A Heartfelt Valentine's Day

   
“The heart has its own language. The heart knows a hundred thousand ways to speak.” ~Rumi
 

     Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so I thought I’d share a few ideas in case you are wondering how to show your sweetie how much they are loved and appreciated. My husband and I have a tradition where Valentine gifts to one another center on our heart health. We both have heart disease in our families so keeping ourselves heart healthy has become a priority in our lives. Sometimes we buy gifts that help us become stronger and healthier and sometimes we just find time to spend together taking a walk. Through the years we have tried to come up with creative ideas that help our hearts stay as strong as our love for one another. It’s fun to share our thoughts and plan what new adventures our Valentine’s Day will include.

     One year we built our own garden beds, bought organic soil and a composter and began growing our own vegetables and herbs. Not every crop was a success but many plantings turned out to be much heartier and more prolific than we had expected. The satisfaction we derived heading out to pick our own food was a gift we enjoyed every day and the clean home grown crops we harvested helped our hearts stay strong and healthy.

     We had been exploring the benefits of juicing and making an even greater effort to incorporate more fruits and vegetables into our diets. After much research and thought we decided that a Vitamix would be the way to go. We happened to be at a county fair shortly after we had made our decision and saw a booth selling them. We took our Vitamix home that day and have used it practically every day since. It really has become a big part of our everyday lives and now we can’t imagine being without it. We use it for our smoothies, soups, dips and preparing our seasonal produce so that we can preserve it for the year. 

     At our house we cook often and we take care to buy clean seasonal ingredients. It seemed natural to invest in cookware that we can trust and that we know is safe to use.  We also went from plastic storage containers to glass in the hopes that it would be a healthier alternative. We look for gadgets and kitchen tools that make it easier to be healthy.

     A big part of heart health is becoming more active. We love to travel and our getaways help us take time to relax, have adventures and explore places we love. It is calming and it is good for our souls. I just know it benefits our hearts as well. We both enjoy hiking, biking, camping, kayaking and just walking hand in hand.  To that end some Valentine's gifts have included hiking boots, camelbacks and a variety of outdoor fun items to promote our efforts. Every time we use them we are reminded what a gift it is just to be together.

     Those are just a few of our ideas Try to incorporate ideas that work for your lives, interests and health concerns.  The most important thing I can recommend is to spend time together. Share moments and memories that bring you joy.  Take time to help your sweetheart balance the stresses built into everyday life.  Do all you can to keep your loved ones hearts strong and healthy so that you can have a lifetime of Valentine’s Days to share.

Here are a dozen ideas to get you started

1. Cook meals together

2. Bake fresh bread

     3. Plant a garden for one another

     4. Take those all-important annual medical tests together

     5. Give each other the gift of a nightly evening walk

     6. Try a new sport together

     7. Take a sunset beach walk or hike a forested trail together

     8. Take a class together that promotes heart health, yoga,cooking, karate or even CPR

     9. Make a donation to the heart association

     10. Visit a u-pick or join a CSA

     11. Share the message of heart health with those you care  love

     12. I’m told red wine and dark chocolate are good for your heart

 Reverence and Reflection on a Sunday Morning Hike

 

“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul.” 

~ John Muir

  
Just up the street from our home in California we have discovered a quiet little wilderness area called Canyon Park. Nestled in the San Gabriel Mountains just minutes from the 210 freeway and a bustling city it is an eighty-acre refuge offering hiking trails, a nature center, places to enjoy a picnic and the waterfall that was our destination this morning. The park literature explains how volunteers opened the park in 1911 but I couldn’t help imagining what it must have been like for the visitors who happened upon the canyon in the 1800’s.

 

The serene peacefulness of a Sunday morning seemed like the perfect time for us to explore this cathedral of nature located in our own backyard. Right after breakfast we made our way up the hill and into the canyon. The ranger who greeted us at the gate provided us with a map, a parking pass and trailhead information.

 We walked to the trailhead in the dappled sunlight breathing in the sweet scents of the forest, smiling and holding hands, happy to have found this sanctuary. It quickly became evident how well loved and well known this community park is. We shared the trail with families, couples, dogs and visitors from as far away as England and Asia, all cheerily greeting one another with hellos and well wishes as we navigated the path.

 

The one-mile trail to the waterfall is just one part of a much bigger trail, a portion of which is closed to hikers as a result of a fire. I enjoy hiking but, I would put myself in the beginner to intermediate classification  and I pick my trails accordingly. This was what I would consider an easy trail. The trip to the falls is mostly uphill on a grade. It was a good workout but I had no difficulties with the rise in elevation or crossing the water on the stones nestled in the streambed.

 

Before too long we had arrived at the thirty-foot spring fed waterfall. A small crowd milled around taking photos and enjoying the sight and sound of the water as it pooled at our feet. The water was as clear as any I’d seen and our fellow hikers hopped back and forth across the rocks in the sparkling streambed balancing children, puppies and cameras. I knew at that moment we were all sharing in the wonder of this beautiful little waterfall tucked away in a small corner of Los Angeles County.

