Thursday, December 15, 2011
Christmas at the Coast
This has been a surprising December here at the Coast. It has actually been more sunny than rainy! Shocking I know, but I have had a bit of time to go out and look for whales and check out the beaches even though it has been wicked cold. I still try to get out and find the sun on the sunny days and take a moment to see the beauty around me.
This is at Pacific City just about 45 minutes north of us. They have a great pub right on the beach. It kinda reminds me of Morro Bay because of the rock out there. 
This is Siletz Bay from one angle. The water is in right now. It has many moods and I seem to be fascinated by all of them at all times of the day. 
Every play of light, every wave, every moment it seems that there is something new to see. High tide, low tide, something spurs me to watch.
until it gets too cold and I have to go in and get warmed up! Hope you all have a warm and happy holiday season this year! I will be thinking of all of you.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
First Impression of New York
I am back from New York and have to say that I had a great week. Each day was a new and exciting experience for me there. My friend Jane who you will see in pictures in later blogs was a perfect person to see the City with. She let me see the highlights and yet we didn't overdo any of it. I flew into Long Island and it was certainly easier than the larger airports by a long shot.
There were a few glitches, as in a Noreaster came through on Saturday so we had snrain as they call it. It rained and snowed, so it became slush in the part of Long Island I was in. Some other parts got up to 10 inches. And because the trees had not lost most of the leaves yet, there were a lot of limbs that came down with the weight of the snow on them. Lots of power outages in Conneticut and places north of us. We didn't have any problems. The next day it was sunny and there was a little snow on the ground at Jane's building. She bought her apartment in a beautiful old brick building across the street from the Freeport Police Station, so it is very there. She is three blocks from the train and has her car in the underground parking in her building which is very lucky in the winter.
I didn't know that Long Island was shaped like a fish, did you? The head, is Nassau County and closest to New York City. It is also very flat there. That is where my friend Jane lives. The Hamptons is on the West end of the tail of the fish in Suffolk County, and the Long Island Wineries are on the East side of the tail. it is more hilly and "countrified" as Jane calls it. It takes about two hours to get out there as I found out. It has many beautiful areas and lots wonderful old homes that were summer homes for the rich to go and see. We went to see a couple of them while we were there.
We went into Manhattan twice to see the sights and I will go into detail about those jouneys later. But I was fascinated that I got on the Long Island train and rode about 45 minutes into Manhattan, passing through Brooklyn to get there. While there we walked, rode the subway, took a cab twice and a double decker bus. On the last night there I drove the streets of Long Island, so you could say I did it all.
I had heard so many stories about New Yorkers and how rude they were, how unfriendly and uncooperative they could be. I didn't find that to be true anywhere, well except at two wineries, but again that will be for another time. Most were more than helpful, kind and funny with the accent of the area. I loved them. I did hear more honking of horns, and they don't worry about any speed limits anywhere. I found that 15 to 20 miles over the speed limit seems to be the norm. Even if a cop is right there. But they signal when they change lanes and they let you into traffic if you do, so there is a trade off. I guess. It was a bit intimidating even for a person with a lead foot like me.
I have to say there is so much more that I want to see of New York when I go back but this was a good start. And when I watch TV now showing anything in New York I can smile because I recognize the scene myself as being there. That is the memory I hold onto.
That and the fact that I spent a week with my friend Jane getting to know her all over again. It was so much fun talking about anything and everything all the time. I am sure she was ready for a little quiet when I left. I was happy to be home, but sad to leave such a good friend so far away. As always, I miss all of my friends and wish I had you all closer so I could visit and be a part of your daily lives. Ah well, such is life, I get a little here and a little there. But New York is worth seeing anytime of year.
There were a few glitches, as in a Noreaster came through on Saturday so we had snrain as they call it. It rained and snowed, so it became slush in the part of Long Island I was in. Some other parts got up to 10 inches. And because the trees had not lost most of the leaves yet, there were a lot of limbs that came down with the weight of the snow on them. Lots of power outages in Conneticut and places north of us. We didn't have any problems. The next day it was sunny and there was a little snow on the ground at Jane's building. She bought her apartment in a beautiful old brick building across the street from the Freeport Police Station, so it is very there. She is three blocks from the train and has her car in the underground parking in her building which is very lucky in the winter.
I didn't know that Long Island was shaped like a fish, did you? The head, is Nassau County and closest to New York City. It is also very flat there. That is where my friend Jane lives. The Hamptons is on the West end of the tail of the fish in Suffolk County, and the Long Island Wineries are on the East side of the tail. it is more hilly and "countrified" as Jane calls it. It takes about two hours to get out there as I found out. It has many beautiful areas and lots wonderful old homes that were summer homes for the rich to go and see. We went to see a couple of them while we were there.
We went into Manhattan twice to see the sights and I will go into detail about those jouneys later. But I was fascinated that I got on the Long Island train and rode about 45 minutes into Manhattan, passing through Brooklyn to get there. While there we walked, rode the subway, took a cab twice and a double decker bus. On the last night there I drove the streets of Long Island, so you could say I did it all.
I had heard so many stories about New Yorkers and how rude they were, how unfriendly and uncooperative they could be. I didn't find that to be true anywhere, well except at two wineries, but again that will be for another time. Most were more than helpful, kind and funny with the accent of the area. I loved them. I did hear more honking of horns, and they don't worry about any speed limits anywhere. I found that 15 to 20 miles over the speed limit seems to be the norm. Even if a cop is right there. But they signal when they change lanes and they let you into traffic if you do, so there is a trade off. I guess. It was a bit intimidating even for a person with a lead foot like me.
I have to say there is so much more that I want to see of New York when I go back but this was a good start. And when I watch TV now showing anything in New York I can smile because I recognize the scene myself as being there. That is the memory I hold onto.
That and the fact that I spent a week with my friend Jane getting to know her all over again. It was so much fun talking about anything and everything all the time. I am sure she was ready for a little quiet when I left. I was happy to be home, but sad to leave such a good friend so far away. As always, I miss all of my friends and wish I had you all closer so I could visit and be a part of your daily lives. Ah well, such is life, I get a little here and a little there. But New York is worth seeing anytime of year.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Just 24 miles
I am taking a writing class in Newport. It is just 24 miles down the coast from me every Saturday. Doesn't sound like much driving and normally it isn't. But here on the coast where we get heavy rain and 70 mile an hour wind, it can be a bad drive. But I decided to take it because, well, as you all know, I love to write.
This was about how to write your memories for your family and to pass down to your kids so they have a living history of not only the births and deaths of family members and a few old photographs, but the stories that you remember your mother, father, uncles and aunts or grandparents telling you along with those stories you have stored that will be forgotten or lost when we are dust in the wind.
So, as I got into this class I was surprised at how many stories I came up with. How many things other people in the class sparked a memory for me that made me want to write about other subjects. It was very energizing.
It helped that Saturday was a beautiful day of blue skies and calm winds and cotton ball clouds. The people I met at the Senior Center were interesting and funny and spurred me to go have lunch on the bay and take some pictures. It was glorious!
On the way back I took my time and really saw the sights. I stopped at Moolak and Beverly Beaches and wondered how they got their names. I drove out to Yaquina Lighthouse and looked around again. It was getting to be close to sunset and the fog was in the distance as it usually is around here so I was not able to go out to the Devil's Punchbowl again and see the tiny winery that is there at the western most place of the continental US, nor did I drive out to Cape Foulweather which is aptly named during the winter. This is where most of the bad accidents happen when it gets really wet and icy then. But I did stop at Otter Rock for a moment to take a peak at the slash of orange that was trying to break through the cloud layer and make a sunset anyway it could. Then I went through the quaint town of Depoe Bay past the sea wall and the cement whale there. Over the bridge and the smallest harbor ever, past the whale watching building on the ocean side. Around past the resorts and then the view of the coast line that I never tire of.
A short drive through Lincoln Beach and Gleneden to the four small bridges that take you along the wetlands, over Drift Creek and the Siletz River and then brings you to Siletz Bay. I think at high tide its all of 6 to 8 feet deep at any one part, and at low tide you can walk out onto most of it as it is just wet sand. The Three remaining rocky pieces that stand in it catch my imagination with the one or two pine trees that grow there so forelorn. One morning while driving by I saw a regal bald Eagle sitting atop the biggest tree surveying the water.
