My Grandmother [d], in my opinion, was set in her ways. She was firm and not changing anything. I’ll give an example. Her coffee pot was a percolator type, real old school. We, meaning my parents and us kids, would always offer to buy her the latest coffee pot with all of the features, but she liked hers just fine. I perceived this as stubborn or maybe being older you get set in your ways. Why not get the coffee pot with the timer and twelve cups and all that.
At one point in my life, my relationship with my girlfriend was caustic. I asked my Grandmother what she thought about the situation. She said, “Well, get an new one.”
At first I thought this is the woman who has percolated coffee since the 1900’s, sits on a *davenport, and made **bathtubs full of chili (unconfirmed). It sounded simple enough. It was reasonable. I took the advice and now I have an amazing family who excels at being wonderful. I shutter to think of the now if I had not.
Years later, today, right now, it just hit me like a ton of anything. She did not keep her coffee pot because she was old or inflexible or unwilling to change. She kept it because it worked for her, flawlessly, with no problems. I just needed this to remember the strong foundation that my family was built on.
Who is the foundation of your family? How have they forged who you are today?
*”Davenport” has become a genericized trademark like “Kleenex” or “Band-Aid.” It is often used as a synonym for “sofa”, especially in the Midwestern United States.
**The dream is alive. I’m thinking about doing this, possibly to feed the homeless of Los Angeles.
Griffith Park Observatory is on the South slope of Mount Hollywood. 
The visionary dream of Griffith J. Griffith, made the Griffith Observatory possible. “Man’s sense of values ought to be revised. If all mankind could look through that telescope, it would change the world!” , Griffith said. His original plans would include a telescope for all to see, a hall of science and a motion picture theater. The observatory comes with a great history. As you arrive, you are greeted by the likes of Copernicus and a real sundial that was accurate enough to let me know when the observatory would open.
For those of you who need proof that the Earth is rotating, there is a Foucault Pendulum which hangs from a domed roof that is beautifully adorned with paintings of philosophers and scientists. Look up.
During the day, a coelostat can be viewed from three locations. This is used to look at the sun without burning your eyes out. The picture on the left is the dome that houses the coelostat.
There is a dome identical to this on the other side of the building that houses the 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope. this telescope can be viewed during the day, but they only use it at night for obvious reasons. Should you find yourself unable to climb the stairs to either scope, CCTV is provided.
There are two levels underneath the observatory that have been a recent addition. There you can view scale models of the planets (even Pluto) and find out how much you weigh on each, see meteors and discover the solar system. A seismograph, used to measure earthquakes, is on display for you to play with.
I will intentionally leave out a few things that you will have to see for yourself. The park is free and offers a great view of Los Angeles. There is also hiking, biking and pets are welcome in some areas. The Griffith Park Observatory is an excellent place to spend the day in Los Angeles.
ie, a man walks up and asks us if we have seen his t-bag. I could barely contain my laughter. We all looked at each other to assess how funny the situation was. Then my outspoken friend told him it was on his nose. At first, I wanted to be respectful; I was raised better, but my humor got the best of me and my friends shared in my dilemma as we laughed loudly. The man, now realizing the alternative meaning to his question, and playing it back in his head as he looked slightly upward, was completely embarrassed, but laughing at himself. 
