And then.....

Heather's Place

2012-01-31T17:43:00.002-07:00

JES JOKIN! (This is a staged room at the Mission's museum.) Thanks Heather for playing along with this. Think we might of caught a few off balance on that one!

SLO Trip

2012-01-31T17:24:00.001-07:00

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Went down to San Luis Obispo to see Heather last weekend. SLO is a charming little college town with a GREAT beach nearby.
Above: The bluffs at Pismo Beach, H and T catching rays and H " trying on " a paper dress.

Rainy City Outing

2012-01-20T15:28:00.003-07:00

A super symphony performance yesterday featuring a truly amazing pianist from Georgia ( the country ). Khatia Buniatishvili. Remember the name. She is only 25 and probably the greatest virtuoso either of us have ever heard. The piece she play with the orchestra was Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major ( 1931). Astounding!

RODEO BEACH

2012-01-13T16:52:00.003-07:00

One of my favorite places on a fantastically windy morning that one surfer described as " best day ever".
Click on the pics to enlarge AND to see the surfers catching a mighty wave.

GOODBYE...

2012-01-07T15:05:00.005-07:00

...HELLO.

AND TODAY, THE REGULARS

2011-12-31T16:09:00.001-07:00

...little white tail deer in the exact same place as the young elk below.

SAME SONG THIRD VERSE

2011-12-30T11:33:00.002-07:00

A herd of about 70 elk in the yard just now. Here are some babies seen right out the studio window.

Christmas in Wyoming - COPY AND PASTE LINK!!!

2011-12-27T19:17:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5VYAjk9kWE

Christmas Day Walk

2011-12-25T20:43:00.002-07:00

..up beautifully snowy Old Pass Road with Ariel.
Just missed Karen, Meme and Tommy who had carried sleds ( xmas gifts from jolie 3 yrs ago ) up to the lake for downhill sledding.
A glorious day.

OPR!

2011-12-19T11:09:00.002-07:00

The parking lot is full and the snow is both ski-able and walkable. GLORY!

Singapore's Got Talent

2011-12-19T11:03:00.003-07:00

Her mama writes: whilst i was putting G & V to bed - Max the reindeer and The Grinch. "with two hearts, one before he discovered the true meaning of Christmas, and one after he discovered the true meaning of Christmas."

A TEA PARTY WITH FRIENDS

2011-12-18T17:30:00.002-07:00

One of my friends, on learning there would be a tea party,said: then I have to wear my Minnie Mouse dress.

ARTISTS AND WRITERS DECEMBER 2011

2011-12-17T07:46:00.003-07:00

December and the PERFORMANCE theme for Artists and Writers. What a gift this group is!
After the performances ( samples above ) there was time for good and significant discussions, one of which birthed the idea for a shared day of art for the group. This would be a day each month or even every two weeks wherein we, as a group, would commit to blocking off a good chunk of time for making art. The idea- Alison's- will continue to take shape. It certainly appears to strongly support the mission of the group, that of facilitating artistic expression.

As ever, the pot luck lunch that followed was knock your socks off delicious and the fellowship - well, it cant be beat. I am grateful.

SINGAPORE FROM MEMORY

2011-12-09T14:17:00.002-07:00

Yes, I have been absent a while. Blame it on jet lag but, of course, no lag lasts this long.
On the last Saturday in Singapore, we went downtown to the spectacular Marina Bay Sands whose brochure touts: SEE WHAT THE WORLD IS TALKING ABOUT.
It is, in fact, really something to talk about and I will do my bit.
Our all too brief visit started in the shopping mall ( although mall is, by association, the worst word to use to describe the massive area of elegant shops (sorry, shoppes!) and swanky restaurants.
As we started out the day this huge photo touting the arrival soon of our favorite Chinese dumping place caught my eye. Seemed a gimme to plunk wee M. in the middle of it. Sort of gives you an idea of scope.
The brochure brags:
The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is home to a mounth-watering selection of exclusive designer boutiques like Alfred Dunhill, BALLY, Bottega Venata, Burberry, Cartier, CHANEL, Dior, ESCADA, FENDI, Gucci, Hermes, MUI MUI, PRADA, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore Ferragamo, Stefano Ricci, Yves Saint Laurent and many more. With an unmatched mix of renowned luxury brands, new store concepts and emerging labels not found anywhere else in Singapore, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands is truly a fashionista's paradise.

