THE SHAPE OF THINGS

FINDING PLACES IN THE MIND

     It is often the juxtaposition that delights.  Hot orange aloe vera bloom against the white froth and blue of the Pacific along a jagged and rock festooned shore makes a lovely sight. Each element alone has a beauty, but in concert they create a texture that then leaves an impression. The power of each is amplified by its relationship.  Don't words on a page, or thoughts in our mind work that way?

     It may be fine point, but I like to see how public space is filled with shape and then consider the "message" that shape conveys.

     A gate, a divider, becomes a study in separation and picture of contrast.  Both light and dark play with each other.

A rain chain reaches up, to catch rain falling down.

  Curve, straight line, glass, stucco.  Texture

Up and down, against a timeless wash.

If we could detach from our being, and simply observe, would we find that we are a bit like figurines placed against backdrops?  Pause someday and think of yourself as a moving actor in an intricate texture. Does it change what you see?  Are there shapes you 

may have missed? Ponder, it is a private art.

WET, ALL WET AND WET BEHIND THE EARS

ATMOSPHERES

     Gentle rain returned to the Central Coast, ending a dry January with the promise of more in February.  That is important out here since our rainy season is limited.             Fortunately December was record setting. Despite the recent weeks of stunningly gorgeous weather, we look forward to rain in February.

IT TAKES WATER TO MAKE TEA

BUT ARE THEY ALL WET

OR WET BEHIND THE EARS?

     Anger about and at the political process and even specific politicians is healthy, if it is balanced with reason and a true understanding that a democratic republic is a process that demands negotiated settlements, compromise! The best deal is one where all sides leave something on the table.  Adults should realize that.  Children must learn it. 

     The anger coursing through the body politic reminds this observer of children throwing tantrums.  If they can't have it their way, they won't play.  I understand why and how people are fed up.  There are too many empty suits, egos, self aggrandizers, grand standers and buffoons with office space in the House and Senate.  Too many high priced K-Street lobby whores, exert too much influence on a legislative process that has become too byzantine as well as bought and sold.  But it really is a matter of degree.  Read history.  It has always been a little bit thus.  There are many sharper minds who have agonized over what has gone wrong. My little take is, ambition and gain have supplanted decency and intelligent rationality.  There is simply too much score keeping and too much money involved. Sure, campaign finance reform could be an important step, but that is for another day.

     The tea party sentiment lays claim to honest discontent, worry and fear. But anger is a poor intellectual core.  Anger as thesis of a political movement will lead only to destruction.  History is my gospel on this.

     Anger, frustration and resentment is a not even a poor cousin to constructive change, it is the demon child who ultimately seeks not just revenge but a snuffing of that construct of hope where competing interests find a rational and shared course.

INFANTILE POLITICAL BULLIES

     There is a place where these infantile political bullies want to beat their chest and let their rage supplant intellect and they are pretty damned inarticulate in explaining why.


LINK HERE AND READ ABOUT A STATE WHERE SOME WANT TO CELEBRATE THE STAIN OF THE JOHN BIRCH SOCIETY-CLICK TO LEARN  WHERE REASON IS GETTING MUGGED 

     I first covered Richard Lugar when he was a mayor, so I have the benefit of history.

He is now one of the great lions of the Senate.  He has done more to keep this world safe from destruction than most Americans will ever realize.  He has evinced more courage, intellect and visionary legislating than the sum of dozens of others who have served in the upper chamber.  Thank God there are still men and women of his calibre who are willing to slog through the awful process to help preserve what semblance of greatness the republic can still gather in tatters.  

     People who would want to unseat that kind of seniority, intellect, pragmatism, service and devotion should be laughed off the stage.  They don't get it.  Yes they may be angry, but they need to grow up.  In fact they should talk to a few of the whiz bang tea party Illuminati who have now spent a few weeks in Washington.  Many of them have learned that getting angry doesn't even qualify you to be taken seriously.

PARDON THE RANT-NOW FOR SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT-almost

A California Quail, cute, but he should find a better place to answer nature's call.

Stretching it slightly, he's like the K-Street hustlers, fouling a place of deliberation.

Looking carefully you may see residue of the pollen that is so plentiful now. Mixed with water, it can become an agent that darkens and stains wood.

Not unlike political anger, fed by shortsighted voting.

Enough already.  Celebrate vitality.

THE WEEKENDER :)

MYSTERY AND HIGH JINX

The bees are into it and pollen is in the air

Is that what's up with the birds?

We'll get to that mystery, but first a word from our sponsor

ASSURE CLEANING

THE POLLEN BUSTER

Photo courtesy Lana

"Pollen is in the air. You need the THE POLLEN BUSTER from

ASSURE CLEANING.  Look at this-Exhibit A

See that patch of dirty yellow?  That's pollen and it's everywhere. See the difference after THE POLLEN BUSTER?

RELY ON ASSURE CLEANING

A division of Securelawn

Now, back to our Mystery.

The locals say they've never seen it quite like this.  Larger swarms of Gulls have massed where Santa Rosa Creek flows into the Pacific.

