Road Trip, Part 2

This morning finds us in Washington, DC, on a chilly morning when "snow flurries" are among the forecast possibilities! Since we packed for Florida and a warm southern spring visit, we have been freezing our butts off for the last few days of bone-chilling temperatures. Yesterday, in Charlottesville, we sought out the local Goodwill store to stock up on turtle-necks and sweaters. I'm not sure that will be enough, but it is a definite improvement in our lot!

Since my last post, we've been having a fine time! We spent an afternoon and overnight at Peckerwood Plantation, a gorgeous spot owned by our friends and their relatives. The photo at the top shows the lake with all the flowers blooming around it, and the little fishing dock where the bass and bream are just popping out of the water. We experienced more great southern hospitality (all along the way), and slept like babies in the silence of the deep woods around the lake. It was hard to leave, but we had to get on the road and head north.The next day we visited my cousins, John and DJ, in Salisbury, NC. This was another gorgeous small town, and we got the royal treatment, and the benefit of DJ's phenomenal cooking including a fabulous Easter dinner, with baked ham and coconut cake, and all the trimmings! Here the dogwoods and azeleas were blooming full-out as well, just lovely everywhere. Yesterday we were in Charlottesville, Va. for a specially planned lunch date at a new restaurant there, Orzo. Our friend Ken Wooten recently opened this new place, located in a wonderful "food-oriented" complex of businesses, somewhat like a mini-Ferry building for those of you familiar with San Francisco's most mouth-watering spot. Anyway, the lunch did not disappoint us. Every bite was fabulous, so if you're ever in this part of the world, be sure to put Orzo on your agenda!

Now we're off to explore DC. We'll hope it warms up, but we're going anyway!

The Surprising South

I just wanted to check in and just let y'all know where we are in our travels.

We are in Augusta, Georgia, this morning, staying with friends from many years ago. We are here in the tip-top height of the dogwood and azalea blooming season, and the town is sparkling with color and beauty. The Masters Golf Tournament is happening a few blocks away, and thousands of golf faithful are swarming everywhere like locusts. Weather is cool and sunny (60's), hospitality is fabulous. We've been eating grits, collard greens, sweet potato-pecan pie, and other delicacies of the area. Today we are going out into the countryside where this family has a vacation compound called "Peckerwood Plantation" (no kidding!), where we will lounge about, eat a picnic, and meet the rest of the family, all the Bubba's and Mary Sue's and Miss Debbie's we've been hearing about. Local stories are gothic and full of drama, murders on the front lawn, suicides, lots of divorce and pregnancy dramas.

Throughout the South, the biggest surprise for me has been the absolute abundance of spectacular trees and bird life. Everywhere we've been (and I do mean everywhere) the air is filled with the sound of birdsong. In Florida, my brother lives on a small lake in Sarasota that was swarming with herons, ibis, bald eagles, many varieties of ducks, and numerous song birds, cardinals, mockingbirds, and who knows what else. I could have spent every day there just staring at the birds coming and going. But of course we did so much more - went to some fabulous tropical gardens, with orchids, banyan trees, ferns, and many exotic plants. Walked on the snowy sands of Siesta Key beach (see photo above). Visited the Ringling family home, Ca d'Zan, and fabulous art museum. Spent precious hours with my adorable brother, Dick, and his wonderful wife, Marnie, catching up on the years and having great family time.

We drove across Florida at racing speed in our clunky Mitsubishi rental car (not a lovely car in any way) so that we could make it up to Savannah for Passover dinner on Monday evening. Daniella had written to the synagogue up there to see if anyone would take us in, and received an invitation from the family of a woman rabbi. As it turns out, we were the guests at a small family dinner, in a spectacular home out in the "lowlands" on Skidaway Island, a place that looked right out into the wetlands with - you guessed it - more gorgeous trees and water birds everywhere. This family was sparkling and delightful. They had out the crystal, silver, best china and linens, and the evening was full of laughter, singing, and fantastic food. It was a very moving and extraordinary Seder - I'll never forget it, especially the two children who were so bright and involved in the ceremony.

The next day we explored Savannah, walking for hours through the city's shady squares, and looking at the amazing old houses. It was hot and humid there, and we decided to try to find a place to stay that was smaller, near the water, and a little less citified. So we headed north to Beaufort, South Carolina, where we found a motel right on the waterfront (Savannah River). Despite my misgivings (this is Marine training central, a few hops away from Parris Island) this little town was full of charm, more fabulous colonial era homes. It is the spot where "The Big Chill" was filmed. Our favorite part was a walkway along the riverfront where there were dozens of hanging swings (like some people have on porches) where you could sit and swing and watch the river go by. What a wonderful idea!

