Peaceful Serenity

The hikes I take in Bothe State Park put me in a good frame of mind. Two miles up to Coyote Peak for a lookout onto this beautiful Valley, then two miles back down to the car (Which I usually park over on Larkmead lane to avoid the $8.00 charge at the ranger station). The smells of late summer are ever present. The decaying leaves and forest smells harken me back to an easy time, where people would make the time to camp and sing songs, etc. I didn't see much wild life except for some hawks and a little muskrat that scurried across my path.Usually, one can encounter families of deer, skunks, quail, turkeys,coyotes and even an occasional rattle snake. Luckily, no mountain lions or bears have been seen around here in some time.These hills used to be full of them around the beginning of the 1900's or so I've read.People have reported an occasional mountain lion, but that is rare. The picture here is of a Redwood Grove which is my idea of a place where only peace prevails.

A Happy Pappy

It is Friday and I am doing my usual thing. Catching up on correspondence, preparing some Spirit Rocks for the Market[s] this weekend, and sharing my experience with others.

The sun came out around ten this morning,just after I rode my bike to church.It was cool and pretty out, like it usually is in Calistoga. I received about six fresh peaches from a friend who grew them on her property.

So much to be grateful for…

I went and visited my neighbor who prepared some chili rellaños for a delightful meal. She and her husband Andres have a young boy named Kevin who is three.Kevin enjoyed some magic tricks I was demonstrating, as did his grandfather who was also present. It seemed that his grandfather was more mesmerized than Kevin at some coin disappearing tricks I had up my sleeve. At one point however, he noticed the pendant that I had around my neck. I took it off and put it around his neck.Then I told Andres to turn out the kitchen lights. This amazed him when he saw that the pendant glowed in the dark! Immediately, he wanted to buy it from me. Initially he offered fifteen dollars for it, but that was a lot lower than what I usually sell them for; and so we agreed on twenty (only after I explained to him that I usually charge thirty at the Farmers Market). He was pleased with his purchase,and I was happy to see it on another Happy customer

Beautiful Skys

Last night and today we witnessed some spectacular looking skyscapes. They almost look like Salvador Dali had a hand in painting them. The drive this morning down to Napa showed a lot of hot air balloons launching up towards this ominous looking sky. It made me think about how summer can present us with such varied conditions. It looked like a rain shower may occur, but more likely it was monsoon weather system coming up from the south. Yikes, I never thought that this blog would be relegated to a talk about the weather!

Perhaps this tells you about how bloody exciting my life has been lately.

Yep, I'll take boring any day over the alternative.

Affirmations

"Everything I need is now coming to me in totally satisfying and harmonious ways for the highest good of all concerned.”

“The light within me is producing perfect results in every phase of my life now!”

“God’s loving protection and guidance has shown me the way to be in every situation.”

The more I repeat affirmations that stick, I am programming my subconscious mind to listen and believe that wonderfully great things will occur in my life.

I always get the distinct feeling when something is not moving me in the right direction. My energy shifts and I begin to resort to old habits and ways of thinking. Today, I am grateful for the friends that have stuck with me throughout my life in spite of my bad behavior, selfishness and indifference. I truly wish to step into to the light and bring everyone with me.

Yikes !

I had a nice hike with my friends Dave and Kathi over the Fourth.We hiked from the Sonoma Coast inland about three miles to Pomo Canyon. Along the way we saw beautiful groves of Redwoods, Scenic views of the coast and an abundance of wildflowers and plants.That evening, we watched the fireworks from Kathi’s deck overlooking Petaluma.

The next morning I noticed that my sunblock hadn’t covered all the spots I had wished, and saw a small angry patch of red on my right arm. It did not itch, but began to blister as the day went on. That night I put some Technu lotion on it, showered and went to bed. The next morning, my left arm from my elbow to my wrist was red… and it itched this time. Just as I suspected, Poison Oak !

For the past week, I’ve been alternating between Cal Gel and Technu lotion and cold water sponge baths. This is not my first encounter with this stuff, and each time I go for a hike I pray that it is my last. Luckily, I’ve head it off at the pass and so far have not been infected on any other area of my body.I’ve taken special care to wrap my arm so as to not spread the oils around.

Anyway, this bout with the devil’s botanicals hasn’t ended yet but it is subsiding. My friend Don emailed me to see if I was up for a hike at Bothe Park on Friday.

I think it is a little too early, don’t you?

Weekend update

The heat wave continues across the country as we inch our way towards the July fourth celebration. Most of my neighbors have taken to enjoying their brewskies in the car port near my new Ford Focus. This does not please me. Since this is the holiday weekend however, I will observe the motto, “This too shall pass”.

