I’m starting this blog with this pic because of two things: one, it is a very cool pic and
two, it is a new and novel way of looking at reality. That is, giving up space and time as fundamental constituents of nature and figuring out how the Big Bang and cosmological evolution of the universe arose out of pure geometry. Does this not remind one of the great Pythagoras (c. 580-500 BC)? And where did he get his IDEAS – Ancient Egypt of course, the birthplace of arcane knowledge. Check out the article for details. https://www.simonsfoundation.org/quanta/20130917-a-jewel-at-the-heart-of-quantum-physics/

“I do not need to wait until I am removed from the things around me in the physical world to gain entry into the spirit realm. I already exist and live in the latter much more truly than in the former. Heaven does not lie beyond the grave; it is here already, pervading all of nature, and its light rises in every pure heart.”

Johann Fichte, 19th century German philosopher. This guy is well worth reading.

This is not far off either from some of the ideas shared by one of my very favorite scientist/humanists, CarL Sagan. In 1980 I received a personal hand written letter from Dr. Sagan encouraging me to continue my efforts to present the “other side” of science through my institute, MioSah.

Ah Carl, we could so use you now.

“Science is acquired at great expense, by frequent vigils, by great expenditure of time, by sedulous (dedicated) diligence of labor, by vehement application of mind.”
Alexander Neckam 1200 AD

A bit of levity in my day yesterday – a gecko fell on my head. I was hatless so it was a very tactile experience. It was as surprised as I was. It has certainly been a year for The Reptile People – they are everywhere!

On the 8th of Sept. I went out on a very flat day to The WZ. I enjoyed my usual commune with the Sacred Directions and then started back in. About half way in I heard a blow. Sounded like a whale but I couldn’t be sure. I scanned the horizon behind me and saw to the north what appeared to be a large herd of dolphin coming my way. I figured that’s what I had heard so I turned around and started back for an intercept. As I am paddling strongly to the north I suddenly hear the blow again and no question this time, it's a whale!! It is to the south of me but I am on the right track to intercept it also. It is a big whale and damn, it’s a Blue – HOOHAH! So I start paddling towards the dolphins but am focused on a path that will take me in front of the whale. Before the whale surfaces again I am surrounded by about 100 Bottle Nose dolphin and I can’t decide what to do – dive in with the dolphins and have a certain encounter or stay afloat and wait for the whale. I decide to go in – great swim with lots of dolphins but alas I did miss the next surfacing of the whale. I figure it went north so I continue in that direction until I tire and then head back to my haul out. As I come within a ½ mile of my haul out – foosh – the whale blows just north of me and maybe a ¼ mile away. I paddle like crazy and reach the slick left by his dive and continue in the direction I am sure it is going. After about a mile and no whale I have to give up and as I turn once again to head home it blows, but way east. Oh well – great exercise!

Mother introducing calf to human
No, this is not me but I will say this: THREE TIMES I have been in EXACTLY this situation with a mom/calf pair. This close and/or closer – I even wear a white shirt like his when I dive. When I saw this I thought, “who the hell was in the water that day with me to get this shot”. Well, like I said it’s NOT me but I can say with all respect and honesty – been there!! I add that in all three cases the mother stayed on the other side of the calf from me so that the calf and I had a VERY CLOSE encounter. I was/am honored to have been trusted in this fashion.

On the 11^th while swimming my laps over the reef I came across this guy – a Spotted Eagle Ray. They are capable of a strongly toxic sting if they get you with the base of their tail – best to stay clear.

Spotted Eagle Ray, I've only seen a half dozen of these guys - beautiful.

I just finished reading yet another Stephen King book ( I thought I had read them all). Oddly enough it turned out to be his first novel “The Gunslinger: The Dark Tower I”. Enjoyable read but nothing, as expected, compared to his later works. Nonetheless a few quotes from the gunslinger himself:

"The greatest mystery the universe offers is not life but size".

"Only equals speak the truth, friends and lovers lie endlessly, caught in the web of regard".

"He was lonely but did not find loneliness a bad or ignoble thing".

9/13: on this day in 1992, Dr. Mae Jemison became the first African American woman to travel through space. She served as Mission Specialist aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-47. “Good on ya mate”!! Read “The Help”  - Kathryn Stockett – 2009 for perspective. It is not about Mae and yet it is very much so.