On Wednesday we explored Charleston for a little while (didn't have nearly enough time there) and liked it better than Savannah. It is elegant and has a beautiful light reflecting off the buildings. Every street seems to be steeped in history, the buildings so ante-bellum, Victorian, or neo-classical, white pillars, wrought-iron railings, trailing wisteria (blooming of course), dogwood, huge trees. It is gorgeous and artistic. We'll go back there for sure. We drove out of there on tiny back roads, past old plantations that used to be staffed by slaves (now open to the public as museums, but we didn't have time). Made it to Augusta, and here we are now.

After Peckerwood, we'll leave tomorrow for North Carolina. I'll try to write again in a few days - sorry this is so long, but it has been a long trip! We feel so lucky to be having this adventure!

Taking a Break, Hitting the Road

We're off on a trip to the East Coast. First stop is Florida, then driving up through other places we've never been - Savannah, Charleston, Augusta, Charlottesville, etc. The South - a mysterious part of the country that is pretty uncharted territory for me, at least. I'm taking a break from blogging (that has been pretty obvious for awhile), but not because anything is wrong with me this time! It's because we'll be out enjoying the world, having an adventure, and seeing old and new friends and family. Isn't that what retirement is all about??!! Adios for now, amigos....

(drawing by Brian Duey)

Shabbos scenes from our dining room

We hosted a Shabbos dinner last night for a group of 12 Jewish artist friends. It was a pot luck with a planned menu, and featured cabbage & brisket soup; a beautiful green salad with beets, pecans, blue cheese, pomegranate seeds, and blood oranges; challah bread with chopped liver; brisket; kasha varnishkes; tzimmes; asparagus; and taiglach for dessert. We had wonderful wines and port, and we laughed and ate and talked into the night.
Here is Zuma at the front door waiting for guests to arrive.
These Mexican folk art figures have been in my dining room since 1967. The collection has grown a little over the years. My exposed chimney has plenty of little steps and niches.
This little dinner gathering was a great antidote to the the nightly news, with all its bad/sad news - a little sweetness in a world that seems to grow meaner and less tolerant with each passing day. We're doing our best to keep open hearts and minds, but it does feel good (I must admit) to see B*sh & Co. taking a bruising no matter which way he turns. Turning towards Latin America has been no cake walk. The sight of that huge, bulletproof black limo entourage sliding silently through the impoverished streets of Sao Paolo makes chills run up my spine. How dare he ride his commodious, air-conditioned, luxury bubble into their cities, dishing up more hypocrisy and more pain everywhere he stops? When will it end, and how, and what can we do to become friendly neighbors once again, rather than hated imperialist enemies?

Finishing touches

Last night Daniella suggested "how about a little red?" So I went for it. Now she says "too much". Here it is, in three panels (each 12" x 12"), on our red dining room wall. Too much? Not enough? My dear old friend, Philip Thompson, used to say regularly "too much is not enough!" And he lived by that maxim, a life of colorful excess, glorious abundance of decor in his living space, phenomenal meals, luscious poetry, and rich laughter. He thought that beige was the enemy (a true child of the 50's). I miss him so much sometimes!

Self Contained

So where did we leave off? Getting happier. Doing a little painting. Working a few days. Losing my mind over politics. Being busy. Yes, all of that. And now, spring is here in Santa Cruz. Magnolias, tulips, daffodils, flowering fruit trees, golden acacia, all are testaments to the turning of the seasons and the lifting of the spirits, big time. Spring is always my favorite time of the year. It's not just about being a spring-born baby, but because of the joy of warm days, flowers bursting out, birds singing, the perfumed air, the green, wet, juiciness of everything. I've been taking long walks, breathing deeply, and smiling.

For some reason I have been painting again. It seems that the artist's block I've struggled with has now gone away for awhile. I'm feeling more free, more experimental, and giving myself permission to just spend hours dabbling with color and shape (see above).

We have also seen a few absolutely terrific films. On Sunday we went to a Jewish film festival and saw one called Wrestling With Angels, about the playwright Tony Kushner (Angels in America). I also really enjoyed a German film called Other People's Lives, a brilliant and thoughtful piece about pre-war East Germany, a story about living in a society where the government spies on everything and everyone (sound familiar folks?). The other one that I can recommend is Breach, the film about the spy, Peter Hanson, who was apprehended at his job in the CIA after selling US secrets for years to the Russians. All of these films raised fascinating social and political issues, and were riveting to watch.

