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Sep 4, 2010
Jul 2, 2010
Moonlight Glory
It was 7:00pm at dusk when Ariel and I pulled up to the market on our bicycles, to purchase granola, brown rice, dry fruit, and peanuts for our trip to China Camp in the Los Padres National Forest. The Monterey Harold read a Moon Rise was to occur and we wanted to be in the moment when the night became lit up by the splendor of this event.
Ariel was convincing that the camping trip would be peaceful and relaxing among the trees and warmth of the summer. We hugged each other and went our separate way to our homes both of us eager to set out the next day on our camping trip.
I was careful to pack what to take along. I was certain there would be a chill in the air in the evening, so I packed a wrap for myself and my little one. As I packed I envisioned the trip to Carmel Valley with Ariel would be adventurous. I imagined getting a ride from an Artist or maybe even a Writer deep in thought of his next novel. I dismissed these thoughts, and went into my little one's room to tuck her in and pull the light blanket under her chin and retire into my room for the night.
I met Ariel at the entrance of the Carmel Valley Road as sure as the sky is blue he was waiting for me. "Are you prepared for the trip? He asked. I said yep as a young couple pulled up to ask us if we wanted a ride - eagerly we said yes and hoped in the car.
The trees around us were invigorating and they captured my senses, as we walked under them. Our hike seemed long and vigorous at times. We stopped frequently to rest eat peanuts and drink water. I was grateful for the dry fruit and peanuts I brought along as I shared them with Ariel and my little one- we took turns carrying.
The sun sank into the ocean, as I slowly watched the twilight turn into a deep velvet blue black night under the canopy of the trees around us. So black was the velvet night I could hardly see a thing if not for Ariel calling out to me ever so often.
We were exhausted now from stumbling about hands out reaching and feeling our way around for a clearing where we can pitch our tent, and rest for the night when suddenly the velvet blackness of the night became bright from the brilliance of the moonrise. I was stunned by the size and brightness of the moon that lit up the night, and how it appeared so suddenly. We were grateful we could now see to pitch our tent and rest for the night by an open fire that ever so slowly turned to amber as we drifted off to sleep.
I met Ariel at the entrance of the Carmel Valley Road as sure as the sky is blue he was waiting for me. "Are you prepared for the trip? He asked. I said yep as a young couple pulled up to ask us if we wanted a ride - eagerly we said yes and hoped in the car.
The trees around us were invigorating and they captured my senses, as we walked under them. Our hike seemed long and vigorous at times. We stopped frequently to rest eat peanuts and drink water. I was grateful for the dry fruit and peanuts I brought along as I shared them with Ariel and my little one- we took turns carrying.
The sun sank into the ocean, as I slowly watched the twilight turn into a deep velvet blue black night under the canopy of the trees around us. So black was the velvet night I could hardly see a thing if not for Ariel calling out to me ever so often.
We were exhausted now from stumbling about hands out reaching and feeling our way around for a clearing where we can pitch our tent, and rest for the night when suddenly the velvet blackness of the night became bright from the brilliance of the moonrise. I was stunned by the size and brightness of the moon that lit up the night, and how it appeared so suddenly. We were grateful we could now see to pitch our tent and rest for the night by an open fire that ever so slowly turned to amber as we drifted off to sleep.
Jun 25, 2010
Jun 16, 2010
Frogs Night Out
A story told by me, on a night lit up by the stars. And it was as I tell it - warm as it was felt when the day became the day else where, but left the very presence of it's warmth.
We were weary from traveling, and yet engaged in good conversation when one of my companions suggested we stop and have bite to eat, and frolic in the warmth of the summer night. We stopped the bus that once carried children to and from school, that now carried us. To many it would be a bit of a statement with its tie died curtains, peace signs and flowers painted by an artist, and even a wood stove's pipe ingeniously placed on its roof for warmth inside, but not this night
It was a frogs night out, for when we dismounted the bus we were welcomed by there sounds of the night and them. They were every where in sight and out of sight. "They were a delight to our ears..." We became one with the frogs.
We were weary from traveling, and yet engaged in good conversation when one of my companions suggested we stop and have bite to eat, and frolic in the warmth of the summer night. We stopped the bus that once carried children to and from school, that now carried us. To many it would be a bit of a statement with its tie died curtains, peace signs and flowers painted by an artist, and even a wood stove's pipe ingeniously placed on its roof for warmth inside, but not this night
It was a frogs night out, for when we dismounted the bus we were welcomed by there sounds of the night and them. They were every where in sight and out of sight. "They were a delight to our ears..." We became one with the frogs.
Pop Top Checkers
The sun had not yet risen when the semi. pulled in a remote village in Costa Rica. Remote villages were common in those days probably without a name yet but nevertheless Ariel and I were grateful we had arrived safely.
The silhouettes of villagers and vendors could be seen in the twilight of the wee hours as Ariel and I made our way around asking them where we might find a place to sleep. I lifted the little one right up off the ground into my arms as I observed two men playing Pop Top Checkers while Ariel made inquiries to what seemed to no end for a place to sleep.
