Goodbye 2012

Hairflipping my way into 2013 

I pray this year will mark a new beginning for all sentient beings.

May all be happy
May all be free from disease
May all realize what is good
May no one be subject to misery
May the wicked become virtuous
May those who are virtuous attain tranquility of mind
May those who are tranquil of mind be free from bondage
May those who are free make others free
I salute the all blissful Lord of all auspiciousness
Who's compassion makes even the mute eloquent and the cripple cross mountains.
May good be tied to all people
May the rulers rule the earth following the righteous path
May all beings ever attain what is good
May the worlds be prosperous and happy.
May the clouds pour rain in time
May the earth be blessed with crops
May this our country be free from calamity
May holy men live without fear
May God the destroyer of evil, presiding deity of all sacred activities be satisfied
For God being pleased the whole universe becomes pleased
For God being satisfied the whole universe becomes satisfied.
OM peace, peace, peace be unto us all.

Montecito Hot Springs

A blanket of pure white fog spreads out moistly shrouding the ocean coastline making it the perfect day for hikers who crave sunshine to climb into the canyons seeking warmth and healing energies. Always a topic of conversation are the many wildfires that have scorched this vista. Still Mother Nature is confident in her skills to transform even the most deeply scarred landscape or human spirit. Feeling the delicate balance of life as I climb up out of the fog and into a lush oak lined canyon, croaking frogs and the occasional pungent wafts of sulphur let me know I'm nearing the healing mineral springs. Banana trees shelter vibrant turquoise colored water inviting me to sit and reflect how very lucky I am to know about this hidden medicinal gem. Ališhawi ‘O’ - is the traditional Chumash name for this thermal spot when once this was the commonwealth. Mother nature is doing her best to make me forget all about holiday shopping and the work a day world. As I sit in silence I can feel the vast emptiness of meditation tugging at my heart telling me things will be set right in the world and everything is still under Mother's divine control.

Save the Hot Springs

Knapp's Castle

Though Knapp’s Castle isn’t exactly a castle anymore, you'll appreciate this secluded location as a great place to meditate, picnic, take in a sunset, or just observe wildlife. Just a mile hike from the parking area it's easy to see why this breathtaking landscape has become a local favorite. Sandstone archways and chimneys are all that remain of this once magnificent mountain abode. What a view! You'll feel like you're on top of the world!

History of Knapp's Castle

Granada Theatre

This is definitely my favorite place in which to see a special event! I call it the Disneyland theatre because the inside is decorated with a gingerbread-ish ornamentation reminiscent of "It's a Small World After All" park attraction. Really it's like a Paris Opera House inside. The Granada, built in 1924 and beautifully restored in 2008, is a landmark theatre and hosts a year-round performing arts venue featuring some of the finest entertainment in the area. Home to Santa Barbara's Symphony, Opera, Ballet and Choral Society it offers national and international performances in genres from classical to rock. You have to see this!!! Thank you for taking my photo Zanna that was fun!

Granada Theatre

Santa Barbara Bowl

Concert Ticket Information

Thank you Mar & Dave for a fun jazzy night out! 

Shush! Baby Seals

Now is the perfect time to take a walk on the beach and explore this very special spot, come January the first seal pups will be arriving. As many as 120 lounging pinnipeds will be on show for tourists loving guarded by a dedicated staff of volunteers who educate and protect this fragile habitat from intrusion. It's just one of four harbor seal rookery's along our scenic California South Coast and visitors travel worldwide to quietly watch the birthing display from the cliffs located just east of Casitas Pier, between the Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve and Carpinteria State Beach. This beach sanctuary is closed from December through June but a pair of binoculars will give you a closeup view of the action.

www.sealwatchcarpinteria.com

Semana Nautica

Are you the type of person who likes a leisurely walk in the sun, people watching, and fresh local seafood? Well, this is the place! You'll never be at a loss for things to see and do at the Santa Barbara Harbor Marina. But if you're more the active sort, then don't miss this week's 75th Semana Nautica. A multi sea and sand sports festival with over 20 events; ocean swimming, water polo, volleyball, baseball, tennis, 15k road race, cycling, sailing, sandcastle building and the very soggy Kardboard Kayak Race. Fun happens: June 30 - July 9.

www.semananautica.com

iMadonnari Chalk Painting Festival

Chalk, chalk, chalk! An ocean of chalk stretching as far as the eye can see. This year's 26th Anniversary of the iMadonnari Italian Street Painting Festival was a colorful treat for the senses. Art lovers arrived in Santa Barbara from all walks of life to watch the temporary masterpieces take form during this four day event. Featured artist and beloved teacher at Laguna Blanca School, Delphine Louie, did not disappoint with her religious themed painting stunningly crafted on the steps of historic Santa Barbara Mission. Art festival masterpieces will be on display until rains wash away all trace of this chalk exhibit. Proceeds benefit the nonprofit "Children's Creative Project" which has provided quality art experiences for school children since 1974.

