Showing posts with label hike. Show all posts

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Talk About It

So much mud in the catch basin.

Water running, moving from space to space.

Loud.

𐧾

Talk about Gaza

Take a deep breath, and then again

Talk about Renee Good & the others

Share humor

Talk about Ukraine

Look to Nature

How Native Hoop Dancers Blend Heritage and Hip Hop | If Cities Could Dance

LINK 5:13 minutes

“When we dance, we’re never really truly alone. If you keep that in mind, that gives you the courage and confidence to take what you learn and take it further.” —Samsoche Sampson

Their truck was there, but they were nowhere to be seen...probably went to lunch in another worker's truck says J. - my thoughts go to a much darker place. Where were they? We will never know.

The road out of Mentryville - "Kitty Rock" - One body, two ears and lots of imagination.

Talk about a young man now blind in one eye

Hug those you love

Talk about the still missing files

Stay connected to old friends

Talk about illegal moves, on every level

Make important phone calls

A brilliant city tree outside the local Goodwill, my nod to the fact that I usually don't take many city photos.

Talk about the many thefts: privacy, sanity, security for starters...

Love the clouds

Talk about the endless lies spewed

Care for your body

Talk about the hard stuff

Give to others

Out, out, out into Nature, breathing, pausing, taking mental notes and sharing special finds or things to consider. Paths of the remains of deep flowing water, leaving lumpy, bumpy mud behind. Leaving chalky white rocks, salty-like residue and reddish clay. Now, larger areas of restoration exist, tiny fenced new growth and little flags flying in the breeze marking each new plant.

A place we've been before, seen before...breathed in before...a place that remains good. We never tire of it. Even when noting the recent weather related changes, it is like coming home. Home happens when one returns to place again and again. Home feels good. Today the path and nearby moist creek leading to the old rock home had the sweetest scent you ever could smell. A bench placed trailside, perfect for viewing the snag of a tree.

Two Community Medicine Bags were planted. Current count: 105

Talk about all that needs to be said, but do more than just talk too

Take actions that help sustain you and others as well

What can you talk about and do?

May you step on each side of the path

May you look in all directions

May you go and also return

Saturday, September 9, 2023

The Same ~ But Different

Today's title speaks to a comment from Liz a few posts back. Things are never exactly the same are they? Each moment is imbued with qualities and loves of a particular moment, place, mindset...

Each moment is its own.

Come travel with me...moment to moment...

Good things come in two's or three's! I was lucky to see these three therapy dogs at the medical offices last week. Off camera is a Golden Retriever. And there were these Standard Poodle twins, in their jaunty blue service vests. They brought a smile to my face. This is something I'd always wished I could do...but here I sit a dogless, full-time worker and commuter. sigh.

These two pics could be titled: "Things One Sees While Driving". The top pic is of such a large billboard, with these giant weapons. It actually startled me with its graphics of violence and left me wondering about the mentality, desire, and drive to always win. Why does one always need to win? What is winning?

Then I saw the beautiful, quiet butterfly and thought of my friend who is a "butterfly person" (one with a strong attachment to butterflies). It was interesting how these two images could provoke wildly different feelings and thoughts. How we take in our environment, how it marks us, impacts us...

On the right side: A United States (ish) looking cloud driving home. Ya kinda have to use your imagination on this one, but that's what I enjoy.

While adding "Tree Rows" to my Life Bowl, and coloring along...thinking my thoughts...I chuckled when I looked down and realized that I'd totally missed coloring the middle tree. Just skipped right over it. Boy, I guess I was lost in thought!

I have added a few more items and have more in mind. The "sky-sun-mountains-ocean" is based on a drawing I've been doing since High School and my John Denver days. I've always wondered where I would move to if I could choose...beach or mountains?

Way back...at the end of July...my dear 'gifts the best books' friend shared this lovely link with me. An NPR story about finishing the handwork of loved ones who have passed on.

You can check it out HERE

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I have thought about what (if anything) I'd want done with my things, mostly my 'La Conchita' quilt (made to honor Jimmie Wallet's family and the community as a whole) and I usually land on donating it to the community that lost so much that day in 2005. I've considered doing that at so many different times. There is a fenced off area at the bottom of that hill, where houses are still buried.

"In 2015, on the 10th anniversary of the landslide, a bell was rung 10 times at 1:20 p.m. in tribute to the victims. Survivors consoled each other. A plaque with victims’ names was unveiled. Jimmie Wallet was not there. After the tragedy, he moved with other survivors to nearby Carpinteria, about five miles away. He spoke about moving to Hawaii but few know if he did. He was last seen by locals a few years back leaving flowers at the site and searching the ocean for dolphins like he once did with his daughters." (link)

Geological Report that compares the 1995 & 2005 mudslides and an evacuation order in January 2023 and more historical data, tells the story of rainfall and mudslides from years, decades ago...and the stories of those who choose to live there and their reoccurring trauma when new slides happen elsewhere. And of course the differing tales of the "haves" and the "have nots" - La Conchita & Montecito.

