- BUTTERFLIES ARE BACK -

There seem to be many butterflies in the air these days.  I imagine it is due to the temperate weather being warm enough for them to be out and about.  It is such a joy to see them almost everywhere throughout town.  Sometimes I must look just like a tree as they come close enough to land on me.  Makes me smile.

I am again enjoying being able to hang out sheets and laundry.  It has been a long time since I have had sun dried linens and clothing.  I still marvel at how wonderful it all smells and feels.  Towels are the only things I prefer to dry in a dryer.  They come out much softer than when they are tossed about in the breeze.

My home is completely clean on the outside.  I actually had someone come and do this chore for me, which included being up on the roof and scrubbing the heck out of it for two and a half hours.  It took him a full day of hand washing and scrubbing and then wax rinsing.  Now all I have to do is polish the chrome, condition the plastic and rubber and when I am feeling very exuberant, hand wax the whole thing.  I have ordered the products I need and so I can continue to work on the inside until everything arrives.  I am wondering if this is a settling in thing?  Nah, just a gotta have it clean thing!

In the meantime I am taking walks, talking with lots of people and again gently bleaching the hair in the sun and creating the reverse raccoon eyes from wearing sunglasses.  It all feels so natural and easy and comfortable.  

I have connected with a few people, Carol had me to dinner, and the next day I went to San Luis Obispo with Carol, Eric, Jo Ann, Joyce, Pete, Don and Loren.  We ate lunch at New Frontiers and then did a stint in Costco.  It was upper 80's and we were quite warm until we drove back to Morro Bay where it was in the upper 60's.  Amazing that only twelve miles can have such a difference in temperature.  I much prefer those at the coast for now.  It felt good to be back.

A side note, on the package I sent to Virginia from California.  Well, it took my family going to the post office, more than once, to finally obtain possession.  One month!  So, all of you who were complaining about a few extra days with UPS, count your blessings and be grateful.  It is UPS for me from now on. 


We have had some very high surf advisory's.   A few nights ago I was actually awakened by the sound of the surf around four a.m.  It is rather average right now although another advisory is in effect tonight through Saturday.  It is great to watch the surf hit the jetty and then splash up so white and wispy and spraying mist into the air.  It is a huge draw for all the photographers and sight seer's and sometimes when it is very high, the harbor patrol closes the gate to car access to avoid congestion.  Of course, all of us crazy ones who walk out there are free to meander around the area and chat with everyone.

I am eating well since Millie sent me off with all kinds of goodies that we made.  My freezer is still rather full, as is the refrigerator.  I have cookie dough balls for baking and soup for heating up.  She also shared some special hand made sausage that is created in her home town in Oregon.  They only make a certain amount once a year, so this is a real treasure she shared with me.  I am very glad she loves to cook and is so good at doing so.  My taste buds love it all.  A big thanks to Millie for all the wonderfulness!


One of the things I was looking forward to when I began my Adventure last year was to establish a greater connection with Nature.  I have been doing some reflecting since landing here in Morro Bay and realize I did just that.  I have so many amazing experiences and memories that have been a part of my travels and thankfully I have journaled and blogged about some of them.  I have tons of pictures to remind me of locations, creatures and events and all of the wonderful people encounters I have enjoyed.  

I am undecided what I will do with this, though for now it is handy and readily accessible for whatever needs to happen with it all.  And the other things that run around in my head could fill volumes plus, with the feelings and emotions resulting from the experiences.  There is probably not enough paper or cyber space to contain my processes.  May be just as well.

To All Those Celebrating,

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

Happy Birthday, Cari!

"When we try to pick

anything out by itself,

we find it hitched to everything

else in the universe."

 - John Muir

Enjoy your hitchedness!

- TIME? -

Where in the world does this thing called time go?  It feels as though I just left Trinidad a few weeks ago and yet here I am now back on the central coast of California in Morro Bay.  I spent a great two weeks with Millie cooking and shopping and catching up on lots of things.  I was going to go up to Auburn to visit friends, although the call to the coast got the best of me.   I arrived here Monday late afternoon on the 13th.

