of the day and gossiping at the second bay--maybe 10 or 15. "Our bay" even entered a float in the 4th of July parade and had picnics and birthday parties together. Eventually, the opening time (7:30 a.m.) wasn't early enough when I worked downtown and the university and I switched to Paul's Pantry in Grandview or one of the local McDonald's. We still love the Chef's tapioca pudding.

"Tremont Chef-O-Nette, 2090 Tremont Center, Upper Arlington; 614-488-8444. There's an abundance of charm at this bright, cheery and expansive diner, not only on the menu but also on the walls, which are adorned with numerous plaques and mayoral proclamations thanking the owners for participating in various parades and charity drives. The Chef-O-Nette opened in a shopping center in 1955 in this now-upscale suburb of Columbus (Jack Nicklaus is its most famous native), and from day one, it has amply fed the locals with bedrock fare such as pancakes and waffles, burgers, ham steak with pineapple rings, red-sauced pastas and fried seafood. Most entrees are under $9. The regional touches are modest but reliable: specials such as spareribs with sauerkraut and mashed potatoes, tapioca pudding, cherry cobbler and a salad of lettuce topped with cubes of American, Swiss and provolone cheeses."

Krema Peanut Butter is a staple in my cupboard. I've used their products for about 30 years. However, I've never tried the take-out.

"About 18 months ago at its flagship retail store, a small take-out operation was added, offering about two dozen variations on the peanut butter-and-jelly theme. Sandwiches ($3 to $4) are made with white bread or whole wheat and come layered with almond, cashew or peanut butters in creamy, crunchy or hot/spicy and various fruit toppings. Typical is the PB Apple Cheesecake, made with peanut butter on one side and cheesecake cream cheese and chunky apple fruit spread on the other.

Desserts ($2.25 to $3.25) include sundaes, milkshakes and splits made with peanut-butter ice cream and fruit sauces. The PB&J Classic Old Timer Sundae is the most sinfully delightful with peanut-butter and strawberry ice creams, peanut-butter topping, whipped cream and sliced strawberries."

Click here for the Monday Memories Code, Blogroll, Graphics, & Other Information

View More Monday Memories Participants
Trackbacks, pings, and comment links are accepted and encouraged!
My visitors and visited this week are:Ma, Viamarie, Mrs. Lifecruiser, Reverberate58, Lazy Daisy, Lady Bug,

We're off to California

We've got a full week planned for California, topped off on the weekend with my sister-in-law's wedding, then we'll fly back to Columbus next Sunday. I'm hoping to also see my childhood friend Tina, but if not, we'll meet at next summer's class reunion. The good Lord willing and the creek don't rise.

I'll post Monday Memories early and catch up when I can.

2874 Limosines, laundry and lofts

From time to time at this or that blog, I've written about college laundry, college dorm rooms, and the 1950 Packard my sister and I drove to Indiana when we were in college. But we couldn't imagine college life like this--actually I can't believe it now!

DePaul University in Chicago: "Known as Loft-Right, the mod-looking structure has all the amenities: expansive city views, granite countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, modern designer furniture and satellite TV hookups. The lobby lounge - like something out of a hip hotel - has a pool table and fireplace, and soon will have a Starbucks and tanning and hair salons next door.

Living at a place like this isn't cheap.

Students at Loft-Right each pay more than $1,000 a month for a private bedroom in a two- or four-bedroom unit, with bathrooms shared by no more than two people."

Whole story at "College dorms go upscale" By Martha Irvine

HT Kept up librarian

2873 My new dress

I found a lovely dress yesterday in soft fall colors--moss green, brown and sort of a deep rose. A paisley type print, button front, body skimming with short sleeves. I had my husband take a photo so I could send it to my sister. We sort of look alike and have similar body types, but she's taller and prettier. . . but I'm younger. After looking at the photo, I decided I needed to go back to the store and buy a new. . . undergarment.

Someone out there is creating identical foam inserts for every woman smaller than Pamela Anderson. It is really odd to see acres and acres in every imaginable color, some with lace, some with bows, skinny straps and fat straps, bridal, strapless, sports, seamless, but identical foam shapes. After a great deal of searching, I found one in my size with no foam padding and no underwire and no gel (security checks, you know). While I was waiting in line at the cash register (are they still called that), I noticed that the tall skinny Japanese woman (about a size 0) had the exact same shape as the clerk, a short middle eastern woman who was about a size 16. Then a woman quite overweight and slightly disabled with a cane came up, and she too had the same shape. A Bahamian woman with two young children playing hide 'n seek among the nighties also had the same shape.

2872 If it hadn't been in the paper

I wouldn't mention it. A lot more people read the Columbus Dispatch than my blog! The former pastor of our church committed adultery. That's bad. Really bad. Particularly since he was quite a finger wagger from the pulpit, and helped the church establish a position paper on sexuality. He formerly was with Missouri Synod, and I always had the feeling he didn't think our synod (ELCA) was quite "Lutheran" enough. And he was a charismatic. You know, the joyful ones who get a special word from the Lord on how to be a dynamic Christian the rest of us aren't privy to. The affair happened during the early years of his "reign" and he was with us quite a while. In 2001 we probably had kids going off to college whom he baptized as infants. Unlike Jimmy Swaggart, the televangelist who got caught, he didn't go public and tearfully confess so we could have booted him--after we forgave him, of course.

Anyway, my computer spell-check tries to change his name to weasel. And I'm not going to correct it.

2871 The difference between men and women

There are actually several, but two come to mind. I found this photograph at a clergywomen's retreat site. 1) In a Protestant denomination that ordains both men and women, the men wouldn't be allowed to have a retreat limited to only men. 2) But if they could find enough guys to pull it off (women are outnumbering men in many seminaries), chocolate wouldn't be a featured part of the programming.

2870 Go Bucks! Bucks go to the Library

The Ohio State University Department of Athletics is donating $5 million to the renovation of the main library building which is closing Sunday for four years (Columbus Dispatch, September 16, 2006). Employees, computers and materials are being moved to a number of different sites. This is the second largest donation for this renovation. About $70 million is coming from state funding, but over $30 million needed to be raised. Soliciting for libraries is tough, because they don't have a constituency (alumni) they can tap into. Changes here.

In January I wrote about the money that athletics bring in to the university here.

"Ohio State University is number one in revenue from sports teams. OSU got $89.7 million from ticket sales, royalties, advertising, broadcast agreements and other cources in 2004-05 (Columbus Dispatch, Jan. 4, 2006, version from USAToday). OSU also has the most athletes and teams in Division I NCAA--900 in 36 sports. The program receives NO money from the government or university and it paid $12 million to the university to cover athletes tuition and other expenses."