I went for a walk along West Cliff down to the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz to get some photos. The adventure was close to a failure. I couldn’t get a good parking spot because I always pick the days were West Cliff is the most packed and took forever walking down to the Boardwalk. Finally when I got there the sun was setting so I basically had to run back to my car because I ddin’t want to be out alone in the dark. ...

You were walking in the middle of nowhere along the road. You were all alone. What where you doing out there? Did your car break down, I never saw it. Or did you just decide to leave behind society. Maybe we should have stopped to ask if you needed help. You seemed like you knew where you were headed though, you never even looked up as we passed you. Why were you wearing all those clothes, it was Nevada and very hot out, but you were all bundled up. I didn’t understand you at all.

A beautiful sunset in the middle of nowhere Utah. It was beautiful, I wish I could have gone to Moab or Zion. So close yet so far away. Another trip I guess.

There is a baby crying Uttering wails of fear As its face contorts Screaming and screaming Sitting in a shopping cart In a nearby empty lot The baby looks around Twisting from side to side Bawling loudly As it screams for help But she doesn’t possess The words to yell Her tiny hands Gripping the cold steel Of the handle bar Desperation etching Lines of age Into the infant’s Soft face The woman stands On the other side Of her car She slides down Against it as her body quakes Her tiny frame Rattled by her sobs That she snuffs out With a bony fist The mother sits crying Curled up into a ball Wondering If she should leave Can she do it Just walk away As her child screams She can’t take it She can’t do it anymore She is listening to her Precious baby wailing Just feet away Yet so very far from her The mother sits On the edge of a choice Between love and desperation She gave everything for her child And there is nothing left for her She can’t even feed herself now She has nothing left to give Except her love The infant And the mother Are separated by a car And a long space A need And a lack of everything Stands between them As they both cry Wishing for what Neither of them has Wondering what comes next

I am thankful for all the weird people in the world and the strangeness of the world we live in. I don’t know what was wrong with you, but you made me laugh. You kind of looked like you were twitching out because someone was touching your merchandise. I was thankful for the laugh and this picture.

A big thanks to Valri and her family for hosting the big turkey event this year. Not many photos this year, but the usual crew stuffed themselves silly once again. It’s always fun to see all the cousins get together. Nick joined us from Cal Poly, Chris from Chico, and Charlie had a break from his Navy duties. And did I mention that I love my awesome wife.

I saw this dog a long time ago at the SPCA and I really wanted to adopt you.I still think of you. I know I was meant to be your owner. It was so hard for me to walk away from you. I wonder what happened along the road that split our paths? I think of you a lot. I wonder what happened to you. You were adorable so I am sure you are in a nice home some where. I just wish it was my home. I wonder what your owner named you. I wanted to name you Kita. I guess it was even harder for me to walk away with a name on my lips. It is the nameless and the faceless that are forgotten. ...

Charlotte and Gordon continue their trip south after spending the night in Cambria with a stop at Hearst Castle in San Simeon. It’s a great day and an awesome tour. The interior is ridiculously elegant. The Christmas decorations add quite the touch. I wouldn’t mind this pool in my backyard.

No this isn’t animal abuse, my dog enjoys hats, especially my polar bear one. Her fur almost matches, maybe the next genetic hybrid should be the polar dog. Well Gracie, at least you can be the first.