Dr. Mae Jemison

And speaking of space travel, check this out. Homo sapiens has sent it’s message into DEEP SPACE – we are on the road. Believe me when I suggest that it is the height of arrogance to assume we are now going to “f**k up” The Galaxy – don’t panic!!

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/12/tech/innovation/voyager-solar-system/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

This is a little closer to home – Hurricane Manuel (9/18) as seen from my bluff as it rolled along the mainland side of The Sea of Cortez heading north. We were gifted with rain and were spared the devastation on the mainland.

Pic taken from the patio of Alex and Leslie Cook, my good neighbors

I also just finished Vol. IV of Durant’s epic series (books not TV) “The Story of Civilization”. It was titled “The Age of faith”. It certainly reinforced my belief that Judeo-Christian-Muslim religions have perpetrated more violence, greed and discord in the world than any other factors combined.

“There are few things in the world as unpopular as the truth.”

“Inquiry is fatal to Certainty”.

Will Durant

Bottom line for me!

Some of you may have an interest in the possible past existence of a large island body that sank in mid Atlantic thousands of years ago. Popularly called “Atlantis” and seen by most as simply myth (not unlike the Judeo-Christian-Muslim myths) but by others as a reasonable conjecture if you have any knowledge of plate tectonics, geography, ancient history, marine archeology and economics. This is an article that may be of interest. Do not pay any attention to the website photo, it is photo shopped but this is worth perusing – after all, you don’t even have to go to the library!

https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.altering-perspectives.com%2F2013%2F06%2Fgiant-pyramids-and-sphinxes-found-in.html&h=MAQGLd580&enc=AZMCzZBD8ojTo6I9LQGFsY4PFafdLJb3g8PE84ao_sKwZQBaO1rgZV8dbficywvOtm0HNmlfNjwikOp7tzkGBzZv6Zrsx9MUviYQ4KngBWlw0mAmfJOQmAtnWPrNkXLioUk&s=1

Iceland is taking a quota of 154 Fin Whales this year. Almost all of the body pieces are going to Japan – hard to believe.

On a more positive note check out this photo taken by a new friend, Peter, who studies the North Atlantic humpbacks that breed in the waters of The Dominican Republic. He swims with them too, as is evidenced by this picture!!

He called this shot "Whale Soup" - For other reasons than The Japanese might! Notice how the pectoral fins are white on the upper surface - my Pacific humpbacks have the white on the under surface (not 100% though)

Speaking of breeding, here is a shot of the tracks of a female Hawksbill Sea Turtle coming up the beach in front of my place to lay her eggs. I’m not sure if she was successful but I have done all I can to hide the nest from dogs and poachers. These turtles are “critically endangered”.

A few days before I had come across one on the reef and got these shots – could be the same one.

On the 22^nd I was doing my laps over the reef and suddenly a single baby Golden Jack started swimming inches from my mask. It stayed with me for the entire 30 laps and didn’t leave until I climbed back up on my kayak. I love it, “All Creatures great and Small”, eh!

There's the little guy!

It’s a good thing I walk barefoot everywhere. The other day I stepped right on top of a Desert Horned Lizard. If I hadn’t felt it, I would have squished it. My foot came up right away and it scampered off before I could get a picture.

Here’s some news on the astronomy front. When I was very young there were two things that really, really interested me: Egypt and Astronomy.......and The French Foreign Legion, so here’s some interesting stuff.

Future Mars explorers may be able to get all the water they need out of the red dirt beneath their boots, a new study suggests. NASA's Mars rover Curiosity has found that surface soil on the Red Planet contains 2 percent water by weight. That means astronaut pioneers could extract roughly 2 pints (1 liter) of water out of every cubic foot (0.03 cubic meters) of Martian dirt they dig up, scientists said. Having readily available water where ever we go is crucial to success in space, so this is GOOD news.

HISTORY IN THE HEADLINES: This week, NASA released images of the first cloud map of any planet beyond our solar system. The planet, known as Kepler-7b, is one of more than 150 exoplanets discovered by the Kepler telescope, and lies about 1,000 light years away from Earth. http://histv.co/16V6Y9q


Jupiter on the right, Kepler - 7b on the left

And……

A nearby alien planet six times the size of the Earth is covered with a water-rich atmosphere that includes a strange "plasma form" of water, scientists say. Astronomers have determined that the atmosphere of super-Earth Gliese 1214 b is likely water-rich. However, this exoplanet is no Earth twin. The high temperature and density of the planet give it an atmosphere that differs dramatically from Earth.