I guess we never know how we will impact others, how their own experiences will impact them (what they carry within) and what will impact us...til it does. One of the articles I read from 2008 shared that Jimmie Wallet's oldest daughter had a child, a girl and he is now a grandpa. Time.

Wow. A lot of research and remembering jumped out from that one shared NPR link! Obviously, my memories are still strong, even after so many years and shown by other mentions of La Conchita here on the trail.

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Back to your regularly scheduled blog post, now in progress...

I see folks at this spot on my commute by the local park-n-ride selling all sort of things. Along with flowers, I've seen balloons, small children's armchairs and various toys, statues and holiday themed flowers & gifts (think Mother's Day, Graduation, 4th of July...you name it!)

On Friday, I stopped and bought 3 Sunflowers to brighten the classroom and the day and to bring home to brighten my place too. Sadly, I forgot them at work, but I can still bring them home Monday and perhaps dye with them. Anyway, it was a nice experience in gifting cheerfulness, to myself if no one else.

I'd already considered 'sunflower seeds' for the Life Bowl...perhaps sunflowers too 🌻 🙂 They've always been a love of mine.

The bright yellow of these flowers reminds me that while driving home this week, I saw a woman walking down the road, completely dressed in this shade of yellow! She wore a bright rain slicker yellow shirt, scarf, skirt, socks and clog shoes, while holding a yellow jacket in her hand. She was a walking Sunflower! 🌻

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Four locks on the fence

Holding love forever bound

Until locks removed

Saturday, I saw 4 locks on a freeway overpass chainlink fence and was reminded of the one in Paris. Then with a quick search, I discover there is one in the L.A. area too...and...well anyway, you can do your own search and learn about the history, meaning, traditions, art installations and many bridges, fences etc. across the country & around the world where folks proclaim their love.

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Back to the Railroad Bridge Saturday to leave a 'create your own' surprise bag with some art making things and check the water levels and breathe.

Although less, there is still water! I remain amazed by this small fact.

The clouds, the cottonwoods embracing Fall, the bird calls, lack of people, a lizard...all fill me.

Are you tired of this place yet? Yeah, me neither!

There were lots of scrub jays today and a fast flitting birds that I could not identify. A kind of woodpecker or mockingbird? Really not sure, but enjoyed them just the same.

Even though the leaf colors and the fact that I was watching them fall sent the feeling of Autumn...the heat told a different story! About 98 degrees. The air was heavy with the heat. As I stood at the bridge totally at peace and feeling the breeze in my hair...totally in that moment...I felt so grateful. It actually took me several minutes to come to the 'fire danger' place that includes heat and wind. I'm conditioned to that consideration. Now that's total immersion in the moment! haha

Leaving and thinking of Grace...I spot a 5 lined skink with a super long tail!! When it moves under the bridge fencing, I try to capture a second photo, only to capture the fence instead. What at first looked like a photo to delete, instantly looked like a place to weave instead! Isn't that fun?!

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I completed the first of 7 or more 'peach' medicine bags! Even with my small selection of peach fibers, I like how it turned out. I threw in a varied pinkish-brownish-creamish yarn to add a little variety and am considering adding a color to offset the peach/off-white in each bag. So maybe a green or a blue or...? Anyway, now that I am on a roll, I'm ready to warp the little loom again. The quiet meditation of weaving feels so right.

May you embrace everything, really

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Long Time Coming

There was a pool, hikes, meals, animals, books and a boy who Loves to JUMP!!

"Let's run!"

It is important to sit down and rest sometimes!

That my friends is a 3+ foot long rattle snake! Crossed the path right in front of us!

There was matching hats and a Real Old Train!

...and family music making with the Little Director passing out instruments!

...finding pollywogs and a teeny frog in the stream and of course, more jumping!

...and there were sweet requests to ride in the car next to this guy, which included hand holding, gentle caressing of skin in real time - no screen in between.

There was a bittersweet goodbye...

May you know the important moments as you are living them.

May you hold one another well.

May you continue with deep love

Sunday, March 26, 2023

Spring Green

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Back here, I posted about the many rhythm instruments over here. These two are packed up and ready to go.

Funny that I had posted food then too. I don't do that often, so that caught my eye, as did the delicious salad. I'd love to eat that up right now! Instead it was rice and vegetables Saturday night.

We hiked (well strolled) into the green and rushing water on Sunday.

We hadn't been to this spot in quite a while. It looked different. First of all, there was water running in multiple places, tree debris and so much growth.

It's a good thing computers don't have "smell-a-vision"! The water had a strong smell of petroleum and a strange fishy smell to me too. This is not surprising as there is a lot of petroleum in the hills around here. But, blech. It was also a a odd color and full of foam in places. All of this just screamed 'polluted'! This made me sad. However, it sounded wonderful!