travels with charlie

Beginning of the 'year of awesome'

2012-01-09T14:21:00.001-08:00

I had some time away
and then some time together
with an old friend
with family, with my daughter and son.
and in it all I found deep appreciation for the life I am living and the person I am becoming.
Each day I get to be me, to not hide, or need to fool myself
no need to try at things, I just am, and am doing. It is a blessing to be.

Biola Eagle mascot

2011-12-01T10:02:00.000-08:00

Road trip.

2011-11-15T08:43:00.000-08:00

Fun in high school days was a road trip, sometimes longer than others. Once my best friend and I drove all the way to Golden, Colorado to see the Coors factory (and we took an overnight hike into the Rockies, something I must do more of). We drove a lot on $1 a gallon gas, and spent little on food I am sure. We just wanted freedom, adventure and to broaden our world a bit. It was a good trip, and I miss my friend, Tim. He died much too early.
More recently I have had fewer trips and more time here 'in the valley' so when I get a chance to drive, I enjoy it all the more, trying to see things that are new even on familiar routes. The desert route is changing constantly with the clarity of the air, the winds, and the angle of the sun or moon. The road over the pass at 8400 feet has great views that improve with a little snow, or may disappear altogether in a big storm. Surprises are welcome, like the wildlife that dashes across the road and occasional rock slides make me a more vigilant driver, scanning the road surface ahead for anything that might cause a problem, or make me need to slow or swerve.
   I think the best part of road trips is who you might take along. I have a number of possibilities to enhance my driving: a dog, a book, a friend, a stranger, and the love of your life.
My dog Scooter goes along almost anywhere, but not into some wilderness areas, nor on longer hikes. He loves hotels, and has a fancy bag so I can sneak him past the front desk undetected, he even took a bath in the sink once, loving those granite counter tops.... haha!
Books on tape or CD are a wonderful way to pass a few hours and I have needed them several times, and have great memories of the pictures the author would paint with words as the miles of white lines rolled by.
   Yesterday I drove up with a friend, and really enjoyed the conversation, the company and being able to help someone ( relocate a car). We so often are cocooned in our own empty world that we get too insulated and start to grow old before our time. Adding another to the conversation makes for stimulation of the brain, and keeps the conversational skills UP. I have never really had the radio challenge me, it is too passive.
   Once in a while I will pick up a stranger, or a hiker, or someone standing in the rain. Most recently, when that happened I sensed what God sees when HE looks at us. We are walking, because we must. Wet and cold, we struggle with our packages and probably moan about how far it is to safety and warmth, when in fact, help is just a moment away. I love that God does not hesitate at pulling over, opening the door, and insisting that we take a ride with him. I am happy to be out of the snow storm, and to have someone along on this fascinating trip of life.

crazy - by willie Nelson

2011-11-11T08:43:00.000-08:00

Crazy, I'm crazy for feeling so lonely
I'm crazy, crazy for feeling so blue
I knew you'd love me as long as you wanted
And then someday you'd leave me for somebody new
Worry, why do I let myself worry?
Wond'ring what in the world did I do?
Crazy for thinking that my love could hold you
I'm crazy for trying and crazy for crying
And I'm crazy for loving you
....crazy for loving you.

fishing

2011-11-10T19:55:00.000-08:00

on Sugarloaf Key in Florida, this egret was looking for breakfast.

colors of the soul

2011-10-27T07:13:00.000-07:00

t
the trees have turned, cool weather did the trick a few weeks ago, and now we are awash in oak leaves everywhere, and some of the mighty ones are holding golds and bronze in spite of the winds.
It is like me, the big old oak tree, growing, waving in the light breeze. It has seen many seasons, and fed countless acorns to the forest animals. In preparing for winter it must give up its leaves, or it would be overloaded by the snows. it must be stripped bare in order to be saved. The health of that old tree and of myself is preserved by our ability to let go of what no longer feeds us, to mark another growth ring on our trunk, to put to bed the memories of summer and wait the winter to see what new sprouts will come in the inevitable spring. If spring were not a certainty, I would be tempted by despair. If faith did not tell me that the next year of my life is full of more inspiration, more meaning, and more depth, I could fall for the depression that used to grip me at this time of year. Not any more. This is no more than another of the cycles that I must grow through in order to keep moving upward toward the highest plane of my existence so far.
When hiking very high parts of the Sierra Nevada mountains last month, I scaled two large passes and a summit of 14,496 feet. It was a battle of will, and a contest in the mind as much as the body. I won each days battle, and the five day course was run because I knew that the pass was a set, finite number of feet above me, and that I was unlimited in my energy to get there, to celebrate, and to make it over that days hurdle. When you come over one pass, and the views open to a huge valley of seemingly endless opportunity, there is a trail way down there, and you get to enjoy it for a while as it follows a river valley. Soon enough there is another climb, and you find yourself stronger and more ready for the work that must be done. Faith grows as we exercise it. Our trust in our own abilities is strengthened by doing all that we can, by pushing over the limit lines, and setting our feet on high places with extraordinary views. I have been, and will always be an adventurer. Set me on the next path, dear Lord, I am ready to travel as long as I know you go with me.

