SOME DIVERSION, HUH?

PRIORITIES

First the Colts

then the Paradise Walkers

My blog mentor, The Catalyst, shot a missive, noting no blog yet, nor on New Years day and wondering as to "too much New Years eve?"

Not the case.

I got sidetracked by the decision of Indianapolis Colts owner Jimmy Irsay to fire vice chairman and football operator

Bill Polian.  I know both men and I hate to see the parting, but after winning only 2 games, there is a fever in the bunkhouse. Polian brought football knowledge, and eventually greatness to a then foundering Colts organization.

But things and times change.  And not having an 

active Peyton Manning makes a difference.

So I was offering my unsolicited advice to Jim and the fans of the Colts.  

Make Peyton Manning a player coach, and draft 

Andrew Luck.  If Peyton is still able to play, allow him to take few snaps, share playing time with the brilliant young quarterback, and gradually assume the position of offensive coordinator. Eventually he can transition to full time coaching, maybe someday to be head coach.

Manning is a brilliant offensive strategist already and

would be the ideal heir to the great offensive coordinator

Tom Moore.  I think it would make a great

story line for the franchise, the kind of thing of

legends. I'm confident Colts fans would love it. I hope Jimmy Irsay also sees the "brilliance" of the idea.  

Jimmy, I'll be in town in a few days, if you want to talk.

NOW TO THINGS CALIFORNIA

The first day of the new year gave the new

Paradise Walkers a chance to 

do their thing.

  The always beautiful San Simeon Creek  Road

was the perfect setting for an ideal

Central Coast day.

 No play for this Californian

The merry band of Paradise Walkers.

See you down the trail.

THE YEAR ENDER :) BE OF GOOD CHEER

WE'LL TAKE A CUP OF KINDNESS YET
It is only appropriate THE WEEKENDER :)
make way for this YEAR ENDER :)
and permit you to have it your own way.
First-NEW FACES ON AN OLD TUNE

The Scots blood in me body compels me thus.
Begin the new year with Robert Burns classic.
Your choice. Or a wee dram of them all-
ENJOY
Instrumental

Traditional

Sinatra and Martin

Smooth Jazz

With Pipes

Thanks for making LightBreezes part of
2011.  I look forward to continuing our 
relationship.
Here's to your health and happiness in 2012.
See you down the trail.

CAMBRIA ECCENTRIC

THE DINING MOB GETS CLASS
Frequent readers of the blog have seen
previous posts about our Friday Lunch Flash Mob
that assembles in San Simeon at the bottom of the
mountain of Hearst Castle.
First we outgrew the deck and moved to the
picnic table compound.  Then we added
table cloths.  Now, thanks to Jeanie,
we've gone to lace and a candelabra.

Here two of our distinguished number seek to protect their identities while enjoying the "elegance" and
the looks from other customers.  We do get stares.

It is one of the joys of our eclectic and eccentric
village life.  
DAY BOOK
THE NAMESAKE
Cambria-Pines by the Sea

See you down the trail.

CONTEMPLATIVE AT YEARS END

MOMENTS AT THE SHORE

As a high school kid I'd take this holiday break 

week to evaluate. What about the year ending

and how would I do things differently in the 

new year?  It's akin to making resolutions, but 

the point is the time to ponder.

It is a habit that stuck. Back then I'd hike

off through a field behind the house between

corn or soybean fields to a little copse of trees

where an old tractor bridge crossed a creek.

Quiet, solitary and a great place to contemplate.

Today, the nearby big blue of the Pacific with

its sound, smell and energy serves the purpose.

 From personal experience, this is a great spot to watch the whales in their winter migration south.

South of here, off Rancho Palos Verde, large pods of
Gray whales have been sighted already. This is
earlier than normal.
Regardless of where on the planet you find yourself,
I urge you to spend a few quiet minutes outside,
in nature, working on your emotional, psychological
and/or spiritual balance sheet. Or just relaxing
looking at something that is not of human hands.
See you down the trail.

MAHER'S MOUTH AND SELF INDULGENT MIND &SANTA ROSA CREEK

PROFESSIONAL WISE ASS 
LOOSES COOL AGAIN
If TV whiner Bill Maher had said about a Muslim and
Mohamed what he said about Tim Tebow and Jesus,
there would be a fatwa issued and a price on his head.
If you've not seen the tweet in question you
can read about it here.
Fortunately we live in a democratic republic where even
insensitive and offensive comments are tolerated.
I don't care for Maher, don't think I'd like to spend anytime with him, though I watch his HBO program REAL TIME.
Why do I watch a smug and self absorbed, sometimes humorous and occasionally clever, tiresome, trite, smarmy, pretentious, pseudo hip master of snark?
For the sometimes and occasional referenced above plus
the better moments which almost always come from
one of his panel of guests. He at least invites
differing points of view and he lampoons political
pomposity and fools.  He also explores the edges of
social humor. Years of journalism have prepared me to know
it is important to consider a divergence of views.
Nothing is gained by burying our heads in the sand.
I am comfortable enough with
my views and beliefs not to be rocked
by coarseness, vulgarity and mocking. 
It is here on this point that the wise ass betrays 
his own Achilles heel. Often, usually always with
religion, spirituality or faith he is a tired old act, sure not to
listen nor conceptualize on a deeper scale. He
insults, demeans and belittles. He is as 
tiresome as the nutty old Madeline Murray-Ohare
got to be, like a rusty old gate making a useless noise.
Still there is a place for him in the public square, even
if it is to be pitied. And there is a place for those
who wish to boycott his network.
What there is no place for is intolerance.
Even the Jesus who Maher demeaned said
we should forgive our enemies.
DAY BOOK

REFLECTIONS ON SANTA ROSA CREEK

See you down the trail.

TELLING STORIES & WALKING WITH AN EGRET

THESE TOO ARE GHOSTS
It must be a seasonal vibe. Christmas card letters,
unexpected calls, party chatter, e-mails and 
blog postings all brim with stories this 
time of year.  They are rich in memory and
 evoke emotion and humor. 
It seems blogs have become a 21st Century version
of the cracker barrel or pickle tub pictured in the
general store community gathering spots
in days of yore. A couple of examples
are found in the Vinyl Stats and Chubby Chatterbox
blog posts you can find linked below on the right.
 A good story is a great companion for these days
and nights. Share your own and
be of good cheer.
DAY BOOK

WALKING WITH AN EGRET

On the line near the house I noticed a Hawk

keeping an eye on our youngest kitten, Hemingway.

Once Hemingway was inside, the raptor flew away.

The little polydactyl is growing rapidly and will soon be too big for the Hawks.

See you down the trail.

A GOOD DEED

CLEANING SAND AT THE BEACH?

 Moonstone Beach-Shamel Park

 Deed, well done.
But first, the story.

The objective-

 clearing steps

 just over the rise

 at the end of the walk

 an endless supply on Moonstone Beach.

 Dirty steps meet Lana

 Recycling sand for a project

 She reasons

two little buckets won't be missed.

More walks off on shoes.

See you down the trail.