I went to see the movie “Brave” last night with a couple of friends. I enjoy Pixar movies, my favorite being “Ratatouille” of course. Brave had some great scenes however and gets an A+ for technical wizardry.My favorite scenes were of the witches’ cottage and of the bear fishing in the stream. Everything looks so darn real.Pixar has mastered what Disney animators have been trying to achieve for years.

My own artwork has been progressing nicely, as I have been honing my rendering skills to focus on those rocks which are more in “demand”.I have also been working on some poster art which will showcase what a rock will look like with the lights turned off.

Making the most of Mondays

It is raining today. A soft delicate kind of rain that looks like a residual type of storm that blew in from the Pacific. Venus transits the sun tomorrow which is a rare celestial occurrence that takes place maybe two times every century.Don’t forget to wear your solar goggles or you will surely go blind. Yesterday I placed a label I designed on some olive oil bottles that my friend Eleanor provided for me.The label says that the product is “Snake Oil”, but rest assured it is 100% Olive oil. I was thinking about selling it as a gag gift and clearly marking it as Olive Oil, but that would mean that it is a consumptive item, that I would need a special permit to sell at the local Farmer’s Market.Darn. Hmmm… I am not sure where I will go with this one, but it’s a fun little project to occupy myself with on a Monday.

Living in the Material World

I consider myself fortunate that I got to view Part 2 of this George Harrison documentary although I was sitting next to an obnoxious woman who took out her iPhone to take a call, and then text messages during the movie. I was annoyed, but kept my cool and didn’t say anything. The movie really tracked George Harrison’s whole adult life all the way through to his death from cancer. He was very influential on many of his musician friends and fans alike. I did not know for instance, that he mortgaged his house for four million dollars to bankroll his friend Eric Idle’s “Life of Brian” movie, and that he taught Tom Petty how to play the ukelele in a day. This was after opening up the trunk of his car to give him four more ukelele’s to keep him busy.The documentary was made by Martin Scorcese and was so well done that it made me appreciate his music and life all the more.

Merry Month of May

This donkey was saying hello when I finished my hike back from White Sulphur Springs. It was nice to see this creature just kicking’ back and munching on the grass nearby. I mean, usually you will come across a horse or two in the meadow, but how often do you come across an ass ! ( don’t answer that ) Anyway, my walks have been reaping some benefits.Even if I haven’t lost many lbs. I have a lot more energy which is sustained, because I am eating the right kinds of foods. ,

Tonight I went to Randy’s house ( a friend of Dave ) to watch Martin Scorcese’s documentary called, “Living in the Material World”. It was about George Harrison’s Spiritual journey from his time spent with the Beatles and beyond.It really was an incredible walk down memory lane.George really began his journey after his experimentation with LSD.He did not take it knowingly at first.It was slipped into his coffee by his dentist.Later, all the Beatles got swept up in the rapture of those drug induced times until they met the Guru Maharishi and began the inward journey of meditation.

I was surprised at seeing how much people smoked back then.It was also revealing how much celebrity was worshipped,commoditized and protected.The documentary is four hours, and shown in two parts.Randy will be showing the next segment next Wednesday evening.Stay tuned...

Muir Woods with the Ayalas

It was a beautiful sunny day yesterday even though it started out with a lot of fog pouring in through the Golden Gate. I drove Jessica Ayala to her doctor’s appointment at the UCSF Hospital on Parnassus.The whole family came along for the ride. This included Jessica’s parents, her grandmother, and her brother and sister... Cesar and Monica (seen in the photo).Driving Raphael’s large Expedition SUV was like commandeering a Yacht. I managed okay, but had a little trouble getting out of the driveway in the beginning of the trip.

UCSF has expanded and grown. They had several food outlets, outside vendors and even a Farmer’s Market where we could buy produce if we so desired.We bought some snacks and drinks to tide us over as the appointment took around two hours, during this time the family waited looking out the window onto a gorgeous view of the city. But like anything, even the view got tiresome after awhile. We tried watching “Chicken Little” which was running on a monitor in the background, but Cesar and Monica had already seen it. Eventually, Jessica came out looking uninspired, and said that she had to wait two hours just to be informed that she should eat more vegetables! Sheesh !

This family paid a lot in gas, tolls and parking fees to get her to this appointment. I still wonder if she could have been better served locally. In any event, we travelled back across the Golden Gate bridge as I was reflecting on how this was one of the first times these kids had even been in an elevator ! The grandmother was equally as excited by the ride,as she hid her face with her hands to disguise her fear. All this not withstanding, it struck me that it might be nice to show them something on the way back that they may not otherwise think of seeing... Muir Woods !

