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Tuesday, November 11th, 2003
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9:34 am - Boo to Bush!!--Nov. 10, '03
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Today I worked all afternoon, and finally tomorrow I have the beginning of three days off. Monday afternoon I have my computer class so I will probably miss the birthday party for our Hospitality workmate, Heidi Roos. I left a card for her on her desk. It’s such a relief to be over that miserable stomach illness of last week, but I’m still a bit weak and very sleepy. I just fell asleep watching the Dr. Phil TV show—but mainly because it was the first time that the show was really boring. It was the old argument about whether a Mother should work or stay home with her kids. Ho Hum!!!
The only time I get to read a newspaper is at work during a break or at my half hour lunch. Lately the news upsets me to the point where I can hardly stand it. Every single day there is a headline with more of our young people being slaughtered in Iraq. The saddest is when PBS had a silent slide show of the faces of the ones killed that day. All I can think of is the families back home knowing, first, that their sons or daughters are in the Hell of Iraq, and second when they learn they won’t be coming home.
I read an interview with Dustin Hoffman, a movie star, in a magazine that my brother Joel gave me a subscription to, and one of the things he said really stuck with me. The question was: We recently saw President Bush landing on an aircraft carrier in a Top Gun uniform. Does the White House wag the dog? Dustin Hoffman answered, “I don’t think the public realizes how carefully manipulated those images are. I think it’s been mentioned how his crotch was outlined by the parachute straps. Nothing is accidental…..”
The worst picture of the week was the one of the president signing a law that would stymey doctors from making decisions about whether keeping a pregnancy would jeopardize a woman’s life or not. And standing on each side of him were about eight smiling MEN in his cabinet. Not a woman in sight.
I can’t get on the web tonight and I have eight messages waiting, so I’ll go to bed and try tomorrow.
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| Sunday, November 9th, 2003
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10:20 pm - Illness & Toshi's Visit--Rainy November Days
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How the time slips by so quickly. I haven’t written in my journal since the 3rd, and here it is the night of the 9th. Well, there are a couple of good reasons anyway, the main one being that I suddenly became very ill. I don’t know if it was food poisoning or intestinal flu, but it was TERRIBLE! Scary too! I was glad no one could see me in the awful state I was in, but on the other hand I was all alone, and I might have needed help. Here in this Senior apartment complex we have a push button alarm if we need help, but I probably would forget where it is if the time came for needing it. Anyway, I survived (My Ex-husband used to sneer at me for being a survivor, but thank my lucky stars I am!) and I’m still among the living. It’s scary when you’re almost 81 and something like this happens, however.
Yesterday when I got up I was still very weak, but I pushed myself into going to work so I wouldn’t stay home, lie around, and feel sorry for myself. There were times during the day when I didn’t think I could make it, but once again I survived. One reason I felt I had to go to work was that Toshi, my former student who is now living and studying in Rohnert Park, was being driven up from there by a friend to pick up the coat she had left at my house several months ago They arrived in torrential rain, but I was happy to see that Toshi looked quite well and seemed more calm. She has changed homestay houses, and finds this one much better for her purposes. The other one, owned by a divorcee and her three difficult teenagers, had been very hard on Toshi. Now she is in an older woman’s home, and it’s strictly room and board.
Toshi came with an American man who is studying Japanese. So they meet every week and she gives him an hour of Japanese and he gives her an hour of English. He seemed like a very nice person, and he wants to come with Toshi and his wife sometime for lunch.
Last evening after work I drove back to town to a jewelry store where a woman glass blower from Oregon was being featured—or rather her works were being featured. They were exquisite things, and I discovered after talking with her that glass blowing for big objects takes a great deal of strength, and she had put her shoulder out twice. Also her hands get raw and painful. There was some food—mostly sushi and fruit—which is the main reason I went. Having been ill for two or three days, I hardly ate a thing up until then. Patty brought me food the first day, but I couldn’t face it.
Another reason for going was that Pam Heath, my very good friend, was pouring Simi wine for the guests. She looked stunning in a plum colored velvet outfit complimented by some of the store’s most exquisite jewelry. Pam was a fabulously gorgeous gal many years ago and even appeared in some movies. Last night was the closest I ever saw her looking the way she did then.
Today I worked a full day again, and also again there were times when I wasn’t sure I could make it until 5, but I did. Hooray! I have been very worried that Jack hasn’t called in the past two or three days, which is very unusual, so I sent him an e-mail, pleading with him not to go away without saying Good-bye. To my joy he called tonight, and I breathed a sigh of relief. He has been an important person in my life this past year, and I would have been very sad if he had suddenly evaporated.
Because of my illness and the following weakness, my house is cluttered and that to me is the most miserable condition. I don’t have to go to work until noon tomorrow, so I’m off to bed, hoping to feel stronger tomorrow and ready to attack the problem.
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| Tuesday, November 4th, 2003
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12:06 am - Carter's Good News about Air Ticket---Monday, Nov. 3rd.