Then you pass through the five burroughs of Lincoln City. There is Taft, Nelscott, D Beach (the shortest river ever)Wecoma, Land's End, and you see the small theatre the Bijou that should be saved. It is a single theatre that is old and only shows one film and I love it.
So on a short 24 mile drive I cross five bridges, the smallest harbor, the smallest river, the most western winery, drove along a beautiful coastline, through a short canopy of trees at Cape Foulweather, past a beautiful bay and end up at my house looking out at the ocean. Not to mention there are six art galleries that I pass on the way.
So, I think it's a fair trade. What do you see within 24 miles of your house? I may not have these sunny days as often as those of you south of me in California. And I do miss the sunshine and warmth, believe me I still do. But I find when I do get a clear sunny day no matter how cold it is I am ready to make my way outside and enjoy it.
Happy travels.
This was about how to write your memories for your family and to pass down to your kids so they have a living history of not only the births and deaths of family members and a few old photographs, but the stories that you remember your mother, father, uncles and aunts or grandparents telling you along with those stories you have stored that will be forgotten or lost when we are dust in the wind.
So, as I got into this class I was surprised at how many stories I came up with. How many things other people in the class sparked a memory for me that made me want to write about other subjects. It was very energizing.
It helped that Saturday was a beautiful day of blue skies and calm winds and cotton ball clouds. The people I met at the Senior Center were interesting and funny and spurred me to go have lunch on the bay and take some pictures. It was glorious!
On the way back I took my time and really saw the sights. I stopped at Moolak and Beverly Beaches and wondered how they got their names. I drove out to Yaquina Lighthouse and looked around again. It was getting to be close to sunset and the fog was in the distance as it usually is around here so I was not able to go out to the Devil's Punchbowl again and see the tiny winery that is there at the western most place of the continental US, nor did I drive out to Cape Foulweather which is aptly named during the winter. This is where most of the bad accidents happen when it gets really wet and icy then. But I did stop at Otter Rock for a moment to take a peak at the slash of orange that was trying to break through the cloud layer and make a sunset anyway it could. Then I went through the quaint town of Depoe Bay past the sea wall and the cement whale there. Over the bridge and the smallest harbor ever, past the whale watching building on the ocean side. Around past the resorts and then the view of the coast line that I never tire of.
A short drive through Lincoln Beach and Gleneden to the four small bridges that take you along the wetlands, over Drift Creek and the Siletz River and then brings you to Siletz Bay. I think at high tide its all of 6 to 8 feet deep at any one part, and at low tide you can walk out onto most of it as it is just wet sand. The Three remaining rocky pieces that stand in it catch my imagination with the one or two pine trees that grow there so forelorn. One morning while driving by I saw a regal bald Eagle sitting atop the biggest tree surveying the water.
Then you pass through the five burroughs of Lincoln City. There is Taft, Nelscott, D Beach (the shortest river ever)Wecoma, Land's End, and you see the small theatre the Bijou that should be saved. It is a single theatre that is old and only shows one film and I love it.
So on a short 24 mile drive I cross five bridges, the smallest harbor, the smallest river, the most western winery, drove along a beautiful coastline, through a short canopy of trees at Cape Foulweather, past a beautiful bay and end up at my house looking out at the ocean. Not to mention there are six art galleries that I pass on the way.
So, I think it's a fair trade. What do you see within 24 miles of your house? I may not have these sunny days as often as those of you south of me in California. And I do miss the sunshine and warmth, believe me I still do. But I find when I do get a clear sunny day no matter how cold it is I am ready to make my way outside and enjoy it.
Happy travels.
Friday, October 14, 2011
New York, New York...the talk of the town......
I have never been to New York City. It has always been the BIG CITY that was a little scary to me. Chicago or Dallas or even Washington DC didn't bother me. But New York, well that was a bit overwhelming. There is so much I want to see, and so much that I want to be aware of. So in 12 days from today I will be winging my way to visit my old friend Jane who lives in New York. She lives at the north end of Long Island. I am going to see her for her 65th birthday. I have not seen her since 1999 when we were in Yosemite together living in a tent for the summer.
I have written about that adventure and how much fun we had in that summer mostly due to Jane and her winning ways. It was a great summer and now I get to go and see her as I haven't seen her since. She and I have kept in touch but this seemed to be the right time to go. So I will spend a few days with her and she is going to show me her New York.
My only request is to see the Statue of Liberty. And to eat some good italian food while I am there. Maybe see a show if we can but mostly take in the city she loves.
Now, I have to tell all of you that it is the first time that I will fly across the country all day stopping in Chicago to change planes mind you. I don't like doing that much flying being restricted in a little seat, but I can sleep and I will take snacks to have on the way. On the way back I have a two hour layover in Vegas. Now won't THAT BE FUN! Oh well.
So, back to New York. I am not going to plan on all the things I would go to see if I were with Cal. I would plan to go to the museums and all the historical places. But I have found that when you have someone that lives there, they have all of that down. They will take you to all the places that are the best ones for you to see. Like when people used to go with me to San Francisco. I have a day tour that takes them to all the sites that will get them the best pictures and then if they have more time they know where they want to go back to. If I know Jane, she will already have our week mapped out. She knows me well enough to know we will be visiting a bead store (I happened to mention that to her.) and she and I love to window shop. So I have to pack some good walking shoes too. Walking in New York, Ya Think? That's good though as I know we will be eating a lot!!!!
I am trying not to get too excited about this trip yet as I have a bit of time yet to go. So, I will be thinking of 5th Avenue, Central Park, Times Square, Broadway, the Empire State Building, the Guginheim Museum, Radio City Music, Rockefeller Center....did I miss anything?
So on to the next adventure. I am so looking forward to sharing this trip with all of you and letting you know how I take a bite out of the Big Apple. Stay tuned!
I have written about that adventure and how much fun we had in that summer mostly due to Jane and her winning ways. It was a great summer and now I get to go and see her as I haven't seen her since. She and I have kept in touch but this seemed to be the right time to go. So I will spend a few days with her and she is going to show me her New York.
My only request is to see the Statue of Liberty. And to eat some good italian food while I am there. Maybe see a show if we can but mostly take in the city she loves.
Now, I have to tell all of you that it is the first time that I will fly across the country all day stopping in Chicago to change planes mind you. I don't like doing that much flying being restricted in a little seat, but I can sleep and I will take snacks to have on the way. On the way back I have a two hour layover in Vegas. Now won't THAT BE FUN! Oh well.
So, back to New York. I am not going to plan on all the things I would go to see if I were with Cal. I would plan to go to the museums and all the historical places. But I have found that when you have someone that lives there, they have all of that down. They will take you to all the places that are the best ones for you to see. Like when people used to go with me to San Francisco. I have a day tour that takes them to all the sites that will get them the best pictures and then if they have more time they know where they want to go back to. If I know Jane, she will already have our week mapped out. She knows me well enough to know we will be visiting a bead store (I happened to mention that to her.) and she and I love to window shop. So I have to pack some good walking shoes too. Walking in New York, Ya Think? That's good though as I know we will be eating a lot!!!!
I am trying not to get too excited about this trip yet as I have a bit of time yet to go. So, I will be thinking of 5th Avenue, Central Park, Times Square, Broadway, the Empire State Building, the Guginheim Museum, Radio City Music, Rockefeller Center....did I miss anything?
So on to the next adventure. I am so looking forward to sharing this trip with all of you and letting you know how I take a bite out of the Big Apple. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Age is just another trip
I had another milestone this year. I have been part of the AARP set for a while but there have been those milestone birthdays that you always seem to impress upon you certain stages of your life. When I was 18 and free of home, when I was 35 and now felt like an adult with a career instead of just a job, and 60 when I realized that I still feel 35. Oh I don't mean physically, I mean mentally as in I think I am still able to do what a 35 year old can do. Now, do I want to be that age again? Never! Do I want to go through the trials and tribulations of a single Mom working two jobs to support us? No! Do I want to deal with roommates and moving and dating and raising a child alone? Hell No! But I still think that I have the same zest for life, with more experience. I still have the same enthusiasum and verve that I had then, maybe more because I have the time to do those things that I didn't have before. Then, I was happy to get a full nights sleep.
