On being 6 Years Old

When I was 6 years old I got a horse for my birthday and a black English racer bike. My parents took me and several friends to the circus. It was quite a birthday. I can remember my neighbor, Beth Shafter walking up the road to my home with Jean in halter and handing me the lead. It was love at first sight. Jean was to be my best friend and confidant for the next 15 years.
I had wanted a horse ever since I first rode Jean at the Shafers. Britta, Beth’s daughter let me ride jean every time I came for a visit. In fact it was one of the major reasons why I wanted to visit Britta so much. Beth must have seen the love I had for Jean and the longing I had at such an early age for a horse. Britta and I would be friends throughout elementary school and then when junior high came, she would go to a different school and out of my life forever.
Jean would be with me for many more years. I started out riding her with just her halter and a hay bay twine tied underneath her chin. She was a beautiful chestnut color with black mane and tail and I loved to brush her coat and comb her mane and tail. It was a pre-riding ritual for the two of us. It wasn’t long before I acquired a real bridle and saddle. We would go for long rides at every chance and I would talk and sing to her as we rode through the woods of the Moyaone Reserve.
My Dad loved to sing and would teach us all the tunes he knew from his youth and young adulthood. He loved to teach us songs as we rode in the car. It was one of his favorite pastimes and we loved to learn his songs and sing too. I would practice all these songs riding on Jean and she would twitch her ears back to listen as I sang. It was such a great sense of freedom to ride and sing and breath in the surrounding nature. The woods were beautiful at all times of the year. I especially loved spring when all the wild flowers would spring out of the ground. It became a game to go riding just to see the newest flowers that decked out the floor of the forests and edges of streambeds that Jean and I would explore. The forest would become my ally and serve as a refuge in times of happiness and disappointment. Growing up is filled with such a range of emotions and the trees took them in and swallowed them and let me move on in my life and jean was right there with me.
I can still remember that cold, star filled winter night. I was only 6 but I can still see the blue black night sky filled with stars. I was sitting on Jean’s back in the driveway and looking up at the sky mesmerized by all the stars. It was in that moment that I knew I was part of something much larger. Even at such a young age, I was filled with an awe and wonder. I sat on Jean’s back for a long time just staring up at the sky and feeling the universe cradle me in her arms. Jean and I dissolved into nothingness and we traveled through the universe deep into space and timelessness. It was the first time I remember wondering who I really was and what I was doing here. What was my purpose? The peace and joy of that moment still sits insides me and moves me to explore the deeper meaning and purpose of my being. And although Jean has long passed, she is here with me too, breathing warm air on my neck and encouraging me to keep moving and exploring and riding through the forests of my life’s path. There are wild flowers springing up and new trails and streams to explore with each moment. Jean opened my heart to the universe and my soul and as I travel my cosmic chart she is nosing me on to open to deeper and wilder spaces inside myself where all creation exists and waits to be uncovered through words.

Susan's Trip to Oklahoma

Having birthdays isn't what it used to be! Now living by myself, I wanted to celebrate my birthday but was having a difficult time deciding the best way to do it. As September drew closer I got a great idea. My great niece, Sarah, was celebrating her first birthday on September 6th and my birthday was the 9th. I hadn't gotten to meet Sarah since her birth and I hadn't seen James and Eli, her brothers, since my trip to Florida several years ago. So I called Rebecca and confirmed dates and went on line to Orbitz and got my ticket. I am so glad I did as I had a wonderful trip.
I arrived in Oklahoma city late Saturday night, the 8th and Rebecca picked me up. We had some time in the car to catch up before arriving at their home and I so enjoyed the private time with Rebecca. I discovered over the next few days what a wonderful and loving mother Rebecca was and how much I enjoyed her company.
On Sunday, I woke up to the children playing and a tour of their home. What a great place to raise children. Lots of room inside and out and lots of places to play. Sunday was a day of swimming, football catch, basketball, chasing Sarah as she pulled everything she could reach out of the kitchen cabinets, playing games with James and Eli, piano practices for James and Eli and a night out at their favorite local pizza place. I want to note that they commented on how Art, their grandfather, had cleaned up playing monopoly with them on a previous visit! I was also amazed with Eli's knowledge of all the monopoly property purchase and rental prices! He knew them all from memory. James was fantastic on the piano and a whiz on the computer. These children are so talented.