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When I arrived home from work tonight there was just one e-mail message on my machine, but….it was a dandy!!!! My faux son, Carter, was able to get me a ticket on Cathay Pacific to fly to Vietnam with him on Feb. 24th. I can’t believe that I’m really going to enjoy another adventure in my life, and that my traveling days aren’t completely over. Of course, the main reason for going is to attend Carter’s and Vi’s Vietnamese wedding, but Carter has listed all kinds of sightseeing that should be great fun. I will have to start squirreling away a little for film and incidentals. Thank Goodness everything in Vietnam is low priced.
Yesterday at work Simi’s former assistant Chef and my good friend, Laurie, stopped in with her 7-year-old adopted Vietnamese daughter, Kelly. She we so excited when she heard I was going to Vietnam, and she asked me to buy something very Vietnamese for her little girl who is beginning to be interested in where she came from originally. Needless to say I will take delight it carrying out that request. The last time Laurie went to Vietnam she became extremely ill for a whole week or more, and that scares me a little. In all my travels, I usually have one or two very bad stomach days even though I don’t drink the water or even brush my teeth with the water. Nowadays I have trouble with my feet and ankles swelling, so, along with a pill I take, I have to drink lots and lots of liquids. Oh boy, I hope that won’t be a problem, but I’m sure we can overcome it somehow. I WILL have to get several shots before going, and I still have to renew my ten-year-old passport and get a Vietnamese visa. But the ticket is purchased and I have had my visa picture taken. Now comes the fun of planning, planning, planning!!
The Vietnamese couple who take care of my nails and my dear Buddhist monk friend, Master Tu, will all probably want me to look up some of their friends and relatives. I’ll be 81 in December, so here’s hoping I can continue with my good health.
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| Saturday, November 1st, 2003
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10:41 pm - Carter & Vi's Visit--Healdsburg--Nov. 1, 2003
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Today was pretty wild at work, because Simi was part of a 50 Winerys’ Event, and we were swamped with guests. People who had paid for the event got a pretty wine glass, a cook book and a green plastic wrist band. Those went straight to the blue checkered table cloth table out on our porch where they were served 2000 Cabernet and some wonderful little Duck tostados. By the end of the afternoon things had gotten pretty loud, because many of these guests had been to numerous wineries before attending ours
Midway in the afternoon Carter and Vi Boatner arrived from San Jose. I gave them my house key, and they came over and worked on my computer. When they came back Carter purchased two cases of wine which put us over the top for the day. That means another bottle of wine for me.
I signed out half an hour early, and the three of us went to the Casino for dinner. There was a long line of cars and we had to wait awhile before finding a parking place. The Casino was really buzzing—literally. That constant noise of the slots would be enough to drive a person crazy. And how people can pour their hard-earned money into those machines is beyond me?
The buffet was great, and while it cost more than the lunch which is $8.5o, it was $14.50 which wasn’t bad for the amount of food we had.
After dinner we came back to my apartment, and Carter showed me some things on the computer. It was working like lightning for him, but as soon as they left that miserable old sign popped up again: “This page cannot be displayed.” So now I am convinced that it’s not the computer which is at fault, but ME. Oh well, I’ll keep trying.
Tomorrow is the second day of the Winery Event, so I’m off to bed.
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| Friday, October 31st, 2003
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11:10 pm - Dinner at the Schmidts'--Santa Rosa--Oct. 30, 2003
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Last night was one of those unexpectedly joyful times. I spent the evening with Marc Schmidt, the caricaturist whom I first met at an event at Simi Winery and his charming wife, Marsha, whom I met for the first time. Also there was Marc’s step father, who, in spite of strokes and heart attacks and Diabetes is still full of life. Both he and Marc are artists—each in a different genre, but each extremely talented.
It has been awhile since I drove at night, so it was a little scary going down 101 with a steady stream of lights coming in the opposite direction. However, I am a good driver, and Marc’s directions were easy to follow, so I made it safely both to Santa Rosa and back home later on.
The Schmidts’ home has all the peacefulness and beauty that one could hope for. I certainly hope for it, although my chances are slim,. The living room glowed with candle light, and each of the holders was unique. Marsha greeted me warmly and gave me a glass of cold V-8. It tasted so good along with the cashews in a bowl nearby, and I just kind of sank into the ambience of the room. Shortly after arriving, Marc returned from picking up his father in Petaluma, and we were treated to a really wonderful meal created by Marsha. Since raising my seven children and sending them out into the world, I can hardly bear to feed myself and I avoid the kitchen as much as possible. So when someone is kind enough to feed me a delicious meal, I am as happy as it’s possible to be. To make it even better, the table conversation was a delight. The meal ended with a luscious fruit and creamy dessert, and then Marc kindly showed me the Christmas cards he has been creating on his computer. If I thought he was talented before, I’m even more convinced of it now!
When it was time to leave, I had a wonderful big bear hug from Marsha, and Marc walked me out to my car. All the way home I had my favorite 30’s and 40’s music playing on tapes, and I sang along with them at the top of my lungs. That’s the good thing about traveling alone in a car! I wanted to write about this when I got home, but once again my computer was misbehaving. My faux son, Carter, and his wife are coming up tomorrow, and while I work at Simi, they are going to work on the computer. So it’s past 11 p.m. and I’m off to the Land of Nod.