 

We completed the hike in about an hour and fifteen minutes, which included several stops along the way for photographs. We could have continued along the trail past the waterfall if time had allowed but unfortunately today it did not.  

As I walked along the trail I thought it fitting to spend Sunday Morning in this spectacular forest. I was a member of the congregation in God’s own cathedral. Wherever I travel I’m always humbled and moved by the beauty of our natural spaces. It is my hope that we all will in the midst of our busy hectic lives pause and seek out similar places of refuge and renewal in our own backyards.

Preserve You Memories  

“You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”
  ~Ansel Adams

I’m a person who loves photography and videography. I have always derived a great deal of joy from documenting both special and everyday events. I have accumulated an enormous amount of photo and video information over the years. In order to enjoy these special memories, they must be easy to find and reference. I thought I would share the way that I   archive, back up, preserve and store my precious images. I hope it will assist you in organizing your own collections.

My first cardinal rule is that I never delete the photos or videos from the camera until I have them backed up in at least two places.

1.   On the appropriate labeled computer file

2.   On a DVD archival disc.

3.  On an additional multi - terabyte drive

4.  Where video is concerned I also burn a viewable home movie disc in addition to the computer back up and the archived raw data DVD. Well worth the extra step.

Once I have the data backed up ONLY THEN will I format my camera.

 

So where do you start?

Pick a drive on your computer to house your media files. Make sure the drive is large enough to accommodate the space needed for video and photo files. I recommend investing in an external drive for media if possible. 

Prices have recently dropped considerably making even a multi- terabyte drive, which stores  many thousands of gigabytes very affordable. I use an internal drive and back up to our external drive as well. I also burn an archival DVD housing the files

I have developed four Folders within my external media drive.

1.Video Archives (videos are moved and live here after I back them up)

2.Video NEW  ( holding tank till backed up)

3.Photo Archive (photos are moved and live here after I back them up)

4.Photo New ( holding tank till backed up)

  In the two folders marked VIDEO NEW and PHOTO NEW I place data that has NOT yet be archived by burning it on to a DVD. These images have NOT been erased from camera yet. (remember it should exist in two places before being deleted off the camera)

I use these folders as holding tanks and I like to get my data backed up in these folders (ASAP) as soon as the event or trip is over, just in case of a camera mishap, loss or damage.

The two key folders are always the VIDEO ARCHIVE and PHOTO ARCHIVE folders

In my archive folders I break down the photos/videos by year for easy reference.
I like to archive my information by date, I always have done it that way and it works for me.
It looks like this:

First (Label a Folder in your Drive ) 

PHOTO ARCHIVE

Second Label (sub folder of photo archive by year) 

2006

Third Label (sub folder of 2006) 

2006 1 New Years Day

Label (File of 2006 1 New Years Day)

 All image or video  files  pertains to 2006 1 new Years Day

(file of 2006 1 New Years Day)  

this file contains photo pertaining to 2006 1 new Years Day

EXAMPLE Of how the Directory will look

Note:

The number following the year indicates the month the photos were taken so
1-12 =Jan.-Dec It serves to keep the photos in date order within any given year.

       This system also works very well for old photos. As you scan your old photos they can be filed by year or even by decade depending on how many old photos you need to archive.

It is also a good idea to store your archived data discs or additional copies of them with a family member or friend in a different location. If the unthinkable happens and you experience a fire, flood or robbery you will still have your precious photos and videos secured for the future

The Piedras Blancas Lighthouse

 "Inside my empty bottle I was constructing a lighthouse while all the others were making ships"  ~Charles Simic

The Piedras Blancas (White Rocks)

       We generally don’t pass a lighthouse without stopping in to meet the keepers and learn a bit about the local history.  How is it then that despite years of numerous adventures along the California coast we had never stopped to explore the Piedras Blancas lighthouse?  Perhaps we had been in a delightful rut. After visits to our favorite beaches, quaint towns, wildlife sanctuaries and wineries the time move on invariably arrives. We tend to head north en route to Big Sur, Monterey and Carmel enjoying the spectacular views as we time after time pass the lighthouse. 

     While researching our Memorial Day road trip I happened upon the lighthouse website and discovered that docent led tours of the historic buildings and the nature preserve were being offered by the bureau of Land Management three day per week. I immediately decided to make time to explore this landmark. 

The fog signal house assists ships when the lighthouse is difficult to see

        We met our guide on a cool central coast Saturday morning at the old abandoned Piedras Blancas hotel about a mile and a half north of the lighthouse property. We checked in and formed a convoy of about ten cars that followed the ranger’s lead car through the gate. A faint foggy marine layer still clung to coast as we assembled but, the sun quickly burned it off and left us with a crisp clear morning for our tour. As we were led to the parking area it became clear that there was more to see here than just a lone building. This was a complete compound featuring several out buildings, a nature walk and wildlife preserve.

