The Fishing Fleet

A group of pelicans fishing is evidently called a FLEET. This group was not far offshore in Bodega Bay, and I was surprised to see them huddle up like this. It appeared as if one small group found their prey and the others quickly joined them to grab as many fish as they could.

These two were separated from the group for a bit and then joined them.

This might be my favorite of the three photos- because of the “bunny ears” on the right! There are at least six pelicans in the fleet. It looks like it was a good day for fishing!

MelindaLeave a comment

Mirror

We took a few hours to go over to the Sonoma Coast last week while we were in California. Since our dating days (over 50 years ago), we have headed over to Bodega Bay to walk the beach and have a bowl of clam chowder at the Tides Restaurant- and every time we come back to the Bay Area we make it a point to return. This time we were greeted by egrets walking through the shallows by the Tides. Of course I had to get my camera and take a few shots of them and also of the sea lions basking on the pier out back. We then broke with tradition and headed over to Spud Point Crab Company for clam chowder on our friend, Jack’s recommendation- and it was delicious!

MelindaLeave a comment

Georgia

We have just returned from a trip to Petaluma, California to gather with friends to celebrate the life of our dear friend, Georgia. Georgia passed away October 23 after a shockingly sudden and brief illness of only two months. Although I know she was at peace with dying, I also know that her family and friends are left with a huge hole in their lives. I am only beginning to process the loss of such a vibrant, intelligent, passionate, talented, loving, and exceptionally witty person- a true friend.

I met Georgia in 1976 when we moved to Petaluma. I was looking for a play group for our 15 month old daughter- but also for adult friends for myself. Little did I know that I would find friendship that would last almost 50 years, despite our family moving three times. Our group of 8 women, calling ourselves the Rapunzels, began as a parenting class and a playgroup, but ended up being not only our social network, but a support system for us and our families as we navigated the joys and hurdles (great and small) of family life.

Georgia’s home was central to our group. While I was still adjusting to being a stay-at-home mom, Georgia could have taught a master class in the subject. Her cooking, baking, sewing, home-decorating and entertaining skills were at a level you could only see on the food network or HGTV if there had been such a thing back then. Plus, she was so much FUN! We all have such wonderful memories of the children’s parties and the ADULT parties- and the impromptu gatherings on her patio accompanied by strawberry daiquiris!

And then there were the cookies- and the decorated cakes! She made our daughter’s wedding cake! Have I mentioned how smart she was? She was a fantastic writer of letters, funny sketches of memorable events, and memoirs of her childhood and beyond. She was an exceptional gift giver- my favorite being a book of her recipes, which I use to this day.

All the Rapunzels have similar memories- and many were shared at her memorial, led by her sister, with heartfelt speeches by her two sons, her husband, her best friend- and her oldest grandson. Her spirit was captured by each of the speeches- what a fantastic job her family did with the memorial! Lonnie and I both felt her presence as we listened to the talks and later visited with her children, the rest of the family and all the Rapunzels and their children who were present. It was a day we will never forget.

We have gone from 8 to 7 to 6 and now 5 Rapunzels. Vicki. Marie. Georgia. Losing each friend has been heartbreaking. Growing older and accepting the loss of a dear friend is a challenge- and a life lesson which I am trying to learn.

What I will miss most about Georgia is her friendship; she was one of those people that make you feel like you are one of the most important people on the planet. And, more than the cookies, I will really miss the laughter- gosh, she was so much fun!

***********

About the photo: It was taken in her backyard the last time I saw her in May 2019 (pre-pandemic…). She and her husband, Jerry created a beautiful sanctuary in their backyard, filled with flowers, and I always think of Georgia when I see roses. Because it’s a cell phone shot, I actually don’t know if I was the one that took this photo- but I think so! Apologies if it was Darlene or Claudia- or maybe Jerry. But I think it was me…probably…

Melinda3 Comments

Awwwww…..

“What is this?” you may wonder, if you don’t live in Arizona.

If you do live here, you know all too well that this is a baby javelina (not a pig, but a collared peccary). The photo below will give you an idea of the size of the baby.

