More adventures as this gypsy moves from the warmth of Arizona to the most Southern city in California. Today was warm, sunny in contrast to yesterday when it rained most of the day. Driving west over the Coronado bridge, the Pacific ocean in front of you, San Diego waterfront to the right, and the Strand to the left all the way to Imperial Beach is why l have spent most of my life close to the coast of California. These breath taking views with the sun sparkling on the water just are not that rare, they happen all the time.
l have become a football fan, college football on Saturdays, the pros on Sundays. lt's learning a new language, all the various teams, the players, the leagues, who's who in football...........as for the sport, it was never my intention to become a football fan, but several years ago circumstances created the time for me to spend some mindless time and football became the pacifier............l even have a few favorites now that l sorta follow.
The time change, cuts my lifestyle short. Lately as early as four-thirty in the afternoon the light is changing and by five-thirty l have missed the sunset. By seven-thirty l start getting lazy and want to curl up with a good book.............but since l am powerless over time change and an adaptable gypsy, the solution is seeing the sunrise and this morning it was spectacular.
corn dolly
original art work circa 2008
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Thursday, October 27, 2011
On The Road
This will be my second attempt to write about leaving the Coast of California and driving to Arizona. Life in Arizona has given the word appreciation a new meaning for me. l have never been fond on the desert, respectful yes, but fond never. l suppose one could say that with age comes a bit more wisdom or willingness to open ;your mind to what essentially has been closed about living in the desert.
l arrived here for a months stay and as l am fast approaching the end of the month l am finding myself very grateful for my time here. The home where l am at has a beautifully landscaped desert garden......at first l thought it was rather bare and ugly.......but after a few mornings of watching the birds gather, the sunrise, coffee on the patio without a blanket.......l began to enjoy the beauty of what was before me. Each plant is unique and surprising, some look almost dead, but can surprise you and flower......others look fragile or thorny but at second glance have a unique grace about them....
Payson, Prescott, are in the mountains and completely different than the flatland around where l am at. l am closer to Arizona State. The town of Tempe is full of bikes and skateboards that the students use for getting around. l rode the light rail and found it so easy to use when my amiga Sheila visited and we toured the Heard Museum.
Another week here and l will be driving around just like the locals......
l arrived here for a months stay and as l am fast approaching the end of the month l am finding myself very grateful for my time here. The home where l am at has a beautifully landscaped desert garden......at first l thought it was rather bare and ugly.......but after a few mornings of watching the birds gather, the sunrise, coffee on the patio without a blanket.......l began to enjoy the beauty of what was before me. Each plant is unique and surprising, some look almost dead, but can surprise you and flower......others look fragile or thorny but at second glance have a unique grace about them....
Payson, Prescott, are in the mountains and completely different than the flatland around where l am at. l am closer to Arizona State. The town of Tempe is full of bikes and skateboards that the students use for getting around. l rode the light rail and found it so easy to use when my amiga Sheila visited and we toured the Heard Museum.
Another week here and l will be driving around just like the locals......
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Getting down to business
O'K.....all right...........l have been on the Central Coast here in California and somehow after all the excitement and wonderful traveling in Mexico with friends, l thought this gypsy would slow down a bit. The truth is when you have been out of the country half a year or more, you tend to want to see all the old amigos, want the new amigos to join you and the rest has been just a fabulous summer. l have to admit l love people and dear amigos honestly just become more dear to me.
After settling back into my little casita l started the summer with an amigo that convinced me we should be in Lake Tahoe to see the fireworks over the 4th of July. Pretty dramatic views of mountain ridges in the distance still snow capped......the casinos more than kept me entertained at night. Everywhere we drove the views were magnificent, ahh summertime in Tahoe.......such magic.