I am back at the Cypress RV park among friends I made last year who have also returned from their travels and homes from out of state.  Some are leaving the end of the month and some mid February.  I definitely want to spend time with them while they are here.  There are many friends in the area that I want to contact to let them know I am back.  I failed to give anyone notice since it was sooner than I had anticipated.  The old going with the flow thing is alive and well.

blooming again this year!

Several things have changed since I was last here the first part of May.  The power plant is officially shut down.  I am thrilled with this as the pollution it emitted was ghastly.  There are several businesses that have closed leaving many empty spaces available for rent, while a few businesses have simply moved to potentially better locations.

Things that feel the same include the friendliness of the people, the rock still being in place, the surf continuing to  invite surfers and beach goers, lots of butterflies are seen flitting about, song birds are heard singing and I feel at home.  While I am still Adventuring, I strongly suspect this is where I will return when it is time to settle.  Everywhere I traveled over the past six months was being compared with this special place.  Port Townsend, Washington is amazing  and a very potential contender, though the winters there are rough.

I have encountered friends, stopped in to check with my hair stylist who was cutting another friends hair, saw a previous neighbor who had me for dinner and Chris and Duke stopped by when they saw I was back.  Some people have passed, as well as animals, and life continues on here.  Walking the streets feels so familiar and comfortable.

Tuesday morning I stopped to have breakfast after my walk and ended up meeting a woman who lives in Cambria.  We spent a few hours chatting and getting to know each other.  It was such fun and she is getting ready to do a world adventure which means she is sorting and sifting through her home before she embarks on, what I am certain will be, an amazing time.  We have exchanged emails and are already communicating.

I love life and how it brings incredible people into our lives who remind us how special all of it really is for us.  I am thankful every day for all of those I have met in my life and all of the things I have learned from them.  I am so blessed.

I have yet to take pictures since my return so these are from previous times.  I am also needing to catch up on birthday wishes.  It is curious how little I was on the computer the past six weeks.  We'll see how I do moving forward.  

I have been very busy viewing great blue herons, snowy egrets, otters, pelicans, water birds, seals, and enjoying all the great dog fixes, the sounds of the fog horn and even the traffic.  I think I could be tempted to settle here now even with the desire to continue exploring.  This will be very interesting these next few months.  All things are subject to change.  

To All Those Celebrating,

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Paul!

Happy Birthday, Jennifer!

Happy Birthday, Beth!

Happy Birthday, Brittany!

Happy Birthday, Elaine!

Happy Birthday, Nancy!

Happy Birthday, George!

"How friendly all men would be with another,

if no regard were paid to honor or money.

I believe it would be a remedy for everything,"

St. Teresa of Avila

Enjoy your friendliness!

- WINTER? -

Yountville

Depending on where one lives in the United States, it may be winter with snow, cold, winds, freezing rains, etc., or it may feel similar to spring with sunshine and mid 60's. 

Where I am now, in the Sacramento area of California, it is similar to spring weather that we have been enjoying.  The nights dip into the 30's and the days soar to the mid and upper 60's.  While this is wonderful to enjoy by being able to do lots of outdoor things without the usual heavy coats and gear, the area here is desperate for rain as the local lakes are loosing water at a drastic rate and from the air, I have heard, they appear to be nothing more than mud puddles.  

V Market

I have lived in this area many years in the past and recall other droughts and how bleak the weather felt.  The sky would cloud over and everyone would get excited at the prospect of heavenly water falling from above, only to be sadly disappointed when the clouds gently moved on leaving beautiful blue skies without dropping even a trace of much needed moisture.

It is difficult to truly grasp what is happening in the mid west, Great Lakes area and the northeast.  Their weather is exactly the opposite of what is being experienced in the west.  I can only pray that those in the cold, snowy, windy, freezing, and rainy areas be safe and sound until their temperatures and weather stabilize in a warmer and calmer vein.  

Yountville

I would like to speak to all of those whose packages failed to be delivered during the holidays.  I have experienced this with the USPS.  I sent a package December 16th from California going to Virginia in a two day delivery box with a signature required tag.  It was attempted to be delivered twice on the 19th with zero activity since.  I was under the mistaken assumption that the package had been delivered until a communication with my brother revealed it was, apparently, just resting at the post office in Arlington.  

