Visiting with the Sherman Oaks Gang!
Click here
to go to Page 2
Last night Hittys Grace and Kate, Granny Augusta and
Allegra went to meet and pick up HMC.
They met at the Woodland Hills Public Library where Mrs. B works.
HMC bid her farewell to the HittyB's Quartet and was warmly greeted by the representatives
of the Sherman Oaks Gang.
HMC jumped into the cozy carrying case with the Sherman Oaks Greeting Committee and her box of goodies was carefully placed in the car.
Because of the new baby in the Sherman Oaks family,
we did not get home until very late. HMC was grateful that her guest room was
ready.
She is resting now from all her adventures with the HittyB Quartet.
Look for more photos soon.
Hitty Grace and the Sherman Oaks Gang
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Dear Hittygirls,
Upon my arrival, Hitty Grace and Granny Augusta were most hospitable. They took me to the lovely guest room that was made ready for my arrival. After my extensive adventures with the Hitty B Quartet, I was happy to have a few days rest.
When I am fully rested, I plan to give a science lecture to the Sherman Oaks Bittys. They seem quite eager to learn.
Until my next correspondence....
Hitty Marie Curious
````````````````````````````````````````````
Sunday, January 29
Dear Hittygirl Members,
I awoke to a lovely sunny day. The Sherman Oaks Hittys were all very busy. I
could hear them chattering and scurrying around the house. It seems they are
making preparations for something big.
Hitty Grace suggested I get acquainted with my surroundings and take a leisurely
stroll in the backyard. I hope you will agree that what I found was most interesting.
There were two citrus trees loaded with fruit. My hosts have told me that I
am most fortunate to be visitinig this year. It seems that the trees have a
large crop of fruit every two years. The alternate years the tress only have
a few tangelos or grapefruits. And there were flowers in bloom in most parts
of the yard. Winter in southern California is certainly much different from
other areas I have visited.
Please
click on the link to view the photos.
Hitty Marie Curious
Sunday Afternoon, January 29
....................................
Dear Hittygirls,
The Hittys and Bittys have been busy all morning. This afternoon they invited
me into their parlor and surprised me with the most lovely afternoon tea.
The party was to officially welcome me to their home. There were sweet pastries,
cakes and candies served with delicious tea. Again, I was lucky as the travelling
musician band from Russia was present to entertain us.
A wonderful time was had by all. Click
here to view more pictures!
Hitty Marie Curious
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
Wednesday, February 1
Dear Hittygirls,
No outside adventure today! Today I presented my Science Lecture to the Hittys, Bittys and Boys. That all arrived eager to learn.
First I gave an Introduction to Chemistry talk. Because my host is a dentist, I then spoke about teeth and the importance of oral hygiene and x-rays and their use in dentistry. The HIttys, Bittys and Boys all seemed to enjoy the lecture. After the lecture they all came closer for a look at my travelling laboratory.
Please
click here to see the classroom:
Hitty Marie Curious
````````````````````
Thursday, February 2
Dear Hittygirls,
Today's outing started with a visit to the nearby Rancho Los Encinos Adobe.
It is the oldest historical site in the San Fernando Valley. Before Europeans
discovered the Americas the site was the location of an Indian village for centuries
because of the natural warm spring on the property.
While there we viewed the 9-room Spanish Adobe home built by the de la Osa family
in 1849. We also toured the the adjacent French style Garnier home which is
currently used as a museum. Walking around the grounds, we stopped at the duck
pond which was originally the warm springs.
The original property was One Mexican league or 4,460 acres in size. Over the
years beginning with the de la Osas, the Rancho had been used to raise cattle,
a small vineyard, raise sheep and later on by other owners, dry farming. When
their ranching pursuits failed to bring in enough money, the de la Osas started
serving meals and letting out rooms. The Rancho's location along El Camino Real
( Ventura Boulevard today) proved successful. Vincente de la Osa died in 1861.
His widow, Rita, eventually sold to her son-ion-law. He then sold to the Basque
Garnier brothers. The Garniers built the French style home in 1873, the duck
pond at the site of the spring, and raised sheep. The property continued to
be used as a ranch and inn by subsequent owners until being subdivided in 1915.
