BIG WATER-BIG WASTE

BIG WATER

  A riled Pacific leads a wind and rain storm into the Central Coast.

AFTERWARDS

   As you have probably seen or read, California is getting soaked by the "Pineapple Express."  Though the rain has created problems it is a beginning to make up the deficits of three years of drought.  There is still a long way to go.

   I wonder why communities who have been plagued by water shortages do not take more seriously the idea of rainwater capture or harvest.  Many of our Cambria neighbors have done so on a personal basis. Still, hundreds of thousands of gallons are washing away. These photos were taken hours after the last rain.

  Just in this one half block water flows away from the Pacific, down hill and away from potential use in a gray water system.  A French drain, perimeter drain and/or system of storm drain cisterns could harvest millions of gallons to be pumped for treatment or re-injection into the new multi-million dollar brackish water desalination plant.

  Living through drought ought to sensitize us to a more prudent utilization of a precious resource-don't you think?

   See you down the trail.

URGES, FORCES OF NATURE AND HOPE IN "EVERYTHING"

JADE SEASON

  Seasonally appropriate, one of our Jade plants is looking festive.

DEER ROMANCE

   This young buck, one of my transitional neighbors, attempts to be low profile.

  It is just after the rutting moon, earlier this year and he's in the rut frame of mind.

  These fawns, out for a stroll are driving Mr Young Buck  crazy.  They decide to cross the road and head down slope,

  and he takes note.

AND, WE COULDN'T BE HAPPIER

 The solar panel and battery-converter box are soaked in the first wave of what promises to be a rainy week on the California central coast. 

   Irrigation rain barrels tied into the downspouts fill quickly though by photo time the rain amounted to just .2, an amount of little consequence in many places but a valued two-tenths here. 

REDMAYNE AND HAWKING

     Eddie Redmayne's extraordinary portrayal of Stephen Hawking should earn him an academy nomination though it is even more significant in its imprint. In adopting the physical manifestations of Hawking's disease Redmayne helps to make even more prominent the unprecedented accomplishments of Dr Hawking. 

     Redmayne is nothing less than brilliant, as it should be in  giving screen life to one of the leading minds in history. In his tortured poses and when he can no longer speak, Redmayne projects an indomitable spirit and magnetic personality. Hard to do as an actor, but then again it underscores what a towering accomplishment it is that Hawking has achieved by A) staying alive, B) expanding scientific thought and theory, indeed The Theory of Everything as the film is called.

     The story is taken from the book by his first wife Jane Wilde, played magnificently by Felicity Jones. They met in University and she persisted in staying with him through the early agony of the diagnosis of ALS. Jane was his partner until they separated in 1990. They are the parents of three.

     It is not missed though the film dusts over the truth of his relationship with nurse Elaine Mason who became the second Mrs. Hawking. It's been published that during their 17 years of marriage Dr. Hawking was unhappy and possibly the object of abuse and injury.  The film avoids all of that and the role of Elaine is played by a celebrated Royal Academy graduate and veteran actress Maxine Peake. 

    The personal journey is rich and revealing and lends itself to a great love story, but more than anything it is a celebration of life.  As Hawking said where there is life there is hope. What he has done with a life devastated by the horrible disease is perhaps miraculous. My deepest appreciation is for that element of this multifaceted and textured film. Everything about the Theory of Everything is magnificent.  Everything is about hope!

AND IT IS THAT SEASON

   A Morro Bay oak with Holiday aspirations.

    See you down the trail.

     

THE SHOWDOWN and WHAT COLOR AMERICA?

 A MINOR CASUALTY

    We were cozy, mesmerized by flames in the open fire place on the bluff above a surging Pacific. A marine bank fog thickened and was irresistible to Tashi and Anzi. The border collie and shepherd belonged to the two couples, friends, with whom we shared the California coastal charm. The duo were getting on well, plenty of leg room along the bluff and the swirling gray air seemed a mysterious veil they needed to pierce.

    Tashi had come to rest next to his "papa and mama" Mike and Jacque. Anzi had been relaxing with Bob and Jan when he decided it was time for an amble.  A few minutes later Jan excitedly alerts us that Anzi seems to be menaced by a much smaller dog.  Little dog syndrome I think as I peer into the soupy field behind the bluff. I'm struck by how it appears the little dog is up in the air. Is he jumping or has Anzi tossed him? A second later I notice that little dog has a tale up behind him, straight as a ruler and seems to be doing a little dance.  Anzi lunges forward and then retreats, as though repelled.

    "Oh no!" Jan yells. "Anzi's getting sprayed by a skunk!"

    The profile in the fog was unmistakable.  That erect tail, and speedy skip followed by the first scent working against the ocean breeze confirmed the worst suspicion.  Jan was off in a flash, leashed Anzi, brought him across the field where it was apparent who got the best of whom in the encounter.  Poor Anzi was rubbing his face and nose in the dirt and on the grass, trying to rub and shake off what had been a direct hit. His playmate Tashi seemed to evince a canine OMG! I don't think I've seen a dog's eyes quite so expressive. 