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| Wednesday, October 29th, 2003
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10:06 pm - A Surprise Lunch--Simi Winery--October '03
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Unbelievable! After this past week I was so exhausted that last night I slept through without even turning over for 10 ½ hours!! I’ve never done that before. And even so, I’m not convinced my body is completely rested yet. So another early night tonight.
My computer continues to be very naughty, and I was struggling with it today about noon when my friend Pam called and told me Simi Winery was having a luncheon as celebration for the end of harvest. Any time I don’t have to cook and can enjoy someone else’s food I’m on my way. Today was no exception. I was in my car and GONE within ten minutes after the call. And it was scrumptious! Eric Lee, our winery’s chef is a star, and today there was a fabulous Caesar’s Salad, Polento topped with vegetables, Lasagna, Garlic bread and my daily Pepsi Cola. I carried a loaded plate out to the picnic area under the big Redwood trees and enjoyed to my heart’s content. The tables were covered with blue checkered cloths, and there was a good breeze blowing the tree branches.
When I finished I went inside to get some chocolate cake, and when I did, I looked out to where I had been sitting just as a huge gust of wind blew a cloud of dust right across the table. Had I been there I would have been a victim ready for a hot shower. As for the cake, it was really yummy. I managed to scoop some into a little box and take it home for two of my friends here at our apartment building. I also brought some of the Caesar salad home and had it for my dinner. Yea!!! One more meal I didn’t have to fix for myself!
I talked to Carter, and he and Vi will come up on Saturday and work on this computer to try to get it working better. I have to work, but we can at least go out to dinner together. At my computer class today I suddenly realized exactly how slow my computer is at home, because the ones at the school are wonderfully fast. Now off to bed.
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11:01 am - Son Bruce's Visit--Healdsburg--10/28/03
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Today was wonderful! Not only was the weather perfect, but I had a visit from my eldest son, Bruce (53) and his wife, Julie. I hadn’t seen either of them for a long, long, time, so it really was a joyful occasion. They had never seen my apartment before, so they were quite impressed. Our hallway looks as if it’s the entrance to a motel, but once in my apartment with my Japanese furniture and woodblock prints, it isn’t bad at all.
First we stopped at Simi Winery so I could give the pictures from the party to Heidi. Hopefully they really liked them. They also met Sandra, Jan & Michael, and I showed them where I work. Then we continued out into Alexander Valley to the Rock Creek Casino for lunch. They had brought their beloved dog—a black Lab, Honey Bear-- with them, and they intended to leave her in the car with the air on while we ate inside. Ah well! The Best Laid Plans…and all that! We had just parked and were ready to get out when one of the Casino’s guards approached our car and told us dogs were not allowed on the premises. The last time I was there with Jack, it was my camera that they considered a “No! No!” So we headed back into town.
We parked in a shady spot for Honey Bear and walked over to the Beer Republic, one of my favorite places to eat. We sat outside, and had Root Beer while waiting for our main courses. While we waited, Karen, with whom I work at Simi, and her actor husband, David, also came in with a couple who were on their way to Australia. The food was delicious, as usual, and I brought half of my Portobello Mushroom sandwich home for dinner. It was relaxing to spend an hour chatting with my son, and I was especially happy that he agrees with me that the Iraq war is a fiasco. He fought in Vietnam, so he has the right to make that decision. They took some of our food back for Honey Bear, who, being a very well trained animal, had waited patiently in the car even though the windows were open and she could easily have gotten out.
From Healdsburg’s Town Center we drove out Dry Creek Road to Ferrari Caranna Winery. The gardens are just vivid at this time of year. By then I was almost ill with fatigue from the past few days, but I managed to keep going. We returned to my apartment, and Honey Bear had a good run . Bruce has a special dog’s whistle from Australia that he got over E-Bay, and Honey Bear reacts to it immediately. I was very sorry to see them go but at the same time very happy to come into my apartment and crash.
Tonight my sister. Harriet, called from Florida because she had been watching the horrendous fires in southern California—mainly Simi Valley. Because she knew I worked for Simi Winery, she was afraid they were connected somehow. Thank goodness we are not. I can’t even imagine the heartbreak of those hundreds of people who have lost
EVERYTHING in those devastating fires, and they are still raging on.
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| Tuesday, October 28th, 2003
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2:06 am - Bruce is Coming--Calf. Oct. '03
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Last night I came home completely zonked. I worked from 10 to 5 and then went to Pam’s house for an Octobrefest meal. It was delicious but heavy, and the night before at the end of the Simi party I had some Beef Wellington which was also very heavy. My poor stomach is not used to rich people’s food, and both nights I had to get up about 3 o’clock and read for a couple of hours. Hopefully tonight will be better.
It was a very slow day at the winery, so although I hated to lose the pay, I took off early and dashed down to Costco to have the two rolls of photos printed. Once again I was very worried, because if pictures at an affair like that don’t come out, there is no way of taking them over. Fortunately, they turned out quite well. Now I hope the powers that be will like them.
