Sunday, May 31, 2009

Three juvenile herons were standing up in their nest high in the pine tree. One was flapping his wings wildly but not going any where. The other two watched. I wonder what finally motivates them to jump out of their shrinking nest and fly.

Went to a meeting in Santa Cruz and now feel teary eyed,

Saturday, May 30, 2009

I went to a late breakfast this morning at the local Denny's restaurant. I know all the arguments against the place, mediocre food, plastic decor, chain store and yet I do like going there and seeing the variety of people, kids, teenagers, families that I don'[t see any place else.

The staff are kind and all speak spanish to each other.

The teenagers have tattoos and make out with each other and the little kids are curious and alive.

I don't go often but when I do I am reassured that there is a world of people out there.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Spent the morning writing and drawing at the tropics in Pacific Grove. Didn't even notice that it's still foggy and cold. My son and grandson are on their way to Israel for a ten day trip. My granddaughter and I will spend the afternoon together, in the fog.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Took a friend to the local airbus this morning at 5am. Still dark but the birds were noisy. Summer trips are beginning.

Took a walk in the residential part of Carmel this morning, no one around but the gardeners. None of the houses looked occupied, a series of well manicured ghosts houses. Most of the houses in my neighborhood are fully occupied and busy.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009


Sunny day at last. Sat at the park at noon and watched the high school guys gather with their loud trucks, cell phones and punching each other in the arms. Milling around talking with each other. Such restless energy.

Monday, May 25, 2009

So what happens when I don't have anything else to say.
quiet foggy day. I did finish watering my yard, the fruit trees are thriving, the veggies aren't doing so well. wrote, copied and mailed 140 June calendars for the zen center. So I guess I did do something after all

Sunday, May 24, 2009

The seven year old girl and the the nine year old boy spent the night at my house last night. They were wonderful, sweet kind kids for 95% f the time and then for 5% of the time they were angry, fighting, mean, teasing, crying kids.

The 5 % time poisoned the rest.of the time. I have to learn to just ignore the fighting times and enjoy the good times. But it is hard.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

the fog and cold continue to hang in today. Memorial day weekend. Drove to Moss Landing to meet a friend for lunch and a long conversation. The freeway traffic was heavy but once I was near my house the streets were empty. I wonder if it will be a busy weekend for Monterey. We need the tourists to return to our town. enough is enough.

Friday, May 22, 2009


The nine year old neighbor came by and asked if he could weed whack my front yard. There are some tall wild grasses that have turned brown out there. Of course I said. He and his father and another kid brought over an electric weed whacker and set to work. The father was teaching the kids how to use the equipment including the safety glasses.

I asked the father what I should pay the boys and he said that they were not asking for any money, they just were excited about playing with the equipment.

I will give them each a few dollars or maybe more.

I am grateful for the work they have done.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

I am so tired of the shrill voice of Sponge Bob Square pants. The kids love to watch it and I sit in the living room with them. but today, it was too much and finally I was able to turn off the cartoons. Instead we read a book about demons and monsters that the nine year old boy had. Very gruesome. But the kids loved it.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Went to the Monterey aquarium this afternoon. On the third Wednesday of each month locals can enter for free. Saw the sea horses exhibit. I had no idea about the diversity and beauty of these creatures. definitely I will go back.

Then we went to see the newest Star Trek movie. Too much noise and confusion. Didn't much like it.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

got up at 4am this morning to take my roommate to the ariport. Middle of the night and yet the birds were up making noise. Came back home, put on my night gown and slept for a couple more hours.

Went to the works coffee house in Pacific Grove to do morning writing. A friend came by and we talked instead. Lost my focus and started doing my regular chores for the day.

Still foggy.

Monday, May 18, 2009


A crow stands in the middle of the road and refuses to Move. I sit in my car waiting and then he flies up and away. foggy cold morning. Took two naps trying to catch up on my sleep.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Assisted at a Buddhist wedding of two friends this afternoon. Rang bells, lit incense, hit the drum, used the clackers. Up and down and now I am very tired. It was a happy wedding joining tow large extended families.

