Some Random Observations on Life

Sue and I broke loose from the tethers that bind us to the "routine" in our lives and drove to Santa Barbara late Saturday morning for an overnight stay in a charming hotel just off State Street. There is something special about Santa Barbara...as a town and as a place in the heart. It is the quintessential example of California/Mediterranean geography and ambience. The weather was cold and blustery with cumulus clouds
sailing across the blue sky. The hills were green and the trees were newly verdant with spring buds and leaves. The highlight of the evening was our chance entry into an Irish Bar, the "James Joyce",  for Irish Coffee to warm our hands and souls. By the way, there are two Irish bars on State St. within four doors of another....the first we entered had no coffee for the Irish Coffees...go figure. The bartender told us to go to the James Joyce where we found ourselves almost literally having to climb over a crew of "old guys" in obnoxious Hawaiin shirts setting up instruments just inside the door. The place was nearly empty...it was early....and we ordered our "coffee". Well...You had to be there. Soon the place was jumping with the happiest crowd of people I have seen in a long time. A group of young people, united only by a love of dancing, began to go through the gyrations of the Lindy and other dances from the early part of the 20th century. As one band member told us.."We love to spread Sunshine". That establishment was the only one on State Street that had such a happy crowd. On our way to the hotel, we passed the first "Irish" bar and there were about ten patrons propped up on stools.....a dreary scene.

This Sunday morning, Sue and I went to the Mission for Mass. It was a beautiful and intimate experience. Pipe organ, choir, cantor.....the music was first rate.

Our trip home took us through California backcountry I did not know existed.  Ojai, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Moorpark...Orchards,  fields of crops, vineyards, massive eucalyptus tree windbreaks, meadows, wildflowers, mountains, farmhouses, oak woodlands, ancient sycamores, flowing streams....a pleine-aire artist's workshop all set up.

I thought this all worth mentioning.....the joys in life are close at hand...waiting to be discovered and savored.