I assume the right to add just a few words regarding the state of things. I am personally happier than I have ever been since I was 10 so if the following sounds dark, believe me it’s not because I am distressed – just annoyed, ie: the “shut down” etc.

On the last page of my PhD dissertation (available on my website and focuses on higher education) there is a Calvin and Hobbs cartoon set. I considered it apropos of the intent of that dissertation. Here again is Calvin and Hobbs with a very serious message – once again, apropos!

"The soul of another is a dark forest in which one must tread carefully".

Claude Debussy

And finally – that which will make the difference!!

Hope to see many of you at my Ukiah lecture on Oct. 27^th .

This is a ticketed event, check with the Playhouse or Doublewide Productions

  

Right now - my work station in a storm ("Lorena")

                                

Jessica on mountain  2013

This is one of my interns from 2009, Jessica Pletz. She has now become an accomplished rock climber, kayaker, backpacker and a strong advocate for all things environmental. “Good on ya” Jessica!

It is now proven that we humans have a set of cells in our brain that help us orient to the magnetic fields of the earth and thereby aid in determining direction. Of course anyone who studied neurophysiology of any creature would have come to the same conclusion just by reason but it is nice to see ourselves put closer to other life forms instead of being seen as a “special creation”.

http://weather.yahoo.com/human-brains-internal-gps-140910001.html 

Remember the movie “2001, A Space Odyessy”? Well NASA is in the process of developing a project that will land a probe on the Jovian moon Europa to seek life in the fissures of it’s ice covered exterior. This is considered one of the prime places to find extra-terrestrial life within our own solar system. Find me just one, JUST ONE, living cell anywhere off this planet and I will throw a major party and howl at the moon and all our fellow travelers out there in space.

http://weather.yahoo.com/nasa-maps-goals-potential-landing-jupiters-moon-europa-140441155.html

The video recommended here is all about concentration, grace and the unique character of our own species. There is no other critter on this planet that could do this. Minor variations granted – but not this! See it to it’s end for a breath taking finale.

http://www.flixxy.com/the-incredible-power-of-concentration-miyoko-shida.htm

BY THE WAY:

                                 

DNA studies have shown conclusively that The First People here in the western hemisphere arrived at least 20,000 years ago. Here is a picture of some of what they left behind to commemorate their passing. They were the direct ancestors of the people we know as the Anasazi, the Iroquois, the Apache, the Lakota and all the other varied and colorful, intelligent people we call the Indians.

                

Ancient petroglyph left by "The First People"

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/nevada-petroglyphs-oldest-north-america

Looked up a few days ago around five and saw this. I’ve seen pictures of this but I have never seen it in "real life" before. Just damn pretty…..Hell, awesome!

                

 Just magnificent!

On the 16 of last month I went down to my lap pool (the sea) to swim and saw some dark and heavy clouds to the south. After doing my beach workout I got in to swim and about half way through my laps I felt heavy raindrops on my head. We were having a 5 minute Chubasco (heavy wind, pelting rain). It was wonderful – sea churned up, dark, winds, heavy rain - and I just kept on swimming. When I got out the wind was blowing hard enough to cause the raindrops to sting my skin. You can’t buy that kind of experience – pure UNADULTERATED joy!

                     

My lap pool - note the built in reef at the left

      

I am afraid that we are beginning to see some more serious effects due to the pollution of the oceans. To believe that the oceans are deep enough, large enough to handle all the shit we are putting in it is not just naïve, it’s criminally ignorant. Though I am aware of ALL the critters being affected it is the marine mammals I am most concerned about. The article below is a warning – another warning – of what is happening. If my whales start to be effected I will become a vicious eco-warrior and be glad to end my days that way.

 http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/20/us/dolphins-dying/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

Last month I picked up a book at the free library at the office of my dear and helpful friends at Homes and Land Realty in Los Barriles. The cover “caught my eye”. The look on the boy’s face spoke volumes. It is an incredible book - probably some of you are familiar with it. It is the true story of the early life of Frank McCourt, written by him with all the warts and scars showing but without rancor. If you would like a little reality check into what IS an advantaged life, read this. He died in 2009 after being an English teacher here in the US for 30 years. The name of the book is “Angela’s Ashes” – that’s his mother.

