A Buttery Lovliness

For today's posting I'd like to introduce you to my latest vinyl toy: a very buttery Omen. Be patient... As I was while I waited for this Omen to arrive. I ordered him back in February, I think. I was so excited when I got the email telling me he had shipped from Hong King. Coarse loves to make us wait! (A little about Omen and Coarse's Souls Gone Mad: http://www.cluttermagazine.com/news/2013/02/courses-amazing-souls-gone-mad-vinyl-sets)

All the packaging was perfect Coarse.

Out of the wrapping paper and to the box.

The inner box... A promise of what's to come.

My first Coarse Family & Friends card. When I got Noop & Paw (False Friends Blackout) it was through eBay, so no card for that acquisition.

Peak-a-boo.

Coarse footsies!

Hello, my little buttery loveliness and welcome home!

Aside from new toys, I just finished reading Ann Patchett's latest book, State of Wonder. I haven't read anything by her since I read Bel Canto years ago - a fantastic novel, by the way, and on my list of favorite books. I started reading State of Wonder a few nights ago, even though I'm also in the process of reading Barbara Kingsolver's Flight Behavior (excellent so far) and Lawrence Osborne's The Forgiven (not sure on this one yet, though I think I'm liking it - it's something about the tone of the book that throws me off, as if it was written in the 40's or 50's even though it is a present day novel). Anyway, State of Wonder drew me right in and I couldn't put it down. I'm glad I was stuck with jury duty as I could read with impunity. A an early bit I read struck me:

The scene: our main character, Marina, has been taken to a beach along the Amazon. After the heat nearly overcomes her, one of her companions (her driver, Milton) takes her into the water, which she has previously described as opaque.

"It's better, isn't it," he said, though it wasn't a question.

She nodded. Jackie had been right to make Barbara go in. It was lifesaving. When Marina looked down she saw nothing, just a line where her torso vanished into the water. All around them children kicked their rafts and jumped off one another's shoulders. "How do you know what's under there?" she asked him.

"You don't," Milton said. "You don't want to."

That exchange speaks volumes to me about the Amazon. That terrifying unknown lurking under the water or in the deep, primeval jungle. I'm fascinated by the idea of the Amazon, but it's one place I have no desire to visit. Very large bugs and the promise of heavy, muggy heat deters me. Yeah, no, I'll read about it instead. All through the book I wondered how it might end. For me, at least, I was completely surprised and pleased with how she wrapped it up. I recommend the book highly.

 

The Tough California Life

Life in California is tough and living in the Bay Area even tougher. Don't let anyone tell you differently. This is especially true when your friends down in Moss Beach invite you over for dinner on what happens to be one of the nicest and warmest weekends so far this year. Me, I'm all for the cold, wet, sinister fog, especially when hanging out on the coast, but even I have to admit it really was lovely weather.

It was eight of us: Diana, Chad, Lesli, AJ, Matt, Julia, Alex and me. Our hosts, Diana and Chad, have a charming cottage they've spent a great deal of time and effort remodeling. Having such a place was a dream of Diana's and damn if she didn't achieve it perfectly.

Front of the cottage at twilight.

Diana, our exceptional hostess.

The reading nook.

Our inviting tablescape.

Their little cottage also just so happens to abut on the edge of a marine reserve, so before dinner we took a walk to check out the cypress grove, the coastline and the sunset.

Some of the Moss Beach coastline.

Just an FYI.

Cypress tree.

A very enLightening group portrait. (I know, horrible!)

The light at this hour was incredible.

And of course Madge and I got all giddy over the cypress trees and I took lots of tree pics, messing around with settings, and being generally geeky with Madge.

The cypress grove, early in our walk.

Yup, some more cypress trees.

Self portrait, in shadow, among the cypress.

"Don't go into the light, Maryanne! Stay away from the light!" The group strolling ahead.

I feel as though I should be on horseback, sauntering lazily along this path on my way home to the family estate only to be waylaid by some handsome but nefarious highwayman who is actually a nobleman in disguise out to capture the real fiends. Said nobleman in disguise falls helplessly in love with me while trying to do his duty to king and country and still maintaining his secret identity. I will, of course be kidnapped by said fiends and then rescued by said nobleman in disguise, at which point I'll fall into his embrace for a passionate and life-changing kiss. Look, blame Avon Books, ok! I can't be held responsible for such meandering thoughts while wandering through a cypress grove lit with the light of the setting sun.

A bit close up.

