Lighting the way

Dear readers, my plan was to post on the 20th, but overtaken by the beauty and charm of The Season, I published the post below as well. I plan to return on Christmas and New Year's. Extending my warm Holiday Wishes to you all. ~ Anitra

As Christmas nears,

I'm finding the visual treats of the season not only in gift stores and in window displays, but I'm seeing them in Santa Barbara's foliage as well. And I believe that this must be how Christmas ornaments evolved, from the desire to bring nature's abundance close.

At this time of the year, when the trees in much of the world are bare and their surroundings colorless, having an evergreen in the house, lush with the beauty and promise of nature, comforts the heart. And Christmas lights too seem to mirror the natural world like stars twinkling through the branches of the pines.

Blessings

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Being thankful for ones blessings and the gifts in our lives elevates our spirits. None of us escapes life's struggles, but expressing gratitude for what we have has a way of transmuting problems.

It's been said that what we think about and focus on expands. My experience is that it's true. And as I write this, Dear Readers, I think of how enriched I've been this year by your presence. May you all find peace and joy on this very special and exquisite day.

My warm regards, ~ Anitra




PS: I will return on December 20th with my next post :)

November Skies

After six months of steady fog -- November has brought with it new clarity. Along with greater visibility, have come the long shadows of autumn and deep lush color in the sea and sky. For two weeks, Santa Barbara's sunsets have been mesmerizing, delivering ten minutes of luminous lavender descending into coral and gold.







Dear Cherished Readers, I plan to post on Thanksgiving and then again on the 20th of December. Hope to see you then, ~ Aneet

Zombies, Ghosts and Ghouls . . .

are coming to your neighborhood. The signs are everywhere. It's now, when the moon is closest to the Earth, that many cultures believe lonely ghosts and departed ancestors hover around us, "All Hallows Eve," "The Day of the Dead" and "Feeding the Hungry ghosts" are celebrations to honor this time.

And so, if over the next week, you dress like a pumpkin, or play an eerie flute, or indulge in more than your share of dark chocolate, please be very, very creepy about it when you do--and let me remind you to be sure to have a blast. And oh, don't forget to leave an apple on the porch for dear old Grammy McAllister.





**See you again on the 20th of November :)

Sleepless in Santa Barbara

It's 5:00 a.m. My bare windows read black sky. I've had too little sleep, yet some part of me is eager, like a deer in the forest ready to greet sunrise with an early morning drink at the lake.

I hate to slog a tired body through a bright and glistening day, but I simply can't get back to sleep. It's not wild expectation that fuels me. In fact, for all appearances, this particular Saturday looks dull -- nothing on my calendar but one blank square smack in the middle of October. Even so, I'm prompted to look outside at what surrounds me -- to view the changing colors of the leaves, and to watch the shifting shadows of autumn as they intersect summer's light.

On this one, small day, in these hours before dawn, I'm reminded of that substance that the Buddhists call "The Arising" --and as I contemplate this concept, I can almost hear the day breathing, its heartbeat pulsing somewhere beyond the horizon, pacing forward like a promise -- like a silent serenade.

October Sightings

View From Channel Drive

Glimpse of Gibraltar Peak

Convergence of Crows at Alice Keck Park

Dashing Caddy

Mini Racer

Dodge Surprise