One of the Squirrels at Chace Park

It was a perfect day to visit Burton Chace Park on its little peninsula in Marina del Rey. The mercury was rising, I was in the middle of an Icelandic mystery by the masterful Arnaldur Indriðason, and I missed the cool sea breezes that characterize the park, even when no one else experiences them. So I stopped first at Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery for one of their famous Godmother sandwiches and a soda and took them with me to the park.

On weekdays, visitors to the park could park for free for up to 90 minutes by the parking meters.

As usual, the park was full of hungry squirrels and loud crows. I’ve always liked them. They were good company for a bookworm like me, unlike the bums and spare change artists whom I avoided like the plague. Fortunately, they were not in evidence today.

After an hour and a half, I returned home feeling fresh. Martine was gone out for a walk, so I warmed up some of my potato and spinach curry and served it with a dollop of plain yogurt.

Unfortunately, some of the rich turmeric-laden sauce dripped onto my shirt. Turmeric is one stain that does not come out easily. Sigh!