life and death and life...

i've been thinking about life and death lately.
i've just completed a living trust, and a will, and realize it's going to happen eventually.
here's some of what i've been thinking.
seems you can't have one without the other.
there cannot be life without death, and there surely isn't death without life.
case in point number one:
the grapefruit tree. every day, almost, we rake up leaves from the grapefruit tree that have fallen to the ground. and of course every day, new, fresh, soft, shiny green leaves appear on the tree. life and death at the same time. as we pick and eat the fruit, life and death, we enable the tree to flower, bringing about more life.
case in point number two:
anytime something or somebody dies, there's always something or someone there to feed off it in order to sustain life. when a human dies, people profit and continue to live.
when a bug dies, it is recycled (eaten) by a critter who continues to live.
on the molecular level, an atom, a proton, or a neutron have lives of their own.
this is not my area of expertise, but i think these particles live forever.
even as the human body rots, life is sustained within. yucky bugs are feeding on what's left of us and living.
so a living trust and a will are simply plans for the future, the inevitable.
at least with car insurance you have about a 50/50 chance of ever needing it.
with a living trust and a will, you know for sure, 100%, it will be used.
i am comforted that life and death coexist.
i therefore conclude that i truly will live forever, in some form or another.
peace.

The Black Grace Dance Company

i saw this dance company last night and highly recommend them.
they really put on a good show.
they are from New Zealand.
if you have the opportunity, you should see them.
peace.

http://www.blackgrace.co.nz/

Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day

i recommend this movie.
it's a good one.
a fine romantic comedy.
with a happy ending.
my kind of film.
thumbs up.
peace

Classic Rolls Royce

i took this picture from my cab on saturday, march 22, 2008, about 1pm, with my iphone.
sometimes i have time to take a photograph of something fabulous.
one day i'll pick up my sweetheart in a car just like this.
i reserve no rights to this photograph. enjoy it any way you wish.
peace.

horton hears a who

thumbs up.
i recommend this movie.
what do you think?
peace

The Bank Job

i saw this movie today and recommend it.
this is a good film.
thumbs up.
peace

10,000 BC

i just saw this movie and give it thumbs up.
what do you think?
peace

definitely maybe

i give this movie thumbs up.
what do you think?
peace.

Barack Obama

This website officially endorses Barack Obama for President of The United States Of America.
In our opinion, he is the best qualified and the best choice.
Peace.

the savages

i just this film and give it thumbs up.
love to hear your opinion.
peace.

please vote

super tuesday is near.
if you want change, please vote.
our democracy depends on participation.
if you don't vote, you cannot complain later.
voting is patriotic.
please vote.
thank you.
peace.

bucket list update

lower my blood pressure
love more
be kinder
be more compassionate
listen more
speak less and say more
practice silence more
hug more
age graciously and gratefully
write more
to be continued...

tip of the day

go see the IMAX movie about lewis and clark.
it is very informative, not to mention beautiful.
peace.

my bucket list

(NOTE: this list is ongoing and never complete, like me)

feed the birds every day
be awed and inspired every day
fly in a biplane
fly in a hot air balloon again
teach and live peace every day
take a world cruise, maybe with my IRA money at age 60?
buy a hybrid car
exercise more
eat less
stand on a street corner and hand out dollar coins
drive a 600-hp dodge viper
have another dog and cat
get a huge wall-mounted HDTV
create more art
help more people

...to be continued...

the freshly painted garage door

The Bucket List

i just saw this movie and i give it a thumbs up.
what do you think?
peace.

link of the day

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/opinion/15herbert.html

Juno

good movie.
thumbs up.
what's your opinion?
peace

B. B. KING

Last night we saw The King.
He's awesome!

charlie wilson's war

i recommend this movie.
thumbs up.
what do you think?
peace

too many killing fields

no doubt, there are far too many killing fields, and way too many victims.
you may have seen the film, "the killing fields", or read the book.
it is a very powerful and sad story.
i recently met somebody who was right in the middle of all that.
his family was murdered, and he somehow managed to escape to Thailand.
he asked me if i'd help him write his story down on paper.
he said he'd like to make a book of it.
i said that was a good idea, but i didn't know if i was the right person to help him.
his story has been told before.
i think it never hurts to repeat such stories, because then we'll never forget, and hopefully never permit any more killing fields or holocausts.
perhaps some newspaper will want to print his story.
at any rate, i have decided to do everything i can to prevent any more killing fields.
peace and tolerance and understanding is truly what will save us all.
peace

the current National Treasure movie

good movie.
go see it.
tell me what you think.
i say, thumbs up.
by the way, did santa come to your house this morning?
peace

hmm...

