Random block party...

This evening Kyle and I went for a stroll through the neighborhood. I have been noticing some decorated homes on my runs and thought it could be fun to see them alive and illuminated tonight. What we discovered was surprising. Upon a minor detour, we found ourselves being drawn towards a narrow street, full of people, flashing lights, and decorations. In all of my life, I have never seen a trick-or-treating scene that spectacular. Houses were dripping with cobwebs, dangling creatures, and an assortment of lights. One place even had a huge pirate ship in the yard, with an outdoor movie playing in the background. At another residence we saw a mad surgeon at work, pulling entrails out of a stuffed patient. There were lots of scary costumes and tons of people everywhere. Imagine a Disneyfied version of Halloween and you should come close to picturing the insanity we witnessed. There were even lines for candy at some places. Can you believe it? If there would have been a prize for best costume, I think it would have gone to the Wheaties Box Dude that was handing out candy in front of his house. His face and arms protruded from a larger than life version of that infamous cereal delight. Wow! People in Santa Barbara appear to take Halloween to a whole new level. Ahhh...to be 20 years younger and in disguise. Hmmm...

Ethiopian Coffee Experience...

As a result of serendipitous luck, Kyle and I had a completely new cultural experience today. We had decided to attend the World Festival with the hope of finding some delicious food for lunch. What we stumbled upon, however, was even more amazing. A beautiful woman sat in the corner of the building, roasting coffee beans over a hot plate. She was simulating an ancient coffee ceremony. After the beans were a toasty black color, they were ground and then placed inside a blackened clay pot with some hot water. The coffee seeped in the pot for quite awhile before she served it to us, resulting in the creation of a very strong little dose of java. Sugar must have been added at some point too because the taste was rather sweet. Though I haven't been drinking coffee lately, it was really special to sample her brew. Some historians claim that coffee was discovered in Ethiopia. How cool to think that we were tasting a bit of history. As we sipped on our little cup of coffee and snacked on some freshly popped popcorn and other ethnic offerings, I found myself feeling so amazed by the social rituals that surround that archaic beverage. While we waited, the people around us began to initiate dialog and ask questions. We realized that we had commonalities and shared interests. No one seemed stressed or anxious for the coffee to come. We all knew that it would be ready at the right time. There was a sense of peace in the belief that the product would somehow be worth the wait. And it was! Ethiopian culture still supports the notion that the process is a part of the whole experience. In our U.S. society, we are all about quick results and mass production. We have traded our "processing" time for more time to run around like chickens with our heads cut off. As a result, I feel that we are losing touch with quality, as well as with what truly matters in our lives; our relationships. Friendships are fostered and strengthened during the quiet pauses of our hectic schedules. Being present and aware from one step to the next allows us to learn more about ourselves and about those special people we surround ourselves with. In this dynamic world we are living in, there is a sense of pride that comes from productivity. Sadly, there is a devastating result of that need for more and more. We are becoming a disconnected people, who are emotionally unhealthy and imbalanced. In our self-imposed alienation we are forgetting to acknowledge that life is meant to be shared. Is more truly more, or is less more? A difficult question that depends upon ones perspective. Today, however, I was reminded of the fact that in many ways, less is more! Cheers to simplicity!

From farm to pie...

I picked some apples today. It was exciting! We actually arrived 30 minutes after it was suppose to close, though the owner greeted us merrily and welcomed us to partake of his delicious apples. Wandering around the trees was especially amusing, as I adore the quest for the best produce. After a short time, my bags were full of beautiful fruit and I was dreaming about all the things I could make with these fabulous specimens.

Three hours later...I enlisted Kyle to help create an apple pie. He was the crust man and I chopped and mixed the filling. Together we concocted a delicious apple and pomegranate treat.

PowWow...

The local Native American tribe, the Chumash, are hosting a Pow Wow this weekend in Santa Ynez. As someone who is forever in search of cultural experiences, I jumped at the chance to attend the festivities when a friend invited me to join her on this fun adventure. We saw lots of beautiful costumes, rhythmic dance performances, and even a healing ceremony. My favorite part was watching and listening to the tribal singers, who projected their voices in chant-like melodies, while beating a communal drum. Their exuberance and intensity was mesmerizing, causing all in attendance to do a little dance or bop to the beat.

Running in the "rain"...

Believe it or not, today raindrops are falling from the sky above Santa Barbara. I had heard rumors about this possibility, though the weatherperson is not always accurate around these parts. Truthfully, calling it rain may be kind of a stretch, as Oregonians and SE Alaskans would likely classify it as drizzle. Technicalities aside, however, I will consider it rain, as it is in fact little water droplets falling from the sky, making the ground wet. To celebrate this unusual weather, I went for a run. There is something so incredibly energizing about running with the cool moisture tickling the skin like a sweet massage. With every mile, I found myself craving more and more time outside, among the peaceful shower. Along the way, my mind drifted back to times and places where rain was an integral part of my existence. Living in California has been an extreme change. I have grown to love the sunshine, though it is the rain that truly brings me joy. The reason is obviously more complicated than a mere preference for one type of weather over the other. Essentially it is the rain that refreshes me soul and makes me feel calm and peaceful. In addition, living in rainy climates taught me to appreciate the simple pleasures of life more. Those lessons and feelings of inner serenity are why I love a rainy day. Here's to the rain...hip hip hurray!