Not being a fashionista by any definition I can only say the place, in it's opulence, quite astounding to this resident of a state where the cows outnumber the people by a significant margin.

MORE TO FOLLOW

HOME AGAIN

2011-11-23T14:38:00.002-07:00

http://joliejam.blogspot.com/2011/11/few-photos-more.html

a long, 24 hours, journey but no complaints. The time in Singapore was so wonderful. Thank you again Jolie for everything, everyone.

The above link is a quick and easy way for me to show you blog readers what a happy time I had.

I will post more pics from the trip but wanted to get this in now so, as T. thaws his turkey and Eddie and I prepare the table for a Thanksgiving dinner with good friends, I can wish you a very happy Thanksgiving.

Note: lots of early snow outside the window.

AND NOW FOR....

2011-11-19T23:09:00.002-07:00

....the super long journey home.
It has been such a wonderful time and I am intensely grateful.
I will post again from home and will include the most recent pictures from here, especially from the spectacular Marina Bay Sands, the very bizarre looking set of buildings seen below.

MORNING AT THE POOL

2011-11-16T19:02:00.003-07:00

MORNING AT THE POOL

2011-11-16T18:59:00.002-07:00

MORNING AT THE POOL

2011-11-16T18:55:00.001-07:00

SELF PORTRAIT

2011-11-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

MONSOON SKY

2011-11-16T18:46:00.001-07:00

GROWN UP TIME TOGETHER

2011-11-13T01:42:00.003-07:00

Such a good time: a boat ride on the river, one that gave me a super view of the Marina Bay Building, the most bizarre building in the world - my opinion but the fact is it is the most costly to build building in the world, then on to an Asian cultural museum. I have not retained the proper name of the museum but it was really exquisite and informative and I look forward to a return visit someday. After these two treats a fine lunch at an excellent Vietnamese restaurant.

Singapore Science Museum

2011-11-12T03:08:00.002-07:00

The photo above is in the SOUND EXHIBIT. The twins took to the manufacturing of decibels like the naturals that they are.

HOW IT WORKS!

2011-11-12T03:02:00.003-07:00

YOU'VE ALWAYS WONDERED, YES?

Singapore Science Museum

2011-11-12T02:50:00.004-07:00

A seriously child-centric center. Look closely, the whole family is in there.

THE FAMOUS BENGAL TIGER OF SINGAPORE

2011-11-10T02:19:00.001-07:00

BOLLYWOOD ORGANIC FARM

2011-11-07T20:04:00.003-07:00

After the wetland walk we drove down the road a bit to the Bollywood Organic Farm for lunch. The meals served there are Indian, all grown on site ( including the chicken). Some of the food - tapioca chips for example - was very exotic to me. most of it was very spicy and made me think instantly of Bhutanese food. Understandable since Bhutan borders India on the southern end. The restauratnt was very crowded and, despite some serious heat, very jolly. i enjoyed it quite a lot.

WALKING ON THE WILDSIDE

2011-11-07T19:43:00.006-07:00

An outing to a jungly wetland where one might step on a very large lizard and fortunately six did not or see a myriad of water fowl both known and unknown. We were never able to identify the large white bird above. There were only two that we could see and even a replica of the bird in the small adjacent museum was not named.

They first picture, by the way, was intended as a movie, whole family walking and singing past. Surely pilot error but one the pilot does not claim easily. i KNOW i had it on REC!

THANK YOU LITTLE CANON

2011-11-07T03:21:00.000-07:00

A GIRLS TEA PARTY

2011-11-05T00:36:00.002-06:00

TO THE PARK! TO THE PARK!

2011-11-04T20:01:00.001-06:00

V is "doing running" in the 3rd picture down.

