Bye-bye, I'll Miss You Little Ms. Ruby most of all....

This will be my last post for about a month.
Yeah, I'll miss that playful side, attitude and words will all be grown more when I return in a month. Africa's going to be a great adventure, but I think after a few days I'll be missing someone...

I hope You ALL have a great holiday, whatever your faith, and that the new year brings you all that you require.

Peace, Love, and Playfulness,

Wil

Who Needs TV...

when you've got a terraquarium!

Ruby is very fixated on Harold the snake and his aquarium buddies, which are two fat goldfish and two snails. We get home and the first thing she wants to see is Harold, so I pull up a chair, get her a sippy-cup of goat milk and she entertains herself for a good 10 to 20 minutes. Sometimes we pull Harold out to slither around and Ruby's a little timid about him, but she's still fascinated. It being really cold lately, Harold's taken to hiding a bit more, but when Ruby's asking for him, sometimes he's just gotta make an appearance....

A Fine Trip to Sequoia

Fall has definitely come to the Sierra's as my visit over Turkey Time weekend showed me. A wonderful road trip to see friends and family, eat good food and visit old stomping grounds up in the park. I just cannot get enough of these mountains, no matter how much I'm in Santa Cruz, my heart's in these mountains. I only have one Love that trumps it, and you gotta know what I mean.

Thank You Aunt Sis....

Hey Everybody!! Another Friday, another set of adventures with Ruby. She's exploring her world. Sometimes with both hands free, yet still carrying things (you should see her impression of a parent *a-hum!* talking on the phone while multi-tasking. She's got the phone-shoulder cradle action down to a science - scary! ).

Anyway, her Aunt Sis, aka KJ or Kim to us sibs, and her cousin Jess, sent her this really nice purple outfit recently. She looks great in it and of course her mama likes it with its shades of color and polka-dots.

Hope everything's good in your world!!

Ruby checks in Sunday afternoon...

Another blessed day in the Sierras! Last weekend had me visiting my old stomping grounds around Three Rivers. Originally I was going to Mineral King, but a sitting with the sky informed me that rain was likely, the day short and my hiking partner not necessarily up to a uber-demanding hike (sometimes just what I like....). So we stopped at the fire road up to Case Mountain, which something I've been wanting to explore for more than a quarter century (no joke folks). It was worth the wait with beautiful vantage points, excellent weather for the altitude and great connecting with my buddy Jon. You never know what else you might encounter.......

Keio, Mamady, and I are going to Africa!!

Keio, and Mamady "Wadaba" Kourouma came to Santa Cruz about two weeks ago. It was great to see them again. They have both been West African drumming teachers for me of the Malinke tradition, and that Sunday, Wadaba taught a new, and somewhat complicated, rhythm. Please don't ask me to recreate it - my memory's SO bad!

About a month ago I decided to go back to Guinea with them on their annual visit to Wadaba's village of Oroko. I leave December 12th. And while I'm gone, I've got a friend staying with the critters and keeping the plants alive. I'll be in Casablanca for 12/13, my birthday. Unfortunately I won't get to see the city as I'll be waiting for my connecting flight to the Guinean capital of Conakry. I'll stay there for a week or so, and then we travel to Oroko, about 10 days there, more time in Conakry, and then return mid-January. Wish me luck!!

Happy Halloween y Dia de los Meurtos.

Friday started out with Ruby and the rainy coast that is Santa Cruz. Her ladybug raincoat and booties were perfect - roomy enough for this winter season for her to grow into.







And after the beach and her nap, there was time for play indoors, where Harold the Cornsnake had a chance to come out and socialize. He was full of mouse and very docile.























And finally we went to downtown Santa Cruz to meet up with her Mama and Nana.
The bunny and carrot -
quiet endearing.....

Footsteps

Ruby's more toddler now than baby. She's runnin' around, loves to explore.

I feel blessed to have her in my life.

My time here in Santa Cruz has its challenges, seeming always something new zings its way...
isn't the old curse something like:
"may you live to experience 'interesting' times."
On what level was that first intended? Personal, social, political, vocational or.... fill in the blank for what so many people find interesting...

A lot of my personal journal entries start with...

..."it's been a while"...

Meaning that Time wings on! darn it!!

I've been to the Sierras and back on a MKP retreat,
I've resown my garden of its salad greens,
Steamed cleaned the carpet,
landscaped the back yard,
Installed both PV and Thermal solar projects,
Insulated my water heater (still need to insulate the hot water line)...

and since my last entry, Ruby's grown about half an inch.
... literally.
I've got the door jam for proof.
She's grown 2 and 3/8ths inches since I started when she was 11 months.
She had the walking thing down then.