So, the journey that started at birth, has taken me through many twists and turns. Meeting many amazing people who have shown me mountains of lessons many I am sure I have forgotten over the years, but some have stayed with me.
1. Like never try to shower when you are too drunk to stand up.
2. Never go to the California Rodeo without your own car to come home in. (Or drink Gin!)
3. Always listen to your instincts when it comes to dates.
4. Keep a twenty dollar bill in your wallet at all times.
5. Follow your heart in both work and love.
6. Keep your secrets to yourself, the moment you tell anyone, it is no longer a secret. Even if they tell noone.
7. Find that core of friends that you can trust with your life and keep in touch with them all of your life. (Usually you can count them on one hand)
8. Find something you absolutely love doing, and don't give it up. Not for anyone.
9. Find yourself first, be happy with yourself, and then find someone to love. It works better that way.
10. Adopt a pet of your choice at least once in your life. It will change you in so many ways.
11. Show your children that they are the most important thing in your life every day they are with you, because they will leave sooner than you think. (It feels like a blink of an eye)
12. Don't ever put a job before your children.
13. Make sure that you are taking care of yourself everyday and you will be a better parent and spouse/friend/person/worker. if you don't you won't be good for anyone.
14. Work out old wounds and put them in the past. Not letting go just makes more negativity for the future. The physics rule, for every action there is an equal and oposite reaction is very true. So the more good energy the better you get back.
15. Growing up and growing old is not the same. We can be adults but still be young enough to enjoy all that life has to offer at any age.
16. Find the wonder and beauty in every day.
17. If you can't get away from home take a mental vacation by reading a book or watching your favorite movie.
18. Find the positive in everything. (I know, this is the hard one for me to do all the time, but I try!)
19. Forgive yourself and others.
20. Have faith that things will work out. (Why not? It can't hurt.)
So that's the first 20 I thought of. I have to say they were not in any order. It is the journey not the destination and I keep coming back to that. I am on this road that I have set for myself and I keep moving, I just know I have many more lessons to learn and many more sights to see. If any of you have things to add to this list I would love to hear about them. Let meknow.
Travel on! Coy
So, the journey that started at birth, has taken me through many twists and turns. Meeting many amazing people who have shown me mountains of lessons many I am sure I have forgotten over the years, but some have stayed with me.
1. Like never try to shower when you are too drunk to stand up.
2. Never go to the California Rodeo without your own car to come home in. (Or drink Gin!)
3. Always listen to your instincts when it comes to dates.
4. Keep a twenty dollar bill in your wallet at all times.
5. Follow your heart in both work and love.
6. Keep your secrets to yourself, the moment you tell anyone, it is no longer a secret. Even if they tell noone.
7. Find that core of friends that you can trust with your life and keep in touch with them all of your life. (Usually you can count them on one hand)
8. Find something you absolutely love doing, and don't give it up. Not for anyone.
9. Find yourself first, be happy with yourself, and then find someone to love. It works better that way.
10. Adopt a pet of your choice at least once in your life. It will change you in so many ways.
11. Show your children that they are the most important thing in your life every day they are with you, because they will leave sooner than you think. (It feels like a blink of an eye)
12. Don't ever put a job before your children.
13. Make sure that you are taking care of yourself everyday and you will be a better parent and spouse/friend/person/worker. if you don't you won't be good for anyone.
14. Work out old wounds and put them in the past. Not letting go just makes more negativity for the future. The physics rule, for every action there is an equal and oposite reaction is very true. So the more good energy the better you get back.
15. Growing up and growing old is not the same. We can be adults but still be young enough to enjoy all that life has to offer at any age.
16. Find the wonder and beauty in every day.
17. If you can't get away from home take a mental vacation by reading a book or watching your favorite movie.
18. Find the positive in everything. (I know, this is the hard one for me to do all the time, but I try!)
19. Forgive yourself and others.
20. Have faith that things will work out. (Why not? It can't hurt.)
So that's the first 20 I thought of. I have to say they were not in any order. It is the journey not the destination and I keep coming back to that. I am on this road that I have set for myself and I keep moving, I just know I have many more lessons to learn and many more sights to see. If any of you have things to add to this list I would love to hear about them. Let meknow.
Travel on! Coy
Friday, September 2, 2011
Just a moment in time....
Tonight I walked outside to call the dogs in from my second story deck and although the banked fog way out there had taken away what could have been a spectacular sunset, I found that subtle change of color that always fascinates me at the end and beginning of day. The inky blue-black of night was falling fast but there was a few bands of lighter blue turning to pink and then orange and then the incredible red that painters have trouble capturing. The fog that banked out at the horizon then turned it into a murky tomato red that then dropped into an undulating steel gray sea with pearlized waves.
When I looked back up at the trees that I grouse about that block my view of the ocean on two thirds of my deck I noticed that the bands of light were shining through the boughs of the trees and making a puzzle of color that was priceless, then as I scanned the rest of the clear sky (something that we cherish here in the Northwest!) I saw that the crescent moon was just over the tops of those trees, making it a picture perfect moment in time as I stood there listening to the dogs in the neighbor hood talk about how the cats were bothering them again or how the weekend vacation dogs needed to mellow out for the Labor Day weekend. But at just a moment in time, all was right in the world.
I try to capture that moment every time I take a picture at the beach of the sunset or try to keep a picture that I didn't take in my head for a time to be able to write about it. So instead of inserting one of the many, many, many times I have tried to capture the sunset, I will let you picture it for yourself. Close your eyes and picture the perfect sunset without the sun in it.
Then see how relaxed you are. I sure am.
Have a great Labor Day weekend and stay safe.
When I looked back up at the trees that I grouse about that block my view of the ocean on two thirds of my deck I noticed that the bands of light were shining through the boughs of the trees and making a puzzle of color that was priceless, then as I scanned the rest of the clear sky (something that we cherish here in the Northwest!) I saw that the crescent moon was just over the tops of those trees, making it a picture perfect moment in time as I stood there listening to the dogs in the neighbor hood talk about how the cats were bothering them again or how the weekend vacation dogs needed to mellow out for the Labor Day weekend. But at just a moment in time, all was right in the world.
I try to capture that moment every time I take a picture at the beach of the sunset or try to keep a picture that I didn't take in my head for a time to be able to write about it. So instead of inserting one of the many, many, many times I have tried to capture the sunset, I will let you picture it for yourself. Close your eyes and picture the perfect sunset without the sun in it.
Then see how relaxed you are. I sure am.
Have a great Labor Day weekend and stay safe.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Coming and going
When I lived in the Bay Area with all the bridges everywhere I learned to drive going through the Caldecott tunnel being rewarded with a usually beautiful view of the San Francisco Bay when you come out of it. Lake Temesacal is off to the left where I spent many afternoons my senior year cutting my last two classes and with my friends Sue, Karen, Christine or a few others we would feel so adult like being on our own. But we would drive around the Berkeley hills getting lost and then finding our way home again in time not to get caught.
I used to try to find back ways to places that I would go so that I would know where other streets went so I wouldn't have to come back the same way I came. I always loved the different scenery of an alternate route if I had time. Of course there is never time you say on your way to work. Or in my case right now, when everything is on Highway 101.
But a couple of days ago I had to go to Corvallis. It is about a hour and a half to two hour drive from me. There are two ways to go to get there. And the first time I went, I took the same route both ways as I was pushed for time. This time, well now that I am unemployed, I have all my days open, so, I decided to take the other way home.
It was another wooded beautiful drive as are most of them here in Oregon. There are all these beautiful green pines and steams and deep green wooded areas that invite you to stop and make you want to take a walk in them. They are dotted with rustic houses and yards filled with flowers as if they just can't help themselves from growing bigger than life. The Rhodedendrons are blooming everywhere so there are huge bushes of color around every turn.
It had started out cloudy but had turned into a beautiful sunny day and I had the sunroof open as I was cruising down the highway with Little Big Town playing full force, singing away. As I came upon some road work, there was a construction worker standining with his stop/slow sign. He was a round man probably in his late fifties, with a huge full salt and pepper beard and mustache and his hard hat. I was first to be stopped while they allowed the other side to come through. The tune Little White Church came on and to my surprise, he started singing the song and stomping his foot to the beat. It lasted for the whole song while the cars went by. Just as it ended he stopped, and turned the sign then did a very gentlemanly bow stretching out his hand in the direction for me to go. I saluted my partner in song laughing as I looked in the rear view mirror to see the person in the pickup behind me clapping for our host. It was a little three minute interlude on a highway I normally wouldn't have taken. But it will stick in my mind as a great ending to the day.
