Home

It was a great trip, full of fabulous experiences and first time wonders.

When I look at my feet in the sand, washed by the ocean, I'm happy and a little wistful that the week is over.

But there are more adventures to come, my heart is content.

Peace

Visiting Giants

Seven miles up the canyon, unlock the gate and bump down six more miles of gravel road, almost chicken out at the strenuous trail warning, go anyway.

Hike over a mile, drop 600 feet, hard to walk with mouth open in awe.  They just kept getting bigger and taller, more craggy, all the olds ones with burned bark skirts, crowns so far up we couldn't see them.

It's the Tall Trees Grove and I cannot describe how magnificent they are, to be in their presence is enough.

We made it too and rewarded ourselves with grilled oysters and some tylenol.

The fog is thick, tonight the harbor seals are quiet, heading East towards home tomorrow.

Peace

Little Slice of Heaven

Trinidad, coastal California-

Here's the view from our campsite.  Tonight we walked through the woods to see the ocean and later grilled steak on our little patio.

Tomorrow we have all of Patricks Point State Park to explore.

After such a long, hot and smoky summer it's incredibly wonderful to feel the fresh ocean air.

Peaceful dreams to you.

Old Growth

Hiking in the Headwaters Forest Reserve was a breathtaking experience.  The forest is mostly new growth with the remains of giants scattered around.  It was deep and dark with ferns everywhere.

We didn't make it ask the way to the old growth forest but enjoyed our little hike.

Today we head up the coast looking for someplace new.

Peace

To the ocean pics

These got lost someplace.

Peace

Blues

Hanging out at a bay side park in Eureka, the scenery is beautiful and the music is superb.
This is Eric Bibb performing and last was the great blues harmonica player James Cotton.
Now sunburned and tired we are eating pizza and planning our adventure tomorrow.  First thing is a short hike at the Headwaters Forest Reserve.
Peace

To the ocean

Mount Shasta viewed through a smoke screen.
Road construction on highway 299, this tractor is jack hammering the rock away.  The operator gets the award for major cojones.
The fog rolling in from the ocean, only 20 miles to go.  The temps have dropped to 53 degrees and the humidity is higher, it feels shop good we want to cheer.
Next a brewery and some fun.
Peaceful dreams.

Day one - over the mountain

This is Donner Lake, incredibly deep and incredibly blue.

I'm heading out on an adventure, over the mountain, to the coast of Northern California for a Blues Festival and then up the coast toward Oregon from there.

Be ready for lots of gorgeous scenery.

Peace

Sweet dreaming

I found this little fellow at the fair, all curled up and dreaming.

He or she looks like a lop eared rabbit.

Peaceful dreams to you all.

Ripples

I love it when I take a photo and later see so much more than I had intended.  Which is sort of a metaphor for life in general, isn't it?

It's just Bode doing his thing, wading into any little bit of water he can find.  I know he's hot but he just seems to like water.  I'm still trying to get him to swim out.

And they both stunk like pond water on the trip home.  I hosed them off, dried them and now they are sacked out.

This was down at the creek off of Champion Road.  Make sure you click on the photo to make it bigger.  You can't really tell how big this is can you?

Peaceful

Little Radar - Spitfire Video

Their first music video!

They filmed it with a GoPro camera, check it out.

Woot!

Suggestions?

I have these great little glass fish and need some suggestions for words to add.

Hmmmm?

Smoky sunset

Thankfully there were two of us on the trip down to Sacramento Monday.  My passenger took this great shot.

We could not believe how beautiful it was.

Peace

Pigpen

This is why my house develops a layer of dust every two days.

It's a good thing he's cute.  See his tail wagging?  He's usually smiling too but right now he's wondering if I'm going to get the vacuum and use it on him.

It's been hot and smoky as we are surrounded by massive wildfires.

I've been consumed with every day things.

I power washed my front fence and ended up with most of the dirt on me.  Next is to re-paint it and the back steps.

I have lots of things in process in my studio, getting ready for the Open Studio Tour the first two weekends in October.  Hopefully I'll have some pictures to show today.  In the meantime, here's a photo of the new copper fold formed earrings I'm making.  The first two pair sold quickly.

Peace to you and yours.

Hot August Nights

We headed down to Reno to see a great upcoming band called the Heartless Bastards and got an extra bonus.  They call it Hot August Nights in Reno, fabulous classic cars come from miles around to parade around the town.  It was wonderful to hear the big engines rumble.

