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Texifornia Stats

Found this interesting tid-bit doing research on California Ballot measures today:

From 2000 to 2015, the state lost nearly 800,000 residents with incomes near or below the poverty line. Nearly three-quarters of those who left California since 2007 made less than $50,000 annually. The leading destination for California’s poor? Texas.
From CalMatters Article "Californians, ere's why your housing prices are so high."

So, for those here who have moved from California to Texas, was finances part of the reason?

Downtown Mural

I'm not even sure where we were when we saw this on the side of a building (just somewhere in Southern California stopping for a bite to eat in a down-town area on the way back from somewhere else).  Loved this artwork and had to take a picture.   It's not a grainy pic...it was painted on a textured stone back-drop, with 3D butterflies scattered about, as well as painted ones. 

Do more virtual sight-seeing at....

Sharon's Souvenir Photo Blog Hop

My World Tuesday

4th of July Sky

I don't often take pictures of fireworks...photos don't often really capture their beauty.  But the smoke around the fireworks this 4th was mesmerizing, and I had to try.  I caught these...

And the rocket's red glare

the bombs bursting in air...


Sky Watch Friday

Primrose Surprise

I was so surprised and happy to see these beauties in our local park.   Mexican Evening Primrose, a little taste of the best part of Texas Spring, right here in California!

San Diego Seals

So, this Christmas I had planned to take our kids on a day trip to the mountains to play in the snow....but there was no snow in nearby mountains, so we did some things closer to home in stead.

My favorite was visiting the Seals at Children's Pool right here in San Diego (no pool...it's just a beach that's called that where seals come when they are pupping).

Here's some pics we got while we were down there....

Yes, yes that is a football next to that seal...

And here's a video of all the cute stuff we caught the seals doing...
(with commentary by my three boys)

These seals are Pacific Harbor Seals.   They are just one of the many seals and sea lions that can be found in California (as a kid when I was living on the boat I remember the sea lions always used to hang out on the bouys) .  

So, someone I know argued with me over whether these were sea lions or seals. Well, if you've ever wondered  how to tell seals from sea-lions, there's a good guide here:  How to Tell Sea Lions from Seals.

So, my oldest son also took this pic of a seagull.  He hasn't been in California long enough for sea-gulls to be no big deal.  Though it came out nice.

(Taken by my eldest)


Shared on

 

So, I heard Texas got snow...

So...this happened...

That picture (and the humor) was from a friend of mine in Houston...not from me, cause as you know if you read my last post, I'm not in Texas anymore.

And NOW it decides to snow.

You remember around 2008 - 2011 or so Texas got some pretty good snow? (And, for any northerners dropping by,  by "pretty good"  I mean enough snow to scrape a snowman off your yard if you try really, really hard).  

Well, you may not but my kids sure do...and EVERY SINGLE YEAR SINCE any time the temperature would drop, they would look to the sky for white stuff, and get mad when none would come.  

So now I'm in a place with mountains in short driving distance...but even the mountains aren't getting snow (least not any that sticks long enough for us to get there.)  Meanwhile, TEXAS is having tons of it (and by tons, I mean...ah, well, um....SOME).   It's like the state is blowing snowy zerberts at us!

Seriously, though I can't complain...it's like 75 degrees here.  

Enjoy the snow ya'll!