Quantum of Awesome

Quantum of Solace received less than stellar reviews so our expectations were low when we went to the theater to see it on Saturday.

I was so happy to be disappointed... in the reviews! We loved it. The movie was fabulous , from the opening song `Another way to die` performed by Alicia Keys and Jack White, to the end, which left off with the possibility of another film. Sweet. I thought the newest Bond Girl, Olga Kurylenko did a smashing job...and I wonder what was the name of that lipstick she was wearing? yes...well... it was enough to let us forget, for the moment, about the horrific situation happening right here in our own backyard, another wildfire. It is such an awful feeling, this helplessness. We are told to stay indoors and out of the way so firefighters and rescue workers can move through the streets. I know some of you saw it on the news, and I want to thank you so much for your kind thoughts and hopeful wishes. Every time we have a fire here in California I think everyone holds their breath and prays it doesn't come close to any neighborhoods. This one started in one. No one knows how it began, only where, at Westmont College in Montecito. This campus was built in the 1940's and like alot of the buildings that have burned down so far, they have a little history. This fire, which is still burning, threatening over 1000 homes, is wind blasted, they are calling it sundowner winds, when the cool ocean air meets the hot canyon wind and somehow this creates havoc. And ferocious conditions. So far over 200 homes have been lost though no lives. Thank God for that. We have friends that have evacuated, it seems like everyone knows someone that has or that has lost their home. The trails that we love so much, many are burned beyond recognition.So we do as they ask, we keep the house closed up, windows shut tight. No running. No outside activity. Air quality is so poor. Use water sparingly, the reservoir is lowlowlow. Ash falls like snow covering everything casting a grey pall over all. So we went to the movies, it looked like a ghost town. Doors were closed to keep out the ash (and heat) the temperature is in the high 80's. Poor poor firefighters. Signs are everywhere...In store windows... Thank you Fire Department...We love you Santa Barbara...

Took ourselves for a drink after the movie. You know the one, The Vesper Martini. We lifted our glasses to the newly homeless people,that they can find their way, wish that I could take everyone in, that they may find some silver lining in all this, some catharsis, grateful for no people gone, only replaceable buildings, and please rain please come now, and please wind, calm down, calm calm calm, and to all the people that serve to protect all of us, we raise our glass and thank you, everysingleone.

xxx lori

Lunch Break

photo by dubock

The first swell of the season has come and a flurry of activity has descended on our home (and town). Surfboards can be seen on every other vehicle, under arms of bike riders or skateboarders all looking for the perfect break. My house must have at least 10 boards scattered (carefully,scattered) all around. They are propped up in my husbands office, stacked up on a shed, laying on our picnic table, and when a new one comes home it can sometimes be found laying on a bed. These boards are treated with the most care, since they cost a small fortune, but more, they are the E ticket ride.

Surfing is addicting. When you catch your first wave you want another then another then another. When my kids were young I used to have to start walking away from the beach to get them to come out of the water. I understand how it is, since I grew up surfing myself. And even though I don't surf anymore, I haven't forgotten the thrill. Sometimes, I even suggest to my family to go jump in the ocean, have a surf, get wet...it's a great way to get some exercise, clear your head.

I thought of this post because there is surf, or it was here a couple of days ago, and because just this morning I had a phone call from a friend of mine. He has an agency, the kind that represents actors and models. He said to me that he needed an older woman who surfs. Would I be interested? I said I am neither of those! ok, well, I am older, but not one who surfs anymore. He tried to get me to say I would do it. I told him I couldn't . He said "Oh just try it, you are letting me down". Finally, I said ok, on this condition : I'll do it if it's in Honolulu, where the surf is gentle and the water is warm. And if my sons can come too (in fact my whole family) to help push me in the waves. Then i'll think about it. He grumbled " You are no help at all". Ha!

...the husband...,the older woman, attempting many moons ago..., the ancient art of surfing...









xxx lori

Borrowing Ideas

Borrowing the great idea from Absolute Vanilla , I thought you might like to come along with me for a walk on this beautiful Novemberly (thanks Angela!) day...




Here is my street, isn't this a pretty view? If you turn directly around you will be looking at the ocean, well, if we had a 2 story house you could see it, you have to get a little higher. Today is really windy, it's hard to tell from the photo but I am bringing a beanie. I think we'll walk towards the mountains, let's go!








