Last Morning of 2009

The sun has yet to rise. The soil is still dark with moisture from the previous day’s rain. The wet sage releases it's fragrance into the air and everywhere the rain soaked, soft golden leaves of the towering Sycamore trees cover the landscape. Beneath my beautiful trees I sit and greet the morning.

It’s early on a cool Southern California morning. Dressed warmly and sitting in my cedar log chair I surround myself with my wool camp blanket. The gray hair atop my head is no longer adequate to keep my head warm so I wear a thick soft alpaca cap. As I sip a large mug of hot tea laden with honey I sit quietly and watch the critters start their

morning with the offerings of seed and stale bread that I have provided for them. Scurb jays, doves and assorted other winged friends are first to arrive followed shortly by the quail and squirrels. On occasion a rabbit will come to feast. They all get along enjoying the bounty until a Coopers Hawk comes swooping down to catch its breakfast. In a flurry of sound all the birds and four legged creatures are gone. All is quiet and the Hawk sits on the fence rail still hungry.

Soon the Hawk departs and all returns to normal. Not only do the birds return to the feeder but they also surround me thrashing through the leave litter and mulch looking for an unsuspecting worm or bug. Above the thrashing a humming bird looks for nectar that is scarce this time of year. These fascinating little creatures of the avian world foretell their presence with the hum of their never tiring wings and an occasional squeak.

Such are my mornings. With a little luck I’ll catch a glimpse of Mr. Coyote, a deer or maybe even a bobcat in the hill above my home.

Hiking Again

I just turned 56 and I feel great.

It’s been three weeks since undergoing a double surgery for my messed up back. It was worth spending the last two years finding the right doctor as well as trying non-invasive therapy and taking a break from my back to repair my shoulder.


Me and Danny, Late 1980's

Not only am I continuing to cycle but I’m hiking again. I thought my hiking days were over because of my lousy back. I’ve been hiking since the 1970’s to clear my head and find some peace and quiet. Hiking is meditative and allows me the space to gather my thoughts and prepare for the reality of living in a world that is not always easy or kind.

In the late 1980’s and early 1990’s serious financial problems was taking its toll on me. At home I had my wonderful kids to keep me sane while the ex kept saying “what are you going to do about it”. There was never a “we” in that statement that was repeated so many times that it is burned deep into my memory. Hiking more then ever became a source of peace for me. I put my priorities into perspective by taking to the trails. The night hikes especially provided a reality check. From high up on the trail over looking the city lights everything seemed so small down below. The buildings, the streets and the trappings of civilization took on a comical unimportance and nature loomed large and powerful.

Me and Byron, Today


I was prepared to let go of the long hikes and enjoy all the good memories of my days on the trail as I moved onto cycling and creating new memories. But I ain’t done yet. The skilled set of hands that mended my back has given me a reprieve and I’m back on the trail. As I write, Byron is getting himself out of bed and getting ready to take a hike with me. Maybe I can talk Carrie and Leili into joining us. After all Carrie is my best bud and is a “we” kinda person, if you get my drift.

Leili Rackow backstage at the Nutcracker Ballet

Ojai

Ojai, California, just an hour from our home is where we spend many weekends cycling

and watching Byron and Leili having a good time.

Byron's short story "Captains Trumpets"

Byron's latest writing on his blog. A short story assignment. Four pages maximum.

http://byronloveshippos.blogspot.com/2009/10/captains-trumpets-massive-wooden-ship.html

Byron's poem "The Black House"

Byron's latest writing on his blog. A poem assignment for his honors lauguage arts class.

http://byronloveshippos.blogspot.com/2009/10/rhyming-poem-written-for-school.html

Leili with Emiko

Leili with Emiko from the Chicago Ballet

Leili rocks in "Cinderella"

My little girl, Leili , who we adopted in China when she was 11 months old, has come a long way from an orpanage in China to the theatre in Thousand Oaks, California. She is now 9 years old.

