STATE OF THE UNION

PAYING ATTENTION

     As the western sky in California offered a dramatic scene, the American political drama of the State of Union address took center stage back east.  It is a special evening in the nation's capitol, full of ceremony, ritual and a signal of the tone of the ensuing congressional session.  There is no shortage of pundits or experts to "help" you evaluate the evening.  But I was struck by another thought.

     How important do most Americans regard the event to be?  The question was sparked by a comment made by an anchor team.  In reacting to President Obama's statement about our Sputnik moment, Jeff Greenfield said 75% of today's Americans were not alive when the Soviets led the way into space orbit with the little satellite.  Katie Couric added that she was born the year the Sputnik was launched.  So the President's point may have been lost on most.  But then I wondered how many in this time of tweets, social networks, games, multiple viewing options and other distractions took the time to watch. It is a key moment in the governing and political life of America, but how many Americans cared enough to see it.  We'll know soon enough, thanks to the ratings, though I imagine the volume of debate will include those who shape their opinions not by primary knowledge but from here say, informed or otherwise.

 Celebrate the turkey

  they grow wild out here

and so does sculpture.

Now,for your viewing pleasure, a gentle look at our village-

enjoy

TELLING STORIES

WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS

Photo courtesy of Mike Griffin

     Long time buddy, Mike Griffin was on hand and with his camera and captured "action" shots as I addressed the Cambria Newcomers Club.  It has been a while since I appeared to a SRO group, but the crowd was attentive and kind.

Photo courtesy of Mike Griffin

     We covered a long path from being a stringer and copyboy in a Pulitzer winning metropolitan daily, the early days as a cub reporter, being bound and firebombed as an investigative reporter, high light reporting assignments-major votes in congress, the White House, presidential campaigns, inaugurals, Africa, Nicaragua during the Contra War, Israel, 

the Caribbean, being spider bit in the jungles of the Dominican Republic, experiences in Cuba, Turkey, standing on the rim of volcanos, six weeks of following US Army Snipers in training, following the 16 week training program of FBI agents, hours and thousands of miles in the air, plus the days of being a CEO of a television company including a dozen trips to Cannes and the south of France to sell program ideas to world networks. Looking back I am lucky to have had decades of experiences to jam into a short set of remarks.  I'm pleased to note, no one one fell asleep.

Photo Courtesy of Mike Griffin

    We spent a few minutes talking about moving from Fact to Fiction, making the transition from journalism to writing novels. I spoke of the two historical mystery/thrillers  THE SANIBEL ARCANUM  and THE SANIBEL CAYMAN-DISC featuring the exploits of Tim Calvin. 

Photo Courtesy of Mike Griffin

       Afterwards, the club was kind enough to permit us a book signing.  Though I've done a lot of public speaking over the years, this was the first to a "hometown" crowd since our move to the Central Coast.  I've heard a quite a few "Well, I never knew that about you..." comments.  Guess I need to go back to work on my "false modesty eh?"

AN INSPIRATION

THANKS JACK

New York Times archive photo

     My first memory of Jack LaLanne was seeing this high energy guy, wearing short sleeves and tights doing exercises on a neighbor's black and white television. Our family did not yet own a set.  I was not of an age where I worried about fitness, because we played ball and romped all day and figured we were fit.

     Later of course I saw him as the premiere fitness guy on TV, who even evangelized his enthusiasm for health and well being amidst the jokes of late night television hosts. It was then his message began to strike a chord. He was a true advocate, he pioneered a field and I paid attention.  

    Later still, when I had become more aware of my own health, nutrition, stress relief and the like, Jack was an elder spokesman but also a strong pitchman for juicing, the legal kind involving apples, carrots and the like.  For many years I used his machine and have always thought I should get a new one, since we burned out two.

    It was a huge thrill to see Jack on occasion after our move to the Central Coast.

He was an older version of his energetic self, but he was still vibrant and looked healthy.

Again, he was a kind of role model for fitness and well being above 90.  A couple of years ago we tried his sugar and flour free banana cookie recipe.  Once again, Jack had broken new ground.

    His passing at 96 saddens many in this area, where he had lived for years.  Jack used to joke that he couldn't die because it would be bad for his image.  

    Jack, you were wrong on that.  You remain the trail blazer, the original fitness guru. Even more, you remain the image for fitness and well being.    

EYE CANDY

EASY SHOOTING

          A long time friend wrote recently to say I've become a photographer.  I've always been fascinated by the work of "shooters" especially some very talented colleagues. I have been blown away by their skill and paid attention to how they did their work.  A source of personal pride was being second or third camera on some documentary shoots.  

        Out here though, as I told my friend, it really is a matter of just pointing and shooting. Late January brings stunning color to the Central Coast. Enjoy.

This form of ice plant will continue to "explode" as the season continues.

We call this the "Ruth Rose" as we got a cutting from her.  Ruth modestly refers to it as the Cambria Rose.

JUST FUN

     Smart new funny on IFC.  PORTLANDIA reminds me of HBO's
FLIGHT OF THE CONCORDS. Hip and iconoclastic.  Here's a sample:

REST

FLUFFING THE MIND

    Years ago I read a piece by Hugh Downs, the broadcaster who always struck me as being an upbeat, but classy professional.  He said that it was important for working people to find a few moments each day, just to loaf.  Maybe it is sitting and looking at the clouds, or a tree, or watching children play, or water flow, or simply sitting quietly and listening.  

     In ensuing years the wisdom of that idea was repeated in many forms.  Relaxation, stress relief, exercise, meditation, prayer, play, laughing, or fluffing the mind, like you fluff a pillow, renewing it.

     

     We should care not to wall ourselves off from the peace, or quiet, or recharge

that simply awaits on the other side of those barriers we construct, often to keep us from the child inside. 

Nature seems to be an often ready ally in allowing you to fluff, even to fluff off.

 Happy Weekend--no matter what day it may be. 

REMEMBERING

CAPTURED MOMENTS

     Do photographs tweak your sense of time?  Do they trigger something behind your optic nerve that opens a portal of sorts, into the moment of their taking.  Certainly we enjoy the faces and sometimes the passion or beauty of an image, but do you guide your imagination to "be in that moment" just wondering what was said, how did it feel, what was the mood in that instant.

       We know that levels of exercise or states of arousal, even specific thoughts can cause the body to fire endorphins, providing a sense of well being. I wonder if those vivid memory flights or moments of imagination don't also leave us better off.

     Lana's mother comes to mind when she sees or touches the crochet doily.  It was once a long table covering and then cut into smaller pieces for her daughters.  It is a connector now to another time and to others. 

     Each day is a series of choices.  We select our paths and move on.  Where we go leaves a contrail.  And in those moments and on those trails reside all the power and vibrancy of what was.

     Let's use this reflective moment for something pensive of a digital eternity.  Huh?

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO AN NPR PIECE ON PROTECTING YOUR DIGITAL AFTERLIFE.

 Next time you are in a photo, remember that someday that instant will be history and some one may be trying to make their way to the moment.  Help them.  Enjoy it.