Since my oldest son (53) and his Vietnamese wife are driving from Brentwood—2 ½ hours away—to see me tomorrow, I better get to bed for my beauty sleep. Before going to work today I did some much needed cleaning in my house, so my daughter-in-law wouldn’t have anything to criticize. I haven’t seen or heard from her for several years, but my son visited me here just before my major operation one and one-half years ago. So off to bed I go. Good Night!
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| Saturday, October 25th, 2003
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11:10 pm - A Simi Event--Oct. 25, 2003
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It’s 10:30 p.m. and I’m on my way to bed. It’s been a l-o-n-g day, and at a couple of times I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to make it to the end, but I did. For one thing it was so horrendously hot today. As long as I was in the winery where it is air conditioned , I was O.K., but I had to help with the porch’s Wine& Cheese Pairing, and then the heat almost finished me off. We had a short period before the main event—the costume party around the fountain –started at 7 p.m. I couldn’t believe how lovely the area looked after dark. Heidi, our wonderful hospitality chief, had candles in small glasses everywhere—all along the fences and around the fountain. In the fountain, flower candles floated, and at the other end a flutist and cello player made background music.
On the porch there was a large painting of a voluptuous young maiden and a dragon with holes for people to put there faces in. I was official photographer for the evening, and I took poloroid pictures of couples who became girls and dragons. The best thing about poloroid pictures is you can give them to the people right away. I also took two rolls of film with my 35 mm camera. I was half way through the first roll when I realized I had the setting on Panorama. Dumb! Dumb!
Some of the guests came in interesting costumes and dazzling evening clothes. The weather cooled off by evening, so it couldn’t have been more perfect. After hors d’oerves and wine on the porch, the guests found their tables around the fountain. Each table was beautifully decorated with a tall stand of flowers, elegant gold-rimmed china, and menus and a small CD at each place. The wine with dinner was Simi’s very special 1996 Cabernet, and the meal itself, created by our chef, Eric Lee, was delicious. I know, because at 9:30 Richard, who had been working the bar inside, and I were given a plate of gourmet food beyond anything I had had to eat in a long time. At least our meal was free, unlike the guests who paid $125.00 each! Besides the poloroids I took many photos of the beautifully lit fountain area, and the tables of guests. I always worry before I have my pictures printed for fear I goofed, so I have my fingers crossed. It’s not the kind of thing you can go back and do over.
Now to turn my clocks back and cuddle down in my comfortable bed/. Good Night!
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| Friday, October 24th, 2003
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10:58 pm - A Tibetan Evening--California--2003
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My friends tease me about being long winded in my writing, and It’s true that I seldom have trouble finding the right words, but I think that time has come. Last night I attended a program at the Luther Burbank Theater that still has me in a daze. I would like so much to be able to describe it to everyone who wasn’t lucky enough to be there, but there just aren’t enough words to do it justice.
The show was called THE MYSTICAL ARTS OF TIBET, and it included Sacred Music and Sacred Dance by a group of Tibetan monks. I’ve always loved Ethnic dancing and music, and while in Japan I attended a program given by performers from many of the exotic countries on the Silk Road. Their instruments were completely different from anything in the West, but the tremendously huge horns with the long, long stems which the monks played were in a class all by themselves. The sound these horns produced may be music to some, but it’s a deep kind of groan. Fascinating! Even more so, however, was the multiphonic music produced by the monks from deep in their throats, or maybe even lower. I’ve never heard anything like it, and I wonder how they learn to do that.
So how can I possibly find words to even start to describe the colorful, enchanting, unique drama of that evening? Even more surprising to me was the fact that these monks who have been uprooted from their temples and even their land by the Communist Chinese, still have a sense of humor. Like the Chinese and Japanese, they have a Lion’s Dance with two men inside the costume. It was very, very funny. And still later came a two-man costumed Yak with great horns being chased by and chasing after a merry herdsman.
But most of all the beauty was in the spirituality of the music and dance, and it was very touching that when the monks first entered the stage, they carried a portrait of the Dalai Llama and placed it on a table which was laid with brilliant colored Tibetan silks. There it remained during the entire two hour program. I had hesitated about attending because even the cheapest tickets weren’t cheap, but I feel deeply grateful that I could be there to enjoy such an uplifting evening, and it was worth every penny—and more!
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10:15 pm - Mis-steps--California 2003
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Today we had a bit of a drama at Simi Winery when one of our visitors, a woman, stumbled on the last step going down to the fountain and fell. The medics arrived in both a fire engine and an ambulance, and it was pretty well established that the woman had broken her arm and may have suffered some other injuries. After all the paper work was finished, she was carried off in the ambulance. No word yet about how bad her injuries are.
There is a sign at the foot of the stairs warning people to be careful, but I know from experience how easy it is to miss a step and walk out into thin air. I did that myself one evening when I was visiting my friend Pam for dinner. It was still lovely and light, and I carried my glass of wine and plate of food to the back yard table. It was my first time in their yard, and I completely overlooked the one step down onto the grass. I missed it completely and wine and food went flying in several directions. It was only a miracle that kept me from crashing, but I felt pretty shaken up for the rest of the evening.
