O is for Ocean

    I mentioned in an earlier blog that I live along the coast here in Santa Cruz County. To be precise, I live 10 minutes south of Santa Cruz, in Aptos.  Many people around here call Aptos "paradise." We have a beautiful forest on one side and the ocean on the other; with what I call, perfect weather. Even a foggy day here is gorgeous. 

                                                            

    Our favorite walk at sunset starts out at Rio Del Mar State beach and also covers Seacliff State beach, which is right next door. It's about a 5 minute drive from my house. There lies the "Old Cement Ship," an icon in Aptos history. It used to be the US Palo Alto. It is a concrete ship and what is left of it sits at the end of the Seacliff State Beach Pier. It just had its 100th year birthday. It was built in 1918, designed to refuel other warcraft at sea during World War I. The war ended a few months after it was launched, never being able to be of service in the war, it sat in the U.S. Navy shipyard in Oakland until Seacliff Amusement Corp. bought the ship in 1929. It has weathered some heavy storms over the years and taken the blows of many massive waves, but its remains are still afloat. It is now a haven for marine life.

                                              The old cement ship at the end of the pier

                                             and referred to as the "Guardian of Seacliff"

                        

    Back to our sunset walks - there is a promenade for walking and biking up from the shore. From one end and back is 2 miles. It's a nice walk. I enjoy passing by the campers in their RV's, critiquing them all, like we were in the neighborhood of shopping for one. The joy they're having from their beach experience is transcending. My favorite beach sign reads, "the best part about being at the beach is doing absolutely nothing." Isn't that the truth! 

                             You can see the campers on the left as we are heading back   

                                         The star of the show in all her dramatic flair

                                                                         Sunset

    I'll leave daytime ocean fun for another blog. We're headed for some amazing weather soon and I'll share a day at the beach with ya.'

*photo credits: me

N is for Nature at Nisene Marks

                                                        

                                                                    Nisene Marks

    This is a very beloved forest in Aptos, California. It is known for some of the 32 hiking trails, running, biking and walking trails in the county. If you're ever visiting Santa Cruz, you'll find Nisene Marks in the heart of old Aptos Village. It's a sweet spot.

    I have only walked the trails at Nisene and must admit I have barely scratched the surface of it. A few weeks ago, I went there in the early morning with the intention of taking some photographs. I was walking along the trail like I always do and this time I decided to just stop and take in the moment. As my body came to a halt, I got in touch with my senses. There was still morning dew on the wild ferns growing and I looked up, up, up to the tallest trees - held up by their giant trunks. Then I listened...first I heard a few birds and I could differentiate from their own unique sounds. Within a few minutes, I could collectively hear over half a dozen different birds and it became louder and louder. I definitely did not feel alone and there wasn't a person in sight. What a way to start the day.

    The photo below is a picture of Maple Falls. I'll need to take the Bridge Creek Trail to get there. It's a popular destination for many hikers and visitors. 

    There is something very spiritual about Nisene Marks in Aptos. I have the forest on one side of me and the ocean on the other. I'm very blessed 💚

                                                                            

M is for Mother's Day

     

                                                                        Miss you mom

 It's hard to face Mother's Day

without you here

Your depart from us

was gradual

and I sensed 

your fear

In the past 

you would call 

with a problem

that I could easily fix

Powerless, am I now

because this time

 I haven't the tools

to repair 

your weakening mind

Watching you forget

and become 

a space in time

There is no one

to blame

Long I have grieved

But I will never 

stop missing 

the life you and I weaved

We were as close as 

mother and daughter 

could be

And I am grateful

that I can still 

join your hand in mine

And I know  

In your mind

You see

                                                                                                        

                                                                        me and mom

                                                                              2016

My beautiful mother has advanced dementia and lives in a loving memory care facility in Santa Cruz, Ca.

L is for Larisa

 

                                                                               Larisa                                                                            

    This is my late mother-in-law, Larisa. This is a framed piece of art in our home; her portrait in a wood burnt sketching. It was done in Germany in 1949. She was born in Kiev and grew up in Russia. She met my husband's dad, Marvin - after the war in Germany. Marvin was a sergeant in the U.S. Army. She was in Germany because she had just also been set free, as she was a domestic slave for a German dentist. Larisa's family was killed, but at the age of 13 she was put on the "right train" and worked until the war for the dentist until the war had ended. 

    She and Marvin met at a Jewish Community Center and became inseparable. They saved each other's o to speak and began a journey to the United States, then Alabama, Monterey, California and their final stop in San Jose, California. They went on to have five children and remained together until she succumbed to Cancer at the age of 63. 

    I learned a lot about cooking from Larisa. She was a gourmet cook and baker. Her skills were that of any professional cook on TV. I remember one time she and I were watching Julia Child's cooking show together and she got a little angry (in her strong Russian accent) because JC wasn't using the proper cooking tool for the task at hand. She was a strong charismatic woman, a loving devoted wife and mother, always gushing over her grandchildren. She was so proud of her family. 

