Downy Chicken Butts

We have traveled home from our now seemingly brief Mendocino county stay and unpacked, picked up the dogs from the kennel and started the wash. All too quickly, life imposes on the simple beauty of Mar Vista and Rosie's beach. All too quickly the dream of having a different take on life withers to the background. For now, I can still hear the ocean and see the reflection of the setting sun at the minus tide in the wet sand of Rosie's beach. For now, I can remember waking up to all those chickens clucking to begin their new chicken day. For now, I can recall the incredible stars last night as Mar Vista gave us a chance to see the miracle of the openness above the cabins to the milky way. From horizon to horizon there was nothing but stars and midnight blue sky. Mar Vista's planetarium.

This morning I stepped outside before our last trip to Rosie's beach with my coffee, stood facing the west and said a prayer for myself. The grass was still wet with dew from a frosty northern coast night and the fellow Mar Vista guest were still tucked in their cabins. We always go down to the beach one last time and even though the tide was in and we could only scrunch up against the cliff, that blessed beach that holds memories sweet and bittersweet still waved goodbye. We made a pact to return before winter is over and I hope we stick to it. By then we will either be unemployed and glad to have a getaway or a reason to celebrate continuing to be employed.

We had lots of talks as we drove and then sat and then walked the beach about where we are right now in life. I have the Titanic thoughts of our partnership though I am open to hearing something that will challenge my negative thinking. It was posed to me that I am at a plateau, neither moving on nor backwards. I am open to that idea though it feels frightening at times, my strength firmly intact though tested in an economic climate that seems like an ensuing tornado.

I have some great memories of our trip and relish the silent beauty of such a wild ocean community. So difficult to explain at times because it evokes deep feelings of belonging, healing, reminiscence and calm. Mar Vista is like no other place I know and holds my deep attachment to the ocean. One of my fond memories of our trip is the urging of one of our hosts to take a look inside the chicken's egg laying hotel and feel their downy chicken butts.

Well, I was curious though the chickens got up revealing body warm eggs they had laid. They do have downy chicken butts and I am fine just viewing those from afar. However, these chickens appear to lay the "best tasting eggs" many guests have consumed. It was fun just seeing the colorful eggs freshly laid as if it were a magic trick. Actually, Mar Vista itself is a magic trick as it makes one forget about a stressful time in life by providing a serene, lovely place to breathe, nap, walk, dream and be in the momentousness of each moment.

Thank you Mar Vista, we shall be back soon!

View of Rosie's beach at the minus tide...