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10:13 pm - Mis-steps--California--2003
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Today we had a bit of a drama at Simi Winery when one of our visitors, a woman, stumbled on the last step going down to the fountain and fell. The medics arrived in both a fire engine and an ambulance, and it was pretty well established that the woman had broken her arm and may have suffered some other injuries. After all the paper work was finished, she was carried off in the ambulance. No word yet about how bad her injuries are.
There is a sign at the foot of the stairs warning people to be careful, but I know from experience how easy it is to miss a step and walk out into thin air. I did that myself one evening when I was visiting my friend Pam for dinner. It was still lovely and light, and I carried my glass of wine and plate of food to the back yard table. It was my first time in their yard, and I completely overlooked the one step down onto the grass. I missed it completely and wine and food went flying in several directions. It was only a miracle that kept me from crashing, but I felt pretty shaken up for the rest of the evening.
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| Wednesday, October 22nd, 2003
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11:27 pm - LOST IN TRANSLATION--October 21, 2003
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Wow! It’s been quite awhile since I’ve been able to add to my journal, because my computer was misbehaving like a naughty child. I’m not sure it’s completely O.K. even now, but I will get back to my routine if possible. It’s been a glorious week of Autumn weather, and the leaves are turning all red and gold. This is a time when the vineyards are especially beautiful, although they are also pretty with yellow mustard under them in the spring and clusters of grapes hanging in late summer. People ask me if I have always lived here, and of course the answer is “no,” but when I returned from years of teaching in Japan and then one year in Florida, it’s as if my Guardian Angel led me to this magnificent area. Every day I am thankful to be here.
Because of my years in Japan I am always interested in anything to do with that beloved country. So last night I gave myself a rare treat—a trip to the movies. It was called “Lost in Translation” and it takes place in Tokyo with also a short scene or two in a shrine garden in Kyoto. Maybe it’s because I don’t go to many movies, or maybe it’s because of all the scenes in Japan, but whatever the reason, I thought it was a delightful and entertaining film. I highly recommend it. One of the extra perks for me was Bill Murray, the star, who in so many ways reminds me of my mentor, Jack.. There were amazing likenesses in several scenes. There were only six of us in the theater, but I was the one who kept laughing out loud. I think I probably caught a lot of the humor that someone who didn’t know Japan well would miss. By the way, the film was written and directed by Sophia Coppola, the daughter of the very famous director, Coppola. Now to see if I can transfer this over to my journal, and then to bed.
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| Tuesday, October 14th, 2003
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2:22 pm - Christmas in Sri Lanka--1982
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The other night I wrote about my Christmas in Bali, Indonesia, and that got me thinking about other Christmases in exotic places. Many of my friends have had only two or three Christmases any place except at home, so I guess mine are rather unusual.
The Christmas I am remembering tonight took place in Sri Lanka which is called “A Tear Drop in the Indian Ocean” because of its size, shape and nearness to the southern part of India. Another time I will write about the trip as a whole, but tonight I am thinking about Christmas Eve and Christmas night in 1982. Every morning our driver waited for us outside whatever hotel we were staying in, with the car freshly washed and plans for the day. For some time before Christmas he played Carols in our car. On December 24th we registered in a hotel in Sigiriya where my friend Kazuko Endo, a Japanese artist, and I each had a separate cottage. I was fascinated by the thick mosquito netting which was fastened at the ceiling and which surrounded the bed.
As soon as we were settled in, we took off for one of our greatest adventures, a climb up the side of a mammoth rock cliff to the top where a king once had his entertainment area. I am definitely not fond of heights, so it took all my courage to attempt the climb. My guide was a very cute boy of about 15 who kept saying, “S-l-o-w-l-y Madame, s-l-o-wly! Little did he suspect how unnecessary that warning was; I was practically crawling. Half way up we stopped to admire some ancient wall paintings of what well might have been a King’s women. It was colorful and very beautiful.
The second part of the ascent was even more nerve racking, because instead of steps there were just dug out indentations in the rock. How I ever made it to the top I will never know; but I did! It was worth it, too, because the top was flat and held a small lake, a level area where dancing girls performed, and a carved stone throne from which the king could be entertained. Of course, I had to sit on the throne and have my picture taken, just to prove I was there. But how the king and his entourage made it to the top and how things were built up there is still a mystery.
The descent was almost worse that the ascent because it was difficult not to look down at the ant-sized people below. I still have a photo taken by Kazuko from below when I was half way down.
On our return drive to the hotel we passed two young children walking on the highest stilts I had ever seen. And further along there were three sweet looking teen aged girl students with long braids, neatly dressed and with their books under their arms.