fire in dick cheney's office.
how terrible?
and/or how terribly convenient?
you decide.
and stay tuned.
you can't make better news up.
peace

i am legend movie review

thumbs up.
good film.
peace.

acupunctured

i did something yesterday that i'd never done in my 54 years.
actually it was done to me.
i got acupunctured.
i experienced acupuncture.
it was very relaxing and calming.
i was aware of each and every needle being inserted.
there was a slight unpleasant sensation, like somebody's just stuck a needle in you.
after they're all in, i had very little feeling or awareness of them.
i did feel some itching and the acupuncturist explained this was my chi balancing.
addicts who are unable to quit their addiction of choice by any other means, seem to be able to quit with acupuncture. i've seen a film of open heart surgery being done with only acupuncture as the anesthetic. there is definitely something to acupuncture. it's been around for thousands of years. as long as it makes people feel better, it's OK by me. it made me feel better and more relaxed. would i do it again? probably.
i do find a good massage more rewarding than acupuncture.
i've never been adjusted by a chiropractor, even though one has told me i'm "out of alignment", whatever that means.
if you're in pain, i recommend acupuncture. if you've never tried it, you'll never know.
next week i will not be skydiving. no interest there.
peace.

us

what does it say about us when:
we're not on time?
we don't do what we say we'll do?
we break our promises?
few things or people in this life are on time.
fewer of us keep our promises or do what we say we will do.
this often angers and frustrates people.
one fact is true. we're all interconnected.
when i'm late i impact somebody else.
few of us are islands. our actions and behavior have consequences that we sometimes don't realize.
what does it say about me if i choose to be angry and frustrated because somebody has broken a promise to me? most emotion is a choice. there must be times when we display emotion without thinking and choosing. no doubt.
the best we can do is this:
be on time.
keep our promises to one another.
do what we say we will do.
why this is so rare i do not know. i suspect it has become acceptable in our culture.
some people say being late is part of being flexible. i cannot buy this.
we must live in reality and that means that far too often promises will not be kept,
people will be late, and somebody will not do what they say they will do.
i believe our reaction is as important as the action. that is to say, my reaction to somebody being late is as important to why they are late. usually there is no good reason for being late, in my opinion. please don't tell me we're meeting at noon if you're going to show up at 12:15pm. i am learning that my reaction and my choices reflect greatly on me and determine my health and well-being. nobody can hurt my feelings without my permission.
flexibility is great, and can only be taken so far.
i continue to be positive and optimistic. i trust people will be on time and do what they say they will do. i can only do this until they show me otherwise. at that time i must choose carefully my reaction and response.
in the meantime, i continue to write about my feelings and experiences, and make a point of being on time.
peace

the golden compass

thumbs up.
don't miss it.
good movie.
peace

www.makeitrightnola.org

www.makeitrightnola.org
please give what you can.
thanks.
peace.

the joys of shaving or not

I've been shaving now for about forty years.
I have yet to find much joy in it.
Recently I've discovered the greatest joy of all:
having somebody else shave me.
For the last month, I've been going to my barber Kim from Cambodia (which is a whole other article).
He now shaves me every Friday.
It is pure joy.
The hot towels, the moisturizer, the after shave and the talc, oh boy!
I cannot begin to tell you how joyful the experience is.
One must experience this first hand or perhaps that should be, first face.
I only get shaved on Fridays.
The rest of the week I let it grow.
I understand the unshaved look is in.
However, I know only what I know about fashion, which is this, if I'm comfortable with it,
then it's OK.
I may never shave myself again.
I know I'll never shave myself as well as Kim shaves me.
If you're looking for something you've never done before, I recommend getting a shave.
Next time I will tell you about another joy of mine, getting a pedicure.
Peace.

article of the day

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art54209.asp
thumbs up!

a few things i'm thankful for

my partner, my love, my soul-mate
my health
my positive attitude
my ability to see good in everything and everyone
i am grateful i have:
most of my own teeth
clean running water
a roof over my head
enough food to eat
warm clothes
shoes
soap
shampoo
a toothbrush
i am grateful i have lived in a time with martin luther king jr, jfk, and john lennon
i am grateful we'll elect a new president in about 349 days
i am most grateful i have:
a job
money in the bank
peace of mind
friends
flowers
a pot full of fresh basil
a pot full of fresh lavender
a pot full of tomatoes
i am grateful that:
most people are not at war

hugh's views

from time to time i post articles i think are worth reading and passing along.
here's one. enjoy. peace.