And here's a shot of the Heartless Bastards in concert.  They were really good.

Finally, a shot of smoke from the Chips fire up in Plumas County, which has now grown to over 30,000 acres.  It's heartbreaking.

Peace

Get the Stick

There it is, get it.

No, you get it, it's too deep and I'll mess up my fur.

Mom doesn't care, she says you're a pigpen anyway.

Ok, brawn didn't work, let's try brains.  Ahhh, there it goes...

Stupid stick, didn't want it anyway.

Maybe it will come back?  After all, Mom says my face can get blood out of a turnip, whatever that means.

(Click the pics for bigger versions.)

Next stop - RODEO!

Peace

Did you know?

That car seats actually come with cup holders now?  Where is the cell phone charging outlet and pocket?

Wow!

On a more sane note.  I took the fur faces down to the river to play.  I picked blackberries for Dandy and me.  Bode thinks our culinary choices are poor.  But he likes chasing sticks.

The habitat of the rare and elusive mountain Corgi. They are known for their stealth when tracking cookies and their ferocity when confronted with a new squeak toy to dismember.

Crikey, there's one now, hide your food, unless you'd like a kiss or two.

More later...

Peace

Hot Summer Days

The boys and I out at the Mine.

It's hard to imagine, but I'm standing on a pile of crushed rock 20 or 30 feet deep.  We walk along here everyday and it's just a long stretch of white rock and sand.  Until you go over there by the trees and see that the pile drops off steeply and then you know you're standing on a LOT of rock.

It's hot and getting hotter but so far the nights are down in the 60's, which means I can sleep with the windows open.

The cold river is calling me.  This time last year it was still high and cold from mountain snow run-off but this winter was considerably milder.  I wish time would slow down a little.  It's true that it goes fast, especially when you're having fun.

The Nevada County fair is this week.  I'm going to the Rodeo tomorrow night and the Demolition Derby this Sunday.  AND I will be looking for a corn dog at the Job's Daughters booth, yum!

My son turns me on to all sorts of interesting music.  I get to see the Heartless Bastards up in Reno this weekend and maybe again in Sacramento on Monday.

Someday Little Radar will be joining bands like this.

Peace

Back to Reality

The fountain is cleaned out and refilled, the hummingbird feeder is cleaned out and refilled, the bills are mostly paid and the general catch up is done.

I cannot believe how adorable my furry boys are, they are happy to see me too.  They settle down once I've got the suitcase unpacked but they don't get far away from me.  Both of them are sacked out at my feet waiting for a nice walk or some frisbee fun.

The trip was uneventful and fairly comfortable as I scored an exit row seat on both flights.  Ah, sweet leg room!  The frenetic airport atmosphere makes me sort of crazy but some good music via my Ipod and my Kindle help tremendously.  And the people watching is just terrific.

I'm so happy to be home.  My time with my children is joyful and gratifying, but...

My heart lives here, nestled up against the big mountains,
My blood is in the waters, rushing cool and strong,
My strength comes from the rocks,
My feet are rooted deep like the pine trees and oaks,
My vision is the sky, streaked with clouds, multicolored as the sun rises and sets,

Life is good.

Last Night in Austin

I missed a night, oh well.

Yesterday was mostly a busy day for trying to finish little projects, packing and whatnot.

Late at night we headed back downtown to The Parish, which is an awesome musical venue, to see Little Radar play.

I'm so glad I got to see them again, on a great stage with fantastic lighting and a big open room that really let their sound out.

All if us were there so it was special.  Grant is amazing to watch.  His natural environment is performing.  I just kept thinking how great it is to see someone doing what they love, with skill and confidence. 

This week has been great for me.  Not so much a vacation week but a family week, just doing what they do in their own way.

Sadly I pack up but happily I head home.  I'm yearning for my furry boys and my studio waits quietly for me.

It won't be long before I'm here again, later in September when its not so hot.

Peace

Austin Day Five

HEY!  Whatcha got there?  Banana?  Ohhhhhh, yum!

This is Dobby, she lives with my daughter, her guy and two other chicken friends.

Peace

Austin Days Two & Three & Four

Ah, I see these posts are finally showing up, good.