SINGAPORE MORE

2011-11-03T04:13:00.002-06:00

THE JOURNEY BEGINS

2011-11-01T19:39:00.002-06:00

Left late Sunday afternoon accompanied as far as LAX by a most beautiful sky. From LAX I continued onward on a most commodious flight. The direct flight from LAX on Singaporeis a huge improvement right there in the word direct because other trips have involved lengthy stops in Hong Kong or Tokyo and seemed to last "foreeeevvvveeer". Not that this flight was short - 17 hours from LAX to Changi is a whole bunch of hours. But oh! the space and service! Take a look at the 3 foot wide seat. like something you can only imagine these days, yes? Equally unheard of it that the entire flight is business class and since I used points it cost the same as every other flight I have taken - using points - to Asia.
Now, you may say all well and good but what about the kinder, what about J and O and the "more". I am afraid, despite the great comfort of the flight, yesterday began way too early ( breakfast on the plane was at 2:30 Singapore time) and proceeded in a laggy fog. Today is different. Today I think I may have, despite checking into the hotel at 6am yesterday, arrived. So more MORE later.

MORE from SINGAPORE

2011-10-30T10:52:00.002-06:00

Packed. As much as I admire and am in awe of them, I have given it to the fact that I am not one of those people who can travel with a carry on only. Leaving now in a matter of hours on A Very Long Journey but I will have my camera and computer so will post often.
Hope you come along and enjoy the trip with me.

OUR YARD THIS AFTERNOON

2011-10-23T20:35:00.002-06:00

OUR YARD THIS MORNING

2011-10-23T10:57:00.002-06:00

Altogether about fifty elk. Note the elk very nearly hidden in the trees in the third picture. See the tag?
Yesterday, out of the same windows as above, we saw a most bizarre site - a female deer chasing a pack of coyotes. It was the mother of twins who hang out here regularly. She was intent on stomping to death any creature that threatened her young.
Later in the day, all three were united and had, in addition, another female with them.
Mothers rule.

COBBLING TOGETHER

2011-10-20T15:45:00.005-06:00

An error was made. In a fit of who knows what i succumbed to having these shoes custom made...in WHITE. On me they look like Minnie Mouse trying to be a nurse. Pretty awful.

Et voila! With a little help from my friend crazy purple shoes with white flowers.
They will match nothing whatsoever and hence they will be a huge success.

FOR MARLENA

2011-10-20T15:43:00.003-06:00

A rainbow in our land.

Yogis

2011-10-18T14:39:00.003-06:00

A couple of weeks ago, coming home from GTNP, we came upon this chubby bear ambling down the Moose-Wilson road. ( photo by T.)
Today, heading home from a walk on the levee ( with no camera in hand- when will I LEARN ), we came upon a bear. We had heard on Sunday that one was near by so felt somewhat reassured about safety by the fact that we had bear spray and that there were three landscape workers, the guys who saw yogi first, between us and the bear.
In a most nonchalant way the bear ambled off the levee and onto the path we take to get home so we had to cut through a yard and walk somewhat parallel to where we assumed the bear was headed. Happy ending. No more bear sitings however it seems pretty likely that the bear probably had another siting of Mullers.

IN FALLS FINAL ACT

2011-10-11T09:24:00.002-06:00

MEMORIES OF THE 11 DAY FALL COLORS

2011-10-11T09:17:00.001-06:00

WALK WITH SUE AND SAM

2011-10-11T09:09:00.002-06:00

STILL NO BANDWIDTH TO SPEAK OF BUT FOUND THAT 4 PICS AT A TIME CAN BE LOADED UP. ONLY TAKES 10 MINUTES. WHHEEE?

NADA

2011-10-08T19:53:00.002-06:00

My next approach is to find their local office tomorrow and give, in loud decibels, my YOU PEOPLE blast.
That and posting as often as i can - pictureless but posting - OPTIMUM IS ANYTHING BUT!
I am going to try to demand that someone come out here and check the wiring that was put in almost 2 weeks ago now.
Thanks for checking! i keep taking pics!

NOPE! Still no bandwidth and..

