Category: Potpourri

Miscellaneous thoughts and reflections

Meet Sheila, my three-year old 25 pound terrier catahoula mix (we think!). Last Sunday, only three days after returning from Peru, I went to Woods Humane Society to take a look at dogs.  I knew I wanted a 25-30 pound dog who is good with kids and other dogs, likes to hike, and is a good traveler. 

They brought out Sheila (not her name then – “Sheila” is the pen name I used when I wrote stories as a child), this sweet timid dog almost afraid of her own shadow who Animal Services had dropped off at Woods three weeks before.

She slowly warmed up, and I was smitten when Matt, the Woods handler, picked her up and she cuddled right into him.  That told me that all she needed was a bit of loving.

A few hours later, giving myself time to think and talk over the decision, I returned to Woods and brought Sheila home.

She so quickly adapted to home life that we think she was probably an abandoned pet.  Makes me so mad that someone would desert this sweet and wonderful doggie!

I’ve introduced her to kids and other dogs, and she does wonderfully with both.  Today, I took her on her first hike.  Well, she took me!  She practically pulled me up Islay Hill!

 

 

I love traveling.  I love exploring, seeing new places, meeting new people, making new friends…and I love my home.

For a bit, I’m “between trips” – and am enjoying having more space, being in my familiar surroundings, spending time with local family and friends, and relaxing.

I’m also appreciating taking my camera out in my neighborhood and seeing something “different” to capture.

Once in a “Blue Moon”: My attempt at photographing the moonrise

 

A wheelbarrow hanging out in a truck bed

 

Dew drops on a plant

 

Purple flower detail

 

The tunnel under the railroad is now open!

 

Neighborhood view from Righetti Hill

 

Beetle (not Beatle!)

This morning, I received an interesting email from National Geographic.  With a very exciting trip coming up, they forwarded a digital book from one of their photographers with tips for taking great and personally meaningful photos.  Although I had learned about many of the suggestions from the photography class I took, the book served as a great reminder of what to do – and not do – when capturing photos.

On today’s walkabout, I put some of the tips to use…and landed on shooting benches in different locations from different perspectives.

Although it started off foggy with wind gusts up to 40 mph, I loved hiking the Point Buchon Trail out of Montana d’Oro.  With a good friend, terrific conversation, and beautiful views, what could be better for taking some beautiful photos?

What?  Not having some dust on my camera’s sensor!  I got home from capturing magnificent views…only to find a “spot” in the upper edge of all of my pictures.  A bummer…yes.  After processing in Adobe Lightroom, I like the photos shown below.  AND it was a good experience for me as I learned how to blow the dust off of my camera sensor!

What an amazing festival! Since 2014, I’ve enjoyed the music and community at Live Oak Music Festival, attending about seven of the last ten events.  Last year and this year, I volunteered on Construction Crew, strapping on my tool belt to help erect fences, walls, and canopies.  This group of dedicated builders works over 30 hours, pre- and post-fest, to put up and take down infrastructure allowing participants to enjoy the terrific music available on the three stages at the festival. I am proud and honored to be a member of this phenomenal crew!

A few times during the festival itself, I grabbed my camera to capture some photos of the musicians and the crowd.  Below are my ten faves.

Musicians

Las Cafeteras

 

 

 

 

Rissi Palmer

 

Joe and Hattie Craven

 

Boot Juice

 

The Crowd

 

 

Although I love my new toy – a 70-300mm lens – I decided to return to some basics today.  On my walk around the neighborhood, I used my “old” lens (18-55mm) to capture trees, primarily focusing on their bark.  Since I haven’t shot fully manually recently, I decided to do a “Tree Study,” using only manual settings.  I’m pleased with the textures, colors, and varieties in these photos.

San Luis Obispo’s rainfall this year topped 175% of average.  Although the rain revealed a roof leak necessitating a garage makeover, the precipitation resulted in a superbloom of wildflowers throughout the state.  Thrice, I ventured out to enjoy nature’s splendor.

I shot these first few photos on March 27 on Shell Creek Road when the superbloom was really just a bloom.

 

 

 

On April 19, I returned to Shell Creek Road where I found a virtual carpet of flowers.

 

 

 

 

On our way to Joel’s cabin on April 20, we visited the Carizzo Plain National Monument where I captured wildflowers and Soda Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

Portrait photography requires good lighting, calm background, and a willing model.  For the most part, I usually capture travel and hiking photos, interspersed with candids of family and friends.

Wanting to experiment with portraits – and enjoying spending time with my 13 year old grandson – I asked Greyson if he’d like me to take some photos of him with his saxophone.  He picked the location (beach), and I picked the time (golden hour).  What a delightful, creative, and fun time we had!

With his parents’ and his permission, I share these photos (all selected by Grey) and information about Grey, his love of music, and our photo session.

