As The River Rises

The weather this Sunday was splendid with sunshine and a hint of spring. We decided to take a family date to celebrate Valentines to our own downtown a.k.a. "Old Sacramento". Due to the constant rain the rivers are rising and creeping precariously close to history. The old city flooded out in 1850, 1852, and 1862 which lead to the whole town being elevated. As my feet absorb the cobblestone and my footsteps creak the planks I'm back to the Wild West and transcend into a bygone era. We discovered a bit of history along our excursion which I will share in future post. 

Gratitude & Garbage Bags

I  woke up this morning my head all a mess and my mind depressed. One week into the new presidency and oh shit! This dicktator is already shaking the stability of America. My mind is going a mile a minute thinking of the millions ways I can protect and provide for my tribe because the way of life as we known it is changing rapidly. I commend Governor Jerry Brown on his recent stand up for all Californians even though it means the government will not give our state funds if we do not comply to the rules and demands of the new legislation. And yes I know this affects all of the United States, I'm a soul rebel who feels for the world in whole.

Besides the outer world mental interference I'm going about my home life with gratitude in my heart. We are all well and have everything we need at our finger tips. There is excess that I like to tidy up and donate as the seasons change and children grow. My mode of donating was boxing it up and dropping it off at a local Goodwill. A thought hit me hard and changed my mind this morning. I live in the ghetto, poverty is just around the corner literally. As I drive my children to school you will see tent city after tent city, under the over passes, on the bike trail,  lost souls generally roaming around. The people in immediate need of my goods are right there in front of me and are a part of our community. Today is a call to action and tomorrow is a call to service.

The teens get a day off from school tomorrow and instead of going to the movies we will be dropping off the bags of clothes, blankets, and other goods we gather today to those not so far away who are freezing and in need of the basics . Even if we run the risk of getting ticketed by Sac P.D. we are going to do what is an act of humanity because all lives matter. How can we make this small spark spread into a wildfire that illuminates instead of scorches? I pledge to do what I can, how about you?

 

Artistic Poet Magaly

All Aboard !

  

These photos were taken on a stroll along the Central Pacific Train Depot in Old Sacramento, California. If your a lover of trains and history our California State Railroad Museum is definitely worth a visit. May your excursions this weekend take you to marvelous places.

Old Sacramento In Vintage

Pioneer Square

Across the street from the California State Railroad Museum and down a few stairs from the main street level you will land in quaint  Pioneer Square.  Old Sacramento's city was originally at this sub level but due to flooding in the 1850's  the city was rebuilt and raised above river levels. There is still a whole secret underground city that can be toured.

 El Maya caught our attention with it's flourish of color and ethnic delights. We also had a choice to have mini donuts or frozen yogurt from the other shops in the square, and fro yo won. This little square was also perfect for snapping a few photos.

My Renaissance Man watching our youngest  climb up the side of a historic building.

{ M } finds adventure everywhere he goes.

Mother's Day pic with my babies, two of which are taller than me already, but 5 foot is easy to pass up quickly. This week I will be sharing our photo's from around "Old Sac".

Photo Friday - A Life's Ride

A Life's Ride Sculptor Memorial Bench in West Sacramento

Mother's Day was spent exploring our own historic Downtown which is known as "Old Sac" to locals. Across the Tower Bridge towards Raley Field is "The River Walk". A ball game was just getting started in the distance as the kids ran to the giant bicycle sculptor to rest  a little from our walk and exploration of our historic city.

Sol Collective on a Sunday

Truth be told this is the first time we've stepped into this realm of art, culture, and activism. We have been wanting to make the journey for quite awhile now but always put it aside for "one day". Once you step into the building you will greeted with the current display " Whose World Is This" photography exhibition presented by Native Children. Exhibition runs March 12 - 31st at the SOL COLLECTIVE.

{ LIL SPEEDY THE GHETTO HIPPY }

Every second Sunday of the month is PLUGGED an open mic night where you can jam, dance, spit lyrics and kick back with like minded people and simply enjoy the vibes. My son wanted to give it a shot and I'm proud he got up there and spread his message through lyrical poetry. It truly was a night of collective souls!