2011-10-06T13:42:00.002-06:00

...after this many attempts at implementing this IMPROVEMENT I am beginning to hum along with Elton John " And I think its gonna be a long, long time".
So, fall has come, gone and what is falling now is snow.

Not sure this will work but here is a web cam link to the top of Teton Pass.
If the link doesnt open and you are curious just copy and past into your address bar.

http://www.wyoroad.info/highway/webcameras/Wyo22TetonPass/Wyo22TetonPassAll.html

According to the way things are looking right now there is going to be quite a bit more snow. In fact, i heard that Snowbird in Salt Lake City has 8 or 9 inches right now and is looking to receive 18 inches.

Going to 29 tonight.

Right. So much for fall.

Maybe tomorrow.....

2011-10-05T16:05:00.002-06:00

...they (Optimum) came. The " they conquered" part is yet to be determined. Maybe tomorrow. In the meantime fall has come and gone. Hard to believe if you do not or never have lived here. As hard, to believe, I imagine, as tomorrow's prediction of 2-4 inches of "slushy snow"is for me.

Still in Bandwidth Lockdown

2011-10-03T20:41:00.004-06:00

...all part of an upgrade. Hah! Have lots of pics to follow...a bear on the road, a bull moose sleeping outside the studio door, and, of course, who can resist taking these pictures...the golden aspens. Please come back Wednesday. According to Optimum, the former Bresnan, I should be back by then with pictures to back up these claims.

THE GLORY OF FALL IN THE TETONS

2011-10-01T20:53:00.003-06:00

...to be continued. UPgraded the bandwidth and now have very close to none. Have been told "this will be remedied." And that said same remedy will occur with in 24 - 48 hours. hmm.
Anyway, have quite a few pictures to add here so please do come back soon.

THE END OF THE GARDEN

2011-09-28T16:56:00.004-06:00

When practicing the piano I have had an audience of moose and ducks in the pond but this was the first deer. Winter is so hard for these little white tail deer and, despite some glorious fall days, summer is over so - what the heck - please help yourself.

THE SEASON,S LAST SATURDAY MARKET

2011-09-28T16:41:00.003-06:00

Everybody, it seems, came out for our last Saturday Market.
The next big event will be in December when the huge bazaar up at Snow King is the draw. After that, my neighbor told me when we first moved here " Everyone just goes inside and watches the snow fall". I dont think that is at all true because this place is nothing if not a mecca for outdoor activities. Still, she is right in that the snow will fall and, now that we are approaching October, i can safely say sooner than later.

SOFT MORNING

2011-09-28T16:35:00.000-06:00

OLD BILL'S FUN RUN

2011-09-11T09:19:00.005-06:00

THIS LITTLE TOWN OF JACKSON WYOMING earns the most money via community contributions per capita than any other town or city in the country. I was told " perhaps in the world". We are a community that takes care of its own.

And this is how we do it.

OLD BILL'S FUN RUN, a project of The Community Foundation, is based on local individual and business contributions. $600,000 is given by one couple alone ( known as Mr and Mrs Ole Bill ) and another TWO MILLION is contributed by other "Co Challengers".

On this glorious September Saturday hundreds of runners and supporters, a large number of kids, some in strollers, a good representation of dogs, and even the elders from St Johns Living Center in their wheelchairs gathered at the square for the 10 o'clock start of the race.

There were balloons and flags, food, and music and about 70 booths, both in the Square and bordering it, representing some of the charities who benefit from the day's events. Then on Cache Street, which abuts the Square, the Saturday Farmers Market was a buzz with shoppers eager for local goods - fruit, veggies, breads, cheeses and flowers. On the far side of the Square , under a huge tent that took up the block, the Boy Scouts served free scrambled egg tortillas.

What a day and what a fabulous endeavor!

Last year Old Bills raised SEVEN MILLION DOLLARS for our charities. I have little doubt they will do so again.

NOTE : The elderly woman about seen pushing her chair is the oldest resident at the living center. She was the only one who insisted upon crossing the finish line ( albeit from the beginning ). She is 103.

The last shot is my neighbor Godiva in her Old Bill's tee shirt.

