Mendofleur

Jeanette’s baby was due a week ago today on the 26th of July, so on Saturday Jeanette generously offered to take me to the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. I have wanted to go there ever since it opened a number of years ago. I had been to the original site, what they term “The Getty Villa” in the early 70′s but not to this center. When I venture to Southern California I usually spend all my time with kids and grandkids and do not indulge myself with outside activities. So when she suggested we get away from our routine of waiting for her baby to arrive, I decided it was a great idea to venture out since Cedars-Sinai Medical Center was not that far from the Getty.

When we arrived it was overcast and cool, perfect weather for an outing, but by the time we left mid-afternoon, the sun was out and it was getting a little warm. The view up at the Getty was not completely clear, but most likely some smog was mixed in with the marine layer.

I knew the grounds, buildings, and art would be impressive, but I was not prepared for being overwhelmed by the architecture and the immense overall beauty of the place.

In one of the brochures, it describes the Getty Center “located on a dramatic hilltop in Los Angeles’ Santa Monica Mountains” and housing a “collection of western art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of spectacular architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views.” It was all of this and more, and I was captivated and surprised with the beauty and magic of the gardens as well.

These sculptural garden “trees” are actually umbrella-like shapes made out of rebar with bougainvillea growing in and around the shape. It is so magical and unique, I could not stop taking pictures from all sorts of angles and distances.

Jeanette was willing to pose under one of the beautiful arbors.

In the center of the garden is this incredible maze of trimmed boxwood.

And cascading down into this wonder of maze is the most beautiful waterfall. The sun was shining as we walked and admired the plants and flowers and the beauty, and we began to feel life was full and rich and really special.

This morning Jeanette had another doctor appointment and we were given some certain news that if she did not start labor today, then she is to be at the hospital at two in the morning (Tuesday), and she will be induced. So it looks like her July 26th baby boy will be an August 3rd baby. I will post a photo when he arrives. I have been a little preoccupied since I arrived here. I find it hard to concentrate on emails and post comments and blog comments, so please forgive me and know I will be on track very soon when I get back to Portland.