The world is still making me crazy. Hooray that Libby got convicted, but he is a small fish in a very big and fetid pond. It seems like there is no end to the corruption, greed, and foolishness, the arrogant disregard for the views of the general public, the lacerating of the Constitution, the torture and slaughter of innocent people, and the twisted logic that spins and spins and spins to support it all. I mean, gag me with a pitchfork! I can't watch 'W' or listen to his insipid voice for more than about 10 seconds without wanting to smash something!

Anyway, that's all the news for tonight my friends. Sweet dreams.

Returning from a Meander in the Wilderness

I haven't posted in ever so long. Seems like I got allergic to blogs and blogging, it became a "should" instead of a "want-to", and from then on nothing happened here. Of course the ensuing silence was punctuated by all kinds of mental and emotional meanderings of various kinds on my part, most of which are too boring and self absorbed to bother you with. But I am immensely grateful and touched by the number of people who have written to me to ask what happened, if I was OK, and telling me that I am missed in the blogosphere. Thank you all for your kindness and encouragement! It has meant a great deal to me. And yes, I am OK.

This posting finds me back in Santa Cruz (where I've been since early January). I got called back to work at the university for the last few weeks (just a part-time stint), and have actually enjoyed being back there working, having some responsibilities, and meeting great people. The best part is knowing that I can walk out the door when I'm done and leave it totally behind. I'm generally solving only one problem at a time (instead of the zillions I had before retirement), and so I can relax, do a good job, and be thankful for the little extra paychecks coming my way.

We've had a lot of art events (for Daniella) in the last few weeks. Many house guests coming and going. Many projects around the house. This past weekend I was given a lovely gift - a weekend painting workshop in Carmel Valley, taught by Lauryn Taylor, working in acrylic paints and doing abstract work. It was very difficult for me, but so much fun. And it definitely felt as if it unplugged some of the creative blockage and mental paralysis I've been feeling lately.

I've felt dragged down by the agony of paying attention to what is happening in the world - the utterly wrong-headed direction of our current government, and the immense human suffering in the wake of the 'great Decider' and his minions. I've been searching for some way to make a difference. I write letters, sign petitions, march in the streets, talk to people, stay informed, try not to consume, ride the bus, stay healthy, keep my eyes and ears open, but deep down I feel alarmingly saddened. I've become more Hobbesian, wondered why I ever though there was a benevolent God, and I go on interior, existential sojourns seeking something to hope for, something to believe in. I guess you could say I've been having a personal spiritual crisis lately. That about sums it up. Now see, I said I wasn't going to go there, but I did. Oh well.....

Anyway, no promises that I will be a regular blogger - but I will be checking in from time to time. Right now I'm going to go sit in the sun, absorb the warmth, and enjoy this beautiful day.

Oh, and yes, these are two of my paintings from the workshop.

Beginning the year on Whidbey Island

The new year finds me on Whidbey Island, my favorite sanctuary in all seasons. At this time of year, with so much of the foliage denuded, the wetlands in front of the house are even more of a bird-watcher’s paradise. The lake itself has spilled over into the horse meadow and across some of the marsh, so that there are shallower pools spreading all around. These are covered with a variety of ducks and small water birds, while the Canada geese adjudicate on the nearby meadow, taking frequent squawking flights into the bigger lake itself. The cormorants and great blue herons sit on pilings or stand in the water, looking for fish. An occasional eagle wings across the scene. Here in the immediate front yard, the bird feeders and suet cages are swarming with takers, everything from woodpeckers to chickadees, and the spectacular towhees and cedar waxwings. Fat grey squirrels run raids on the feeders, and then retreat up the trees to munch. Am I happy here? You betcha!We spent about 2 days clearing limbs and broken branches from the property, and hauling them to the green recycling center. With the tall sentinel pines ringing the whole area, there is plenty of debris after a giant storm such as the one that swept through the Pacific Northwest in mid-December. Luckily there was no major damage here.
We’re enjoying our many friends in this area, and meeting lots of new ones. This morning we joined a bunch who participated in the annual Polar Bear Dip into the Puget Sound. That is, Daniella joined them – I took the photos and cheered for all who were brave enough to jump into the 47 degree waters! The off-shore winds were ferocious, and the sea was all churned up. There are more photos to see on Daniella's blog. You can see Daniella out in front in the photo above - she ran in ahead of everyone. The photo below shows her and another friend going back in for a second dip! That is definitely not my cup of tea! Brrrrrrrr!
Here’s wishing everyone a fabulous 2007. Let’s do everything we can to move towards an end to war, a healthy green planet, and good health and prosperity for ALL people!