And she's starting to appreciate the modern techno wonders of the world...
in this case a deactivated cell phone from
Daddy-o.
We'll see how long it lasts...

She likes visiting the neighbors and their dog Sage.
and being pushed around on her tricycle - her feet don't reach the pedals yet. I'd like to find or make one of those little wooden horses with wheels that's just her size...

Maybe tomorrow after work... maybe next Saturday... but hopefully before she's driving!!

She likes to do that too!!

Another Major Solar Installation

I'm exhausted. With 4 10-11 hour days of hard physical/mental work (my favorite combo), and helping make the world a slightly better place, I'm ready for my weekend. However, Saturday's still a day I'll be working and Friday and Sunday, I have my beautiful girl Ruby, so this weekends' full. {A shout out to my Sis KJ & her budding daughter Jessica, who are coming to visit Sunday!!}

The weather's been amazing this last week. Initially the days spent installing the array were quite nice, clear and mild. Then we had a major heat wave (for Monterey Bay but also definitely for those of you in the Central Valley) where the roof temps got to well over a hundred degrees. This week, the days started in a fog and kinda drizzly. Aside from being a little slippery, the cool was most welcome. If the clouds weren't there, we'd be looking down upon Watsonville/Santa Cruz and most all of the Monterey Bay from here, over 2,000 below.

After a couple years (yes years) of plans, hopes and challenges, work progressed to the point of completing installation of the 5 large arrays (4 are currently pumping juice into the grid and off-setting a lot of kWh for our client, Mt Madonna). This last assembled array (pictured here with us "ohm"ing the resistence away) was almost 170 modules for the large spread on the roof with another 70 on lower sections of the building.

I hope you're days are going well!!

Adventures in the Sierra

The magic of intuition drew me to this cut log lying beside the trail. The log was big, but after a quarter century of hiking the Sierras, I've seen a way to many cut logs to care. But it'd been a while since my last long hiking trip and this was going to be a doosy. So instead of just blowing off the inner call, I looked a little more carefully and there she was, staring
back at me. Lizards are special creatures from the Native
perspective: they're dreamers, with knowledge of the future. And what a trip this turned out to be. I wish this one had shared its secret: I spent half the trip worried and pushing myself to the trailhead as my hiking companion got lost halfway through - never showed up at camp as agreed upon. Despite how bad that could sound, I had complete confidence that he would extract himself - it was up to me to be there and ready for action if he didn't materialize. He did, a day before I got out: 63 miles with 6+ high passes accruing more than 3 miles in vertical feet. My dogs were tired!!

John Muir called the Sierra Nevada the "Range of Light" and from my time there, I couldn't agree more!

This is looking East where the low 'V' on the left I would eventually have to pass and it was after this day I was committed to more quickly return to the trailhead instead of searching all the landscape behind me.

It's Been a While

Well this boy's been just too busy for words - and since there's very few of you checking in, I don't always feel compelled to add, but that's not very optimistic of me, is it?

So since last time I blogged, I've been to the California World Music Festival and a great drumming get together in Auberry. Both were fantastic and a great chance to be with friends who've been deeply missed. Unfortunately, my dear Ruby was not involved much in either event and subsequently I have seen a little less of the girl. And guess what? She's about to be one year old!! Yoiks!! And to celebrate both her's and some other kiddo's BD's, this family unit - Ruby, her Mamma & me went to Three Rivers to hang with grand parents, friends, their young children, and family. Too much fun. Plus, while in 3R, I got to go to Sunday Night Drumming with the KRDC! Ruby did visit with that for a brief time - but crashed soon after. Mom came down and rescued her back to Grandpa Richies.

Independent Energy in the News

Click Here to read about a solar installation I'm working full time upon.

Play Date and Gardening

Last weekend was another baby's birthday. There are so many around Santa Cruz, I honestly forget who's BD it actually was. It was the significant 9 month celebration, or as I like to call it the "Now More Out Than In" event.

Ruby made new friends and got to play with her pal Jaden. The toys kids have now a days - gez, more electronical, more 'safe' (unless you count lead paint and off-gassing plastics), and definitely bent towards 'inspiring' (read 'directing') our little rug rats' imaginations. Still reviewing these things on a case-by-case basis....

Ruby loves to explore things and that's healthy and normal for a toddler. My garden is starting to take off and though she likes the plants and flowers, what she really goes for is the plant's identification tags, you know, those colored plastic things that come with the plant (or plants if you buy them small enough), and so now I'm not sure what's what. Actually, I'm only confused between me broccoli and kale, but they're getting bigger and easier to tell apart.