He could have stood there as so many do, and done nothing. It would have been another part of the day to the rest of us. But he had a good time, from an otherwise annoying situation to most people who had to stop. He made at least two of us enjoy the stop and have a good memory of that road and that trip.
Some people just have a knack for doing that.
I know as a woman it is scary to be out there and reach out to people we don't know. There are so many bad things that can happen, but I have always found that if you trust your instincts, you know that reaching out in small ways and talking to people and showing small gestures when you are out traveling that it is so much more satisfying than not to you in the long run. It is no telling who you might meet and what you might learn.
My friend Nancy used to say Hi to everyone we would pass when we were hiking in Yosemite or Tahoe, or on the Beach. She taught me that it is a good thing to do and I drive Cal crazy by doing it when we go on trips. I ask locals questions without thought of what they might think of me. Call me crazy but who else would know about the area I am visiting than the locals? And they tell you some extraordinary things at times!
So next time you get the chance, take a different way home and see what you find. Who knows you may meet my singing construction guy? You may find that perfect photo, but it is always good to stretch those wings and see something new.
Travel on.
I used to try to find back ways to places that I would go so that I would know where other streets went so I wouldn't have to come back the same way I came. I always loved the different scenery of an alternate route if I had time. Of course there is never time you say on your way to work. Or in my case right now, when everything is on Highway 101.
But a couple of days ago I had to go to Corvallis. It is about a hour and a half to two hour drive from me. There are two ways to go to get there. And the first time I went, I took the same route both ways as I was pushed for time. This time, well now that I am unemployed, I have all my days open, so, I decided to take the other way home.
It was another wooded beautiful drive as are most of them here in Oregon. There are all these beautiful green pines and steams and deep green wooded areas that invite you to stop and make you want to take a walk in them. They are dotted with rustic houses and yards filled with flowers as if they just can't help themselves from growing bigger than life. The Rhodedendrons are blooming everywhere so there are huge bushes of color around every turn.
It had started out cloudy but had turned into a beautiful sunny day and I had the sunroof open as I was cruising down the highway with Little Big Town playing full force, singing away. As I came upon some road work, there was a construction worker standining with his stop/slow sign. He was a round man probably in his late fifties, with a huge full salt and pepper beard and mustache and his hard hat. I was first to be stopped while they allowed the other side to come through. The tune Little White Church came on and to my surprise, he started singing the song and stomping his foot to the beat. It lasted for the whole song while the cars went by. Just as it ended he stopped, and turned the sign then did a very gentlemanly bow stretching out his hand in the direction for me to go. I saluted my partner in song laughing as I looked in the rear view mirror to see the person in the pickup behind me clapping for our host. It was a little three minute interlude on a highway I normally wouldn't have taken. But it will stick in my mind as a great ending to the day.
He could have stood there as so many do, and done nothing. It would have been another part of the day to the rest of us. But he had a good time, from an otherwise annoying situation to most people who had to stop. He made at least two of us enjoy the stop and have a good memory of that road and that trip.
Some people just have a knack for doing that.
I know as a woman it is scary to be out there and reach out to people we don't know. There are so many bad things that can happen, but I have always found that if you trust your instincts, you know that reaching out in small ways and talking to people and showing small gestures when you are out traveling that it is so much more satisfying than not to you in the long run. It is no telling who you might meet and what you might learn.
My friend Nancy used to say Hi to everyone we would pass when we were hiking in Yosemite or Tahoe, or on the Beach. She taught me that it is a good thing to do and I drive Cal crazy by doing it when we go on trips. I ask locals questions without thought of what they might think of me. Call me crazy but who else would know about the area I am visiting than the locals? And they tell you some extraordinary things at times!
So next time you get the chance, take a different way home and see what you find. Who knows you may meet my singing construction guy? You may find that perfect photo, but it is always good to stretch those wings and see something new.
Travel on.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thoughts on 9/11
I was as horrified as everyone else when I got up on 9/11 almost 10 years ago and saw the unimaginable events playing out. And as we are coming up to the anniversary of it, I have been thinmking about how it came to be even closer to me than I ever imagined.
You have heard me talk of Jane, my tent mate in Yosemite. She was from New York. As I saw what was going on, I was concerned about her as I know she worked in the area, I did not know if she worked in the towers. She was not there that day. I sent her an email asking her to just let me know she was ok. She didn't answer for three days. When she was able to get back to me that she was ok I was grateful that the one and only person I knew in New York was safe and sound. So she will be here to celebrate another milestone birthday in November.
Here I was in California, and across the continent I knew just one person that could be touched by this immense tragedy. How small the world is. And how widespread our lives are these days. We get to know people from all walks of life, and we are able to keep in touch in so many ways. Easier than even 20 years ago. The world is still a big place with many wondorous things in it, and many not so good things but I try to look at all the beauty and good each time I open my eyes.
When I see what people can do to each other like 9/11, then I have to see what the firefighters and the Security people and police did on that day. What made everyday citizens become heroes both outside and inside the twin towers. That makes me feel both proud and humble.
Would I have that kind of courage in the face of such an event? I guess we would only know if it happens to us. We had a group of preteens at the beach here, and one boy was body surfing when he got caught in a rip tide. A 13 year old girl who was in the water helped to save him without thought for her own safety. He was pulled from the water unresponsive and was revived and now has a long recovery but he will recover due to a young girl doing what she could and without thought to her own safety. Courage comes in all forms. Everyday.
When in our travels we have the opportunity to be helpful to our fellow man or woman, or for that matter our fellow animal, I feel we need to push our normal boundaries and find it in ourselves to honor the ones that came before us and give of our selves. That should be the legacy of 9/11. That we have learned that there is no difference in any of us in the middle of a disaster, or emergency, we are all afraid, it is those that step up that are the brave ones.
It doesn't always go the way we plan, but it is always the right thing to do.
I always wanted to go to New York, now that Hurricane Irene has passed, I may have to wait a while, but I am going to plan a trip to visit Jane and see how she really is face to face. I want to see the Big Apple.
Keep moving people!
You have heard me talk of Jane, my tent mate in Yosemite. She was from New York. As I saw what was going on, I was concerned about her as I know she worked in the area, I did not know if she worked in the towers. She was not there that day. I sent her an email asking her to just let me know she was ok. She didn't answer for three days. When she was able to get back to me that she was ok I was grateful that the one and only person I knew in New York was safe and sound. So she will be here to celebrate another milestone birthday in November.
Here I was in California, and across the continent I knew just one person that could be touched by this immense tragedy. How small the world is. And how widespread our lives are these days. We get to know people from all walks of life, and we are able to keep in touch in so many ways. Easier than even 20 years ago. The world is still a big place with many wondorous things in it, and many not so good things but I try to look at all the beauty and good each time I open my eyes.
When I see what people can do to each other like 9/11, then I have to see what the firefighters and the Security people and police did on that day. What made everyday citizens become heroes both outside and inside the twin towers. That makes me feel both proud and humble.
Would I have that kind of courage in the face of such an event? I guess we would only know if it happens to us. We had a group of preteens at the beach here, and one boy was body surfing when he got caught in a rip tide. A 13 year old girl who was in the water helped to save him without thought for her own safety. He was pulled from the water unresponsive and was revived and now has a long recovery but he will recover due to a young girl doing what she could and without thought to her own safety. Courage comes in all forms. Everyday.
When in our travels we have the opportunity to be helpful to our fellow man or woman, or for that matter our fellow animal, I feel we need to push our normal boundaries and find it in ourselves to honor the ones that came before us and give of our selves. That should be the legacy of 9/11. That we have learned that there is no difference in any of us in the middle of a disaster, or emergency, we are all afraid, it is those that step up that are the brave ones.
It doesn't always go the way we plan, but it is always the right thing to do.
I always wanted to go to New York, now that Hurricane Irene has passed, I may have to wait a while, but I am going to plan a trip to visit Jane and see how she really is face to face. I want to see the Big Apple.