They've created Gull City.

with thousands of gulls lining up to get in, feathers litter the beach

they fly in frantic swirls

 This has always been a fly in  spot, but something this spring has increased the attraction and number of birds.  It has created some spectacular scenes.

Until the next time, remember when you do battle with pollen, you need

THE POLLEN BUSTER

From ASSURE CLEANING

A Division of Securelawn 

NATURE SPEAKS AND SO DO WE

 CHANGES

     In the Midwest we had to wait until April or May for flowering trees. This Mediterranean climate is a gift giver and deeply appreciated.

     If you are a regular visitor here you will notice a couple of changes to LIGHT BREEZES.

It is now easier to "follow" and be noted. In addition you'll find other blogs, connections, and a keen flow of the latest from Apple, Google and Microsoft- the new Big 3.

SHOOTING THE BULL

     Our instant flash mob hungrily assembled again on the deck to continue celebration of Diane's birthday.  Celebrating began last evening when Norbert entertained the lads and lassies with his extraordinary key board work and compositions in the back room of Brambles.

    It is a group that can sustain several conversations simultaneously, while making short work of the ample and marvelous chow.  There was a unison act in the birthday serenade and consumption of the ceremonial cookies. This is a crowd that enjoys.

All the while this guy grazed only yards away.  I wonder if he knew that some of his kin

was being consumed within earshot.  Consumed and appreciated!

 It's a long shot and a bit grainy, but this grand abode towers over both the grazing and and chewing venues.  The heirs of William Randolph Hearst, the man of the castle, have made us happy, because of the free range and naturally grazed cattle that becomes Hearst Ranch beef which finds its way into the busy mouths of the Friday lunchers.

Though in truth the only bull shooting is done by the instant flash mob.

And so a weekend begins in the Middle Kingdom.

BUT SOMETHING ODD THIS WAY FLYS

Some of the long time residents are wondering what's up with the gulls?

This weekend, we'll take a closer look.

And

Could a mystery be lurking?

As we used to say on TV, that and more on the way.

Plus coming soon THE PLANT POLICE.

See you down the trail.

A CAT NAP IN THE SHADOWS

PARK THOUGHTS

     California parks are going to feel the budget crunch.  Analysts say some will be closed. A state that is rich in parks and preservation of natural wonder needs to find a new way to operate the State Park system.

      Yosemite is a National Park, but a vendor runs the lodges and hospitality concessions. In essence a major portion of park operations is privatized.  Could something of that nature help fend off the closing of State Parks?  

POSSIBLE PATH$

      There are a variety of paths to follow. California could reap huge income by selling park land.  The idea is repugnant, but if the state closes parks now, mothballing them, what is to say a sale is impossible?  Better is a long term lease, say 150 years, to a private operator who is bound to operate according to a state proscribed standard. Better yet, the parks title to "the people" by virtue of a federation of wildlife, recreation, conservation and wilderness groups taking either ownership or the long term lease.  

     Best, perhaps, is that Bill Gates, Ted Turner, Warren Buffet, George Sroros or even a Kobie Bryant or Mick Jagger, buy the land, put it and an operating endowment and into a public trust.

      Must be California dreamin'

     While winter feeds your discontent in some areas of the world, we offer a dose of green. There is a downside-pollen is like a dust this week.  But, better than snow or ice or gray.

DAY BOOK

A blue and green world

Happy trails and good napping.

A MORNING TRAIL AND THEN LUNCH

A CENTRAL COAST WINTER HIKE

     Let's take a hike.  We'll make someplace between a 400 and 500 foot elevation change.  I can't be more certain because topographic maps differ.  We start at sea level and walk what is called The Coyote Trail.  It is often littered with Coyote scat and as it climbs it winds between Monterrey Pine thickets and other habitat of small animals.

The climb is gradual until about here.

A thick Pine forest is to your right, with a small patch of trees to your left

and the trail is pitched up and rutted.

Once you clear the thicket you begin a long trek toward the crown.

Here you begin to get a peak of the Santa Lucia Range

Looking back toward the Pacific you can see the break to the slope.

Then you begin the hike across the top of the hill.

Above you are looking due west.

This is looking east, toward the Santa Lucias and the village, tucked into the Pines.

Here you are looking north west and toward the trail down to the bluff.

Down and into another a small patch of shrub and thicket.

Into the thicket you can begin to see the break of the slope and the altitude. The brown line about 1/3 from the top of the frame is large service road.

Approaching the thicket

Lot of poison oak grows here

The path is rutted from winter rains

Another view of thicket trail and elevation

The knees respond to this pitch

This is looking back up the incline

Then the trail flattens, and follows the coastal bluff

One of several handcrafted benches

On toward the south, and a completion of the loop

Every day provides a unique atmosphere and light play

     The flat loop trail is two miles round trip.  The climb adds another 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile depending on paths taken.  It is a marvelous hike to watch the change of seasons and the always changing Pacific light and color show.

AND THEN A FAVORITE LUNCH SPOT

Rudell's Smokehouse on the strand in Cayucos is a favorite. The smoked fish tacos are incredible. So is the view.

A great place to "recharge" after a hike.