The sky was turning navy blue now when we finally gave up our search, and headed back to the semi.where we rested until the light of the morning to check into a bed and breakfast recommended to us by on of the villagers. Grateful for the genuine warm hospitality of the Innkeeper family we slept throughout the day had a bite to eat, and boarded a rickety old bus bound for San Jose Costa Rica.
The silhouettes of villagers and vendors could be seen in the twilight of the wee hours as Ariel and I made our way around asking them where we might find a place to sleep. I lifted the little one right up off the ground into my arms as I observed two men playing Pop Top Checkers while Ariel made inquiries to what seemed to no end for a place to sleep.
The sky was turning navy blue now when we finally gave up our search, and headed back to the semi.where we rested until the light of the morning to check into a bed and breakfast recommended to us by on of the villagers. Grateful for the genuine warm hospitality of the Innkeeper family we slept throughout the day had a bite to eat, and boarded a rickety old bus bound for San Jose Costa Rica.
Jun 13, 2010
Egghead
Now I always thought of Ariel as an egghead. He was a step above the rest, in all there was to know in the Farmers Almanac about organically grown veggies, and when it came planting time he took a mule and a plow to set the soil free on his land, to prove it. His soil was rich in minerals, and its bounty was plentifully shared with our friends. Ariel's knowledge of the timeliness of what and when to plant was always within the time frame of each seed that we planted. We knew it would bring forth wonderful fresh veggies to sell at the fruit sands and co-ops; of which, we were members at Red Star.
One year the earth gave us such an abundance of watermelon we gave what was left over to the Boy Scouts of America. That was how we kept what we gave away.
Ariel was a college graduate, an outstanding egghead in all things he set out to do, and especially in organically grown fruits and veggies..
One year the earth gave us such an abundance of watermelon we gave what was left over to the Boy Scouts of America. That was how we kept what we gave away.
Ariel was a college graduate, an outstanding egghead in all things he set out to do, and especially in organically grown fruits and veggies..
Jun 8, 2010
Red Star
It was a hot clammy night in August under a canopy of stars when I arrived at Red Star. Most of the people had arrived days or even a few hours before I arrived. Ariel had not arrived yet, but was due in the same day. I thought perhaps it was not as easy to hitch a ride as it was a women with a little one. Organizing the event was another reason why he had not arrived I thought. It was to be an event to remember. It was to be called "The Celebration at Red Star."
The tents glowed in the night displaying each it's color by an open rock pit fire in the moonlight. Ever so often a bright spark of an amber from the fire would give off a glow of a nearby Tipee's awesome drawings of colorful images; like, a yellow sun, peace sign, a rainbow and other artistic statements perhaps drawn by a friend.
The children chased fireflies in the moonlight while their parents mingled and enjoyed the strumming of someone's guitar nearby by open fire, and engaged in conversation of the trip to "Red Star."
The little one in my arms slept peacefully while I greeted Mica, Ariel's brother. He motioned me, and the little one in my arms now awake to sleep in his converted school bus; of which, I was grateful. I slept very little that night, for Mary, Mica's fiancee constantly scratched from having chiggers. Sometime late in the night I drifted off somewhere between heaven and earth where it is said one dreams.
Ariel arrived the next day rested awhile and joined in the preparation of the celebration. of his acquiring Red Star. Our men guests set out to join three large handcrafted rectangular tables made of recycle wood, for placement of the good food. The menu would include vegetarian, as well as a choice beef slow cooked in an open fire type pit, veggies, fruit salad, veggie salad, and water melon all home grown, for all the lovely people.
People came from miles with wonderful food, to place on the beautiful table. During the merriment of the celebration, to my surprise helicopters hovered over the event, and what appeared to be guests emerged from them, for what I thought may have been for curiosities sake. I was later to learn they were guests joining in the celebration. I called this day a coming together in peace and harmony to enjoy the bounty of the earth at Red Star.
The tents glowed in the night displaying each it's color by an open rock pit fire in the moonlight. Ever so often a bright spark of an amber from the fire would give off a glow of a nearby Tipee's awesome drawings of colorful images; like, a yellow sun, peace sign, a rainbow and other artistic statements perhaps drawn by a friend.
The children chased fireflies in the moonlight while their parents mingled and enjoyed the strumming of someone's guitar nearby by open fire, and engaged in conversation of the trip to "Red Star."
The little one in my arms slept peacefully while I greeted Mica, Ariel's brother. He motioned me, and the little one in my arms now awake to sleep in his converted school bus; of which, I was grateful. I slept very little that night, for Mary, Mica's fiancee constantly scratched from having chiggers. Sometime late in the night I drifted off somewhere between heaven and earth where it is said one dreams.
Ariel arrived the next day rested awhile and joined in the preparation of the celebration. of his acquiring Red Star. Our men guests set out to join three large handcrafted rectangular tables made of recycle wood, for placement of the good food. The menu would include vegetarian, as well as a choice beef slow cooked in an open fire type pit, veggies, fruit salad, veggie salad, and water melon all home grown, for all the lovely people.
People came from miles with wonderful food, to place on the beautiful table. During the merriment of the celebration, to my surprise helicopters hovered over the event, and what appeared to be guests emerged from them, for what I thought may have been for curiosities sake. I was later to learn they were guests joining in the celebration. I called this day a coming together in peace and harmony to enjoy the bounty of the earth at Red Star.
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