Go Fly a Kite! Shelter Cove, California

If you feel like you need a little bit of lift to your wings, mental or physical, I suggest you go fly a kite. It's a recipe for spirit soaring that demands very few ingredients. A kite, wind and you. But even watching someone else fly a kite works. Should I qualify that and say, at least it does for me?

Or watching someone else watching someone fly a kite.

Kites are just fun. Ask Charlie Brown, who season after tree-knotted season, continues to bring out the paper, wood and string to try again for that lofty moment of flying freedom.

No kites for sale around you? Make your own. It's a good project, especially if kids are involved. This is a great page to get started. It includes links to free ebooks, videos and instructions for tons of different kites. Ok, not tons. But 27 kinds of kites is a lot. Trust me, she said.

What else was going on in the land of warm days and cool nights where pajamas feel cozy but a fire would be too much? 

The lumber yard here is huge and full of all sorts of unlumberyardish things. Like deer.

And old trucks.

And giant tree stumps (the little girl is not for sale)

There was once a garden nursery here too. This is from those days.
If I liked cold weather, I'd try to get it started again. It's tempting.

The day was warm and the walk to the little cafe in the lumberyard made it warmer. That meant the walk back would include a stop at the river. Shaded by an assortment of tree varieties, the water is stays pretty cold, a weirdly refreshing feeling. Not that I've gone in all the way this year. But I've watched some boys of summer swing out on sturdy ropes from high trees into the deepest parts. They emerge grinning and slightly gasping and usually one time seems to be enough.

We cross land and wade along carefully on mossy rocks

It was pizza night. Down in Shelter Cove there is a pizza place that does it right. Next door is a perfect kite flying field. Or watching the sunset field. Or taking photos that can never entirely, even if I manage to come close, capture what moves my soul field.

A view of the lighthouse and campground from the road above

A Sunrader Toyota motorhome. Yes, I confess, I lusted in my heart.
Please don't tell the Turtle.

It's like the headland at Flamenco x 87%

Nature's doorway

Random wowness

I'm as tall as Elijah!!!

 It seemed like a chance at seeing a Green Flash but there was a cloud layer I'd not really seen earlier. Still, to grouse about that with such a glorious setting, in land and heart people would be ungrateful in the extreme. 

Good night, Shelter Cove. We'll be back.

I noticed I'm starting to write like I talk to The Girl. Oops.

Have a tender Thursday. Do something tradingly.

Tiny Home Tuesday ~ Head Out on the Highway

A few people know I've been looking for a small motorhome in the states for when I'm there seeing family and friends. With plenty of time before a purchase to look online, I've found my fantasy motorhome. It's called a Toyota Sunrader. Full of windows bringing in good light, it will be a very tiny home (note the 'will be', I'm dreaming strong here) on the outside, but bigger on the inside.

"What? Smaller than the shack? Really?" Yes. When I first moved into this 200' + square foot space, it seemed large, compared to the boats I'd been living on. There are days it doesn't feel so big, but all I have to do is step out the door, or even look out the window and there is my space. I figure with a road across America my space will be large indeed.

There are five configurations for this rv, I want the 20' model, no bigger than a van, 20+ mpg, fiberglass. That's my order, Universe! These are some photos found around the web. One of them has my name on it. Eventually.

I must be someplace taking photos

A lot of them have four burner stoves, but I could live with three

Pink is NOT my color, but paint and fabric are easy for making changes

Is that wheat grass growing in the sink? 

So, all you people who say 'Come see us when you're near!' might want to rethink that.

I think that living a life of smaller things is a sort of gestalt - all the sum of parts making for a bigger world than first appearances might indicate. And that's a good thing, your eyes open more, your spirit gathers the good moss and learns better to shed the not so good. A place for everything and everything in its place...but wait! There is room, right there for that perfect stone or shell or small painting. A shawl, a small statue, a good knife collected along the way. Yes.

Part of the small and tiny life here on Culebra is made up of those parts. Here are some of them. In fact, first up is a very big part. Remember Lulu?

Lulu was abandoned and came to the attention of AWC a mangy mess. Her skin condition was so severe it was doubtful at times that she could be cured. But even then, scabby and bald in places, her heart and spirit were so out there, her desire to be loved bounced out in her loving, drawing people to her to help. Many doctor visits, many treatments, many months with Sue and Tuck. Many walks given by visitors to the island as little by little she healed in body and mind. A year later, she found her new home. Teresa shared a couple of photos with me yesterday and I wanted to pass along the miracle of Lulu for you all.

Lulu with her new sib.

There are thousands and thousands of abandoned and abused animals out there, Lulu is just one of way too many. It is overwhelming, so often, in our huge world, so the tiny miracles need to be celebrated. Here's to you, Lulu! Here is a tiny example of not giving up....her own strength of will, her rescuers, her new family, her caregivers most of all. Salut!

A couple more small moments.

So far, so good! Shhhh.

Have a tinily tremendous Tuesday! Do something with tensile strength tenacity.