We arrived in the Park after a long winding road near Mt.Tamalpais in Marin county. When we got parked, it occurred to me that we had four adults in tow, and the entry fee would add up to a nice chunk. Just then, I thought I better pony up, since I was the one that suggested this excursion in the first place!

The Grandmother,Parents and kids were wowed. They probably had crooks in their necks at the end of the day from all the looking up they were doing. It was an absolutely beautiful experience being in a cathedral built by God and nature.Hopefully, this will be an experience the kids will remember when they get older.I know that I won’t forget it.

First Saturday at the Farmer's Market

All went pretty well. I saw a lot of people who usually arrive to buy their vegetables and chat about what looks different this year. I also saw a few vendors who brought some new products to showcase.It is fun to create new things to look at and showoff. I had some bottle stoppers, refrigerator magnets and a few new styles. Some people I know personally, came to buy some gifts for their friends.I thought a lot about changes I would be making for this upcoming Market. For one, I am going to remember to pack a lunch and bring more water. If this Saturday was any indication, it should be a long, hot summer ! The Chefs Market on Thursday evenings in Napa will be a brand new experience for me.I am looking forward to providing some gorgeous Spirit rocks to a whole new group of fans!

Dinora and Andres’ wedding

What a beautiful day it was last Saturday. My neighbors(Vecinos in Spanish) are great people who have waited to have a church wedding for a long time now. Their son, Kevin is three now, and I guess they wanted him baptized, so they sanctified their marriage to raise the family in the Catholic tradition. It was a rather modest wedding with around fifty attendees in total. Fr. Adam, who is the interim pastor at Our Lady of Perpetual Help conducted the ceremony and blessed the faithful. After the completion of the ceremony, a fiesta took place at a small winery just north of Calistoga. A lot more people attended what was a grand feast, with plenty of Mexican food, sodas and drinks for everyone. The music played, but few people danced until later on in the day. I stayed from two until six, but was told that the party didn’t really get going until after a Mariachi band showed up unannounced. This was a surprise gift for the couple who had a wonderful day that they will remember always.

Salt Point

I went out to the coast the other day to go “Shrooming” with my pal, Don Freeland. This was a trip we had taken before, but not of the psychedelic variety. We drove past Jenner up the coast toward Ft. Ross to Salt Point State park. We pulled the car just off to the side of the road and walked in about a quarter of a mile. The streams were filled and the ground was moist, so it was good to have a pair of water resistant boots on my feet.The forest was rich with new growth and everything was very green.

After looking around for the various types of mushrooms that grow in the area, we came across some we were unfamiliar with; and naturally left them alone. Last year, we had travelled here with a Mycologist named Chester who knew a lot about what was safe to pick. Chester has passed on since (no,not from ingesting poisonous mushrooms), but left us with a basic knowledge, so we could at least tell the difference between a Chanterelle and a Yellow foot. Don had left at home an Audibon Society guide of mushrooms that grow in Northern California. We hiked to a few different spots hoping to find an abundance of different species, but determined that it was still too early on in the season which hasn’t produced much rainfall this year.The mushroom crop was slim picking this year.

Don said that it was usually a week or two after early Spring rains drench the ground when mushrooms start to appear. Perhaps too, some pickers had gotten the jump on us, but I doubt it. Anyway, we came home with a small bag of Chanterelles ( no black ones, though ) and had a positive experience and adventure.

Silvia’s Birthday

My neighbors are the sweetest people I know and today was Silvia’s birthday. She is the mother of Cesar, Monica and Jessica and the wife of Raphael Ayala. Today was a very pleasant early April day. No rain, but still a little on the cool side. Whenever I hear a knock on my apartment door, it is usually the Ayalas or the Jehovah’s Witnesses. It is rare that anyone comes by to visit. Tonight however, it was Raphael presenting me with a wonderful plate of food which included two tacos, rice, beans and vegetables. The tacos were fantastic. One chicken and one carne asada. After finishing those up, I went downstairs to celebrate with the rest of the family. Lucky me, because cake and Ice cream were on the menu after everyone joined in singing Silvia the Happy Birthday song. The kids are a little shy, but you would hardly know it with all the soccer games banging off the building walls during the day. Everytime Cesar scores a goal he shouts a long winded “ GOOOOOOAAAAAAL ! “ just like they do during the televised games." He is also a Giant’s Fan. He hopes someday to attend a Giant’s game in San Francisco at ATT park. All in all, this is a great place to live.