We rested awhile before dressing in our best for the Christmas Eve party which took place in the outdoor dining area around the swimming pool. There was a big Christmas tree completely decorated with blown-up balloons. (The only other place I saw balloons on Christmas tree was in New Zealand). The young Sri Lankan waiters were dashing with their café ole skin, white teeth and black tight pants, white silk shirts and bright red cumberbunds. Lighted flower candles and tropical flowers floated in the pool along with a miniature doll house, glowing from inside. On the other side of the pool the buffet supper was spread out on tables, and it was spectacular in itself. Several kinds of fruit and vegetables had been carved so that candles inside shone out through intricate designs. A tall dancing girl was made entirely from butter, and the roasted suckling pig, splayed out on a large platter, had tiny electric light bulbs for eyes. Under our dinner table mosquito coils smoked to keep the nasty little biting creatures away. All in all it was an evening never to be forgotten, and the next day, Christmas, we were driven back to Columbo where at dinner a chorus made up of blind Sri Lankans serenaded us with Christmas Carols. Two days later I sat on the beach beside the Java Sea and celebrated my 60th birthday. Then it was time to go home. Right up to the time our driver dropped us off at the airport, he kept playing Christmas carols on the car’s tape recorder.
Besides my memories, the only thing I have left from that trip is a wonderful batik of a Santa Claus face which I bought in Sigiriya and which has graced my front door every Christmas since.
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| Saturday, October 11th, 2003
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10:37 pm - Christmas in Bali--December 1988
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Christmas morning Kiyoko and I wandered out into the garden of our hotel after breakfast. It was the first time we had seen little girls dressed in fancy party dresses with ribbons in their hair. Obviously they were not from Bali, but from rich families in the capital of Jakarta, Indonesia, who had come, like us, for Christmas. One of the decorations that particularly caught my eye was a large Santa face carved from a huge watermelon and hanging from a tree.
We hadn’t been outside long before we heard a kind of rucus coming from the front of the hotel. We hurried out with some of the guests, including a fat German woman in a Bikini, and arrived just as a parade neared the entrance. Never have I ever, before or since, seen such a motley bunch of costumed revelers. Santa, big and very black, was perched high up on a throne balanced in a wagon. But best of all, they were all proceeding to the accompaniment of “Onward Christian Soldiers!” It was a very interesting new way of celebrating this holiday.
Later that day our Driver/Guide picked us up and drove us to his home. It was there that we experienced two delicious culinary treats. The first was a pudding made from black rice, and it was wonderful. Then, as we watched, our driver climbed up a palm tree and hacked off a big coconut. This he then halved with his hatchet and poured the milk out for each of us. I knew a little about the results on one’s insides by too much coconut milk, so we were very careful. But it WAS good!
That evening Kiyoko and I dressed up and had dinner in a hotel restaurant. It was especially eventful because there was a stunning show—Balinese, both male and female, in exotic costumes, telling historical tales through their movements and dancing. In this, the use of the eyes and the hands are most important, and the whole effect is gorgeous beyond words. At the end of the show, Kiyoko and I joined the dancers on the stage for a photograph which is now hanging in my bedroom. Sometimes I look at it and marvel that I was lucky enough to have experienced such a lovely adventure.
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| Thursday, October 9th, 2003
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11:26 pm - Bali's Beasties --Bali Indonesia--Dec. 1988
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Today I finished scanning all my enlarged pictures from my Christmas in Bali, Indonesia. What an exotic place, and how sad that the terrorists blew up a night club and killed so many young people. Most of then were Australians enjoying a school vacation. Fortunately when my Japanese friend, Kiyoko, and I were there all was peaceful and safe.
There are so many different aspects of that week that are worth remembering, but tonight I’m thinking about some of the living creatures—other than the humans. One day our guide drove us to another part of the land—away from the tourists. We entered a kind of forest, and there were monkeys everywhere. I took some charming pictures, especially of one mother monkey and her baby who was clutched against her breast. In my photo album I captioned that picture, “Monkey Madonna and Child.” But besides those funny little creatures, high above were some of the biggest fruit bats I’ve ever heard of that were either circling or hanging from the tree tops. They were absolutely huge, and since they were doing their thing in broad daylight, I guess they were a different species from their smaller relatives who preferred hanging out en masse in caves.
On another day in another part of Bali we were taken to a bat cave. To me it was one of the most fascinating things I’ve ever done, but Kiyoko would have no part of it. I’m an adventurer at heart, so I marched right into the middle of the cave and got a very close up view of the mysterious creatures. Fascinating. And even more interesting were the three small religious temples at the entrance of the cave, probably praying that the bats would produce lots of bat dung which could then be sold for fertilizer.
Back to the monkeys, this time in a different area, where we had a good laugh when one of the monkeys grabbed a hat off of a man’s head. We watched the comedy with delight as the monkey teased the man who was trying desperately to retrieve his hat.
Then there was Turtle Island which we reached by boat. Here again was a big cave with a weirdly built gate in the shape of a demon with its mouth wide open. I never found out what they do with all the turtles—eat them? But one small boy carried a large one out to show us.
Before leaving the island we had our only unpleasant encounter with bird life. This time it was a couple of men with their fighting cocks. That is a horrible torture for the poor birds that have piercing metal daggers fitted onto their talons in order to tear each other apart. Just recently a cock fighting group was broken up right here in California, sad to say.
And so, except for a cute little toad which I photographed, that was the end of the Bird and Animal part of our Bali Adventure.