Grey is an amazing young man, quite accomplished for a thirteen year old.  (Hey, and I’m NOT biased!  🙂 ) He has been playing the saxophone for only two years, starting in sixth grade when, to be in band, he had to choose between the alto saxophone and the trombone.  With alto sax in hand, he honked out his first note, much to the disbelief and surprise of his band teacher.  Wanting to improve, he taught himself how to play sax, relying on YouTube videos to guide him. Fitting practice into his packed life demonstrates persistence and focus! 

Fast forward to seventh grade, when he picked the tenor rather than the alto sax, and Grey successfully auditioned for the County Junior Honor Band.  One of only four students from his school, Grey along with the other 60 members of the band rehearsed for only about one month to perform five songs at the honor band’s annual concert, held at Cal Poly’s Performing Arts Center.  The Honor Band was a terrific experience for Grey!  He loves meeting new people who share his appreciation for music while developing new techniques and growing his playing skills.  He hopes to play in the honor band next year and, perhaps, add baritone sax and trombone to his musical portfolio.  Music will forever be a part of Greyson’s life.

For Greyson, playing sax is an art.  Just as I feel about photography, it’s wonderful to learn something new, improvise, improve, create!

Music is not Grey’s only passion!  When not playing the sax, Grey enjoys basketball, baseball, LARPing, videogames, hanging out with friends and family (including his little brother – and his nana!), archery, Boy Scouts, fishing, backpacking, and many pets (such as a bearded dragon and hermit crab!). Wow!  I’m exhausted just thinking about how busy Greyson is!  So proud of you, Grey, for all you do and for who you are!

When I decided to move into my condo almost ten years ago, being able to walk out my door and hike a hill was one of my “must haves.”  Islay Hill is my walk-out-my-door hike.  A few years ago, the big field across the street from me began sprouting a new housing development.  What I looked forward to was not the additional traffic and changed scenery but the ability to hike Righetti Hill.  The trail was cut last fall…just before our mega-rains started!  Today, between the ground drying up a bit and the next downpour, I decided to hike Islay Hilll AND Righetti Hill. Of course, I ventured out with camera in hand!

A view of Righetti Hill in the foreground with, from the left, South Hills, Cerro San Luis, and Bishop Peak in the background

 

Approaching Islay Hill

 

Turkey vulture (I think!) flying over Islay Hill

 

“Moo With a View,” showing some wear, hangs out atop Islay Hill

 

Righetti Hill with its new trail

 

View of Islay Hill from Righetti Hill

 

Panorama photo of Islay Hill

 

Pano of South Hills, Cerro San Luis, and Bishop Peak at sunset

 

Sunset from Righetti Hill

 

Another sunset pic!

 

After spending a BUSY Chanukah with family and friends – eating lotsa latkes, lighting lotsa candles – I decided to RELAX today and take lotsa photos.  The LCD screen on my camera is in the shop for repair, so I’m practicing using my rental camera – same model but I had to re-set the settings…  This means, I have to re-learn what I’ve been practicing for nearly a year. 

With so many Christmas decorations out, I had a great focus to practice my…focus, aperture, shutter, ISO, etc!  With no time pressure to click the shutter, I returned to fully manual mode rather than aperture priority, as I’ve been shooting recently.  Nice to return to basics!

Here are my favorite captures from today’s photo walk (with no comments on the individual pics).

About an hour before sundown today, I grabbed my camera and walked the neighborhood.  It was a great opportunity to capture some images with end-of-sunlight colors.  Here are my favorites…

The golden light playing on the hills caught my attention.
Islay Hill

 

The hills framed by a bridge

 

Two windows reflecting the sunset.

 

 

Given it’s now December, many homes highlight the season with decorations.  Hanging from some trees – with a beautiful blue sky as background – are a couple of ornaments.

 

Yesterday, I combined two of my loves/avocations/hobbies/joys:  I hiked 15 miles and took photos along the way.

The hike:  For about ten years now, my friend Melanie and I walk a marathon each year.  When the pandemic arrived, we decided to create our own marathon since organized events were canceled.  With our combined schedules, it still makes sense for us to create our own challenge rather than participate in formal events.  This coming weekend (day depends on rain!), we will, once again, walk 26.2 miles.  To train, one weekend I made sure to walk 10 miles, the next weekend 15 miles, the following weekend 20 miles, and yesterday 15 miles.  I am SLOW – and I can do this!

The photos:  I’ve been frustrated lately with the quality of my photos, especially the lack of focus quality.  I re-read my camera’s manual, changed some settings, and captured photos during my 15 miler.  Culling through over 200 pictures, following are my 15 best attempts.  I figure one photo per mile – so 15 photos for 15 miles!