Right up the street is a miniature horse farm. There are alot of farms in this part of town, in the foothills. There are also several nursery's with green houses here in the valley. The most important, or I ought to say the largest are owned by Dutch families. They grow flowers to ship out across the country. Many have homes here and in Holland. My g~babies are a bit confused by this, they think Holland is down the street from us.

Now we are on a foothill road. This road meanders through Carpinteria and continues on all the way to Santa Barbara, past Summerland and Montecito. It winds it's way past old oaks, meadows, horses, orchards, mansions, small cottages...

and a dried up creek. Sometimes, during the winter, this creek is filled with water and it sweeps up all kinds of random things as it surges toward the ocean, like snakes and turtles, that end up on the beach. One year we scooped up a few turtles and took them to a local animal rescue center. A volunteer there rehabilitates them ~ they get a little massage and a tiny martini before their taken back up into the mountains and deposited right where they started. Kidding about the rehab part, in case you believed me.

Passing by an avocado orchard, we ought to look on the ground for any fallen avocados. I think the rule is anything on the ground is fair game. If you pick any you might get shot or go to jail. I think.

Aren't these beautiful? hanging there all green and ripe (almost) tempting, pick me,pick me. There must be 1 million avocado trees in my town ,with 10 million avocados hanging from them. I see them when I walk or run. But unless friends donate any (and they sometimes do ~bless bless!) I have to buy them in the market at $2.00 apiece!

Ooops! this picture has nothing to do with our walk, its just my delicious grandbabies. Can i tell you a couple cute things about them while we're on our walk? ok, Sadie, on the right, just learned how to text. I know, what? why? I didn't teach her, but anyway, it's a changing world. So, Sunday morning she ran in to me, very excited, "Did you get my text?" I look at her not understanding. My daughter comes in and explains. I go find my phone and here's what I found: i love you lore . Yes. and then, the boy. Travis. He is so smart, reading everything and only in 2nd grade. He is a very good boy too. Careful and thoughtful. He had an eyelash fall on his cheek the other day. My daughter told him he could make a wish. He got his thoughtful look on and said " I wish for all my library books to always make it back on time" . See what I mean? And yes, my daughter and her ex have a new plan for those books.

Uh oh. Our walk is about to be interrupted. It happens all the time when i get right here, unless I am running in which case I am sweating and redfaced and don't stop. This is another wonderful nursery that I love.

Lets go inside. Just for a minute. This place is called Island View Nursery. Because just like the name says, you can see the Channel Islands in the distance. I forgot to take that photo. Oh well, that just means we'll have to come back!

Wouldn't you love to have this in your backyard? think of all the wildlife you could attract. Fun!

And how about one of these? You could put it right next to your watering hole and have a pretend safari. Drinking sundowners watching humming birds and um, well, raccoons. Or maybe a skunk.
Or, look! you could buy a giraffe. He's cute right?

Or how about a tyrannosaurus Rex? I know 2 people (see above) who would think this would be just great for the garden.

I think this is a giant yucca. I like it alot. I think It's very dignified the way it stands in the middle of this courtyard. Now to the right of this photo is the inside part of the nursery, let's go...

I wish you really were here so you could feel the gentle energy of this place. Its saying welcome welcome...

can you see the lovely Buddha just under the fern?

There you are. Hello Buddha. Namaste. We are happy to be here.

In the greenhouse, fountains gurgling and tinkling in every corner.Plants generously giving off their their chlorophyll and oxygen, the air warm and moist.

Fabulous hand carved doors from Bali. Like Narnia. They seem to beckon, walk through me... come discover whats beyond...

And don't you think one of these ought to come home with you? yes? :)

~to be continued...

xxx lori

Awards all around

How do you like that?! I have been given this award by Val over at the most amazing blog, Monkeys on the Roof. For brilliant observations of what it's like living on the African continent, this is the place to go. Thanks Val.



