Category: Home

Opening of Hunting Season, 8/8/09

Dawn and dusk … gun fire permeates the best times of the day. The quiet and serenity of the place I call home is disturbed. The critters are disturbed, and somewhere, a buck may be fighting for his life — running in fear from the guns that populate these hills. I prefer the bow hunters. They are silent, the bucks have an equal chance, and only the best hunters are rewarded. With guns, even an idiot can get lucky. My experience is the bow hunters don’t use 4 tracs, either. They are stealth. They are swift. And they really know how to hunt. I have complete and utter respect for them. Kelly Collins used a bow. He was a real hunter.

Since dawn … one dog hides under the couch — Dakota has always been frightened of the sound of gun fire. (BTW-the inside is completely healed, finally. The outer skin has not yet closed, but I expect to lift her “house arrest” in a week or two.) Bear, on the other hand, barks constantly at the sound of gun fire. Gideon and Miranda seem indifferent, until the shots get closer, as they are now.

I have the wonderful task of dodging the idiots as I make my way down the coast to restock on everything. Debating the trip. On the one hand, I can get photos of all the yahoos and their vehicles, just in case someone does something stupid. On the other hand, do I really want to be dodging bullets? Hmmm …

BSVFB Muster Photos

I’m sitting in cool, wonderful Morro Bay, where not only is it cool, but the internet is SOO much faster. I remembered I owed you some muster photos, so without further ado … (no comments, or names, just photos. Okay, a few silly comments.)
DSC_0166_2

Okay, so the internet is only a little faster, and I don’t have time to load a whole bunch, so a few more now, and a few more later.
DSC_0167_2

And no editing on any of these. What you see is what you get. Some of us have to work for a living.
DSC_0170_2

We all know this guy, don’t we? He’s the guy behind our new fire chief.
DSC_0174_2
And here’s to the woman behind our retiring chief (not the one above, he’s got another fabulous woman behind him!)
DSC_0182_2

There she is, on the left.
DSC_0195

And food. Did I mention the food? Lots and lots of food.
DSC_0204_2

The man of the hour — giving an interview.
DSC_0237_2

That’s the line for the food. A long, l-o-n-g line. There were lots of us.
DSC_0241_2

And what’s a muster, without some mustering?
DSC_0242_2

Go to it, boys!!

I’ve got lots more photos, but I rarely seem to get around to Round 2. There are always other things to report, other photos to take. But I’ll try. No promises, but I’ll try.
DSC_0232

A group shot I meant to include. Photographers shooting photographers, again.
DSC_0180_2

Those of you who know me, know I am a hat lady. I cannot resist a good hat, or a photo of it.
DSC_0212_2
And red hats are my favorites!

I shot in both jpg and raw. Those close-ups of people in jpg were too saturated, and the skin tones not right, so I posted the raw ones. Of groups or the muster, the saturation was just about right, so I used the jpg ones. You can tell the differences. As I said, these are straight out of the camera, I didn’t have time for editing, and one can tell. I am always learning.

Tourists in the Wilds

Campgrounds are full. This was Plaskett Creek Campground, early on a Tuesday afternoon.

DSC_0163_2

Tourons enter the wilds.

DSC_0154

They leave footprints every where they go.

DSC_0156

And by next weekend, the sign will be run over again. And a few, rare people at the Ventana Wilderness Alliance wonder why I get bent out of shape.

Honoring & Celebrating

Such a sweet gathering yesterday of north and south to honor and celebrate the life of Paul Vieregge. Seven years ago, I remember attending he and Penny’s 50th wedding anniversary at the same spot. I have lots of photos, and hope to upload some at some point to this post, but I really have a tremendous amount of work over the next few days, PLUS my son is down from Oregon, staying in Monterey for a few days, so I need to get up there to see him. Few “dull” moments in my world right now.
DSC_0094
DSC_0096
And two of my most favorite ladies: Penny & Peggy.
DSC_0092
DSC_0053
Josh Vieregge
DSC_0063
Penny Vieregge
DSC_0066
Peter Harding
DSC_0049
Paul’s Friends
DSC_0083
Dualing cameras. Okay, I give. His is bigger than mine!
DSC_0069
Kirk Gafill

Full Moon & Girlfriends

I continue to believe and experience the Magic that is Big Sur.

