But now,it seems a place where if you stop moving you have to start spending. And when you stop spending, they want you tostart moving again.
There are signs EVERYWHERE....do this, dont do that.
And the people barely even look at each other.
They shuffle down the street with a cell phome attached to their ear and never speak to anyone.
My friends came down to buy a boat and we all went out to a sports bar that boasted the biggest selection of beer on earth, which is crap because I know a guy back in Alabama that has more beer in his refrgerator. But they kept everyone isolated. The booths had high backs so you could just see the other customers if you stretched and peered. People sat and stared across the room at each other, just watching. A beer was 6 bucks, a burger 10. And parking was 16 for 2 hours(stop moving, start spending) But I think this place was reflective of the mood of Southern California.
I think theres hope though. I know Im not the only person out there that feels this way. That wants to engage people and wants to be engaged. So, I started talking to people, And they were very responsive, once they knew I didnt want money. I sat down by the water and drew the harbor, and the people....and that always gets a crowd. And they loved it...so, if youre out there in San Diego....dont be afraid to stop and talk to folks....they like it!
The snow hides its many beautiful faces and covers them with new while the low lying clouds envelope its jagged peaks, like night, closing the world in around me making only a small bubble of its entirety visible....a bubble that follows everywhere I go giving me a sense of solitude that makes the park feel like it belongs to me alone.
What I can see in my ever moving, fog edged, ineffable private bubble is an icy winter wonderland providing recreation and psychological refuge where, once, many years ago it provided a way of life for the few fortunate enough to live there.
It makes me sad to think that with 6.5 billion people closing in on this and every place like it that this same pschological refuge will vanish to extinction, and then we surely all go insane.
But, for now, it is all mine!
I recall Steinbeck returning to the valley on a cross country trip with his dog, Charley. While he was there he revisited a spot overlooking the valley and described the changes of 20 years in a way only John Steinbeck could do, and I wonder if he returned now....would he even recognize the place?
Every fertile valley consists of the same elements,...its borders, mountains from which the water that gives it life trickles down, and the river itself. Of which I know little. I only see the beautiful fertile land bursting with artichokes ready to be harvested by the men who arent ashamed to reach down and pick from the dirt the food that adorns our tables.
The canneries are still there, ironically it was likely the tourist industry that saved them, where it replaced every other sign of Steinbecks world with coffee and souvenir shops and no less than two Thomas Kinkade galleries. But the canneries were able to survive on the small depression era scale by retailing to the tourists.
And I talk to EVERYONE. That is just who I am. People fascinate me, well some people fascinate me; the unusual ones. Ive met all types and Ive met the business man in his suit and tie hustling off to wherever he is a hurry to go, muttering words of deadlines and ammortization into a cell phone permanently attached to his ear, but these people are like a Rubik's cube to me....I truly dont understand.
So, anyway...here we go. The people of the redwoods and of the Oregon coast.
Something as simple as a good meal cooked under a tarp that serves and scotts porch makes him happy.
Imworking on getting him to take me where he saw the extended family of sasquatch fishing one evening, but Im not local enough to be trusted with that important information:)
Ken was a bit oflandmine...oneof those you run into while talking to EVERYONE that you move away from quickly. Ken wouldnt smile because Meth had eaten his teeth away and he spent 10minutes(seemed longer) telling me stories of hisfalse persecution by the police and ofall the victories he had had over them.....the many times when Ken's scathing rhetoric sent the cops running away, ashamed for their error.
At least I think that was what he was talking about:)
Iforget his name at the moment. But I met him in the redwoods, about toleave after walking his dog. We talked for a moment and he decided to take a walk with me instead of leaving(hippies do that)
He was a wise man, that is all I really about him.
Mystery is an ordained Rastafarian(minister) living in Arcata,ca.
Chelsey is remarkably well adjusted considering her history. She loves the camera and the camera seems to like her too. I was most impressed with Chelsey after I bet her she couldnt get to a rock island by hopping from stone to stone without getting wet and she just tromped off across the creek, reminding me a little water never hurt anyone. A girl after my own heart.
----------------------March 18- April 8---------------------------------------
I am just enjoying nature and absorbing the calmness of this place.
My days are filled with fishing and hiking and hanging out with new friends around a campfire.
I carry pencil and paper everywhere, but have given much of my work away. The people I draw are so mesmerized by watching a blank piece of paper gain eyes, their eyes, that stare back at them that I want them to have it as areminder of a good day. Many of the people I meet dont have a lot of good days and I think it is a good thing to hold on to them in your memories.
Ive spent more time with Chelsey than anyone up here(go figure)
She is an amazing girl with a clarity and vision that I wouldnt expect from someone with twice her years. She maneuvers among the dysfunction that surrounds her with grace and a childlike joy that is absolutely contageous. She speaks of her past; her father, her abusive mother, a cousin that raped her; with patience and forgiveness.
She tells me that she has darker thoughts that she hides from everyone, that she is only pretending to be the person she wants to be, that she is really someone else. I tell her she is giving her attention to positive, healthy, joyeous thoughts and THAT is who she is.
She doesnt believe me. But she likes that someone sees her that way.
The books have revitalized that town. When the lumber industry plummeted they focused on the tourists and set up landmarks from the books throughout the town and are celebrating characters birthdays this summer. Im not that crazy about the books but I love make believe:)
Today I received this email from Carol at Almost Heaven
And you all know how partial I am to Goldens,especially pups, so I am auctioning a painting to help pay his vet bills(100%)
And even if you cant bid, if you add this to your watch list it might make "pulse" and maybe bring some positive attention to Almost Heaven
Thank you for helping me help them.
-A note from Almost Heaven-
"This is a very special update - because it involves a very special puppy, Radio. Radio was born blind, and with a stubby little crooked tail. His owner held him until he was 13 weeks old, then sent him to us. He is one of the sweetest puppies on this earth - - - - - - - -
Within 2 days, it was obvious that something was wrong with Radio. He was still a boundless ball of energy, but he was slow to eat and his stools were not "normal". Last Sunday night, he refused his dinner until very late. Monday, I was on the road to our veterinarian's hospital with him - at 6 am - and I left him there for the doctor's to observe and treat his loss of appetite.
Monday evening, he took a downward turn, that has not stopped. He has lapsed into what the doctor's think is now severe parvovirus - and he is fighting for his life. We have no idea how or where he contracted it - - - or if it is secondary to an unknown medical condition. We do know, he was exposed and came to us after exposure - - -
Everyone, please take a few minutes today to send prayers for Radio. I'm not usually an outwardly religious person, but this poor puppy needs your good thoughts and prayers - - - - - - - I plan to ask the doctor's to continue treatment until he either improves - or his chances of recovery become hopeless.
I don't even want to think what his hospital bill will be - either way. If you have a few dollars to spare, we sure could use them now. I will not stop fighting for this puppy's life - - - - - - - I can't. Please help us to help him "
Almost Heaven
