Blooming Gorgeous Novato, Ca
"I hope you will go out
and let stories happen to you,
and that you will
work them, water them
with your blood and tears
and laughter till they
bloom, till you yourself
burst into bloom."
Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Pixie and reflected palms, California
"By your own efforts
Waken yourself,
watch yourself,
And live joyfully."
Buddha
Orchid in a front yard!
" The one who would be
constant in happiness
must frequently change."
Confucius
^^^^^^^^^:^^^^^^^^^
A certain weather man in Honolulu
regularly boasts of the
"World's Best Weather"
and I nodded along for years.
BUT
Marin County California
has been sunny and Spring-Like
for about a week now.
I'm no longer so sure
about that title.
Tomorrow more sun
temps low 70's F.
All with a beguiling
chill that rides the breeze
off the Pacific, just
like an island Trade-wind.
This place is taking me over,
just as Hawaii did.
Waikiki is an exciting
urban beach resort.
But the birds and sounds
of nature here
are a daily
benediction.
I am remembering
the smells of the seasons
here on the edge of
a continent.
People feel lucky,
special & happy to
be here too;
Bay Area Pride!
North Bay Pride!
Folks are nice,
but the boundaries
are firmer.
Harder to get a smile
here - people keep to
themselves politely.
Island people will
talk your ear off!
And you'll smile
with them easily
for the most part.
So I'm smiling up a storm,
bringing da Aloha,
playing music on my ocarina
while I wait
outside and about on
errands. Strangely,
my music is changing:
less island, more jazzy
blues Cloudia beats.
Treadmill has
Changed My Life Too!
Right in the central part
of the house - not
hidden away.
We are using it daily.
I had forgotten how
GOOD I can feel!
I'm feeling
younger and fun-er,
lost some weight.
I know where I'm driving,
am developing places,
stories and memories.
(Stories: VERY important)
Like the time in Hawaii
riding with my motorcycle
gals, Sal gestures to me
riding along and
points at Joelle's Harley.
Flames are licking up
from the engine!
"Joelle," we shout,
"You Ass Is On FIRE!!!!"
Now THAT's a memory
to recall with a chuckle
EVERY TIME one
drives on Nuuanu Avenue
in Honolulu!
I miss saying that,
even to myself,
while driving there.
"Joelle!" LOL...
Here it's: where I saw
that hawk, Or
the neighbor's new
shrubs.
(Remember the old flowers?
Yay a story!)
No one's ass is on fire
here YET-
and that's a good thing.
Stay posted for new
developments as they
pop up.
Thanks for visiting.
It means a lot.
Fondly, cloudia & pixie
'Cali Girls'
(No pixie, California
NOT Calico!)
How I love hearing that you are building a home...
ReplyDeleteIn California you have to be very careful that your ass doesn't catch fire because it could start a wildfire, and those are really bad. So glad you are settling in and enjoying your new home. Love the pics of Pixie and all the cool things around your new stomping grounds.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Cloudia! What an uplifting post. I am glad you and Pixie are happy and feeling at home in California. I hope there are no more fires, Lovely images! Happy Sunday, enjoy your new week ahead!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beauty of a post. Thanks for your comment on mine. Agree with you on the use of the term "demented". However, in a figurative way, it means "out of control", or "losing self-consciousness". I have used it on myself before to describe my state of mind when I am teaching an Afro-Cuban dance workshop and it is working well. There is a frenzy, a madness to it that I cannot describe. In fact, good music, music I feel passionate about makes me "demented" in that sense. I do take your point, though. Written language and the ways we interpret them are tricky to navigate.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment and appreciation.
Greetings from London.
Such a joyful post! You're becoming a Cali girl for sure! And I'm glad Pixie is adjusting to her new home. It sounds like the weather is wonderful - and in February too! Wonderful pictures, as always!
ReplyDeleteNice to read your post.
ReplyDeleteGreetings :)
Loved this post Cloudia, so good go hear that you've not only settled but really love Marin County, Pixie sure looks at home :) So, from boat to high rise, to house?
ReplyDeleteWe've had truly beautiful weather here as well. relatively warm, with breezes and blue blue skies.
ReplyDeleteYes! from boat to high rise, to house!
ReplyDeleteThanks SO MUCH each of YOU for these thoughtful & heart-ful comments <3
Pixie the sentinel Aloha
ReplyDeleteso glad you're settling in and enjoying your new home my friend. that orchid is gorgeous! pixie is such a cutie!
ReplyDeletealohaaa!
xoxo
It sounds like you've settled in nicely. Pixie appears deep in thought, perhaps speculating on the meaning of life- is life really one big ball of yarn?
ReplyDeleteIt's chilly here today. Love the picture of the orchid.
ReplyDeleteRick
I love your this post and I love the cat image.
ReplyDeletehave a happy new week.
I'm so glad that you are happy, Cloudia! It was a good move.
ReplyDeleteTHANKS! Yeah!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful...another paradise in bloom.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to read you are truly settled in and enjoying the adventure. Loved seeing that Iris :). Such a pretty flower.
ReplyDelete