Culinary Creativity

Lately I've been lamenting my blocked creativity. But I woke up in the night last night and had a thought - hey! I've been cooking up a storm. During the last few days, those who have been celebrating with me have been treated to many fine things:

Chicken enchiladas
Pasilla peppers stuffed with quinoa, mushrooms, and goat cheese
Deviled crab
Creme brulee
Fruit compote of persimmons, pomegranates, blueberries, and cherries
Cream cheese balls rolled in crushed wasabi peas
Huevos rancheros
Giant salads
Chicken soups
....... and much more!

I'm getting on a roll with southwestern food. I'm seriously loving everything with peppers, chipotle, corn, beans. In the winter time, those flavors hit the spot for me. So I thought I'd give a report today, creativity is flowing but just in a different channel!

Goodwill, peace on earth.

Today is Christmas, 2006. We had our big family celebration early this year (Friday) so that my son and his wife could be with her family this weekend. Having the extended family together was really joyful and sweet. There was a baby, and news of another one. There were tears and laughter. There was delicious food, and abundant left-overs. I am so blessed!

Here's wishing all of you, wherever you are in the world, in your life, in your heart, some true joy in your holidays, however you honor (or ignore) them! How we touch and connect with each other is really what matters most, and what can heal our world and our spirits!

-------------------------------
Praise wet snow
falling early
Praise the shadow
my neighbor's chimney casts on the tile roof
even this gray October day that should, they say,
have been golden.
Praise
the invisible sun burning beyond
the white cold sky, giving us
light and the chimney's shadow.
Praise
god or the gods, the unknown,
that which imagined us, which stays
our hand,
our murderous hand,
and gives us
still,
in the shadow of death,
our daily life,
and the dream still
of goodwill, of peace on earth.
Praise
flow and change, night and
the pulse of day.
Denise Levertov

Blogger Blockage

Yes, it's been nearly 6 weeks since I've posted. I got to a creative impasse, a ravine too wide to jump across. There have been many false starts, but nothing came of them. I began to mistrust my own voice, to have doubts about saying anything worth saying. I suffered from blogger envy, comparing myself unfavorably with other, better, more profound or poetic or artistic or meaningful or politically savvy bloggers. It began to spread, so that I also had trouble reading other blogs, even though there are many that I love. It spilled over into my other creative activities. I haven't made a drawing or a painting, written anything, or even painted my own toenails. I've been stuck inside my head, churning around in a wallow of doubt and stagnation. Today I say ENOUGH already! It's time to get over it, and just be who I am again, and have that be enough.

Poetry always has been important to me. A friend sent this little jewel a few days ago - I think it says it all:

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in

-Leonard Cohen

Lifting the Blues, Back in the Pink

I wrote that I have been feeling blue lately. Part of it is the (delayed) transition from working full time to being a retired person. I find myself wondering how I can be valuable if I'm not working, not taking care of anybody (like my now grown-up kids), not "needed" anywhere in particular. This feeling comes and goes, and when it's around it pulls me down, even though I know in reality that my life is just fine. I have everything I need, good health, love, a comfortable home, friends and family, and the freedom to enjoy each day as I choose. I've had great joy in the results of the recent election, and watching Crummy Rummy hit the dustry trail towards an ignominious finale. It's hard for me to grasp how I could feel sad.

I've discovered some things that have absolutely helped me to lift out of it, and today I'm definitely feeling better. Taking long walks with Zuma around the beautiful neighborhoods of Santa Cruz is a great tonic. In the last couple of weeks I've exchanged long emails with my brother, Tom, in Georgia, whom I miss very much. I had long telephone conversations with my friends Missy in Colorado, Mary in North Dakota, Rosemary (currently in Virginia), Robin in Washington, Johna, Amber, and Mecca here at home, Christopher in LA, brother Dick in Florida, Annarae, Amy, and Margaret, all in Massachusetts, and Michelle in Capitola. I had a wonderful conversation with my daughter Annie last week. Each of these conversations has been helpful and has reflected back to me how loved I am. Sometimes it is hard to remember to reach out for help and reassurance, but I'm so glad I did and so grateful to all the people who are there for me. So today I'm coming back into the pink again. Yahoo!! Thank you dear friends.

"How to Live" by Charles Harper Webb, from Amplified Dog.

