Sitting with Fire-Tassajara

I have just received an update that the fire is a half mile away from Tassajara monastery near Big Sur. All have evacuated except for 5 dharma brothers. I have spent many years going on retreat there in the summers by myself and then opening up this special place to my husband and then the year before my accident I brought my friend, Bertha along. It was always a challenging journey since the road was definitely 4 wheel drive material -steep, slippery and sometimes dangerous. But I would pick up some people who needed rides at Jamesburg and take it slow up the mountain and down into the valley.

Tassajara is a very special place-a Zen monastery during the year that opens up to the public during the spring and summer. You had the option of practicing with the monks or doing your own schedule. I usually practiced with the monks in the early morning and then had breakfast and was off for a long hike during lunch. The hiking trails were challenging. One was rolling hills with high brush and rattlesnakes hiding among the grasses that also opened up to vast meadows of colorful wildflowers i(f you were there at the right time). Other areas, you were bouldering through canyons slippery from various cascading waterfalls. There was a pool there that seemed out of place because everyone went to the bathhouse. The bathhouse had a men's and women's side. It was refreshing to take off your sweaty clothes -take a shower and dip into a very large hot pool of water and there was a cold stone pool outside the bathhouse as well as a sauna. This all was open to the outdoors and the creek. All naked women of all ages, shapes and sizes relaxing in total silence in a beautiful setting.

Even though it was a rustic environment- (no electricity), dining was an exquisite affair. The dining hall glowed as it used the energy from the creek to light up the room as if we were all in candlelight. People brought their favorite bottles of wine and the staff served us graciously as we dined at communal tables and met interesting people. Dinner was vegetarian but filling and definitely gourmet. Annie Sommersville of Greens Restaurant got her start here as well as Ed Brown and others. There was always some celebrity chef around. After dinner, more wine and talk would flow into the night.

Suzuki Roshi was very fond of this place and even if it doesn't survive, his legacy will live on to all those that have been to Tassajara.

I wish Abbot Steve Stuckey and the others a safe journey as they sit with fire.

Memorial day to fly away

I haven't been on a plane since being in a bad car accident in late 03. I used to fly 4 to 6 times a year both personal and professional trips. It was a joy to get away and relax on a plane. The thought now of flying doesn't thrill me not because I am disabled but because of what the flying experience has turned into. There are less people at ticket counters so there are long lines of anxious people at the sky caps, the kiosks, and the counters. There is the getting past the gate line- where shoes, belts, keys and whatever else comes up to detain an already anxious crowd trying to get to their flight ontime. Then there is the last minute food grab before you get on the plane (since they now hardly serve anything). So you wait in line for that. Then you get on the plane and it is flithy from the people who were on before and you pray you don't get sick from all the germs.

Flying isn't what it used to be but I joined my husband over the memorial day weekend to see his family.
My prosthetist, Gary, recommended that I ask for wheelchair service. Of course, I can walk so I said I can handle the walking and standing-besides it will be good exercise for me. He basically talked me into it.
So I did- a little embarassed by the fact that I am taking a wheelchair when I can walk fine with a cane.

I am so glad I did!!-- it was a zoo at the airport and the wheelchair got me to the front of the line and with a little body exhibition of my metallic parts, I was off to the gate and the first one on the plane. Wo-hoo!!!
Sometimes it pays to suck it up and use what priveleges are available to you.

It was good to see his family and the weekend went by fast. The last night I got everyone together (no small feat in itself) for a dinner at Calandras to celebrate Joseph's birthday. It was probably the first time Joseph has celebrated his birthday with his family in a long time and it also went by so fast. A magician was there to entertain the kids which was a nice touch the restaurant provided.

I look forward to our next flight---- this time maybe a pinot noir instead?