One lemon flower has turned into about 5. I inhale deep gulps every night before bed.
Lately on my drive to school, the sky is the color of sapphires. The streets just beginning to be glazed with sunlight.
I drive by this temple every single morning and nod at the silk flags rustling in the wind.
8 hours later I'm passing by the Kim Sing Theatre. I love the corrugated metal doors the color of sky. Chinatown in all of her radiance.
A random shot of green.
Home. Where I sit now. In front of the window. Breathing in the heady night air that smells of tuberose, lemon, honey, jasmine. Thousands of blossoms opening at once all across the city.
Here is the picture I didn't take: A quick stop at the market on my way home. A scruffy boy with rumpled hair and a shabby white t-shirt trying to sell See's candy to whoever's buying. One of his sneakers is untied. He looks forlorn. He sees me coming, stands up straighter. "Wanna buy some See's?" he says.
"Not today," I reply and wink.
He gets me again on the way out. "Are you SURE you don't want some See's?"
I put my arm on his shoulder, stop for a second, "Does it look like I need any candy?" I say motioning down the length of my body.
I walk on towards my car. He calls after me in the sweetest voice, without a trace of guile. "Well I think you're just perfect."
And that, my friends, is a true story.
That is just totally awesome. Love.
Everyone who has met you agrees. xo
well, I’m not perfect, and I’ll take the See’s!
Did you sign over your paycheck to that boy? I would’ve! hee! hee!
You are SO going to buy some candy from him next time…don’t even lie! How could you resist?
Go back right now and get the address of his parents.
I want to send a “Thank You” note for doing such a great job.
Oh, better get the names of all of his Teachers while you’re at it….
Love it!!!
Thank you for sharing your perfection.
Thank you for sparkling in our direction.
mr. see’s candy man is headed for greatness.
I would have laid down in the parking lot and kicked my legs up in the air and screamed with delight if he had said that to me and then I would have picked him up and tossed him into the air and said “hey! let’s blow this popsicle stand and go to the circus or something what say you?”
Did that little boy hve brown eyes? I’d have been sunk and I’d have bought ALL his See’s after a remark like that!
I love your photography, as always. I can practically smell your lemon blossoms.
And you didn’t pack him in a pocket to bring him home? Probably just as well.
Love your pictures. By the way, I think that you are more than perfect.
You do a valuable service in showing the world (your fans, that is) how different LA is from its received image worldwide. Those scents and colours and architecture!
See, that little boy recognised a just perfect thing when he saw it!
Who was that forlorn boy?! A Divine Avatar of some kind!? Clearly spiritually realized. Fabulous.
Lovely photos and such a sweet story… I was in the field yesterday for work (I never get into the field anymore) and it was a beautiful day… The orange trees were in bloom… The fragrance was awesome… It’s been a long time since I had smelled them.
Loved the photos, and I too would have purchase the whole lot of candy from that little charmer!
Beautifully written, I was caught up in life from your perspective and the photos are wonderful as always
Sweet story, lovely photos. I can almost smell those fragrances of LA in the springtime. You paint such wonderful stories.
had he said that to me i would’a bought the whole lot of Sees!!!
What a nice story.
But didn’t we already tell ya you’re perfect.
THAT is awesome. Thanks for the smile this morning – great way to start my day.
Sometimes you just have believe in the goodness of our fellow humans! *Sherri*
“In front of the window. Breathing in the heady night air that smells of tuberose, lemon, honey, jasmine. Thousands of blossoms opening at once all across the city.”… Deep sigh. Well, at least it is milder now – the air feels like silk on the skin. I have hope.
Sweet, sweet true story – good thing you didn’t buy the candy, though. It would have ruined that precious moment.
Now after THAT comment you should have bought the Sees! lol Love the gorgeous pictures.
Mary Ann
I swear you make me want to grow wings and fly to LA. Now that would be quite a sight if I could actually do it. Anyhooooo, your photos are GORGEOUS and your story as radiant as all that sun CA is known for. You sure know how to tell a story my friend….swaying to California Dreamin’ by the Mama’s & the Papas.
Isn’t LA just wonderful now? The scent from all the jasmine and lemon trees is a wee bit of heaven. I love our city this time of year! The story about that scruffy little candy seller made me smile. It reminds me of how just a little niceness goes such a long way.
Shine on candy-man!
You mean you have that gorgeous weather and See’s Candy available on the sidewalks???? You’re killin me here Ms. Moss!! I’m in the middle of a blizzard and you are livin the Life of Riley in Candyland! 🙂
Are these photos using Poladroid* or a Photoshop Action or what??
*I haven’t seen that textured matting before.
Whatever you’ve used, they are delicious. Thanks for the eye snack.
Awwww – so sweet!! He is absolutely right 🙂
I usually buy from those kids, whether I need them or not, but then I have teenagers to eat the stuff 🙂 I remember having to go door to door selling campfire mints. I hated it!!
Thanks for sharing that sweet moment – made me smile this evening.
It’s the beauty of the moment… the truth of it… I still remember once while playing with my neice and nephew some random games and my nephew stopped for a second, looked up and said, ‘you’re beautiful, aunt linda’ … we need to learn to hang onto those words and moments as fiercely as we hang onto the negative voices in our heads.
I love your words and your art… and am so glad I found your blog.
…scatter joy…
collagecafe04.blogspot.com
Oh dear. I would have definitely HAD to buy some See’s from the young man just for his kindness. Not that I need to eat any candy. LOL Maybe someone would invite me to their home for a visit and I could give them the candy. :o) I love sky the color of sapphires. And the smell of flowers. I am thrilled at your lemon tree and it’s blossoms. Happy weekend…
That’s a sweet story. What a charmer he is. Have a god weekend, Nancy