I Have A Dream, Explained

Leenie thought that perhaps my dream, mentioned in an earlier post, might have something to do with a RU in Boulder Creek: don't panic, Lee, it ain't so.

My dream (our dream, actually, for we see eye to eye on it) is this:

• to instill an atmosphere of light, space, and serenity in this corner of the world;

• to build in private areas for each of us, where we can have a modicum of solitude; and working together, to make our common areas beautiful and restful, as well as useful for us;

• to establish a "pilgrims' inn" of sorts, or a retreat house if you like -- where, during our occupation, we can offer a place for anyone who is weary of the world below to come and rest in quiet peace for a time;

• to create a legacy for our children and grandchildren for the future -- when we are bound for glory (or whatever), we'd like to leave a place that will be available to all of you when you need surcease from your labors.

I'd like to say more about the last two points, in the next post.

Sunday Meditation

Over coffee at dawn, we talked about our different approaches to seeing spaces.  John presented this dichotomy:  he is a top-down, whole-picture kinda guy; I focus on minutae.  His analogy, as ever, was apt:  he walks into a certain room, sees a yellow cup on a table, and sees the room in a certain way; if later the cup is removed, he will enter the room and see it in a slightly different way.  I can walk into a room, and there could be a yellow elephant standing in one corner -- but I might only see that I like the color of the curtain on one window.  (One of my former bosses, Ruben Patino, used to call this the Fran Syndrome; he knew it well.)

So when John wants to get the book boxes unpacked right away, because they fill one wall of what will be the Library eventually -- I don't understand; I just don't see the boxes, if I'm looking for a scissors I may need at the moment.

Neither of us like clutter, but John dislikes it more intensely than I do.  We both long to create an atmosphere of serenity in this house, but I'm willing to do it slowly.  John is trying to be patient, though, and I give him great credit for that.

Fifth of July ("feelin' independent")

We have left the weather-beaten old flag flying in front of the house, only because neither of us is tall enough to haul it down -- but it will be retired as soon as possible.  I love America the Beautiful very much, but I don't have to fly a flag to prove it.

It's a gorgeous, clear morning, headed toward very warm later; we have slept well.  I saw a giant planet (Jupiter, says John), walking across our night sky: Jove, the Capo di Capi .... and in Italian, now that we're into that, his name is Giove!  How about that connection, Leenie?  We've both found our hearts' home.

As I write, there is a sound of a siren, out on Big Basin Highway -- a sound we don't like to hear. This seems to be Chips, however, nabbing a speeding cyclist -- Harleys are much in evidence up here on weekends.

Allons, Enfants!

Yes!  It's Bastille Day!  And we, having stormed the battlements and begun the New Regime (On Line Version) are ready to roll .... I missed over a week of "Trailer Park to Country Club" posts, so read up (or down, depending on how you connect to the blogs in time sequence).

I HAVE A DREAM

No, Leenie, there is no RU in our immediate future, don't panic!

Right now we are just trying to find a path through the packing boxes.

We are unpacking slowly; and we're adjusting to the NR (New Regime, you know).  In fact, we were asleep by 9:30 PM last evening; and during the quiet night in our lovely bed I woke a few times briefly -- to watch a gorgeous, huge planet travel across the sky above our property clearing.  We woke at dawn (that's 5:30 AM up here), and had coffee while we watched the sunlight touch the tops of the pines on the distant hills.

Today I've unpacked most of the kitchen things; they are probably not stashed in the right places to suit both of us -- I was just trying to clear out the cartons and paper wrappings.  But at least tonight I think I can cook up a simple pasta and have a hot meal for the first time in many days.

As soon as we are online at home (by early next week) I will write a longer blog, describing my dream for the future of our cottage.

Love to all, and Happy Independence Day weekend to all!  Obama Rules (we hope)!

Home Sweet Home

This noon we checked out of Merrybrook and drove up and into Bracken Brae to stay for good.  We have spent a large part of the afternoon getting set up and forging a path through the moving cartons -- from the kitchen to the bedroom.  The bed is made up with fresh linens and new pillows, and a soft breeze blows through the big windows of that lovely master suite.  The telephone is on and working; and the kitchen ledge is cleared off in part -- enough room for Julie's famous dinner plan to take place (i.e., there's the phone, with the number of the pizza delivery; there's the space on the kitchen ledge, cleared enough to set the pizza down.)  

Right now, John is running errands -- to get the propane gas turned on so we can really cook -- and to pick up a card table, so we can sit down to eat -- and to buy some rubber "feet" for our bed so it won't send us sailing right out the French doors onto the deck, with those slick wood floors under its caster wheels!

We'll do a lot more unpacking tomorrow; and then we're going to take the Independence Day weekend off to rest.  Boulder Creek village shuts down for the 4th, the highway is closed to traffic, and we have an all-day community party, with the firemen putting on a pancake breakfast, a Big Parade down the highway, a BBQ in the local park, and lord knows what-all else!  On Saturday, Joe and KB and Josh are coming up for lunch with us at Scopazzi's and an afternoon checkin out our house.  Sunday, Marie and Robert are driving through, going home to Pasadena after a visit to M's friend Rose in Berkeley; they'll get their grand tour of our new home, and stay over at the local motel that night.

I bought a notebook/Guestbook, and everyone who comes to see the house must write in it their impressions and their suggestions for how to proceed with the settling in and decorating. We may not use any or all of the ideas -- but we may use some -- and it's always good to get a look at a place through others' eyes.  

We are also going to get out our camera and start recording the proceedings as we unpack and set up; that will give those of you who are not yet able to see the place a chance to put in your own suggestions and comments.

I have a dream, about this Redwood Cottage: and I will relate that to you all in the next blog installment.

Boulder Creek: Home At Last

Santa Barbara, I waved thee farewell yesterday.  Boulder Creek, today I am home.  Well, almost; our humble possessions are in the cottage -- the Big Old Truck pulled up to the stop sign in this village just as we arrived in our Honda; we are grateful to Aussie Movers for the transport.  After the moving van left, we came down to Merrybrook Lodge and checked in with Raj, our Annex Manager.  He loves us; he knows he'll have a continuous font of business at this hostelry now that we've moved in, practically next door.  My sibs drove up behind us, arriving right on time at cocktail hour.  They have the two cottages next door to ours on the creek.  We went to the village for a nice little supper at one of the funkier establishments available; our fave ristorante, Scopazzi's, is closed on Monday/Tuesday, unfortunately.  We slept peacefully and deeply to the lullaby of the creek waters -- after all the pushing we have done over the past several weeks to get packed up and checked out of Santa Barbara.  This morning, we are rejoicing in just being here in our mountain greenery, with the sun filtering through the cool branches of the redwoods; and we've decided to declare a victory in the Moving Anschluss; we're going to book this cabin for another night, and put off the unpacking and moving-in for a couple of days of rest.  Today is my brother's 70th birthday: reason to blow the shofar and proclaim a feast.  We'll take a picnic lunch up to Big Basin, the first California State Park -- where the deer and the antelope play (well, at least does and fawns come up to your table and beg a sandwich!)  We'll hug a few trees, in Teri's honor -- and maybe a fawn or two -- and soak up the beauty.  Love to all of you -- you have made this possible.