I thank all our US Veterans who have dedicated their lives and continue to do so for the freedom of every individual in this country. I believe it is time for all of us to to take a stand and speak up for what is right and good and true. Our uniform is our citizenship. May we wear it proudly and courageously in the months and years ahead.
* * *
(3 days after the 2016 election and presidential loss of Hillary Clinton.)
Wandering about the darkness with distracting worries,
the shutter suddenly slipped with a lasting chill and awoke me.
* * *
I often wonder if the shutter really did slip while I was there or if it was purely my imagination.
My memory almost hears the squeak and snap and yet... it was long ago and time has erased the details, as well as the worries of that particular day.
- Diane
You belong to the journey that beckons,
the waves that take you away,
and the love that calls you in your longing.
* * *
I have spent many moments gazing out into this Half Moon Bay harbor, hearing the whispers on the wind and knowing that it was time to cast off to the next journey. So grateful for the unending ripples of reflections that these healing waters bring.
- Diane
While it's not been a huge El Niño year here in California, the much needed winter storms have not left the San Mateo coast unscathed. The rising seas and high waves have battered the already crumbling bluffs and left some worse for the ware. Washed ashore was this leaning vessel, no doubt waiting for hide tides to return it to it's natural buoyancy!
- Diane
Whenever I think of turkey vultures, I think of mythology. This must be where these birds originated from, right? Their large wing span and humped back necks coupled with their unique, gnarly red heads conjure up tales; here's mine:
I was out walking on the beach one foggy day. Feeling a whoosh of air behind me, I instinctively ducked. Just above me were two vultures circling about. Their flapping wings could be heard above the surf. Having interrupting their meal, I could see they were clearly upset. One landed right in front of me and I quickly halted. I looked around to see if anyone else was watching this spectacle and saw that I was alone. Sitting down in the sand (why, I don't know), I vocalized an apology about intruding on their meal. They looked me suspiciously. I looked at them while carefully pulling my camera out. As I started taking photographs, the one next to me cocked his head at each click and then started 'hissing' at me while he pranced around. The other one came flying in. That was enough! I jumped up and got out of there, leaving the mythical pair to dine without my company.
To hear the source of all sound, we must pause in silence.
- Diane Varner
It is those haunting moments that always live longest in memory.
— Diane Varner