WALKING


Recently I learned of a study comparing the average walking speed of people from different countries. The people with the fastest pace are in Japan. The U.S. is in the top five, which also includes other industrialized nations. At the bottom of the list—the slowest pace—are people from Malawi.

Now that I am semi-retired and have more leisure time, I have decided to do more errands by foot rather than by car. I have always done a lot of hiking and walking recreationally, but this is something different. When I need a haircut or have to go the post office, I go out my front door and hit the pavement. There’s a lot within a mile and a half of my home, and I truly enjoy walking the three-mile round-trip. Because of this behavioral change, there is quite a difference in how I feel, and I’ve noticed that my pace is probably getting closer to the folks in Malawi than to those in Japan.

Walking provides an opportunity to see things that I never would have observed when I traveled by car. It is interesting to see the variety of plant life along the path, and how houses have such interesting designs. There are scores of things I see now that before were just a blur as I hurried in my auto to get to the next place. It’s also far more civil when one walks. We fellow walkers generally greet each pleasantly, as opposed to the tension and disregard that typifies interactions between fellow drivers competing for position. Sometimes even a conversation develops with others, or if you see someone you know, there’s an opportunity to get reacquainted. I expect all this has reduced my blood pressure, pulse rate, and irritability quotient, as it feels to me like the rat race is occurring on some track that I am not on.

On the negative side, there’s the smell of gas fumes and the sight of litter that one would not be aware of if not walking. But the worst observation is how hurried and harried people seem to be while driving. No one appears to have enough time to get where they are going as they speed along, using up fossil fuel, not getting any exercise, and feeling tense on the roadway. Believe me, I know from where I speak, as that was surely a picture of me for a very long time, and occasionally still is.

I suppose in an ideal world we would all live about a 10-minute walk to our jobs and we would have enough discretionary time to feel unhurried. It’s difficult in a metropolitan area to slow down our pace, observe the world that surrounds us, and interact pleasantly with others. There are times that nothing but our automobiles will do, but there are times when we probably do not need a car, yet are just in the bad habit of using one.

Similar to starting a diet, developing new, healthier habits can take time. But depending on your living situation, walking more to do errands may be a habit worth considering. It might even make your life more interesting and pleasant, and perhaps lengthen it as well because of the cardiovascular health benefits. Just think, if the worldwide supply of oil continues to be less available and more expensive, you could be well ahead of your friends and neighbors if you get started right now on this new 21st century essential behavior called walking.

Hugh R. Winig, M.D.
www.hughsviewsandmore.blogspot.com

american gangster

good movie.
thumbs up.
i recommend it.
peace

fred claus

just saw this film and i give it a thumbs up.
very sweet and cute.
this holiday season let's really remember what it's all about and live it each and every day.
peace and love and peace on earth.
peace

Kid Nation

Kid Nation is one of the best shows on TV, in my opinion.
it's on CBS, at 8pm, on wednesday.
check it out.
peace

people we meet

i meet remarkable people from time to time in my work. as a cab driver, i never know who will be getting into my cab. the other day i met somebody worth telling you about.
this is a ninety year old woman who was a member of the women's air corps in world war two.
that is a remarkable story alone.
there were over a thousand women in the WAC, (women's air corps). there are now about three hundred and many of them recently attended a reunion in palm desert, california. i chauffeured one of these woman to the airport. she had many tales to tell, all remarkable and interesting. i cannot begin to relate them here.
the women of the WAC essentially flew missions that men could not, because all the men were in combat duty. without the WAC, i doubt world war two would have ended the way it did. these women made a huge difference. i personally thanked this woman for her patriotic contribution and sacrifice to her country, to our planet, and specifically to me. who knows, had it not been for such women, perhaps i would never have been born.
since the end of the war, these women were rarely recognized, compensated or even thanked. in fact, it wasn't until about 1985 when these women were officially made veterans who could then qualify for health care and a pension.
that is another sad story.
this pilot was joyful and grateful and full of life even for 90. she taught me many lessons on the thirty-five minute cab ride to the airport. and she gave me a good tip. i will never forget this hero of history who was so humble and kind.
when you think about it, we all meet hero's and remarkable people every day. we must recognize and be sure to thank them in the moment. we must be aware of every moment and be mindful to live and love within each and every second.
peace

Halloween!

BOO!

into the wild

good movie.
i predict Oscar.
i give it thumbs up.
bring kleenex, you'll be crying.
peace.

two films to see and an evening visitor

i recommend seeing the films "millions" and "the game plan".
both are sweet.
and have a look at our recent evening visitor.

