GOLF AND LABYRINTH

At lunch we met a nice young man and his two young sons and surprisingly, his parents live only about 30 miles from us in Grass Valley. Had we not engaged him in conversation, we would not have known where to go at Bandon Dunes Golf course to get the best view. We could not see the ocean that day but it is over the hill at the top of this photo.

Bandon Dunes began in 1999 and was designed by Scotsman David McLay Kidd. The course is perched on a bluff high about the Pacific Ocean and is completely natural and routed through an indigenous environment. No carts...4 courses...the game of golf in its truest form.

The young man we met drew us a map and told us to try and see the labyrinth. We drove around and around and finally got out and asked someone for help in finding it. It was very well hidden in the forest and if we had not asked for directions, we never would have found it. These cottages are on the edge of the forest and a path leads to the labyrinth.

We followed the sign that pointed the way

past a lily pond

and came upon these rocks in the middle of the forest.

There, in the middle of a clearing, we found the labyrinth and walked it. The sign said this about the labyrinth:

THE LABYRINTH IS A METAPHOR FOR OUR JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE. ITS PATH LEADS TOWARD AN INNER LIGHT, TO THE CENTER OF OUR SELF AND THE CENTER OF THE SACRED; ONE AND THE SAME. ITS DIRECTION, AT TIMES, IS CONFUSING, TAKING US AROUND, AND THEN BACK AGAIN. YET, IT IS THROUGH THIS CIRCULAR JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY AND GROWTH THAT WE RECONNECT TO WHERE WE ONCE BEGAN.

This labyrinth is in memory of Howard McKee, whose own journey through the labyrinth contributed to the vision and experience that is Bandon Dunes. This is a replica of the labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral, France Dated 1194-1220

Here you see Uncle Joel, Auntie April, Mae and cousin Natalie.

Natalie and her Mommy with Kahlua bundled up in her coat.

We headed back to camp and had one more day left on our trip. Tomorrow: the lighthouse.

TRIP CONTINUED AND THE HIKE FROM HELL

It started out innocently enough. There were words like: isn't that beautiful; look at that flower; it is only 1.25 miles to the ocean; it's not too late to walk, is it?

Then, the sand began appearing below our feet. Sand was everywhere. We saw plants trying to hold the sand back from encroaching toward the campground. Hills of sand. Sand dunes to be exact. Then I started hearing words like: this is like walking in the desert; this is really hard to walk in; walk along the edges---it is a little easier; I don't think this sand will ever end; but we're too far and almost to the ocean to turn around NOW.
Then, the ocean. Do you see that dune over to the left? Before we crossed over it and started walking south on the beach toward another trail (please!) I heard B in his most distressed voice say: I don't think this is a very good idea. I kept thinking: let's walk toward people not away from them because darkness was fast approaching...
and the wind must have been blowing 40 MPH, I swear. I have never seen the sand being picked up by the wind and literally sand blasting objects before. Your face tingled because of it as well as your legs and the rest of your body. It was a good thing we were heading away from the direction the wind was coming. At least it was at our backs.

We finally found another trail that we spotted because we saw a kite flying "in this wind?" But, yes, someone just over the dune was flying a kite at the parking area. We ended up climbing back over the dune and heading back to the campground. It took us probably another 1.25 miles before we landed back in our campground...before the sun went down and on a paved, level path. And we had the baby with us too! Fortunately in a front pack and covered by a blanket. Always be prepared when heading off on an unknown trail that looks innocent.

At least we will have things to talk about forever regarding this hike. We will laugh when we think of this 6 foot (plus) person in his red sweatshirt, standing at the top of the dune looking out toward the violent ocean and empty beach saying: I don't think this was a very good idea. Too late now B. We're not walking back through that again. Ever!

And so it was! We took our vehicles every time we wanted to go to the ocean from that point on. We learned our lesson.

I Believe She's Amazing Flash Mob - Toronto Eaton Centre

A flash mob dance video was organized by Kim MacGregor. Kim created this as a tribute to her friend Erika Heller who died of color cancer last year at the age of 31. Each and every telephone conversation they ever had, Erika would end by telling Kim "you're an amazing woman". Kim wanted to do something special to honor her friend and this is the result. It was filmed at Toronto Easton Center after only one 6-hour rehearsal. Kim's goal is to reach 1,000,000 viewers. This was forwarded to me by a wonderful woman in my woman's group book club. We have been talking about raising group consciousness. Well here you go! I hope you view it and enjoy it. It brought a tear to my eye and put a lump in my throat. Perhaps it will do the same for you.