We got home to a birthday celebration for me and Sarah practicing holding up one finger when asked how old she was! We would ask her how old she was, Eli or James would coach her, she would hold up one finger, and then we would clap or beat on the table to acknowledge her accomplishment. It resulted in lots of laughing and lots of asking how old she was. This ritual continued for the rest of my trip, much to the delight of Sarah!



James and Eli are such bright and funny little boys and so smart! I guess I can't say that enough! I so enjoyed playing with them and reading stories to them at bedtime. It was also great to see Jamie get to relax and even get a jog in on a pleasant Sunday afternoon. I can see how hard he works as a doctor and I was glad to see him relax and enjoy his home and his family.


I fell asleep Sunday night after getting to read a book I'd been trying to read for months. It was the first time in a long time where I just took a day to play and read. I didn't think about work once!!!!!
Monday brought school for James and gymnastics for Eli. I got to see James get on his bus to school and then off to gymnastics for Eli. I sat in a room full of moms watching Sarah walk everywhere and Eli running and climbing and working out on the rings. I was amazed with his agility on the rings as he was able to swing his body all the way around and dismount. I bought Sarah a summer shorts outfit with Nike on the butt! It was the perfect outfit for the gym.



We drove home in time to go join James at school for lunch. I also got a tour of his beautiful new school and marvelled at the new library, "the media room", and both James' and the Eli's
classrooms. Eli even has his own private playground for his class. We left to go home and get Eli ready for his time at school. Rebecca doesn't get to slow down at all so the time between 1:00 and 3:00 that afternoon was a welcome time to work on the computer and have Sarah take a nap. I got to read and work on putting together a solar toy I brought for James and Eli. They were delighted to see it work with sun power when they got home from school.
Jamie came home before the boys and went out for a run. It gave the boys a big laugh to see their Dad out running as the bus brought them home. Monday nights is karate night so it was dinner and off again! Rebecca is a great cook. I loved her eggs for breakfast and the chicken cutlets and mashed sweet potatoes for dinner. Seems like this family is always in movement and Monday was no different. After dinner the boys got dressed for karate and off we went.




The boys really love karate and practice everyday. Jamie oversees the sessions of workouts at home where the boys do sets of sit ups and push ups. I think they will be adding jumping jacks to the list! At karate practice the boys showed how well these workouts at home paid off as they did the same workouts at the karate studio. After the warm ups, they started practicing all the karate moves and I've captured them both in action in pictures here on this blog. What fun they were having moving their bodies and pressing themselves to do it right. Sarah sat with me, Jamie and Rebecca and especially enjoyed chewing on my cell phone case!





After Karate, we went for ice cream and I have to say I haven't had black walnut ice cream in a very long time. I shared my story about my great uncle Sam who used to bring my mother breyer's black walnut ice cream every time he came to visit us at the farm in Accokeek when I was growing up. Rebecca has given my the title of family historian since I like to share family history.
After ice cream, we went back home to get ready for bed. I once again got to read to Eli and James and feel invested in their current book about Poppy and Rye and this story about mice and beavers trying to live together. I found it funny that the beavers represented "development" at any cost while the mice were trying to preserve their neighborhood. Can't get away from politics no matter where I go!!!!
I had to say goodbye to Jamie on Monday night as he would be at work when I left on Tuesday. I loved to watch Jamie with his children to see all the love he has for them. Being a parent is never easy and Jamie is really trying to his best for his family.
Tuesday started with saying goodbye to James as he left for school. I then had time to see Eli's computer skills as he introduced me to his webkinz site. I guess I am going to have to get one myself so I can keep up as well as email the boys. I'm sure Sarah will be on the computer soon! James had already show me his webkinz on Monday afternoon so Eli was really glad to have his turn.
It seemed like my short trip to Oklahoma had flown by in a blink. It was already Tuesday and I was packing to leave while Eli practiced the piano and Sarah pulled more stuff out of the cabinets! We had lunch and then took Eli to school before leaving for the airport. It was nice to see Oklahoma City in the daylight. From Rebecca's description of the renovations that are occurring, Oklahoma City is a place I'd like to return to and explore more on the next visit.
As the plane left the runway I had pictures of the boys playing, Sarah walking around, Jamie taking a run and Rebecca in the kitchen getting another meal ready. I so enjoyed my visit and the hope to return again next year for Sarah's second birthday. Maybe we've started a family tradition.