3:10 To Yuma

i saw this movie today at the IMAX.
thumbs up. worth seeing, especially at the IMAX.
peace.

flip flops

every day is a good day to wear flip flops.
peace

boating

great photo by christyann anderson.
many thanks.

the S.S. Happy Face!
nothing like boating!

our Buddy

never forget who our Buddy is.
peace.

history?

from the new york times, august 31, 2007

Cellphone-Only Homes Hit a Milestone
By ALEX MINDLIN

From September 2006 to April 2007, the percentage of Americans in cellphone-only households for the first time overtook the percentage in landline-only households.

i've been recently diagnosed with high cholesterol. my doctor wants to do a "special" blood test on me which must be sent to the mayo clinic, in minnesota!, for analysis.
now i really feel special.

is there nobody in california who can do this? no facility, like, oh, say, cedars sinai or ucla med center? minnesota?

granted, the mayo clinic is a top rated hospital, but hey, so is eisenhower medical center. ain't they got a blood expert there?!

anyway, i'm grateful and fortunate and honored to have this fine medical care.
never mind what it cost me out of pocket.

this is a whole other subject for another time!

but seriously, perhaps national health care coverage FOR EVERYBODY does make sense? what do you think?

stay tuned for the blood test results.

peace

p.s. by the way, did you get your FREE SICKO health care card yet? get them at, www.michaelmoore.com

B-bye Alberto!

B-bye Alberto!
Good luck.
Peace.

the city has just officially informed me that the weeds in front of the house are a "nuisance" and must be removed by a certain date.

how's your adventure with weeds going?

some people have a yard full of weeds intentionally. they consider them nature's wild flowers and in fact some weeds are wild flowers and some wild flowers are weeds.

it is a constant battle if you want it to be.

every day i walk around the yard and see weeds. i pull, i spray poison, and i still see weeds. i have decided to accept them. i'll continue to pull and poison, but i know they will win again and again and again and even after i'm planted.

weeds, along with taxes and death are simply another joyful part of life, so relax and enjoy.

peace

stardust

i recommend the film stardust.
thumbs up.
stay 'til the very end.
peace

bamboo cove vietnamese-french bistro

the bamboo cove will be open soon. it used to be durty nellie's, but has been COMPLETELY redesigned. it is stunning inside. the bamboo cove is at 72286 highway 111, suite j3-j4, palm desert, ca, 92260, phone number = 760-776-7999. www.bamboocoverestaurant.com. it is between subway and mamacita's. they will serve vietnamese-french cuisine. i have met the owner/chef and will write a review as soon as they open. i think this will be an exciting and welcome new addition to our valley restaurant scene.

peace

the choice of happiness

i have a BFA degree in theatre which essentially makes me an expert on nothing.
that said, it seems to me one can look into the face of another and immediately form an opinion regarding their state of happiness.
i see homeless people with next to nothing looking happier than people in expensive cars who have a job and a house.
i notice these faces, because as a cab driver, i spend 12 hours a day cruising the streets and seeing faces. i see far too many sad faces. i don't know what people are so sad about, but i can guess.
how about no health care? crappy salary? lousy benefits? bad marriage? kid problems? their dog died? the economy? the war? the price of food and everything else? thinning hair?
aging? loss? depression? this list is endless i think.
and now to happiness. i believe happiness is a choice. i see people in wheelchairs who are happier than those of us running down the street.
life gives us a variety of challenges. no problems. i don't recognize or legitimize "problems". for me, a "problem" is an opportunity to find a solution. hence i have no problems.
and happiness, at least for me, is always a choice i will make. you can choose fear, tears, anger, resentment, constipation, etc, etc...or you can choose happiness.
which will you choose?
i will choose happiness.
i may even develop a course in it, and/or offer motivational speeches on how to be happy.
and i'll be much more economically attractive than tony robbins.
peace

iphone tales

i love my new iphone.
it has attached itself to me like a third kidney.
not so surprising enough, i'm extremely regular.
stay tuned for further iphone adventures.
peace.

the bourne ultimatum

thumbs up!
good movie.
i see a possible sequel.
this film has a very high rating on rotten tomatoes.

morning routine

we all have our morning routine. for those who work the night shift, their morning routine is going to bed and sleeping all day. for some, it's a cup of coffee or espresso from their own shiny machine. for others, it's their destiny with starbuck's each and every morning. still others enjoy fruit in the morning, while some do yoga. we all have our special morning routine. for me, it's a bike ride. this morning i noticed another routine. the dog people.

they have their morning routine too. each morning they assemble at the dog park. both canine and people socialize and frolic. it can be difficult determining who's having more fun.