Keep moving people!
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Curve balls in life
I guess this can be considered about traveling and wandering. I think I just need to vent a bit. Since returning from Sunny California I have been trying to readjust to the fact that I miss my friends, the wonderful food and the warmth of California. I miss the wide open spaces and even the brown of it right now since it is late summer. I miss the fact that I had to wear sunglasses every day I was out. I miss that my friends were welcoming and happy and people were friendly.
I am sitting in my house and not liking anything but the view. Last night there was a great meteor shower. I got up at 4:30 to see it. I missed most of it becuase of the overcast. Nothing new. I am wearing a sweater and Uggs as it is cold enough to have them on. COME ON! ITS AUGUST!
Ok, I admit is partially that because of my job that I feel this way. And my bitchy neighbor too. But I have never found so many people be so on guard, or so unwilling to be open and friendly in my life! Am I so stand offish that no one at least wants to talk and get to know me? I don't think that I am dull or stupid or so opinionated that I can't be approached!
Ok, so enough of that. So because of this set back I decided to call a couple of old friends and lick my wounds a bit. Then after I did that I ate some very nice, very dark chocolate (very small piece I might add) and then I tried to do some meditation and visualization. Well, I have to say the chocolate worked best. BUT, I also got out my trusted "Guide for the Advanced Soul, A book of insight." you hold a problem in your mind, then close your eyes and open the book to any page for an answer. Very new age. But it gives me perspective every time.
What did it say you ask me?
"Success is a journey, not a destination-half the fun is getting there. Gita Bellin
So, ok, I guess it is where I am supposed to be at the moment and as much "fun" as I am having in this stew of life I would really like to be past it. But there is no rushing these life lessons I guess. Now I know why there are all those platitudes of making lemonade and keeping your eye on the ball.
So, for now that I have complained and groused and stomped my feet like a 5 year old. I will go upstairs and play with my puppies and fix dinner and stop being childish. Life can't always be wonderful. But if I am lucky I will see a spectacular sunset alone tonight and I will be grateful for the opportunity to see it with my eyes. To lift a glass of wine with my hands, and to eat the food that I have made, and keep warm and safe in my home. And if I should think of just one more thing to be grateful for, it would be that I have friends out there that will read this and laugh at my musings and think, yep that sounds just like her. Because after all I do have some pretty spectacular friends out there even if they are farther away than I would like. Oh yeah, that's something to be grateful for, my friends from all over.
Ya know, I feel better already. It is the journey that brought all of you into my life. However short or long it was. And I have all of those memories to make me realize how really crappy the lives of these people must be to have to be so mean and manipulative. So, thanks to all of you for making me hit the curve ball. I may not make it out of the park, but it is definitely a base hit. Play on my friends! I am ready to take on another round with the cursed crew!
I am sitting in my house and not liking anything but the view. Last night there was a great meteor shower. I got up at 4:30 to see it. I missed most of it becuase of the overcast. Nothing new. I am wearing a sweater and Uggs as it is cold enough to have them on. COME ON! ITS AUGUST!
Ok, I admit is partially that because of my job that I feel this way. And my bitchy neighbor too. But I have never found so many people be so on guard, or so unwilling to be open and friendly in my life! Am I so stand offish that no one at least wants to talk and get to know me? I don't think that I am dull or stupid or so opinionated that I can't be approached!
Ok, so enough of that. So because of this set back I decided to call a couple of old friends and lick my wounds a bit. Then after I did that I ate some very nice, very dark chocolate (very small piece I might add) and then I tried to do some meditation and visualization. Well, I have to say the chocolate worked best. BUT, I also got out my trusted "Guide for the Advanced Soul, A book of insight." you hold a problem in your mind, then close your eyes and open the book to any page for an answer. Very new age. But it gives me perspective every time.
What did it say you ask me?
"Success is a journey, not a destination-half the fun is getting there. Gita Bellin
So, ok, I guess it is where I am supposed to be at the moment and as much "fun" as I am having in this stew of life I would really like to be past it. But there is no rushing these life lessons I guess. Now I know why there are all those platitudes of making lemonade and keeping your eye on the ball.
So, for now that I have complained and groused and stomped my feet like a 5 year old. I will go upstairs and play with my puppies and fix dinner and stop being childish. Life can't always be wonderful. But if I am lucky I will see a spectacular sunset alone tonight and I will be grateful for the opportunity to see it with my eyes. To lift a glass of wine with my hands, and to eat the food that I have made, and keep warm and safe in my home. And if I should think of just one more thing to be grateful for, it would be that I have friends out there that will read this and laugh at my musings and think, yep that sounds just like her. Because after all I do have some pretty spectacular friends out there even if they are farther away than I would like. Oh yeah, that's something to be grateful for, my friends from all over.
Ya know, I feel better already. It is the journey that brought all of you into my life. However short or long it was. And I have all of those memories to make me realize how really crappy the lives of these people must be to have to be so mean and manipulative. So, thanks to all of you for making me hit the curve ball. I may not make it out of the park, but it is definitely a base hit. Play on my friends! I am ready to take on another round with the cursed crew!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Going to the Fair (Mid State Fair that is........)
Every year that i lived in Paso Robles, I looked forward to July for two reasons. My birthday and the Mid State Fair. Because of the location of Paso there are no good venues for concerts within an hour and a half of you. And growing up in the Bay Area I was within 30 minutes of so many good places to see great artists in so many amazing places that it was one of my favorite things to do all year round.
We had second row for Jason Aldean. The girls are in love! They made signs for him and I have to tell you it worked!. He loved it. Sugarland we were futher back but it was still great to see them play so well. But a concert is only as good as the performance and the people you share it with. I love the concerts that the performer interacts with the audience more, and I have people with me who can get up and have a good time by singing and dancing and shouting and showing that they are alive and enjoying the concert. I figure if it's called a live show we should be alive! Be excited about it! It is an event in your life and it is an event in that performers life though they have them all the time, it is up to them to make it different in each place they play. That is one of the things I liked about the older entertainers is they knew how to play to an audience. Most of the new acts don't. Some do, and they seem to bring them closer to them even if they sit in the very back of the arena. Why go if it sounds like the CD? I didn't have to pay 60 bucks to hear a replica of what I have. I want to have something new to take home.
We dont' have the pictures of the Lady A concert up yet as they don't seem to be on my download from the girls so they will be on at a later date. But to me it was the best of all as we saw them go from an opening act and a on the free stage act to the big show and enjoying every minute of it. They are polished and shining up the act and coming on strong.
In Paso we get big names for two weeks a year right in our back yard in an out door venue that is not the greatest as it gets windy and cold at night but it gets great crowds most times and you have a super time.
This year my three concerts that I got to go and see with my amazing friends Brianna, Katie and Tayven was Sugarland, Jason Aldean and Lady Antebellum on my birthday.
We had second row for Jason Aldean. The girls are in love! They made signs for him and I have to tell you it worked!. He loved it. Sugarland we were futher back but it was still great to see them play so well. But a concert is only as good as the performance and the people you share it with. I love the concerts that the performer interacts with the audience more, and I have people with me who can get up and have a good time by singing and dancing and shouting and showing that they are alive and enjoying the concert. I figure if it's called a live show we should be alive! Be excited about it! It is an event in your life and it is an event in that performers life though they have them all the time, it is up to them to make it different in each place they play. That is one of the things I liked about the older entertainers is they knew how to play to an audience. Most of the new acts don't. Some do, and they seem to bring them closer to them even if they sit in the very back of the arena. Why go if it sounds like the CD? I didn't have to pay 60 bucks to hear a replica of what I have. I want to have something new to take home. 
We dont' have the pictures of the Lady A concert up yet as they don't seem to be on my download from the girls so they will be on at a later date. But to me it was the best of all as we saw them go from an opening act and a on the free stage act to the big show and enjoying every minute of it. They are polished and shining up the act and coming on strong. But it is more about seeing the strange outfits at the fair in the 95 degree heat and what people actually wear out! It is more fun to sit and people watch, and i am not just talking about the young girls in the very short jean shorts with the boots and cowboy hats, i am talking about the really huge men and women in their 40's and 50s that should know better! I had forgotten how really silly it was at the fair.