I've been thinking about what Val had to say about awards meaning something after all. She is so right. And even though I think that if this award came in sizes I would have the postage size one and she would have the poster size, it's still a gift. And it still means alot to me. And it's made me think how such a seemingly small thing can add so much to a persons life. Everyday since getting this reminder to pass it on, pay it forward, I've been trying to do just that. At home and at work, with my friends and family. Little notes, messages, reminders to say I appreciate you, I like and or Love you. It really made me think, sometimes even pay attention a little more closely , be more watchful. Giving out Good You!awards just makes you want to give more. So now I think the thing to do is pass this little bit of blog love along to 7 others. And again, I wish it were more.



There's just one problem...



I read and love many of the same blogs that Val does...is it ok to pass the award back? no? yes? are there rules? Oh well, I'll just make up my own and hope that the blog police don't come after me...


For excellent reading, sure to enrich and educate your life, make you smile, laugh, open your mind, even make you want to jump on a plane, here are THE blogs I would like to pass this award back to and on to!




* monkeys on the roof * Plan to stay awhile. You will be transported. It's just that good, go see for yourself if you haven't yet.



* letters from usedom * For a great story and for lovely words of kindness and wisdom, always, visit Angela .



* the times of miranda* get in and hang on, and really enjoy this ride. Miranda is funny and charming and always entertaining.



* fleeing muses* always interesting and fascinating, Tamara is the talented sister of Miranda.





* fire byrd * inspiring and lovely creative writing.



* border town notes * Karen writes from a border town(oh, yes, that's in the title!), another kindred soul.




* absolute vanilla...(and atyllah) * is a must (witty and wonderful) read, as is * blog that mama * hilarious! and...one more and I will stop , * ngorobob house life from the hill * by Janelle and her incredible writing she inspired me to blog with her words of encouragement and by giving the very first comment to my blog. (and then when I was considering not doing this after all, she gave me the keep it up comment). I'm glad I listened. Thanks Janelle. Thanks everyone for the fun.




xxx lori

Hello World

Please allow me to introduce myself. I am an American, a 3rd Generation Californian, part Native American, Spanish, Norwegian, Austrian, German and most likely more. My life is here but my heart is everywhere, all round the world, in the places it has been and some not just yet. Not Yet. For me, there's no end to the people and places a heart can grow to hold. It's like having a child, with each one my heart grows in size and understanding, ahh, so this is what it feels like.








Everywhere I turned today I felt the love of family and friends, some friends I've not yet met. People who have the same hope as me for a better world. A world that we can all be proud of. Maybe not everyone voted the same, but what I'm hearing is that there is still hope.

At this moment in time, it feels like we are all looking in the same direction. Towards a better future. I couldn't sit still in my seat at work. I get that way sometimes when my heart is aching with happiness. So I walked out at closing, walked right down to the beach. I don't know what it is about the endless ocean that soothes me, calms me, welcomes me. I stood here and made a wish that I sent out to all of you. That the change we want, the healing we need, will come. And that this feeling circling the globe will stay with us.

Oh, and I made one more wish, this time from you and me, only for this one I needed my cell phone. I haven't used this number in a long time so I had to scroll through forever till I got to the W's. I made a call to THE WHITE HOUSE. The phone rang and i selected the option to leave a comment. A friendly voice answered "What state are you calling from?" I replied, "California & The World" she laughed and said "OK, what is your comment?" I said " Please tell PRESIDENT Obama, We all say WELCOME!"

xxx lori

Election Day

It's the afternoon here in California, and I wanted to let you know what it's like on this Voting Day. The headlines of the Los Angeles Times shows a photo of both candidates with a caption that reads: The End of The Trail, and right next to this an article titled "Voters' nerves raw on last day."



Amen. Everybody seems to be anxious, exhausted and emotional. It's been a loooooog presidential campaign. It's time for it to be over. Almost.



Our phone started ringing first thing, there is still work to be done. My daughter was organizing carpools to get all the volunteers out to the polls, and voter guides are still being placed on doors this morning. The volunteers will be available to answer any questions, make sure people are aware of their rights, even give rides to those that can't make it on their own to the polling place. Then my phone rang at 7 am, it was my son's girlfriend, my "daughter-in-love", calling to tell me she was on her way up to vote. She had registered in our town and didn't realize that her polling place was here, it was too late to change it! So she's driving all the way up from L.A., almost 2 hours away, to get her vote in. On my way to work I saw 2 different polling places with people queued up already. I stopped to get a latte and at the counter there was a little hand printed sign that read "counseling 25 cents". The young coffee barista smiled at me and said, "we figured people needed to talk!"

