Going to the Maul   I did a search on “Bear spray” today because I wanted a picture to go with this post. I don’t recommend searching for bear spray because those images are linked to mauling victim photos. Don’t do it. I almost lost my lunch.   I’ve been very troubled by the news … Read more

    Bobcat Don’t-Wait     On Tuesday of this week I encountered a mountain lion (it may have been a bobcat) on my mountain biking trail.   This has always been a fear of mine.   The next day I skipped my routine and opted for an alternative, the Thousand Steps stair workout in Laguna. … Read more

Bejesus   Three days ago I blogged an entire (short) piece* about risk and adventure, which includes quotes like “Your life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” and “Do one thing every day that scares you.” You get the gist. Easy to write, not so easy to do.   The next day I … Read more

Good to Go   While our bikes were in transport on the back of his car, John didn’t strap my beautiful bike down well enough which resulted in what he called a “scratch” on my crossbar.  I called it a gouge. He suggested I put a sticker over it. In my heart, I suggested we … Read more

How to do Ribs     I like adventure. And some risk. But I have my limits. I have no plans to try, say, sky diving, or scuba diving. Not my bag.   Since I was a child, my mom has always been a worrywart and on the nervous side about me “doing stuff.” I … Read more

Man Bun     “Have a seat,” he said. John wanted to show me his photos from his weekend camping trip to Yosemite, so he pulled up a chair for me at the desktop computer (vs. iPhone, vs. iPad, vs. laptop) so that I’d have a big view. He gets excited about this stuff; I … Read more

Pane Bella Take Away   The trouble is, you think you have time.–Buddha     When I moved into my neighborhood almost fifteen years ago, I discovered the most intoxicatingly delicious and perfectly convenient, walkable bakery, Pane Bella. Pane Bella had a ciabatta loaf (flat-ish bread) like my tongue-buds had never known. You can bet … Read more

Collage: What is Real Sept. 6, 2018   I didn’t open my eyes to look at the orange numbers on the digital clock, so I can’t tell you what time it was, but I do know it was still dark when I heard the familiar sound of my coffee mug being placed onto the stone … Read more

Varroommm with a View     You are what you eat.   You are what you do.   For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.*   You are what you think about.     We may not all agree on these statements about personal responsibility. For example, there are at least … Read more

Offended on a Love Seat   If you’ve ever been offended by someone, this might be for you:   The five-day finale to our three-week European trip was a Mediterranean cruise compliments of John’s company. It was the morning of our last full day and we had arrived at the port near Rome. Sitting quietly … Read more