california dreamin'

i'm in Berzerkely, and it's really gorgeous!

my friend S is mending very well (plus is more than entertaining with the addition of prescription pain-killers) and we've been having more fun each day.

i arrived wednesday around lunch and was met at the airport by S's assistant; i think i mentioned that S is a chiropractor? at any rate--i spent most of that day getting to know S's house and the med schedule and so forth. that night a friend came over and amused us thoroughly by singing, "R-A-G-G-M-O-P-P, raggmopp!" over and over while S did her PT exercises using (could you guess?) a dry mop for a prop.

thursday morning was spent doing more of the same--but in early afternoon S helped guide me (in her lux BMW) over the San Raphael Bridge to Sausalito, where we were treated to the spectacular view of an unexpected Blue Angels practice session. (i personally am not such a great fan, but S was in the Air Force and was stoked to see them.)

the weather has been exceptional--warm and sunny during the days, a little cold in the afternoons/evenings.

yesterday was the creme de la creme: we went to Muir Beach for a few hours and i was entranced almost to tears by the sight and feel of cold sand underfoot, cold water overfoot, and the special undersuck of waves pulling the foundation out from under my chilled tootsies.

the wind picked up after an hour or so and made sitting on the beach completely ridiculous so we ventured on to the Pelican Inn, had a beer and a snack, and then headed home....except, it was rush hour, so we got off the freeway as soon as possible after getting on, and made a side trip to Tiburon and enjoyed a late lunch at Sam's Cafe. we sat on the deck next to a pier, fought off the incredibly forward seagulls, and thoroughly enjoyed the sun and food.

after window-shopping, a dessert gelato stop, and a slow drive through the opulent town of Belvedere, we drove home in the gathering twilight along the water's edge and watched the lights of SF in the distance. truly a magical day!

my "duties" here have been pretty mild, but frequent--so travel alone, say to the Cozy Shack, would have been impossible to arrange. S is better and stronger each day, but needs help w/dressing, eating (or at least food prep and clean up), and staying on top of the medicine and PT schedule. and company.

i want to mention here that this entire trip has been financed by my friend. i am transforming my financial reality AS I TYPE (hehehe) but it has been a skinny summer, highlighted by my turning over several of my credit cards to a credit counseling agency, which is good for my financial future, but makes my financial present very tight as i can not use these cards any longer. therefore i am living on what i make for the 1st time in....a long time. and it's been very educational to see the degree to which i relied upon money that was never mine to begin with, and now is not-mine in the extreme! so i am learning to RECEIVE, as is my friend. in two very different areas we are learning that it is all right to RECEIVE. not only that, it is a real blessing to RECEIVE!

i'm going back to Tucson on Sunday. my home and pets have been cared for by a young woman i met through the Sweat and all is well there. my goal is to maintain the energy of RECEIVING that's been begun here, and to continue my practice of GIVING and of SERVICE.