But it is also about running into old friends that you haven't seen in a year and that you can stand around at Jimmy's watering hole with a drink or a beer and catch up on everyone that you haven't seen. it is so much fun to see all the sea of humanity that shows up for the two weeks of the fair. And to know that it is in your back yard.
We ate all the food that you eat at a fair that you wouldn't think of eating any other time of the year. The corndogs, the fried waffle things, the most delicious cinnamon rolls ever from the Western place! YUM! And of course you can't go to the fair and not have kettle corn. It just seems to call to you. There are so many other good things that are there, the fish tacos and the Santa Maria BBQ....I could go on and on, but you get the idea. And then there are the vendors and shopping. Three huge buildings of stuff that you never see except at the fair. It's more fun than ever! Just to look at it all. I love it! Even in the heat, but by 5-6pm it begins to cool down and the temperature will drop from 95 to 50 in an hour so you have to have a jacket. It is one of the things we used to love about it there. It always cooled down.
So, I loved the fair this year as it was special just getting there and seeing everyone. I didn't get to see all that I wanted but I was so busy, and to tell the truth I had to nap most days to keep up with the three of them. Funny how age does that to you.
Well, my friends I hope that this summer, you have a grand time, and find a great summer memory to include in your book of memories. When you get really old you will be able to pull it out and revisit the feeling and enjoy it again and again.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Going Home again......
As all vacations or any fun trips go, they fly by. The days melt and seamlessly flow together until you wake up one morning and think "OH NO! I have to go home today!" You have to rearrange your luggage so you have room for "stuff" you are coming home with that you hadn't planned to buy or get or find, but you did. You then have to leave behind the leasurely mornings and lazy afternoons and go back to the reality of work and/or school or the reality of your life. Now if that is something you like to do, then you will not mind finding your way back to it.
Me, well, I hate my job so if I don't get a transfer when I get back, I am going to leave it behind. That's why vacation is so very good for us. It gives you time and perspective on what is going on in your life. Let's you see what you need to do what you need to work on, and what you need to let go of. How to simplify.
I saw many friends while I was visiting Paso Robles. It used to be home. Now it is where I have a lot of really good friends and a whole lot of extraordinary memories of them all. You will see some of them over the coming weeks as I have pictures and stories to tell of this week and other things I learned about turning 60 with three thirtysomething women who I adore! Bri, Katie and Taven made it a very special day for me and I will never forget it! You will see what I mean later on. I also learned that I am truly happy to be this age and have lived in the era I did.
To those I got a chance to see it was great, and those I didn't I will see you next time.
A very special thanks to my little host Christopher who shared his cold with me. Thanks Chris! lol! You are growing up too fast!
So my parting thought is that there is always a a reckoning to everything we do, why not make the best of it so when it comes we know that it will be for something good? We proved that this week! See y'all soon!
Coy
Me, well, I hate my job so if I don't get a transfer when I get back, I am going to leave it behind. That's why vacation is so very good for us. It gives you time and perspective on what is going on in your life. Let's you see what you need to do what you need to work on, and what you need to let go of. How to simplify.
I saw many friends while I was visiting Paso Robles. It used to be home. Now it is where I have a lot of really good friends and a whole lot of extraordinary memories of them all. You will see some of them over the coming weeks as I have pictures and stories to tell of this week and other things I learned about turning 60 with three thirtysomething women who I adore! Bri, Katie and Taven made it a very special day for me and I will never forget it! You will see what I mean later on. I also learned that I am truly happy to be this age and have lived in the era I did.
To those I got a chance to see it was great, and those I didn't I will see you next time.
A very special thanks to my little host Christopher who shared his cold with me. Thanks Chris! lol! You are growing up too fast!
So my parting thought is that there is always a a reckoning to everything we do, why not make the best of it so when it comes we know that it will be for something good? We proved that this week! See y'all soon!
Coy
Friday, July 22, 2011
The not so fun part of Travel
OK, so I love to travel, we have established that. but I have to say that I cannot find words to express how much I HATE lines and rude people that you find at airports and other public places that don't care about anyone but themselves. REALLY PEOPLE?????
While travleing yesterday I stayed a ok hotel right by the airport the night before so I could get up have a somewhat easy day of travel and not be totally exhausted. After all I am getting to be a bit older. I was up early, was on time for thr shut tle to the airport which is when I noticed that noone sees the elderly anymore. And I am NOT talking about me. I had two rolling bags, so they were ok but not easy, and yet there was a lady with a cane and a rolling bag that was having trouble getting off the shuttle. The attendent got her bag off and then helped her down and was gone. Ok, that's his job. She and I started into the building together. I can't tell you how many people bumped into her as she was walking just to the ticket counter.
On my flight there was a mother with a young child. When it came time to disembark, no one offered to let her get the child or herself off the plane. I stopped and let her and I heard grumbling from the three guys left behind me. Who then had to stand on the tarmac and wait for their "carry on" that is not really carry on any more.
So, I know that we are all in a rush to get to where we are going. But take a moment and make sure that the older person gets through the door, or the mother with a stroller goes first. Your karma will be better for it. Your day will be better for it and your Soul will be better for it.
I will be the crazy old woman that will be watching someday making notes of those that don't and sending it straight to Santa!!!
While travleing yesterday I stayed a ok hotel right by the airport the night before so I could get up have a somewhat easy day of travel and not be totally exhausted. After all I am getting to be a bit older. I was up early, was on time for thr shut tle to the airport which is when I noticed that noone sees the elderly anymore. And I am NOT talking about me. I had two rolling bags, so they were ok but not easy, and yet there was a lady with a cane and a rolling bag that was having trouble getting off the shuttle. The attendent got her bag off and then helped her down and was gone. Ok, that's his job. She and I started into the building together. I can't tell you how many people bumped into her as she was walking just to the ticket counter.
On my flight there was a mother with a young child. When it came time to disembark, no one offered to let her get the child or herself off the plane. I stopped and let her and I heard grumbling from the three guys left behind me. Who then had to stand on the tarmac and wait for their "carry on" that is not really carry on any more.
So, I know that we are all in a rush to get to where we are going. But take a moment and make sure that the older person gets through the door, or the mother with a stroller goes first. Your karma will be better for it. Your day will be better for it and your Soul will be better for it.
I will be the crazy old woman that will be watching someday making notes of those that don't and sending it straight to Santa!!!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Can you really ever go home again? And if so where is it?
I am planning a week long trip back to Paso Robles to see old friends and visit the sun again next week. I am really looking forward to eating at my favorite places seeing the people I have missed this past year and wandering around Paso and see how I feel.
I have found in the past that you can't go home again. Oh it is great to see everyone, and to visit your old job and the resaurants and places that you loved, but you no longer belong. You no longer have a sense of history that is more current. Everyone's life has moved on including your own.
What I do know is that you have strong ties and that your real friends are there and they welcome you with open arms and they are what make it feel like home again. It is like with your family. You pick up where you left off. With no gaps. That is when it feels so warm and fuzzy that you can't stand it. We all know how that feels.
I know the 9 days I will be there will fly by, but the memories are what will live on with me. After all that is what life is all about right? Having all kinds of memories when you are too old to go anywhere or do anything so you can sit on a porch and relive the good times and trips and people that made life good. My Grandmother taught me that. She gave me my wanderlust when I was very young, and I love her for that. She also said you always pay for good shoes, a good haircut and good perfume. Hmmmmmmmm.
Well, I am already packing to leave on this next adventure. I will take lots of pictures of it all so you will be seeing them here in the coming weeks.
Talk to you all when I get back! Keep kicking up your heels until I return!
Coy
I have found in the past that you can't go home again. Oh it is great to see everyone, and to visit your old job and the resaurants and places that you loved, but you no longer belong. You no longer have a sense of history that is more current. Everyone's life has moved on including your own.
What I do know is that you have strong ties and that your real friends are there and they welcome you with open arms and they are what make it feel like home again. It is like with your family. You pick up where you left off. With no gaps. That is when it feels so warm and fuzzy that you can't stand it. We all know how that feels.
I know the 9 days I will be there will fly by, but the memories are what will live on with me. After all that is what life is all about right? Having all kinds of memories when you are too old to go anywhere or do anything so you can sit on a porch and relive the good times and trips and people that made life good. My Grandmother taught me that. She gave me my wanderlust when I was very young, and I love her for that. She also said you always pay for good shoes, a good haircut and good perfume. Hmmmmmmmm.
