THE WEEKENDER :) HISTORY WITH A SMILE

A RAP, A SHILL

IT'S HISTORY, STILL

I loved history as student, in a general sense.  Certain

treaty dates gave me trouble, but as movements of

 human adventure, it was fascinating.  It still is.

In the spirit of the THE WEEKENDER :) we present

a couple of video takes on history

and contemporary events. 

Enjoy.

Can't you imagine how Lin-Manuel's "style of lecture"

could connect with kids today?

Now, for you adults, here is a social commentary

about the Occupy movement. 

Talk about speaking the truth!!!

Have a good weekend.

See you down the trail.

FINALITY AND A LIFTING FOG

WAS HE REALLY CRAZY?

A couple of friends who worked in 

national security roles are convinced

that Moammar Ghadhafi was 

as they said "certifiably" crazy.

For years, they contend, some in the 

military and intelligence communities

operated on the assumption that he was. 

Others thought he was just another military

strongman, become tyrant, insisting on 

his demands, and was a loose canon.

I'm hopeful that key information will now

emerge as to what we really knew about his sanity.

He was an intriguing and volatile player.

His fate caught up with him.

Day Book

Ethereal Moments

In a tribute to the old line

"first you see it, now you don't."

The morning fog filtering away plays a 

kind of hide and seek.

 From the Estero bluff, Morro Rock and the power stacks

are barely seen.

 If you squint, you might see the stacks as phantoms

above the buoy. 

 And below, Hollister Peak seems to disappear.

See you down the trail.

CUBA FILE-ST. LAZARO

 A PLACE OF FAITH-

A UNIQUE MIX

       (Rincon Cuba) Twenty miles from Havana, cultures cross
in a unique Cuban practice of faith and healing.

      Tens of thousands of Cubans make pilgrimages to St. 

 Lazarus for healing and acts of devotion.  The church is 

 named for Saint Lazarus (Lazaro in Spanish), a Catholic Bishop.

      The ill, lame and blind, walk, crawl, come by car or buggy.

       Here at Rincon, Cuban folklore has morphed the traditional St. Lazaro.  Babalu Aye, an Afro-Cuban deity in Santeria and St. Lazaro have been blended.  According to Santeria Babalu assumes all the sickness of his people, thus the crutches of the blended St. Lazo/Babalu Aye. 

      Icons of other Santeria and blended Catholic-Santeria saints  are sold in the plaza.  Pilgrims bring them gifts including cigars.  Several of the icons are depitcted with cigars.

     The poor, some of whom have sacrificed to make the pilgrimage beg so they may buy flowers or other gifts to leave for Babalu Aye/St. Lazaro. Others seek healing in a
grotto called the Living Waters.

      Many accounts abound of miraculous healings provided by the water.  Some of the pilgrims bring empty bottles and casks.  Others pray and then anoint or drink.

      The church conducts normal Roman Catholic masses and services.  The Cuban government has never banned the services nor the pilgrimages to St. Lazaro.

      See you down the trail.

THE MOUNTAIN OF GOLD

THE MAGNIFICENT BLUFF TRAIL

AT MONTNA D' ORO

 Every visit to Montana D' Oro State Park

is a gift.  Its pristine Bluff Trail is spectacular

and some of the most beautiful coast line

in California.

 Today's post is shot so that you can get a 

sense of the views as you walk the trail.

 Stunning geological formations and

secluded beaches and coves abound.

 In the frame below is a unique view of the famed 

Morro Rock, seen in the context of the Santa Lucia Range

and the Bay.

 Hikers can depart the Bluff Trail and climb up toward

the highlands.

 The art of nature is very evident on the trail.

 The non Pacific views are also stunning.

 The drive into and out of park takes you through

a beautiful stand of old eucalyptus trees.

When on the Central Coast you should allow time

for a visit to the "Mountain of Gold."  

There are times in the spring and summer when the 

poppies and other yellow blooms earn the 

name.  Magnificent in any season.

See you down the trail.

LOOKING INTO THE PAST

NAVIGATING THE SHOALS OF

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The task seemed simple.  Determine what, if any, 

easements may cross our property. There is no

record of any in our deed and real estate papers, but 

we wanted to be certain.  Off to San Luis Obipso and to the County Recorder.

Nothing in their records of our property, but, we were told, the Assessor might have a record the Recorder does not.

Up to the Assessors Office.  Nope, nothing filed there

but to be sure, we were advised, we should check

with Planning and Public Works. Off we go, over to the old Court House building.  Well, we get a new copy of

our property line, a record of the most recent survey

and explanation of the survey makers and again

no record of easements.  But to be sure we should

go to the County Recorder.  We started there, we tell him.

Well, he says, you can do a search of past property deeds and titles.

Back to the Recorder's Office and we are set up with a computer and given help in doing a search of all of the 

past property ownership chain and transfers. We examine

if any of those deeds contained easements.

Well, we learned the name of our part of the ridge, at 

least the name dating back to the 1920's.  We followed

ownership back about 3 clicks and found no easements.

Just to be real sure we check with our Cambria community

service district (they handle water and roads) and

no record there either.  A half a day of pursuit and

not one person was anything but helpful, courteous,

and friendly.  The young lady in the County Recorders office, with whom we dealt twice, was especially helpful.

And it was very kind of the CCSD office to call us

with additional guidance.

It was fascinating to see the records of our property

from 4 agency views, each with their own facet of the prism.

Interesting also to note how real estate records,

transactions, maps and all have evolved. The

keeping of those records is still transitioning from old books

to computer files.

I've covered government from the Federal to local level and have always thought that government that is best is

that closest to home.  Our little foray today validated 

that for us. Thanks to those who helped us. 

See you down the trail.

AN EVENING IN HARMONY

A SUNSET KNIGHT

 Harmony Cellars perches atop a gentle hill over looking Harmony, just a few miles down the Pacific Coast Highway from Cambria.

 On this evening one of our favorite singer songwriters

was singing in the sundown.

 Jill has a lot of friends and fans.  The setting was

perfect for an impromptu cocktail picnic.

 Rocky Butte and Black Mountain sit off on the horizon

 with Harmony Cellars Zinfandel closer at hand.

 Jill's beautiful vocal stylings painted the mood.

 The Harmony hill top added its romance

 A piece of rainbow appeared

 and the setting sun added that golden light

 A sunset concert leads to a mellow

California night.

See you down the trail.