AN INSPIRATION FOR WALT?

TREES THAT DANCE

     All of those weird and spooky trees in Disney cartoons used to trouble me.  Where did they come from?  In the midwest our trees were tall oaks, maples, sycamores, beech and the like.  Some would  have large branches and limbs, but they were never frenetic like the cartoon trees.

After moving to the Central California coast I began to discover the wild growth patterns of California Live Oaks.

Now these trees can look sinister, like the trees that might grab an unsuspecting cartoon character.

Though I noticed in the early spring, when naked of leaves and pared with clouds and California blue sky, they look like they might just dance.

Since the Disney animators, and those of other studios, lived in California doesn't it make sense the Live Oak might have been the inspiration?

You look at these trees and you see things, right?

Well?

I wonder if Kilmer had a California Live Oak in mind as the inspiration.

"I think that I shall never see

a poem as lovely as a tree..."

See you down the trail.

A LOCAL SHOUT OUT

THIS IS ROCK AND ROLL

WELL DONE!

       I hope this show will travel, because a lot of people should see it.  THIS IS ROCK 'N' ROLL is the current production of the San Luis Obispo Little Theatre and as the DJ's might say, "It's a hit!"

        Directed by Kevin Harris, the multi media mix of live music, videos, dance, and large screen graphic augmentation is a "feel good" history lesson, poignant drama and a rocking good time. Entertaining at its core, the production confronts an ugly history when some music was called "race" music and all the cultural battle that went with it.

        David Vienna has written a brilliant and timely production as he follows the mercurial and flawed Alan Freed who coined the term Rock and Roll and by bravado, ego and  chutzpah fostered a new brand of radio, culture and live shows.  He was also the fall guy for what became known as "Payola."  Vienna is a skilled story teller and weaves strands of popular culture, history and personal story arc into an first rate script.

        Harris and Choreographer Drew Silvaggio draw superb performances from a very talented cast.  This is a group that moves smoothly from song, to dialogue and to dance without missing a beat.  And the beat itself could be worth the price of admission.  The band is the backbone and back beat of rockin story.  Great musicians, playing well had the audience boogieing in the seats.

         I hate to single out individual performance, because the full cast is outstanding.

Chad Stevens in the lead along with John Laird, Kerry Dimaggio, Seth Blackburn, Bill Kirkpatrick, Michelle Hansen, Jenny Beck and Travis Nefores turned in as good a performance as you could expect. Stevens is sensational.  Laird and Dimaggio display great versatility.

        Lana and I were rep company season ticket holders for years, enjoy theatre from New York to London and couldn't tell you how many productions we have seen from experimental to touring companies.  I went expecting a nice, competent little show.  There is nothing little about this SLO Little Theatre production.  It is a top drawer ticket and as I say, I hope other theatre companies will take it on.  This is Rock 'N' Roll is a chart topper! 

FOCUS, STRENGTH, FAITH and then FEATHERS AND COLOR

BOB'S STORY

Going Forward

 Church of the Way farer Carmel California February 2011

         Bob evinces a sense of life that is full of strength, focus, faith and drive.

         The back story-Bob is a friend. He and I worked together as a morning radio team. He was an extraordinary and facile "talent" capable of impression humor in one moment and a thoughtful interview in the next.  Later he teamed with one of America's premiere racing broadcasters and did distinguished work covering hydroplane racing, an exotic blend of water, speed, technology and chance.  He's been a college football radio man and producer.  He is now a combination hawk and fighter pilot, representing an agency and specializing in health care.  He works to establish messages of hope and help to those with grave illness.  That may be his paying job.  What fuels him, and what he does, is centered in his faith.  His faith also girds him in his battle with leukemia.

      With his approval, I'm presenting some of his eloquent sensitivity.

A PRE CHRISTMAS E-MAIL

Sent: Mon, Dec 20, 2010 11:19 pm

Subject: Winter Morning

I look out from the top floor of a hotel near downtown Rochester, MN. A 

Christmas tree softly glows with tiny blue lights in the window of a 

nearby brownstone apartment building. The streets are snow packed and 

treacherous. A solitary figure, dressed in heavy clothing against the 

cold, walks stiff legged down the middle of a side street. He is bent 

forward under the weight of a heavy backpack, as he heads to begin his 

shift at St. Mary's Hospital.  The sky is soft and hazy. Amber street 

lights turn  high thick clouds and snowy ground a pale shade of orange. 

In the distance, a snow plow scrapes, roars and beeps.

This city may be slightly slowed, but seldom stopped. Thousands will 

seek relief today at Mayo's clinic and hospitals. Thousands more will 

fill the tech needs of a nation and world at the massive IBM complex in 

its northern suburb.

Healthcare. Communication. Neither can afford a winter's slumber. Both 

deal in pulses; the human heart; speeding electrons. Both must be 

accessible, regardless of conditions at this crossroads of longitude and 

latitude.

Isn't it interesting how, as we mature, we become more dependent on 

these two?

Foster

A MEDICAL UPDATE

Chemo last week was successful. Leukemia was, again, blasted into 

submission. The heavy steroids and non-toxic treatments effectively 

removed the excess white blood cells and stopped my system from 

producing more. Unfortunately I developed serious dehydration, Sunday 

night into Monday. We'll leave that process to your imagination. Diane 

took me to the local hospital on Monday, where I spent 48 hours 

receiving IV fluids and two blood transfusions. This was not a 

particularly pleasing situation, but nowhere near what some others I 

know are dealing with. Am home now and coping with the steroid flashes, 

disorientation and attitude. Diane has been wonderful, although I am 

sure I try her patience. The goal is to get my head and system clear for 

a business trip next week, then return to Mayo on Wednesday for a 

follow-up.