In 1949, the remaining 5 acres became a California State Park. For a more complete
history and interesting reading,
please go here.
Upon leaving the park, we stopped at the newest public building in the San Fernando
Valley: Fire Station No. 83 in Encino. It is located around the corner from
the Adobe on Balboa Boulevard. I had a friendly visit with the firefighters.
They allowed me to inspect their equipment close-up. The engine I examined was
on loan from Fire Station No. 93 in nearby Tarzana.
On the way home, my hosts stopped at a nursery to purchase some bedding plants.
Such a profusion of color.....how does one decide!
What a wonderful outing I had. I was grateful to be back at home in my guest
room to rest.
To
View more photos, Click here.
Hitty Marie Curious
p.s. We have just received an invitation to spend the weekend at my hostess's
brother's home in Newport Beach! Hitty Grace, Yvonne and I are so lucky. We
leave Friday afternoon and shall return late Sunday evening.
```````````````````````````````````
February 6
We returned yesterday afternoon from our weekend at Newport Beach. Our hostess’s brother’s home in Newport is actually a waterfront property on the bay. Arriving quite late on Friday, our adventures did not start until Saturday.
What a surprise to awaken and find cool temperatures and fog! It had been so warm and sunny in Sherman Oaks. My hosts reminded me that coastal weather can be very different from the inland valleys which are almost desert like. Those of us who awoke early had a small breakfast or nibble as our Newport hostess called it. I spent a little time out on the patio looking out at the bay at what I hoped later would be a sunny day. Around noon, we went by car to a favorite spot for brunch. My hosts usually go by boat, but it was too cold and foggy to be safe. The coffee shop has the most delicious breakfasts and has been there for more than 50 years!
After returning, I went down to the water’s edge and found some lovely shells. My Sherman Oaks hosts have packed them up for me to take with me on my future travels. The sun decided to try to come out from the fog, and so we went out in the smaller boat. It is called a Boston Whaler. I think my ancestor, Mehitable, would find that name interesting. Hitty Grace loaned me her life jacket, reminding me that a wooden Hitty can never be too careful when near water! We had a grand time boating in Newport Bay. The next day we had a very relaxing morning on the patio. It is so pleasant to just sit and watch the boats pass by.
Luckily traffic coming home was very light. My hosts agreed that everyone was probably already comfortable in their homes to watch the televised the Super Bowl Game. We also agreed that a wonderful weekend of rest and relaxation was had by all!
Please
Click Here for lots more photos.
Hitty Marie Curious
February 7
Today was to be a quiet day spent at home resting and catching up on household chores.
An unexpected phone call announced that Jeremy was coming to visit! My hosts knew that I do love babies and were happy that they were able to arrange a visit with their newest grandson, Jeremy Seth. We spent some special private time together. He is indeed a sweet little baby.
Hitty Marie Curious
February 9
Summer like weather prompted a visit to the nearby 6 ½ acre Japanese Garden. The garden is located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley in the Sepulveda Basin, adjacent to the Donald C. Tillman Water Reclamation Plant. The water reclamation process supplies the irrigation for the garden as well as nearby Balboa Lake (manmade) and the Wild Life Reserve.
The garden is designed by the award winning garden designer, Dr. Koichi Kawana. Dr. Kawana also designed three other Japanese gardens located in St. Louis, Denver and Chicago. This lovely garden of tranquility makes it difficult to believe that you are so near one of the nation’s busiest freeways and the Van Nuys Airport.
Our visit started with a stop in the bonsai specimen area. We examined the many specimens and I posed for some photos with Hitty Grace and Atsuko. Atsuko is my host’s newest creation. We then entered through the heavy wooden gates and found ourselves in the dry Zen meditation garden. While there we sat under the wisteria (now dormant) arbor to plan our tour.
We next went along the path leading us through the “wet-strolling’ garden. Everywhere we looked the view was amazingly beautiful. I was fortunate to pose for many photographs to remind me of this garden. At the end of the path there is an authentic teahouse. Unfortunately for us, tea is only served on alternating Sundays.
Click to learn more about the garden.
Click to see the rest of the photos of our beautiful afternoon.
It was easy for me to understand why my hosts enjoy coming to this garden. A glorious time was had by all.
Hitty Marie Curious