There is a steep hill covered with rocks above the retaining wall behind our patio, and it is usually down this slope that javelinas enter our yard. One side of the backyard has a gate (usually open) leading to the front yard, and the other side is ungated. We tend to leave the gate open, knowing that wildlife (mostly deer, coyotes, and javelinas) may be passing through. Normally the occasional group of javelinas come down the hill and walk around the house to the front, where they then head up neighbors’ driveways to the open areas behind the houses.

This morning, I looked out back and saw a mother javelina standing on the patio, calmly nursing her two offspring. The larger of the juveniles looked like a smaller version of its mother, but the smaller javelina was tiny and still had its umbilical cord attached! I took some iPhone videos and then grabbed my big camera to take a few quick photos through the glass door and screen. After nursing was over, the two larger javelinas then jumped up on the retaining wall, leaving the new baby behind. Realizing its plight, mama javelina jumped back down, and this behavior continued for about a half hour. Then suddenly a dog appeared at the top of the hill, barking at the javelinas, who then started squealing. I finally realized the gate must have blown shut and dashed outside to timidly open it, after first peeking through to make sure the javelinas weren’t right by it. In no time, the javelinas went through the gate and headed up a neighbor’s driveway. Drama over.

Melinda1 Comment

Light the Way

I have always had a strong interest in “old things”, even as a child. When I discovered that we actually had a real attic FULL of old things, just like in the mysteries I loved to read, it was one of the most memorable events of my childhood! That fascination continues to this day and is very strongly tied to my obsession with family history.

A few years ago, I discovered that my grandmother’s second cousin, William Chamberlain Embury, designed and manufactured railroad lanterns. Born in Canada in 1873, he moved to New York, and began the Embury Lantern Company. The Embury Lantern Company became one of the most successful lantern manufacturers, second only to Dietz. William turned the company over to his sons in 1936, and Dietz ended up buying the company in the 1950’s.

The photo above was taken in Bodie- I could not resist taking a photo of railroad lanterns! No, they are not Embury lanterns. The ones on the left may be a Dietz- not sure about the one on the right. I own a lantern like the ones he manufactured, but it is a Dietz, not an Embury. When I visit an antique store, I look for Embury lanterns, but I haven’t seen one yet.

MelindaLeave a comment

Band of Gold

Here is one of the views along Hwy 395 between Mammoth Lakes and Bodie. The aspens were in their full glory during our visit, and wherever there was a viewpoint, we would stop and admire the splashes of gold set against the mountain backdrop. Others were stopping too, and we all would smile as we exchanged shooting positions and comment on how lucky we were to be there at the perfect time.

Melinda1 Comment

Geometry Blues

I have fallen in love with creating abstracts! I have always been attracted to shapes and strong lines when I am out shooting with my camera, and this is a composite of several images with circles and rectangles. The layering started on my iPhone and then was continued in Photoshop. Fun to create- and a bit addictive!

Melinda1 Comment

First View

This was one of our first views of the Sierras as we headed to California a few weeks ago. There was a enough room to pull over, and I climbed up the hill a bit to be able to get a view of the curvy road as well as the Sierras in the distance. I was born and raised in California, so this view pulls on my heartstrings. California will always be HOME to this Arizonan!

Melinda1 Comment

Wagon Wheels

I had an idea for a series- which I still have not developed. Here is a start- but way different from where I would like this series to go. These were taken in Bodie- looking into the wagonmaker’s workshop. My 3rd great grandfather, Augustus Peaslee, was a wagonmaker, and I am always drawn to photograph wagon wheels wherever I happen to see them. I am imagining a series of wagon wheel abstracts with a whole different color palette than this one- but it’s a beginning….

MelindaLeave a comment

Moonrise

Here’s our view of last night’s harvest moon as it rose above the hills! I missed the shot of it just peeking above the horizon- in the minute or two it took to get my camera and run out to the driveway it had already popped up over the hill.

Melinda1 Comment

Gold Rush

We took a quick trip to the Eastern Sierras recently to view the Fall color and to revisit Bodie, the highlight of our 2019 photo trip. We spent two very busy days visiting Bodie and following the trail of golden aspens along Hwy. 395. As you can see from the photo above, our timing was great!

Melinda3 Comments