How to Live

"I don't know how to live."
–Sharon Olds

Eat lots of steak and salmon and Thai curry and mu shu
pork and fresh green beans and baked potatoes
and fresh strawberries with vanilla ice cream.
Kick-box three days a week. Stay strong and lean.
Go fly-fishing every chance you get, with friends

who'll teach you secrets of the stream. Play guitar
in a rock band. Read Dostoyevsky, Whitman, Kafka,
Shakespeare, Twain. Collect Uncle Scrooge comics.
See Peckinpah's Straw Dogs, and everything Monty Python made.
Love freely. Treat ex-partners as kindly

as you can. Wish them as well as you're able.
Snorkel with moray eels and yellow tangs. Watch
spinner dolphins earn their name as your panga slam-
bams over glittering seas. Try not to lie; it sours
the soul. But being a patsy sours it too. If you cause

a car wreck, and aren't hurt, but someone is, apologize
silently. Learn from your mistake. Walk gratefully
away. Let your insurance handle it. Never drive drunk.
Don't be a drunk, or any kind of "aholic." It's bad
English, and bad news. Don't berate yourself. If you lose

a game or prize you've earned, remember the winners
history forgets. Remember them if you do win. Enjoy
success. Have kids if you want and can afford them,
but don't make them your reason-to-be. Spare them that
misery. Take them to the beach. Mail order sea

monkeys once in your life. Give someone the full-on
ass-kicking he (or she) has earned. Keep a box turtle
in good heath for twenty years. If you get sick, don't thrive
on suffering. There's nothing noble about pain. Die
if you need to, the best way you can. (You define best.)

Go to church if it helps you. Grow tomatoes to put store-
bought in perspective. Listen to Elvis and Bach. Unless
you're tone deaf, own Perlman's "Meditation from Thais."
Don't look for hidden meanings in a cardinal's song.
Don't think TV characters talk to you; that's crazy.

Don't be too sane. Work hard. Loaf easily. Have good
friends, and be good to them. Be immoderate
in moderation. Spend little time anesthetized. Dive
the Great Barrier Reef. Don't touch the coral. Watch
for sea snakes. Smile for the camera. Don't say "Cheese."

Gone To The Dogs

It seems I have disappeared from the blogosphere lately. There are many reasons for this - mostly so that I don't bore myself and others silly. Yes, I've been a little blue too. No special reason - maybe it's winter, maybe it's just ........just .........

Anyway, here's some fun I've been having. I'm taking a charcoal drawing class once a week from local artist Marvin Plummer. I've been a long-time admirer of his beautiful work. He mostly does huge drawings of dogs - we're talking 6' or 8' tall here. He also makes exciting huge drawings from old vintage photographs. Anyway, he's teaching us a lot about using charcoal to draw. Here are some of my early results. Many of you might recognize the last two as our dear departed Lola, and our little princess Zuma.

Great Bookstores

I'll admit to being spoiled living in Santa Cruz. We have great movies here, great restaurants, beaches, open space, redwood forests, a fantastic climate - and so many terrific independent bookstores. Our favorite, Bookshop Santa Cruz, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. I remember when I first moved to Santa Cruz in 1966 and the first iteration of BSC opened on the main street downtown. It was tiny, funky, and attached to the big hang-out spot, the Catalyst, which later moved to another spot. Outside, on the front of BSC, was a larger-than-life sized modern metal sculpture of a man and a woman. In the 60's, everything about it signaled "cool place" and we spent many happy hours there slumped in old arm chairs, reading, watching the human scene drift by, and sipping tea from the Catalyst. Over the years the bookshop grew and prospered, until the earthquake of 1989 forced it out of the old building and into a tent. Loyal customers kept on being loyal, and eventually BSC found its way to its current location, a huge store in the middle of downtown, quite near where it originally began.

This past week, as part of their anniversary celebration, we've attended three great events there -part of their ongoing 'visiting authors' series. First was the adorably nutty and quirky Amy Sedaris, author of I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence, who served cheese balls and tiny cupcakes while pitching her book and simultaneously demonstrating a craft project. Next was her brother, David Sedaris (at a sold out 2500 seat venue on Halloween night, Santa Cruz's biggest holiday). He read many pieces of his work to an audience of wildly costumed Santa Cruzans ready to head out afterwards to the Mardi-Gras like street revels that happen every Halloween in downtown. Anyone who has heard Sedaris on NPR, or read one of his books, knows that his comic voice is unique, sarcastic, and hilarious, and he did not disappoint us.

Best of all the events, however, was last night's evening with Bettina Aptheker, one of Santa Cruz's true local treasures, and someone I'm proud to call a friend. She has just published a memoir, Intimate Politics: How I Grew Up Red, Fought for Free Speech, and Became a Feminist Rebel. This book (which of course I purchased) promises to be a great story of her life. Her presentation last evening was just over-the-top wonderful, warm, intimate, funny, brilliant, and insightful. She has such a passion for life, politics, social change, justice - what an inspiration.