On Friday we did some hiking on the greenbelt, which is a gorgeous walk along the creek, filled with wildflowers.  The creek is seasonal and is dry now except for one last pond, sort of green, filled with pollywogs in every different stage.  There were fingernail sized frogs hopping around.  Will the others grow some legs before the water is gone?

During the day we are taking little shopping trips and working on house projects.  I'm teaching my daughter to drive a stick shift.  I sure wish I had learned it so quickly.  Nothing happens until late at night here.  I drove downtown and had cold beer and amazing pizza while I watched some Olympic coverage at Home Slice Pizza.  Don't miss it if you ever come to Austin.

Further downtown I got to see The Couch play, they have some exciting new material which has been recorded and is being mixed for release in a fee months, can't wait.  My friends will be getting new music for Christmas.

Yesterday we painted a room and ended up at Guerros for dinner, damn fine margaritas!

I keep thinking I need to stop in at Allen's Boots and smell some leather.

Few more days then home.

Peace

Austin

It's been a riot of music and food and good drink, family fun and some work here and there.

Unfortunately my posts are stalled so the update will come later.

Peace

Austin Day One

What a great place this is!  Of course, not only is the place great but the people I love are here.

Flights were good, though sitting in one place for such long stretches makes me a little stir crazy.  I even cleaned out my wallet, jeez.

It's HOT and humid, but it's Texas, so what?  After a bit you just get used to being sweaty and start to enjoy it.  The weather forces you to drink fabulous margaritas and cold beer.  They just taste better here.

And the food, wow.  We started with ceviche and blackened fish tacos and later downtown I hit one of the best bbq food trucks for a pulled pork sandwich with onions and pickles.  I sat on a bench blissfully eating and people watching.  The sandwich is smoky with super tender meat and the pickles are crunchy and sweet sour, awesome!

We went to Lovejoys, which is a great grungy bar that makes their own beer.  Word is they are closing which is sort of sad.  (Photo of Grant and I here.)

Live music is everywhere and we are at Red Square to hear Little Radar play.   They were wonderful and the crowd is full of great friends that actually like talking to a Mom.  They tell Grant his Mom is cool which is too fun.

There is time for fun, music, food, friends and heart to heart talks with my expanding little family.  I'm so lucky to be able to do this.

Today I'm going to go out and get lost and see what I can find.

Peace

Rumbles and Booms

It's raining!  I hope it turns into a gully washer.

And there's thunder and (presumably) lightning.  This is great, except maybe for the dog sitting on my feet.

I miss the great Midwest thunderstorms so this is a treat.  Hopefully the lightning doesn't set off any wildfires, we're still smelling smoke from the Robbers fire out past Colfax.

Wonderful busy week, heading to Texas soon.  I had a great weekend, meeting some very cool new people, life is good.

And in Texas I get to see my beautiful daughter and her new guy and new house.  And twice I get to see Grant and Little Radar play, the only question is which pair of cowboy boots to wear.

Peace

To Life!

We need you to come in for some more pictures.

No woman wants to hear those words.

Ok, I say.

Outside calm and friendly, inside seizing up in fear.

The next few days it's equal parts reason and chaos.

Pushing plans back, drawing in, wondering if I'm strong enough, the endless loop you can't shut off.

Today early to the imaging center, happy to get the process started.

Pictures that go to the Radiologist.

Waiting.

More pictures.

Waiting.

She smiles kindly.

Says he wants an ultrasound.

Waiting.

Cold gel, the transducer slides up and down.

See it, the empty space, not round, black and empty, like my stomach.

Waiting.

He comes in, eyes steady.

Hold on they say.

It's probably ok, but strange enough to want more, to make sure.

Waiting.

Sign papers, talk about procedures, talk about afterwards.

Cold, scared, hopeful.

Steady eyes, steady hands, gel, transducer guides the needle.  I watch the screen, the black hole
disappears.

It's ok, the cyst collapses, best case scenario.

Today I did not join the line of women fighting breast cancer.

Little beat up, bruised, thankful, mentally exhausted, elated.

Aware that I would have many sisters before me, beside me, behind me, to lean on, learn from, follow and maybe lead.

It's enough to live each day, each minute.

To love thankfully and deeply.

Peace.

Byzantine

I just finished this beautiful Byzantine necklace and thought I'd model it.  Neither me nor the necklace is polished up this morning but we look ok, no?