A Frost Last Night

2011-09-02T07:19:00.000-06:00

September
by Linda Pastan

it rained in my sleep
and in the morning the fields were wet

I dreamed of artillery
of the thunder of horses

in the morning the fields were strewn
with twigs and leaves

as if after a battle
or a sudden journey

I went to sleep in the summer
I dreamed of rain

in the morning the fields were wet
and it was autumn

"September" by Linda Pastan, from Carnival Evening: New and Selected Poems 1968-1998. © W.W. Norton & Company, 2009. Reprinted with permission.

Goodbye Summer

2011-08-31T15:09:00.005-06:00

last night we heard the elk bugling all night and this afternoon several were spotted trotting through the wetland. It occurred to me that summer might be just about over.

It was the talk at the grocery store that convinced me to come home and check the forecast. Yep. 83 degrees right now, 33 tonight.

I took a few true summer shots a few days ago....summer morning, summer night. Soon, surely by the 3rd week in September - 21 days from now, there will be shots of golden aspens and I will be praising their vibrant beauty. Still, right now, it is a little sad to say goodbye to what has, despite its brevity, been a glorious summer.

WHAT CHICKEN LITTLE SAW

2011-08-26T17:46:00.002-06:00

..The sky fell into our pond last night.

Mahalia Moose Update

2011-08-21T17:52:00.004-06:00

While we have not recently seen the twin moose babies we have been visited pretty steadily for the past 48 hours by Mama Mildred and Baby Mahalia, the moose twosome from earlier this summer. We are even more certain that the mama is the very same moose that was a baby here last summer for now these two seem very comfortable hanging out right under Eddie's window. ( there should be an explanation here as to why Eddie has his own room but we will leave that for another post.) That baby moose and Eddie had a very unique friendship for much of July and August '10 and even now seem quite comfortable sharing space albeit with a solid wall between them.
Mahalia was pictured here with her mama in, I think, early July. Now she ( ahem ...or he) is looking so good...shiny coat and fat on aspens, willows and not a few plants from our garden. This is good news because winter will be here sooner than it should for a little being like our Mahalia.

LITTLE SOUVENIRS OF THE SUMMER ~ ( + a little bit of learning)

2011-08-17T14:00:00.006-06:00

I have been working on learning Final Cut for making movies. These are wee examples of the learning process as well as sweet memories for the grandmama!

BULL!

2011-08-16T09:39:00.004-06:00

I just walked out past the cabin, solo, quiet and ever alert to the wildlife that frequent the wetland.

Looking to my right I see, in a strong ray of sunlight, an unfamiliar tree. A bit of magnificent movement revealed not golden branches but the antlers of a HUGE bull elk. After staring at each other for some minutes the bull and I, at the same time, slowly turned away - I to come back home to tell you about this, he to continue on his stealthy way with what is likely to be an ever increasing harem.

I have seen several herds here at 2750 in the past years ( Ariel spotted the first one about 3 years ago as she drove up at night). There have been at least 2 groups come through every year since as they head up the levee to cross the Snake. This is the first elk I have seen in daylight and up close. What a great life this is living here!

( most of the time I have a camera with me on the walk. This walk was to be just out and back before an appointment so, so in haste, I failed to grab it. THAT lesson AGAIN!)

Departures

2011-08-11T14:59:00.003-06:00

And then they left. Very quiet around here. J described her crew as The Noise Brigade and rightly so but what wonderfully vital noise! I miss them all so much.

An EVERYBODY'S birthday party!

2011-08-06T13:42:00.001-06:00

A rousing song to us, a present for EVERYBODY!

PS sorry about the date...

2011-08-06T12:17:00.000-06:00

on these pics. new camera that SHOULD have had the date OFF.

MORE HIKING THE HEAVENLY HILLS

2011-08-06T12:09:00.001-06:00

Our friend Nancy H joined us for a super walk at the top of Teton Pass.

HIKING THE HEAVENLY HILL!

2011-08-06T12:04:00.000-06:00

HIKING THE HILLS

2011-08-06T11:59:00.000-06:00

WHAT HAPPINESS LOOKS LIKE.