Then I got to work and found an email from my friend Anja in Germany... it said, in giant letters,

YEAH - YOU CAN!! HAPPY VOTING!







For the past three days we've had rain, the first of the season. I don't know how much we got but it came down pretty steadily. This morning I woke to the sound of dripping, the sound you hear at the tail end of a storm. And the sun was shining. I went outside to find the most gorgeous day I've seen in a long time. Everything was bright and clean, raindrops hung on every leaf and resembled tiny crystals reflecting all the colors of the garden. It was a morning photoshopped by mother earth. I wondered if this was a sign...for change...for hope.







xx lori

The story of James & Betty

This is a true story. It happened just last month.



There is a couple named James and Betty, they lived in a little cottage down by the beach. It seemed to me they lived here forever. Well, I think it was about 50 years... so in a way it was.



If you were to take a walk on the beach or through the neighboring salt marsh, you would probably seeing James and Betty out too, walking hand in hand, sometimes stopping to watch the waves or the birds and wildlife. Then, about five years ago ,Betty started showing signs of dementia. Eventually it became full blown Alzheimer's disease and Becky began failing to recognize family members, including her own husband of 64 years.



So one night in September, 84 year old James tried to kill himself and his wife via carbon monoxide poisoning that he piped into his home through a hose connected to an Oldsmobile idling in his driveway. His plan to die peacefully beside his wife of 64 years was interrupted by a neighbor who was walking his dog and noticed the pipe running into the residence.



James admitted that he intended to kill his wife and prosecutors sought to keep James in jail on a $ 1- million bond. A superior court judge said the case called for compassion and set bail at $ 100,000.



The couple were extraordinarily close, and James was his wife's primary caregiver as she descended into dementia over the past four years.



James plead no contest to a count of attempted murder, and the charge of elder abuse was dropped. Betty is now residing permanently in a nursing home, from all appearances, out of harm's way.



James spoke of "the crucial night" as resulting from compassion for his wife and his desire to prevent their separation.

The defense said it will push for probation due to lack of a criminal record and the unusual circumstances of the case. But the deputy district attorney said James could still face severe punishment at his sentencing, set for early January. An attempted murder conviction could bring anything from probation to life in prison.

James will undergo a psychiatric evaluation before sentencing and will be watched closely to be sure he follows his bail terms, which include no driving and no unsupervised contact with his wife.

He recently made a visit to see Betty, with his children as monitors.

He sang to her.

She hummed along.

Last week at our Anniversary dinner, my husband and I decided that if we are ever to find ourselves in similar circumstances, we should have a plan. It is heartbreaking any way you look at it, to surrender lives, or to be separated after a lifetime of companionship, bestfriendship. The only state in the U.S. where physician assisted suicide is legal is Oregon, called the Death with Dignity Act. I know that this is a highly emotional subject, one where there is just no easy answer.

Except, i think James and his wife should be together. In whatever capacity they decide. What are your thoughts about this?

xx lori

Fifty more please?

Three years ago today...




What a ride it's been... deserted islands in the Indian Ocean, glaciers in Canada, dirt roads in Africa, deserts in the Mojave , the highest Mountain in the U.S., volcanos in Hawaii, surf in New Zealand, fales in the South Pacific and much much more...





everywhere is home when we're together.

xoxoxoxo lori ann

Vote.Like.This.

Here it is!



My Ballot. My mail in ballot. My Official Mail in Ballot. I Love to vote, I love the feeling of holding the ballot in my hands. Looking at all the names and props. Feeling powerful and thoughtful. It's a heady moment, sure.



Filling it out oh so careful. I don't want to make a mistake. I'll read everything twice and then just like the instructions say, I'll fill in the little bubble with my blue/black pen. Vote Like This.


Because here is the one box I Don't want to have to fill in. Do you see this here? What the heck is this? I've Spoiled my Ballot. Spoiled my Ballot. Does this mean like I've spilled my scrambled eggs all over it, or I left it with some ripe tomatoes and it got a little mold on it? I showed my daughter. She said "that sounds like you pooped on it". I mean spoil your ballot. For heaven's sake America. This is the Presidential Election. Please let's try not to spoil our ballots.