No matter how insane the world gets (and it is at crescendo level these days) I'm so grateful to have a home in one place that seems eminently sane, good old Santa Cruz.

On Overload

I'm feeling frazzled, overloaded, and that there simply aren't enough hours in the day. That's retirement for you! But it's all good stuff.

After getting home from months away, we went right into having Open Studios (an artist's event in Santa Cruz) for two weekends in a row. Daniella was showing her paintings again, and did VERY well, but it meant having about 100+ people a day cruising through our home, for four days. That's over, but it required a level of energy that was hard to summon up after all the traveling.

Next, I've been begged to come back and do a little more work at the University, so I've been going up about 10-15 hours a week for that. It's good to earn a little extra, but working is for - well - working people, not for us retirees! We like to have all of our time to use freely! I find that this is becoming a good habit!

We just took another short trip to Santa Barbara and Ventura - a two day adventure to drop off paintings at a new gallery for Daniella down there.

Meanwhile I've signed up for two small art classes - one about portrait painting, and another one for more in-depth charcoal drawing. Each meets once a week, and so far they are great. For me this is pure pleasure, even though I'm a little intimidated by the "real" artists in the group. I'll get there!

Add to that the daily phone calls I've been making for MoveOn.org to encourage voters to get out and cast their ballots all over the US. Now I'm about to be trained to be a poll volunteer and work at the polls on election day, particularly keeping an eye on the electronic balloting process. As I've said before, not much scares me like the fraudulent voting tactics that have been popping up all over this country. I am looking for ways to do whatever I can to make our local process work as smoothly as possible, and to participate in this election in the most meaningful way. I've already sent in my absentee ballot - now I hope it will get counted!

Sorry, dear blogger friends - I haven't been much of a pal lately. I appreciate all of you who have left me such wonderful comments, even so! Many thanks!

Clutter

Our house is usually pretty neat and tidy, but we do have our little pockets of clutter. This one, just inside the front door, caught my eye this morning, and it occured to me that clutter often has stories to tell. Usually in our house, the story has to do with "why we couldn't get rid of that" even though it is not something essential to our livelihood or well-being. I'll tell you some stories about this little clutter corner.

The big straw basket was a "score" at a yard sale a couple of years ago. It is African, and so beautiful - I love it. Inside that basket is a handmade quilt, a last-stab effort to hold me given by an ex-husband about 25 years ago. It is a beautiful quilt, too good to get rid of, but it holds emotional content that prevents me from actually using it on a bed. So it sits here filling out the sides of the basket. On top of the quilt is an assortment of toys, also found at yard sales, and kept on hand for neighbor children who might come visiting (but secretly also for our grandchildren, who are not yet more than a gleam in the eye of their grandmothers).

Also in the back of the corner is a Chinese umbrella stand which came to us from the estate of Daniella's mother who died several years ago. We now have a solitary green umbrella living there. It was left at our home last year after a party, by one of the hapless guests who apparently never thought of it again. It is waiting to go home, but it probably never will. There is also a nice, carved cane. Nobody in our home uses a cane, but it is nice and it is hand carved, and it gives the umbrella stand something to hold. Someday we might be glad to have one (but let's not go there!)

Next we see a small wooden stool (also from Daniella's mother's estate) which has never found a true place in our home, so it moves around from one clutter corner to another. Sitting on the stool this week is a Cuisinart in a box, the tiny size used to chop garlic and various herbs. Our friend Pamela, on Whidbey Island, expressed a wish to have one of these little machines, and Daniella found one, so there it sits waiting for December to come along so that it can be carried up to the island. Today, I might add, is mid-October.

Finally, the big blue daisy-covered tote bag in front holds assorted swimming gear - bathing suit, visors, sunglasses, lotions, towel, shampoo. It will be going to water exercise with Daniella later this morning, so it is passing through on a quick stopover.

For anyone who might wonder, the lamp on that table belonged to my grandmother, and then my parents. It was the one thing in my parents ' home that I most coveted. When it came to me, my son Phil made the glass lamp shade, when he worked at Johnson Arts Studio in Santa Cruz.

Does your clutter have stories??

Apples

Lots of bloggers can brag about their sexy tomatoes, or their grandbabies, or their great works of art. Today I'm bragging about apples. When we got back to Santa Cruz we found the most abundant crop ever of apples and pears on our trees. The apples seem to get more delicious each year. They are juicy, tart and sweet. I've been making applesauce, and giving them away to anyone who will take them. We also have plums, lemons, and oranges in our yard. As the old saying goes, "an apple a day....." Wish I could send you all some!