Living on,

Foster

FORWARD MOTION

Subject: Quick Update

This morning's labs were the best in months. Blood counts rapidly trending positive. Praise Jesus for prayers continually answered. Next steps: 1) getting back my voice; 2) relief from the "stoned" feeling. Getting on an airplane Monday morning. Amazing, simply amazing, considering Diane took me to the ER four days ago.  

Never give up, 

Foster

As you read this, Bob is back at being a road warrior.  Stay tuned.

BIRD BRAINS

     A couple of shots to demonstrate that when bad weather threatens, as it did over the weekend, birds know to flock together.

          For the last 4 years, wild turkeys begin parading through our neighborhood at Thanksgiving time.  They are regular walkers until the end of the rainy season when they disappear to elsewhere.  As our rain and small pellet hail storm fell this weekend, this crowd hung together and loudly.

Others went for the lines,

though no less nosily. 

DAY BOOK

THE BLOOMS CONTINUE TO COME

This small ice plant bloom is just beginning to paint the area with its vitality.

A larger variety of ice plant is also beginning its magic show

The African Daisies seem to love this winter climate.

And compared to all of those mid-west winters of the past

so do we.

See you down the trail.

MARKET DAY IN TEMPLETON

A SATURDAY IN FEBRUARY

       A storm that could bring snow to an area where it is rare loomed out there somewhere as market morning came to Templeton which from Cambria is through Green Valley over the mountain. 

       Brisk, but sunny and better prices than elsewhere.  The market is always a canvas.

       We've shopped most of the farmer's markets in the north county and the Templeton market is the most laid back and easy going.  Being around the town square makes it an immediate family and local event.

       There is a good local produce marketplace nearby and it too, carries the ethos

of the area-local and sustainable.

       Before the day was over, the promised snow fell, but by then we were over the mountain.  Snow fell on the passes, and to the east, but near the cost we got a few hail pebbles.

Within a couple of hours, the sun was out and evidence of the winter storm was gone.

THE WEEKENDER :) FUN-NEAR AND FAR OUT

THIS SHOULD MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD

ONE OF THE REASONS TO LOVE THE CENTRAL COAST-WINE COUNTRY. TAKE A QUICK TRIP BY LINKING HERE


AS MONTY PYTHON USED TO SAY
NOW FOR SOMETHING ENTIRELY DIFFERENT
HUXLEY VS ORWELL-LINK HERE FOR AN ADULT CARTOON FOR READERS-AND MAYBE THINKERS

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU TREAD
SEE YOU DOWN THE TRAIL

FOOD AS A CRISIS?

NEW BATTLE GROUND

      We've been warned to brace for higher food costs.  People wonder why, curious about the forces that are driving up prices.

     The Agriculture Department says low reserves of wheat, coffee and soybeans have contributed to price surges world wide. High grocery and food costs are among the gripes of protesters and "democracy" activists in the middle east.

       Higher than expected demands for corn by the ethanol industry has contributed to some of the shortage.  Corn supplies are expected to be the lowest in 15 years.

        The price of corn affects most of the food chain.  It feeds cattle, chicken and hogs and it is the primary ingredient in most other processed foods.  Sometime, just for kicks, look at how much corn syrup is found in food, including some you wonder why.

      FACTORS BEHIND RISE IN FOOD PRICES

• EXTREME NATURE & WEATHER
• RAINS, FLOODING, DROUGHT, HEAT AND WILDFIRES CUT PRODUCTION IN 2010

• DEMAND OF BIO FUELS
• CORN IS USED FOR PRODUCTION INSTEAD OF FOOD

• POPULATION
• POPULATION PUTS EXTRA DEMAND ON SUPPLIES.  ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CHINA AND INDIA LEADS TO INCREASE IN MEAT CONSUMPTION AND THUS DEMAND FOR ANIMAL FEED

• THE COST OF PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
• FARM EQUIPMENT FUEL AND TRANSPORTATION COSTS ARE PASSED ALONG TO CONSUMERS

      Here in Central California we see strides toward sustainability, but it is a concept that needs world wide application.  I've often wondered why other bio mass, or green product can not be used for ethanol production.  Think of the extraordinary and troublesome growth of Kudzu in the southern US.  Couldn't a process be developed to utilize it? There are also vast areas of the world where saw grass or rip grass or other wild grasses flourish.  Why couldn't they be used?

      Associates who have worked in national security tell me there have been scenarios and war gaming drills where world leaders must confront outbreaks of hostility and war over supplies of food and water.  We have seen evidence of that in some regions of the planet.  Adjustments are needed if we are not to suffer a wider spread of misery and discontent over the supply of food.

AND HOW IS THE WEATHER?

     If you've spent any time at this blog you have no doubt noticed that our winter on the Central Coast has been almost ideal.  Good rain fall, ample sunshine, green mountains and hills and plenty of snow in the high Sierra.  Well, today we hear of snow in our forecast, dropping to the 500 foot elevation, which would include our spot on the ridge at "Top of the World."

     We've not been in snow since we departed the mid-west in January 07, so.....

     OK, I know many of you have suffered through a harsh and relentless winter, so we are asking for no sympathy.  Just pointing this out as a curiosity. Stay tuned.

     See you down the trail.

ROLLING STONE READ

In case you don't see this elsewhere, here's a strong piece of investigative reporting.

How psychological operations were run on US Senators. REPORTING BY ROLLING STONE. LINK HERE: