NURTURE THEM OR A SHOT TO THE HEART?

  A RANGE OF SENTIMENT

     I'd heard that packs of wild bucks had been rampaging through open spaces and through gardens on this side of the Pacific Coast Highway.

      This morning Lana spotted a pack working on the green space just north of our place on the ridge.

             As you view these inhabitants of Cambria please understand they evoke a wild swing of reaction from their two legged neighbors.

            There are some who feed the deer, a practice generally frowned upon by most, including wild life experts.

         There are others who fantasize about deer steaks and other cuts.  

                  If only we could "thin" the herds, some say.  Bring in hunters they clamor.  Too dangerous in a village others will counter.  Then bring in bow hunters is a response.

                 Listen carefully in the grocery, coffee shop or on the street and you'll hear people recount how their gardens have been trashed and what can or should be done about it.  In the meantime the herd is growing and we've seen larger packs than in years past.

              So far our deer fence has worked.  Were it not for the fence, this pack of bucks would have been all over the blooms Lana is, this year, being able to enjoy.  
         In the meantime we co-habitate, sharing roadways and green spaces, natural and cultivated.  And the discussions
continue. 
         This is the old west and there are ways of controlling an over population.  Ways that some would be eager to employ.
        I've enjoyed a dinner of deer on many occasions. The secret, a great bow hunter told me, is to fell a buck with a single shot to the heart, causing them to die rapidly without fright and without pumping adrenaline into the meat. 
         I suspect this last paragraph may earn me an upbraiding from some.  And a plaudit or two from others.  And likely I'll hear it at Lilly's Coffee Shop, or the Cookie Crock Supermarket, or on the tennis court.  Wherever, I will have had to drive carefully to get there.  Guys like the fellow below are all over the place and seem to love to dash into the road.  Does that say something about their intelligence?  

      Or is it just the verve and swagger of a young buck in the spring?

      See you down the trail.

MAKING HAY & A GOOD MOVIE

THIS IS ONE TO CATCH

SALMON FISHING IN YEMEN

     After the film moved from our favorite foreign and art house to a mainline cinema complex we figured we should finally check it out.  So glad we did.  This had gotten by us and after seeing it I can't understand why.

     It is a marvelous little film with an engaging story, great acting, beautiful cinematography and is thoroughly enjoyable and uplifting.

     Directed by Lasse Hallstrom (Chocolat, Gilbert Grape and Cider House Rules) the screenplay by Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours and The Full Monty) is a joy to see play out.  Ewan McGregor, Emily Blunt, Kristin Scott Thomas and Amr Waked are all superb.

     Given the credentials of all involved you can understand why it is such a first class film.  I don't know whether we were out of sync or if the ad budgets are woefully low for this gem of a film.  

      As we talked it over we concurred that McGregor's acting was perfect and that the Kristin Scott Thomas role as 

press secretary to the British Prime Minister spot on. The cast is good and even great all around.

      This is an intelligent and fun film.

The Trailer

DAY BOOK

MAKING HAY

See you down the trail.

TELLING A HISTORY

AND ALL THROUGH HISTORY

     As we used our pin hole lens to chart the progress of the eclipse and as I viewed photos sent by friends and media coverage I was struck by a realization.  Though we live with amazing communication technology, build empires, farm in arid lands, change the course of rivers, and are stunned by IPO's and Idol shows, all of those things that might make  humans think we are planetary powers, we are still awe struck and marvel at a force of nature over which we have no control. And in that was the kernel of the realization. 

     After all is said and done, we are barely more than the first bipeds who watched an eclipse.  We may "know" the science behind it but we are still just inhabitants of a blue planet staring at the center of our solar system and watching a cosmic ballet and marvel at it.

GREEN SPACE HELPS TELL THE STORY

     The history of Chinese influence on this part of the Central Coast has been advanced thanks to a project of 

Greenspace The Cambria Land Trust.

     The Chinese Temple, an artifact of the time when Chinese were part of the Cambria cultural mix has been restored, curated and just opened to the public.

      Historical items are painstakingly displayed inside the
the Temple.

     Greenspace opened the Temple to public display and 
included an historical timeline, telling the story behind the Temple at its current location.

    The Temple was part of a complex of buildings that grew up in the area of Cambria where the Chinese lived.

