What is all that pounding sound?
Last week, I made a commitment to find the source of the pounding sound I was constantly hearing during the weekdays. It seemed like any place I was on the island, from Encinal Hardware to Crab Cove, I would hear bang … bang … bang and it did not take my supercharged hearing to perceive that annoying rhythmic pounding.
On Wednesday, I had prepared myself for the ordeal of having to walk miles in all directions in order to find the sound, when in fact it was pretty easy given the size of my ears and ability to triangulate. The banging sound was coming from Wood Middle School, where a pile driver was pounding these long cement pilings into the ground. It was loud and the ground moved every time the hammer hit the pile. I felt really sorry for all the people that lived in the area. (Editor’s note: Fortunately for them, that part of the project is now over.)
On my way to the school, I walked down Grand Street and found a few unusual situations. There was a child’s off-road truck with a dinosaur hood ornament. I knew it was an “off-road” vehicle because it was in a tree.
One of the houses was flying a Canadian flag, and I saw one of those Tesla truck things painted white. Both were a first for me.
My walk along Alameda Avenue with my human companion first brought me to Union Street, where the corner cottage had a bunch of signs in the window. One was busting the owner of a Scotty that apparently had to go at an inappropriate time.
Further down the avenue, between Grand Street and Paru Street, a yard had several varieties of Amaryllis in full bloom. I had been watching the bulbs sprout a small stalk and grow each week until the bulb at the top burst open revealing the beautiful flower.
A right turn onto Benton Street brought me to one of my favorite plants. When I had walked by a week ago, the bush was full of buds and one single yellow flower. It only took a few days for all of the buds to mature into flowers.
It looks like people are starting to get their gardens in order by weeding, trimming, and putting out garden art like the playful duck I saw in one yard on Lincoln Avenue near Ninth Street.
For those who drive near Willow Street and Pacific Avenue, there is a new stop sign controlling the intersection. Pacific is one of the designated slow streets and the addition of this stop sign will make it safer for cyclists to cross Willow.
Finally, I saw a plaque dedicated to Sadie, who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in 2024, and I wanted to pass it along to honor all the canines that are no longer with their human companions.
Run free Sadie, and say hi to Bear.
Best,
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.
