They're Here!

It is hard to believe but Seasonal ales are here again. Cheers!

I will never forget this!

a new day dawns

The gems never dim at youtube!

Guess where!

Man's Best Friend

Impact

Had a interesting moment today while while reading Xenophon's "The Persian Expedition". It occurred as I was reading Xenophon's speech to the remainder of the 10,000 after suffering
a demoralizing setback . In the middle of his impassioned speech I suddenly sneezed. As it was only one time I continued reading . To my amazement the next paragraph said this.


"Just as he was saying this. someone sneezed ,and, when the soldiers heard it they all with one accord fell on their knees and worshiped the god who had given them this sign.
Xenophon went on: I think ,soldiers ,that, since an omen from Zeus the Saviour appeared just when we were speaking about safety ,we ought to make a vow that we will give thank-offerings to the god for our safety in the place where we first reach friendly soil, and we should also vow to offer sacrifices to the other gods to the best of our ability".Never knew a reader could have such impact ".

Progress

Proof that we are making progress! These small Ohia trees (some we transplanted and some volunteers) are really growing. It is most gratifying to see our reforesting efforts actually working.

somehow this relates to President Obama

Man this is beautiful !

From A. Wainwright's "A North Wales Sketchbook"

A Hawaii Moment

Walking this evening it occurred

imperceptible at first

then a sound on the edge of consciousness

relentlessly approaching like Xenophon's 10,000

A trade wind shower

pouring for a few seconds

and departing just as it had arrived

A Hawaii moment

The classics

I have returned to my classic book reading kick. As a student in high school I did not have much interest in reading. I failed to realize how much enjoyment comes from a good book. Of course in college I had to read but not much for pleasure. It was not until I happened to watch a TV series named In search of the Trojan wars that things began to change. In This interesting show, narrated by Michael Woods there were many references to Homer's Iliad. Before the series was finished I just had to get a copy and attempt to read it. Although it was a struggle I finished it and was hooked on penguin classics. Reading the odyssey followed ,and the whole world of these books opened up. Realizing I had not much knowledge of the classics I got a book titled "The life time reading plan" by Clifford Fadiman. It gave me direction and coupled with" How to read a book "written by Mortimer J Adler and Charles Van Doren I was rolling . Since then I have read more than a few of the classics and currently am reading "Main Street" written by Sinclair Lewis. Reading has become one of my interests which I do manage to get something accomplished. That and drinking!

Just another day on the 'estate'

Today we worked on our pineapples and bananas . After having either eaten or given away almost 100 pineapples . we are now organizing the remaining plants for next year . This involves weeding the plants that remain and will fruit next year and rooting the tops which are cut off of the fruits.They are processed by removing their bottom "petals" and placed in jars to develop roots . There are also other babies on the plants that can be removed and put through the same process. Today we weeded and fertilized part of the plants in the photo. To locate the area where we were working see August post section b. We also worked on our bananas in the same area. Over the last several weeks we have had 5 bunches develop. After they are cut off of the plant, it is cut down as it will not fruit again. So today we cut one bunch off and 3 plants down. We spent over two hours working on all of this. Just another day on the 'estate'

Created Long Ago

More San Francisco art

Feeling the mystery

My Dads Army Service

Our "estate"

Thought I would try to relate photos of our reforestation work to this plot of our property

1980

One of many photos of us taken over the years at the Peaks in front of our Lodge Honeymoon room .

Success Story

Another moment I have anticipated. We found these Bird of Paradise plants in the weeds at the back of our lot 4 years ago. After moving them to another location which they did not like and were once again buried in weeds we moved them here. Here they get better light and more weeding and are coming around and blooming. As hotforwords says "there you go"Another success story!

Nani

Meet Nani. Shortly after we moved here Nani adopted us. Just showed up and worked her way into our hearts. She was then just a kitten all skin and bones. That was over 5 years ago and as you can see now she is no longer that. Here the runt of the litter is named Nani Iki (little pretty one) but she is no longer iki - just Nani

Illusion

Do I really live here or is it all an illusion?

Impressed

Living in Hawaii sometimes presents these spectacular opportunities. Not too many places could you go have a nice dinner out and stop by the local volcanic ocean entry on the way home . Once again you gotta be impressed.

first Christmas together 1971

Important

Why can't this man just go away?

