Orange

Recently, I've noticed that many of Santa Barbara's natural gifts are orange, from the monarch butterflies that spawn here in winter, to the orange trees that bear fruit in almost every yard.

And then, there are the California poppies that paint the rural hills and fields with color. When early explorers sailed toward this coast, they saw the bright orange, poppy-laden hills in the distance, and thought they were in flames. For this, they named the area, "Hills of Fire."

special delivery

The torrential rainstorm that tore through Santa Barbara last weekend, brought with it the first tornado warning I've seen in 30 years of living here.

The morning after the storm, I awoke to bright blue skies and a rare Santa Barbara sight: mountains dusted with powdered sugar.

The Lagoon

One Santa Barbara location that never disappoints is the lagoon at UCSB. It covers several hundred acres on the south side of the campus, and is a sanctuary for birds and wildlife.



A winding path around the inlet connects to the ocean on its southern and eastern edges. Here, it rises into bluffs to deliver sweeping views of the coastline and the Santa Ynez Mountain Range

Valentine's Day

When I began this blog 7 months ago, I arrived with minor curiosity and absolutely no knowledge of how to navigate a blog. But here it is.

And as by trial and error I continue, much to my surprise, I'm finding that, with your interest, creating a blog illuminates what I see. I so enjoy sharing my environment and perceptions with you.

And so, thank you Dear Readers and Viewers. I want to return a bit of the favor to wish you a very Happy Valentine's Day and a warm and fulfilling season ahead.
~ Anitra.

two views of Santa Barbara chocolate

Seventies snapshot

Just one brief moment
out of oh, so many
in full animation
beside door
number 3

strolling, Santa Barbara style

There's nothing like walking on the beach for elevating the spirit. Strolling along the sand and listening to the soothing mantra of the waves washes away the ego and brings one home to a deeper, truer sense of self.

Science tells us that it's the negative ions generated by the molecules of moving water that are found in fresh air and in nature as well, and that negative ions increase serotonin and have healing effects on the body.

When the late J. Paul Getty, one of the world's riches men, was asked what made him happy, he replied, "Walking on the beach."