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| Tuesday, October 7th, 2003
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6:12 pm - Two Buddhist Friends, Part 2--Calif.--October '03
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From the first moment our cars turned int the entranceway I was spellbound. It had been a few years since my last visit, and at that time the buildings were temporary. Later we saw the overall plans for the finishing of the whole area, but already many of the changes had been made. Besides the beautiful wooden and gold-lettered sign at the entrance, there were three huge pure white statues. Further down the well-graded driveway (a BIG change from the lumpy dirt road in the old days) an absolutely gigantic white Buddha loomed among the trees. It looked so beautiful among the natural green of the setting. From then on there was one surprise after another.
Keisho and I arrived exactly at noon, and when we entered another new-to-me building, we found a large room furnished with tables and chairs. At the entrance way a table was piled with white china bowls and cups, and on the next table was a large container of a vegetarian meal, including tofu and seaweeds—very healthful. There was a soup too. Keisho and I filled our bowls and he was pointed to a table with men only, and I to a table for women. My table mates were mostly elderly Buddhist nuns in grey garb and with shaved heads. They were all Vietnamese, and they had the sweetest smiles.
At the far end of the room a small group sat who were obviously of higher rank. There were three young men in dark brown robes with shaved heads who, I found out later, were monks from a temple in Sacramento. But for me the most important person was a short stocky man in a saffron robe—my dear and former friend, Master Tu. It was he who first found the land there on top of Mt. Madonna and it was he who managed somehow to buy it and to little by little build it into the beautiful Retreat it is now and will be even more so in the future.
Meals at any Buddhist temple or retreat are always eaten in silence. Occasionally the head monk hits a big bell which gives out a doleful tone. This is to keep reminding all of us of how lucky we are that nature is feeding us. When the meal ended and we all took our dishes into the kitchen and washed them, I kept waiting for Master Tu to recognize that I was there, but he continued conversing with the three monks and paid no attention to me. Keisho and I walked around outside and sat for awhile contemplating the beauty of the surroundings. Finally I went back inside, because I hadn’t come this long way for nothing. I walked up close to Master Tu, put my hands together and bowed and said, “Master Tu, it’s Janey Trinkle.” Immediately he broke into a wide smile, waved me to his side and gave me a hug. Then he introduced me to the three young monks.
I called Keisho inside and introduced my two beloved friends. The rest of the next two hours were for me pure joy. Master Tu took us for a tour of Kim Son and I was even more impressed with all the changes. Especially interesting was the dormitory containing bright rooms, each with four bunk beds for visitors arriving for a few days of meditation. Most are Vietnamese who arrive from San Jose. Finally, we all went into a lovely room filled with Buddhistic art and sculptures, and MasteTu proceded to make tea for all of us. One of the monks used my camera and took many pictures, and another had a digital camera.
Master Tu has a delightful sense of humor, so we really had fun, and the hours just flew. Then it was time to leave, but first we took more photos outside by some of the big Buddhas. It’s hard to believe that the bigget one came all the way from Vietnam, and how they got it to that mountain top and then set it up is a mystery to me. But they did it, and it is gorgeous. Shakespeare wrote that “Parting is such sweet sorrow” and it’s true. But hopefully that won’t be the last visit, and already Keisho is planning to visit again. I’ve said it many times before, and I will say it again that I think I am one of the luckiest people alive because of all my loving, caring, interesting friends!
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| Monday, October 6th, 2003
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11:28 pm - Two Friends Meet--California--October '03
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One of my favorite things to do is to introduce two of my favorite people to each other for the first time and then see their friendship develop. Such was the case last week when I journeyed south from Healdsburg, Calif. to Gilroy and then up to the top of Mt.Madonna.
I am usually a late riser since I don’t go to bed until midnight, So it was difficult to drag myself out of bed at 5:15 to shower, dress, make my bed, etc. Jack called at 5:30, and when I told him I was already up and dressed he took that to mean I was on my way—which I wasn’t. As a result, when I finally found him waiting for me on the side of the street near his home at about 6:30, he was in a rather cross mood. It didn’t last, and I was glad to turn over the driving to him. Even at that early hour the traffic was awful, and in several areas before reaching the Golden Gate Bridge we simply crawled.
We finally made it however, and after paying our $5.00 at the toll gate we were soon in the part of San Francisco where Jack was to have a meeting. I took over the driving and headed up Market Street, having been told that my next stop wasn’t too far away. Ha! I drove and drove and drove, and soon I realized I wasn’t on Market any more, but on Portola. The traffic was thick and a little scary, but I finally found a space open by a curb, and a nice man gave me directions. I was on the right road; it was just a lot farther than I had realized.
My next stop was at the home of a Bhuddist priest, Keisho, whom I first met in Kyoto Japan. At that time he was spending five years in a temple there, and I was sightseeing with Japanese friends. We corresponded for awhile, and now he is back in San Francisco. After a tour of his home and photographing all the lovely Bhuddhistic articles, we had a cup of tea by a window which looked out to the sea. We were to take the trip still further south in two vehicles—mine and his truck. He led the way, and oh boy what a ride that was! As soon as we hit the highway, Keisho took off at about 70 miles per hour or more. It was really hard to keep him in sight, especially when another car would sneak in between us. A few times I was sure I would never catch sight of him again, but I did, and we finally made it to Gilroy, the Garlic Capital of the World.