Life is good, the sun is shining, the fountain is burbling away and we just got back from a walk.  Yesterday we walked the longer mine trail and stopped to talk to one of the park rangers.  She said to be extra careful because we have a mountain lion mother and two cubs out in the mine property, which is my backyard.  Evidently she's thinning out the coyote population, which is exactly what predators are supposed to do.  Too bad we can't scoop up a bunch of the stupid half tame deer out of the local golf course community, put them to good use.

Did I say that?  Well, it's true that I've never thought much of deer, they ate way too many of my flowers and plants.  But I will admit they taste pretty good.  They aren't as sweet as you may think, the boys and I have been attacked twice by does protecting their fawns, not that I blame them but it was pretty crazy to see.  Of course, they boys just thought it was a recalcitrant cow and tried to herd her back to me, wonderful.

Here's an awwwww pic from my Minnesota garden.

Smiles to you.

My son...

Yesterday I picked out one picture for each year of his life.  I'll just post a few.  I almost wrote sun instead of son, which is so appropriate as he's been a warm ray of light ever since he was born.

I was so afraid when I brought him home.  I hardly wanted to touch him because I thought I would do something wrong.  Then I looked at him and realized that he was mine and I was his, that neither of us really knew they rules so we'd just make them up as we went along.  And a little voice way down inside said, "You are all he's got, you are good enough and smart enough, figure it out."

I think we did ok.

Minneapolis

West Coast

Wisconsin

Catalina

Niagara Falls

Texas Ikea trying out a new bed.

Texas - Little Radar

There is sort of a water theme here, which besides being on stage, is where he's happiest.  He found a fabulous girl who loves water and music too.

Happy Day!

Thankful

Sometimes the sadness in the world becomes almost overwhelming.  I feel too much the grief, fear and tears that others are experiencing.  I begin to falter in my course, wanting to curl up in my bed and sleep until the sadness goes away.

But I know it won't.  I have to try to avoid the daily news, the killing, the hurting, the pain, the stupidity and cruelty of some people and of nature's mighty disregard for the little lives in the path of hurricanes and floods and earthquakes.

The best way I know to shake the bad stuff is to remember to be grateful for the good stuff.

A dearly beloved black and white Corgi has died alone and scared far from home.  I grieve with his family and give my boys an extra hug.  They crawl up on the couch into my lap when they know I'm distressed.

I'm so thankful for my life, for those friends who've touched my heart and shared laughter and smiles as well as tears and sorrow.

I'm so thankful for my family, that I've gotten to watch my children grow and hope that they find as much satisfaction and joy watching their little ones grow.

I'm thankful for the shelter I have.  That I was able to find a house that nurtures my soul as well as my body.  And that I've been able to fill it with happiness, beauty and love.

I'm thankful for my skillful hands and eyes that really see, that I'm able to create beautiful things that make other people smile.

I'm thankful for red dirt, good music, men with beards, hands that cherish, arms that open wide in greeting, hearts that spill with love.

I'm thankful for so many things and know that the Great One has blessed me repeatedly and continues to do so.  I know that her love is never ending and that the more we send out the more she pours into us.

I send great heaps of love and laughter to you all.

Wanderings...

It's great to have out of town guests because then I remember how interesting things are right in my own back yard.

We wandered around the Empire Mine grounds.  The gardens are in full flower, butterfly bushes taller than me bursting with gorgeous colors of pinks and purples, huge marguerite daisies, old roses of every shape and color, campion rose (lychnis), and many others.

It's strange and sort of disturbing to think of the lovely gracious life the mine owners lived while right below their feet men and mules toiled in the dark for bright gold.

Here I am sitting on a man skip, thinking how it would be to actually be going down into the shaft.  Evidently they've built a side tunnel from the main shaft, which may eventually be open for tours.

I don't know, it's not Knott's Berry Farm or Disneyland.  Even a few feet down into the shaft it gets cooler and more humid, hard to breathe, it's scary.

We spent a bit of time talking to the Blacksmith's apprentices and coveting the beautiful old anvils.  They were saying that when the mine closed down in the 50's it was just abandoned and not a state owned park until 1975.  During that time it was vandalized and looted for treasures but once the state took over people began to bring things back knowing they would be taken care of, love it!  Some of those same kids are now lovingly taking care of the mine and it's fascinating history.

This is my backyard.

Peace