as i ride by on my bike, several canines come to greet me. this must be their morning routine. bark at bike riders. it's comforting to have a morning routine. it is something to look forward to and depend on. with life being constant change, morning routines are a blessing or a curse depending on your perspective.

after my bike ride i indulge in another morning routine. my outdoor shower. enjoy your morning routine(s).

peace

today i got an iphone!

stay tuned!
it's very cool!
thank you apple.
peace.

the simpson's movie

thumbs up. don't miss it. lots of laughs.
maggie speaks her first word.
maggie saves her dad.
bart's private parts are revealed.
homer searches for answers in the bible,
AND SO MUCH MORE.
i see oscar.
peace.

we came home from our ten mile bike ride this morning to be greeted by this Roadrunner sitting atop our fence as if she owned the place, which in reality she does. we're just caretakers of all the birds that call our yard home. have a good day. peace. gotta go feed the birds.
p.s. this may be better than deer feeding on your yard at their leisure, but i don't know for sure. bambi is awfully cute, but we don't live in deer country.

always tell the truth

My way of joking is to tell the truth. It is the funniest joke in the world.
- George Bernard Shaw

Hairspray movie review

thumbs up.
one of this years best films.
peace.

link of the day

www.drivingfordonors.com

From The New York Times

"By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA and RICHARD SIKLOS
Published: July 17, 2007

Rupert Murdoch reportedly moved a major step closer to achieving his long-standing aim of acquiring The Wall Street Journal when Dow Jones & Company tentatively agreed to be acquired by Mr. Murdoch’s News Corporation yesterday."

This cannot be good news for anybody except Rupert Murdoch! Thank goodness for blogs, where we can all be journalists!
Namaste

your cup of tea?

the two movies i saw this week were HARRY POTTER, and YOU KILL ME.
they may not be your cup of tea, but i give them thumbs up anyway and encourage you to decide for yourself. on the frank scale, HARRY POTTER gets a B-, and YOU KILL ME gets an A.
take care.
peace

Sicko

Today we saw Sicko. Thumbs up. Bravo!
Please do not miss this film.
We must all do something!
Peace

good, good, and more good

I see good everywhere, in everything, in all places and faces. Take the following example, please.
At dawn this morning we rode our bikes 12 miles to our usual turnaround point. The water misters were raging and we felt like we were in the February Carmel fog and it felt oh so good. We sipped Gatorade and water while catching our breath and waiting for feeling to return to our glutei maximi. It was all good.

On the way home I got a flat front tire, which was good, because we were just one block from a gas station and air.
At the station there was also water, which was good, because I was real hot, so i soaked myself, which cooled my core body temperature down, which is very good. I also used the restroom, which was good, because I really had to go. I filled up my front tire with air, but it promptly whistled out. I filled it again. It shot out again. Something was wrong, but that was good, because we were only about 4 miles from the bike shop. So we began walking.
After about 2 miles, I started getting blisters. It was about 90º out at 9:30 in the morning, which was good, because it hadn't reached the predicted high of 115º, yet.
I decided I'd call a friend. He couldn't come help. He was busy, but that was OK and good, because I realized his truck wouldn't accommodate my bike. I called another friend. This friend had once before hauled my bike, so I knew it would fit in his truck. He was available. He said he'd come pick me up right away and that was definitely good. I don't think I could have walked another step. My beloved was on her electric bike and that was good, because she had plenty of juice left in her battery. She said she'd meet us at the bike shop, and that was good, because the pickup truck only had two seats, and we had no rope to safely tie her bike in.
I got to the bike shop and that was good, because they were open, and not too busy, and they fixed my tire before my beloved even showed up. When she arrived, my tire was all fixed and that was good. She decided to purchase a multi-function bike tool and that was good. We also learned how to reset her tripometer on her bike and that was good too.
We were now only about 2 miles from home and it was all down hill and that was really good. We arrived home safely and alive and that was most good.
I only have four blisters on my feet and that is good, because it's less than five.
I always try to see the good in everything no matter what.
Peace, Namaste, Shalom, Whatever.

Transformers

i give this movie thumbs up.
we can all transform.
peace.

how lucky?

it's vital to realize how lucky we are each and every day. for example, last evening we recognized how lucky we are when we watched grand fireworks right from our very own backyard. you see, the park is just across the street, and each july 4th they have a big party, with music, food, speeches, etc...and fireworks! we're not much for crowds, so we simply sat in our backyard listening and watching. the fireworks lasted about twenty minutes. i think that costs about $100,000. we're also very lucky to live in a city that gives us so much. the palm desert civic park is one of the nicest parks i've ever experienced. i honestly couldn't ask for more, but i will. i'd love a community swimming pool. stay tuned.
peace, namaste, shalom, and whatever.

sometimes there's no title

today at dawn we rode 24 miles together and then came home, cooled off under the outdoor shower, then i rode another 6 miles around the neighborhood in an attempt to build up my endurance.
total miles today = 30.
namaste.