Heart hanging on a fence

 

While editing this photo of fall colors, I zoomed in and was surprised to find this bird perched in the tree

 

Bridges, such as this one, allow walkers to traverse creek beds while traveling on neighborhood trails

 

Although it is autumn, some leaves remain green throughout the year

 

Seen from the railroad trail linking my home to downtown SLO

 

Practicing focusing on moving subjects…bicyclist on the railroad trail approaching the Jennifer Street Bridge

 

Sculpture near the train station honoring railroad workers

 

 
Public art at the corner of Marsh and Higuera

 

The Marsh Street parking garage sports public art

 

Downtown San Luis Obispo Victorian home

 

View of the hills from the top of Cerro San Luis

 

Very dry Laguna Lake – WE NEED RAIN

 

I played around with Black & White – these three photos seemed to call for it!

View of the morros, Bishop Peak in the foreground, from the top of Cerro San Luis

 

Picnic table next to the railroad trail

 

The tunnel under the railroad tracks connecting two neighborhoods – when it rains (a lot), this tunnel is closed due to flooding

Today, being Thanksgiving, makes me think about GRATITUDE.  My personal values – Integrity, Gratitude, and Kindness – act as a compass to help guide me in the right direction.

For example, if I’m thinking about doing something or feeling a bit uncomfortable about an issue, I weigh it against my values.  Does the decision help me live with integrity – with wholeness, honesty, and completeness?  This is not to say that I meet this goal all of the time – I absolutely do not!  When I don’t, my stomach lurches and I know I’ve not acted with integrity.  When I pause before acting and consider my decision with integrity in mind, I most often make a much better choice.

Gratitude, the theme for Thanksgiving, is paramount in my mind right now.  I have so much to be grateful for.  My children are happy, independent, and kind adults.  (I used to say “young adults,” but at ages 28 and 31, I wonder if “young” still applies!)  I enjoy spending time with my partner; we have evolved to a warm, comfortable, caring, and fun point in our lives and our relationship.  His children and grandchildren add joy to my life.  I love being Nana Lisa to his three grandchildren; the third one arrived November 11!  I so appreciate the laughter, support, and fun of my friends.  With six kids in my family, my siblings add another layer of love, support, and humor to my amazing life.

In addition to the many people whom I love and appreciate, I am so grateful for my health and fitness.  I have the physical and, at times even more useful, mental ability to walk or hike many, many miles.  In preparation for Melanie’s and my annual walking marathon, I completed a 20 mile walk in the mountains three days ago.  In less than two weeks, it’ll be time for 26.2 (never forget the .2!) miles.

With my health and fitness, I am able to travel, explore photography, read, knit…such a full and wonderful life!  So much for me to appreciate!

Opening up my lens, however, makes me concerned for the world – elections, war, climate, diseases, … – there’s so much to be concerned about.

What makes me most grateful is being able to appreciate what IS good, what IS beautiful, what IS the best of humanity.  For all of the wonderful people, places, and pleasures that embellish my life, I am forever grateful.

Continuing my personal ritual of taking a long meditative walk on Yom Kippur, this morning I headed toward Morro Bay and Cayucos.  For me, the process involves eating lightly so I can walk without fainting, turning off electronics while walking (no podcasts or audiobooks to distract me or change my focus), and letting my mind wander to what inspires me.  Meandering while being surrounded by the natural rhythm of the ocean allows my mind to reflect on what nudges it.

Today, I felt a series of transitions.  San Luis Obispo was warm and sunny while Morro Bay was foggy and cool.  The sand changed from hot and soft to cold and wet.  The sounds vacillated between highway car noise and waves hitting the beach.

As I walked, my mind first focused on travel, the trips I’ve recently enjoyed and the upcoming adventures that await me.  Being the planner that I am, I already have a general idea of where I’d like to go in 2023.  🙂

Next, my mind wandered to photography and some creative projects I’m working on.  I mentally sketched out a few ideas and am anxious to get started on them.

While shuffling along the beach, I realized that the big recent transition in my life – retirement – allows me to travel more and stretch my creativity, hence my initial thoughts surrounding these two activities.  This big change in my life means there are times when my life is busy and other times when it is slow, times when I’m surrounded by family, friends, and community, and other times when I am alone, times when I feel accomplished and other times when I feel less fulfilled, times I believe I’m contributing and other times I wish I were doing more.

When I think of what fills my days as a retiree, I see a daily pattern of moving my body, doing some type of chore, and doing something fun and, often, social.  There are days when I give back to our community – for example, I usher at the Performing Arts Center and I donate blood (thank you, spinach!).  The “how can I make the world a better place” part of my life is still not what I want it to be.  From today’s Yom Kippur reflections, my biggest takeaway – my most important future task – is to figure out what I can do to help the greater good.  My hope is that during next year’s Yom Kippur walk, I’ll be able to reflect on how I contributed more to making our world a better place.  כן יהי רצון

Photo from April 2022 since I didn’t take any pictures today.