A great surprise was in store for us that night. I was humbled to be in the presence of such legendary greatness. When he was presented my son and I immediately stared at each other wide eyed as we realized this is the closest we will ever get to the late and great Bob Marley. Ladies and gentlemen I present to you Devon Evans of "Bob Marley & The Wailers".

A Heavy Heart

 A lot of terror and lose of life has happened this past Friday. As the world is globally coming together in mourning over the terrorist attacks on Paris my heart is heavy for my own little town and community. Don't get me wrong I feel for what has happened in Paris but tragedy also struck so close to home that day.

While me and my kids were waiting on our pizza to take home and enjoy with a movie, just a few blocks away a car full of Grant High Football players who were on they're way back to the high school for pre- game pep talk got shot at. The driver passed away and the front passenger sustained a gunshot wound to the arm. These young men our my son's high school peers. My heart breaks in a million pieces for the families and community in whole.

On Friday nights we can sit in our backyard and see the stadium lights glowing into the mist. You can feel the beat of the band as the drums pound away and echo through the streets. Play by plays can be heard you know which team is winning and whose making the plays. But as night rolled in on that Friday the 13th, there was only silence. A deafening silence felt to the core. The only vibe of the Grant Pacer's was on the news.

This shit happens all the time here! Just last week we got an automated call from the high school that a student was detained from walking on campus with a weapon in his backpack. Turns out it was a gun. He got caught with the gun, and mostly likely toted it around everyday until it was discovered. The youth around here have to be on alert every second because anything can happen at any given moment. These streets are taking our babies at a rapid rate no matter how they are raised in there homes.

I write and give the blogging community a slice of our life on our little urban homestead. But in all honestly once I hit the corner we're in a war zone . A war on drugs, gangs, junkies, authority figures, poverty, you name it......this is the ghetto. And yes I said authority meaning the cops jamming up my son , questioning him & running him through gang files when all he is doing is skateboarding with his boombox. The context of this post is all over the place, but to sum up my heavy heart ...... I've had enough! I'm at a lost, we can't move, we sure as hell cannot stay. So what am I or anybody in Del Paso Heights who wishes for a better tomorrow to do? 

Feliz Dia de los Muertos

This beautiful cover was in a special addition of the Sacramento News & Review. A lot of celebrations around my city, but we stayed inside. This arte is on my fridge and brings about vibrancy of the life cycles each time I pass by it.

 Artist John S. Huerta

As I taste the sweetness and sip my coffee out pours honor, love, and respect. The heart pulses and burns brighter as you are forever held by eternal fire.

Woodsquawk is in full effect!

 Passes here

Posters  here

In Peace & Unity Rock On Sacramento!

Corner View ~ One Color

One of my favorite places to visit in my beautiful city is Old Sacramento. The atmosphere really takes you back into a place and time of  the pioneering old west. These photos were taken in October during my husband and mine 12 year anniversary date. We both grew up in Sacramento and are lucky to be a 10 minute drive away from such historic landmarks. The buildings are bathed in purple to show pride for our "Sacramento Kings" basketball team.

A spectacular Theatre of Lights event is held every year during the holiday season up till New Year's. It truly is a magical retelling of Clemente Clark Moore's "Twas the night before Christmas". We have attended a few of these shows over the years with the kids and I have to say that it brings adults into a childlike wonder bliss state of mind.

Here in the United States we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow. I would like to wish all of my friends from around the world a blessing of happiness, love, and togetherness.  I'm grateful 

you visit my corner of the world. Visit Fuoriborgo for more Corner Viewing.

Corner View ~ Stranger

Synonyms of strang-er

new comer

new arrival

visitor

outsider 

newbie

I think this art sums it up.

 These strange art pieces and many murals can be found on "K" Street or newly named  "The Kay" in Downtown Sacramento.

 Corner view is a Wednesday weekly appointment hosted by Francesca, where bloggers from around the globe share their view on a pre-arranged theme.