Monica:
After two weeks and 3,000+ miles, we are home again. The Mendocino coast greeted us with clear skies and a rare dramatic sunset. I whipped out my camera just as we were crossing over the Noyo harbor bridge to capture this moment, realizing this is the last November day I will call this place home.
Evelyn:
I drove home in the dark. That means the likelihood of an outdoor photograph is shot. I move into the safety and comfort of my little house with pizza in hand, sit down with a modest glass of wine, and begin the dismantling of my day: first my boots, my bags, my devices, my makeup, my email... then slowly off come the little things that I love - that decorate my being in ways only I know. A favorite pair of earrings, my flowery-stripy sisterly socks, all settling in with me as I write and read in the dim light of my office.
Evelyn:
My recovery and my story landed on the ear of a friend, and I let tears fall... replacing them with 3 hours of dance in Ybor. A soft recovery, faced with warm smiles and familiar hands, my dancing connected and fluid—the light dim and easy. This weekly dance has become my best friend, dependable and encouraging.
Monica:
On our way up the coast, we stopped at Pebble Beach just south of Half Moon Bay. It's a little state park that is easy to miss just driving by but worth stopping at. The beach itself is made up of countless multicolored, perfectly smooth quartz pebbles chipped from an offshore reef and polished by ocean waves. I remember when I lived in Santa Cruz, I drove up here on a broken-hearted day and gathered 24 stones to make a set of Runes. I had planned to keep them for myself, but instead gave them to my best friend to take with her when she moved to Amsterdam. I know she still has them tucked away somewhere in their velvet bag, their gold paint worn off from use.
Monica:
This morning we awoke to flint gray skies and a filmy fog hugging the coast. Big Sur has quite a different feel from where we live up north. The coastline is more rugged and the views more dramatic. We stopped at Nepenthe for coffee and the Henry Miller Library to browse the books and admire the funky, bohemian atmosphere.
Evelyn:
A long day, filled with the felicity and gratification of teaching, matched by the distress and exhaustion of being misunderstood and not seen for my deepest intentions. It was hard to hold on to the morning delights that started my day, and I returned home, exhausted, disappointed, and deeply sad. I missed not having an arm to fall into, and instead wrapped myself in blankets and the quiet light of my bedroom for an early withdrawal.
Evelyn:
I had a visit that graciously interrupted my isolation this weekend. We disappeared in the late afternoon for a nice walk on Clearwater beach. Later, we plunked ourselves in the sand, cameras at attention to capture the sunset, wildlife, and interesting people wrapping up their Thanksgiving weekend. It felt sweet and warm to be caught in the embrace of friends, and not feel quiet so isolated on the quiet walk I have taken these last few days.
Monica:
We decided to take our time and the scenic route home—Highway 101 to Highway 1 up the coast through Big Sur. We stopped in Lucia around 3:00 and rented a cute little cabin by the sea.
We hiked up a hill to settle ourselves on a bench and watch the sunset. Numerous others before us had visited the same spot and etched their initials in the wood railing. We decided to add ours to the mix, using a sharp stone we found nearby.
Monica:
I've driven past the Getty Museum in L.A. so many times on my way between southern and northern California, curious about that enormous structure on the hill just past the exit for Hollywood and before the exit for Mullholland Drive. It was only 3:00 p.m. and Michael and I had no agenda of where we needed to be, so we stopped. We paid the $15 parking fee and took the tram up to the museum which has "free" admission. I wasn't too impressed with the art displayed there and the boxiness of the architecture did nothing to stir my soul. However, the landscaping was gorgeous. And it was worth the $15 for the spectacular view of the city and the curve of the coastline as it jutted into the Pacific. The buildings in the twilight created strong silhouettes against an impressively smog-free skyscape.
Evelyn:
I have always been drawn to spirals in nature. My favorite shells the ones with twists and spirals that disappear into what looks like no end. They show up in my artwork, in my mind as I lull to sleep, in the doodles I mindlessly scribble while on phone calls, in conferences, and as decorations. This white one, about the size of a Susan B. Anthony coin, I found walking in Caladesi. Delicate, flat, and already a favorite at my desk.
Evelyn:
An afternoon at Caladesi Island, moving among sea grass, soft sand, mangrove forests, and cool gulf breezes. The return a spectacular show, both a dreamy curtain closure, and a highlight of realizations and wonder that lingered with me through the weekend.
Monica:
Another night with family, this time carne asada taco night at my aunt & uncle's home. My aunt had set a sprig of bougainvillea in a vase on the dining table and I immediately noticed the play of color with light and shadows.
Monica:
I'm so thankful for what has turned out to be a very good year. There's a lot of change swirling in the air, for myself as well as for my loved ones. My sister got a new job and a new home in a sweet little seaside town I have yet to visit. My mother's health has improved, allowing her and my step-dad to take off on a two-month adventure through southeast Asia in January. My best friend is expecting her first child in May. Michael and I were hired to be be the new General Managers for Wilbur Hot Springs starting next year and we'll have an opportunity to do some traveling of our own. There have been unexpected surprises and new experiences and simple pleasures. I am especially thankful to be spending this holiday in my mother's home, surrounded by the familiar sounds and smells and textures and warm love of my family.