DAY TWO----PART TWO

We visited family outside of Klamath Falls, Oregon who live in a resort area known as Running Y. Their home is absolutely beautiful and sits on the 6th hole of the golf course. This is the sign that you see as you walk up to their courtyard. Their dog, Robbie (as in Robert Burns) is the appointed watch dog. I wonder if that is (Black) Watch Dog?

Here is the front courtyard. If you click on the picture and enlarge it you will see our dog, Rudy looking at you from the gate. He played with Robbie on the patio until we went for a walk. After the walk he was so hot that he jumped into the water dish to cool off. I never laughed so hard!

Here is Joel, his golf partner, and his Dad (in blue on the left) at the 6th hole right behind the house. Janet and Bob have the most wonderful, peaceful home and sitting on the back deck was like being in heaven. It was quiet, birds were visiting, the sun was shining and the temperature was in the 70's. We couldn't have asked for a better day. Apparently, it was par for the course (just a little joke there) as Janet says the temperature doesn't get much higher than that during the summer months.

This is Joel's Dad Robert (we call him Buzz) holding Mae. It was the first time he had seen his granddaughter and I think that it was love at first sight. You can see Buzz's painting in the background.

Here is a close-up of his painting for you to see. It is a water color painting of a frog in water. Click to enlarge the photo to really appreciate it.

"TO SEND LIGHT INTO THE DARKNESS OF MEN'S HEARTS------SUCH IS THE DUTY OF THE ARTIST"

Robert A. Schumann

LAKE OF THE WOODS---DAY TWO

"SEE HOW NATURE-----TREES, FLOWERS, GRASS-----GROWS IN SILENCE; SEE THE STARS, THE MOON AND THE SUN, HOW THEY MOVE IN SILENCE. WE NEED SILENCE TO BE ABLE TO TOUCH SOULS."

MOTHER TERESA

APPRECIATION FOR ALL THINGS

SUTTER BUTTES FROM CAR WINDOW

FIRST VIEW OF MT. SHASTA AS WE DRIVE NORTH

THE BEAUTY UNFOLDS BEFORE US

THE NORTH SIDE OF MT. SHASTA FROM HIGHWAY 97

HEADING TOWARD KLAMATH FALLS, OREGON

OUR FINAL DESTINATION ON THE FIRST DAY----LAKE OF THE WOODS WITH MT. MC LAUGHLIN IN THE BACKGROUND---ELEVATION 9435 FT.

JOEL AND MAE WAITING FOR THE BOAT TO ARRIVE

"IT IS NOT SO MUCH FOR ITS BEAUTY THAT THE FOREST MAKES A CLAIM UPON MEN'S HEARTS, AS FOR THAT SUBTLE SOMETHING, THAT QUALITY OF AIR, THAT EMANATION FROM OLD TREES, THAT SO WONDERFULLY CHANGES AND RENEWS A WEARY SPIRIT."

ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON

POSTING

It's really late...a bit after midnight...but I wanted to check in before falling off to sleep. We have been gone for almost a week without internet. I thought I would go crazy but it was not too bad. I did take my camera with me though and will have some photos to post tomorrow that hopefully turned out alright. From what I could tell by just looking through the small space on the camera while previewing, most of them turned out pretty good. You just never know until you download them and see them on the "big screen".

So, until tomorrow...sleep tight and have sweet dreams. The weather is perfect for sleeping right now. I would say "don't let the bed bugs bite" but that's a reality that no one really wants to hear right now. The question is: how do you not let the bed bugs bite? You'd think working with bugs at the Ag Department, I would know this. I'm deferring this question to my go-to girl, Rene. Rene? Any answers?? And how the heck are you anyway??

What is Love Bomb?

This is why I blog. Yesterday I posted questions about blogging and hoped that I might hear some reasons why YOU blog. Today, Karen at Maggiessecretgarden.blogspot.com posted this which goes EXACTLY with why I blog and the inspiration I find at different places. Check it out and maybe send a Love Bomb to someone you care about. "Imagine all the people...."