The president during a visit with the women’s volleyball team on Saturday. (Photo: Thomas Coex/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images)

Cover Art

This was taken on our "treck"to the summit of Sharp Top after the ceremony. It actually is only 2,000 feet but does have a really good view of the Virginia countryside . I still feel this photo looks like album cover art.

Sharp Top Summit

This was taken at the summit of Mt. Sharp Top, one of the two mountains surrounding the lodge where we were married. We originally wanted to have the ceremony at this spot but realized it would be difficult for everyone to get there. Eventually we learned that another couple (Park Rangers) had been married at the here so it lost some appeal . Sharon's parents were regular churchgoers but did agree to the ceremony outside of a church and the Lodge is a spot that they felt comfortable with.
I love the fact that we only had 14 at our wedding ,including the minister! The lodge (and their excellent restaurant kitchen) catered it. The total cost was $40!!
Between the setting and the excellent food we could have not asked for more.

The two of us

The photo of Sharon and I posted a few days ago gave me the idea to post others . Here is one of the first, taken after our wedding at the Peaks of Otter Lodge on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia April 10 1971.

I couldn't

I started my first day of Kindergarten with excitement and a new hat.
My mom had been attracted to it by the little horn on the top. When I arrived at the school I proudly hung it in the cloak room. I was early so I found a place in the room , sat down and waited for class to start. As my classmates arrived and discovered my prized possession almost every one of the 20 or so kids could not resist trying it ,causing quite a ruckus. HONK HONK, HONK , HONK, HONK HONK HONK . It continued for what seemed like an eternity. Of course the teacher yelled at me . DON'T YOU EVER BRING THAT HAT TO SCHOOL AGAIN, thus beginning a school career of emotional scars! Thanks Mom!

Happy Birthday Raymond Layton

When I was a kid my family lived in a duplex next door to my dad's parents. We moved there when the opportunity came about to buy the place where they lived . We then moved into the other half of it. During part of the 17 years we lived there my grandmother agreed to take a young boy in.His name was (is) Raymond Layton and he stayed for several years. Living right next door we became like brothers during that time. Eventually he left and I have only seen him once since. I often wonder what he is doing now and every July 31st I think Happy Birthday Raymond!

WAS IT A DREAM?

As I mentioned in a previous reforestation post there was another lava rock outcropping on the lot . Here is a photo of it beginning to emerge from the tangled mass of vines and weed mat. This one is by far much larger than the other . It is fascinating to discover these features. I always wonder what caused this uplifting . maybe an earthquake ?( we have them frequently). Maybe one day I will find the answers . For now I will just enjoy finding, clearing ,and highlighting them.

LOVE IT!

Gotta love it

This reforestation thing is really pleasant . To be sure it is a lot of back breaking sweat laden work and we have been at it for years but it is worth it. Today the temperature was just right and skies were clear which makes working in the forest , with the its sounds really enjoyable. With almost no "city noise" to mask it ,the birds ,wind and even insects create an almost meditative atmosphere. But this photo illustrates one of the best things about doing this. The rock formation in the background (actually old lava rock) was completely hidden in invasive weeds and vines. When I first noticed parts of it in the initial stages of clearing I imagined what an archaeologist must feel like making more important discoveries. Now it is all cleared and is glorius. There is another bigger formation farther back on the lot which we will be getting to soon. This has become my retirement career!
Gotta love it!

Cathedrals &Minsters

Door Hockey

Darjeeling was only one of the energetic intelligent cats we have had(oops that have had us) Her brother Earl Grey was another. They were both feral cats born in our back yard in San Francisco in the late 80s and were the smartest best cats
in our feline family. Earl Grey was the official greeter of the house. He was always at the door no matter who was on the other side.
Just had to see who was coming to visit him ! He also fetched which is unusual for a cat.
At first it was plastic snap can lids but he was overjoyed when we found a little frisbe for him .
But the best was a game we invented. We called it door hockey. Because we had hardwood floors it was possible to slide a plastic lid under the door .
I would go into the bed room and close the door and he would be on the other side . Then we would shove the lid back and forth. We actually did this for for 10 or 15 minutes an a time!
I would try to get it past him but usually did not. Even when I did ,I could hear him( trot trot trot --scuffle-- trot trot--- plop ) and it came flying back under the door at me . Sometimes I would get this interesting feeling that a human was on the other side of that door!
Door Hockey and Earl, Grey miss them both!