Okay then... Here is an extra bag I brought home after the weekend's volunteering I did. I was thinking that perhaps someone reading this would like this for their own. Today my daughter worked again, and she said the day was even more interesting because of the international support she received. She talked to the Dutch, English, Japanese, Irish and more. They all said they wished they could vote. They were all very excited to be able to bring Obama souvenirs home.

So... it made me think, maybe one of my blogfriends around the world, would like to have something too. To remember this historic time by.

The back side of the bag.

And this New Black long-sleeved thermal xl t-shirt with Obama and a peace sign on the front. I think it would be fun to send these out to someone that would love to have it. So, I would guess it could work like this, if you'd like to have it (t-shirt or bag) then leave a comment with your preference. If there are more comments, I could pick a name out of a hat. For fairness sake. I wish I could give one to everyone that wanted one.

I really just want to share the love.

And keep busy for 8 more days.

xx lori

Headquarters For Change

My daughter works for the Democratic Party. For the past 3 months the focus has been on voter registration. Now that that's over, it's all about getting the vote.



So, she asked me if I would like to volunteer with her this weekend, setting up a table at the Farmer's Market on Saturday and the Paseo on Sunday. Our job would be to pass out literature, sell t-shirts, stickers, buttons, be there. Get out the Vote. So I said OK! watching her enthusiasm over these last weeks was contagious and I was anxious to be a part of the Obama Campaign.









The first thing I saw when we arrived at the headquarters was this sign, taped to a car parked outside. It's funny right? Even if you are a supporter of the other party, it's still funny. I thought so.





Here we are, The Headquarters For Change. This is in downtown Santa Barbara. Here is where a lot of dedicated volunteers come to be involved. Here is where we will pick up the boxes to take to Farmers Market.


There are several tables set up with phones, with volunteers manning each and everyone. I didn't feel right about taking pictures of people I didn't know working, so here are some of the other things I saw...
Many different styles of buttons, it was hard for me to pick a favorite. I think the one that most people wanted was the HOPE one, there weren't any of those left.

Shirts and sweatshirts and tote bags, lunch bags, kids clothes, even clothes for baby...

Mr. Obama and my daughter.

Here is where my daughter checks in for instructions. She tells me this place can get really busy, all the phones going off at once, people running around...it's a big room behind me, you'll just have to imagine it.

getting the boxes ready to go....

At the Farmers Market with Mila, waiting for tables to set everything up on.

Nick and Kimberly and one of her favorite bumper sticker, Republicans For Obama!

I wished I could have taken more photos but we got busy and my camera never came out again. I didn't take even one today.

This weekend showed me some of the best and the worst in people. We were thanked and then yelled at. Many, many people told us "Thank you for what you are doing" Some would yell "McCain!!" and then this "Fuck Obama". And even though this was all donation for the campaign one man even stole a shirt. My daughter saw him and ran through the crowds after him. (of course this is NEVER a good idea, you can't be sure what people will do)it just shocked her I'm sure. When she came back with the shirt she told me she said to him " If you had just told me you didn't have the money, I would have given it to you" and you know what? he apologized. We had several tourists from Japan, England and Germany (hi Angela and Anja!) and they all bought t-shirts to bring back home. We had several young people that said they wished they could vote. There were the 6 or 7 college students that were low on cash but really wanted posters to hang in their dorm. We gave some to them. The most interesting thing to me was the fact that we were set up today in a highly visible place without a permit. The Banana Republic store nearby had given previous permission to put up a table by their place, but it was in the shade and we were cold so we thought we would just take a chance. My daughter said it depends on who the Security Guards are voting for. And she was right. We spent most of today camped out with alot of stuff and all we got from the guards was a wink and a smile!

Oh, and we made several hundred dollars for the campaign!

There are now just 9 days left.

p.s. No doodles this weekend, they were off to the Sierra Nevada's near Yosemite for the annual Tarantula Festival. With the other g-parents.

yep, I said Tarantula Festival. It's the only time I'm glad the kids(and tarantulas) are 287 miles away.

xx lori