Slow down and enjoy the scenery

2011-10-26T07:16:00.000-07:00

traveling, Fast, slow and in between.
Once I drove across Utah at 100 mph and it did not seem fast enough, since where I wanted to be was still far away, and I was impatient to be there. Reckless comes to mind.
Some days I drive S L O W - especially slow if there is snow or ice on the roads, still I cover a mile ever two minutes. It gives me time to think, pray reflect, or just zone out. we call it windshield time.
Then I found that in sailing my boat you go slow at 3 miles and hour and fast is probably seven miles in an hour. To get somewhere 12 miles away may take 3 hours depending on wind, and sea conditions. So i slowed down even more, and learned to listen to the water, the sound of the boat, and the birds flying over head. this is called forced relaxation.
This summer I took it to a new level of slow travel, once the most common means of human transport, now replaced by wheeled things, jets and even rockets into space. I took a pack upon my back and walked some 55 miles and averaged only 1.5 miles per hour, but captured 6 or more images per mile and made a thousand memories along the way.
I continue to grow in my love for this place, but also to once in a while venture out to experience the rest of life, and then return here. I am writing now, and that seems REALLY slow with just four fingers and two thumbs involved, but still it is my writing, my use of this time God gave me, and it will endure and give testimony to the path that I walked, the lessons I learned from the God I seek to serve with my whole heart.

wood stove available for sale

2011-10-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

mangrove magic

2011-10-23T08:44:00.000-07:00

the
the Key lime sailing club offers lodging and sailboats in Key Largo, FL.
the kayaks allow you to explore watery trails like this. Love it

green

2011-10-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

it is by far my favorite color
calming, speaking of growth
abundance, life
I like green, in all it's shades
God, thank you for green things!

tree house

2011-09-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

entry, cork floor, bathroom floor tile, future shower stall.

friends, good buddies

2011-09-12T23:12:00.000-07:00

th
that is me. with hat and glasses, next to my best friend, Kevin
we were proud to have made it to the top of Mt. Whitney for the second time.
I loved hiking, and loved that my dad was along for every step.
Dad and I are going back next week.
I am nervous about the trip.

can you believe i live here?

2011-09-03T18:05:00.000-07:00

recent deck work

2011-09-01T08:40:00.000-07:00

shelter

2011-05-02T06:33:00.001-07:00

for a very special bride and her groom.

work is good

2011-04-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

mom

2011-01-22T10:34:00.000-08:00

what does it mean?

2010-12-17T00:51:00.000-08:00

Unto us a child is given

day at sea

2010-11-27T10:28:00.000-08:00

old pictures

2010-11-25T18:42:00.000-08:00

my mom's brother Bud,
his wife, family and pictures of his cattle ranch

off the coast

2010-11-19T11:43:00.000-08:00

seems like a hundred miles from civilization
made for pure relaxation
and deep appreciation of the watery parts of our planet

i drive slow

2010-09-20T20:15:00.000-07:00

so I painted something for the person behind me to appreciate while they wait for the next turnout

pray for Hannah

2010-09-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

She has a heavy class load this semester and an ear infection

Update

2010-06-17T18:52:00.000-07:00

Dr. Frank L. Gipson:
auto dealer, pastor teacher? or scam artist?
who can say? and I will not know
until he settles the debt he has with me over the
incomplete purchase of an RV
He has taken $1500 dollars, but when the vehicle was found to be unsatisfactory
he would not refund the deposit. now he says the money is gone, spent and I can not get it back.