Welcome to Susan's Blog

I have decided to join family members Liz & Rick, Art & Jane, and Rebecca and Jamie in creating my own Blogspot to share stories and pictures of life from Morro Bay.
I live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. I rent a small, old house with a large front yard and a big deck in the back. It's been a labor of love to plant flowers and trees and have a small vegetable garden. The weather is perfect for cool weather vegetables like snow peas, radishes, and swiss chard. Not so good for tomatoes! I also have a variety of orchids and african violets inside the house. My latest indoors plants are two plumeria's a friend brought me from Hawaii.


One of the nice features of my home is that I can hear the surf hitting the beach at night from my bedroom window. The beach is less than 1/4 mile away.
Morro Bay is one of last small towns by the Pacific and life is quiet and slow. I enjoy going to the farmers market on Saturday afternoons and going to the embarcadero on Sundays Mondays to La Parisienne for fabulous pastries and coffee and reading the LA times. We also have an excellent fish market, Dockside Sales, where I by fresh fish, shrimp and oysters to barbecue. Seems like there is always a street faire or special event going on here to bring in tourists and entertain the locals.
During the week I manage a company called Pacific Energy Company. We are the oldest retailer of Solar electric products on the Central coast and the premier store for clean burning, energy efficient fireplaces, stoves, and inserts. We also sell all the hearth accessories like mantles, hearthpads, tools, screens, cleaners, paint -everything you need to complete your hearth project. My work keeps me extremely busy as I handle all the finances, advertising, personnel, and inventory management for the business. Right now I am working on a new web site, installing a new computer accounting system, and a new advertising campaign. Of course we have also moved into "season" for hearth products with our first cool days of fall.
My interests include my adult stepchildren, Erick and Kimberley, my cats, political participation, travel, writing , gardening and living as a conscious being on this small blue planet.
Erick is a political consultant who lives in Washington DC with his wife Kelly and dog shiloh. In 1989, I took Erick and Kim and their Dad to Washington DC for a visit and Erick never came back! Through the grace and support of my mother, Erick worked and went to school and thrived on the east coast and developed a love a politicis that led him into his career. As expected we talk politics a lot! Erick has just shared that he and Kelly are about to have a baby, early March 08, and I'm to become a grandmother. I much prefer the italian version of the title, noni, and look forward to teaching my future grandchild this italian title!



Kimberly is a delight and I'm so glad she lives closer than the east coast. She lives in San diego and works for an upstart entrpreneur who specializes in high end baby clothes. She has also just started college and I couldn't be prouder of her choice. She and her special other, Billy live close to the beach and enjoy surfing on the weekends when they have time.


My cat Simon, is amazing and large. He weighs in around 19 pounds so I have had to start feeding him mature cat food. He is quite agile for his size and he loves to run around the house and play with his cat toys. I love his company and unconditional love. My other cat flash needs a lot of room and my house is just too small for him. He loves to perch on high places as well. Having found ways to escape my home several times and scaring me! because he is deaf, I have moved him back to Jerry's care at the Pacific Street house. He seems to thrive there and as much as I miss him, I'm happy that he is happier there. I also seem to have adopted a stray that I have named Bobby. He is a gray tabby and quite a talker. For now he is an outdoor cat until I can figure out what to do with him. I don't think Simon will be all that hapy with his company!
Political season has started early and I'm helping Adam Hill run for county supervisor and continue to lobby for viewshed protection in Cayucos and controlling mansionization in Morro Bay. I'm still trying to figure out my next trip - would love to go to Europe but Central America always calls to me. I continue to work on my personal process of living on planet earth as a soulful being with the help of my friends and teachers, Conrad and Ilene Satala.
I hope you enjoy my musings from time to time as I add new posts from time to time. Stay tuned for pictures of my soon to be first grandchild!
Susan