The garden's been a great contribution to my sanity and my relations with my neighbors, especially since it turned an eyesore part of their yard into a thriving place to retreat to. Jane, the matriarch of this homestead (the entire house is a rental, I just live in the converted garage) has decorated the garden with whimsical items she's collected over the years - small statues, bits of driftwood and glass bobbles. The peas and tomatoes are starting to flower, so soon we'll be enjoying more good things from here!

A Great Way to End the Work Week

I work 4 - 10's (sometimes more, sometimes less). This Thursday was special in that the local band Sambada (Latin fusion & hip hop) put on a free show down at the harbor beach. All my co-workers were going with their families so I went there too! And who should I encounter there? Why none other than Ruby and her Mommy (and Karen, Ruby's once weekly care taker [and wife of my friend and co-worker Josh] - she's due to have her second baby ANY day now).

Momma was there to enjoy the show with her friend Gina, whose kids' dad leads the band! So many over-lapping connections! But that's life in community, my Friends!! There were so many families there the band turned down the volume so everyone could have a great time and still not hurt little ears. I had a blast dancing with my girl and also taking her to explore the beach. She was pouting and upset to go home, so we know she was having a lot of fun.

Montanians in Santa Cruz

Early this week, friends Darren and Tess and their pooch Raley came through the area, catching up with their many friends in the state. Last time I saw them was during my motorcycle trip in 2006. I've known them for about 7 years from my days working in Sequoia National Park. I got to meet a couple of their friends here in town - always nice to expand one's circle of contacts!

Happy Summer Solstice! (belated)

Whew and wow, so much going on! Last weekend I returned to Santa Barbara for my favorite parade: the Summer Solstice parade! Terry and his adorable daughter Natalie were in it to drum and dance the full route with their ensemble. I helped by pushing a cart with base drums and playing bell. Fun fun! Couldn't ask for a more beautiful day.

Father's Day with Ruby

Today was a great day. First I got to sleep in to 7:15 AM, then met up with Ruby's Momma and Nana for breakfast. I hafta admit, I got a little spoiled on the Eggs Benedict... And Ruby was in a great mood. Sunday's Father's Day and I'll be with her almost all day, and so after breakfast, she rides in my car. She was SO tired (being the time for her morning nap) and the lulling of the road just makes her fall asleep. So cute, but she needed a new diaper, so I had to keep her awake for another 2 minutes until we were home and changed.

I am glad she's gotten to visit my place more and that Shannon is very positive about quality time and involvement from my end. That also allows her to go to sleep more easily as she is a very curious child. With in a couple minutes of her fresh diaper, she was out, however I think the new diaper soon met a similar result as the previous one. Oh well, that's what they're made for...























Refrigerators are magnet central and she like to play with the small collection of critters and colorful things stuck there. We also spent time outside gardening, in the sand box, and for a short bike ride before she was tuckered out again, and the cycle continues... She probably having another growth spurt or is teething or something (always something, right?). But she's such a good natured, and healthy child. I couldn't have hoped for a better.

After Shannon came by to get her, my neighbor Keith came over for a couple games of chess, which he soundly beat me. A great opponent, to be sure. After that thrashing I went on a nice long bike ride along the coast and saw the sunset.

I hope your Father's Day was as good to you too!!

At 4 Mile Beach

Santa Cruz is well know for its surf spots. There are numerous beaches with a variety of names. Visiting them has become an interest of mine (as if I needed a good excuse!). Ruby loves the water, seeing the waves and wildlife, and touching sand, shells, and rocks. We went out to 4 Mile Beach today. "Why's it called that," you may ask? Well because its 4 miles north of Santa Cruz. Apparently there also a 3 Mile Beach also, but you gotta risk a ticket to get to it, and though I may not be intimidated by the threat, I'm not willing to take Ruby on a jaunt with Johnny Law.

So 4 Miles was very nice, but it was extremely windy. The ocean waves were all white capped and spray was blown off the crashing crests as the water did its final approach to the beach. Ruby loves the wind too, however his Dad (and her Momma, I've recently learned) doesn't like it so much. We found the north end of the beach was protected by a cliff so we took advantage of that and had a lot of fun in the sun and sand.

Just a Modest Home in the Hills

I have the great fortune (though not necessarily making a fortune) of installing solar. It's a lot of hard work, but the rewards are multifaceted. This is a VERY LARGE hot water, or thermal, installation on a "home" (if 6,000 sq feet fits your idea of a home) that will be published in a major magazine. It is near Seaside, looking Northwest, and across Monterey Bay.

If you were to adjust your gaze North and then East, you would see then next two shots.

This wood is blue to protect against termites and mold. Its a sprayed chemical that is purportedly basically borax (like the cleaner).

