Christmas Eve 2018

The year went by so fast, but I don't have to tell you that. Is it that we circle the drain faster as it eventually empties out? Whatever the case, I am still trying to do the best I can with the time left on this planet. My wish is for everyone to be happy, joyous and free this Christmas. My hope is for a healthy world of love, peace, and respect for life in every form. Generally speaking, our birth and our expiration date are pre-determined. Who among us would like to admit that they know when they are going to die, even if they did? Was Aldous Huxley the only one who made such an accurate prediction of his own death? (albeit without attempting suicide). The question is ponderable and makes the argument for reincarnation curious. If one is reborn, at what point would that cycle expire? Does infinity expand or contract... or both? Inquiring minds want to know. (Geez, is this particular blog boring or what?) I rest my case.

Well into the Fall

Here it is, October 14th and the air is cool and dry as the winds are expected to pick up again today, just like last year around the time of the fires. I pray to God that there will be no natural disasters until we at least get an opportunity to rebuild after the last one. This not only goes for the fires but for the floods, hurricanes, tidal waves, typhoons, earthquakes and whatever else could bring us to the brink of collapse. The world seems to be in dire straits more every day. Without sounding too hyperbolic, the entire world is undergoing a massive upheaval. The reason for these events may not be readily apparent but are becoming clearer to everyone with the eyes to see and the ears to hear. We must come to rely on the power of God every day to guide and direct us. We need peace and serenity on this earth, while there is still hope. Most of all, our leaders must realize that pride does cometh before the fall. Trusting the process, following your heart and allowing beauty to manifest itself, is the way.

Summer Flies by

Wow! You blink and it's gone. I see that my last post was back in June and so much has happened from that period until now. Fires, fires, and more fires. Naturally, the news media, fake or otherwise, has provided more than we ever need to know about Trump, Global warming, and the Kardashians. Today the temperatures have dropped a bit and Fall is definitely in the air. Tonight I'll be attending a drumming circle with some friends at a house in St. Helena. The full moon was last Sunday, but there should still be plenty of light available before the coastal breezes and fog come rolling up over the Mayacamas.

Truth be told, my summer has been rather uneventful, except say for my sister's 50th wedding anniversary. That was really a great occasion. My nephew arranged the whole affair and went so far as to rent out a nice building in Napa next to a golf course. The extended family came from as far away as Washington State. Although I didn't stay long, the day has proved to be the highlight of my summer.

Around 3PM that afternoon I took my grandnephew to see the Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton play at the Concord Pavillion. We got there early enough to beat the traffic, but not the heat. It turned out to be a fantastic show and Liam enjoyed it immensely. Peter Frampton opened and played a set that included all his covers. Steve Miller followed with Frampton jamming with him later in the show. Liam could appreciate it from a guitarist point of view. He has been playing the guitar for quite a while now and it has become his new passion. By the end of his first concert he was walking on clouds ( not to mention all the weed that was floating around in the air). Liam is at an age where he needs a lot of male guidance and support, not to be blindly exposed to all the worldly temptations. I just hope that the kid meets others like himself so he doesn't spend too much time alone. The show ended around midnight and we were back at his hotel around one.

Today I am back to painting rocks and getting ready for the weekend markets.What the heck, it keeps a roof over my head and food in my belly.

Smiley Faced Dog

The picture of this puppy was snapped just in the nick of time. She is only three months old and is a bundle of energy. Outside in front of the Whole Foods Market in Sebastopol is where we met. I think her name is Belle. The eyes on this dog just blew my mind, so naturally, the iPhone got whipped out in short order. Her owners were very obliging, as it is certain that I wasn't the first person to inquire if a photo could be taken. Naturally, If I had stuck around, the licks and the leash would have entwined us all.