Saturday, May 16, 2009

I drove to Santa Cruz in the heat today. I realize that my eleven year old car's air conditioner no longer cools my car. Ugh. I wonder how much that will cost. I have been quite accustomed to driving in cool air.

When I returned home it was 90 degrees in my house. I wonder where we are going with all this heat.

Friday, May 15, 2009

I had planned to go to the movies with two friends and in the afternoon they each canceled for good reasons, Good for them, bad for me so I got my courage up and went to the 5pm movie by myself, Angels and Demons, a mediocre action and pomp movie. I had a good time and didn't see anyone I knew.

Maybe I will go again by myself.

Thursday, May 14, 2009


We are creating a summer program for the writing circle. figuring out ways to support our writing now that the teachers are on vacation. Writing is such a mystery to me. I love to read and I like to write.

Just finished reading LOOSING MUM AND PUP BY Christopher Buckley about his parents in their old age and dying. I enjoyed the book..

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Spent a long time at the medical clinic waiting to see my doctor to learn once again I am healthy. there was a baby screaming for most of the time.

I teased the tired doctor that maybe they were torturing the baby but no the baby has a 104 fever and is very sick.

It's the best health clinic anywhere and I am glad that they continue to see me. I like seeing the young children in the waiting room.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

I am beginning to prepare for my trip to New York in six weeks. First stop is Yellow Brick Road in Carmel to buy used paper back books for the plane ride.

I bought 4 books for $4, can't beat that.

Now I need some warm weather clothes, that's going to be a bit harder. But not impossible.

Monday, May 11, 2009

I can't tell if this picture is upsetting me or not.

I'm sitting in my darkening living room at dusk. The kids are outside playing ball. I can't decide whether to read or watch TV.

I finished reading a novel called THE BELIEVERS by Zoe Heller. I am not sure if I liked it or not.

Maybe today is just an indecisive day, maybe not.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Went to brunch with my son and his family this morning. Spanish bay. Foggy and cold and beautiful. Sat around the fireplace to get warm before we ventured outside.

I am going to the movies late this afternoon.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Spent several hours sitting in a chair listening to different women talk about their religious tradition. Each person was interesting but I started getting tired and confused until I gave my short talk. All in all it worked well. I was glad to get outside at the end of the afternoon.

Friday, May 8, 2009

Got caught in the early morning traffic jam at the high school as parents are dropping off their teenagers. Waiting of the line to move I saw that the Great Herons are sitting in nests high up in the pine trees. I could see at least 4 nests from my car window.

New nests, the old nests have been abandoned and the birds have moved further up the ravine.

I love these birds.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

A friend asked me for a recommendation of a book that will help her understand how the economy works. I don't have one. I suspect that no one really understands our economy.

What do we understand? Any ideas?

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Last nightI saw lights out on the water, fishing boats are doing night work. Haven't seen them for a long time. This morning the San Giovanni was tied up to the dock being unloaded.

Maybe the fish have returned to Monterey Bay.

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

I spent an hour and a half this morning sitting at a desk in the local bank. I just wanted to open a savings account. I already had a checking account there for the last 20 years.
The sign on the desk said that Homeland Security required that I answer all the questions truthfully. I thought I was. I am not a terrorist.

I am saving money to buy a car. I no longer expect to be given a car.

The account is opened.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Garbage day. I pull out the garbage and the recycle cans to the front road. then I go through my house for stuff to throw away. Today I had a bunch of cardboard boxes from my on line ordering.


Clean out the refrigerator of old foods, wilted salad stuff, dead food and soon the cans are full. then I pack up four bags of books and more stuff and take them to good will.

Still I have too much stuff.

Sunday, May 3, 2009

I quietly left the workshop at 2pm, while everyone was busy writing. Walking slowly and soundlessly. My eyes were burning and my body just wanted to sleep.

First I have to get over this sense of responsibility I carry with me. It's OK to go home and take a nap. I slept on the couch for an hour.

It's true I feel better after a nap

Friday, May 1, 2009

rainy cool day. Spent time in the morning at community hospital as a chaplain. No signs of swine flu, no masks, nothing out of the ordinary. Spent a lot of time washing my hands as usual.

Am continuing to read John LeCarre's A perfect spy. A long book