The Spiral Staircase leading up to the top of the lighthouse was off limits and therefore quite tempting  

     The lighthouse was built in the late 1800’s and sits on 19 acres along the pacific ocean about six miles north of Hearst Castle.  It has recently been painted and refurbished and is even more impressive up close than it was from a distance.  Our guide entertained us with tales of what life was like for longtime lighthouse keeper Captain Lorin Thorndike. We were encouraged  to examine the many displays of Thorndike's personal items which gave us a glimpse of lighthouse life. We went on to learn about how Fresnel lights work and discovered that the original light has been replaced but, can now be seen on the main street of the neighboring town of Cambria. The tour continued with a stop at the fog house and finally a short talk on efforts being made to replenish the local otter and seal population.

The Fresnel light is now located in nearby Cambria

       After the first portion of the tour ended we set off on our nature walk. Tremendous efforts have been made to remove invasive nonnative plants from the acreage. They were installed with good intentions but their proliferation had a ripple effect and soon native birds and animals left the area. They have been successful in reinstalling native plants and are now seeing a rebound in native fauna as well.

     The waters off the craggy coast are teeming with wildlife and we stopped often along the trail to enjoy their beauty. The abundance of kelp provides a haven for sea otters and we were able to see quite a few playing in the morning sun. It is impossible to miss the scores of elephant seals and harbor seals that have since the early nineties established their rookery along theses protected shores. They are massive sometimes weighing upwards of 5000 pounds.   

      I was impressed at just how informative this tour was. The volunteers really seek to give visitors a comprehensive overview and instill an understanding about the importance of preserving the history, wildlife and natural plants of the central coast.  If you ever find yourself exploring this part of California plan a morning to discover the Piedras Blancas lighthouse for yourself. Take the tour; watch the waves break against the rocks and marvel at the animals that call the coast home. It made me wonder just how many hidden treasures we overlook on familiar routes because we are focused on something else. It's exciting to imagine all that is yet to be discovered in even the most familiar places.

  

   

Twisted Oak: Meeting El Jefe On Our Calaveras County Wine March

     

     Exploring Calaveras county on the road from Angels camp to Murphys one could sneeze while driving along Hwy 4 and bypass the historical town of Vallecito California. That would be a mistake because it might cause you to miss visiting the Twisted Oak winery on Red Hill Road.  

A sign on this building guides you up Red Hill Road to Twisted Oak

     A few weeks ago we traveled to Vallecito to meet with Twisted Oak Winery owner Jeff Stai, see his vineyards and taste his wine. The private road that led us up to the tasting room wound through the property taking us ever higher and afforded us a bird’s eye view of the surrounding countryside. As our car rounded the first turn up the hillside we found ourselves in what Jeff Stai refers to as the “Rubber Chicken” national forest and we knew immediately that we would be very fond of Jeff. At each bend in the road clever whimsical road signs marked our journey making us laugh and giving us some insight as to the unique wine tasting experience we were about to encounter.

     The Twisted oak tasting room is like no other I have seen. It is not the sterile, modern, minimalist, yearning to be chic style and it is not the cottage, homespun but elegant grape logo encrusted style either. It’s the comfortable, barn like, rustic, rubber chicken, pirate style and proud of it. There are rubber chickens everywhere, for sale, as décor and as a catalyst for conversation and laughter. I believe Jeff got it right; wine, conversation and laughter are a natural pairing. While it is impossible miss the rubber chickens that grace the tasting room, it is also impossible to miss the wall displaying the ribbons, awards and accolades bestowed on Twisted Oak wines. Jeff seems to place a high value on the whimsical lighthearted joy of not taking life too seriously but make no mistake; he takes the art of producing top quality fine wines very seriously. He is true to his values and I respect that he honors all of who he is in making his business a success. 

Rubber chicken and award winning wines find a home at Twisted Oak

      The tasting began, as all tastings should, with head pats, ear scratches and belly rubs. Before the first sip of viognier touched our lips we paused to visit with the beautiful and charming wine dog, Garnacha Blanca (Nacha for short). Nacha took to us right away, as we looked to be the type of people who rub dog bellies and might accidentally drop a cracker on the floor.
 

      The relaxed atmosphere of the tasting room encouraged us to take time with each pouring. Discussing the agricultural aspects of the wines with Jeff helped us to appreciate the subtleties of the terroir that make these wines their own. A few of my favorite selections were the crisp dry Grenache Blanc with fruit and citrus notes that I knew would be a perfect summer wine. I also enjoyed the potty Mouth Red a beautiful Rhône style blend of Grenache syrah and mourvedre. I thought it had a nice spiciness combined with rich plum and berry flavors. I found the Tempernillo bold and rich with elements of cherry, tobacco and a bit of spice. I remember thinking how good this wine would be with John’s pork tenderloin recipe.

     Our first introduction to the wines of Calaveras County was a smashing success. We found beautifully crafted wines offered at what we considered to be extremely reasonable prices. If you ever find yourself driving through Vallecito California stop in to Twisted Oak Winery, pet the dog, check out the rubber chickens, taste the excellent wine and say hello to Jeff (El Jefe) Stai.