He wrote today to ask me to delete this post.
what do you think I said ??

careful around Frank L. Gipson

2010-05-20T08:56:00.001-07:00

Dr. Frank L. Gipson
auto dealer, pastor teacher? or scam artist?
who can say? and I will not know
until he settles the debt he has with me over the
incomplete purchase of an RV
He has taken $1500 dollars, but when the vehicle was found to be unsatisfactory
he would not refund the deposit. now he says the money is gone, spent and I can not get it back.

mental health

2010-04-18T18:31:00.001-07:00

DON"T ever take it for granted

could not resit this

2009-11-19T16:32:00.000-08:00

Sept 11, 2001 Never forget

2009-09-11T17:49:00.000-07:00

as part of project 2996 I am Honoring:

Francisco Alberto Liriano who was at the WTC
you were 32 - your life was just coming into its fullness
you had many reasons to be glad that day
Your strong wife, your beautiful daughter
and a job at the top of the world.
They took that away, but they did not
take away the memory of what a beautiful person you were.
Your family misses you today, and every day
and all America mourns the 2996.
May you rest in peace, Francis.

In the night when the sirens sound
on the street below
I pray for someone
that I do not know

Lord help the rescuer
and the one needing help
get them through this time
let them know how much you love them.

I have my life
others do not
I hug my kids
but this man may not

Make me know the greatness
of the gift of life
and the joy of living in a great nation
full of beautiful strong people.

God, Bless America!

remember all 2996 of the fallen
in the World Trade Center, Pentagon and Flight 93
please pray for the families and friends who are missing their loved ones.
Remind others, so our fellow citizens know
this terrible thing will not be allowed to
become '"Just another disaster"

this one caught my eye

2009-09-08T19:57:00.000-07:00

i couldn't help but wonder what my dad would think

what I hope for

2009-09-07T23:59:00.000-07:00

you so deserve this

2009-08-30T19:12:00.001-07:00

I've got a brand new dog

2009-08-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

Camera Critters is here

in my neck of the woods

2009-08-01T18:31:00.000-07:00

some people grow cows

Amazing love, how can it be

2009-07-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

Eternity in time sized chunks

There is such joy in knowing that I am an eternal being as I lay here not asleep and half dream of a thousand nonsensical things. I do not need to go back ward into the dark or forward to find light. All are connected to me in the warm safe comfortable instant when I feel only the weight of my body pressing down on the mattress, hear only the tick of a clock measuring my breath like a cosmic metronome, and when my eyes choose to open, see the barest hint of gray in the pre-dawn sky.
You are with me, and I exist in you. Because you made me to go on, I will. Since you know where we are going I am not afraid. It was you, Father, who brought me through the many days of complete ignorance, you are also well able to complete me in these days of utter awareness. I can finally be! My completion, my wholeness and my spiritual health was never dependent on me, but on you.

mystery purple blooms

2009-07-14T15:32:00.000-07:00

le Shed

2009-07-05T08:01:00.000-07:00

built with three helpers in one day

my favorite Husky

2009-06-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

Camera Critters blog is here

sky watch friday

2009-06-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

sky's were gray but this silver leaf maple was glorious
Skywatch friday is HERE for you to enjoy

Now

2009-05-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

what a word, and what a concept!
I believe it is transforming to realized that Now is
Then was, and Later may or may not be,
but My magnificent NOW is the best it has ever been and is filled with
the Goodness of God and the power of me, meeting up against or in tune with all of the natural surroundings and the human elements that inhabit my world.

Let me give you a sample of my Now, and then I will take Now into my work world.

Right Now I have my mom
Right Now I have a healthy body and ( some would say) a sound mind
Right Now I have bright sunshine and amazing mountains lavishing their warmth on me
Right Now I am loved by family, friends, and my beautiful children
Right Now I see the way God's grace has strengthened me for this moment
Only Now can I use my mind, body and talents for good and for the purpose that God has for me

I can not fix or change what was THEN, I tried and failed back then to be, do and say the perfect combination of things that would make me 'right'. When I think about then, I see what was missing, what was wrong or what could have been. Loss, pain and disappointment for me were there in the past, but have no place right now.
Similarly, the future is a fool's guessing game. How many had it all figured out two years ago but now can not see how they will make it work today? too many I fear. No one of us has a guarantee of ten more days on the earth or ten more years.
we only have Now, and we should seek the strength to know what that means.