Esalan on a sunny day and world music, beautiful people, organic food............aaahhhhhhhhh, but another highlight for the summer has been driving to and from San Francisco, staying with Utley, visiting museums, Picasso at the De Young, Stein Collection at MOMA, excellent food, shopping in the Haight, refamiliarizing myself with the city just reminds me how stimulating San Francisco truly is.....Each neighborhood l visited had eye catching creative windows, (like little red riding hood in the Haight) boutiques, wonderful ethnic restaurants..........this is the type of city one could kiss the ground with joy at just being wrapped in fog or being at one of the city's peaks with views that leave you breathless and oh the dim sum............yummy, yummy...........
Another adventure of a very different sort was a gift, from another dear amigo...........l was a guest of Brother Angelo at the Mission in Santa Barbara.........after all the tourist left for the day and there were hoards of them brought by buses............the grounds surrounding the mission quiet down, a big full moon lit the gardens casting shadows surrounding small cell size rooms. One would never guess, ever how peaceful, quiet and spiritual the entire Mission can be..........and it was a gift in more ways than a gypsy can write clearly about...........
Just to make sure l didn't get to emeshed with California, (l crossed the state on the coast at least four or five times) l packed my bags and headed to the badlands to visit some amigos who live in New Mexico, Santa Fe to be exact......Oh those clouds, those clouds.......wow............Hatch known for the best chili in the U.S. was being roasted all over the city.......Missed all the thousands who come to the area, as Indian Week was over, but l was able to see my amigos jewelry work at Packard's on the square........l had to visit Chimayo and found it had changed dramatically........new buildings, a bigger finished outside chapel. Driving the high road to Toas, more homes but still very rural and historically still the center of ancient Hispanic traditional art............
Now as much of a gypsy as l am, l managed to have wonderful friends visit this summer, Fred from Arizona, Janet from Oregon, Utley from San Francisco, Joan, Charlie from La Ganitas, Jim, Dana and Kitty from Truckee...........running around with my local amigos, Sheila, Dena, Tasha, Laura, Julia, Fran,Charlotte, Dorothy, Doug, John, Frank .
Next, l leave this part of the coast, the Monterey Peninsula in another week, heading the migration with other amigos South for the winter........l will spend time in San Diego, onto Arizona and eventually back in Mexico...........this gypsy is all ready planning a big trip once l get there...............
After settling back into my little casita l started the summer with an amigo that convinced me we should be in Lake Tahoe to see the fireworks over the 4th of July. Pretty dramatic views of mountain ridges in the distance still snow capped......the casinos more than kept me entertained at night. Everywhere we drove the views were magnificent, ahh summertime in Tahoe.......such magic.
Esalan on a sunny day and world music, beautiful people, organic food............aaahhhhhhhhh, but another highlight for the summer has been driving to and from San Francisco, staying with Utley, visiting museums, Picasso at the De Young, Stein Collection at MOMA, excellent food, shopping in the Haight, refamiliarizing myself with the city just reminds me how stimulating San Francisco truly is.....Each neighborhood l visited had eye catching creative windows, (like little red riding hood in the Haight) boutiques, wonderful ethnic restaurants..........this is the type of city one could kiss the ground with joy at just being wrapped in fog or being at one of the city's peaks with views that leave you breathless and oh the dim sum............yummy, yummy...........
Another adventure of a very different sort was a gift, from another dear amigo...........l was a guest of Brother Angelo at the Mission in Santa Barbara.........after all the tourist left for the day and there were hoards of them brought by buses............the grounds surrounding the mission quiet down, a big full moon lit the gardens casting shadows surrounding small cell size rooms. One would never guess, ever how peaceful, quiet and spiritual the entire Mission can be..........and it was a gift in more ways than a gypsy can write clearly about...........
Just to make sure l didn't get to emeshed with California, (l crossed the state on the coast at least four or five times) l packed my bags and headed to the badlands to visit some amigos who live in New Mexico, Santa Fe to be exact......Oh those clouds, those clouds.......wow............Hatch known for the best chili in the U.S. was being roasted all over the city.......Missed all the thousands who come to the area, as Indian Week was over, but l was able to see my amigos jewelry work at Packard's on the square........l had to visit Chimayo and found it had changed dramatically........new buildings, a bigger finished outside chapel. Driving the high road to Toas, more homes but still very rural and historically still the center of ancient Hispanic traditional art............