Darjeeling and the Trifle Bowl

The last time we visited England was during Christmas 2000. One of the lasting memories was a wonderful Trifle we had for Christmas dinner.
We liked it so much we had to try to fix one after we returned home. So, sometime after returning we made a trip to William Sonoma to get a trifle bowl . At the store we found a really good one and bought it . They placed it in one of their bags with the cord handles and we were on our way. At home we put our purchase in the extra bed room and went about our business.
Enter Darjeeling our curious cat. After a day or so the new object in the room had to be explored . While checking it out (she probably thought is was her prey) she managed to put her
head through one of the bag handles then promptly forgot how to back out of it. She got excited,bolted and both she and her new appendage went flying down the basement steps. At the bottom landing they turned right and in quickly turning that direction the handle broke and the bag (and our new prized Trifle bowl) were sent crashing into the wall to the left .
Just for the heck of it we called the credit card co. to see if this whole humorous episode qualified for an insurance replacement payment. The agent said unfortunately not but He would to print it and place it on their bulletin board for a laugh .

I suppose that is almost as good!

More Reforestation

Our reforestation project is starting to look as if progress is being made. We are steadily removing invasive plants from our one acre "forest lot"(in the background) and thinning the edge of our "house lot" . Our plan of being able to see into the forest lot is starting to shape up. When we bought the house the former owners had screened (with plants) this area because they did not own the adjacent lot. It has taken 4 to 5 years to get this far. When I think about that too much it hits me just how much work it has been! We are getting so much satisfaction from the progress now it all seems worth it.

Blast from the past

lovely

Had a pot luck party for my birthday last Sunday. A new acquaintance Linda bought this carved water melon that she had created. If I ever get invited to a potluck at her house I will probably lie awake for many nights before , trying to think of something creative to take.

Jean-Michel Pilc: the film (excerpt 1)

Before and after

I am so proud of this transformation. After 6 years of removing and planting new plants , the side and back of our main lot are really starting to shape up. It is such a good feeling to stand on the side lanai and take it all in. Pineapple and banana plants , Orange , Grapefruit, tangerine and lemon trees plus a back lot full of Ohia trees. It has been a lot of work and now it seems to have been worth it!

Indianapolis

I was born and raised in Indianapolis. During that time I grew to believe there were better places. I called it IndianaNOplace. I eventually moved to San Francisco (fell in love with it while there in the army) and poor old Indianapolis didn't compare well. When Indianapolis came up I would always say it was good to be from Indianapolis Far from it! That went on for 25 years.
But it is funny (not haha) how attitudes change.That point came to me again today as I watched (and listened )to Jim Neighbors sing Back Home Again In Indiana before the 500 race on TV . I got all choked up. I suppose I can't have it both ways and have to admit that I miss it . Not just the place but my parents that no longer are there or here .
There it is ----- I admit it -----I was a Hoosier .

Sunday Breakfast

For more years that I would like to admit Sharon and I have had this great big breakfast on Sunday. It really started with my family when I was a kid . As soon as I was old enough I started making Coffee for mom and dad . Then I graduated to fixing eggs and on Sunday small omelette's . After I was married this practice has continued. Over the years I have added things to it . I learned to fix hash browns and added sausage . At one point I shopped at Andronico's in San Francisco which had a selection of 50 sausages! I even went so far as to try a different one every week and went through almost all of them ,even rating them. After moving here I lost that luxury but still manage to find something. Still it is the fun in trying to make a good omelet every week . I haven't managed to get them as good as I want but will keep trying.

Nice stuff

Can we impeach him now?

Good Stuff

Early Jazz Greats

The Master interviewed

Short Subjects

Spiritual

Right On!

Published on Monday, April 21, 2008 by CommonDreams.org

Where’s George?

by Harvey Wasserman

So what ever happened to George W. Bush, the worst chief executive this nation has ever endured?

This is an election year. Aren’t we supposed to be evaluating the legacy of the previous administration?

In this case, we have a man whose approval ratings are subterranean. Who’s sunk us into an endless war based on impeachable lies. Who’s dragged our national honor into the toxic mud. Who’s brought us to the brink of depression. Who’s dropped the dollar into the toilet. Who wants more subsidies for terror-target nuke reactors and more tax breaks for CO2-spewing oil barons.

Who screams “Terror! Terror! Terror!” at every possible moment, but lets Osama bin Laden run free.