2011-08-05T12:14:00.000-06:00

A RAISIN BREAK

2011-08-05T12:04:00.000-06:00

LIVING THE JH LIFE

2011-08-05T12:01:00.001-06:00

BEAUTY

2011-07-29T19:46:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday Jolie!

2011-07-29T19:38:00.000-06:00

Before the face wipe!

2011-07-28T16:57:00.001-06:00

...But still a sweetheart!

And the PINK ( not Pig) cupcakes were a big seller!

2011-07-26T11:49:00.001-06:00

Thank you Miss M.!

Home Ec on the Prairie

2011-07-26T11:23:00.003-06:00

PINK cupcakes. Bit of confusion at the end of the endeavor when it became clear that the advanced advert of what we were going to do was misunderstood. But, Gammy, said she: they are not pigs! Clearly I need to do a better job speaking The Kings English - which she does "quite beautifully".

For anyone seeing the photos and comments these three weeks, I ask you to indulge me in being the Constant Grandmother. I remain in awe of these little ones and remain firm in my opinion that being continents away from them is a cruel and unnatural thing.

There will be pictures and grandmaternal adoration up until their much too soon departure.

More V.

2011-07-22T13:09:00.002-06:00

This miss is so engaging, so observing and so fast that it has been hard for me to get representative pictures of her. Last night I stuck my camera in her mama's hands, then it was passed on to Doo Dah ( every grandchild's fav! ) and this is the happy result.

ADORABLE V.

2011-07-22T13:00:00.000-06:00

Super G.

2011-07-21T10:04:00.000-06:00

Busy Days

2011-07-20T14:11:00.002-06:00

Our kitchen has turned in to Crayon Central. One of V's favorite requests ( or demands, depending on circumstances ) is "Paypuh pees". G. prefers doing his coloring on furniture and is quite good at it.

M. is always up for coloring and drawing and ( we have not gotten to this yet) painting. The only exception so far was last night at the end of her first day at Kid's Ranch Camp. To use her mother's word, M was FRIED. We plunked her in front of a DVD and she fell straight away to sleep.

THEY ARE HERE!

2011-07-17T15:56:00.001-06:00

SUMMER VISITORS

2011-07-16T10:35:00.000-06:00

JACKSON WOMEN

2011-07-16T10:21:00.002-06:00

One of the things I love about this place is that, while - sure, - ladies lunch, the default for getting together is a hike.

Flowers For Betty

2011-07-14T15:16:00.003-06:00

Last Wednesday, at about this time in the afternoon we were returning from Nashville and from the funeral of my best friend, Betty. Because of the Parkinson's she was so cruelly afflicted with for the past four years,and most horrifically this past year, her passing was expected. Nevertheless, when that call that you never want to make or receive came, I was not prepared.

There is much, everything, that I could write here if it words had not abandoned me. I could write about travels together or funny stories (that perhaps only the two of us would find funny) or I could describe for you the some of the little pictures that pop up in my mind along with snippets of conversations. I could tell you about books, music and authors we both loved...even recipes. And definitely I could tell you about the love we both had for each other's children.

After a beautiful service at Christ Church, Betty was buried near a copse of trees in a field on the family farm. The casket was covered with flowers from her gardens that she so loved. There will be a stone and moss covered timber fence around the site and on the grave, friends will place wildflowers from their own gardens to grow in glorious remembrance of this very special person. Betty always had flowers around her.

I walked alone on Thursday, the day after the funeral, out past our cabin and on to the levee. I had not planned the walk to be about Betty. I walk everyday and as I left the house I expect I was just going on a walk. As I rounded the corner of the cabin however, I was ambushed by flowers, by grief and love and above all, I think, gratitude.

Betty would have loved her service, the burial, the gathering of friends - all of it, every minute, was so in honor of what and who she loved. And Betty would have loved the walk with me that morning. The wildflowers pictured here are from that walk and, while everyone of them felt that morning like a gift from my friend, they are here as my tribute to her. I am grateful beyond words to have been Betty's friend and to have her as mine.

