Sunday, July 3, 2011 — Fort Bragg Salmon Barbecue a smoking scene

Most of this week has been taken up by working on the online exhibit of our Maiz tapestries I am curating for the ATA website. I have to mail a CD with all the files on Tuesday at the latest. Chris Laffer takes it from there and was very gracious to tell me I could wait until Tuesday to send it. I had been gathering the material earlier of course, but involvement in the Art Center garden tour took most of my energy prior to this week.

So, of course there were surprises when I began to work in earnest. Some resolutions wrong. Some sizing not done at all. Most people made a valliant effort to give it to me "right." And I really appreciate that. Some people were inadvertently not on the email list. And so goes my long list of excuses. And, so the reason for dropping all other earlier planned activities until this is done an out the door. It will get there, Chris.

Through this time I am managing to make time for Curves and my swim. And yesterday I made good on a commitment to help my fellow Soroptimists with the garlic bread line at the annual Fort Bragg Salmon Barbecue. All in all, it only meant taking two and a half hours away from the tapestry files and certainly didn't involve a long drive. I would also love to be helping Alison Glassey with her exciting event to connect volunteers and others involved in the activities of the Mendocino County Museum. I am devoted to that cause and there are people who will be there who I've been eager to meet in person. But alas, it is over that windy drive hill to Willits. I just can't do it and make good on the Maiz tapestry exhibition. It saddens me when you have to make these kinds of choices and prioritizing.

I do derive a certain kind of energy from participating in the barbecue bread line. It is always so chalk full of amusing scenes and events. This year sported a host of logistical and convenience features that were new to me since I missed participating in last year's event. Bright yellow shirts worn by "officials" made it easy to go for help with almost any need. Sun shading gazebos were placed over each food stage except the actual cooking of the salmon, corn and garlic bread. Many new tables at these stations and quite a few new picnic tables completed the refurbished look of the event. The musicians still stood on top of a high semi-truck bed and filled the air with their foot stomping sound. As I write about this, "Oak and Thorn" on the radio is featuring a phone call with David Brewer, who is scheduled to play Scottish pipe tunes in Mendocino this evening at the Matheson Performing Arts Center. A very different genre than the truck top but both do their job of nourishing the senses. Celtic musicians are always warmly welcomed on our coast. I might just try to break away and go to hear Rebecca Lomnicky and David Brewer playing their lovely traditional Celtic music. This is a benefit for KZYX that truly deserves our support. I'm sure you can hear me talking myself into it. Which means I'd better get back to the digital work soon. There aren't enough hours in some days.

I had wanted to share my thoughts about a book Sachiyo gave me. It's called "Healthy at 100." It is written by John Robbins of ice cream family fame. One of the most special and informing books I've ever read. I thank Sachiyo with practically every page I turn. It makes such fantastic sense and resonates with every conviction I hold but may not have always acted upon. I'll get back to the subject soon but the files call. One last reference to this book — This morning's chapter begins with a quote that captures the essence of the volume — "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."