John & Anne Wiley

2010/12/12

Homecoming

Tonight we hosted a small party of “Mystics” – the group we formed for a retreat in Ballyvaughan Ireland with poet, scholar, Celtic mystic and former Catholic priest John O’Donohue back in 2003. It was one of those deeply enchanting and transformative experiences in life for most of us. We met here in SB, went on hikes together, did the 10 day retreat, and have kept meeting sporadically since. Tonight we enjoyed a leisurely potluck supper and regaled each other with conversation, memories and singing. It was a homecoming of sorts, including the sense of connecting with our ancestors. Part of the Ireland experience many of us shared was being welcomed back there by the spirits of our ancestors, and tonight’s conversation touched on that.

In looking over a few photos from tonight, I also glanced back at pix from our 12/6 flight to Neverland. Among those is this one of Brad Pitt’s place, where there also may be some sort of homecoming going on. Since he began spending lots of time in New Orleans, his waterfront bungalow West of town has been deserted except for the caretakers on top of the hill. I noticed tonight that there’s a white car parked down near the beach cottages and lots of cars parked up at the entrance. Maybe he’s visiting, or they’re preparing the place for a visit. There’s some odd black thing with white “doors” on pallets that I don’t recall seeing there before, and I’m curious whether it will be there if we fly out that way tomorrow.

3874 Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie's SB Beach Cottage

3874 Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie's SB Beach Cottage

2010/12/11

Colorful Rut

Filed under: Happiness,Has Photos,Random,SB Region — John @ 07:10

Another day, another glorious sunset stroll with the woman of my dreams. Someone on Edhat said maybe this string of fabulous colors is some compensation for this year’s unusually cool summer.  Maybe that also has something to do with it having reached upper 70s today? Anyway, this first one leaping over the high voltage lines keeps reminding me of counting sheep.

3919 Leaping Cloud

3919 Leaping Cloud

The huddle of them by San Marcos Pass launched this one, and it moved the width of this photo within two minutes. Perhaps a minute after this shot it had melted away completely. It’s unusual to have sunset colors in different directions, but this one was almost opposite to the first.

3924 Northeast Sunset

3924 Northeast Sunset

A few minutes later, the last colors gathered in the West for a warm farewell.

3955 Afterglow

3955 Afterglow

2010/12/10

Warm Wind

Filed under: Happiness,Has Photos,Nature,Random,SB Region — John @ 01:53

Mid-70s again today, with a warm wind at sunset. While we were washing windows, sunset clouds were scurrying along the hills.

3898 Warm Clouds Over Painted Cave

3898 Warm Clouds Over Painted Cave

Earlier we’d shampooed the carpet, taking advantage of wide open windows and all fans full blast to dry it out. As sunset faded, we noticed the sliver of moon as a nightcap.

3911 Moon Chasing Sun

3911 Moon Chasing Sun

2010/12/09

Warm December Sunset

Filed under: by Anne,Has Photos,Nature,Random,SB Region — Anne @ 03:05

A treat after our recent cold boot-wearing days, this was a warm & delicious sandal-wearing day in December.   I snapped this shot to share with John who was busy with Dori in anticipation of Christmas plans.  Lights in the hilltop home hint at dinner preparation and anticipation of night.

0945 Winter/Summer Sunset

0945 Warm December Sunset

by ~Anne

2010/12/08

A’s photos, same trip(p)

Filed under: Aviation,by Anne,Flying,Has Photos,Nature,SB Region — Anne @ 05:07

John invited photos and I do have three to share.  Over the Santa Ynez valley I enjoyed the long dark shadows cast by the pale trees.  When looking at the actual photo, I noticed Cachuma Lake in the upper right corner, so that gives you an idea of location.  But for now, here is what drew my eye:

0936 Shadow Sentrys

0936 Shadow Sentrys

West of Michael Jackson’s place John noticed this nestling cloud all by itself on my side so I took a quick snap.

0939 Cloud snug & nestled in

0939 Cloud snug & nestled in

Coming back along the coast out of Gaviota, I liked these craggy rocks along shore, and lined them up along the contrasting straight & narrow railroad track.  My first glance at the actual photo looked like snow at the top, as though snow was coming down a green mountain.  Snowy looking Surf!

0941 Snowy surf, Squiggly rocks, Straight rail

0941 Snowy surf, Squiggly rocks, Straight rail

by ~Anne

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