This is the third building and is ideal for your workshop, office and boat (yes, there is a space for you to park a boat). It is also the site of 60 solar photo voltaic modules generating A LOT of juice. 6.8 kW around 9:30 this morning under cloudy skies.

Play Time with Jaden

As many of you may know, "Sex in the City" is very popular right now. These two's mommas (and 5 others) opted to have a date of it this Sunday. So some of us dads decided to have some fun of our own with the little ones (don't worry, those bottles are empties). Ruby loves her friend Jaden. He's a week older and their moms have been best of friends for quite a while. Jaden's dad's a great guy and we had a whole lotta fun with the munchkins.

Ruby's phirst photo?

We were returning from our bike ride and Ruby seems to love her helmet.














I let Ruby have a little close time with my iphone while it was in camera mode and this is what she snapped! Cute pheet.














I'm not that delusional to think it was more than random, but hey, some of my random shots have been amongst my favs.

Yard Sales Can Have the Best Stuff

Yeah, that's where I tend to get many of my things, and yes, that means Ruby's things too...
She LOVES some of her toys more than others like this musical walker - $3 from my new acquaintances around the corner - she enjoys A LOT. When it is on, she dances, rockin' up and down...it's SO cute. I hope her spirit for music stays with her. Knowing her parents, that's probably likely...

From Sequoia With Love

So I'm back from the land of the Big Trees, the land of blooming dogwoods and haphazard weather. Was your weekend rained out too? I started hiking Friday, the South Fork of Sequoia National Park and it was beautiful. The plants were lush and green (as was the poison oak!); the dogwoods in full bloom contrasting against the deep reds of the trees; overcast so as to have no shadows (great for photos!) but, but, these same clouds
brought first rain, then snow, wet, gropplely snow. It comes
down like a flake, but its all wet and soon so was I. I was prepared, but then it got very cold. The next morning, my soggy boots and soon to be immersed socks were not welcome participants to my adventure.

The cold and swollen rivers (I'd had two crossings planned) help make up my mind for me to bail and go back to Tres Rios to visit with friends. A great plan B. Sunday evening was a potluck feast with many great friends. Though it was raining still, our Sunday night drumming still went on as it always has for the last 16 years.

I also got to chat it up with happy new parents Savy & Danny Boiano, whose new baby girl, Ella Ruby Boiano is doing well. I was very excited that they chose same middle name as my girl Ruby. I guess that she does make an impression.

On the way home, I discovered that I had a stow away: a beautiful and amazingly tame blue-belly lizard. This guy wasn't skittish, didn't drop the tail when grabbed and stayed calmly on my shirt while I was busy on my last errand leaving the Visalia area. Its been reintroduced to the Santa Cruz area (there are already blue-bellys here, so I'm not introducing a non-native y'all) and will eat up lots of garden bugs (I hope).

A Visit After Work

Yep, it looks like Rubester is already learning to walk! The two photos are documenting her longest distance yet - about four steps, or about 10 inches in distance. Funny, she does it better when she's distracted...

I'm trying to visit with her as much as I can before the long weekend. Last weekend took me to a Crystal Cave Trustee meeting at the cave. Little did I realize until just setting out that access wasn't going to happen. It seems that some dynamite from the 1930's was still in the cave (it was set, but didn't detonate! ) and it was discovered just a day before! That was unexpected. With me going back for my own explorations, and Ruby and her Mommy going away for the long weekend, I'll be missing her again. She's growing and developing more and more; each time I get to she's got something new to share. She's become great at sharing; she sometimes crawls right over when I signal that I'd like to see her; she's determined and at times this really shows on her face! And I already mentioned that she's walking! Look out world! here comes Ruby!!

Returning to the Mountains

The Sierra Nevada is my home. I've spent a lot of time since I was a kid in the 70's exploring them and I miss being there greatly. I'm looking forward to what free time I have so that I can return to continue my relationship with this grand place. This coming Memorial Day weekend is allowing me such an opportunity! Whoppie!! I'll be searching for the King Arthur tree, number 10 (I'm not counting the Washington tree anymore - Sorry! it burned up, get over it!) in the count of most massive trees on the planet. I'm just happy to soon be hiking in the mountains again.

Ruby Loves her kitty, Mancha

Ruby has two feline friends when she visits me. They've taken her presence with a good degree of patience. The key baby signing words are "gentle, gentle..." as she does have a strong grip. She hasn't realized yet how these cat expect to be catered to, pursued or lured in order to play with them, but she's learning...

The Many Faces of Ruby

As some of you may already know, I moved here to Santa Cruz to be near my daughter, Ruby. She's about 10 months old now and is doing extremely well. She sometimes seems like an old soul, especially when you see how she experiences things. Here she is with her Grandpa Richie to show what I mean.