South of Sunnyside

I’m trying to be patient with the neighborhood, but we’re still almost two weeks out from Halloween. As in, it’s October.

So why are my neighbors hanging Christmas lights?

At least they’re taking their time and hiding all the cords…

Kim and I stopped by Belmont Nursery on our way home from breakfast. This is probably one of those “I guess you should have been there” stories, but if you know Kim and me well, I’m sure you can imagine the tone and facial expressions in the following conversation.

Me: We’re looking for a fast-growing shade tree to plant next to our front bedroom.

Nursery owner: Well, how tall do you want it to grow? How tall is your house?

Me: (thinking)

Kim: (in serious tone) Well, it’s a single-story house. I don’t know—100 feet?

Nursery owner: (looking at Kim like she’s crazy)

Me: (looking at Kim like she’s crazy)

Kim: (with a look that acknowledges that her calculations are a little off) Oh, no, it’s probably more like 65 feet.

Me: Let’s go with 15-20 feet.

Nursery owner: Right. Well, maples are probably what you’re looking for.

I love her more every day.

The sign on HWY 180 says completion of the extension east will be in 2011—this used to say 2012, which seemed likely when the project was put on hold during last summer’s budget debates. But today I noticed that the section immediately easy of Clovis Avenue has been striped, and the exit signs are installed.

Further east, the merge onto the old highway is completed, and can be driven on (it’s required, actually, if you want to travel past Temperance Ave.). So, what are they going to do over the next two years?

I’m pretty sure your over-weight chow does not want to look like a “lion.”

Please stop it. You’re being ridiculous.