BLOGGING

I've been thinking about blogging today. And, I'm wondering how some of you are feeling about blogging also. I have questions such as why do you blog; what are you trying to say with your blog; are you interested in who is reading your blog. These are things that I have been thinking about and so I thought that I would ask you, the people that read my blog, to respond if you want to.

Above, is a copy of a report that Google Analytics makes available to me. (Click to enlarge) I have had it "in the background" for a couple of years now. I find it interesting to see where people come from that are looking at my blog. I know there are lots of other people who do this also. I have seen small maps or flags that appear in the sidebars of many other blogs, showing where visitors are coming from.

I find it interesting to see, frankly, where people are coming from. It is really insignificant to me why. I blog because I am interested in other people and their interests. I love seeing an article on art, on poetry, on a wonderful dog that is loved or adopted. I love seeing other people's photos and perspectives; where they live, how they live, what they are doing with their families and time. To me it is like looking through a wonderful magazine only I don't have to buy it at the news stand. It is right there, available to me on my computer. And through the process of having "followers" and also "following" other blogs, I have made some connections that I consider "friends". It's a strange world that we live in but I am finding that we are all so much more alike that I previously thought or knew.

In the above photo I don't know if you can see it or not, but under the word SERVICE PROVIDER it says: PG&E. For those of you not living in the California area and not familiar, PG&E stands for Pacific Gas and Electric Company. It is our local utility provider. I find it odd that someone from PG&E looks at my blog. It makes me wonder what I have written here that is so interesting to someone who should be hard at work providing service to those who have energy needs or questions. Where my daughter works there are strict rules regarding "surfing the web" and "personal emails" on company time. I am not in the work force now (retired) so I am not sure what the "rules" are for other companies. Do any of your work places frown on "surfing the web" on company time? And if so, are you allowed to use company computers for personal business at your lunch hours? I guess I should be flattered that this person (or persons) finds my blog interesting enough to keep checking back year-after-year. Thank you for your patronage. It boosts my morale AND my numbers!

I have people I follow regularly who are listed on my sidebar and some of them are not Google (Blogspot) people. Some of them are Word Press users. I often wonder what the difference is. Is it an easier format? Does Word Press offer something that Google does not? I have noticed that there are some blogs on Word Press that are marked "private". You can see an example if you go to: http://twobecomethree.wordpress.com/ There, it says this: "http://twobecomethree.wordpress.com/ is marked private by its owner. If you were invited to view this site, please log in below." Now, for the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would want to have a blog and then mark it "private". That doesn't make any sense to me. Is the point to just journal? If so, why not just write it in a paper journal and keep it by your bed? To me, the whole point in keeping a blog is for feedback. If I wanted just those who were "invited" to see it, why not just call them on the phone and tell them what I felt about stuff rather than having them read it? And, how would I let them know that I had a blog in the first place if it was marked "private"? That whole concept is beyond me. I could just email them the photos I took of my family, of my new house, of the beautiful flowers I saw or the poetry I wrote. Am I the only one that this is lost on?

Anyway, over at thealteredpage.blogspot.com Seth Apter has a post today called: With One Palette" and he also has a survey in his sidebar regarding blogging. One is called "Your Blog Your Way" and the other is a survey about what you do when you go to someones blog regarding commenting or lurking in the background. You can take the survey if you are so inclined.

And some of my other favorites (and reasons I keep going back again and again) are: maggiessecretgarden.blogspot.com where you can find a beautiful picture and recipe for Cherry-lentil salad. And in the same vein a post about Cherry Pie over at 66squarefeet.blogspot.com It's not what you are imagining, I guarantee. Well, maybe. And speaking of feet: go over to M's blog at secretnotebookswildpages.blogspot.com and see a great diagram of some feet and read about Jai Gurudev. I think that you'll be glad that you did! She always has a fresh perspective and always beautiful photography. Brian, over at Way Station One will always impress you (as he does me and many, many followers) with his poetry. Today I see a poem titled: Butterflies with broken wings. It has garnered many, many comments. That wouldn't happen if it was marked "private".

Isn't it incredible how the synchronicity of the blog world happens? We are all connected and I am glad that I have the ability to read all your blogs and that they are not marked "private". I would never have been able to broaden my horizons had that been so. I have always said that it is important to keep learning and growing. The older I get, the more important this becomes. Never stop learning. Never stop searching. Never stop ______________(fill in the blank, including BLOGGING!) I may not have found you yet but I am searching!!