Now as much of a gypsy as l am, l managed to have wonderful friends visit this summer, Fred from Arizona, Janet from Oregon, Utley from San Francisco, Joan, Charlie from La Ganitas, Jim, Dana and Kitty from Truckee...........running around with my local amigos, Sheila, Dena, Tasha, Laura, Julia, Fran,Charlotte, Dorothy, Doug, John, Frank .
Next, l leave this part of the coast, the Monterey Peninsula in another week, heading the migration with other amigos South for the winter........l will spend time in San Diego, onto Arizona and eventually back in Mexico...........this gypsy is all ready planning a big trip once l get there...............
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
How the time flies
How the times flies, really the warm sunny days of July are sometimes only something l know listening to the weather channel on the news report. Where l live, on the coast of California, more times the reality is that l begin my morning greeting the fog. However, having written that and sounding a bit like a whiny feeling a bit sorry for myself, the misty spiritual covering of the fog layer is in its own familiar way comforting. Today l am up early and the sun is all ready out, no fog here this morning. Matches my mood...........My friend arrives today by train and will begin a visit to this area. l am looking forward to time with her since the last time a few years ago when l visited her my then life was so different.
l recently traveled to the Sierras, the area known as the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. l was in a very warm, cozy cabin with a deck and view of the lake. The lake was about a hundred feet from the deck. The very top of the mountains are still snow covered, the blues, purple, green, colors of the mountains, the ripples and riot of summer shades reflected in color of the lake were what l have re discovered and felt blessed each moring l sat with nature. l am so appreciating the light, reflection, shadows, and yes...............beautiful colors............Reminds me constantly of the trip my dear amigo and l took last year visiting Monet's garden and home in Giverney.
l painted while in Tahoe for several days, brought home what l had painted and realized sadly that my attempts at capturing what l was seeing may take the rest of my life to develop. When l write of how the time flies, gypsy woman that l am, adventure for me is always just one step ahead. This summer has all ready re-nourished and filled me with joy. l have to stop writing because it is time for me to leave to drive and meet the train my friend arrives on.
l recently traveled to the Sierras, the area known as the North Shore of Lake Tahoe. l was in a very warm, cozy cabin with a deck and view of the lake. The lake was about a hundred feet from the deck. The very top of the mountains are still snow covered, the blues, purple, green, colors of the mountains, the ripples and riot of summer shades reflected in color of the lake were what l have re discovered and felt blessed each moring l sat with nature. l am so appreciating the light, reflection, shadows, and yes...............beautiful colors............Reminds me constantly of the trip my dear amigo and l took last year visiting Monet's garden and home in Giverney.
l painted while in Tahoe for several days, brought home what l had painted and realized sadly that my attempts at capturing what l was seeing may take the rest of my life to develop. When l write of how the time flies, gypsy woman that l am, adventure for me is always just one step ahead. This summer has all ready re-nourished and filled me with joy. l have to stop writing because it is time for me to leave to drive and meet the train my friend arrives on.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Gorgeous day in the neighborhood
What is it about nature that brings rest to your soul? A few weeks ago l was shocked by the cycle of the worms eating the oak leaves, leaving them bare and gray.......Today those oak leaf eatin worms have completed their cycle and are beauriful white moths floating through the air. As for the trees, they to have recoverd and are once again green, lush and beautiful.......ah.......California oaks.........
Other Creatures in nature that speak to my soul are the snake. l love the cycle of knowing they can shed their skin. Reminds me of how many times l have tried or needed to recreate myself. Other lessons l have learned and respect for who they are is the sea horse. Such little creatures surviving in the big ocean of water and reminding me of the depth we all must face internally .
The birds are everywhere, but l must wait till early evening before the red tail hawks fly over or perch in the top of the trees that l can watch from the deck. ln the meantime the many, many different sounds l am listening to as l write are the different musical sounds of the birds that are now in the trees. All this is such a gift and all l have had to do is open my windows to see, enjoy, listen, hear nature very finely tuned...........