I shall do the call the post office thing and see what happens from here.  I am confused why they failed to attempt any further deliveries.  I will be extremely happy to hear that they have delivered it or my brother was able to retrieve it from the post office.  Talk about a delayed package!!!  I personally could have driven it there and back by now.  Is this what our delivery services are coming to these days?  Something to contemplate.

V Market

Millie and I have accomplished lots of errands, running around, making (and enjoying) yummy meals and getting things back to a regular schedule.  School starts for her grandchildren tomorrow so they too will be back on track.  We still have a few things we want to do while I am here so we will see if they actually happen or if they are delayed until I return.  

We still have Christmas decorations to put away, get the house in order, eat more yummy foods, exchange a gift, and take a trip up to Apple Hill to purchase a few (maybe a lot) more bottles of our favorite port.  We have agreed it is unnecessary to even try other ports now since none have even come close to the one we like.  The only hope is that it is continued to be made for years to come.  And we are always on the look out for great Belgium chocolates.  They go so well with the port!

Culinary Institute

So, for me, the year has started off well and I am certain it will continue this way.  Last year went so fast for me as I traveled and I am curious to see if this year does the same.  I am just amazed at the number of places I experienced, the number of people I enjoyed time with and the friends I have made along the way.

I am glad I have my blog to look back on to help me recall all that was a part of my Adventure.  I have lots of pictures to also bring back the memories of wonderful times, people and places.  Adding to the Adventure is a great thing for me to look forward to and to see where I go and what presents itself to me to explore.  

V Market

So a big "thank you" to all of 2013 and a big "Hi there" to all of 2014.  Gratitude and love for All That Is.

To All Those Celebrating,

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Paul!

Happy Birthday, Darlene!

Happy Birthday, Tish!

Happy Birthday, Jennifer!

Happy Birthday, Beth!

"The power of imagination

makes us infinite."

John Muir

Enjoy being infinite!

- A NEW YEAR -

The New Year has arrived and I, for one, could actually feel the event when I awoke January 1st, 2014.  To me it was a more clear day, I felt a more clear mind and I have a more clear sense of all things being wonderful.  I am so enjoying this new year already and I am excited to embrace all that comes my way.

I wish each of you an amazing year that is filled with happy events and feelings, excitement with each new occurrence and simply being joyful for absolutely no reason at all.



The following is the January, 2014 Slo Coast Journal Article.


http://www.slocoastjournal.com/docs/roeadventure.html

TIS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS -

A meandering day through the wine country in mid sixty degree weather is just the thing on the day before Christmas.  Everyone, everywhere was in the same meandering mode and it was truly relaxing and peaceful to go through the V  Market in Yountville, and Dean & Deluca and the Culinary Institute in St. Helena.

Tim, Darlene and I had a lovely day enjoying areas very unfamiliar to us and taking in the sights and sounds that are prevalent to the area and the season.  We each loved the old monastery buildings and how they are used today.  It must have been awesome to have seen these building gems in the day.


We are back to the Napa home, the huge Swiss Mountain Dog, the tiny crazy kitten, and settling in for the night.  The fireplace is cozy and inviting as the sun is going down.  We are thinking about dinner and readying ourselves for the long winters nap.  Who knows, perhaps Santa will find us here in this strange land and snow will drift our way leaving a soft white blanket in the early morning hours.


Whatever Christmas Day brings, it will be perfect in every way.  Quinq (the tiny cat) and Cosmo (the huge Swiss Mountain dog) will continue to bring joy as they play together and we, as family have each other to share the love of the season.

May each of you have a heart filled

with love and peace and joy.

May you share this special season

with those you hold dear.

May you always find yourself

exactly where you want to be.

BLESSINGS OF THE SEASON!

- MAGICAL CHRISTMAS -

What is it about Christmas lights that just causes one to smile?  It is such a simple thing that makes me feel happy and cozy inside.  I love driving around where there are streets filled with lights of all sorts of colors and shapes.

Everything from all white hanging down strands, multi colored globes and large round balls of lights, can be found as I traverse the streets this time of year.  Most people are cheerful and smiling and offer happy greetings to each other in honor of the season. 