and Now, I have to go to work, more on this......... ( you guessed it) .... Later!

sorry about all those past posts where I did not understand this and whined, or complaiined

garden progress

2009-05-17T13:11:00.000-07:00

Blue things ( no name) near split rail cedar fence

a rail road tie creates a front form for a new bed

crab apple crazy blooms

peonies

2009-05-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

Not a nice thing to do

2009-04-26T08:48:00.000-07:00

This was no accident. story here

twila paris

2009-04-15T19:13:00.000-07:00

Brad Paisley, Allison Kraus

2009-03-28T22:28:00.000-07:00

2009-03-06T18:20:00.000-08:00

quote to ponder

2009-02-28T06:39:00.000-08:00

Omar N. Bradley
(1893 - 1983)
American general

" We have grasped the mystery of the atom and rejected
the Sermon on the Mount."
Address, Armistice Day , 1948

you may click the quote for the full speech

ducks for CAMERA CRITTERS

2009-02-21T10:43:00.000-08:00

.
go to Camera critters here

how many of us feel like this?

2009-02-19T06:57:00.000-08:00

Snake Eyes...

A old snake goes to see his Doctor.

"Doc, I need something for my eyes...can't see well these days." The Doc fixes him up with a pair of glasses and tells him to return in 2 weeks.

The snake comes back in 2 weeks and tells the doctor he's very depressed.

Doc says, "What's the problem...didn't the glasses help you?"

"The glasses are fine doc, I just discovered I've been living with a water hose the past 2 years!"

feeling my oats

2009-02-18T16:17:00.001-08:00

my day in pictures

2009-02-11T09:59:00.000-08:00

dinner:
swordfish, portabella mushrooms, shrimp, zuccini, and nectarines (all grilled)
with asparagus and then cheescake

Almost shoveled out of 18 inches

Chester has a path to 'the loo'

Having fun in the kitchen

2009-02-08T20:10:00.000-08:00

good cooking
good food and
proper nutrition
help to make life better.

shooting out the window

2009-02-07T21:50:00.000-08:00

kicking up his heels

2009-01-30T11:09:00.000-08:00

.
Otis is a wild boy, and so handsome
Camera critters is here, visit and say hello

Camera critters ( meme)

2009-01-24T18:54:00.000-08:00

Gumbi

an old dog,
but an old friend
( incontinent at the end, eewwwww)

go to Camera Critters
link there post an animal pic and
join the fun

2009-01-24T18:53:00.001-08:00

A book I recommend to friends.

2009-01-23T06:45:00.000-08:00

ah the Mythical beast pushmepullyou

of which I have been a part too many times

if you don't recall it is a living lesson about dysfunctional relationships
when it gets to the point where two people are indistinguishable, you likely have lost all hope of keeping on in a sensible direction. Inevitably ones strengths will moderate the others weaknesses, but if not kept in balance, the more yielding partner sees a lot of the world receding as He or she walks thorough life backwards, being dragged where the dominant set of legs wants to go.

Please read: Too Nice for Your Own Good: Nine self sabotaging mistakes. ( author name)

Keith Green - very important in my life

2009-01-17T07:54:00.000-08:00

Sara sings for Mom n Hannah

2009-01-07T07:06:00.000-08:00

its white out

2009-01-05T21:28:00.000-08:00

old video of snowy roads

2008-12-31T17:52:00.000-08:00

the road up to big bear lake, ca

best Christmas ever

2008-12-26T22:57:00.000-08:00

you would be

2008-12-26T20:56:00.000-08:00

so proud of me:

When I encountered the young Highway patrolman tonight who was single-handedly backing up traffic six miles, i was still nice
I did NONE of the following:
Offer to show him a new way of holding his big flashlight without hands.
Tell him that his rental costume was overdue from Halloween
Imply that his furry hat was on too tight and had squeezed all the blood away from his brain rendering him as stupid as all the tourists who were in my way.
Nor did I question for the reasoning behind his request of me, I knew he was just doing his job.

crazy times

2008-12-19T13:02:00.000-08:00

snow baby

eating out (suet)

2008-12-14T16:30:00.000-08:00

hawk on high

2008-12-11T16:09:00.000-08:00

time by the lake

2008-12-02T20:31:00.000-08:00

boot to the head

2008-04-12T19:44:00.001-07:00

the Onion dot com

2008-04-08T17:21:00.000-07:00

moonlight memory

2008-02-26T14:36:00.000-08:00

what is not to love?