What would Limbaugh, O’Reilly and the rest of the corporate bloviators be screaming today if a Democrat had hosted the 9/11 attacks and then let their perpetrator roam the world without capture for more than six years?

The only thing the American people can say with pride about George W. Bush is that we never elected him president of the United States.

Is it a surprise that the corporate media has mostly removed this monster from public view? That instead it has Obama and Hillary yelling over such burning issues as flag pins, memory lapses, and the word “bitter”?

The GOP’s very own Nero is now rarely seen. And his puppeteer, Dick “Caligula” Cheney has become equally invisible. When last sighted, he was telling the world that the overwhelming anti-war sentiment of the majority of this once-proud democracy does not matter.

For the record: Nero was the deranged boy-emperor who fiddled while Rome burned. Caligula was the twisted, sadistic torturer-emperor who helped preside over the final demise of a once-great empire. (See the movie of the same name.)

While they should be the daily targets of the Clinton-Obama road show, the ghastly Bush-Cheney has become what Ross Perot said of the national deficit: the crazy aunt that’s stashed in the closet and nobody wants to talk about.

That John McCain will further their policies of endless war on Iraq, on the global environment, on working people and for shredding the Bill of Rights, is patently obvious.

How about Barack and Hillary sign a pact. They can snipe at each other all they want.

But they agree to start each public appearance by reminding everyone who’s in the White House and what he’s done to us all. No matter what moronic questions their debate “moderators” ask them, they can start by asking “Where’s George?”

And then they can say: “When George Bush first ran, you insisted he wasn’t stupid. If that’s true, given what he’s done to the country, what’s his excuse?”

Or is that too much “spin” for prime time?

Harvey Wasserman’s SOLARTOPIA! OUR GREEN-POWERED EARTH is at www.solartopia.org. He is senior editor of http://freepress.org, where this article first appeared.

More Early Jazz Greats

Frazzled

The other night during a thunderstorm we had an episode with Red that frazzled me. He likes going under our car for security and had done so during the storm. I went out to check on him and discovered that he had caught his cable somewhere under the car and could not move.
At first I calmly tried to reach the snap to release him but quickly discovered he was pulled so tight I could not. He was getting upset and pulling so tight that he was starting to choke. I went to the other end where the lead connects to the house but there too,it was to tight to disconnect. I then ran into the house to get a pair of heavy duty scissors to cut the cable but they were not heavy enough. By that time Sharon had arrived and was very helpful by asking me a never ending array of stupid questions then adding helpful comments like "hurry he's chocking"! I got back on the ground and was trying unsuccessfully to free him ,as he looked at me with those soulful eyes and was going hawwwkk hawwwakk hawwakk. I fearfully began to wonder if he was going to choke to death right before my eyes while I helplessly fumbled with the stupid cable not being able to see where it was caught or reach the snap on his back. Finally I got up ,grabbed the flashlight and raced under the house(it is on post and pier) to try to get a better position to disconnect the cable it at the post . I was able to pull it enough to create some slack, work the snap which released the pressure and got him loose . It all was all truly awful!

Always funny!

Hula

A brief interlude courtesy of Terry Kath

Notso's

here we go

what a jem!

Sometimes I feel the mystery sometimes I don't

test

All connected

I am all connected with my new computer now! Feel as is I am in control of a spaceship .It even has a new product smell! Also has a built in camera. I will have to keep my beer bottle collection cleaner now! As soon as I figure it out will try to do a video.

New

My new computer arrived today. After I get it set up I will try to use its built in camera and mike to create video here. It will either usher in an exciting new direction for the blog or sink it .

We shall seen soo

Twists

This whole lightning strike thing has taken many twists and turns. After I replaced the modem and Ethernet card in my mac I discovered that my old operating system would not recognize it. So I had a new OS installed. Since then I have had little pesky and quirky things happening with the computer especially when restarting. As a result of that I started leaving the computer on all the time(never did that before). Patrick, the whiz that did the installing , said every night at 3am a mac does its housecleaning anyway. He also suggested getting an external hard drive for back up
All of this has produced much stress . Nothing worse than having your computer flounder while booting when it can't find its start up disc. Eventually I came to the conclusion that this is like putting money into an old car. When do you stop? So, I have decided to chuck the whole system and get a new IMAC . My computer ,scanner , and printer are 7 or 8 years old anyway. I Should have thought about all of this before all of the stress and money wasted .
It should be here next week and I will let you know how it turns out .

re - connected

Three weeks ago I was knocked off of the internet thanks to a nearby lightning strike . It broke my modem and killed my Ethernet card. I managed to install a new one but the operating system could not recognize it. So, now I have a new card and a new operating system and am finally re connected and getting organized slowly.

