Mojave Light Musing

Fall days are meant for cruising through farmers' markets to find goodies for homemade concoctions. I love soups - but only when it's cool enough to enjoy them - which is, finally, now. There is something oh so grounding and soothing in the preparations of a totally-made-from-scratch meal. Life slows down and becomes more gentle as you shred, peel, chop, and stir a symphony of smells and tastes.  Put a little French Cafe on Pandora in the background, warm up a cup of Jasmine green tea, and you've got the makings for a superbly relaxing Saturday after an early morning hour workout..... Tuscan Vegetable Soup : ( Go for organic and fresh from the farm when you can. Except for the kidney beans, chicken broth, and stewed tomatoes, everything in this batch came from local farms, grown in our spectacular Southern California sun.... Recipe follows. I don't mind sharing. ) Tuscan Vegetable Soup , the recipe: Ingredients:      1 Tbsp. or...

Still viewing life from the haze of a feverish head, I'm drawn to the cooling waters of the north Pacific.... The desert isn't doing it for me at the moment. I am looking forward to that lovely glow of fall/winter light returning when everything turns magical again.... Homer, Alaska / Bishops Beach at extremely low tide. All these rocks are completely submerged at high tide. You can't even tell they are there. I walked to the end of that bluff before realizing the tide was returning and I was about to be cut off. The steep walls of the bluff were just crumbly dirt. No way to climb out without causing a dirt avalanche.  Unless I had wings or wanted to swim, I had to triple-time it back up to dry land.              ©Diana Shay Diehl

This day would normally find me doing seasonal celebrations - changing out the summer linens for the fall/winter ones; participating in one of many gatherings and parties to celebrate the change of seasons; taking a first-day-of-fall hike...  Not this year. This year I am on day 3 of fevers that won't break and going on 48 hours of laying on bed to sofa to bed back to sofa and occasionally, the cool tile floor. This equinox brought me the flu. I don't get sick. Rarely. Maybe a minor head cold once every few years ... but the flu? They usually pass me by or I'll feel a 'tinge' of it for maybe a day. This one doesn't want to let me go. What's with that?? Things that aren't cool about being bed-ridden ill: You can't go out to play. The weekend to-do list doesn't get even touched. Sub plans are a bear to put together and you never know who's gonna show up.  Nothing tastes good. The 4-legged family members try to comfort you - at the peak...

I love the textures, subtle colors, and evidences of the cycle of Life on a quiet beach - the only sounds are feet crunching on rocks and the rhythmic lap of waves to shore. With my camera in tow and head bent down, it's a walking meditation.....focus on the present. See what is before you. When I am focused on the beautiful things of that very moment, it's hard to kvetch over the Machiavellian behaviors of those I must rub elbows with more often than I care to from late August to mid June.... when the children are kinder and play more fairly than the adults. Best medicine out there for saving my peace of mind and quieting my bruised spirit.... 2012 © Diana Shay Diehl / Bishops Beach, Homer, Alaska

On this day, 225 years ago, our 'founding fathers' gathered together to sign the Constitution of the United States of America.  I wonder what they would say to our political climate of today? My students and I previewed a few kid friendly Scholastic News video clips on the Constitution and its beginnings. Have we really strayed that far from its original intent or is it that there are SO many more of us inhabiting this Earth with such diverse interpretations that makes it all seem so complicated now? Many thanks to those who came together with the intent to provide a model of cooperative statesmanship and the art of compromise for all of us who followed... In spite of all that is flung around on the political 'news' front, I am grateful to live in a country where I have choices - still.... 2012 © Diana Shay Diehl

Still on my black and white kick. Things we usually see in all the glory of their colors look quite different when stripped down to simple high and low contrasts. Have you ever noticed the texture of strawberries? I'm usually distracted by their rich, red color and the anticipation of how sweet and juicy they will taste. Do they look as appealing now in black and white?  2012 © Diana Shay Diehl

Another perspective of the bridge I shot at twilight in a previous post, except this time it was early morning. I love black and white photography. It will never grow old with me...  2012 © Diana Shay Diehl / Mission Bay Bridge, San Diego, CA

This is what summer tastes like.... 2012 © Diana Shay Diehl 101 ways to use tomatoes.....here are just a few of my every day favorites - less than 30 minutes prep/cook time: Place tomato halves on broiler pan Brush with olive oil Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and ground pepper (garlic, too, if you wish) Lightly broil *We ate tomatoes this way for 'brekkie' in New Zealand every morning Place thick slices of tomato on a platter Lay one fresh basil leaf on each Place a thin slice of fresh mozzarella on each Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar Add fresh ground pepper/sea salt if you wish *My favorite summer caprese salad Cut up a tomato Sprinkle with garlic and olive oil Add fresh ground pepper/sea salt *My favorite 'quickie' for lunch Saute 5-8 diced tomatoes in olive oil and LOTS of garlic Add fresh ground pepper/sea salt When the tomatoes are 'saucy', add fresh basil until it wilts Toss with fresh cook...

I feel like I've been in a washing machine of late.... The start of school, two of my 'children' moving (I'm grateful they are both where I love hanging out - San Diego), getting new jobs (not me, them)....back and forth, back and forth. It's all good. In the midst of all the flurry, it's nice to just stop and allow the calming waters to sooth the soul while enjoying all the coastal communities offer. I like getting out of the desert now and again, even more so lately..... 2012 © Aubrey Diehl My favorite day spa - even better shared with people you love who love you back.... Mission Bay Bridge, San Diego, CA Sunset on the bay Seaforth Marina...love sleeping to the clang of rigging on poles, the gentle sway of the boat, and briny shrimp and sea critters scrabbling on the hull...

Happy New Year! For me, January 1st is simply time for a new calendar. The end of summer is all about things new and renewed. A new class. New supplies. New ideas. Clearing out things that don't work anymore - from things stuffed in the back of closets and drawers to toxic relationships. You can't welcome new experiences as you grow when you are hanging on to things that only take up precious space. Appreciate what was then bless it and let it go. This is what full moons are all about - and a 'Blue Moon' is an opportunity to do this clearing out twice in one month.  According to pagan folklore, today, September 1, marks the time for new beginnings since yesterday was the true "Blue Moon" - a time for appreciation and release.  To mark the occasion, I took myself out for an early morning hike before the heat set in. Having completed my first week of teaching, this first 'day off' promised a much needed long, long walk. I was the only one on the trail....