5/5/55

5/5/55

On 5/5/55 I was 21 months old with a full diaper and no access to a typewriter. On 6/6/66 I was 13 years old with little interest in a typewriter or writing, but on 7/7/77 I wrote an article for a giveaway supermarket newspaper about that date being written with the same number. After that it was another ten years, 8/8/88 before it happened again. And then 9/9/99 came along. In 2000 you couldn’t write 0/0/00, because it meant nothing.
We have to wait ‘til 10/10/10 and 11/11/11 and 12/12/12 before we can do this again, I think.
And then we’ll have to wait ‘til 2/2/22, I think. I’ve never been much of a number scholar. I just think about them sometimes. Here are some other numbers I think about that are very troubling and sad.
3,584 = U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq.
26,350= U.S. Military Wounded in Iraq.
66,807 = Minimum Iraqi Civilian Deaths.
655,000 = Excess Iraqi Civilian Deaths.
3,000 = approximate number of Americans killed on 9/11.
30 months = the time Scooter Libby will not have to serve in jail.

Pardon me.

Ratatouille gets thumbs up

Ratatouille gets thumbs up.
please let me know what you think.
i enjoyed this movie.
peace.

www.Peacemakercorps.org

www.Peacemakercorps.org
"empowering the young through the art of making Peace"
a great association
making a difference
Peace
www.Peacemakercorps.org

there is no greater joy than an outdoor shower when it's 109º!

movie review

i give Evan Almighty two thumbs way up!
enjoy.
it's very funny and true.
peace.

25 miles

beginning at 5:30am this morning i was relearning how to peddle my recumbent trike named Black Lightening. it's that way every time i ride. somehow i forget in between rides how to ride, but after the first two miles or so i'm back in my element and coasting along neatly. today i rode 25 miles. i rode 10 miles from my house out to old town la quinta, resting at the peppertree bookstore. after regaining my breath, i head for home. that's another 10 miles back, making the total 20 miles. to round it up to 25, i ride around the neighborhood in an effort to cool down and recover. by 9am or abouts, i'm done and under the cold shower. after that, morning nap.

how is your day?

peace.

Every day a new leaf/life

Facts:
every day is a new sunrise.
every day is a new leaf.
every day is a new life.
almost every day the banana tree in my yard gets a new leaf. (there are actually two large banana trees continuously growing new leaves AND having babies!) it reminds me that life goes on always, no matter what. it is proof positive that with each and every new day there comes an opportunity to begin again. new leaf, new life. new day, new opportunities. as is said, "today is the first day of the rest of your life." make it count.
peace.

More good news!

I hold in my hand a copy of Resolution Number 2007-44, "duly passed and approved, at the meeting of the City Council of the City of Coachella, California, on the 13th day of June, 2007, by the following vote: Ayes = 4, Noes = 1."

"A resolution of the City Council of the City of Coachella, California, calling upon the Governor of the State of California to take steps to withdraw the California National Guard Troops from Iraq."

I won't copy the entire text of the Resolution, but if you want one, it is a matter of public record.

The City of Coachella has now joined such other cities as Arcata, Berkeley, Davis, Oakland, Sacramento, San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Sebastopol, the County of Marin, and many others in calling for action.

The Mayor of Coachella is Eduardo Garcia and the City Clerk is Isabel Castillon. The City of Coachella can be reached at, 1515 Sixth Street, Coachella, Ca, 92236. Fax = 760-398-8117. Telephone = 760-398-3502.

In my opinion the City of Coachella has done the right thing.

Peace.

Who are your neighbors?
Peace.

A great blog

Letter to the Editor of the New York Times
(Submitted June 13, 2007)

In response to the Senate's vote of no confidence on the
Attorney General ("Republicans Bar Rebuke of Gonzales in
Senate Vote", June 12, 2007), President Bush declared:"They
can have their votes of no confidence, but it's not going
to make the determination about who serves in my
government. This process has been drug out a long time."

This quote is revealing in two ways. President Bush
apparently not only views himself as a monarch, much like
King George of England, but he has also failed to learn to speak
the King's English correctly. Wouldn't it be nice if our President better
understood both our Constitution and our language? After
all, those are two prerequisites for gaining American citizenship.

Hugh R. Winig, M.D.

Bananas!

stay tuned for photos of actual bananas! peace.

