READING THE CLOUDS

MORE THAN JUST SUNSHINE

Working in television news in the midwest we

would joke about weather forecasting in

in California.

"More sunshine and blue sky followed by 

blue sky and sunshine....etc."

Now I know better.  There is probably nothing like the 

weather extremes in the heartland-tornadoes, blizzards, thunderstorms, scorching heat waves, floods and rapid changes.  Still the weather from the Pacific, influenced by

mountains, winds from the east or north west, and the 

changeable currents of a coast make for our own

fascinating weather.  True many, many days are 

sunny with blue skies, but we do get interesting

cloud formations from time to time.  And that is unusual.

 The mountains on the horizon and mostly in the clouds are Rocky Butte, Black Oak, Vulture Peak and Red Mountain.  They top out around 3,200. They can get an icing of snow this time of year.
You may recall and wish to link here to the June post when we took you to the top of Rocky Butte

 THE QUESTION OF THE CAT'S TAIL

Wonder why our newest, Hemingway, at the far right,

curls up his tail while Nesta and Luke let theirs out.

Any theories? 

See you down the tail, er trail!

MATTERS OF LIGHT

LIGHT PLAY

A variety of topography, weather, micro climates

and the sun's arc combine to provide

a continual show of light and color here on the
Central California Coast.

Here the Santa Lucia peaks "float" on a sea of fog.

Breaking through the heavy marine layer the sun

finds a reflecting companion on the sand.

Wish I could control the exposure as the sun blasts

heat and light aloft and on the water.

Subtle shadows.

The last triumph of the day.

Looking west from about 1,800 feet in the Santa Lucia range.

UPDATE FROM BOB

Friends,

New chemo protocol is having the desired effect. Well tolerated. Am no 

longer anemic. Immune system strengthening, although still suppressed, 

so I wear a mask in public. (Little kids get wide eyed when I bend over 

and say to them, "Luke, I am your father."  This latest chemo is a 

maintenance mode. It will eventually lose effectiveness like the others. 

The goal is still getting to transplant in early 2012. Feel great!

Anticipating a normal holiday. Been studying for my Radio Amateur Extra 

Class license. Taking the test Saturday. Can't keep my hands off equipment.

Foster

Bob is a long time friend and former on air colleague back in the glory days of radio.

See you down the trail.

CREATIVITY

LA MEETS SAN FRANCISCO IN PASO ROBLES

A few of our merry band gathered last night for a

moon lit drive over the mountain to Paso Robles for an evening of art and dinning.

Vale Fine Art, a modern gallery, presented
"A Little Nightmare before Christmas"
featuring the remarkable works of Edward Walton Wilcox and Lee Harvey Roswell.  Wilcox, originally from Florida and more recently from LA and Roswell, from San Francisco,
combined to make an inspired show.
Owner and curator Madeline Vale has created an
engaging and dynamic new contribution to
Paso's growing sophistication.
Cypher Winery provided the "liquid art."
It was indeed a bit of LA and bit of San Francisco
mixed nicely with the Central Coast.
More about Madeline Vale and her Gallery here.

By quirk of fate the PierceModern gallery is next door
and the Il Cortile restaurant is across the street.
Our dinner was also a work of art.
We then cruised  Vine street, past the Victorian style homes and others festooned with Christmas lights.
As we drove back over the mountain the bright moon
and sparkling lights of Cayucos and Morro Bay below us on the coast added their creative illumination to the 
Christmas lights we saw dotted on mountain side
ranches and wine villas. Our own quiet village
beckoned through the December dark as hillside
lights twinkled into view. A nice evening out.
If you are in the area, we recommend both the Vale Fine Art, PeirceModern gallery and certainly a meal at Il Cortile.
DAY BOOK

HOME MADE INGENUITY

 Daughter Katherine gathered local material

and created a couple of center pieces.

Nothing artificial here at all.

See you down the trail.

EXTRAORDINARY-FILM & NATURE

REEL THOUGHTS
THE FILM THAT'S GETTING THE BUZZ

THE DESCENDANTS 

This is one of those films that opens by winning awards and creating Oscar buzz. It doesn't seem to be a big

film, nor even an important film until

it has you twisting between pathos and clever humor.

It walks a line and moves with deftness between

those two spheres, like the masks of the Greek muses, Thalia and Melpomene-comedy and tragedy. 

 You also find
yourself realizing that it is a film where "good and decent"

prevail even within dark and morbid moments. 

