Saturday, February 28, 2009

Spent several hours outside my house reading a new mystery story.

Saw a woodpecker work it's way up the trunk of the pine tree.

I also saw first a police car drive slowly down my dead end street, turn around and go back.

A little later a motorcycle cop drove by. He saw me and and waved. I wonder what is going on. Back to my mystery story.

Friday, February 27, 2009


Sat outside on the patio in the afternoon, reading, listening to the birds, being quiet. The spring birds have returned and are begining to court.

Bees continue in the rosemary bushes.

The oak tree that I thought was dean now has the beginnings of green leaves. Cooked up the frozen biscuits that Tom had made on Monday night. Very good.

Thursday, February 26, 2009


drove out to mid valley to meet a friend for hot chocolate and conversation. The place was filled with older white men and their computers. We were the only women in the place. Where do women go in the afternoons to meet?

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

I felt so inspired by Obama speech last night. And when he smiles the whole room lit up. Maybe there is hope after all.

spend the day working on an essay and preparing a mailing for the zen center.

All is good.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Driving down highway 101 to Atascadero we saw green, green hills and in the high Los Padres Forest we saw snow.

Little traffic and lots of conversation. We literally talked our way for two days. Now I am ready for some silence.

Monday, February 23, 2009

I feel sad today. I have stumbled into a conflict with someone I care for. I am not sure it can be resolved.

I am driving to Paso Robles today to spend the night with a friend. I am looking forward to the trip. Lots of rain and green today.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Another good book I am reading. Somewhere towards the End, a memoir by Diana Athill. She is 89 when she writes these essays on her life.

It makes getting old no so bad.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

cool day. Went to Lulu's on the wharf for lunch with a friend, felt like being in a foreign country, moody dark ocean, winter wharf.

More Great Blue herons in the pine trees in my neighborhood.

Friday, February 20, 2009

soft warm day. I have found a spot outside my front door where I can sit in the sun and read and check on what is happening in the neighborhood.


Talked to a young neighbor who was walking his two young daughters while his wife cooked dinner. Of course we talked about the failing economy and how we are effected by it.

We are all OK right now.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Walk on the waterfront this morning. A crew of yellow suited men were hosing out the fishing gear on the wharf. Maybe a fishing season is going to open up.

Lots of smelly sea weed on the beach.

Tiny jelly fish floated in the water.

sun shinning but still a bit cold.

Wednesday, February 18, 2009


Suddenly I am very tired today. Canceled everything and am staying at home. Took a nap, Sat in the sun and read a bit, watched the bees hovering around the blooming rosemary plants. Breathed deeply. There is time for everything tomorrow.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Busy morning. Spent time in the library picking up ordered books. Such a great service to order books from the library by the web.

Leslie James from Tassajara came to the zendo tonight and talked about teachers and students.

Now I am tired and am ready to go to bed.

Monday, February 16, 2009

retreat went well, lots of rain and story and silence and wonderful food. I drove a friend's car home to Santa Cruz through the thick of rain and wind. Sort of scary to see the cars that didn't make it.

But Now I am home and ready to jump into my life again.

Friday, February 13, 2009

I am packing up my car to go on retreat in Carmel Valley for the weekend. Of course if I forget anything I can run home and pick it up, it's only 20 miles away. It feels like a hundred miles. Be back on Sunday.

Thursday, February 12, 2009


The computer has arrived and now I have to figure out how to do all the settings.

The eight year old neighbor boy loves it and wants to buy one himself. I can't realy work on it until I come back from the weekend meditation retreat.

Oh well.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Saw two morning doves this morning on the street checking out the new rain puddles. Also a woodpecker working in the tree.

More trees are beginning to bloom.

But it was icy cold today and tomorrow it is going to rain again.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

It's time again for the traveling Blue herons to return to their nesting site. This morning I saw 4 of them on the tree tops. Soon the crowd will show up. Neighbors are beginning to stop and check out the trees as we go down the hill.

No new computer yet.

Monday, February 9, 2009


I keep waiting for my new computer to arrive. Not today. Maybe tomorrow. I wonder if it will make me as happy as I think it should.

Rainy cold day.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Had the beginning of a new series of Sunday morning classes this morning. I spent time thinking about whether it is too warm, too cool. enough tea?

I missed the actual class material because I was so busy with planning and care taking.

Well Next Sunday I can try again.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Driving home this morning I saw a group of middle aged people with papers in their hands. Jehovah's Witness coming to proselytize in our neighborhood. Well maybe we need it.

They seem so committed to spreading some message to people who close their doors in their faces.

I don't even open the door to wish them a good day. I act as if I am afraid of them, of their message, of their sincerity.

I guess I am afraid of them.

Friday, February 6, 2009

rainy day.

I am going to an afternoon showing of Slumdog Millionaire and cover my eyes during the torture scenes.

I continue to move slowly through the biography of Abrahma Lincoln.

Wednesday, February 4, 2009


After a week of indecision and question I finally just order a new little computer, a netbook, acer aspire. It should come next week and then I will see if I did the best thing.

I am looking forward to it.

Buying new stuff is always hard.

I am trying to support the economy.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

took an early morning walk on Asilomar beach. calm flat waters with ribbons of ruffles in the distance. Five Oyster catchers were playing or maybe working, out among the rocks, yacking, calling, chattering. Their sounds filled the quiet air.

At the end of the walk I saw whales in the distance, suffing up spray.

Good walk

Monday, February 2, 2009


The last two fruit trees are in the front yard.

Here is a book I am enjoying, DON'T SLEEP, THERE ARE SNAKES by Daniel Everett. A memoir of life and language in the amazon jungle.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Late afternoon walk downtown. Cheers come from the open doors of the bars as the Super bowl plays out.
People on the street look tired.
Dogs look tired.
Oak trees look tired.

Maybe I am tired.