20 miles

Last Wednesday I rode my bike, Black Lightening, 20 miles. I can't tell you how long it took me. I don't keep track of that. I'm just out there for fun and my mileage goal which is 100 miles...eventually. I'm up to 20. Stay tuned. Peace.

Today

Today is the last day of the month AND the first day of the rest of your life, so get out there and make a difference. I must share with you a fantastic new blog that has helped me. Check this out.

www.hughsviewsandmore.blogspot.com

Peace.

100 Miles?

100 Miles

It’s pre-dawn and I’m up. It’s 5am. All right now, go ahead, you’re entitled to ask, why would anybody get up at 5am? Ultimately, you have to answer that for yourself, but I’ll tell you why I’m up at 5am. I’m keeping a commitment to myself. I promised myself I’d ride my bike at least twice a week and I will do it, period. My goal is 100 miles. I’m working up to it.

The morning air is delightfully refreshing. The pre-sunrise chill is intoxicating. I savor it, because I know it is fleeting. It will be hot when the Sun comes up. At 5:30am I’m on the bike and trying to remember how the legs work in order to make those pedals go round. I’m on my way.

When I first started riding, I rode around the Palm Desert Civic Center Park because it’s so perfect and beautiful and once around is about a mile and that’s about as far as I could go. Eventually I worked my way up to five times around and decided it was now time to leave the park and head out to further distances and faraway lands.

I begin by heading East along Fred Waring Drive on the North side of the street. Just East of San Pascual you come to a stunning silver sculpture called “Agave”. It is a giant shiny metal Agave plant. I continue east all the way to Cook Street where I then turn south and ride up to Highway 111. I ride on the South side of the Highway because that’s where the best sidewalk is, cycling East again all the way to Washington Street where I turn South.

Now I am getting a bit tired. I know I will soon turn around to head home, but I want to go just a bit further than I did last time, so I continue. I ride the sidewalk on the East side of Washington all the way down to Sagebrush. I’m ready to turn around.

Sometimes I take a pit stop at Walgreen’s or Trader Joe’s or Jensen’s or Starbuck’s to refresh. Several times along the way I stop for a B.R.B. (butt revitalization break), and also to hydrate. Proper hydration is very important when cycling long distances.
Proper hydration is always important no matter what you’re doing.

I’ve turned around now and am heading back. I notice again all the wonderful things I noticed on the out leg, except this time I notice them even more because I’m going slower.

There are the swallows at the Highway 111 Bridge over the wash. And somebody has planted corn, now twelve feet tall, just inside a wall of a gated country club. There are often bunnies enjoying their breakfast of early morning dew covered grass. The aroma of honeysuckle and jasmine are also along the route. In spring, the trees are awash with flowers and color and heavenly scent.

All these distractions help me continue and forget I’m hurting. I know I’m more than half way home now and the thought of a cold shower comforts my mind and aching body. The hardest part of it all is waiting for the walk signals, however I take the opportunities to learn patience.

At last I turn onto my street. I’ve gotten a second wind and don’t want to slide into the driveway quite yet. I’m pretty sure I’ve enough energy left to take a tour around my block and see how the plants are doing in my front yard. I’m unwinding and breathing deep.
I know when I get off the bike and sit down in the easy chair; I’ll be down and out for at least an hour. I call it meditation. Some call it a nap. I rejoice in the shower that I’ve done seventeen miles today. Next time I’ll do eighteen or perhaps even nineteen. And eventually I’ll reach my goal of one hundred miles.

I encourage everybody to get out there and exercise. It doesn’t have to be at dawn. It doesn’t have to be seventeen miles. Of course, consult your Doctor first, but get out there and exercise if you can. You’ll feel so much better, especially when it’s all over.

Peace.

Pirates of the Caribbean

I saw the film today and I give it a thumbs up.
What do you think?
Peace.