Well, I am already packing to leave on this next adventure. I will take lots of pictures of it all so you will be seeing them here in the coming weeks.
Talk to you all when I get back! Keep kicking up your heels until I return!
Coy
Monday, June 6, 2011
Yosemite, my heart
But what I loved about that time was the women who came together. I woke up each morning smelling the fresh air and the forest around us. I went for walks and saw the creatures that learned to adapt with so many people milling about in their habitat. I met Native Americans who outwardly accepted what has happened to their land. I saw their generosity to share the stories, and their culture and tried to give back to them some of the respect and care to the valley that they love. And they shared this wonderous place through their eyes.
I have always been drawn to the place since my paternal Grandmother took us there in the early 60's. We saw the famous firefall, the bears at the garbage dump, and the rangers telling tales around a huge fire in the campground each night about the Native Americans. I do remember most how cold the water was when we went swimming, and how magnificent Half Dome was at sunset. How El Capitan was bathed in gold as the sun began to rise in the morning as the low tully fog would dissipate. I loved to get up earlier than everyone else and go out to see it all before the crowds of summer.
Since then Nancy and I have gone there many times during different seasons. I have taken several friends for their first look at the valley and I never lose the emotion of seeing it for the first time again. Cal and I have been there a few times and have hiked in the snow in February.
In high school I had a great biology teacher that taught me that all things change. Nothing bad or good just that all things change. Well, I learned it well. In the Valley that I love, it changes all the time. But it still takes my breath away every time I see it. I love the changes and accept that there are things that will be different every time I go.
Next time you go to Yosemite, try to take a side trip to Hetch Hetchy reseviour and take a walk to the falls there. This used to be as beautiful as Yosemite but they put up a dam in and the water is for San Francisco. John Muir fought it until he died. It is a wonderful hike around it and you can imagine how beautiful this valley might have been.
So enjoy my amature pictures of a valley that I know makes my heart fill with joy everytime I see it. I hope each of you has a place like this.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Do we really see around us, or are we passing it by?
My girlfriend Nancy of 20 plus years sent me an email that had someone else's blog posting in it. It was a short poem about how we are all so attached to our cell phones, I Pads, computers and jobs that we don't take the time to look up and see what's around us. Oh we say we are in touch because we are on Facebook and we twitter and tweet or whatever the hell else you do. Oh yea and lets not forget texting. Where we teach ourselves not to spell correctly. And as those of you who really know me understand I have resisted all of this. I like to send emails but there is nothing better than a face to face.
When I lived in Paso Robles, I liked to go to breakfast on Saturday's to Touch of Paso and catch up with the women who worked there. They were friends that I could chat with and it was a face to face meeting that we all enjoyed. I like to pick up the phone and talk to hear the intonation of the voice so I know if there is really a problem or if it is just a minor thing. I can't tell that from a text. Even an email which I do use, doesn't satisfy me. 
I like to stop if I see a scene that is rare and beautiful on my way to work and find a moment of time to smell the roses that used to grow at the end of the rows of the vineyards that I passed on the way into town. You can't do that if you are doing 14 things at once. You don't notice the play of clouds across a clear blue sky as a storm moves in. Or as it moves out to leave a sparkling last spray of raindrops on a tree. Or find a rainbow when it comes if you are texting. I find myself every morning on my way to work leaving early to catch the early light at the lake or the wispy clouds over the hills just so I can spend a few minutes drinking in the beauty of it.
So when you are looking out and up and finding yourself with friends and family, enjoying the interaction between people and have the experiences you can enjoy in the years to come. Those are the memories that you will always have in your hearts. Holding your grandchilds hand and showing him the beauty of nature and the life lessons that will make them a better person in their life. That is the time you can listen to their questions no matter how small. Who knows what might come up? In this day and age of technology (some of which we are using right now to reach out to you) I am missing out on a beautiful almost perfect sunny day on the coast. Granted it is still cold but there are some beautiful clouds in perfect puff ball style and the birds are chirping. My dogs are awaiting me to take them for a walk down to the beach and if I am lucky, maybe we will see the Orca that has been sighted off the coast. Who knows? But I do know that I miss my Saturday morning chats with my "girls" and I miss that I don't get to share little things that go on in the day to day routines, but I do get to send pictures now. And I do get to stay in touch with old friends that are far away in places. So I guess there are some redeeming factors. 
Enjoy the Day!!!! Coy Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Drift Creek Trail and Falls
This is the trail that Cal and I took Doobie and Kirbee for a hike. Yes, in Oregon they let you take your dogs on the trails. It is amazing to have them go with us and see, hear and smell what we do. It was three miles (round trip) of switchbacks and roots to step over and birds singing. It was quiet, peaceful and soul reviving. There of course is a Creek that you somewhat follow as you follow the path down mostly gentle slopes. The scenery is dense and smells of earth and water and fresh rain. It was still muddy in some places (doesn't surprise me!) as the rain hasn't stopped. I don't think we would have this much green if it did. It was a warm day for Oregon (mid 60s) but still chilly with the tall trees covering us and dappling the trail with bits of sunshine. It was enough.
As you can see there is a bridge to cross to get to really see the falls. It is a small suspension bridge. It moves and sways as you cross and bounces as you walk. It is a deep enough slash in the earth that you would be dead or not want to be alive if you fell off it. Cal is afraid of heights but he made it across by just going for it. The dogs barely noticed. I on the other hand, well I was a bit intrepid, but wanted to get a better shot of the falls. I found myself watching the sway of it and getting into it as I crossed it and then it was over! Funny how even as your heart is racing and your body is saying this isn't a good idea, you can put one foot in front of the other and keep going. Just like in life.
Here are the boys before we crossed the bridge. They were as always curious and ready. Cal of course sporting his Doobie Brothers T shirt.
This was the pay off. My picture cannot give you the spectacular sight of it. The sound of it and the sun glinting off of the water falling and crashing down on the rocks below. The smell of the fresh scents and the force of nature that pulls you to stand in awe of this nautal beauty. It was worth it to enjoy the walk and see this. I don't have the dimensions of it or the gallons of water that goes over it in the peak season. I guess I could find out, but I just was caught by the fact that within a half hour of my house this is there every day. I don't compare it to anywhere else, or wonder if there is a begger or better place, I just love the fact that it is here. I am just a happy camper to find that there are so many places here to see like this one. In the coming months now that there wll be some dry days we will be taking some of these day hikes and I will be showing you what we are finding.
Live Large ! Coy
Friday, May 20, 2011
Art and where you can find it
It always reminds me that art can be anywhere. I see it everywhere here in Oregon. I see it from the people who take driftwood and make baskets to the one who draw huge pictures in the sand that only last until high tide or a windy day. The ones you see like this and the photographers everywhere. It doesn't matter though if your art is displayed for the public or you put it on the fridge or you have it in your backyard. It reflects your inner beauty and makes you happy to look at it.
Not all art I see I would put in my house but I can appreciate it. Cal often asks me when I am admiring a piece of artwork, "Where would you put that?" or "That wouldn't fit in with what we have." It doesn't have to, but I can still like it and enjoy looking at it. I can still open my senses up and take in someone elses creativity and applaud them for taking the time and energy to do it and putting it out in the universe. I don't like all forms of art and music but I don't like all kinds of food either. But for that moment in time I can try it on, see how it makes me feel and in my mind's eye take it for a test drive. That's what is so good about it. My friend Nancy likes modern art. It's not my favorite, but when we went to the Musem of Modern Art in San Franciso, in the 4 or 5 floors of paintings and sculptures I found several pieces that I enjoyed very much. And the experience was great to see something that was out of my usual scope of art. I saw it through her eyes in some ways. Now I look at it from a different perspective. I love the art she has in her home becuase she has shown me how to appreciate the more modern side of my creativity. I evolved because of her. Amazing how art will do that to us!
Art and music to me are what brings joy to the world. Some people say that we don't need to teach children these things. I look around at the disconnected generation that we have now, and say oh yes we do. We need to teach them how to do one thing at a time. How to appreciate all things of beauty in art and music and math and science. They need to be well rounded people, not just techies.
