Merry Christmas from Searock!

We travelled by way of Fairfield to attend the Cascade Theater in Redding, California.

The Nutcracker, of course. But our fav was his Ratiness, the Rat King, who later emerged as a beautiful Arabian princess, and then turned into Rosannah!

We were the last to leave. Certainly the last to hit the pillow...we got to bed at 3 a.m.

Carmel winter weather

Clear, though cold enough for snow on the nearby hills from recent precipitation.  I've lived in the midwest and the northeast, so I know enough to appreciate the mild cold snap we're having.

Sparassis crispa

Also known as cauliflower mushroom, although to me it looks more like your brain on 'shrooms. Considered edible and exceptional, especially for that special occasion when you need an elegant AND intelligent mushroom, it must be cooked to be tender, and is a posterior pain to clean.

Three of nature's statements, today:

At low tide today, I went down to Water's edge to see what was Current there.
She showed me her love, her hardness, her softness. The view between those cliffs always reminds me of Argonath, from Tolkien's trilogy. The water was playful, inviting. The seaweed was offered up, serendipitous, unexpectedly vibrant, harbinging a Valentine's message.

Somebody in cyberspace is searching for this picture.

 

Bobcat scat.  No, I'm not rapping; that's my best guess as to the I.D. of what this is...Found along the south trail, it matches many other photos on the internet identified as such.  The other possibility is grey fox, but their sightings here are less verifiable than those of the bobcat. 

Revealing what's already there, some more.

The arch near the center of the picture has been obscured by some brush and a tree for some time. This significant architectural element (and the natural stone formation it features) needed to be revealed, so it was our privilege to do so. Be sure to click your mouse over the picture to enjoy the closeup.

Not to be outdone fish

Due to the generosity of Others, we were extended the opportunity to accept the appreciation expressed by the Monterey Bay Aquarium and attended the Donor Appreciation Dinner, after which we were permitted to roam the aquarium after hours. Renewed some aquaintances and made some new. And enjoyed again the company of a fine kettle of fish pictured here in these most recent 3 posts...

Many kinds

like driving in Italy

squid eggs

five times five

kelp forest

Jellies

 

mushtootsie

Think this is called a Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus).  S'posed to be great dipped in egg batter, rolled in flour and sauteed.  Should induce coma within moments.

Woodrow takes us to church

We parked at the end of the enclosed parking lot in a 'cloistered' spot so Woody could meditate undisturbed.  We'd love to have had his picture taken in front of the mission, but he was not wanting to attract attention. 

Sundown

 

other places, part 2

Shasta, the mountain and the lake.

other places over the river & through the woods

The famous Mill Creek Ranch, where both God and man (and horse) show off, and we come away challenged, inspired and changed.