Review of the Conejo Players adaption of Cinderella from the Thousand Oaks Acorn. Our local newspaper in TO Calif.
"Another talented youngster is Leili Xin Xin Rackow, who plays Lady Amethyst. Rackow, who was born in China, was first seen in the Conejo Players’ production of “The King and I” two years ago and is already a seasoned performer. You will see a lot of her in future local productions."

from Carrie

Leili's Entry for the "Beauty Is" Contest

Came across this picture of yours truly from 1969. I was 15 years old then. Yep, I was a big fella back then. Not much bigger today just less hair. Alot less hair.

Yes kids there was color film when I was a teenager.

I'm standing next to my road bike that I proudly build up from cheap parts. It served me well. My mom insisted on taking this picture as I was preparing to take another overnight ride up the coast highway from Los Angeles. When you ride the coast highway in southern California today make sure you have life insurance.

A recumbent bike sure would have been nice back then. I remember that hard leather seat like it was yesterday. Ouch!

Dummer

"There is no force more potent in the modern world then stupidity fueled by greed" Ed Abbey

Betzi (and the cat)

Okay, I know everyone needs at least one picture of their critters. Betzi and Lani.

Evolution of Hate

When I travel our country this is not the America I see. This dark side exists but only at the fringe. Yet the 24/7 network and cable media controlled by a handful of self servicing corporate elitists is selling hate as main stream to advance their own interests.

When will the purveyors of lies and hate be cast aside so human dignity can prevail?

The evolution of hate.

THEN

NOW

Want some straigth forward progressive facts?

- Arianna Huffington (Huffington Post)

- KTLK AM 1150 (Los Angeles area)

-Thom Hartman (thomhartman.com)

-Rachel Maddow (MSNBC)

-Keith Olberman (MSNBC)

Morning Coffee Run

We're getting ready to take our morning run to get a cup of coffee while Byron and Leili and of course our pup Betzi are fast asleep. Actually, Carrie is the the coffee addict. I bring a thermos of green tea. It's only a ten mile round trip but there are some good elevation changes. We especially look forward to the last one third of a mile up a 11% grade to get back home!

Some Adventures Past

Southern Arizona

2003

Zion National Park - Utah

2004

Hawaii

2005

Taos - New Mexico

2005

Yosemite

2005

Anza Barrego - California

2006

Sedona - Arizona

Many Times

Klamath River - Northern California

2006

Saguaro National Monument - Arizona

2006

Zion National Park - Utah

Again

Green River - Utah

2007

Cambria - California

Our Regular Get Away

My Kids

A little bit about me

Before I get too deep in my blogs let me say a few things about myself. I feel that it is important to know an author before you read their scribbling.

I am a family man who is in love with his beautiful wife. I consider myself a liberal and a progressive. I believe in a great spirit that dwells within all that exists. I respect the sense of community and moral teachings that religion can offer but I do not subscribe to the teachings of any one religion. I believe that an adherence to strict religious dogma restricts free and clear thinking.

At the very least, with my own children, I hope to foster the importance and the power of education. I want them to understand the perils of a world population that is unsustainable and the multitude of problems that it has created and to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. They must understand that there are solutions to every problem if we are willing to work together with clear heads and to care for each other. It may be idealistic but if we begin by marginalizing the closed minded, loud mouthed, fanatics and lunatics it can be done. But we must begin now!

I have spent many years hiking and now cycling to maintain an intimate connection with the Earth propelled only by my own effort and will. To put aside the burden of our technology, if even for a moment, and to touch the Earth is to be able to think more clearly, more deeply and to be able to respond to the human condition more thoughtfully. With the teachings of the Earth and it’s creatures I have pulled through my adversities and celebrated my successes. I have been able to keep my spiritual believes, politics, the reality of caring for a family and making a living, and just having mindless fun in balance.

Regardless of our individual believes, we still breathe the same air and walk the same Earth. Every atom in our body was once a part of something else. As humans we must endeavor to overcome hate, greed and envy. Until such time our fate is uncertain.

All things are connected.