There are those who are hurrying around doing last minute shopping and ordering and sending packages to others far away.  Most people are polite and courteous and going with the flow.  While others, well let's just say, are a bit stressed out, frustrated and perhaps a bit cranky.  Bless them all.

And then there are the smells.  It is difficult for me to restrain myself most of the year anyway, and then now there are all the traditional makings of pastries, breads, pies, candies and all sorts of other amazing seasonal offerings.  I suspect I gain a few extra pounds each time I see and smell any of these special goodies.  Totally unfair.  

I am much safer walking or driving the streets, talking with people and enjoying the visual beauty of the very creative people who put on a most wonderful display of what the season is for them. I am very grateful for their talents as I meander around.  For me, there truly is magic in the air and I filled with a tremendous sense of well being.

May each of you enjoy whatever this season is for you and may you experience whatever makes your heart sing.  I offer love, smiles, joy and peace to each of you this now!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

- NAPA CHRISTMAS -

Tim, Darlene and I are getting everything ready for our trip to Napa for Christmas.  Lots of food preparations and packing going on and snacking on everything, to make certain it is edible.  So far we are loving all that we are taking with us for our adventure to the wine country.

I spent a wonderful week with Millie making cookie dough balls and freezing them, making snow people out of styrofoam balls, getting her trees up, decorating the inside of her home, drinking port, eating chocolates from Belgium (and other places), picking up Wing Nuts ( a great trail mix sold at the Fountain's Farmer's Market), buying and eating a pizza from the wood cooked oven at the Market, purchasing lots of grocery items for goodies to make, and enjoying ourselves with all that was going on.

Millie's brothers are coming so I helped her to get the bedroom ready for use and to ready other things for her upcoming festivities.  I am certain all they do will be loads of fun and especially with her grandchildren, ages 11 and almost 9.  I go back to her home on New Year's day and we will do our best to clean and rearrange her home, getting it ready for whatever else may be coming.  We will also need to make sure all the left overs are either eaten or frozen for a later time.

Millie and I walked her neighborhood one evening looking at the outside decorations and enjoying the full moon that occurred on that night.  It was quite magical and a bit less cold than some of the other previous nights.  Of course, this called for more port and chocolate once we returned to the warmth of her home.  There are priorities.

I have done well with being in the midst of so many people since I was among so few for the past six months.  It almost feels as though I have been here all along and never left.  Though inside I am a bit different and more at peace and very grateful for the family and friends that I am able to hug and tell them I love them.  

I took a few hours and went to Auburn to see my favorite chiropractor, visit a friend at my bank and get my hair cut.  I think people failed to recognize me until I got the hair cut, which was cute.  I saw many special people at the salon and again, felt as though I had never left.  Some things just seem to be the same, though I heard of several changes that had occurred while I have been away.

The air has been crazy dry and Thursday was very windy.  It feels as though my skin will crack and fall away from my body.  This is quite a shock compared to being at the coast for two months and living in a very moist and humid environment where my skin felt so good.  This is something I absolutely need to consider as I continue my travels this next year.  

I did have one unexpected moment when I came out of Millie's home one late afternoon.  I was startled to see my front right tire completely flat.  A call to Good Sam and the nearby Les Schwab store resulted with the discovery of the valve being slightly stuck open.  It was repaired quickly and all is well.  Almost all of the people I spoke with were helpful and caring and guided me to the best decision with the options I had available to me.  Thank you Good Sam and Les Schwab.  It was an early Christmas present.  Yea!!!

Time is winding down until we leave on Saturday morning and we seem fairly organized with all we need to do.  Laundry is caught up and food is prepared and we are all excited to be in a festive location for Christmas. This is completely new for each of us.  

For now, I have had one too many cups of espresso and I am feeling its effects.  I probably need to do a bit of walking or something so I can get it through my system and be able to sleep tonight.  Otherwise, I will be awake and have more than sugar plums dancing through my head.

To All Those Celebrating,

Happy Birthday!

"Take a course in good water and air;

and in the eternal youth of Nature

you may renew your own.

Go quietly, alone;

no harm will befall you."

 - John Muir

Enjoy your renewal!