It is a bitter sweet time of year isn't it, this emotional roller coaster of late December? The end of the year comes as a definitive statement of either gains or losses, joys or regrets, but it runs directly into that grand and waiting portal of hope, the new year, where and when all things are again possible. Dreams and aspirations are birthed when we arbitrarily mark the turn of the calendar. Happy beginning indeed.
Noted below in a powerful video is the chronicle of California people just an hour north of us in Big Sur. They enter this new year with an urgent need.
WINTER
CENTRAL COAST STYLE
Stolo Winery-Cambria
Mission Plaza-San Luis Obispo
Fiscalini Ranch-Cambria
Such things are unofficial of course, but these may be the first of the California poppies of the season, and it is not yet spring. Nor has it been wet, but here they are, on the Fiscalini Ranch Preserve in Cambria.
Katherine and Lana-Bluff Trail-Cambria
AFTER THE FIRE Heart felt video of Pfeiffer Big Sur fire
Two films to move you during this season and to give you reasons to celebrate, in a real way.
THE BOOK THIEF, directed by Brian Percival with great acting from Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson and a stunning child, Sophie Nelisse as Liesel Meminger, gives you sensitivity and love with force and power.
Set against the holocaust and the terror of Nazi Germany the clarity of human decency shines brightly. This film also goes a long way in answering a question that has long haunted, how and why did the German people tolerate or coexist with what we know was a great evil? This is a masterful attempt an understanding, plus so much more that will move you.
Author Markus Zusak does an extraordinary job of plumbing the human soul in this brilliant work.
PHILOMENA is highly recommended if only to see the work of Judi Dench as Philomena, an Irish woman who after 50 years seeks the son that a convent forced her to give away. Dench is worthy of an Oscar nomination. Her counter part in the adventure is superbly played by Steve Coogan, who wrote the screen play. Coogan as a cynical former journalist teams with the devout, tough but troubled Dench to learn the fate of her son, in essence stolen from her by a maniacal head Nun, Sister Hildegarde played brilliantly by Barbara Jefford.
Director Stephen Frears delivers a few curves and does an insightful job of pricking at American culture, phony Reagan administration matters and evil Catholic practices. And, this is as they say, inspired by true events. The credits match the real characters to the film events.
Yes, it's mind boggling to think it was 50 years ago. If you lived through it, the memories of that weekend are more vivid than almost any other.
As the nation reflects, here's a unique take on the Kennedy Legacy. Thanks to Carl Cannon of Real Politics for pointing us to this fresh and brief take on JFK and his impact on us today.
Those of us who were young 50 years ago, may see a bit of ourselves in this.
I remember hearing a Harry Reasoner commentary many years ago where he said "Labor day was like a new, new year." His logic was that everything sort of stars over then.
Well, he was right that with summer ending there is a kind of final lap of the year, but as I got older, raised daughters, discovered more home owner chores and lived in the country I found that fall is something different than Reasoner's idea.
As my friend Frank now does, I put up wood for the winter and put Hatteras shutters on a screened porch, and styrofoam around foundation, basement and/or crawl space openings. And I got out the snow shovel.
Each step along the path toward winter reminded me, the summer party is over, the beach is closed.
A lot about this time of year is an homage to waiting. Maybe some fitness or travel dreams are put on the shelf until next year as we go about preparing for the oncoming end of the year holidays, a distant patch of light.
Again, my friend Frank had a "wisdom" about the time from Thanksgiving to the New Year. He said "nothing gets done." At the time he and I were journalists who were looking to improve our lot by developing and producing a television series. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have quoted him over the years.
But I've also learned there is a special quality to fall. It seems to be a natural frame for reflection, gathering with family and friends, contemplating a kind of intellectual or spiritual pre winter-hibernation preparation.
Putting up wood, winterizing, cleaning a garden and the like are all cues for a recognition that we have about completed another circuit of the sun. But the older we get, the more quickly the beach seems to open again. Even our waiting seems to fly by.
THE WEEKENDER VIDEO
Please take six minutes to see this
fascinating display about the real wealth
distribution in the US. I suspect that regardless of
As the sun dropped from the painted sky it pulled in thousands of stars on jet blackness over Harmony California.
Jim Conroy and the Mystery Brothers sweetened the air, a further desert at the Harmony Cafe, alfresco.
It was a CD release party and the California Irishman logged in stories behind the songs he wrote-Gypsies by the Sea, Celtic Cactus, Walking Down the High Road, Universal Prayer, Mystery of Life and more including the haunting Volcano Lullaby.
Conroy's music is accomplished, deep, rich in texture, mood and life. And like his stories, his creations evoke images. He finished telling of driving hours in the Baja desert, crossing a ridge with a volcano to the right when suddenly the peaceful blue bay comes into view, as though singing to the smoking volcano.
A September night on the California coast, minstrels casting a spell as the quiet Santa Lucia Mountains slumber in the moon light and the Pacific roars its own lullaby.
As the news of floods, drought, wildfire and tropical storms fill the airwaves and internet I've been thinking about some of my favorite living things-the giant Sequoia trees only some 4 hours from here. From 1,200 to 1,800 years old I try to imagine the kind of changes that have swept over this planet since they first emerged as saplings. I am filled with awe and reverence whenever I am in their presence, or in the presence of their cousins, the coast Redwoods. That is why Big Sur and the Sequoia national parks are so special to me.
TIME TO CHILL
No matter where your journey has taken you this week, here are a couple of frames to help you find a road to peaceful relaxation.
THE WEEKENDER VIDEO
it may have you howling
Find something to enjoy this weekend. See you down the trail.
The Italian street painters are back in San Luis Obispo. Pros, amateurs, hobbyists and students fill the Mission Plaza with energy and art under the brilliant, if not hot, California sun. This year we take a peek at works in progress.
We arrived in San Luis Obispo late one Sunday evening, flying back from a trip, but made a midnight swing through the Plaza to behold the art that disappears rapidly.
YOUR TICKET TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE
During a particular six year period I went to Cannes France twice a year to attend the Television and Documentary Market and festival. As you might expect I loved the time in Provence and this little video prompted memories. It's a unique look at Cannes. Enjoy.
