GRASSES-ON THE COAST AND IN CUBA

WAVES OF A RATTLING SEA

       Locals call it "rattle grass."  It is true to its name in sight and sound.

       It is the time of season when the "rattlers" mature, catch the breeze coming off the coast and create a symphony.

        The rattles are vaguely reminiscent of a rattle snakes rattle.  Those other rattlers are not uncommon in this area.

        It will grow to chest height.  The sound it makes is a crisp rattle click.

        The Chumash Tribe that inhabited this area milled the seeds of grasses into a food.

        You will also spot other vegetation cohabiting with the grasses that seem to rule the upper bluffs.

       Other variety of grass also flourish and provide their brand of beauty.

        The stubborn thistle provides a bright spot in the golden brown.

       The grasses posses an elegance.

     GRASS COMING TO CUBA

       I read with amusement the Cuban government has given preliminary approval to foreign developers to construct golf courses.  50 years ago, when Fidel Castro took power he got rid of golf courses, calling them the epitome of bourgeois excess. 

       When I was in Cuba, noticing the European tourists, I wondered if the government would ever come around and bring courses back.  Looks like they are on the path.

      In the weeks ahead I'll provide glimpses of Cuba.  It is an exotic venue.

      See you down the trail.

DRUGS, SPORTS & GARBAGE REDONE

END THE HYPOCRISY

       A comment by fellow Blogger Catalyst to a recent post on the Amgen Bike race

started my wheels turning.

           

Is it time to end the hypocrisy about athletes and “performance drugs?”

Bikers race 135 miles and climb 10,000 feet. The NFL turns bodies into ramming machines. All athletes train long, tough hours and “play hurt.”

Why is Gatorade, a shot of cortisone or a blow of oxygen legal, while other substances are banned? Some may be helpful.

Some context- I’ve been an amateur athlete for 60 years. As a journalist I’ve covered NCAA and professional sports. Coaches, trainers and athletes are friends. I went through an NBA rookie camp on assignment. I know the pain in training rooms.

“Someday we’ll be replaced by bionic jocks,” Len Elmore said to me from a neighboring cybex knee machine.

If a “drug” does no harm to health and if sanctioning bodies can establish competitive standards, why not permit athletes to “treat” “repair” or even “assist” their bodies undergoing abuse? We treat cholesterol, blood pressure and etc. Why can’t pharmacology help and, perhaps, prevent harm or later suffering?

Professional authorities should approve a formulary of drugs that aid the body, not those that merely give a competitive edge. We expect super-human performance. Let’s control and supervise performance assistance “medicines.”

Getting this matter under control of sanctioning bodies and the medical community will also help young athletes.  Today some school kids are going on-line to buy supplements over which there is no quality control.  

COMPOST

AKA GOOD GARBAGE

Katherine turned the compost today.

She is a third generation "composter."  Her mother Lana and I began composting back in the mid west.  Lana's mother was an early composter as well.  

Here you can see a raised bed and a tomato cage that will eventually be the

beneficiary of this natural fertilizer.

We've experimented with a variety of "compost heap" and/or containers.

The bottom line is easy in and easy out.  The coastal temperatures here allow for a slower process, but it is working.  I'll close on this topic with the thought that composting is also about ethics and sustainability.  That could launch a long conversation some day! 

KEEPING UP A GREAT SPIRIT

       If you are a frequent reader of the blog you've seen posts with updates and letters from my friend Bob Foster who is fighting leukemia and preparing for a Bone Marrow Transplant.  Earlier this week you saw his wonderful post about fly fishing.  Here's an update.

Subject: "It's always something. If it isn't one thing, it's another" --Rosanne Rosannadanna (Gilda Radner) SNL

Got to return to Mayo three days next week for more intensive chemotherapy. The previous protocol controlled the blood counts, but not the leukemia. Bone marrow is still 80& to 90% compromised. The preferred status is for the CLL to be less than 50% of bone marrow. Blood tests led us to believe otherwise. That is why Mayo verifies with bone marrow biopsies.  Still on track for transplant evaluation June 16th - 24th. Three options:

1. SITUATION: The Myloma treatment ( no, I don't have Myloma, but this drug has been successful in some CLL patients) devastates the leukemia, putting the bone marrow below 50%. ACTION: Proceed with reduced intensity BMT
2. SITUATION: Myloma treatment has some impact, but does not push the bone marrow below 50%. ACTION: Treat a second time and re-biopsy                                       
3. SITUATION: The Myloma treatment has no effect on the CLL. ACTION: Proceed with a full intensity BMT protocol. 