    She never spoke of her past.

K is for kayaking!

                                                              Kayaking at Moss Landing

    Kayaking has been on my bucket list time for quite some time now. You would think that from living in Monterey and now in Santa Cruz, that I would have done it by now. Now that my youngest children are older teenagers, it’s time to start doing all those little things that I’ve been wanting to do. I’m at this point in my life where I want to live fully and explore new things,

    Anyway...back to kayaking. I love being near the ocean. I always have. I find a peace there that of course is influenced by the sounds of the waves, the barking of seals (sometimes, depends where you are) and the noisy seagulls flying overhead or hanging around your beach towel, looking for an open bag of chips, the salty smell,  and the deep inhales of fresh cool air.  

    Beach activities are fun too. I do paddle board, but I have yet to kayak. I live about 20 minutes south of Moss Landing. It is more of a fishing harbor with a few restaurants and cool little shops. It is known for the Elkhorn Slough. Many animal lovers come to the slough to photograph and take pictures. Lots of wildlife. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise. This is where I will Kayaking. They offer lessons and kayaking tours for groups. That’s what I’m thinking I’ll do - a group lesson. When I get confident enough,, I’m going for the gold and kayak while the sun goes down. I want to feel like I’m literally paddling into the sunset.

I also have this thing for sea otters and pelicans - plenty to see at Moss Landing State Beach

                                                          

                  You can even get fit while paddle boarding if you’re into that. I plan to do this too

    We have this one life to live. This is kind of where I’m at today, and to trying to be of human service to others along the way. 

    If there are any experienced kayakers out there, I would love if you would throw any advice or recommendations my way, because this is happening soon! 

J is for Jeep

     I love my Jeep Wrangler! It’s the 2018 model and it’s red with big tires. It’s a bit of a rough ride, but that’s partly why I like it so much. I could’ve gotten a luxurious riding car, but nah....I wanted a Jeep. I love the outdoors, so it fits my personality. I can put my paddle board inside (or on top when I get my rack), my bike fits nicely with the back seats folded down and the top comes off for fun in the sun.

    It's kind of funny...I'm 5' tall (short person) and I love driving big vehicles. I don't know if there are any smaller gals out there that share that same feeling. I suppose it makes me feel "big" and somewhat in more control. Whatever the case, I enjoy sitting high. My past cars have been a 9 seater Suburban and a Yukon XL. We're a bit of a car family. We have a few fun sports cars we enjoy zipping around in on the weekends too. I can talk cars with the best of them.

    Back to my Jeep Wrangler - I have had it a few years and the only maintenance I've had on it was for a replaced bulb in my tail light and my cigarette lighter wasn't working, which I sometimes use for charging my phone. It's not terribly bad on gas mileage. Since the pandemic, I hardly go to the gas station anymore. I have decided that after this Jeep, I will definitely get another.

    This is my jeep ❤️   

                                                                                        

            

                                                                

    

 

“I is for Ice Hockey”

    I sat here for 10 minutes, not able to come up with a blog for the letter “I.” I look up at the TV to see what the score is and realize I’m watching an NHL game. Ice Hockey!

    We have had season tickets for the San Jose Sharks for 25 years, up until Covid. We love our Sharks. I had never been to an ice hockey game until the Sharks came to be in San Jose, California. They play at the SAP center (better known as the Shark Tank) in downtown San Jose. It’s a great venue and you can really make a fun night out of it by eating at one of the fine restaurants downtown or local pizza joints. 

    The Sharks played their first game ever in 1991 against the Vancouver Canucks. Our season tickets were affordable because they were in the nose bleeder section. One night, my husband and I were treated to tickets on the ice where the “pretty people” sit. Haha. It was fun and all, but you know what? It was cold and the view wasn’t as good as it is way up top. The benefits of the nose bleeder seats? One, your legs get a good work out getting to your seat. Two, you can see every corner of the ice and see the puck at all times and finally, the people are way more fun up there! They cuss, chant at the ref and are super rowdy. 

   The way the Sharks come on to the ice at the beginning of every home game is very exciting and dramatic. As you can see in the picture, they skate out form a shark’s head with red glowing eyes and music blaring. It’s pretty cool.

 I was stunned at my first hockey game when two opposing players started beating each other up on the ice. And the referee just watched for three or four minutes before separating them. I learned the fans love a good fight! Learning the cheers and chants were fun too. Let's not forget about the junk food and snacks. Why do nachos taste so especially good at a hockey game? We took our kids to many games throughout the years. Good memories.

    The San Jose Sharks have a special place in our heart ❤️

     (By the way they lost to the L.A. Kings tonight, 2-4)