                               

                      

 Frank McCourt - survivor with soul and smile in tact!

The other day I was so broken hearted about the events surrounding Syria that I desperately needed some spirit uplifting. Fortunately, and again because of the free library, I had picked up Douglas Adams book, “The More Than Complete Hitchhikers Guide”. This contains the original, “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” plus the three shorter sequels. It was just what I needed! If you know nothing about this book then you have missed some truly hilarious satire couched in comic science fiction. For someone like me, you “can’t get better than that”!

                   

You will have to read the book to understand

Before leaving Syria however: the history (no longer seen as relevant in our school system and now mere propoganda) of conflict between the entire area once known as Syria, that included Persia, Parthia and most all of the eastern Mediterranean and a number of smaller kingdoms, versus the Judeo/Christian west is one that goes back before Caesar, before Alexander and has one basic constant. West versus East for dominance of trade and resources. This is still being played out in the recent events regarding present day Syria. It’s not about poison gas, it’s about the West’s desire to monopolize the energy resources of The Middle East as much as it can. The killing of innocent people is of little concern. Do you kill people to save them? In ANY WAR ZONE – civilian casualties out number military casualties 7 to 1. It is INSANE – that’s why I needed the “Guide”.

Speaking of saving (people or sanity), the other day while doing some pruning a little "Verdin" fell at my feet with his leg tangled in some nest material. He looked pretty well shot, probably had had no food or water for some time (he was not a fledgling). I picked him up, untangled his foot and took him under the palapa. I put some water in a jar lid and laid his beak in it (not enough to drown him for Christ’s sake) and sprinkled some water on him to cool him. After a bit he started perkin’ up and damned if he didn’t get it together to fly off. 

                 

                 

                 

My "Verdin" friend - especially for you Dolores!

Tropical storm Juliette (8/28) turned into a dud. We were hoping for rain. This is what the edge looked like.

                  

Edge of Juliette approaching from the south.

As I write this (9/6/13) TS “Lorena” is just about overhead and we may get some action around mid day or evening.

                    

Tropical Storm "Lorena" comin' my way right now!

Diana Nyad, really “heroic”. 64 years old, 5^th try to swim the 103 miles between Cuba and Florida, a gesture of friendship, spirit, the feminine, aging and no shark cage, guts ball all the way – love ya Diana.

                                

My kind of "HERO" - human/swimmer supreme!

The other day I noticed a rip in my life vest (I’ve only worn it twice in 15 years but keep it strapped to the back of my kayak just in case) and decided to fix it. I put a blue patch on the area and then determined that the patch looked forlorn, so I decided to paint something on it. I thought what might be fun would be to have the sigil of my people (Estonians from the island of Vilsandi which is just off the Estonian coast in The Baltic Sea). I went to Wikipedia and was delighted to find a whole section on the island and it’s people – PIRATES! Yes, the baddest of the bad Viking pirates!! Turns out that my mother’s father’s (this is the man who wrote the book, “30 years a Mariner in the Far East” and is mentioned in the article) family were the first family to settle on this island. I found the sigil which is shared by another group of bad ass Vikings from the adjacent island of Saaremaa. So here it is. Not surprising, eh. It is no wonder that I was always a pirate for Halloween and have ended up by the sea. I am sure that my grandfather’s spirit is content (he pretty much raised me and always hoped I would become a sea captain).

                 

Sigil of the people of the island of Vilsandi - my people!

And look what has come from that line - Kersti (on the right next to her dear, dear friend Michelle) my Viking, Comanche, Celtic daughter.

                 

BTW: Michele has just opened a new store in Healdsburg that you must visit - beautiful goods! Vita Casalinga, 135 Matheson St., Healdsburg

And a little something to think about.

                       
Right on! 

Just a few science contributions - speaking of entering caves where enlightenment lies.

Divers have discovered a primeval forest beneath 60’ of the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The forest became exposed when Hurricane Katrina struck that region and removed 50,000 years of sediment from the forest. The opportunity to discover all kinds of things regarding the natural conditions of The Gulf Area in that time is breath taking – of course you have to be a scientist to understand the excitement generated by this. It is a perfect vindication of the value of Marine Archeology – another SCIENCE!

