Heal the Bay in the Hood

We had just come home from a two week road trip.
Open the paper a found a crowd surround some art,
and then realized they were all right out side,
and down the block. So we walked.

We found some some old friends and now some new.
We made our way to camera and microphone, posing
and promoting the right for art in our hood.
Rows of otherwise camouflaged homes,
and now one standing out in full view.

A neglected property that is getting some attention.
An eye sore before, but now seems full of intention.
A backdrop for an impromptu Holiday card,
a couple came, complete with ladder and ornamentation.
Happy to be part of a local stage.

Lights and cameras, reporters and restraints.
Documenting both compliments and complaints.
Though only one showed resistance, but he always does.
Everyone else thought it was great big fun.
Knowing of course this display will not stay.

How nice it would be, when all building sites
show off their more colorful side, in the meantime.
A curtain, a bill board, a show of a submission.
A story in stripes, a statement of mission.

The city has stated issue and sited the builder.
Guess they missed out on collecting revenues,
so they are attempting to make up for it in fines.
Bloated red face, blowing hot air only proves that
they hold on to out dated views, and have forgotten
to fawn and stroke the local muse.

Creative genius always prevails.
Stepping up to the scene of prevention.
Contending with pop-up circus tents for termites
Collectors and curators waving their paddles
Bidding has begun in favor of preservation.


Artist: "Risk" aka Kelly Graval

Artist: "Retna" aka Marquis Lewis

Adam Corlin of Corlin Construction, and Oceans@Risk

Articles of News:

The Huffington Post: Oceans At Risk House Raises Eyebrows

Arrested Motion


Heal the Bay




CBS news reporter Serene Branson

Time Travel

Hold on to all
My heavy thoughts
Bold and blue and
Shoulds and oughts



Pedal to the metal
Peel out full smoke
Window pane rolled down
Mane flowing out around



Fortify a new place
Gunning for open space
Clear out smog and soot
Chrome pipes billow clouds




Savor views ever change
Running for an open range
High minded story prose
Akimbo yoga super pose



Pull over waiting spot
Stall out soft shoulder
Freedom found road block
Scene setting rock boulder

Speed Away Sleep Away

Speed away
Sleep away
Going my way
Try a new way




Sun down
Slow down
Go two miles an hour
Roll up on Happy hour



Sun up
Round up
Two heart beats
Between the sheets



Stir up
Saddle up
Buttercup
Coffee cup




Palomar Inn Hotel, Old Town Temecula, California

Good Grapes!...Let's Go!

Green grapes great escape
Getting gorgeous get it straight
Jeeze Louise!...juicy fruit
Jump in big, swirl hoola-hoop.



Sun kissed cheeks bursting ripe
Summer Sun seems super bright
Plastic blow ups do us right
Pleased as punch and so sprite




Better days are here and now
Best behave before...Holy cow!
Firecracker strike a match to glow
Fire! Fire! sit still watch it grow




Walk away so know one knows
Strut up the curb make a show
Step inside find some fresh catch
Slap cash down and strike another match.

Natural is Never Boring

Seaside Gardens in Carpinteria, California offers up proof that all our little lands are closer than we might imagine. It really is a small world.


Asian Garden


California Native Garden


Cottage Garden


Succulent Garden


Australian Garden


Grassland Garden


South African Garden


South American Garden

Seaside Gardens in Carpinteria

Our Small World:
Women Thrive Worldwide
Anytime we choose, we can be of service, easily.
Be well. Be kind. Be generous with our creative Self.

Road Trip : Honey Bear Brown

On the road again, Sunday drivers trailing along...

We fuel up on a road side diner, for some old fashion breakfast special, and a hot pot of coffee served up in a mug.
I love waitresses; I do.

And, I am all about honey spoon stirred into my coffee as well.
If my chance I cannot find my Honey Bear, a pour spout of syrup will do.

And I love a big booth too.
I like the smell of dusty old cafe curtains to compliments the condiments.
I prefer the mix of low lamp light and natural light anytime I dine.

I like to read the laundry list of Specials up on the board.
I like to know I can show to do this by day or by night and all the way through.

We grocery shop along the trail leading back to home.
Fresh fruits abound, nuts and seeds, even eggs from the chicken coop out back.
Honey, honey, honey. Not far there is a "Honey Tasting Room" that you can find
in Piru. Piru Canyon Honey by Bennett Honey.

Francisco's Fruits along Hwy 126 is a necessary stop on the route back home. We peel in just before the close at 8:30pm!
Last time we ran in at 8:35, and they still let us in.

With our health and our happiness in mind, we gather up all our sources
and search out our hunt.

We stack up on our dried fruit treats.
Tamarinds are my personal feasts, tucked in glass candy dishes, piled high in mixing bowls, and more filed away in the pantry cupboard.

We find treasures other than the veggie kind.
I like to stick to the honey theme when it comes to my skin.
The Beeswax Skin Cream soaks right in.
The Ojai Valley Bee Farm has a full product menu to choose from including my favorite Cherimoya lip balm.

Pineapple Guava

Pineapple Guava = "Freijoa"
So found in along the coastlines of New Zealand, and as far north as Scotland.
I found mine falling from the front garden tree in Santa Monica, California.
Same shape and same color as the leaves surround, only to be seen as they hit the ground.
Scoop them up fast, hoping they had soft landing, and wheel barrel them through the front door, straight to the kitchen sink. Slice them long, scoop out the center, and toss them in the blender.
Yes, you can eat the skin, but tends to be a bit bitter. Choose the flesh from the fatter ones to add to the batch, to help balance out the flavor. Ice, plain yogurt, fresh mint, and gobs of honey. Hit go!
Bright freshness hits the pallet and slides down smooth.
Make friends with a neighbor who might harbor a tree. You will have to make an effort, these will not be offered for sale at the local market. Luck might find it at a road side stand, but mostly you have to prove to be an interested fan.