JUST PRACTICING

THE ROAD HOME

MOON OVER THE PINES

SUCCULENTS IN SHOES

The other day I just became fed up with my camera. It was the third one that I had replacing the first two. It was just sucking up batteries left and right and so I went down to my local Best Buy store and purchased this brand new camera. So far, I am having a good time with it but I have to admit that I am just getting around to playing with it, downloading software so that I can upload the photos to my computer, and reading the manual.

I think that I am going to have a great time with it. I just shot these three photos the other night standing on the front porch and so far, they are turning out pretty good. I have lots more settings to play with and learn but that is half the fun, right? Just give me a little free time (please!) and I will be snapping photos left and right.

In case you are wondering what I purchased, I bought a Canon Rebel T3 digital camera that came complete with a great zoom lens (I have not tried it out yet), camera bag, extra battery, and lens filter. I later found out that Melanie uses the exact same camera. I hope that my photos will one day be as wonderful as hers are. She has really been an inspiration to me. Go check out her blog and see some of the great shots she accomplishes. And funny thing is that I didn't even know what kind of camera she has. I just found out later in the evening after I had already made the purchase. Can't wait really get a chance to try it out.

Hop In The Truck

Check out this music video that my cousin Gary and his son Kyle helped put together for Keith. I like his sound. This is the first time I have heard him sing but I noticed that he will be playing at a concert in my area come September. I will be there if possible!

MORNING SURPRISE

Yesterday morning I went outside to go for my walk and on the way glanced over in an area in my yard that I have not paid the most attention to. It is an area that is filled with different cacti plants and to me...they were just "there". But yesterday! Surprise, surprise!

One of the cactus plants was in full bloom. What a wonderful surprise. I love that about this new place...there is always something new to enjoy. Different seasons bring different plants. These plants seem to enjoy being left alone, just as if they were growing in the desert. I haven't watered them once since we moved here and true to form, they have bloomed lush, pink flowers. There is beauty in everything. We just have to be awake at the right time to find it and see it...really SEE it!

AFTERNOON ABOVE THE HEAT

These wonderful homes are perched on the shoreline of a small lake close to the town of Dutch Flat, California. We took an afternoon the other day and went up in elevation, above the heat. The homes are built on a private lake and there are no more than ten homes there I would say. But each has that special "something" that you look for in a summer home: screened-in porches, views of the lake, cozy woodsy feeling, and quiet.

And look at the color of this maple tree in the side yard of the house I photographed! Isn't it spectacular? It almost makes you think that it is Autumn because of the copper color.

Then, farther down the road, I saw this home-made fence at the beginning to a private road. I just had to get out and take a picture of it. It is so typical of California Gold Rush era stuff...rustic and filled with items that make you take a second glance. Old shoes, old hats, rusted metal things...and a door to nowhere. Or is it Now here?

The door! At first I just thought: how great...it says "I am the door". But then, when I read farther down I noticed that the scriptures had been referenced. Did the owner carve this in here or did it just come this way? It looks very old with all the peeling paint but that could be from living outside all year long being attacked by the elements. I just thought it was cool when I saw "I am the door". Of course you are. I am the photographer.

EXPLANATION

This might seem like the oddest post you've ever seen, but in reality it is a very sweet and sensitive post.

It started years ago. This was a "prize" in a cereal box that B opened. Then one day, it ended up in my bedroom or my purse or on top of my pillow. It made me think of B every time I saw it "pop up" in unexpected places. Then it became something that we both did to and for each other. I would hide Thing 2 in places, hoping that B would find it and it would make him think of me.

In the frenzy of the move, Thing 2 got shuffled aside; lost if you will. The other day I was organizing things (once again) but this time doing a deeper clean. I actually opened things up and put things where like things were: paper clips with all other paper clips, scotch tapes all in one location, ribbons in one basket, etc. Every once in awhile I get the urge to really organize. Well, that day I came across Thing 2 stuffed in a box with lots of other small things. It immediately made me think of B and so I took Thing 2 and put him on top of B's wallet, unbeknownst to him.

