Q uest
U nderstand
E xplore
S eek
T hink
I magine
O pen
N aw
I haven't written an acrostic poem in years. Mine are done swiftly without too much thought.
So, I have a little fetish for all writing implements. I do! In my defense, I do use them and I know how to use them properly. (But, I have too many of them).
I love to free draw, portrait sketch, do zentangle, calligraphy...I even like to color - kid coloring and adult coloring. Since the first time my tiny little hands ever met a pencil and paper, I was in love. When I got my first coloring book and crayons - well, I basically thought I died and went to heaven. My life was complete.
On a serious note, I find a freedom in the creative outlet of writing and drawing. It's like a form of meditation for me. It is a personal journey into another part of myself, where I enjoy to be.
I find that the hardest part of doing the things we love is finding the time do them. I think if we look hard enough, the time is there somewhere in our day - we just need to reserve it for ourselves.
By committing to doing this A-Z blog, I have done just that. I am carving out a little time from my day to write and create a blog. I love this medium of writing, it just flows from my mind to my fingertips and onto the screen before me. It feels good to connect with the things I love; for what I love is who I am.
Pencil sketch with a no. 2 pencil
Zentangle with micron 01 ink pen
If there are any fellow artists out there, would love to see some of your doodling or drawing too!
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 💚
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
My beautiful mother has advanced dementia and lives in a loving memory care facility in Santa Cruz, Ca.
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.
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!