It is an important film, making points

about behavior and honor.

Even when you know where something may be 

headed, you find yourself either amused or surprised

and always entertained by how it plays out.

George Clooney is brilliant as a befuddled but good guy who must struggle between the poles of grief, anger, love and surprise.  This is probably a break out film for Shailne Woodley, a Simi Valley actress. She is beautiful and authentic as Clooney's eldest daughter.  Amara Miller as the younger sister and Nick Krause as Woodleys goofy boyfriend are superb.  Beau Bridges is enjoyable as Cousin Hugh. Judy Greer as Julie Speer plays a small but powerful role that could be remembered as one of the most elegant on screen portrayals of compassion and honesty, ever.
Then there is wonderful background story of land ownership, history and development in the beautiful Hawaiian islands. We left wanting to get genuine Hawaiian music. This is another masterful directing and 
writing product of Alexander Payne, probably best known for Sideways.  I think you'll see why it is getting
all the talk.  We attended a 4:15 Monday afternoon
performance and they had to turn people away.
Well done!

DAY BOOK 

ROCK AND SEA

There is a space in the interaction of

of the Pacific and those rocky beaches

where another world seems to dwell.

In the tide pools and on the rocks

are scenes of the eternal relationship.

 Tides and conditions must be right for 

the tide pools to mirror back the coastal scene.

 Rock and stone, often underwater, give up a

secret language or code and low tide.

See you down the trail.

LOCAL MAGIC

A VILLAGE EXPERIENCE

The best I can do is try to engage your imagination so

you can feel a bit of what we did this weekend.

Strings in the Chapel.
A candlelit concert in the historic Santa Rosa Chapel
that sits on a hill overlooking Cambria's east village.

Photos courtesy of Santa Rosa Chapel
The candle lit chapel glows above you as you begin the steep walk up the hill.  Inside Yule wreaths,boughs and candles in the windows create a hushed glow that is soon filled with exquisite strings, hammered dulcimer, heavenly vocals and story. Judith tells a tale of a Christmas past, this year's offering was of blizzard and hard pressed 1950 in Northern Indiana.  There is also a telling of 
"Twas the night before Christmas..."
The word has become cliche, but indeed in this case it is true and real-there is a magic feel to the annual candle lit event.
There is no heat in the chapel and the only light is
as it was when it was built in 1870.
Those in the old pews seem in touch with Christmas tides of old.
Descending the hill, filled with such harmony, the 
Christmas lights of the East Village shinning below you,
is a unique and special imprint of the season.

More about the beautiful chapel on the hill by linking here. 

DAY BOOK 

THE ELEPHANT SEALS ARE COMING BACK

Soon the beach will be full and birthing season

will be underway.

Enjoy your long winter's naps.

See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER :) TIS THAT SEASON

FILL IT UP WITH CHEER

The Christmas season has not always been

a season, nor has it always been a time of cheer.

A spiritual or religious observance at its origin,

it has through the last century and a half become

a cultural event.  There are the gifts, parties, songs, carols, traditions, and merry making. 

Of course it has been taken over by the 

shopping season and the advertising blitz. 

Still there is the Christian observance of Advent. But even away from the hopeful intent of the day, there is a type of magic, and even a glimpse of the joy of hope

come to chaos.

People just seem to be more giving, thoughtful and

happy during this season.

So to help you maintain that sense of cheer,

the Weekender :) offers this ditty.

See you down the trail.

A WESTERN MINDSET-ROCK ON

A HEARTY APPRECIATION

At our post tennis coffee we were talking

about how the region in which you live affects

your perception, activity and state of mind.

Of course we are all in California and

give high marks to the "quality of life" here

and particularly in our village. It was

easy then to give low marks to Florida or the mid-west

on the issue of how people "age," that is how

they think about aging.  I recall a board I served on 

and how when several men of stature, ceo's, business titans, wealthy and influential men, were bumped to

an "emeritus" status when they reached 65.  Still

vibrant and fully alive men, being in essence bumped

to the "old boys" bench.  Preposterous!  

Having lived elsewhere and being a reasonably astute observer, I will say that wouldn't happen here.

In fact in the immediate here, 65 can easily

be bested by an 80 plus on the tennis court.

And some of the best and most experienced travelers

don't even get started until they are 65.

The best artists on the coast, in many cases,

are the most experienced.

It is a state of mind. 

 And affected, greatly I believe, by the climate.

DAY BOOK

BRIGHT SCENES

See you down the trail.