Apples, Almonds, Aleve and Ansel

All four will be a bigger part of my life in 2014.  An apple a day reality. Fistfuls of almonds. Arthritic pain, inflammation addressed via Aleve. Most importantly, I will continue to concentrate on my photography. Pun intended, it will be my focus.

Besides the above, I plan to experience more moments like this in 2014.

Fun times with good friends!

Happy New Year!!

Bring on the mirth and merriment!

Disappointment

Was going to call my post Affirmation. Talking about how we humans can be thoughtful and kind. Yesterday while hiking the Charlie Turner Trail I noticed at the trail junction that is halfway point that there were lights going on and off. Figured it was hikers playing with flashlights. However as I turned the corner and that area came into view, I realized it was Christmas lights on the tiny pine tree that had mysteriously shown up a year ago. Such an immediate-smile-on- the-face moment!!! The spirit of Christmas. Upon closure inspection noticed there was also a large toy dog complete with Santa hat next to the tree. My iPhone picture of it was worthless so this morning I took the point and shoot and was going to get a good snap of this joyful spot. So intent was I in doing so, I hiked the steeper short cut, nearly falling twice. When I got to the top I discovered someone had stolen the toy dog. Sadness and anger invaded my psyche immediately. I snapped a photo. Hopefully it conveys how charming it was to come upon this yesterday morning and why it's so disheartening to discover that some selfish prig had tarnished it all.

 I swear that tomorrow I am leaving a note for thief. Bah Humbug and Scrooge You are terms I expect to use. Affirmation became Disappointment.

Then again as I was perusing the MSNBC website when I got back to the apartment, I read the story of a drunken woman who had gotten into the elephant enclosure at the Denver Zoo.

The tweet from the Denver Police was this:

Denver Police Dept @DenverPolice

Follow

ZOO UPDATE (1/2): No electrocution. Extremely intoxicated female entered elephant pen at zoo & sat down next to electrical wires.

In the comments section was this:

Just_One_AmVet

Looks like they've located my ex-wife.

• 24 votes

#1.1 - Tue Dec 24, 2013 5:44 AM EST

  

Spit out my coffee laughing. 

48 hours in Morro Bay

3.5 hour jaunt up 101 to Morro Bay this years site of the yearly Xmas gathering of SJSU friends.  Traffic at 9am in LA was dismal. Took nearly an hour to get through the valley. From there an uneventful drive North.  Stopped in Los Osos at Slo Roasted coffee to pick up my order. Years ago I discovered their coffee while having lunch at Celia's Garden Cafe http://celiasgardencafe.com/Celias_Garden_Cafe/Welcome.html  and have been ordering my coffee online from Slo Roasted since then.  http://www.sloroasted.com Since I was getting low thought it brilliant to call in the order and pick it up on the way. For the two days we were there we had wonderful pots of coffee as I'd also brought my Mr. Coffee along. When this foursome gathers we want for nothing comfort food wise!!! Brought the spirit of Xmas as well. Candle, Murray and Colin and a tree. Ho Ho Ho!

Stayed at the Inn at Morro Bay had the entire lower beach level to ourselves Friday night. Nice! Comfortable, cozy twin rooms (508 and 509) right next to the Heron Preserve with a view of the Morro Bay estuary. Peaceful and fun. We'd stayed here before so we knew what we wanted and Mother Nature showed kindness. Gorgeous weather, sunrises and sunsets. I arrived about a half an hour before they did, checked in, unpacked and took an art shot of the Rock.  

A horn honked and the girls pilled out of the car, "we haven't checked in, we wanted to watch the sunset!!"  And so we did. I was alternating between my point and shoot and the iPhone. Gorgeous lingering sunset.

There was this adorable little boat and some kayakers.

iPhone

point and shoot

Nearly down

Once it sets you get this pinkish hue.  This guy was fishing on a paddle board.

Then boats lit up with their Xmas lights.

Did I mention the Heron Sanctuary next door. Really fabulous. 

Did I mention the seals?

They were plentiful. Peggy so wanted to see whales she was certain they'd come into the cove at night. Alas, only groups of harbor seals.

We played Sequence Friday night. Fun game. A rematch is scheduled for Spring. 

Saturday's sunrise brought in a flock of seagulls who lurked.

Breakfast was at Carla's Country Kitchen which had been given the Yelp and TripAdvisor nods of approval as best breakfast spot in Morro Bay. 

Thumb's up from us as well. Excellent food, service and according to Peggy an interesting ladies room.

Shopping needed to be done. Adrienne was looking for large bags for Xmas gifts so we slid into Peggy's Ford and off we went.

Before leaving LA decided it was time to shave my legs and did so. Was going to wear shorts on the trip so it was a must do.

Who knows how or why but in the shower as I was shaving I tweaked a muscle in my back. After the drive up and while getting out of the 4 runner I tweaked it again. Felt like someone had stabbed me in my kidney. Thankfully, I had a valium in my bag, (one not used on the flights to and from the UK) so when I say slid, the others did so graciously. I lowered my lard butt cautiously into the front seat trying not to whine. As we were going to the beach and Adrienne had forgotten appropriate foot wear we Googled a Payless shoe store and found one 15 miles away in San Luis Obispo. We also found a World Market. For Peggy, Gloria and Adrienne shopping is a preferred past time. I tag along but I did enjoy wandering the adjacent Farmer's Market where Adr. bought some of the scary lemon fingers. Honestly, I told Gloria to sleep with one eye open as it was going to suck her brains out during the night.

An agriculture learning experience for some, (I'll never tell) finding out brussels sprouts grow like this.

With a melon?

Did I not say scary?

Oh and the largest onions EVER!

Once we completed shopping we were off to Montana Del Oro State Park.

I was happy, happy, happy but bothered by my back. Still nothing was going to stop me from a strolling the beach.

Insane woman frolicking in the cold sea.

Man on horseback. Too cool.

The very same insane woman talking to our bare back rider.

I need lipstick AND a shave. Notice the dour face. I was now realizing I had to trudge back through the sand and up the hill and knew it was going to be painful. Sucked it up, shoved my hand into my kidney area and off to join my friends. Ow!

Their day was just beginning as they headed down the path to conquer the surf. Back to the room for R and R, another stellar sunset. 

Play Misty for me.

 Solved the most important riddle of the day, where are we going for dinner?

Mexican food was decided upon and we Yelped. We agreed to cruise by three spots and decide which looked best. Lolo's won hands down and except for SLOW service the meal was very, very good. I had the pasta (i know when do you get pasta in a Mexican restaurant?) with out the chorizo, just the shrimp and a Bohemia beer. Perfection!!!

Back to the Inn to discover we missed the Xmas light boat parade but we got to  

see the boats dock in the estuary anyway. I had a star gazing map and the first  night Peggy and I were trying to figure out what planet we were seeing. We think it was Venus. We also identified Andromena and Pegasus.

Peggy is right. Next time upon arrival we get the local paper to see what's happening and go to it!!!

Next morning was as lovely as the day before. We saw some turkey vultures sitting in the trees in the Heron Preserve, a pod of seals, packed, checked out, enjoyed breakfast at the Inn and parted ways. A fabulous 48.