Then we moved out of the trees...

Sigh.

Sea Lions! Dang, if only I had carried my telephoto with me! Next time.

After enjoying the lazy antics of the sea lions, we headed back through the grove. By this time the light had changed quite a bit.

The red in the trees is a moss of some kind. The setting sun really brings out the intensity of the color.

Oh, the light.

Sigh.

Flock of pelicans.

The slow decline.

Then we went down to the beach to watch the sunset.

Happy beach joyness.

One of my few people shots: Matt and Diana.

And the pièce de résistance: the sunset.

After the sun made his finishing bow, we headed back to the house for dinner. I forgot to take pictures, so you'll just have to trust me when I say it was superb. Everyone contributed to the meal: bread salad, spinach salad, linguini with clams, asparagus, fresh made French fries with a special oyster and bacon soup gravy, and lots of wine. For dessert, a variety of tarts from La Boulange. Conversation was great as all present were intelligent, thoughtful people (yes, I'm including myself and Diana in that statement!).

I was the only one spending the night and Diana, Chad and I stayed up for quite a while before finally going to bed. All in all, a spectacular evening.

This morning the three of us went out for breakfast before I headed back to the city to recuperate. In case you didnt already know this, pancakes and bacon are the solution to all life's woes, though eating crispy bacon after gum surgery (I had that nasty procedure done last Thursday and still have the stitches) is a tad bit challenging. Ah, thick, crispy bacon. Frankly, no matter how I try I just can't bring myself to give up the bacon. In fact, just writing about bacon makes me want bacon. Now. Seriously.

Diana and Chad, thank you for a great getaway! Perfect scenery, delicious food, and wonderful friends. Life truly is tough here in California.

 

The Hermitage: A Look Back

When I was back in NJ visiting my dad, I was able to spend a little time with my brother, Rob, his wife, Candy, and my niece, Ashley. One of the things we did, after I made them drive around Waldwick so I could wax nostalgic (though I confess I didn't really feel that nostalgic about Waldwick), we stopped at The Hermitage, an historical home in Ho-Ho-Kus.

When we were growing up not much had been done to The Hermitage. It was turned over to the state in the early 70's, but it took some time before enough money was raised to allow the home to be restored. I remember performing there, in one of the few accesible rooms, with my high school's string quartet (I was the violist) to help raise money. I was happy to see the house restored and open for tours. It dates back to before the revolutionary war, was one of the many places that hosted General Washington during the war, and the widow of the owner eventually married Aaron Burr. Descendants lived in the house, in a terrible state of poverty, until the 1960’s.

There also happened to be a Civil War historical event taking place, which was pretty neat. I got to shoot an Enfield rifle (sans an actual bullet - just the powder and a cap).

Enjoy the pics.

The front of the Hermitage.

Welcome sign.

Back of The Hermitage.

Love the windows and woodwork.

The parlor, set for tea.

A wreath made of human hair, a craft of the time.

Window detail.

Doll on the mantel in the children's room.

One of the bedrooms.

Spinning wheel in the back sitting room.

My beautiful niece with one of the Civil War enthusiasts.

A visitor shooting the Enfield rifle.

 

From Yosemite to Santa Rosa

This past weekend I took my second trip to Yosemite. This time the valley was our destination and I have to say I preferred staying at Yosemite Lodge to camping in Tuolumne Meadow. No bears. Bathroom 5 feet away. Next trip, I think I'll have to step it up again by staying at the Awahnee.

All my favorite photos are posted on Flickr in the Yosemite 2013 set. Most of the ones below are specially earmarked for Bellhops.

Upper Yosemite Falls

On the valley floor

John, Sue & Half Dome

Pushkin

I didn't have a bear locker this time!

In case you didn't know the fire hydrant was a fire hydrant.

And of course we got a little silly with Madge and the new tripod.

We came home on Sunday, but on Tuesday I needed to head up to Santa Rosa to hang out with my grandmother after her cataract surgery. Since I was over-nighting it, I ended up booking myself at Hotel La Rose. Really like the place. Good vibe, the room nice and clean, the bed comfy (and that's saying a lot for me) and the staff super nice. I'd happily stay here again. And next time I'll hit up the whiskey bar around the corner.

The hotel is located in a historical part of Santa Rosa, across from the old train station, which is now a California Visitor Center - also staffed with nice folks.

Facade of the train station.

Beware the garden hippo. I want a garden hippo!

Rock collection at Santa Rosa Commons.