Recently Read

I just finished the “Twelfth Insight” by James Redfield. It was similar to his first novel, “The Celestine Prophecy” but this time we are taken through documents about practices that are to be integrated, rather than insights to be experienced. The Celestine Prophecy had us exploring meaningful synchronicity as the benchmark of the first of the twelve insights. These insights would build on each other much the same way that the documents tend to propel the reader through this quasi-adventurous tale about warring factors in our own personalities that are also played out in the world. If there be peace in the world, let it begin with me.

Nowadays, principles that are looked upon as “soft” or “ultra-liberal” directly confront stoically unyielding attitudes of people that are apparently after the same thing. Not to be outdone, the book was written in 2011, and looks to December 21st, 2012 as relevant, insofar as it marks the end of the Mayan Calendar. This is a time when, if the world does not end on this date will certainly be seen as a harbinger for a new age. This book also seems to capitalize on themes that are at once political, philosophical and spiritual. This does not take into account an overarching Biblical treatise on the apocalypse.

Miko’s Third Birthday

Daylight Savings Time began today and I was out the door to just make it to mass by eight. Father Brinkle’s sermon was all about how Jesus got angry and threw the money changers out of the temple. It is nice to know that Our Lord could be fully human this way, and yet still be without sin.

After mass, I made my way to “Playground Fantastico” in Napa only because Ed placed some balloons right outside the gate on Old Sonoma Road. Seeing all the kids was great, and it was nice seeing my nephew(s) and in-laws as well. The party was traditional with hot dogs on the grill and a big cake for Miko. The Piñata was tough for the little ones to crack open but the candy eventually got distributed among all who wanted a bag full. The morning was drizzly but the sun eventually broke out, every time Miko smiled. This was not an easy task at first. He eventually did brighten, as did the day.

Later in the afternoon I went by Mont La Salle to visit the Brothers, as well as paying a visit to the Veteren’s Home as I made my way back up the valley. All in all, a very thought provoking and reflective day.

Oh blah dee, Oh blah dah...

Today was another uneventful day. I putted around doing busy work waiting, waiting and yawning. Too much of nothing makes a man feel ill at ease. I am looking at making a change and yet am not about to force any quick solutions.

My friend Veda is wearing the world like a loose garment. She has put all her things in storage and is living out of a suitcase. Today she called via Skype and we had a nice conversation before she went off to sleep. She is in transition and it feels like I am too.

My beard is coming in nicely. You might say I look like a beat poet or a contemporary of Ernest Hemingway. I like that image. Plans are brewing for the end of the month. Veda and I will be attending a “black tie optional” dinner at my alma mater in Moraga. Oreo cookies turned 100 today and the St. Mary’s Gaels are progressing to the NCAA tourney ! Sweet sixteen is on the horizon!

I really don’t have anything to gripe about do I?

Patience

"Waiting is… “ This is a particular tenant of faith that does little to quiet the conversation and conjecture that goes on in my mind when the answers don’t come. Today I waited to hear from a prospective employer about the possibility of a job. When I didn’t hear from him, I called and left a message on his voicemail with my number. So far, nothing. I did my best to occupy my time today, which included painting rocks, updating this blog, cleaning my car, going to mass, starting my taxes, cooking my lunch, drawing a picture ( see image included ) and meditating. Yesterday I brought a group of people on a hike to Coyote Peak. Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away.

I believe in Yesterday.

Now it's Thursday

It is an unseasonably warm day ( we’re talking 70º plus ! ) . Winter here in Calistoga has probably never been more enjoyable, weather wise. I will be hiking through Bothe State Park with my pal, Don around 10 am. It was just as nice yesterday, but even though it was sunny out I couldn’t get out into it. It just seemed sort of wrong, being the dead of winter and all. My niece Elizabeth is in Hawaii, where there are continual tropical thunderstorms . My nephew Justin in Australia reports lighting storms for over a week now. Phew ! The image above was taken on my recent trip to SF. It is a view from Lafayette Park looking north across the bay. Sweet, huh?

Taking a Survey

Here I am at the Fleishman Field Research as part of a Focus Group. The group is pretty mixed. This is a fun way to earn a quick 75 bucks.

What an interesting day. I left Veda on the Freeway next to the San Quentin off ramp because the CHP would not let me drive through due to an Occupy protest. I ended up in SF after all. We are still on good terms... I think. She is living in her new home in Larkspur. I have yet to see it. The picture here is a sample picture which was in the Sample Pics folder at the focus group.