spent a quiet afternoon. Long walk on the waterfront, warm sunny day. Surfers waiting for waves by the wharf, waves that seldom came.

Then home for a nap and time to read. Now I am on my way to my son's house for dinner.

finished cutting down a dead bush in front of the house. Then I planted a rock rose and a lavender plant, hoping they will grow into the space.

Everything is moist and plump after the rains.

Green grasses growing up along the sides of the roads, in yards, on the hillsides. We will have a green christmas.

cold overcast day. Did errands this morning, carefully avoiding the shopping areas in case there were actually customers shopping this morning. The roads were empty.

Stopped for coffee and the New York Times at the local coffee house.

Drinking coffee, listening to music, conversations makes me happy.

Taking a mid day break, sitting in the sun light in my living room.

The kids and I took an exploratory walk by the wharf, ice skating rink has been set up in plaza, many pelicans and other birds hanging out on the wharf buildings. We sang singing in the rain even thought the sun was out.

Happy Thanksgiving.

The little boys in the neighborhood are afraid of the Moms. They stand out side of their friend's home and call out the name, Gionluca, Joseph, Hunter, Jacob. The sounds echo in the street and they wait for a response, wait for a door to open and their friend to rush out.

They absolutely refuse to knock on a door and ask, they might have to talk to the dreaded Moms.

Did errands this morning. After two years of not being able to use one of my burners on my stove I finally yanked it out and took it to Orchard supply to buy a replacement.

Always the question I have is why did this take me so long to do. I have had to manoevor around the broken burner, listen to my kids tease me and then today I just acted.

Of course I haven't been able to get it out of the blister package and plug it in. Maybe I will wait for visitors to come and help me with it. What's another couple of months.

My new favorite book, WATCHING GIANTS, The secret lives of whales.

I bet you didn't know they had secret lives, well they do.

The book is by my writing teacher Elin Kelsey. Take a peak, it is wonderful.

Dragged my poor tired body to Whole Foods this afternoon and was surprised at the crowds of people at the shopping mall.

Long car lines, few parking places, maybe the economy is not dead yet.

I brought home home made soups and milk and now can settle into being sick some more.

I'm sick, runny nose, coughing, burning eyes, sore ribs, achy body. It always seems that it will last forever, slept, read some, ate some, slept, waiting for this cold to pass.

A flock of tiny birds are systematically moving through the oak tree outside my window this morning. Jumping from branch to branch, upside down and then right side up.

I can't tell what they are eating but they are energetically stripping something from the tree. Early morning sun shines on the tree creating deep shadows obscuring some of the birds. Finally they are done and take flight.

The stragglers hang back for one last bite and then they too jump into the air and fly away.

Thursday morning is writers circle class at CSUMB. This class is weekly and I have to bring something to read to the group. I love it and I hate it and I keep going. Each time I think, I am not sure I can write one more thing but I do.

I can't put this book down. THE HUMINGBIRD'S DAUGHTER by Luis Alberto Urrea. A friend recommended it. At first it seemed slow and then suddenly I am taking it every where with me in case I have a few minutes to quickly open the book and continue the marvelous story.

I already know I will be sad when it is over. It is so strange how we tall in love with certain books.

the cool fog came in this morning. Actually it had arrived while I was asleep. Now in the morning my house is cool and I once again struggle with when to turn on my heater. I am on my second day of doing a three day stint of chaplain work.

another hot day today. Thee are massive fires in Southern California today. I was glad to hear from my brother to say he is ok.

Went downtown to go to the movies and then changed my mind. Lay on the couch all afternoon reading.

Parking near Red's donut shop in Monterey I leave the car doors unlocked. I am living on the wild side. I buy the donuts and pick up the NYTimes.

My car is fine when I return Nothing is stolen.

I have to find more exciting activities to do.

unseasonably hot weather. A friend and I went to Scooners on Cannery row for lunch. Sat outside overlooking the ocean. Didn't need sweaters. food was great. first time I have been there. I love sitting over the ocean.

What would the crows do with out telephone wires and poles. In Carmel the wires weave in and out of the pine trees but in Monterey they dominate the street.

I have learned to edit them out of my view and it is only when I look at the crows do the wires become visible.

I am grateful that my heater is so loud when it is on. I am more likely to turn it off at the earliest possible moment just to get rid of the rattling roaring sound.

I believe it was installed without attention to the noise factor. I used to get angry about the sounds but now that now that I look at my heating bills closely I am relieved.

full moon in the sky as we came out of the zendo tonight.

Went to Robert Lewis Stevenson School today to talk about Buddhism in the world religion class.

Bright interesting kids.

The school is so beautiful even when the sky is overcast and the air cold. We had a good conversation and then I came home.

tried to start the heater in my small zendo at home. I realized that I had to relight the pilot light. I couldn't unscrew the metal plate shielding the pilot light. It was 55 degrees and people were coming.

Sitting in the living room I suddenly realized I could use a wrench to loosen the nut and move the plate. And it worked and room warmed up in time.

Most of my tools have been moved around by the eight year old boys. I need to find them and make them available for my use.

Quiet day at home. Clouds slowly gathering and blocking out the sun. Feeling slightly ill/tired. Spending the day reading and lying on the couch. Took short trip to Whole foods for food. It is just beginning to rain.

Have this vague feeling that I should be doing something more useful with this quiet day. But I am not.

sometimes I am so tired I can't think, I can't move my body, all I want to do is go to bed and close my eyes. Last night was one of those times.

And this morning I am awake and slowly my energy is returning as the sun comes out and begins to warm my house.

Yea, Obama was elected the next president of the United States. I am so glad.

rainy days now. Election night. It's hard to settle down and wait for the results. I do have a preference. I hope Obama wins.

Early morning, wet, cold. Immediately when I start the car the windows fog up. The windshield wipers are clogged with pine needles leaving blurred areas on the glass. The heater is cold.

Finally after a few minutes a balance is achieved, the windows are clear and the car is warm.

went for Sunday night dinner at my son's home. We decided to watch a Harry Potter movie. The adults couldn't stop talking while the kids were trying to listen. Luckily they have seen it before and knew all the parts. The adults didn't care so much for Harry Potter. We wanted to talk and enjoy the warmth of the fire and the family company.

the first rain lightens my heart. A warm tropical light rain is falling this weekend, some wind. The end of the fire season is the beginning of the green season.

Gave left over candy to some of the neighborhood kids. I am not sure their parents will be happy with it but these boys were excited. Never can have too much candy.

Went to a ten am movie this morning,part of the movie club from our local public radio station. Saw FLOW, a documentary film on water and how we are misusing it. I left feeling very helpless.