Feb25
Posted on Feb 25 by Ruth Davis
Today is my last Wednesday in Paradise before I head to Phoenix this weekend to begin the next chapter of living. I am always so sad to leave, especially this time, because I know I belong here. This past weekend my friend Judy, who I met at yoga when I first got here in 2012, hosted a going away party for me. Another friend from yoga and my body surfing friend came, a few of Judy’s friends joined us and we ate delicious home made chicken tacos and rice and beans and chile rellenos. I’ve been going out for lunch with other friends, for one last fish taco at Taco Temple and one more taste of Ruddell’s smoked salmon. And today is my last Wednesday volunteering at the food bank, where I’ve also met some wonderful new friends. And I’ve been so aware of the beauty of the ocean and the hills and this place I call home. This past weekend I took Cody for a new walk, along the bluffs just a half a mile north of...
Feb18
Posted on Feb 18 by Ruth Davis
Today, February 18, would have been my older brother Lenny’s 57th birthday. He died in 1965 at the age of 7 from neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer. I think he would have been an architect, a really nice guy, and my biggest fan. To honor his life and our continued connection even after all this time, I’m sharing a piece I wrote about him in 2001 in a writing group. My brother Lenny and I were best friends. We shared a bedroom. We loved knock-knock jokes. He was only thirteen months older than me. Lenny’s favorite toy was his Erector Set. We would sit Indian-style on opposite sides of the coffee table and build things. My six year old fingers were too clumsy with the small parts so I was Lenny’s assistant. I handed him girders and screws and read the directions to make a helicopter just like the one on the outside of the metal carrying case. Sometimes Lenny even let me hold the wrench while he tightened. Lenny had an operation to remove...
Feb11
Posted on Feb 11 by Ruth Davis
So many people think I am a spontaneous adventurer. But really, I’m quite the homebody. I’m much more comfortable hanging out in the comfort of the RV, working, writing, putzing, than being out in the world, exploring. And yet that is exactly what I’ll be doing on the upcoming Heart Sparks Road Tour. And so planning this road trip has been a constant back and forth of excitement and fear, and a whole lot of not knowing. Some days I play on Google maps, using Roadtrippers.com and atlasobscura.com to find quirky places. Some days I reach out to people in a city along the route to see about getting together. Some days I drive myself crazy with questions that I have no answers for: How far do I want to drive in a day? How many days in a row do I really want to be driving before I stay somewhere for a day or two? How long do I want to be on the road total? Who do I know along the way? How many miles off...
Feb04
Posted on Feb 4 by Ruth Davis
My new bathing suit arrived on Saturday. I tried it on that night and I liked it. On Sunday afternoon it was 80° in Paradise. Lots of families were on the beach and there were a handful of people in the water. I was ready. I texted my friend Jo, who was happy to be my go-in-the-cold-ocean buddy. While I waited for her reply, I put my suit on, just in case. I sent her a second note and added, “I’m working up the nerve to go alone since there are so many people on the beach.” I looked at Cody, sleeping off his recent sports-related limp, then I got a towel, put on my water sandals and starting walking to the beach. I had considered just walking down in my suit, then opted to pull pants and a t-shirt over so that I wouldn’t have an opportunity to feel self-conscious. My neighbor Shirley was standing next to her husband’s new toy, a ‘65 Corvette still in the very early stages of refinishing. I told Shirley I was going...
Jan28
Posted on Jan 28 by Ruth Davis
When I first moved to the coast in September, 2012, I had no idea that it would be so hard to meet people. In fact, if I had known how difficult it would be to live someplace where I didn’t know anyone, I don’t know if I would have had the courage to move. The first month I was here I was thrilled to discover a monthly kirtan group. I attended three times but the music was a westernized version of the Sanskrit chants I was used to, and the people weren’t very welcoming. I joined an over-50 singles meet-up group, but they were more interested in drinking than real conversation. I ventured further south to a different spiritual and again, did not connect with the energy of the community. Friends said it would take a few years to really meet people, especially since I didn’t have co-workers. I was miserable. I spent a lot of time at home, crying, talking to Marika, and wondering if I was going to be alone forever. But I kept trying. I...
Jan21
Posted on Jan 21 by Ruth Davis
The Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival happened this past weekend. Once a year people from all over the country come to see the amazing variety of birds in the area. I’m the Hospitality Chairperson for the Festival and my job is to feed the attendees. We host an opening reception with food and wine on opening night. We provide fruit and breakfast snacks as well as coffee throughout the 4-day festival in the Hospitality Room. I also invite the local restaurants and hotels to offer specials for our attendees. The day before the Festival, Marlys, the Board Chairperson and I picked up all of the food at Costco, then stopped at the local supermarket to pick up the produce they were donating. In my conversation with the manager, I had explained that we have about 500 people over the 4 days and that we provide bananas and apples for the early-birders. She said she’d take care of it and have something ready for us to pick up. Marlys and I were standing in the produce section, waiting for the...
