Small Stone: January 30, 2014

My neighborhood’s first farmer’s market of the New Year. Not too many vendors yet, but one woman had her flowers, her knitting and was bundled up against the chill. Even in abnormally sunny San Francisco where we have not had winter, it may be a bit early for outdoor shopping.

Small Stone: January 29, 2014

Tonight, we may have the first significant rain since early December. The clouds are deep, there is mist on the trees and surfaces. Hopefully, we will see a turn from sere to beginning green in the days ahead. People are talking about the difficulty in cutting water consumption by 20%. Nature has already taken a much greater hit. What will our environment look like at the end of this drought? (Update: .03" of rain. Most of the storm went north and to the Sierra, so at least there is some snow out of it. Driest January ever on record for SF!)

Small Stone: January 28, 2014

On one of the busiest streets in San Francisco, I heard an incredible screech behind me. I felt a rush of excitement as an image flew past my shoulder. I felt the draft of the huge black wings. The cawing was from an enormous raven claiming territory. With impunity, the bird sat on the fence and walked on the sidewalk with an absolute sense of ownership. The urbanization of nature showed itself in full force.

Small Stone: January 27, 2014

I am pulled toward the murals of the Mission neighborhood. They are colorful, often make a cultural or political statement, and are simply a joy to me. Sometimes, though, I must admit to being mystified. This mural is on the side of a church parking garage. The opener for the garage door is rather strategically placed in this depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus. Not sure if it is meant to be humorous or not.

Small Stone: January 26, 2014

Part of the wonderful mural on the Women's Building.

My meditation group meets every two weeks for reading, discussion and meditation. Fortunately, we have been doing this for more than 20 years. Our teacher, Eknath Easwaran, focused on discovering the unity of all life as the central reason for a spiritual practice. A woman in our group shared today that her negative self image, incurred by constant mental abuse as a child, changed when she realized that all life is equally valuable. She is a successful author, works with people struggling with language problems and has a beautiful smile! I think of the Mindful Writing Challenge as leading to that unity….we have to observe and participate in our world daily. 

Small Stone: January 25, 2014

I posted about the little parklets earlier this week. Today, as I went by there was a concert….well, of sorts. Everyone seemed to be having a great time: the dancing man on the left, the dog on the steps and the babies observing. The oompah pah guy just put his horn down for a moment…guess you get to have a break when you are the entire horn section. Ah, summer in San Francisco. Except, it is winter!

Small Stone: January 24, 2014

An artist’s collective here in the Mission has two store-front windows that are given over each month to local artists to display their work, create an installation or make a statement. The Author Is, actually reads The Author Is Out ─ I did not aim the camera well. But, I rather like “is”. We get to see the work table, copies of the most recent book and we can guess what the author might be like from the other objects. Actually, that is an incomprehensibly tidy desk! This author, me, has never had such a neat space.