Gilroy was my home back in the middle ‘80’s when I was working for my Masters Degree in Theater at San Jose State University. I thought I knew the town well, but it has changed so much and there has been so much building that I couldn’t recognize anything. We finally found Rte. 52, however, and I took the lead from there. The drive up to Mt. Madonna is on a very winding road, but it’s bordered by beautiful trees, and it’s a drive I remember with affection. It had been a long time since the last trip up, and I forgot how far it was. After lots of twists and turns, however, we finally found the Kim Son sign written in gold on wood and next to a huge white Lion statue.
To be continued.
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| Saturday, October 4th, 2003
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8:29 pm - A Scottish Adventure--England--1980's
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Today at work a couple from Scotland came into the winery, and talking to them brought back another memory from my past. My daughter, Monique, married an Englishman, and his mother and I became good friends. One time when I was visiting them in Suffolk, she and I decided to take a coach trip to Scotland. These trips in England are amazing because they are not only reasonably priced, but they include hotels, food and sightseeing for a week or more. The only drawback was the first part which took place in an uncomfortable bus at night.
We had a rather stout woman bus driver for that part of the journey, and a few hours out we began to realize that we weren’t exactly on the right road. This became even more apparent when the bus stopped and the driver asked a rather inebriated fellow leaving a pub for directions. I’m sure for him this was the equivalent of pink elephants! A bit further on we came to a small bridge, and it was obvious we were too big for it. So, right there in the middle of a country road this behemoth of a bus turned around. On the way back to the main highway our headlights glowed on the big round eyes of rather startled-looking cows.
Once in Scotland, we picked up our tour bus and driver, a charming fellow whose
Scottish accent was completely incomprehensible to me. At one point I asked him if he were really speaking English, and fortunately he laughed. We proceeded to drive around many wonderful places, and each inn or hotel was a delight, as was the food. The weather was superb, and later I’ve been told that was MOST unusual; it’s rainy and cold most of the time.
Finally we were on the way back home, and this time it was with our good driver and in broad daylight. As we approached one of the many little villages, an older couple called to the driver from the back of the bus and asked him to stop. It seems they had some friends or relatives in one of the cottages by the side of the road and they would like to pay a little visit to them. Unbelievably to me, since this would never happen in America, the driver obligingly parked near the cottage, and the couple got out and had tea with their friends while we waited. And again, before we finally got back to our starting point in Ipswich, another couple asked the driver to detour for a few blocks so they could be let off at their house, which he did..
I found it interesting that many of these middle income, middle aged couples spend their vacations each year on similar coach trips. And as for me, I met a lady from New Zealand on our trip, and ended up at another time visiting her in that country. But that’s another story.
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7:51 pm - A Good Mistake--California--Oct. '03
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Isn’t it interesting when something takes place that is absolutely crazy and then it ends up to be absolutely wonderful? That’s what happened to me a couple of days ago when I spent two nights with dear friends in San Jose, Calif. Both of them were already gone--one to work and the other off to Los Angeles—when rush hour ended and I was ready to drive back to Healdsburg. They had given me very specific directions on how to get to Rt. 680 and from there to Rt. 101, and I reached 680 with no trouble, but…….I started off in the wrong direction. Dumb! Dumb!
I was pretty far along by the time I realized my mistake, so then the question was, should I turn around and start over, or should I just keep going? I decided on the latter, and kept going I did, for what seemed like forever. The scenery was spectacular—lots of rolling golden hills and cows and horses. I also passed towns I had heard of, Walnut Creek and Concord, and even one I had once lived in for awhile with friends, Benicia. At that point I was hit with a $2.00 toll over a bridge, and from there I was pretty sure of myself.
Then I had a great idea! Since I would be coming out on Rt. 80 near Fairfield, it would be only ten miles or so to Vacaville, where I had lived with my son and his wife before they went to Japan. In those days my dearest friend was a much older widow whom I met in a writers’ group. Now she was 92 and had just had a hip replacement operation. I could pay a surprise visit on her. Hooray!!!
I stopped in the local Lyon’s restaurant and ordered a double thick chocolate milkshake which Marian and I had often shared during some of our outings. (She used to call me and say, “I have Cabin Fever! Let’s go!” I’d pick her up and we’d do the mall or head out in the country to visit Llamas, camels, sheep and even a whole field full of adorable donkeys.) So milkshake in hand, I popped in their screen door and was greeted most enthusiastically by both Marian and her brother-in-law, Dick. It couldn’t have been more perfect. She and I shared the delicious milkshake and chattered for about an hour before I headed for the last leg of my journey home. Since it is about 80 miles from my apartment to their house in Vacaville, I doubt I would have taken the time or trouble to visit Marian after her operation, but by making that horrendous directions mistake, I DID visit her, and it just seems like another of the miracles that have blessed my life.
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