Born Again

Our little dog Zuma has not been well for the last couple of years. She has been listless, overweight, suffered from flaky and itchy skin, and rarely seemed happy. She often sat with her tongue hanging out of her mouth, and taking a walk with her has been more like dragging a pull-toy on a string. Often she hid under the bed rather than go for a walk. She was cold all the time, and shivered frequently. Her tail was permanently tucked between her legs, and we never saw her wag it. We have taken her to numerous vets, tried out a wide range of pills and potions, and even had a "dog whisperer" come and try to figure her out. Nothing happened. Here she was, lethargic and seeking a warm spot to rest.
While we were on Whidbey Island we took her to the Useless Bay Animal Clinic, and the vet immediately said "I think she may have a thyroid problem". She proceeded to do a blood test. No vet in Santa Cruz had ever suggested this. Sure enough, Zuma had a thyroid level of 0.01, where normal is between 1-4. We immediately started her on thyroid medicine. The results have been miraculous! After just a few weeks on the pills, our little dog is like a puppy again. She is full of energy, playful, and begs to go for long walks. She runs all the way, pulling us along behind her outstretched leash. At home, she plays with toys and runs around the house like a pup. Her tongue no longer hangs out. Her tail is up and out and wagging. Her skin is silky and coat is filling out. The itching and flaky skin is gone. She jumps onto furniture where we previously had to lift her. She is curious and excited about everything, and more alert than she has been in years. It is truly like having a new dog, the results are so startling. Here is a recent shot of our happy little Zuma. Needless to say, we are thrilled!

Back on Line!

After a minor wrestling match with Blogger and, as it turns out, my outdated browser, I've managed to get back into my blog after a few weeks of having no luck! Sorry for the long silence. To those of you still reading this, I am home again in Santa Cruz, after our month-long travels through the midwest. In fact, in the last 4 months we have travelled over 10,000 miles through 18 states. The last trip was terrific, every day. Without writing reams about it, I'll try to share a few of my most memorable highlights of those last weeks on the road.

Milwaukee - the surprise city of this trip. I thought it was only a 'beer and brats' kind of town, but in fact it is vibrant and exciting. It has one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever entered, the art museum, sitting on the shore of the vast Lake Michigan. The museum was designed by the Spanish architect, Calatrava, and it looks from some points of view like a great white swan just lifting off into the sky over the lake. It is gorgeous, inside and out. Here are a few photos:Not only is the building stunning, but the art collection is magnificent too. The Bradley Collection emcompasses all of European and American contemporary art, with over 700 pieces donated by one collector.

Missouri - on our first visit there, we fell in love with the rolling countryside, leafy green trees, winding rivers, elegiac farms. One day we rented bikes and took a 30 mile ride on the Katy Trail, a bikes-only pathway that runs for 245 miles along the Missouri River, flat all the way. Despite our sore butts, we loved every minute of being able to get out into the woods and meadows and explore.

Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks. This was another first, and both of these national parks did not disappoint. The Tetons are shown below, at sunset.We saw bison, wolves, and dozens of elk. One of the most exciting moments was watching a pair of bull elk rutting, ramming their antlers together repeatedly, and then bellowing loudly as they repositioned themselves for another run-in.In Yellowstone, we explored the weird bubbling, steaming, simmering geyser areas scattered throughout the park. We watched "Old Faithful" gushing high into the air. Everywhere in these park the views were breath-taking, and the air was brisk and salubrious.Autumn. As California residents, experiencing seasons is always a treat. During the month of September, the autumn colors were advancing as we drove along. We saw golden aspen, willows, cottonwoods, flaming maples, and many other signs of the fall season. So often I thought of just the simple notion of "America the Beautiful", because this trip was all about that - from the wilds of Montana to the lakes of Minnesota to the prairies of Kansas to the Rocky Mountains, and everything in between. I've had such a bittersweet feeling, torn between immense love for our country and huge sadness at what we have become politically, militarily, and emblematically in the world. If anything I'm even more determined to fight back against the powers of fascism and extremism growing in our government. Today I signed up to work at the polls on election day, because I am deeply concerned about the validity of the American electoral process. For some reason I'm more frightened of fraud in the voting machines than all the saber-rattling about terrorists. I want our voting system to remain intact, untampered with, and reliable. For the last 6 years, it has been violated repeatedly, and without the soundness of our votes, our democracy is gone for sure. At least, I thought, I can do a small part to participate.

Anyway, it's great to be home again.