Earth Day Rattlesnake Idea

This is what I call the "Earth Day Rattlesnake". The idea came to me as I was picking up these bottles all around the neighborhood whare I live in Calistoga. You basically just cut the bottom off of an empty plastic water bottle and stuff it inside another with the cap and the bottom part that you just cut off ( thus creating a rattle effect ). Now see how long you can make it ! I was hoping that the kids would catch onto this idea for earth day, and begin recycling these things. Hey, when you are finished making one, you can deposit in the Blue Bin. What a concept. Anyway, today I am posting this idea and am sending it to the marketing department at Crystal Geyser™ water company where I live. Perhaps they will run with it.

Curmudgeon Mind

It seems culturally accurate that those in the Western World suffer from what many may call an "Inner Critic".Having been raised in an upper-middle-class neighborhood, with other Anglo Saxon peers, monitoring our behavior and the behavior of those around us was a full-time job."Keeping up with the Jones" meant (and in most cases) still means measuring our own self-worth in comparison to the perceived worth of those around us.

Living in San Francisco during the 60's put me into a special class of people that were out to change the opinions of those boring fundamentalists of our parent's generation.Most of my friends eschewed the wealth and outward appearances that seemed selfish, rigid and cold.We seemingly sought a more communal spirit that has carried the sixties philosophy through to the present day.Love, Peace, and Happiness had to come before Sex, Drugs and Rock n'Roll

One would suppose that there was a generosity of spirit that permeated our culture in radically new ways, thanks not in part to the frustration brought about because of the Vietnam war, the closed-minded arrogance of certain politicians and a fragmented, resistant government as it still exists today.

A close friend of mine at the time called all this progressiveness, "Responsible Hedonism".Today I would call that a cop-out.The idea of moving west and leaving your reputation behind to join the liberal left brought many an asshole to the west coast, particularly Northern California.

By most accounts, our first world problems prevent many from appreciating the suffering and misfortune of those in other areas of the world. Our personal suffering still flourishes though, every time we were stuck in traffic behind an ostentatious driver who moves at a pace just slow enough to piss you off.What I realize today, is that the haves and the have-nots are occupying the same roads, breathing the same polluted air and that we still have to exercise a generosity of spirit that is the hallmark of a functional albeit progressive society.

The Generative effect of the Ocean

Occasionally, I take off for the coast.Jenner and Russian Gulch offer me the serenity and peace of mind anyone would seek after the stressful or mundane days stack up.Nature has a way of replenishing the soul and enlivening the spirit within all of us.Taking off my shoes and wading across a small inlet toward the beach itself connects me to the earth in an energetic way.The flowing water also soothes my emotional state because water is a conduit which expels stored traumatic episodes.The waves lapping and crashing on the beach offer the sensual delight of repetitive sound, fresh air, ocean breezes and the salty smell of the sea.Nothing that compares to this blessed gift.Sunset especially, reminds me that thier is relief and rest in a day well spent

New Year, Blog Update

Okay, I know I haven't posted in awhile ( yea, quite awhile ) but it doesn't mean that I don't like to blog.It is just that my existence is not very interesting by most people's standards. Yes, you could say that I have become rather boring.Even my brother kind of grimaces and gives a forced laugh when I try to entertain him via FaceTime. My problem is I already know what people are doing in my life because I can read Facebook every day and find out.Nothing new under the sun as it is said. Today I lowered my yearly premium by forty dollars by signing up for renter's insurance... Yay! I will also be taking a mature drivers course for another discount... Yay! These are examples of how thrilling my life can be these days.

So, I was taking my daily shower when it occurred to me that I have not made out a will.How am I going to divide up my life's earnings amongst my loved ones, who will probably not love me as much if I leave this world with a mortuary bill. That being said,I have around ten grand in savings that may be enough to get me cremated, I dunno.

Anyway, I want my computer and car to go to my nephew Edward, and I am hereby assigning him to be the executor of my humble estate. I will graciously leave it up to him to disperse whatever is left in my name.My artwork should be donated to the Smithsonian collection, but if they don't accept it, then perhaps it should be donated to the National Archives.If that doesn't work, then give it all away at my vendors booth at the Calistoga Farmer's Market.