Evelyn:
I have had the house to myself most the day, up early to start work on Thanksgiving to share. I find myself dancing between rooms and tasks to my blues-jazz-swing-folk compilation, joyful at the gift I am concocting in my kitchen, and with deep gratitude that I am loved. I miss having my whole family together, as Thanksgivings together are always in a collaborative spirit - everyone chatting and cooking together, joyful and busy. Yet, somewhere I feel them moving through my kitchen with me, in spirit, while they busily tend to their own antics in California, and I dance with their shadows, laughing that I can hold that feeling. Then later, sit with my son, my Pito, and my good friend Les (whose wife had to be away this year) to fatten our bellies with my favorite meal of the year.
Evelyn:
I find myself working on dessert at midnight. I love the way desserts fill the house with lovely, hunger provoking smells, and the warmth of the oven on a cold night.
Monica:
Early morning in my mother's garden. The roses are tightly
budded and drenched in dew. Her garden is a jungle of green with spots
of color, a sensory surprise in late November. It helps that she lives
in San Diego, though I credit the tenacious beauty of her garden to the
fact that she speaks to her plants with affection and encouragement. My
mother can grow anything, anywhere. I didn't inherit her green thumb,
but I sure appreciate it.
Monica:
We've been doing a lot of driving in the past week, more than I'd like for being on vacation. That's the way it goes when you're trying to see friends and family who live far away in a relatively short span of time. Today we drove to San Diego and, once again, made it in time for sunset as we made our way through El Cajon to Spring Valley. Michael drew my attention to the birds lined up on one of the traffic light posts and I grabbed my camera just in time to capture them.
Evelyn:
The hotel in Ybor City was packed with generations of dancers, full of music, and movement. A respite on the way out took me by several stained glass, Tiffany-like lamps whose colors were fun and vibrant. I love this venue. I love the variety of music, the old men who sit outside to smoke a cigar, and return to take a lady on the floor. I love their subtle eccentric swing, their warm smiles, the gentleness of the dance, the pickup lines they use
Evelyn:
The start of something new. The build out is down to its last tweaks and adjustments in Spring Hill. I am quite impressed with the change, and excited about the space. Much different from the beach-cabbana colors we are currently residing in, with tight classrooms and confused desk layouts. I expect that I will spend the day before Thanksgiving adjusting the new classrooms for the migration next Monday, and it feels good to be part of the team to hand over the space to our students and teachers.
Monica:
I'm not really a cat person. Or a dog person. I like animals
well enough, but I'm more of a person person. But then I meet an
adorable little spirit like Dharma and I fall in love with the bundle of
unconditional love and sweetness. It gets me every time.
Monica:
An allergic reaction to my sister-in-law's cats sent us to her best
friend's house to stay while in town. Willow & Richard's house is
spacious, uncluttered, and filled with light--literally. In their living
room, they have a beautiful collection of metal star lamps hanging at
various levels that is pure magic.
Evelyn:
I took a very long walk on the beach today, pressing my feet into the sand, dodging waves, and wiggling my toes in random clumps of seaweed. The beach is ever-changing, and my return to Symrna warm, like an old friend, bringing forth new treasures to photograph. I discovered on my walk that I had forgotten to replace my SD card, so I took "finger shots" when I saw something I liked. I was grateful for the backup card I returned to the car to gather up, so I could capture the strange, pearl-like layer in a translucent shell caught in seaweed.
Evelyn:
Seems I get lots of adventures on the weekends. A quick stop into Sam Ash, and I was drawn to the huge wall of electric guitars, as high as a second story. All to the background and buzz of people trying out instruments; some unorganized and ragged, and others liquid, mesmerizing, and melodic.
Monica:
Sitting on the front porch of my sister-in-law's apartment, I
watch a flurry of activity around her hummingbird feeder. There's always
one greedy little bird that has to defend the feeder from everyone
else. When he's had his fill of sugar water, he perches on a
not-too-distant branch to keep an eye on it. If anyone else gets near,
he comes buzzing in with an angry screech, chasing the other bird(s)
away. I sat still with my camera, waiting for a lucky shot.
Monica:
We arrived in Tucson just before sunset and drove to the top of Swan
Road to take in the view of the city below. My heart swelled with
gratitude to return to this desert, the place that has been the closest
thing to "home" for me in my wayfaring life. I'm loving living in
California. I'm loving the ocean and the forests and the rolling golden
hills. But there's something about the solid mountains, spacious sky,
and sparse beauty of the desert that calls to my soul. It's good to
visit and recharge my spirit with desert energy. It's good to be back
for a few days in the place I've known so well since I was 5.
Evelyn:
Long day, Long Drive. (Not nearly as long as I imagine Monica & Michael are driving) however I made it to Pito's house, took off my sneakers, and took a deep breath. Rest, unload, connect, plan, and make the most of a weekend in a familiar place.
Evelyn:
"Sunny" the ambulance, part of an unexpected adventure to the Sunstar Ambulance Command Center. I enjoyed a turkey dinner, and a tour, in the late evening, amazed at the efficiency of the paramedic teams, and the cool blue command center where calls and chess plays among grids of the county are lit up on screens. Sunny, part of the educational programs, a friendly face among many.
Monica:
Yesterday we drove 14 hours to a little town near Palm Springs and spent the night, so today we could do a little sightseeing. We visited Palm Springs to check out the mid-century modern architecture and maybe catch a glimpse of the house John Lautner designed for Bob Hope. (We did.) Afterward, we headed to Joshua Tree to check out the funky, artsy little town in the desert. We stopped at the Noah Purifoy Sculpture Garden just after sunset and wandered through a surreal landscape of found-art sculptures interspersed amidst cactus and Joshua trees.