Mary & Jim

2011-07-12T13:52:00.003-06:00

By now these two are back in the steamy Southland, the snow behind them only a cool memory. Mary was here, where God summers ( but winters elsewhere!), for 3 lovely weeks with Jim joining her for the last one.

This picture was right before a 7 mile hike at The Rockefellow Preserve -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laurance_S._Rockefeller_Preserve, a beautiful place that has often been pictured in part here.

The New Baby

2011-07-03T12:52:00.003-06:00

Mother and baby doing fine.

Actually this baby was born in early June, probably near the wetlands by our cabin. The mama is a yearling and surely the baby that spent most of last summer here.

EARLY MORNING WALK....

2011-06-28T13:27:00.003-06:00

....with Becky and Jane and dogs.

LUNCH WITH A SUPER STAR

2011-06-26T08:24:00.002-06:00

OK, OK, I am a life long card carrying baby watcher. Cant help myself.Never could. This beautiful boy, my very good friend K. young man, however, was a magnet for all eyes at Pica's on Friday. A. is only 4 months old, weighs 16 lbs and slready has two teeth. I think those stats put him at the top of the charts but it is his charm, his love of all that he lays eyes on that makes him such a super star.

Close to heaven.

2011-06-23T09:19:00.002-06:00

Back home and back to OPR ( Old Pass Road ). No better way to start the day and a sure fire way to eventually meet and greet just about every dog and person in town. So love this place.

Aritist's and Writer's June meeting

2011-06-17T17:04:00.002-06:00

An excellent meeting with outstanding presentations and observations. What an extraordinary group of creators! Next month I THINK the organization may be 13 years old.

Cow Town...

2011-06-13T20:46:00.000-06:00

Wonderful Wyoming

2011-06-13T20:19:00.002-06:00

Springtime in the Rockies = mid June. It is wet and perhaps perilously so with 700 ft of snow yet to fully run off and rain off and on everyday. Still, it is serene ( not many tourists yet ) and lush. The lupines above - I was told of this only today - indicate morels are likely nearby. Morel hunting is, at this time of year, equal to huckleberry hunting in the fall. It is a big deal and more often than not where they are is a well guarded secret. I am not adept at finding either but can order off a menu just fine.

37 Years were ...

2011-06-13T20:10:00.002-06:00

....celebrated this Sat!

Out of This World

2011-06-04T10:22:00.002-06:00

A recent visit to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park http://www.calacademy.org/ for the new Planetarium show. The Planetarium is different from any other i have seen with a definite 3 D theater aspect. The entirely digitalized 30 minute long show was impressive if somewhat overwhelming in its content.
Any presentation that intends to take viewers to the the fatherest reaches of space, however, is bound to be beyond the understanding of most of the general population. Still, it was an incredible experience to, via the spectacular nature of this show, be taken out of this world.
Please do click on the link to learn more about the museum. it is a truly an outstanding place ( that also serve excellent food, a San Francisco must!)

image 1 ~ an exotic fish tank as seen from above
Image 2 ~ interior of the planetarium theater before the show
Image 2 - interior of the special exhibits courtyard presently featuring Lizards and Snakes

Twilight of The Lilies

2011-05-31T18:17:00.001-06:00

Saying Goodbye

2011-05-29T11:49:00.002-06:00

We lost our 18 year old little Jenny on Friday.
Jenness, my very good friend, left a message that spoke well to our appreciation for Jenny's life and the overwhelming grief that we feel at the end of it.

She said - these are not her precise words but the essence of what I heard - it is the trust that our pets give us that cause us to bond so with them. Simple. Profound. True. There is so much in a day, when you have had ten years worth of days together, that you can miss when a much loved pet like little Jenny passes, but, yes, Jenness, it is that they trust us to love them that leaves the biggest hole.

A Different Napa Experience

2011-05-18T15:02:00.002-06:00

We have been up in Calistoga, a bit north of Napa and Yountville for a couple of days.
It has rained serious rain for 2 days. Tucked midst great mossy oaks and in a wood frame cabin, we have savored the green glowing of the trees and that wonderful, southern memory inducing sound of constant rain on the roof.