On The Road Heading East

That's me and my camera, on the road in North Dakota, trying to shoot pictures of those beautiful rolled hay bales that are everywhere in that landscape. For a week we've been travelling across the country to St. Louis (our current location). The trip has been fantastic, with so many highlights. We came across the lower Cascade range in Washington into the fully-ripe fruit producing area around Wenatchie, where we stocked up on the most crunchy-delicious apples I can ever remember eating. That first day we made it all the way to Missoula, Montana - wow!

The next morning we took a delightful detour to the little town of Basin, where we met a fabulous group of women artists and musicians, thanks to our new friend Bryher who owns a little cafe there, and is the sister of my dear friend Mary. This little community has put together a Women Artist's Refuge, a retreat center where artists can go and stay for months at a time and work. In a nutshell, what we can say about Basin is .... We'll Be Back (and soon)!

Montana, of course, was heartbreakingly gorgeous. We drank in the luscious scenery, and wildlife (elk, sandhill cranes). That second afternoon we had a little adventure. We stopped in Billings for gas, and when Daniella turned the key in the car there was a huge BOOM from our vehicle and the engine was dead. We were stunned, and frightened, but eventually discovered that our battery had simply exploded. The plastic on top was all cracked open, and we could see battery acid roiling and steaming inside - scary! We called AAA and were towed to a local Sears store (mind you, this was Sunday of Labor Day weekend). They changed the battery, tested the car, and determined that there were no further problems, so off we went again. Wow! We stayed that second night in Miles City, MT - on the far eastern side of the state.

One sad thing that we noticed all the way across Washington, Idaho, and Montana is that the evergreen trees are dying. Everywhere, there are dead trees and dying trees amongst the green ones. We've heard that global warming is creating new conditions in the forests that weaken the trees, allow beetles to attack them, etc. There is also the excessive heat that these states have been experiencing, along with a shortage of rain. It was shocking to see it, however, and very worrisome to imagine where it might lead. At the very least, it increases the fire danger considerably. At worst, it threatens all of us.

On The Road - North Dakota

Because our dear friends, Rob and Mary, are in North Dakota, we especially wanted to visit that state. We were immediately struck by the splendor of the Badlands, the vast and rolling rock formations and gulleys that sprawl across the land in all directions. ND has a real cowbow culture (see above!), and field after field of blooming sunflowers, grasslands of fragrant sage, and rolling meadows edged with brown-eyed susans. The beauty is subtle but undeniable.

Our friends live about 50 miles off the main highway, and then about 8 miles back on a dirt road - what they call "on the mountain" where they are building a home on land that has been in the family for generations. Rob has done an amazing job of putting up a house by himself, and, although there is still much to complete, he has done so much, so skillfully. His parents, Bob & Edna, live nearby in their lovely home, and we had some meals together there. Best of all was the time catching up after many years apart. Mary and I have been close friends for about 30 years. She was with me when my last baby was born. I love her like a sister, and it was a great joy to have time with her and with Rob.

Rob took us out in an open jeep, driving all over their land. We kept meeting up with his dad, age 86, out riding one of his many horses - something he does every day.In the evening, the family built a camp fire and we sat out under the stars. Chris, Rob & Mary's son, is a performance artist who uses the name "The Rappin' Cowbow". He recited cowbow poetry at the fireside, and then Grandpa Bob sang a few songs - he has a rich, deep voice. Here is the family looking at some of Daniella's art work.It was difficult to say goodbye to ND and get back on the road again......what a terrific visit!

On the Road - Midwest

After leaving our friends in North Dakota, we headed east, eventually into Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes. The landscape turned from brown to bright green. There were little lakes everywhere. That night, Tuesday, we stayed in a little town called Fergus Falls, MN, unremarkable in every way. On Wednesday we stopped in Minneapolis at the Walker Art Center, and spent a couple of hours looking at the exciting contemporary art in their collection.

By Wednesday night we had driven down into the corny state of Iowa, and spent the night at Cedar Rapids. We passed the Spam Museum (didn't see it in time to turn off for a visit - darn!) and were delayed at a traffic intersection in the middle of nowhere while a long tractor parade passed through - go figure??!!

Yesterday (Thursday) we finally saw the Mississippi River when we stopped for lunch in Hannibal, Missouri (home of Mark Twain). We bought sandwiches and took them up onto the river levee for a picnic. While we sat there, someone played old-timey songs on a calliope on a river paddleboat. It was joyful and so evocative of that whole Mississippi River culture. Later we arrived at our hotel in St. Louis, had a delicious "tapas" dinner, then rested up to prepare for today when we must put up the booth and art exhibit that begins tonight and goes through the weekend. Let's hope that Daniella kicks butt!