We pray for Situation #1, but are prepared for situations #2 or #3. Ironically, the Lord has showered more business opportunities on us this week. I fully trust my colleagues to do what is necessary to help bring these blessings into the house. 

The coaches had a game plan. The ball snapped. What? The other coaches also have a game plan? My Mayo coaching staff just called time out. We are making some adjustments to the secondary coverage. Nothing more. Nothing less. It's still early in the 1st Q.  

Foster

      Bob is one of the most inspiring people I know. He is also heck of a good writer and was a world class sports broadcaster.

      See you down the trail.

SPRING ON THE BLUFFS

EYE CANDY

       Our sympathy goes to those of you in the mid section of the country, suffering  the aftermath of Sunday's deadly storms. And our best thoughts to those facing  flooding. Perhaps this post will bring some light into your day. The western edge of the continental US is decked out in spring color.

 the bird seemed to be posing

 interesting shadow play
UPDATE NOTE FROM BOB
Friends,

A colleague and friend called me, "You said you would like to go fishing in the Volga River before going into the hospital. If it would put Mrs. Foster's mind at ease, even though you prefer fishing alone, I'd go with you." Monte is a fly fisherman. They understand space and solitude, so I agreed. We waded that little river all day. More to my disappointment than his, Monte caught one little creek chub. I caught a couple of small mouthed bass and a rainbow trout. The water was too cold for much fish activity. We literally wore ourselves out wading, climbing up and down river banks and stumbling through the woods. We saw limestone bluffs, fossil formations, eagles, orioles, finches, deer, a ground hog, muskrat and lavender wildflowers. The woods were freshly greened. The afternoon sun brought the colors alive. We heard rippling water. At the end of the day, Monte turned to me, smiled and said, "Foster, this is the second best fishing day of my life. The best was when I caught a 19" trout in Montana. This is close."

Huh? One little creek chub. 10 hours of work? A good day?  It was unspoken between us. He had taken a cancer patient fishing. His gift was giving me the chance to enjoy one of my favorite activities for the only time I can in 2011.

We have vowed to return in June 2012. The water will be warmer. However, sometimes the number of fish simply doesn't matter. 

Foster 

See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER :) DELIGHTS

GOOD SIGHTS

The Carmody McKnight vineyard and winery hosted a luncheon this week.

Aside from the gracious hospitality of owners Gary Carmody Conway and Marian Mcknight Conway the setting provided a beautiful interplay of light and shadows.

Gary, an actor, is also a painter and the wine labels are his creations.

The setting and mood of the day underscored the gentle civility of Paso's wine country.
Many will recognize Gary from his television roles and Marian from her reign as a Miss America.  They have created a remarkable enclave in an historic valley.


THEIR STORY IS FASCINATING, THE ART IS BEAUTIFUL AND THE WINE IS WONDERFUL. IT IS A PLACE YOU SHOULD VISIT WHEN IN THE PASO ROBLES APPELLATION. LINK HERE FOR A VISIT TO THEIR WEB HOME.

BIG TIMES IN WINE COUNTRY
Dina Mande and Juice, the production company, has created another great
video.  This is a pitch for this weeknd's Wine Festival.  Enjoy

AND NOW TO SPOOL YOU UP
Here is a great work of editing.  A time lapse portrayal of flight operations at Logan International in Boston.  BTW, I've made many flights into and out Logan.  It is one of my least favorite.  I remember beginning a descent when suddenly fog enshrouded the entire airport.  I also recall, without delight, departures in heavy fog.
None of that on this day.  Enjoy the editor's skill.

See you down the trail.

AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA-CENTRAL COAST LEG

SCENES FROM CHIMNEY ROCK ROAD

ON THE WAY TO PASO ROBLES

Stage 5 of the 750 Mile Amgen Tour of California is the longest.  Racers would ride 135 miles and climb 10,000 feet.

Closure of the Pacific Coast Highway rerouted the race to run from Seaside, near Monterey to Paso Robles.

By the time the racers got to this junction of Lake Nacimiento and Chimney Rock roads, they had raced 125 miles.

 A top running racer crashes.

 I asked the Marshal if he got to keep the bike.

"It is my bike" he shot back.

The story of the day was the racers, who had completed King of the Mountain legs at Laureles Grade and Carmel Valley, sprints and another King of the Mountain between Lake Nacimineto and San Antonio Reservoir.  Hard work in beautiful country.

See you down the trail.