The sun is shining today and the feeling is entirely different. Feels like returning from a hidden and magical place.

The Garden at Mustard's Grill

2011-05-16T16:40:00.002-06:00

Spring fava bean plants make way for summer vegetables in the garden next to Mustard's grill in Younrville, CA.

Diane Feinstein at the Mark Hopkins

2011-05-03T10:14:00.004-06:00

'went to hear Diane Feinstein last week as she spoke for the Commonwealth Club. A follow up of the talk is here:
http://www.commonwealthclub.org/events/archive/podcast/senator-dianne-feinstein-member-united-states-senate-d-ca-42711

( copy and paste )

She is the one one the left. Takes a great picture, don't you think ;>) ?

Afternoon Sun

2011-05-01T21:33:00.000-06:00

May 1 - Opening Day for Boating on SF Bay...

2011-05-01T21:17:00.002-06:00

...as if everyday the bay was not filled with boat.
There was a parade of boats led, as per tradition, by the fire boat with its far arching beams of water. The parade started at the Golden Gate Bridge and progressed slowly and exuberantly over to the Bay Bridge. There was music and, when three SF Giants fan boats went by, two with huge Giants " caps" on the top, all with passengers in bright orange shirts, boisterous cheers. it was SF at its small town best.

Visit with long time friends

2011-04-24T10:39:00.003-06:00

Lauren, T and I drove down to Menlo Park yesterday to visit dear friends that we have known since Lauren was about 2 years old. Lots of memories, all savory, always accompany our time with Betty and Myron.

Lauren's most vivid memory is back "when Jolie was 14" of having spent the might before drinking Pina Coladas ( her first ) with Myron's son, Jeff, then going on a mega mile run with Myron the next day. i think that " you cant make this too hard for me" grit that Lauren has pushed her through that day. No quitter that girl.

"I must go down to the sea again"...

2011-04-12T19:20:00.002-06:00

A short trip to San Diego to work on a photo project ( a great one that I will fill you in on later!) There was no time for seeing sites other than out the window of the hotel in short time I was in the hotel - not even time to visit some dear old friends - but it was fresh and beautiful and memorable.

and yet another ( beautiful day in the neighborhood)

2011-04-05T21:06:00.002-06:00

Above is the beginning of the Lyon Street steps, a two solid blocks of steps that become more and more severe in decent as you make your way down. Coming back up, particularly from the very bottom, the ascent seems not to match the descent but instead has become much more significant. Right now, along both sides of that decline then incline are the most beautiful plum blossoms I have ever seen. Like the steps they are breathtaking!
In the middle, just off Vallejo Street, there is a small formal garden. Because of the posh mansion bordering this little garden you can have a sense of trespassing in some private Eden.

A beautiful day in the neighborhood!

2011-04-04T11:50:00.005-06:00

After a whole lot of rain that surely turned into a whole lot of snow back in Wyoming, we are having some gorgeous weather...weather that prompted a stop by Lucca's on Chestnut St on Sunday for sandwichs to go. Fortified with lots of good stuff including fresh buratta chees and Acme walnut bread, we headed out across the Golden Gate Bridge to Rodao Beach and the gorgeous walks above the beach.

Above you see photos of the stop by Lucca's, the beautiful, beautiful sea and a pretty amazing sight of a fisherman casting into the wind from a high, high bluff. We have no idea how, should there be a fish on the end of that very long line, the fish makes it up the reeling in process without being battered to bits on the mega rocks along the way. True the rod is very long and the fisherman must hold it far out beyond the precipice, still...

Directly above in the last two shots you see some of the hidden bunkers that once served as guardians of San Francisco Bay. These bunkers are thoroughly abandoned now but each one that you come upon as you traverse these gorgeous hills demands consideration of what those days must have been like.

The last picture may be a little challenging. it certainly is not a great shot but demonstrates, I think, the large size of some of the battery bunkers as well as their very hidden nature. Hint: as you search for the bunker think great homesite.