In 1989, I turned 40 down here on the South Coast of Big Sur. That night, walking home from work in Dogpatch, I had one of my incredibly magical moments. The Full Moon had just risen over the Santa Lucia Mountains. The sun was getting ready to set. One was directly in front of me, the other, directly behind. I spun to witness both, and said, “Okay. I get it. I’ll stay.” I had just arrived on the South Coast, and knew at that moment that it was my home.

Tonight, I drove home on the Coast Road, and was led by the Full Moon. I was coming from my 60th birthday party with my incredible group of girlfriends. I had turned 60 on Santorini in Greece, but the girlfriends would not let it go by without honoring this milestone, here, in Big Sur, my home.

Another magical moment in Big Sur. Thank you ladies. You are all so special in my life.

June 3, 2009 – Dakota

While we wait on the fate of our State Parks, while we hope for more rain (and little lightning, please), I thought I’d bring everyone up-to-date on Dakota.

It has been over a month that she had been confined to quarters. She is not allowed outside until her wound has closed up. She still has a gap of an inch or more which is taking a very long time to heal. She went to the vet again on Friday. Every night I must irrigate it with a betadine/saline solution — a lot of it. Neither one of us likes this process. We have to do this for 2 weeks, and then she goes back to the vet. This has been a long and difficult road for the two of us.

We’ll both be glad when she can go outside on her own again.

On another note — I had a lot of fire clearance done yesterday. Everything is looking so good!! My view, which is always great, is even more spectacular now.  Also “groomed” some Oaks, and what a difference that makes. I want them ALL groomed like that. One more day next week, and it is all done. A photo when my camera arrives. It gets shipped tomorrow. Yeah!!

Tidbits on 5/27

Friday, Dakota has to go back to the vet. She has a gaping hole that is not closing up, and a few  stitches that have not been removed. *Sigh* This poor gal has not been outside off a leash in a month now. Poor, sweet Dakota.

Today, I have to go to the Big Sur Post Office to pick up a certified letter for work, so will get to explore the coast once again before it gets too crowded. I’ll report later, and hopefully have a Random Big Sur photo to share.

Dakota Update #714

Just kidding. I think I’ve only given about 6. It just seems like 714, huh?

She got the drain out — not two, but one long drain that went all the way through. She looks really good according to the vet’s assistant. She will go back on Friday, not Wednesday, for stitches removal. Weds. is too soon. No talk of a 3d surgery, which is great. I forgot to ask, but I’m sure if it was looking like that, someone would have told me. That is a major relief.

Tomorrow, Dakota and I move back into the regular place, so I can train her and the other dogs, and get her ready for my departure. I want her isolated one more day while the drain holes start to close up. It is easier to keep her and her bedding clean in here without the dog hair, dirty paws, and slobber of 3 other dogs around. (Actually, none of my dogs slobber, but you know what I mean.)

I have spent a lot of time training Dakota and the dog-sitter, and am feeling more comfortable about leaving. The ex will take her in to the vet on Friday, and bring her home afterwards. Isn’t he a great guy?? So, things seem to be shaping up nicely.

Dakota Update, 5/3

Dakota took a major leap forward this afternoon. She tried to chase a cat. While I don’t condone that behavior, and have consistently tried to break her of that habit, it is the first time in weeks, where she cared enough to even attempt it. Tomorrow, the vet.

A one-room cottage

   

Reminder of Grandma, originally uploaded by wind_dancer.

I have been spending a lot of time in my cottage, alone with my injured dog, Dakota, nursing her back to health. I am hoping that in doing so, we can avoid yet a third surgery. It has been only 5 days since her second surgery, but she brightens a little more each day.

In my cottage is this print hanging on the wall. It is old and faded, in a cheap frame, and not worth much to anyone but me. It was my grandmother’s and hung in her living room. I love this print, and love this photo of it. 

During the last 5 days of confinement, I have come to appreciate this one-room cottage even more.