It’s All in the Game

I am 12 going on 13; it was about the same time I traded in my hula hoop for boys

Bathing in the aromas of the forest plant life—resin, pine needles, and leafy branches of an oak tree—awakens memories of my youth at family camp in the Cuyamaca Mountains east of San Diego, California.

.

All us cool cats are in the basement of the meeting hall having a blast, talking, dancing, listening to the latest hits on a record player. The parents are upstairs square dancing, and that makes sense because all the parents are square.

**

“I want to dance with Joey,” I whisper to my girlfriend, Kathy. “He’s a dreamboat.”

“You should wait for a slow dance,” Kathy says, “but he’s been dancing with Sandy.”

“Yeah, you’re right, and he hasn’t paid attention to anyone else tonight.”

I sit quietly hoping he’ll turn his gorgeous baby blues in my direction. 

“I’m flat as a pancake and Sandy’s got a classy chassis. She’s so stacked, I can’t compete with her,” I sigh. “Let’s hit it, and go freshen up.”

Secretly my plan includes walking past Joey to bump into him. Accidentally on purpose.

 “Whoa girl. Watch where you’re going,” he winks at me.  Sandy gives me a dirty look.

“Oh, sorry, Joey,” and I try to look into his eyes as seductively as a 12 year-old going on 13 can. Just brushing against him makes my body tingle. Everything in the room, including the sounds, disappear, and I’m floating in the clouds.

When we get into the restroom, Kathy and I bust up with laughter. 

“That was a smooth move!” Kathy says when we stop laughing, “He’s got your number now!”

We reapply our lipstick and pinch our cheeks to give them some color before tucking our blouses into our pedal pushers and walking back into the room.

Rockin’ Robin, by Bobby Day is blaring from the record player. Oh Rockin’ Robin we’re really going to rock it tonight! We snap our fingers to the beat.

“Let’s grab a soda,” Kathy says and moves toward the refreshment table.

I trail behind her and look over my shoulder at Joey. Sandy has split the scene, and Joey is making moves toward me. I turn around to follow Kathy, my heart in my throat. Coming up behind me, he whispers in my ear, “Wanna dance doll?”

My knees almost give out. “Uh—yeah, sure.” I know my stuttering response is nothing close to alluring, but he grabs my arm and pulls me onto the dance floor. Tommy Edwards1958 chart-topping single, “It’s All in the Game,” is playing. 

Just as I hear the part he kisses her lips and caresses her waiting fingertips, Joey pulls me close, and I melt into his arms. 

Like the song says, it’s all in the game. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtizr2G_7Bk

You may recall that the NY’s Eve Baja Midnight Party had to be cancelled because of inclement weather and Covid safety precautions. If you purchased tickets for that, you should receive an email and you are all set to join us for this “make-up” party. No joke. But expect lots of hijinks and fun on April 1st, 5-9PM at Baja Beans in El Pescadero.

Do you like to dance? Do you like to listen to great live music? Then you are in luck folks. David Raitt, Thom Berry, Glen Peterson, and Ashbolt will be there to entertain you. You can come for dinner or just to enjoy the music and dance. There will be a cash bar. (See the flyer above.)

This will be a fun way to support the El Pescadero community food bank. If you can’t make it, consider a donation. We are a completely volunteer organization and serve those in need in our community.

See more information about the food bank here: http://www.bajadreamsplus.com/?p=4382

Mil Gracias Amigos

For I am Heat

I remember with shame the weakness of my first attempt to embrace my victim. In the beginning, my pitiful gift of heat came as a rush of energy—almost a pleasure to her. The failure to cause her proper torment showed my weakness. 

On my second go, I resolved to make her miserable. Determination brought forth my strength—bit by bit, and with practice I had my victory! Pride filled me when finally my blast incinerated her. 

Since then, always somewhere in the middle of her chest I take hold. I hunker down for a while gaining strength. She feels the flame of my evil intent. I know she does, because she fidgets, pulling at her clothes. It is her feeble attempt to get some air movement between her skin and her garments. My vehemence occupies all of her—tissue, muscles, veins, cells, and best of all, her confused, unhappy mind.