     Once standing alone, the Temple was incorporated into what was known as "The Red House" as the Chinese cultural heritage consolidated into one location as the population began to diminish.  The Temple was that portion of the building marked by the white tag.

     The temple was built in 1885.  In 1925 it became part of the Red House, the Chinese cultural center.  Eventually it languished for decades.

Greenspace Photo

      In 2007 Greenspace moved the Temple to its current location and began external restoration.

Greenspace Photo

Greenspace Photo

      The inside work was completed this year and the Red Temple is now the jewel in the beautiful Greenspace Creekside Reserve on Center Street in Cambria's historic East Village.

     The Chinese flourished in this area in the 19th Century.  In northern San Luis Obispo County many were kelp harvesters. The product was gathered, dried, processed and shipped to China.  Earlier the Chinese helped build the west coast rail lines and then worked in the Cinnebar mines. They've been described as tireless and fearless workers, picking at rock and mountains.

     Local historians report that when George Hearst obtained coast land, he pushed the Chinese out of the area by shoving their bluff and cliff side homes into the Pacific. He was the  father of William Randolph Hearst the builder of the castle at San Simeon.
     For a variety of reasons the Chinese eventually left this area of the central coast and migrated to San Francisco where a vibrant culture remains. I'm sorry there is not a larger Chinese population on this part of the Central Coast.  I'm grateful Greenspace has done such a marvelous job of capturing and preserving the history.  
      If you get to Cambria, make a point of touching this 
part of history.
      See you down the trail.

THE WEEKENDER :) CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT

THE BEST FUTURE BUSINESS?

      A few years ago I was at an international broadcast and communications trade show and forum when CNN founder Ted Turner said something that floored me.  He was asked if he was just getting started what would he invest in?  Television, computers, the Internet, wireless, telephony, or  what?

      Without a moment's hesitation he said "Water."

      I've seen "war game" strategies and table top drills where

wars are fought over water and where civil authorities train to maintain order when water supplies are sparse.  

     I told an inventor friend I wish I could develop a system that could produce water.  "Can't be done" he said.  That may be true, but what a boon for human kind.  

     In the meantime here is something absolutely beautiful,

calming and celebratory about water.  This is a stunning 

piece about some of the freshest water in the world, just about 3 1/2 hours from where I sit typing this.

     Take a few minutes this weekend to watch this.  It is majestic and ultimately, important.

See you down the trail.  

THE HIGH GROUND-FLAT AS WELL

PART 2

      My thanks to those of you who responded here or in e-mails about the beautiful work Lana has done.  Today we continue. 

THERE IS ALSO THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

     You may recall from an earlier post that we dubbed a section of high ground that we tilled, Indiana. Flat and with good soil, it is a perfect place for the kind of veggie gardens we kept in the Mid-West.

 These "book end," shots, from north and south, provide a low ground view of the raised bed garden.  You can see the bird net hoops as a marker.

More about those steps in a future post.

Up in Indiana Lana has created other beds for lettuce,

parsley and other goodies.

Veteran readers may also recall the "original" raised bed

and Tomato Tent at the side of the house

We borrowed the tent idea from a veteran gardener and friend, Nan, last year.  It is the only way to get tomatoes to ripen well this near the Pacific. The tent maintains warmth.

Lana is happy that after a couple of years in a pot

the Camilla is now blooming.  

And for those of you who suggested I put down the camera
and do some work, well.....
Someone needs to report. And it is Lana who has the 
green thumb.  I'm her #1 fan.
See you down the trail.

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE

IF IT PLEASES THE CHAIR

     In bodies that abide by parliamentary rule, the US Congress, boards, clubs, organizations and the like, you can some times ask the chair to rise to speak on a point of personal privilege.  And so I do today.  

I enter into the record 

LANA THE GREEN THUMB

     This is to brag about the love of my life and her incredible gardening skill.  She is a remarkable artist and gardener.  I offer my case.

Before

This is the back hill 5 years ago

After

Lana's touch and some design work

More of the story

 Some of the original ice plant has been saved,

but she's created hill side space for succulents and drought tolerant plants

 She has found the deer & turkey fence not only protects the plants, it provides space for design touches 

 Some of those touches include her own ceramic work

 After a couple of years of frustration, she's found

a good combination along the front walk

There's also the "Indiana" garden-stay tuned.

See you down the trail.