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Thursday, December 31, 2009

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.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

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.