2008-02-10T12:01:00.001-08:00

ground hog day teaser

2008-02-03T13:23:00.001-08:00

holiday laughs

2007-12-23T13:36:00.000-08:00

a new blue spruce

2007-12-02T18:02:00.000-08:00

we eat well at Church

2007-10-30T07:22:00.000-07:00

every Sunday
and I am still losing
my tummy

Lake Arrowhead waits to see.

2007-10-25T07:33:00.001-07:00

Getty museum, tile detail, my inner cry!

2007-10-13T17:09:00.000-07:00

2007-10-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

my work

God's work

a nice piece of sculpture

a palm tree for carmi

fire, to the west, sunset

2007-09-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

progress - in two days

2007-09-08T20:06:00.000-07:00

duck art - sunset, Boulder bay

2007-08-20T13:11:00.000-07:00

tranquility

2007-08-14T14:46:00.000-07:00

uncropped, definitely unplugged

2007-08-06T17:17:00.000-07:00

anticipating the performance

2007-07-17T08:55:00.001-07:00

love - hate

2007-07-07T07:09:00.000-07:00

I hate ( most) shopping
but i do love to get new( ish) things
so I love the way Amazon helps me shop for what I need
and, yes, for what I want. Sometimes for both

Ebay makes me crazy because it combines the excitement of live auction with the dream of getting a really good deal. Mostly a dream because you only get pictures to see what great stuff someone might ship you.
It turns out that ebay is my source for NewBalance shoes, at good prices. These are the only brand of shoes that give my arches the support I need. I buy them used, and because they are so well constructed, I get years more wear out of them than the other brands.

Amazon has much more than books, of course but I have found a large variety of massage books there. I am reading these as part of my "self" teaching of massage therapy.
I love massage, but hate that to get certified will take me years. Not wanting to waste those years, I am currently adding clients to my "practice" while I practice, as a student, and charge reduced fees, or give the massage away.
This is one of the BEST books I have read on massage, email me for other suggestions.
It is not magic, if you have hands, and time, and caring, you can do this and help hurting people.

Viola and cello

2007-07-05T06:29:00.000-07:00

too long since I posted
most of my "blog work" is over HERE..... thanks

green oak, blue sky

2007-06-30T12:03:00.000-07:00

lunch by the lake with mom

2007-05-13T22:48:00.000-07:00

installing a washer and dryer

2007-05-09T00:41:00.000-07:00

put the head on the "tammy" ( goose)

2007-05-07T06:38:00.000-07:00

Fir and Cedar,getting along

2007-05-05T07:27:00.000-07:00

April drive ( toward home)

2007-04-16T09:59:00.000-07:00

palm trees

2007-03-30T23:47:00.000-07:00

interior redlands

2007-03-28T00:46:00.000-07:00

Redlands

2007-03-28T00:44:00.000-07:00

Good day for birds

2007-03-11T19:54:00.000-07:00

without rain

2007-02-28T12:43:00.000-08:00

" without rain there would be no rainbows
without hurt we would not know what healing was."

When I consider the span of my life
I am closer to the end than the beginning
but the end will be much more glorious
not because I am more self aware
but because God has allowed me to be
at least minimally 'God aware'.

If sunsets only prove therories of light and refraction, then human birth only speaks of biology. Any one witnessing either with a open spirit can see the hand of God, who provides for us out of His great love, mercy and patience.

walk by the lake

2007-02-24T18:09:00.000-08:00

life is good

2007-01-31T07:01:00.000-08:00

it is just the people clogging the planet that I have a problem with.

rabbit tracks

2007-01-16T17:21:00.000-08:00

I have a (semi) pet bunny
named "scooter", since that is how quick he moves. He has been coming to visit my back yard for over a year ( maybe others, too, but you know how they all look alike).
I put out water for the birds but the squirrels and Scooter enjoy it too. I have bought rabbit pellets ( alfalfa) and put those in safe places around the yard where a hawk will not likely swoop down and carry him away for dinner. This is his food spot in the front yard. The fence and trees give him some security while he eats.
I am a nut, no wonder the squirrels chase me!

Ancient battle

2007-01-14T23:13:00.000-08:00

Old man winter
versus the old man and his firewood pile and the truly amazing woodstove.
with all the talk of energy independence, why don't You have one of these?