Mendocino Coast

Today is the day after Thanksgiving. I could have been be dashing off to mega-stores, rushing and crushing against the masses, eagerly seeking the ultimate gift. 

Instead, I choose to gift myself with the many moods of the Mendocino coastline. Each time I am within its reach, I am transported in a swirl of peace, in a gift of thankfulness for this amazing area where I live. 

Down by the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean, I edge close to tide pools; I wrap myself in the cooling morning mist, the fog slowly lifting in small parcels across the sky. I climb into it, then over it. I smile.

Recent online reviews of the area mention how one simply must stop at the newly refurbished and family-owned Stewart's Point General Store - first opened in 1868. I am tempted. 

To my delight I discover that their small displays tucked here and there in the store are just like the vignettes of style and design that I treasure. I smile. I leave sandwich in hand and head seven miles inland to the ridge-top vistas of Annapolis Winery, another gem of a find!

Soon after Stewart's Point, the Sea Ranch beckons. Each time, I am drawn to its tranquility. There is a dreamy secret about it. The ocean in its endless vastness leaves me in awe every single time. I will not reveal too much. It is too precious.

The setting evening light after a long drive over the rugged ridge to Anderson Valley brings me full circle to Point Arena, in time for a relaxing twilight dinner with all the beauty that envelops the area.

I shall indeed give thanks… for witnessing the beauty and the life that revives my spirit every time I sense a tension in my being.

I do believe you will agree. It is good for the soul…

A Secret Garden in the wine country

A bit busy since my last post! My excuses are mine alone - I could call them valid… A daughter launched off to college in Europe; another daughter enraptured with the thrill of another ballet season (taxi-mom at your service!); and a lovely new relationship to distract every bit of me. The good news about these past months is the abundance of beauty I have kept coming across.

The Fall is now here, with its crisp morning chill, its balmy midday sunlight, and its captivating evening twilight. My pace is often dreamlike as I walk along paths of new discoveries; absorbing new vistas, new colors, new scents, new inspiration, new light.

This set of images was captured on a stunning day just weeks ago in the wine country at Preston Vineyards in Dry Creek Valley ~ bucolic setting; ideal picnic grounds; dear friends; a bottle of 'Madam Preston' wine in hand, and a stroll through their Secret Garden ~ a gem in itself ~ a gem of a day.

Away I plot my next post ~ but do indulge in this one, it is just a tease for what is to come.

My blog hiatus has been indulgent ~ but I have treasures to share; the amazing art of my father; a new journey up the coast; more wineries to inspire; the ultimate French café experience; unique vintage market finds; lavender blossoms along hidden paths.

I must hurry ~ the holidays are around the corner of the season.

It's all coming ~ it's all so good for the soul; don't you think… even taking a little break.

Autumn in the Bay Area

In the San Francisco Bay Area, autumn has definitely set in, with the winter chill not far away. Rains have been abundant; skies have been ominous; creeks have overflown; leaves have been billowing high. As I await a few rays of morning light to capture the Christmas vignettes I have staged around my home; I offer this moody set of black and white photographs, reminiscent of the long lost days of pinhole cameras. Taken just a few weeks ago before major storms hit the area, I drove by the same spot a week ago; only to find just a few rusty leaves precariously holding on for dear life to their nude branches.

Once again, I turn to the poetry and writings of Rainer Maria Rilke...

Autumn, from the Book of Images by Rainer Maria Rilke

Leaves are falling, falling as if from afar,
as if, far off in the heavens, gardens are wilting.
And as they fall, their gestures say "it's over".

In the night the heavy Earth is falling 
from out of all the stars into loneliness.

We all are falling. This hand here is falling.
Just look: it is in all of us. 

Yet there is one who holds this falling
with infinite tenderness in her hands.


This weekend some sun rays caught light of my living room; just wait... within days, I will have Christmas sparkling in a new light of photographic vignettes.
Santa is coming to town, and that in its own special way... is also good for the soul...
... Are you ready?