I move faster and farther, invading her arms, shoulders and neck before flushing to fill her cheeks. Her ears turn red; she is engulfed, sensing nothing but the burn now. Next, I race from her upper body, pulsing down to her toes, before rising again to disrupt her brain. I bring wicked waves of heat and she knows not how to rid herself of me, her uninvited visitor, her bringer of change.

It gives me great joy to know the ride with me forces her to burn in a hell of my making. In her ear I hiss, “Nothing can stop me.” I laugh as her hair forms into ringlets. Drops fall from her face onto her white blouse. Drip. Drip.

She focuses every ounce of her resolve, longing for relief from my hot, tight grasp. Ha! She can’t get to the window for some sweet air or rip off her outer layer fast enough. She’s frantic. “Open the window for God’s sake,” she says. “Where is the damn fan?” 

I do so relish the time we have together. Her body is my vessel; I am her furnace. It’s my purpose, my job to make her blister with my blaze.

But it is enough for now. I am bored with her, though satisfied with how pathetic she looks flapping her fan, pulling at her clothes, soaking up hot sweat with a handkerchief. Her fever lessens as I release my grip, but I can’t resist jeering. I vow to occupy her again. Soon. How I cherish knowing she dreads my return. 

For weeks, months, possibly years, she will suffer with anticipation of my inferno. After all she’s been through it’s a dirty trick, I know. 

And that’s why I make my flame so fucking hot. 

to dream again 

with a cautious distance

safer, but vulnerable still

using bits of hindsight 

leave behind turmoil

gut wrenching disillusion

criss-crossing conversation

severe smudges of outrage

remove emotional stress

leverage a stronghold on joy

brave acceptance of reality

no more peril in waking

I want to catch a note of happiness

a glimmer of felicity

try some internal reflection

with a goal of brighter vision

I want to un-remember

If you didn’t show up at Los Cerritos at 6:45AM this morning, or if you don’t live here, you missed the show. The Incredible Cloud Show. But not to worry. I’ve got you covered.

It just got better and better.

The sun started coming up over the mountains in the east. Look what happened then.

I can’t get over how much fun this cloud show was.

I hope you enjoyed the cloud show. I know I sure did. We went swimming after I finally put my camera down. The water is about 84 degrees F. My life is rich with delights here in Baja California Sur.

Ever wonder where donations to the Pescadero Food Bank would go? There are so many local families here in Baja California Sur who are doing the best they can, but need some help. Many of these people are pickers in the farm fields here, others are infirm and dependent upon adult children or other family, as they cannot care for themselves.

While their needs are greater than food, as many have no permanent shelter or transportation, the Pescadero Food Bank volunteers, and those who donate money, are providing these deserving families with bags of staples once a month. 

Here is a sampling of families we are giving to. These are descriptions without names, so as to maintain their privacy.

Family #1 

A 31 year old woman is a field worker, but this job is seasonal. Her children are ages 6-16, and they have no permanent shelter; rather their home is a series of tarps. The father visits occasionally, but provides no support.

Family #2

This is a multi-generational family consisting of a mother and father in their 50s, two adult daughters and their 7 children, ages 2-12. Their home is a cement structure with a dirt floor, with no doors or windows. The adults have seasonal work in the fields.

Family #3

A blind, bedridden woman in her 70s has an adult son who lives in a structure behind hers, but he is unemployed.

Ranch Families

These multi-generational families can raise animals and grow some food, but often have no transportation to come to town, and they lack the staples that the food bank can provide. 

The photos I’ve included are of homes in El Pescadero, BCS where the food bank donations have gone.

What these families receive from the Pescadero Food Bank, given once a month, can provide some help. 

Each offering we provide costs $526 pesos or $26.30 USD (depending on exchange rate)

Items include:

maseca (corn flour)—2 kilos

harina (white flour)—2 kilos

milk—4 cartons

eggs—flat of 30

rice—2 kilos

pinto beans—2 kilos

lentils—1 kilo

garbanzo beans—1 kilo

oatmeal—1 kilo

cooking oil—1 kilo

soap (sometimes a bar, other times small bag for laundry)

In addition, beginning in 2020, Suenos Tropical has donated vegetables in season (whatever was leftover or “seconds”).

