An Auspicious Day
At 8:30 AM I got a call from Ellen who stopped at Andronico’s Market on her way to work, presumably for coffee though she never said. What she did say was “I’m standing here in front of a bike that I think might be yours.” I gave her the combination to the lock still wrapped around the seat and it opened! After 25 days, Ellen had located my stolen bike. I asked her to lock it to the rack and I stole it back later that day. I marvelled in our teamwork all day long.
We decided to have a cocktail on the patio later that evening when we spotted a large bird making a strange sound and circling in a perfect radius above our heads. Ellen decided it was an owl the way it silently glided…and then there were two engaging in a sort of mating ceremony above us and then they flew off together. We felt as though this ritual had been performed for us. The four of us living in the house came to the realization recently that it is decidedly far too much like a nunnery around this place, but now we have been christened with the mating of two splendid birds. I feel that great things are about to happen.
I just asked Ellen what she was doing at Andronicos, and she was getting ingredients for “pollution soup!”
Ellen’s 33 1/3 Birthday Affair
By the time we were set up for the party, I was ready for bed. The part I stayed awake for, however, was true to Morton Lane style. Lily also turned me on to the man from Marin, and he is, oh so Marin! In fact, I thought I saw a yogaslacker on the street in Fiarfax today…maybe it was just “the man from Marin.”
Up and Running Again
Peace on Mt. Baldie
I’ve been out of commission computerwise for two weeks. The good news is I discovered my power spot (Bald Hill) and read two books waiting for my power supply cord. The downside is that I haven’t posted anything in a while. The newly added “Backpacking through My Job” will be a compliation of stories from my days working in a Montessori school, but to maintain a degree of confidentiality, I have made the page password protected. Please email me for the password. It’s a new project and it should be a fun.
Ailee was here from St. Paul, as well as Dad and Annie from Ponte Vedra, Fl for Christmas. It was really great to have them here. The days were spent in much the same way as when I’m not working, though I know that Ailee would have liked to hang out in the city a bit more. The weather was too cold for a Floridian and heavenly to someone coming from St. Paul. Christmas Eve was spent at Bix, a wonderfully charming restaurant in San Francisco (thanks Dad and Annie!). I met Ebu (Annie’s daughter) for the first time. Annie actually raised Ebu, for the most part, in Pt. Reyes, so we took a drive there too sometime after Christmas.
Ailee and Grandpa Chuck
This is Bald Hill. The photos are taken in roughly 7 minute increments from my door to the top. On a less hazy day the hills roll out to the bay where San Francisco is visible on the other side.
about 7 minutes to the woods
Uphill climb to the top
first vista (now on fire road)
second vista
looking toward San Francisco
Sunrise 09
View from Mt. Tamalpais
We got into Sam’s Ruby (1992 Volvo) and drove up to the ranger station at Mt. Tamalpais state park this am at 5:30 to welcome in the new day, new year and to announce our intentions. Our path, orchestrated by Samantha, was single file lead by Sam ringing a Tibetan bowl, me in the rear ringing tuning forks eight beats behind; inbetween, were Brad carrying tarp and flashlight and candle bearing Casie. At the top we were well situated above the fog. It was lovely and quiet and I can’t recall experiencing a more meaningful start to a year.
Brad and Samantha
Casie, Laurie, Brad and Sam
After breakfast in Mill Valley at the Dipsea Cafe, we are all sleepy and satisfied and ready for a nap.
Happy, Happy New Year!