http://www.imadonnarifestival.com

http://www.lagunablanca.org

Earth Day

Earth Day started in Santa Barbara, CA after the 1970 catastrophic beach oil spill and has quickly spread to a global celebration honoring Mother Earth. This weekend's 42nd annual Earth Day festival featured many vendors offering creative ideas to save our natural resources and live more simply with less carbon footprint. Reduce, Recycle, Reuse was the mantra for the two day event. Education and awareness were cleverly promoted to children and adults alike as at this Fish Wish Booth by stayseamermaid.com. Smiling children lined-up to take a photo with this beautiful mermaid while they colored and learned about endangered sea life.

http://sbearthday.org

Gumby at Shark's Cove

Tide was low today so I jumped at the chance to view retro aerosol art at Shark’s Cove, a small bay nestled between Montecito and Summerland coastlines. I've walked here a few times before and now the creeping changes of erosion have become even more evident. Colors once vibrant are now chipping to reveal the gray concrete seawall, soon these graffiti relics will be ancient history forever. Rapidly disappearing images include a 1968 California black and gold license plate and a once dapper Pink Panther. Who painted these? Where's Pokey? And why did they choose to immortalize these particular images? We may never know the real story.

http://www.gumbyworld.com/gumby-characters/pokey/

Taj Mahal Carpinteria

You just can't miss the white "Taj Mahal" house behind the old Santa Claus Lane Candy Kitchen. Santa is long gone but this compound of middle eastern style homes keeps expanding. A nice low tide gave me ample time to walk around the coastline and better view this intriguing architecture up close. Easily seen as a landmark from the 101 fwy, boat, plane, or distant beach shore, this mansion always leaves me wondering... who lives there?

Aerial view

Photo by John Wiley

Tramp at Butterfly Beach

Wow! Happened upon these gymnasts doing their jumpy talents at Butterfly Beach today. These kids have coordination! Youzer's... tripple gainer!!!  They probably were on the school gymnastic team and have done this a million times before. "Watch out you don't break your neck!" I shout!  Fun in the sun for the young!

Happy Valentines Day

Sonnet 116

by William Shakespeare

Let me not to the marriage of true minds

Admit impediments. Love is not love

Which alters when it alteration finds,

Or bends with the remover to remove:

O no! it is an ever-fixed mark 

That looks on tempests and is never shaken;

It is the star to every wandering bark,

Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.

Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks 

Within his bending sickle's compass come; 

Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks, 

But bears it out even to the edge of doom.

If this be error and upon me prov'd,

I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

Writers Almanac

Santa Barbara Farmers Market

When my daughter is visiting we love to take in the Santa Barbara Farmers Market on Saturday mornings. The diversity and abundance of vegetables and fruits is mind boggling. In addition to seasonal produce you can usually buy specialty cooking oil, home made cheese and butter, a variety of nut products, honey, organic meat, fresh eggs and local crafts. Much of it is organic, but read the signs carefully because not all of it is. We always find new vegetables that need to be tried or a great rhubarb pie that just has to come home with us. And the local micro climate has ideal growing conditions for flowers just begging to find a home on our kitchen table. Talented street performers help create a festive atmosphere at the Farmers Market making it a great place to do some people watching!

SOPA PIPA Protest

Rumor has it Wikipedia is going off-line tomorrow in protest of SOPA. Who else will protest? What will happen? Is this just all a publicity stunt? Is there life after the Internet Blackout? All I know is my cat's not going to be happy about it!

http://techland.time.com/2012/01/05/sopa-what-if-google-facebook-and-twitter-went-offline-in-protest/

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57360223-261/google-will-protest-sopa-using-popular-home-page/

Ellwood's Monarch Butterflies

The Ellwood Monarch Butterfly Grove, located in an area of eucalyptus trees, is a magical place to be between the months of November and February. People travel far and wide to view the largest U.S. population of over-wintering Monarch butterflies (40,000 estimated) in Ellwood Mesa near Goleta, California. Remarkably these butterflies are able to journey each fall to the safety of this blue gum eucalyptus grove ahead of cold weather making the long 3,000 mile mass migration. If you don't see the butterflies at first, look up in the tops of the trees. There are so many of them that they look like clumps of brown leaves! Sometimes they will be quietly hanging like leaves, but other times, late in the morning, they will be fluttering about. Pssst!... look at all the people!!!?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqA3WC1bsGg