      In moments, Bob, Jan and Anzi were off for a bath and treatment as the unmistakable scent began to waft across the heath. And so a drama of nature brought down the curtain on the evening.

      Anzi recovered with a good bath. He and Bob and Jan are back in Agoura Hills. If the look in Tashi's eyes that evening is any indication, she is likely stay closely along side Mike and Jacque when the next stroll on a foggy evening rolls around.

       I'm glad it all ended well, though I had never seen a skunk in action before. I think I'm with Tashi on the need for caution.

WHAT HAPPENED TO CONSCIOUSNESS III?

      Here's an obscure bit of trivia for people of a certain age.  Do you remember The Greening of America by Charles Reich?

       I read it first in the New Yorker as a major essay. Later it was to become a New York Times best seller.  A tribute to the 1960's "counter culture" Reich proposed that American history was a pattern of consciousness changes and that consciousness level III, the anti establishment anti greed, anti discrimination, pro free thought, do your own thing, adherence to love and good vibes would be enough to change history. In retrospect it was a kind of paean to an idealism and sense of hope.  At the time it felt great. I wonder how many of you may remember that time, that premise and if you have theories about what has happened since?

      So in the meantime I raise a glass to what I hope will be the Greening of California, by other means-namely rain.

GOOD GREEN+

      And, still we hope.

      See you down the trail.

IMPRESSIVE POWER and SOME SELFIE HUH?

BIG WATER

    It was no drought buster, but Central California got soaked the last few days. The 2-5 inches of rain was appreciated. The big story of the storm was the high surf.

       Piers were damaged in beach communities to the south. A few boats were beached and a wave smashed a window at a wharf restaurant giving a few people a scare. One worker was washed out of the building but walked out of the surf below the pier.

     Cambria's famous Moonstone Beach, all but disappeared  under the heavy surf.

    Massive drift wood pushed around like tinker toys.

OSCAR

    Did you watch the telecast?  What do you think? Wonder how many calls to pizza shops, Ellen prompted?  What a group selfie eh? Despite all of those famous faces, it looked pretty much like anyone else's-though our's don't crash Twitter.

    Did your choices win?  
    BTW we saw The Great Beauty this weekend. No wonder it's a winner.  I'd like to hear what some of you think about it-especially boomer men. 

    See you down the trail.

DYLAN SCORES-SEATTLE POUNDS-USING THE RAIN AND OTHER GOOD THINGS-CHEERS

GOOD THINGS
(For the Dylan surprise and the Super flop
read below--but first....)

     A painted sky, from the deck of friends Jacque and Mike.

THE FIRST RAIN OF THE YEAR

   The California drought was dampened with a bit of rain on Super Bowl Sunday.  A little more than an inch fell in the first measurable rain since last year, but conservation minded Californians went to work gathering what we could.

 Lana made repeated visit to empty a catchment vessel, filling storage containers. 

    The harvested rain water will irrigate a vegetable garden.

  All communities ought be more aggressive in harvesting rain flow. 

 MORE GOOD STUFF

   Comparing French Burgundy to Windward Pinot. Vintage tasting from 2000 to 2014. Our favorite was Windward in each year and these women are two of the best wine hostesses in the state, any year.

    Carpaccio covered with a Parmesan and truffle sauce!

    Catching the Moon and Venus in a ballet.

   And one more look at a rain wet deck-a delightful scene to dry Californians.

NOT SO GOOD

    Disappointed by the Super Bowl-not just the outcome, but the lack of excitement, balance, and competition.  Seattle's defense was relentless and effective. Denver's was not. 
     It is almost a sport to criticize Peyton Manning today, though not fair or objective. Manning never really got a chance, his line did very little to help, though his performance still set a record, but is of little consolation. Seattle's offense and especially Russell Wilson were champions. Seattle won the game, handily and deserve accolades.I wish it would have been closer, just because it would have been more fun. And while the Red Hot Chili Peppers are fun, I would have preferred a half time show with more Bruno Mars and less Peppers. But the party was cool, the company was great and the food was good, so, why should I complain.  Go 49ers!
     And while some of you are yelling "sell out," I was knocked out by the Bob Dylan Chrysler commercial. I certainly didn't see that coming! I was surprised that he'd do a commercial, yes, but I loved the tone and vibe of the piece he did.  
     I can't understand why folks would be upset. After all the music biz is just that, a business. Why shouldn't a poet, songwriter or rock star be able to earn a bit more by doing a commercial? It raises the quality of the advertising. Are artists supposed to give away paintings, or songs, or novels? I'm not sure it makes me want to buy a Chrysler, but I give them credit for making the American road, a patch of Highway 61.

    See you down the trail.