And now we have found that our solar system was not born within The Milky Way Galaxy at all, but a system ripped from the fabric of the neighboring Dwarf Sagittarian Galaxy by the gravity well at the center of our own Milky Way. For those of you who have no knowledge or interest in astronomy and therefore do not see the wonder in this you have my sincerest condolences. This site will help explain if you are interested: http://viewzone2.com/milkywayx.html

                        
Blue is The Milky Way Galaxy, the yellow dot is our solar system, the red is what is left of the Sagittarian Dwarf Galaxy

Another scientific observation: the termites here in Baja Sur are champions of their species. The posts that I covered with a thick coat of asphaltum and then stuck in the ground as supports for my carport palapa have been totally eaten away. I couldn’t tell until I happened to lean against one of the posts the other day and the whole palapa leaned with me. I cut them shorter and have embedded them in a casing of cement. I have been told by one of my neighbors (btw: when I use the term neighbors I refer to my Mexican community since I am the only Gringo that lives here in El Cardonal) that that should hold them for a couple of years. Gotta hand it to those termites, eh!

I am also delighted to report that there has been a glorious return of the birds, chipmunks, lizards, snakes and other small critters that I used to see here now that the feral cats in the area have been controlled. The “flow” of the natural world has returned – hallelujah!

                 
             
Here are two of my new friends that frequent Shangri-La once again - and the birds have been a sight to behold.

We had a VERY short but sweet rain on the 17^th of last month. As always everything in the desert started greening up immediately – a wonder to watch. Unfortunately we seem to be having another possible draught year – not one tropical storm has hit us yet.

I was reading some Carl Jung the other day and once again realized how sad it is for the human race that we decided to go with Sigmund Freud’s tortured notions of the mind instead of Jung’s much broader and natural interpretations. Of course Freud’s sick mind was exactly what fit the agenda of The Orwellian World we now live in. Sorry – a little dark I know but I am now half way through the 4^th volume (The Age of Faith) of Durant’s epic work and see ever more clearly the immense harm that religion has done to the human journey – particularly the mythology of The Judeo-Christan-Muslim faiths. OK, enough darkness!

                             

                                     

I have had some real nice days in the water with my amiga Terry. I did some snorkeling around Punta Pescadero (usually don’t dive there but I wanted to share that fantastic beach with her) and found it a delight – will definitely go there more often.

                          

A small school of Chancho Surgeonfish - "Barbero"

Then a couple of days ago we went out to the south point of Isla Cerralvo and swam with some Sea Lions there. At one point I had three of them within reach and one literally in my face – grand experience. Forgot my camera yet again but did have it on a second dive when Terry came in.

                        
This is the group we swam with. The big guy on the right with the light brown head was to lazy to investigate us. BTW: these are California Sea Lions.

                       

Terry getting up close and friendly. That's the male I had my eyeball encounter with.

I heard about a week ago that a large pod of Orcas were working La Paz Bay. I went out in my kayak the next day hoping to maybe have an encounter if they passed my way but the only critter I saw was a Masked Boobie. And yes, Alan, I did do the “paddle call” and damned if he didn’t buzz me! Some folks out in a boat caught some pics of the pod hunting a group of Bottle Nose Dolphins and here is one of their pictures.

                    

Female Orca leaping 15' to zero in on a Bottle Nose Dolphin

Can’t you just feel the power, focus and skill of this Orca. She was successful by the way. Ah, the circle of life, the flow of energy, one creature to the next – a beautiful dance.

                  

So, as another sun sets here in El Cardonal and I prepare to watch for the Perseid Meteor Shower up on my bodega roof sofa, I send you all warm greetings and love from Baja.

                 

That's my funky old sofa you see on the roof - people pay huge amounts of money for my view. Some of you have spent a good evening or two with me up there - cherished memories to be sure!

BTW: I will be giving a slide presentation of my most recent whale work and developments regarding the marine lab here in El Cardonal on the 27^th of October at UPT in Ukiah. Please pass the word and come and enjoy an evening of story telling and whale lore. That’s a Sunday – 2-5 pm. The lecture itself will be about 1 ½ hours.

AND here are some quotes I just could not leave out – courtesy of my daughter Kersti from FaceBook.

               
I try to do this every morning!

              
I've been here - so have you - so has EVERYONE! I'm with all of you in spirit.

                   

This is the big one and the toughest. Still workin' on it.

Just so you know - my life is good. May The Great Mystery embrace you.