Other Creatures in nature that speak to my soul are the snake. l love the cycle of knowing they can shed their skin. Reminds me of how many times l have tried or needed to recreate myself. Other lessons l have learned and respect for who they are is the sea horse. Such little creatures surviving in the big ocean of water and reminding me of the depth we all must face internally .
The birds are everywhere, but l must wait till early evening before the red tail hawks fly over or perch in the top of the trees that l can watch from the deck. ln the meantime the many, many different sounds l am listening to as l write are the different musical sounds of the birds that are now in the trees. All this is such a gift and all l have had to do is open my windows to see, enjoy, listen, hear nature very finely tuned...........
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Readjusment
Tonight as l sit here thinking about living in two countries l am realizing it takes just a bit of adjusting when you are in one or the other. Where does one begin? Maybe it is with the food, or the money, or the language, or the clothes which brings me to the weather. l seem to be very attached to warmer weather. l feel healthier, lighter, maybe even a bit happier.
The other adjustment is leaving friends and renewing relationships with the friends in either country you left a half year or more. Everybody changes, ages, and either country you are in, life goes on whether you are there or not.
The bottom line is at this particular time l would not miss the adventure of living in either country. Way to many adventures and readjusting in either country is just one small bump in the life of a gypsy.
The other adjustment is leaving friends and renewing relationships with the friends in either country you left a half year or more. Everybody changes, ages, and either country you are in, life goes on whether you are there or not.
The bottom line is at this particular time l would not miss the adventure of living in either country. Way to many adventures and readjusting in either country is just one small bump in the life of a gypsy.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Mystery of the Oak Worms
My travels have brought me from one coast to another and l now find myself in Central California. Driving the road that hugs the Big Sur Coast from Carmel to Gorda is always a challenge. The wild profusions of natures colors blend and contrast the sea, mountains, clouds, sky on rare sunny days.
l found myself driving with another amiga on the coast recently soaking this beauty into my bones and being so grateful for the sun showing me more richly the beauty of the Coast.
Whenever l return to this area l am flooded with years of memories of past parties, old friends, poets, drummers, singers, artists. As people have changed, moved on, died, the coast is still the coast and it is still as breathtaking as ever.
East of the Big Sur Coast mountain range is an area known as Carmel Valley. From Big Sur people hike into the upper Carmel Valley. Along the way are small natural hot springs. Driving from the mountains of the upper valley into the area known as the Carmel Valley village is another area known as Robles Del Rio. This is where they mystery truly begins.
Crossing the Carmel River bridge, past Rosies Cracker Barrel, l was struck by the bare oak trees all over the mountainside...........Worms, worms, and more worms, ate all the leaves off the stately old oak trees, leaving them bare. My first reaction was shock. All the stately old oaks bare...... Now, l join with others waiting as the worms after making their cocoons, the weather warms up hatch and become moths. l will have to wait for another year to pass before the leaves will return, but so will the worms as they have for years...................
l found myself driving with another amiga on the coast recently soaking this beauty into my bones and being so grateful for the sun showing me more richly the beauty of the Coast.
Whenever l return to this area l am flooded with years of memories of past parties, old friends, poets, drummers, singers, artists. As people have changed, moved on, died, the coast is still the coast and it is still as breathtaking as ever.
East of the Big Sur Coast mountain range is an area known as Carmel Valley. From Big Sur people hike into the upper Carmel Valley. Along the way are small natural hot springs. Driving from the mountains of the upper valley into the area known as the Carmel Valley village is another area known as Robles Del Rio. This is where they mystery truly begins.
Crossing the Carmel River bridge, past Rosies Cracker Barrel, l was struck by the bare oak trees all over the mountainside...........Worms, worms, and more worms, ate all the leaves off the stately old oak trees, leaving them bare. My first reaction was shock. All the stately old oaks bare...... Now, l join with others waiting as the worms after making their cocoons, the weather warms up hatch and become moths. l will have to wait for another year to pass before the leaves will return, but so will the worms as they have for years...................
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