Month: March 2009

Sunday, 3/15 & Announcements

Too pretty to be blogging. I’m out taking photographs of Big Sur. Look for them in the coming days. Chance of rain (30%) for later today still in forecast, but I am seeing just a lot of blue sky, so I am really questioning that. Have a great Sunday, everyone!!

Also, just a reminder: BSMAAC meeting, Friday, March 20th at 10:oo am at the Conference Center; MoCo Community Wildfire Protection Plan (MCCWPP), Tuesday, March 24th at 7 pm, also at the Conference Center; and lastly, a benefit for Pacific Valley School at TreeBones on Sunday, March 29th at 6 pm. See announcement page for details on any of these upcoming events.

The Green of Spring

  The Green of Spring, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

These  historic water tanks are owned by the State Park. They sit on the El Sur Ranch, the oldest continuously operating ranch on the coast. They are across from the Coast Guard Station and the Lighthouse.

Slight chance of rain Sunday. 20%. Will keep an eye on it.

Healing Hills

The BSMAAC agenda is out. Not much on it but two new items: 1. the NOAA weather station; 2. Grants re fire planning and fuel reduction. However, given the concerns about the opening of the State Park, I would venture a bet that this will be the major topic for discussion under “non-agenda” items. The meeting will take place next Friday, the 20th at the Conference Center at the Lodge at 10:00 am.

Wednesday, I took a trip to town and Big Sur Valley to meet with friends. On the way, I marveled at the healing that was taking place — the green, the hills turned golden with a sea of poppies. While there are invasive species taking hold, I did spot this in the burn area just south of Coast Gallery. (The invasive species is the one that looks like wild cucumber.)Healing Hills

Jim’s Moon

Tonight, as I drove up Plaskett, the Moon was big and fat. It shed an orange glow that was just magic as it rose over the Big Sur mountains of home. This was Jim’s Moon.

When I got to my gate today, just before noon, I got a phone call from a girlfriend. One of the girlfriends I was meeting today in town watched her 67 year-old partner die in their bed this morning, of an apparent heart attack, and obviously, wouldn’t be meeting me. That was Jim. Tonight, Jim shined and smiled on me from the full moon over Plaskett.

I wrote and re-wrote this blog in my head on the way home tonight, and did not like anything I came up with. Then I saw Jim’s Moon, and it all became clear.

Jim was a pilot. He flew the skies in helicopters…in Viet Nam, in Air Shows, on the Big Sur Coast, and throughout this nation. My girlfriend went with him on one cross-country trip. He loved the skies. He loved my girlfriend.

I bought the ex a helicopter trip over the Big Sur Coast for his 65th birthday with Jim. It was an expensive birthday present for an ex, but he deserved it, and I knew he would love Jim. Both served in Viet Nam. The ex had been in several helicopter crashes in Viet Nam, and held a special reverence for these warriors. He loved Jim.

Jim left us today. He left his partner, my girlfriend. He left his kids, his family, and so many friends. But he left us with our memories, his gifts, his love. 

And tonight, Jim’s Moon shone down on us from the skies. Reminding us of the gift that is life.

Added latter: article about Jim in the March 12th Herald here: http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_11894208?nclick_check=1

Spring around the corner

Field of Dreams, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

This is one I took last year of Gail’s garden, at Pacific Valley School. It is a reminder that Spring is just around the corner. Thank goodness. May we have gentle rains.

Weather Report, 3/10

Looks like sunshine for the entire week. However, it is mighty cold up here! Am about to turn on the heat and hope to thaw my popsicle hands. I’ll use this quiet time to upload some photographs of the Big Sur Coast throughout the week.

Weather Report, Top ‘o the World, 3/9/09

Cloudy and cold. Forecast discussion is dropping the temps for tonight, with a possible freeze warning, but little chance of rain. When it is this cloudy, and this cold, I think I’d rather have the rain!

In honor of Barbie’s 50th birthday, a friend sent me this photograph of the Big Sur Mountain Mama version. So, I post it here, with permission, for a chuckle.

mountain-barbie1

Random Photograph #2

Painted Birds, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

Beautiful Sunday morning. Clear, sunshine, and not too chilly, today. Another good day to get things done. About the only “clue” is the background in this one. I told you it would be harder than the last one. LOL.

Weather Report from the Top o’ the World, 3/7

While chilly, it is sunny and clear. Yippee! My mental health needed this. A random Big Sur photograph to identify tomorrow, but for today, a lot of stuff to take care of up here. Don’t forget daylight savings time tonight. Spring forward.