San Diego trip & Change of Moving Plans?

Hey, where did December go?  We had an exciting trip to San Diego, though I came back with a bad cold, and therefore lay low for the whole holiday season. I feel great now, though! 

Here are the highlights of our trip to San Diego:  

We checked out several RV parks that we might like to stay at when we move down there, and this is the one that seems the nicest in our price range, and has a very friendly, helpful manager:  http://www.woodsvalley.com

We also spent half a day at the Deer Park Zen Buddhist monastery we are interested in attending sometimes http://www.deerparkmonastery.org 
 

as well as the Seaside Center for Spiritual Living in Encinitas http://seasidecenter.com, where people were super friendly (we've watched some of their Sunday services via YouTube, so we felt quite at home there!)

These were the Air BNB rooms we stayed at down there – our hosts were wonderful at both places, and we find it much nicer than staying in a hotel when we can:

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/245451?s=adbb

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 We also went on a tour of a small, slightly funky Permaculture farm – everyone there was also very friendly, and we've become very interested in the concept of permaculture:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LdT-qcvRiw

We really love the weather down there, and are excited about moving to California – but.... the heavy traffic in San Diego and the relatively high cost of living have us considering a new location to move to – the Pismo Beach area (central California coast).  This is where Rick grew up (full-time to age 6 and part-time visiting his grandparents after that).  

Pismo Beach has a population of about 8000 people, and nearby San Luis Obispo has a population of 45,000 - So this area is probably more our "speed".

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE - ONE PET FOOD CAN AT A TIME!

 "less than 20% of aluminum pet food cans are recycled each year, according to recycling industry sources (compared to 54% of aluminum beverage cans). A recent survey confirms that only half of all cat owners recycle cans on a regular basis.

Recycling one 3-oz. aluminum cat food can saves enough energy to power a 60-watt light bulb for more than 2 hours, while recycling a 5.5-oz. can saves enough energy to power a 30-inch (95w) TV for more than 2 hours. In addition, recycling aluminum cans saves 95% of the energy used to make cans from virgin materials."

from http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/green-living/do-you-recycle-pet-food-cans/

what more can I say?  Please recycle!!

PERMACULTURE GARDENING

I am so looking forward to getting into gardening year-round in San Diego! I've learned some basics of permaculture from SeaHeart, here in Waldport, and have now discovered that YouTube features many videos by Bill Mollison, an amazing man who originated the concept of permaculture:

A great introduction and so inspirational!:   "Bill Mollison -   Global Gardener 1 In the tropics"
   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeTQtzkpLQQ   

Dry land permaculture (Totally relevant to the San Diego County area, especially the eastern portions of the county)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmdCIqNG5BI  

....and this video includes an interesting contrast between two subdivisions in Davis, California – one built to incorporate permaculture, and the other a typical American subdivision:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HF9IgvjCv84


"Bill Mollison - In Grave Danger of Falling Food"
"Published on Jul 11, 2012

In this introductory video to permaculture, Bill Mollison, the movement's co-founder, takes the viewer through the history and developments of the movement. With startlingly laconic humour and insight he deconstructs the modern agribusiness and the "modern plague" : manicured ornamental lawns. In this video he offers an antidote, which is an antidote to both our currently unsustainable practices and our unsustainable culture. Both of these have to change and adapt. Permanently."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjWaP0iQmWw

Hope you enjoy these as much as I do!

GIVING THANKS & DR. JOE DISPENZA VIDEO

Today's the day we especially  get to think of all the blessings in our lives,  and I have a lot to be thankful for!  Loving family and friends (2-legged and 4-legged),  exciting plans for our new life in San Diego and a sunny, warm day here in Waldport! 

Meanwhile, we've discovered a wonderful new teacher on the Internet, Joe Dispenza,  who  is able to explain  "how life really works"  in a clear, easy to understand manner.... science/quantum physics meets spirituality....and here's an introductory video by him: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lbnrRqBjgE&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL62950675DE2956CE

LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES

My friends Morry and Joni introduced me to this organization via a calendar that featured photos of an assortment of unique, adorable, handbuilt "Little Free Libraries".  It's a movement that is sweeping the US, and even the world, hosted by people who love books, sharing ideas and "building community".

"Resembling large birdhouses, the Little Free Libraries are weatherproof cabinets with a couple of dozen books inside. Borrow one, read it, bring it back, or bring another. It’s the charm of yard art, the wonder of a message in a bottle, sprinkled with the spell cast by a deft writer." - Michelle Hiskey

Please check it out at http://littlefreelibrary.org .  News stories on these wonderful little libraries can be enjoyed at http://littlefreelibrary.org/aboutus/media . 

Is there one in your community?   When we get settled in San Diego, I love to start one in our new community!

THREE CUPS OF TEA

This is one of my all-time favorite books!!  I have read it at least 3 times in the past few years - I love true stories that read like novels, and introduce me to people I come to care about as if they are family!

"In 1993 a mountaineer named Greg Mortenson drifted into an impoverished Pakistan village in the Karakoram mountains after a failed attempt to climb K2.  Moved by the inhabitants' kindness, he promised to return and build a school.  Three Cups of Tea is the story of that promise and its extraordinary outcome"....

....and here's the best part!  Because it was printed in 2006, good used copies are available for $3.98 (with free shipping) at Better World Books http://www.betterworldbooks.com/three-cups-of-tea-one-man-s-mission-to-promote-peace-one-school-at-a-time-id-9780143038252.aspx
or you can find a copy at most libraries, read it and then decide if you would like your own copy to keep and share.

AMAZING FERMENTED FOODS

Rick and I recently listened to this fascinating interview about the health benefits of fermented foods:  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/09/02/probiotics-allergies.aspx?e_cid=20130902Z1_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20130902Z1 

We were amazed to learn that these foods  which are relatively easy to make, can improve your immune system and heal a wide assortment of dis-eases. 

Meanwhile, while at a pet sitting clients' home I'd been noticing on Kelly's kitchen counter  some large vats of an amber liquid upon which floated a pancake-like substance.  When I inquired about it, she told me it was her homemade Kumbacha tea – one of the fermented foods I just been hearing about. She offered to let me try some – it was delicious!

 Kelly gave me some of the tea plus a piece of the "SCOBY" and I made my first batch yesterday.   In 7 to 10 days I'll be able to start enjoying this fizzy, healthy beverage.  Here's the recipe she gave me, by the way:  http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-kombucha-tea-at-home-173858

 isn't it great when tasty things are also healthy?