The Dawn Jogger chose to do the traditional Stanford campus loop this morning, hoping to give her cranky knee a rest from the up and down of the Dish (but how she missed the green and the herd). There were a lot of posters tacked up on her route, the sign that spring elections were being held. And it was good to see the progress on the new, immense Performing Arts Center. Still looks like a space ship to her…
Yesterday the Dawn Jogger had the pleasure of spending an hour with one of the preeminent collectors of contemporary craft in the country for an InMenlo story. The conversation inevitably turned to “what is art.” While portions of her collection have been exhibited in museums across the country and there’s a permanent collection at the DeYoung, there are those in the art world who don’t consider the items in her collection “real art.”
So, it was good happenstance this morning for the Dawn Jogger to spot some “found art” on what was once the beach of Lake Lagunita (back when it was a recreational lake). That’s been part of the fun of jogging the Stanford campus; over the years she’s come upon what appears to be some kind of art project numerous times. But it’s always hard to figure out what is art and what is the end product of one too many beers. Were the objects carefully placed with thought? Or were they just tossed helter skelter and took an an art-like look? Then again, in the case of this morning’s object, was it just a failed bonfire? She will never know…
Thanks to being on central time for a couple of days, the Dawn Jogger has finally adjusted to Daylight Savings time and woke up promptly at 6:00 and was out on the golf course in time to see pretty pink clouds that were beyond the scope of her trusty Lumix to capture. Not so the Dish herd, who were, as usual, happy to pose amidst their breakfast grass munching. The hills never looked prettier in contrast to the Texas city she’s disparaged enough. How lucky to live here…
Other than long city blocks that go on for ever and are flat, Houston is not an inviting city for an urban run, at least in the corner of the city the Dawn Jogger was located in (close to the Galleria). The good news is that the humidity wasn’t awful and it wasn’t too hot. Of course, there’s not much to see either. Big churches, big X rated stores, big array of fast food. And tall modern buildings, randomly appearing. But she got her runs in and that is what’s important…
The Dawn Jogger has seen a number of baseball playoffs games (National and American League and a bunch of Rose Bowl games (go Bruins!). She attended the entire 2002 World Series and numerous events at the 1984 Olympics. Now she can take the NCAA Final Four off her “must-see sporting event” list, having joined friends in Houston for the event, on a “why not?” It is an amazing spectacle to see rabid fans of all ages work themselves to froth-like conditions – and watch basketball played in a football stadium filled with 75,000 people. Not to mention the two hard fought games that made her tense even though she didn’t really have a clear favorite. Let’s just say the VCU and Kentucky folks were a subdued group post game time. And now she has a team to root for. Go Butler!…
The Dawn Jogger is feeling that some how or other pink flamingos entered her life and now they’re everywhere. She can’t even fly sort of halfway cross country and escape them. They’ve been well chronicled on InMenlo, but it’s clear the plastic beasts are seeing a surge in popularity everywhere. But where oh where is she?…
While everything else seems to be drying out quickly under the warm “summer sun,” Lake Lagunita and its environs remain soggy and muddy. The Dawn Jogger had to pick her way carefully again through some patches, especially where puddles hid under the tall green grass. But at least the measuring stick is being put to use, showing a six foot lake (had to get right up close to read). So warm at dawn this morning, needed neither gloves or jacket…
There’s been a lot conspiring against a satisfying sunrise the past couple of weeks. One factor has been the days of rain. The other is a circumstance of the time change – the Dawn Jogger has been off schedule. It’s so darn dark when she usually arises that she’s sometimes slept passed sunrise (if that makes sense – you see, you need to get up in the dark if you’re actually going to see the sunrise). But this morning, she jumped promptly out of bed at 6:00 am, was at the Piers Lane entrance to the Dish by 6:30 and had the pleasure of watching the sky change colors as she made her way to the top. Along the way, she encountered almost every member of the mostly still sleeping herd. The actual sunrise at 6:58 was less spectacular…
The Dawn Jogger can’t quite remember when she’s seen Lake Lagunita this full. Certainly not last year. It takes a lot of rain over consecutive days to fill it up naturally. (Sometimes Stanford empties other reservoirs into the Lake – but that hasn’t happened yet.) The days of rain this month have paid off. Shortly after sunrise today, it was just a pretty spring morning with much quacking and honking from the resident water fowl. Not to mention two Snowy white egrets. A mating pair?…
The Dawn Jogger cannot remember getting up and running and seeing not a cloud in the sky. Such was the case this morning. She set out a little later than usual. All the better to see the glorious sunshine. And the buds on the oak trees, including her favorite. InMenlo weather watcher Bill sent in a post reminding readers from from March 16 onward, it rained 9 of 11 days. No wonder we’re all feeling a big soggy…
 | Amy Bayersdorfer on End of the year, beginning of… |
 | Jim on Good Feast of the Immaculate C… |
 | Alice Carrott on Dawn jog eclipsed by visit wit… |
| Fowl frenzy on the F… on That’s Mr. Gobble Gobble… | |
 | Sue on Bye to Britain with breakfast… |
Dawn Jogger 2011 