Feed the birds

Feed the birds

Why would anybody feed birds? Why should anybody feed the birds? There are so many reasons, let me count the ways, or at least list the ones why I feed the birds. Number one: It's great entertainment. I've never been one for sitting and watching the grass grow, but watching the birds feed? Now that's entertainment! I could sit and watch birds feed forever, or until my butt hurts, whichever comes first. I also enjoy listening to them. I love waking up to their soothing songs and gentle chatter.
I spend about an hour each day watching the birds feed. I fill their feeders three times a day. It only takes a few moments and the expense is minimal. I buy five bags of seeds at a time. Each bag is ten pounds of black oil sunflower seeds and that will last me about two days if I'm lucky. I have birds feeding essentially from dawn 'til dusk. Apparently word has gotten out about the all-you-can-eat-buffet at my house.
I have one feeder in which I put the sunflower seeds, and one feeder in which I put thistle seed. With two types of seeds, I attract a variety of birds.
I'm no bird expert. I cannot tell you the name of each bird beyond what I personally call them. There's Martha, Dolomite, Laura, Petey, Heidi, etc.
I don't know species. I just know I like watching birds feed. There's a beautiful little bird with a bright yellow chest that feeds on the thistle feeder. If anybody has an idea of what kind of bird this might be, please tell me, I'd love to know, but I don't need to know. It's enough for me to watch and enjoy the simple sight of the pretty birds.
Feeding birds can't be any easier. I bought my feeder online, but you can buy one just about anyplace. Lowe's and Home Depot and Moeller's Garden Center all have a good selection of bird feeders, but you’ll find even more online. I buy my seed at Lowe's, five bags at a time. Feeding birds helps them stay healthy. If we didn't feed them, they'd have to find their own food and that's not so easy.
And if we didn't feed them, we wouldn’t have the pleasure of watching them up close.
But what are the benefits of feeding birds? I'll tell what I get out of it. I get a lot of peace and relaxation from feeding birds. I release all my stress watching birds feed. You simply cannot have any stress watching birds feed.
Well maybe you can, but I can't. It's just so soothing watching those cute little birds jockey for position on the feeder so they can nibble away, one seed at a time. I also have seed cakes in cages. The birds love these too.
These can be bought at Lowe's also. Another benefit I get from feeding the birds is one that some people get from meditation. Watching birds feed clears my mind of all the crap and clutter. My brain is refreshed and cleansed and I feel as though I can solve any problem and find every solution. The birds transfer their calmness to me and I am grateful. Birds have their one goal, food. This reminds me to do one thing at a time, and in doing so; I reach my goals, one at a time. This is a great and simple lesson given to us simply by watching birds feed. Do they know they're teaching us? Probably not, but I have often thought they are smarter. In my next life I am planning on being a bird. A bird that knows where all the neighborhood feeders are and only poops where it's not in anybody’s way.
I highly recommend you feed the birds, because I believe your life will be far better. Please do let me know either way. Any questions about feeding the birds can be directed to me unless you really want expert advice and factual tips.
A great place to visit is The Coachella Wild Bird Center. They’re at 46-500 Van Buren Street, Indio, CA, 92201-3454. Their telephone number is 760-347-2647. They’re open daily, but it is always best to phone ahead. I also highly recommend a BBC documentary called The Life of Birds. Netflix has this and I would hope Blockbuster does as well. Happy bird feeding.

Quote of the day

The most perfidious way of harming a cause consists of defending it deliberately with faulty arguments.
- Friedrich Nietzsche

Quote of the day

Anything too stupid to be said is sung.
- Voltaire

Shrek The Third

Movie review.
Thumbs up.
Peace.

Quote of the day

If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time.
- Edith Wharton

Picture Of The Day

Happy Birthday Rick, student of Saltzman!

film opinion

Delta Farce
thumbs up
peace

Our new neighbors

Have you seen this?

http://www.wtetw.com
A man with a mission.
How many of us would walk so far?
I applaud and support the effort.
Good luck.
Peace.

Spiderman 3

Gets a thumbs up from me.
Please tell me what you think of this movie.
Peace.

Corn

Did you ever grow your own corn?
And then pick and eat it?
We did and there's nothing sweeter!
Give it a try.
Peace.

The neighbors

Sunflowers close up

Sunflowers

Ever grow sunflowers? It's easy, fun, and beautiful!
Peace.

handmade walking staffs

my handmade walking staffs bring you peace, love, harmony, togetherness, wealth, health, universal knowledge AND whatever else your heart desires...yada yada yada...whatever...
they are for sale, but if you have to ask the price, you can't afford one.
peace

Hot Fuzz

Great movie.
Very funny.
I recommend it.
Go see it please.
Peace.

Movie review

I recommend The Hoax.
It's a good movie.
Go see it please.
Peace.

Art

In my opinion, most art is simply a grand experiment.
Some would say most art is simply a grand experiment that went horribly wrong.
Others insist art is simply a grand experiment that somehow mysteriously went right.
What do you think?
I think most art is simply a grand experiment.
I've earned no degree in art.
I just have an opinion.
You know what they say about opinions.
Peace.
P.S. I think a chocolate Jesus is definitely art, or in the very least, simply a grand experiment.

Movie Recommendation

Today I recommend the new Will Ferrell movie, Blades Of Glory.
It is very funny and quite silly.
Let me know what you think please.
Peace out.