Yes!

David Watson blues

Fearless Leader

I am working my way through the Fearless leader cd box set. As you probably noticed I am already a certified Coltrane fanatic but that is just part of the reason I am so excited about these recordings. This six cd package was put together by Concord Records . It is the first of three box sets that present many of Coltrane's recordings on the Prestige label . The six discs contain most of the cuts from 11 Prestige albums recorded during 1957 and 1958. They were Originally produced by Bob Weinstock and recored by the legendary Rudy Van Gelder at his studio. Hearing Coltrane's development over this time span is only one of the great things about this material. Another is the liner notes in the form of a thoughtfully compiled and beautifully presented small book. It has everything you would possibly need to know regarding this material . But in the end it is Coltrane that makes it for me! No wonder there is a church in San Francisco that is based on him! http://www.coltranechurch.org/ This stuff is Heaven

Self- Indulgent

A couple of posts ago my topic was wanting to improve myself for the new year. I thought it was a good idea but my friend Anne thought other wise. In short she informed me that my comments sounded like a self-indulgent teenage whine. She went on to add I should look at my Thoughts from a friend post for direction. So I decided to take a closer look.
Of the 40 points here are the ones that that I already attempt to practice

Take a 10-30 minute walk every day - Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day - Live with the 3 E's: Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy - play more games and read more books than you did in 2007 - Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer - Dream more while you are awake - Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat fewer foods that are manufactured in plants - Drink green tea & plenty of water and eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts - Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life - Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper

There are still 30 more to tackle but
I guess that is not bad for a start. I better shut up for now as I don’t want to be anymore
self - indulging than necessary.

Happy Accident

It was at a local market a few weeks ago that I found this King Crimson album( I still consider cd’s albums) Thrak. I use to listen to them so I bought it (can’t go wrong for 1$). This album was recorded in 1995 after a ten year gap from their previous release. Like other timeless recordings, even though it is now 13 years old its vital energy remains. Not only does it have the basic strange Crimson sound it also has some material that is less extreme. There is a hauntingly beautiful ballad Walking on Air and a kind of fusion tune People. Still, this is the great powerful mystic Crinsom sound. The next time I buy one of their albums it wont be a happy accident!

Coltrane's Giant Steps

Loose Change

Thoughts from a friend

o Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant. o Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to. o Buy a TIVO, tape your late night shows and get more sleep. o When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement: "My purpose is to___________ today." o Live with the 3 E's: Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy. o Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2007. o Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives. o Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6. o Dream more while you are awake. o Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat fewer foods that are manufactured in plants. o Drink green tea & plenty of water and eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts. o Try to make at least 3 people smile each day. o Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life. o Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. o Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. o Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a pauper. o Smile and laugh more. o Life isn't fair, but it's still good. o Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. o Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. o You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree. o Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. o Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. o Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special. o No one is in charge of your happiness except you. o Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?" o Forgive everyone everything. o What other people think of you is none of your business. o Time heals almost everything. Give time time. o However good or bad a situation is, it will change. o Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. o Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. o Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. o The best is yet to come. o No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. o Do the right thing. o Call your mother and father often. o Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: o "I am thankful for __________. "Today I accomplished____________." o Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed. o Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass.

This mornings combination of Sun and rain produced this nice photo of a rainbow over my house . It happens quite frequently here because it often rains over night and in the morning. It put me in a great positive mood. It also started me thinking about this New Year and attempting once again to improve myself. For quite a while now I have been attempting this but always end up constantly falling flat on my face. Why is it so difficult to correct or even understand why I muck this up all of the time. I do have a plan which involves developing mindfulness living. I have been working on this using a book titled Wherever you go there you are written by Jon Kabat-Zinn. The idea is to develop mindfulness (waking up and paying attention to see things as they really are) there by offseting diminished awareness which leads to automatic actions. This is developed through practicing meditation. So far, all I manage to accomplish while practicing meditation is falling asleep. This makes waking up and paying attention somewhat difficult. I'll keep trying though. If nothing else I will have a nice nap every day!