In the past, we have also used Pescadero Food Bank money to buy and distribute

formula

diapers

adult diapers

glasses

insulin

There are many of us who live here in Pescadero that have plenty. These people we help are the have-nots. Please consider donating to the Pescadero Food Bank. Any amount will help us to continue to help those in need. Big thanks. Big love.https://www.pescaderofoodbank.org

 
 
Time out, time in, time out.
 
Have fun, give hugs, get love.
 
Take a shower and get clean.
 
Um, six words can’t encapsulate me.  

I only live for the moment.

He said, she said, who cares?

Too little and far too late.

And eventually we all will die.

The mailman brings me bills. Damn.

I had three sons. No daughter.

Wherever he goes, black clouds follow.

It’s the summer of my life.

It’s hard now, but easy later.

Where should we go? To Mars?

Let them eat cake. Me too.

I found happiness in my heart.

Who put sand dollars on the beach?

When will I ever learn? Tomorrow?

“Life’s a bitch, get over it.”

“I’m not very good at this.”

“I don’t know, do you know?”

I dance like I am invisible.

Time’s change, People change, That’s life.

Be bold, work hard, stand tall.

 

Watercolor by Susan

Let’s be like sunflowers

Easygoing—relaxed—laid back—tolerant 

Let’s claim our place in the sun

Curious—probing—inquisitive–free

Let’s remember the sunflower people in our lives

Collaboration—partnership—team work—alliance 

Let’s be like sunflowers and turn our faces to the sun

10things i hate

1. being short
2. Republicans in the house and senate
3. bitter oranges
4. racism
5. dirty sheets
6. all the construction going on here
7. gossip
8. white houses
9. wind in the shower
10. drunks

10 things I love

1. the smell of things from the clothesline, especially my sheets
2. nature
3. sweets
4. hearing from my sons
5. my dog
6. artistic activities–writing, painting, playing piano, playing ukulele
7. sunrises & sunsets
8. hiking
9. living at the beach with my sweet husband
10. camping (can’t wait to get our VW van)

Instead of rising

Instead of setting 

The sun just falls from the sky

Everything is topsy turvy

Everything is upside down

The sun just falls from the sky

Not rising behind the mountains

Not setting into the sea

Our big golden ball falls from the sky

The message is clear

El Sol’s had enough

Giving up he sinks from the sky

Next it’s La Luna

She’s had enough too

She’s falling gently from the sky

The Universe spoiled

In your lifetime and mine

We’ll wake to consequences

We’ve been cautioned

We’ve been counseled

We don’t pay heed

Without our engagement 

El Sol and La Luna give way

And fall from the sky

According to the New York Times:

At first, the moon entered Earth’s outer shadow, creating subtle changes in the way its surface appeared. After a few hours, it traveled deeper into the shadow and began to appear reddish. That process began around 2:45 a.m. Pacific time.

At 4:11 a.m., the moon fell completely within Earth’s inner shadow, making its full face a deeper shade of red. This total eclipse was relatively short, lasting about 14 minutes and ending by 4:25 a.m. Pacific time. Some total lunar eclipses go for nearly an hour.

The process then reversed itself as the moon passed out of the Earth’s shadow, gradually returning to its normal self until sunrise, at which point, on the U.S. West Coast, it sank below the horizon.

I started taking photos around 4:45 AM in El Pescadero, BCS (mountain time). It was amazing looking through our big binoculars too. What a show!

I took all these photos from my 2nd floor bedroom deck. Got up at 4:30AM and after this last shot I put on my jacket and took my dog for a walk on the beach. I thought I’d get some more shots, but by the time I got outside it was completely overcast and I couldn’t see anything.

Grateful that I got to witness this before the marine layer shrouded the show.

Early this morning our friend Bill took us to look for wild oregano in the hills close to where we live. There are lots of good hikes to do in this area.

There are many remnants of buildings from when there was gold mining activity.

The sky was an incredible blue this morning and juxtaposed to the grey of the flora, it was magical.

Our pup, Isabela enjoyed her time and all the new smells.

This appears to be a kiln they used. Perhaps for making bricks?

Here’s where they dug for gold and a deep shaft too.

We didn’t find any oregano, but Bill had a plant at his house that he got from this area some time ago and gave it to us. What a guy!

I don’t believe there is any herb that can beat the Mexican oregano. We’ll go back after the rains and see if we have better luck. But in the end, we got what we were after anyway, thanks to Bill.