MLK had just been assassinated.  Cities throughout the country were torn with grief and riots.  Yet the determination of young college students to escape the cold and snow of the north for the sun and warmth of Florida beaches remained strong.  This picture was taken at a park (?) by Kissimmee, FL during my spring break that year.  The park had water slides, ponds, flowers, warmth, and I was oh so very young.  We played at Daytona Beach, we laughed at each other and at others, and finally after a very full week loaded our tired selves on buses heading north to our colleges and universities.  There are many things I could say about this week for it certainly was a week of discovery.  Right now, though, I will just give you a glimpse of my memory...

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Tonight is the night after I originally posted this picture and my thoughts.  Today for some reason I've have spent time reflecting upon not only the period in which this time the picture was taken but where I am now in life.

To be honest I have to say that I miss the young man that is in this picture.  I miss his youthful exuberance, I miss his sense of adventure and willingness to try anything at least one, I miss his naiveté in believing nothing could ever go wrong in life and that in front of him was nothing but love to be won and prosperity to be enjoyed.

No, I do not regret this life's journey for it is my journey and my journey alone.  Were there things I would have done differently?  Oh most definitely but the sum of where I am now is all those decisions made all along the way.

So here I am many years later...older, tougher, perhaps wiser and proudly wearing the medals that are the bruises that come from living a full life.  Regardless, I am gazing at the picture above and thinking..."I sure do miss that young man."

This Monday did indeed get off to a rocky start.  Already I knew I would be heading into work late because I needed to stop at the auto dealership to get a minor thing checked out on the car...but then found out there was a big grass fire in the canyon next to the canyon in which I live.  I would not have been aware of the fire had not a friend contacted me to make sure I was ok.  At that point I looked out the living room window and saw smoke billowing up over the ridge between here and there.  It was a concern of mine at that point on whether to leave home or not...but the good news is that the fire was put out before I left home.

After all of that the day went well and I am now home.  When pulling up into the driveway I glanced over my left shoulder and saw this beautiful sunset.  What a nice way to end the day, eh?

Last summer...well late spring...I bought a geranium (two of them) at the local ACE Hardware store in Linda Mar.  Upon getting them home I potted them in this nice large clay pot and sat back anticipating a summer of gorgeous blooming.  It did not happen for although the plant grew the blossoms did not flourish for a couple of them died on the stem and a couple of them I broke off by accident.

Finally I mentioned this to a dear friend who lives in the Midwest, Tom, and who is an accomplished gardener.  He said to give the geraniums Miracle Gro.  So I gave them Miracle Gro and they grew.  They grew and grew.  Yet this did not bloom in spite of all of that great fertilization.

Now it is January and the plant is blooming.  It is blooming lots and lots and is loaded with new buds getting ready to bloom.  Go figure, eh?

Although we desperately need rain as this severe drought continues, Mother Nature delivered a warm and sunny day.  It would have been nice to have had a rainy day...you know the type of day where it is nice to lay on the couch and read a good book while a fire in burning in the fireplace...and a pot of split pea soup is simmering away on the stove.

Instead we were blessed with a temp that hit 70 (F) so after getting off to a very late start of running errands, I finally stopped at Sharp Beach and took a few pics in the hope of trying to capture the vibe of the afternoon.

The minute the sun set the temps dropped and it is now dark and chilly outside.  Instead of a pot of split pea soup I am settling for a comfort food dinner of meatloaf and scalloped potatoes.  Not bad, eh?


  These pics were take with my iPhone 6.

After a busy day of work and running errands I stopped at the beach while on the way home after doing the weekly grocery shopping...and took these pictures with my new iPhone.

When one lives in an area such as this, it is hard not to take good pictures for no mater where you point your viewfinder...there is another beautiful panorama to try to capture.  This shot was taken at a beach about five or six miles south of where I live...the water there is azure and the white sand of the beach is soft.  It is a bit of a hike to get down to the beach...but it is well worth it.  One other thing to mention...try not to stare (or be shocked) for it is a clothing optional beach.  :-)

This photo was taken several years in Carmel Valley.  As I gaze at this photo I can feel the sun beating upon my back as I walked along this trail through the woods.  I can hear the sounds of birds singing, I can smell the potpourri of pine, eucalyptus, and wild flowers, and I can feel the peace that surrounded me that day.

Walks, whether they are along the ocean or through the woods, are an effective way of meditating for me.  It is in these moments where the past disappears, the future is not, and I am purely in the moment.  It is such bliss and after these walks I return home not tired but rejuvenated.

Today I am going for a long walk.  I know not where yet...but I am going...

Today I am home for the afternoon because of problems with my left ankle.  Although I am supposed to stay off of the foot as much as possible, the plants on the patio did need to be watered.  To my pleasant surprise, the flowers and plants appear to be thriving.  The mild January we are having...with all of its warm sunlight...is probably a factor.

Although we need the rain, I am enjoying the flowers.