Category: Friends

Life & Blogging

As all my regular readers know, I post almost every day, unless I am on vacation. Sometimes, life gets in the way. That is what is going on now. I have the map of the brush work going on in our area to scan and upload tomorrow, and a reminder of the Brazil Ranch controlled burn, but the last two days I have had to deal with the hospitalization of my mother, yesterday; my step-father, two days ago; and a friend a week ago. Not to mention a few other matters – which really don’t need to be broadcast. I plan to get the USFS work update uploaded tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding.

In the meantime, enjoy the clouds from last night.

Clouds, 7/20/10 by bigsurkate

Lost Dogs

UPDATE: The below was written on May 15, 2010, but today, June 1st, the owner reported the return of her lost dogs. I am always a sucker for a happy ending!! Way to go, Universe!

Today, I’m going to be a community bulletin board, in case someone can help. Anyone who has been following my blog for any length of time knows I have a sign in my office that says: “The more I get to know some people – the more I like dogs.” I don’t just like them, I think they are furry angels sent to guard and play with us and teach us how to really love.

BTW, for those following the Gideon saga, he had tolerated his first heart worm shot quite well, and is coming back into himself – which is a mixed blessing when trying to keep him quiet. He gets lots of pills, but I’ve found that Ricotta cheese works really well!

Please help us find these lost dogs. We are not sure where they ended up, but they could be in LA area. Please pass the word along to anyone you know who might have information about the people, the car, or the dogs.

We are getting the word out in LA about these dogs: The two Rat Terriers were picked up at Point 16 (near Lucia). The people who picked up the dogs, are presumed to be conscionable. They inquired with Avis at Lucia and with a Ranger at the Ranger Station on the South Coast of Big Sur.

Unfortunately no contact information was exchanged. There was mention of taking the two terriers to an animal shelter in San Luis Obispo but that has not manifested as of yet. We know that they were driving a Green or grey/silver Land Rover and were headed to LA?

One friend of the owner has been calling animal shelters in the LA area, another friend made the posters and is distributing them, another is keep Facebook up-to-date.

If you have any information, please call the above number, or email me at kwnovoa@mac.com Thank you.

Hello, My Name is Feynner …

I was reading through the online version of the Monterey County Weekly, when I came across a story about one of our own, down here on the South Coast – Feynner Arias. Feynner is the steward at Big Creek Reserve, having come here from the jungles of Costa Rica.

I’ve known Feynner for a long time – since he came to Big Creek, I think, and know lots of stories. My most vivid memory is from the Plaskett II Fire of 2000. Feynner was the second person to arrive at my place, right behind Steven Gay. Feynner was driving the South Coast BSVFB truck — a very welcome sight.

The Monterey County Weekly describes some of the stories Feynner tells in his authobiography, and the article can be found here: Feynner article

His book, “Hello, I am Feynner: Growing up in the Rain Forests of Costa Rica” is available at Nepenthe’s Phoenix Shop and http://www.amazon.com. Visit http://www.nagualpublishers.com.

I can’t wait to read it, and for its sequel. You go, Feynner!!

A Big Sur Christmas

Tonight, around 6 pm Stacey, a reader of this blog, posted a notice about 2 lost dogs on my “Let there be peace” posting. Strange, I thought. Those sound like my neighbors dogs. In the next hour or so, I called my neighbor, went to his house, twice, determined my neighbor was out of town, and the dog sitter said the dogs were missing. He was just sitting there, doing nothing. He wasn’t looking for them.

I notified Stacey that the dogs were indeed my neighbor’s dogs. She knew my neighbor, and worked with him. So Stacey and her husband went out on Christmas Day evening to look for the dogs, and thankfully, found them and took them home. This is probably the best Christmas gift my neighbor got this year. This is what Big Sur does. We take care of each other, and our fur kids. Thank you Stacey for caring and taking the time on this holiday to recover my neighbor’s fur kids for him.

On another note, the photos below depict what often happens on a Big Sur Christmas — gifts of Jade.

Thank you, CK. What Christmas is complete without the Big Sur Jade?

Loss of a friend …

I will continue with weather reports, including rain received, later, but first, I must acknowledge the death of a friend … Lee Buzzard. For those who knew him, including his family, he could be an exasperating friend, sometimes. The last time I saw him was at the Jade Festival, where he snuck up behind me and grabbed my boob, something he had never done before.We all have so many “Lee stories” that we will tell over the next days, weeks, and months. Lynne and I have spoken of having a memorial on a hot summer’s day, when we can scatter his ashes as he wished, to join his mother, and his favorite dog, Max.

Lee came to Big Sur many years ago, after an early retirement as a labor negotiator between schools and teachers’s unions. He served on the local school board for several years. He lived up at the Nacaraubi for a time, on Willow, Plaskett, and lately on Gorda Mountain.

Lee, I will miss your acidic wit, the twinkle in your eye, when you were plotting some new idea, and that wonderful deep singing voice of yours. I will miss your friendship.

Warmth & Holiday Spirit

Looking for a little warmth and holiday spirit today, this one appealed to me.

Thanksgiving, Big Sur Style

And so, the Holiday Season begins. Remember … an attitude of gratitude for all the friends and family in your life. The rest will take care of itself.

Giving Thanks



Giving Thanks, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

Shot by my son, Brendon Shave, using my Nikon D90. I did minor editing (only straightening and cropping) but he did the rest in camera. A beautiful shot! Thanks, kiddo.

I have been without a computer for 3 days (withdrawals) but have today rectified the differing problems with both laptops, and purchased a 1 TB external hard drive, a necessary chore I have postponed for years.

The weather here yesterday was picture perfect. Today, the opposite. Very chilly, strong gusty winds, and light rain this afternoon. I haven’t checked the weather reports (no computer, remember?) but will do so and post if anything of interest. If this is primarily isolated, or mild, I will leave you with this gorgeous image and post more photographs tomorrow.

NOAA Discussion Friday afternoon:
SO SHOWERS AND ISOLATED THUNDERSTORMS WITH SMALL HAIL AND GUSTY WINDS ARE LIKELY TO CONTINUE UP THROUGH MIDNIGHT BEFORE THE UPPER LOW DRIFTS FAR ENOUGH EAST TO MOVE THE THREAT OF THUNDER AT LEAST TO EAST OF OUR AREA.

Thanksgiving

Wonderful, wonderful day. Weather perfect. Company wonderful. Food fantastic. Got some great photos to share, but unfortunately, my “photos” computer is not charging, and there is no space on this computer to upload. Will be back this weekend with some great shots, two taken by my son.

Impetuous Son

Got a call from my wonderful, impetuous son. He is leaving Oregon and driving most of the night to come for Thanksgiving. WooHoo!! He’ll be here sometime tomorrow. He did give me a “heads-up” that he might be doing this, but I was still surprised by his call. Will leave again on Friday so he can be at work on Saturday. Oh, to be that young again! Emailing him the directions, particularly coming the “back way” were a challenge, as I have never paid attention to the mileage or details as someone coming for the first time might need. I guess I better do that!