 

Kayaking into The Solstice Sun – what an incredible way to great the dawn on such an ancient celebratory day. A tradition going back 100, 1000, 10,000 perhaps even 100,000 years ago.

And just the next day the largest (closest in proximity to Earth that is) full moon of the year – HOOHAH!

                   

A couple of days prior to these events I was out at the WZ in my kayak and since it was so still and peaceful I did my Mer-Ka-Ba meditation while drifting slowly north. When I opened my eyes I saw a good number of Mobulas jumping nearby so I paddled over and joined the group. There were more than I thought so I rolled in and got these pictures with my new PlaySport camera. Not particularly good shots but fun.

                          

                        

While still out there I heard a whale blow to the east and paddled out another ½ mile or so but could not spot him. Heard him blow twice again but no luck spotting it’s blow or back. It must have been way out there because the blow was loud. I suspect that because the sea was so flat the sound carried and/or it may have been a blue whale - so hard to distinguish from the sea/sky.

Speaking of whales, my 2013 humpback data is now up on my website but best to access it from the title page of this blog.

About a week later I was out at The WZ and once again, after meditation, a group of about 20 Pacific Common Dolphin came by and I was able to swim with them for a spell – always a delight.

Saw this on FB the other day. So true, so true.

                           

Does anyone remember Errol Flynn in the classic “Captain Blood”. Sure had me running around the neighborhood with sword in hand for a while.

                                 

The protagonist is the sharp-witted Dr. Peter Blood, a fictional Irish physician who had had a wide-ranging career as a soldier and sailor before settling down to practice medicine in the town of Bridgwater in Somerset where events lead to his becoming a pirate.

It is well worth renting the movie just to see the ultimate sword play between Errol Flynn and Basil Rathbone – extraordinary!

This morning, 7/6/13, Terry and I went kayaking and these two critters flew over, landed about 20 ft away and slowly drifted toward us to within about 5 ft.

                   

The larger is The Brown Pelican and the smaller is one of the gulls but out of my league to identify – anybody? What was so exceptional was their hanging out together and then choosing to fly over and hang with us. On our way in they made a second pass overhead and couldn’t have been more than 4 ft above Terry’s head as they flew by.

Also on a cosmic scale here’s a couple of developments in astronomy that are rather interesting:

For some time now we have been observing the star Gliese 667C. The reason being is that it is a nearby star (about 40 light years) and was one of the first to show signs of having planets orbiting it. No big surprise to anyone with a background in HS science but for the Creationists a real revelation. Well, there’s more to Gliese 667C than we had thought.

               

 The Gliese System

The three planets orbit a star called Gliese 667C, part of the triple-star system Gliese 667. They are between four and eight times the mass of the Earth, making them "super-Earths."

If you were standing on any of the potentially habitable planets in this system, that sun would appear as a bright red star. The other two stars in the system "would look like a very bright pair of stars providing as much illumination as the full moon on Earth," Anglada-Escude said. The planets are likely either rocky or water worlds, meaning they're entirely covered in water. These particular planets also appear to be "tidally locked," meaning the same side of a planet is always facing a star. That means one side of the planet always gets light and the other hemisphere is always in darkness.

"With three terrestrial-mass planets in the habitable zone, the likelihood of one of them actually being habitable is tremendous," Seager said.

And if that’s not cool how about this – there appear to be as many as four astronomical Black Holes in the center of Andromeda Galaxy (2.5 million light years away). Can you just imagine the Space-Time Warp in there!!

              

Andromeda Galaxy's core. 

By the way, you can see Andromeda with the naked eye if you know just where to look and if you have some 8X35 binocs it's no problem. Remember you are looking BACK in Time 2.5 million years ago!

More down to Earth, here’s a picture of my daughter Kersti (left) and her dear friend Michell. 

                

Michell just opened a store in Healdsburg containing items of her own design that she has had manufactured and imported from Italy where she now lives. I remember these two as bare bottomed little “hippy” girls swimming in The Eel River in Mendocino County back in The Days – what a time it all was!

I will leave you with this delightful painting by my dear friend Nantz Hensley.

               

And one little bit of proselytizing:

                 

Let us not forget that ALL of the western hemisphere, ALL that is north, central and south America was once inhabited by an indigenous people whose various CULTURES and NUMBERS rivaled anything in The Old World. They were intentionally almost entirely exterminated in the largest holocaust the world has ever seen - from 90 million to 1 1/2 million.