John & Anne Wiley

2012/11/22

Appreciation

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,Nature,People,Random,Relationships,SB Region — John @ 09:22

I like that our country has a tradition of gathering with family and friends for Giving Thanks. Even though like all other aspects of American life it has been commercialized, there is still a strong feeling of appreciation in the hearts of many who gather for this holiday. For me, it adds an extra impulse to notice and express what is of value. Tops in my list is appreciation of the exceptional woman who joined with me and our friends and family on this spot some years ago.

1560 E. Shoreline Park

1560 E. Shoreline Park

When we’re walking, driving or flying past and I see people gathered around that bench at the east end of the park, it brings back warm memories of that day and a renewed enjoyment of our marriage. We’ve always appreciated our good fortune in discovering Santa Barbara and managing to move here. Even more so since our incredible luck in starting to fly and have our hearts expanded by scenes like this.

1565 Appreciating Home

1565 Appreciating Home

Most of all on this holiday, I appreciate Love. The love of strangers, but of course even more the love of friends and family. In a deeper sense the love of Life that’s evoked by appreciating the efforts of our ancestors who nurtured and advanced our opportunities. As we steadily approach the end of this beautiful life, the colors of appreciation fill our hearts to overflowing.

1593 Appreciating Love

1593 Appreciating Love

May this holiday bring you many warm moments, happy memories, and ever more appreciation as our lives continue to unfold.

2012/11/20

Bliss 360

Filed under: Aviation,Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,Nature,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 04:40

Taking off from SBA is bliss in every direction. Mountains, ocean, city, country, and hints of all the other variety California has to offer from redwoods to lakes and rivers to deserts. All of it caressed by idyllic weather here in the Goldilocks zone. No matter which runway we use, lifting off we’re greeted by transcendent scenes like this.

1345 Up & Out

1345 Up & Out

The sensation of lifting up and flying out over the water is thrilling, quickening the heart and instantly expanding the horizon. There’s the beach, slough and pier where we just roamed with E Man. Arcing back over the shore in a gentle climb, the trusty song of Tripp’s engine disappears until the whisper of a gentle breeze soothes our souls.

1348 I See UC

1348 I See UC

There’s the Isla Vista we’ve strolled, and the UC campus of Erin and then Molly. Even after a long dry spell like we had here until this weekend, there’s so much to thrill the eye and nourish the soul as we approach the mountains this time.

1359 Eye Level

1359 Eye Level

Turning along the shoulders of the peaks we easily rise until eye level with the ridge. There’s the Old San Marcos stagecoach road we’ve driven with friends and family, pausing to enjoy the smell of sage and stretch our legs. Now I look at a dry waterfall, silently awaiting the rain that will refresh all this and trigger an explosion of life.

1362 Expectant Falls

1362 Expectant Falls

All of this, and a 360 degree panorama more, has slipped beneath our wings in just 360 seconds of bliss. This is why we fly.

2012/11/19

E Man

Filed under: Happiness,Has Photos,Nature,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 01:57

Today we met a super guy named E Man. When he saw this grebe walking on water, he said he could do it too if he ran fast enough.

1494 Water Trick

1494 Water Trick

We had met E Man earlier at Goleta Beach, and during our time together he had already demonstrated some flying ability.

 

1532 E Flight

1532 E Flight

He also likes to study nature up close, finding fascination all along our walk with his keen mind and sharp eyes.

1469 Science Moment

1469 Science Moment

Before that, out on the pier he witnessed a leap of friendship. A friend of this woman had passed away, and this was her way of honoring him. Luckily she had cautioned us that we didn’t need to be concerned or try to jump in after her. But maybe watching this had inspired E Man’s later leap from the playground equipment.

1453 Going Down

1453 Going Down

We hope to see E Man again some time, and enjoy more fun adventures around town.

2012/11/17

Pitt Stop

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,People,Random,SB Region — John @ 19:05

When we’re flying West of town, sometimes we check in on Brad & Angie’s sweet little place on the beach. I doubt they ever visit anymore, but the caretakers at the left end keep it looking good for us.

1315 Pitt Stop

1315 Pitt Stop

I like to picture us sitting in lounge chairs looking at the surf and sipping a beer, with the sound of each gentle wash of foam on the sand taking us more deeply into nourishing relaxation.

1315 Imaginary World

1315 Imaginary World

Or maybe taking to the waves on that pair of surfboards at the bottom-right. It’s easy to see how this would have been a good Pitt stop when they wanted a break from a stint in the pressure cooker of Hollywood.

2012/11/11

Far Out

Filed under: Flying,Happiness,Has Photos,Inner World,People,Random,Relationships,SB Region — John @ 02:30

Far out of town to the West beyond Refugio is a little enclave with some wonderfully creative homes on the bluffs overlooking the beach. Unless you’ve flown low and slow along this coast (or spend a lot of time on Google Earth) you might never know such beautiful and whimsical houses are there. Places like this with its sprawling free-form roof, and a little rounded structure behind it at the right.

1301 Free Form

1301 Free Form

This next one shaped somewhat like a sea creature’s shell, evokes the late 1960s when architecture expanded with all manner of “far out” rounded forms. Must be a very cozy and beautiful place to live.

1304 Sea Shell

1304 Sea Shell

Two doors down is this home with a very angular collection of shapes, offering a great contrast in its straight lines.

1306 Sharp Angles

1306 Sharp Angles

With so many of our homes following the rectangular form, it’s always fun to see architects and builders going far out of the norm. Maybe this proves yet again that diversity is a core human value.

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