So, if you have children or grandchildren, take them to a gallery or to a museum along with taking them to Disneyland. Make sure that they are getting both sides of the coin. Even if they grow up to be a world class scientist, make sure that they have happy memories of seeing VanGogh or Ansel Adams or a piece of modern art. Show them the world is bigger and brighter and let them choose what they like. Children love to go to those places and ask all kinds of questions that you probably won't be able to answer but go anyway you may learn something too. And the next time you see something in a window, don't just walk by, stop and take in someone elses creativity. Take a moment to send up a silent thank you to those that take the time and the labor of love to make something beautiful. We all have creativity in some way, we just need to let it come out. Uh-huh, even you! I used to say I didn't have it, but it takes courage, and experimenting, and trial and error sometimes to find where it is. But we all have it. We just need to go find it. I did and I don't let anyone tell me I can't do it now.
So, go enjoy some art and find a little creativity in yourself today!
Monday, May 16, 2011
Spring is here!!!
I am still trying to find a new job. Old one sucks but I am taking a new approach and am going to stop being so cautious and overly professional and just be me (UH-OH!) So, I am going to start living authentically and be true to myself.
Then I am going to embrace Oregon, and try to see as much of it as I can while it is warm (?) and see if I survive it for the summer. Then I will be making decisions on what I will be doing for the next half of my life. 60 will be a real turning point. This middle age thing is a real page turner I tell you! But I need to get more exercise and I need to see new sights although the changing ocean and the flux of the tides is really fascinating to me.
I will download pictures of Siletz Bay that I pass each day to and from work at high and low tide so you can see what I mean. It makes me stop a lot just to watch the play of water. We women are so tied to the tides that it is amazing that we don't live in the ocean! Think about it, most of you love baths, the ancient's relate the moon as a woman, our female cycle is usually 28 days like the moon, which in turn creates the tides that contols the largest bodies of water on the earth. Mother Earth I might add. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Well, it is quite a coincidence don't you think? Or am I going off the deep end?
Well maybe so, but it is a trip I have survived many times and come out wiser. So, I will celebrate the small triumphs today. This is a small look at where I am. Cold and beautiful. Flowers are blooming and I am itching to get moving and find new places to explore.
I am back.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Paths of life, journeys beyond.............
It has been a while since I have had the time or the mindset to write in here about the path and journey I am on. Parts have ended, some may just be beginning. I sit here this morning with just the sound of the waves and the wind in the trees wondering what spurred explorers to venture from the shores of home and go to unknown lands maybe to die alone so far away just to see new things. I must have that gene. I know I could go and see and travel if I had the opportunity. I would love to see how Mother Earth is looking and what she has to offer up to us. I am not into her riches but in her natural beauty and would love to find all the less traveled paths to try.
I used to do them alone, then some with Cal and some I took friends and Shannon with me. It was always good to share them with someone. But I learned more alone. The solitude takes you deeper and I found that the spiritual side begins to come closer and connect with the space you are in. I found it amazing at times how quickly you can be recharged be a short hike alone in a place you love with no distractions. Here it is the vast ocean that does it. I have yet to try any boating yet, but I bet sailing will eventually be one of my favorite things.
Life is full of wonder and surprises, some good some not so good but I am trying to learn from it all and I hope that I will get back in to wandering through my thoughts and trips again now that I have the space in my brain back. Thanks Scott for being such a good person, happy trails and see you on the other side, or if there really is reincarnation, I hope you come back as a dog then I can find you. Remember, white dog and silly looking just like we discussed.
I used to do them alone, then some with Cal and some I took friends and Shannon with me. It was always good to share them with someone. But I learned more alone. The solitude takes you deeper and I found that the spiritual side begins to come closer and connect with the space you are in. I found it amazing at times how quickly you can be recharged be a short hike alone in a place you love with no distractions. Here it is the vast ocean that does it. I have yet to try any boating yet, but I bet sailing will eventually be one of my favorite things.
Life is full of wonder and surprises, some good some not so good but I am trying to learn from it all and I hope that I will get back in to wandering through my thoughts and trips again now that I have the space in my brain back. Thanks Scott for being such a good person, happy trails and see you on the other side, or if there really is reincarnation, I hope you come back as a dog then I can find you. Remember, white dog and silly looking just like we discussed.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Learning to grow up
Learning to grow up does not mean losing your zest for life, your idea of adventure or your fun. It just means that you have a better idea of how to get to all those things. So as we grow older, we can't (or won't) go hike around Yosemite in the middle of winter to get that perfect shot of Vernal Falls in the snow. But you will still hike up in the fall when the leaves are changing color. I may not want to jump out of a perfectly working plane but I will take a hot air ballon ride and see the earth from another perspective. I may not go out and find the perfect wave on the North Shore (Not even when I was there in my 20's actually) but I may swim and snorkle at Molikini. It doesn't mean you have turned into a whimp or an old person just that you have found other aspects of your life that are just as rewarding. Now if you still want to do all those other things, by all means, please go ahead and do them. Me, I love to travel, and there are still many things left on my bucket list. But Neil Simon once said in one of his plays, "I want it all, I know I won't get it, but I can keep reaching for it anyway." or something to that affect.
So to me growing up is choosing whats best for you and making it your own without losing the essence of who you are. We all have to make choices, and adapt to what life throws at us. Sometimes having a brick wall in front of us, just means we turn a corner to see what's ahead. That's the part about travel that I like most, what is up around the bend. It may be the best it may not, but you just don't know till you get there. So, I am full of silly phrases today, but you can't play the game unless you participate. People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges, so I for one will be participating on my bridge out into the world today. And to all of you who are doing the same, I salute you!
So to me growing up is choosing whats best for you and making it your own without losing the essence of who you are. We all have to make choices, and adapt to what life throws at us. Sometimes having a brick wall in front of us, just means we turn a corner to see what's ahead. That's the part about travel that I like most, what is up around the bend. It may be the best it may not, but you just don't know till you get there. So, I am full of silly phrases today, but you can't play the game unless you participate. People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges, so I for one will be participating on my bridge out into the world today. And to all of you who are doing the same, I salute you!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year to all! It's been a while since I had the time to write about anything but I have to say the holidays are not always everyone's best time of year. For me it is a chance to remember all of those who have passed through my life and are now gone. Since there are a lot of them now that I am older it is a hike down memory lane. Some I know where they are, some I don't, some I am happy they are gone, some sad. But I remember the journeys they have taken us on and the things that each taught me at each stage of my life. I did realize early on that no matter, good or not so good that I learned very important lessons about myself from all of them. And for me that is what we are here for is the journey and the learning.
I know that I didn't learn all that I should have by the time I have arrived at now, but I am still open to learn so that must count for something? I need to keep looking at the big picture I guess. I will have to find a way to do that these days with them filled with long hours of work and the philosphies of life and death. I seem to be in a rut. Maybe it's because I am not used to the cold and wet yet. But I am an adaptable creature or so I have been in the past.
I saw an amazing pod of whales on the one sunny day we had this week and it was a glorious sight. I didn't take any pictures because you can't really see anything but a hump if you can distinguish it from the water, but there was a lot of spouting going on. It was great to see the gray whales going down south. Their journey is so incredible that I would love to go to Baja and see where they end up giving birth. That would be on my bucket list. I have one of those ya know. It's just too long to put down on this. What would be on yours? And who would you go with if you could?
Hope that 2011 is a great year full of adventure and lots of life lessons for all of us.
I know that I didn't learn all that I should have by the time I have arrived at now, but I am still open to learn so that must count for something? I need to keep looking at the big picture I guess. I will have to find a way to do that these days with them filled with long hours of work and the philosphies of life and death. I seem to be in a rut. Maybe it's because I am not used to the cold and wet yet. But I am an adaptable creature or so I have been in the past.
I saw an amazing pod of whales on the one sunny day we had this week and it was a glorious sight. I didn't take any pictures because you can't really see anything but a hump if you can distinguish it from the water, but there was a lot of spouting going on. It was great to see the gray whales going down south. Their journey is so incredible that I would love to go to Baja and see where they end up giving birth. That would be on my bucket list. I have one of those ya know. It's just too long to put down on this. What would be on yours? And who would you go with if you could?
Hope that 2011 is a great year full of adventure and lots of life lessons for all of us.
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