Yesterday, when I woke up, I happened to glance over toward the bathroom wall and there on this little angel shelf, next to a print that is hanging on the wall, was Thing 2. I can't tell you how such a simple, insignificant little gesture made me feel! Such a simple gesture makes all the difference in the world. I liken it to finding a love note in your lunch box or a quick note dashed off by a friend and mailed to you "just because". It takes just a second to do something that the other person will recognize as a caring gesture but that second can really change your perspective...today and forever.

Take the time to recognize someone that you care about. It doesn't have to be a big gesture or something expensive. It can be just a silly toy from a cereal box that could revolutionize your way of thinking and the ripple effect that it generates could be spectacular. Imagine if everyone in the world just did one simple act of kindness; one little gesture to let that special someone know that they are cared for!

Wake up to the possibilities. And to Thing 2!

FOURTH OF JULY 2011

RED

WHITE

AND BLUE (BIRD).

BABIES

AND PAPA TOO!

For as long as I can remember, we have been going over to the Auburn Dam Overlook Site to watch the fireworks display on the Fourth of July. Oh sure...there have been a few years when we just didn't want to make the trip over but this year, living so close, it was easy. And it wasn't very crowded either which made it feel nice and mellow.

There were lots of families with their kids; some had come prepared with BBQ'd food, some with glow sticks wound around kids heads, necks and arms. Some played loud music with a beat (ahem!) and some just came with their chairs and sat and watched the show. The fireworks, as usual, weren't the only show going. People-watching can be an awesome event and one that I never seem to get tired of. Ah...the sounds and scents of summer!

I was thinking last night as I watched groups of young girls dressed up "to impress", prancing, preening and flicking their hair with one hand while walking and talking to their friends, about my summers long ago.

Summer was always a time for just "being". We would skate board in the neighborhood (geez I wish I still had that skateboard...it would probably be worth a fortune being one of "the originals!), swim and soak up the sun during the day, and generally think about boys and how tan we were almost every day. Shoes were optional and even if you did choose to wear shoes they were either flip-flops or sandals. Those were carefree days; nothing seemed to matter. The sky didn't get dark until really late, there were smells that seemed to be only associated with summer (suntan lotion, chlorine, sand) and reading was a pass-time that was a luxury. I would sleep in really late and not have a care in the world. All I had to do was get my chores done for the day and I was free to do whatever I wanted with the rest of the entire day.

Summertime holds the same feeling for me today but in a really different way now that I am older. I still like to sleep in but I also feel like the chores I need to get done can wait until I am ready to do them. Retirement has that distinct benefit. Reading still is a luxury however. Somehow I feel guilty about sitting on the chaise or the front porch and just reading. Is that due to years of conditioning regarding schedules at work? Now, there are no obligations that "have" to be accomplished every day yet I find myself imposing restrictions upon myself. There is yard work to be done. But at this age, yard work is a pleasure, not a chore. At what age do you allow yourself to fall back into that child's mentality of not having a care in the world? Ah...to be a child again.

And those bluebirds? They are enjoying the benefits of summer right now too. They are so noisy and ready to leave the nest it seems. Don't be too anxious I say! Before you know it your childhood will be over and you will have to be on your own, fending for yourself. Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have until it is gone. Luckily, some of us get a second chance called retirement. Kick off your shoes and go barefoot! You'll be glad that you did!

FREEDOM

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS TO BE SELF-EVIDENT, THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, THAT THEY ARE ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, THAT AMONG THESE ARE LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS.

GOLDTHREAD

CHECK OUT THIS NEW BLOG THAT MELANIE OVER AT SECRET NOTEBOOKS-WILD PAGES HAS DESIGNED FOR GOLDTHREAD. GOLDTHREAD IS A MEDICINAL HERB FARM, APOTHECARY, DISTILLERY, AND EDUCATIONAL CENTER IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS. GO OVER THERE AND CHECK IT OUT. THEY OFFER MANY THINGS, INCLUDING TOURS AND LECTURES. IF I LIVED CLOSER I'D BE THERE IN A HEART-BEAT. CAN YOU IMAGINE ACRES OF WELL-MAINTAINED AND LOVED PLANTS JUST WAITING TO BE HARVESTED FOR YOUR HEALTH AND WELFARE? WHAT A DREAM JOB THAT WOULD BE, WORKING ON AN HERBAL FARM LIKE THAT! WHAT INCREDIBLE DHARMA.