Dreams, Moments, Travels
A storm originating near Hawaii kicks up the surf along the California coast. Spectators and hundreds of surfers converged on the coast to either witness or take their chances out on the waters, where waves three to four times larger than normal pummel the shore.
Hanging from its tree, this avocado basks in the sun, waiting for my hand to snatch it for eating later. Avocado trees are all over Santa Barbara. Years ago, wild walnut trees were there as well; they are almost all gone now, but the avocado thrives, as does citrus.
This is a cheat and has been taken on one of the days I could get out to take some photos, but what the heck, it’s about the coast, and that’s where I’m at. Only, I don’t see the ocean on a daily basis, and do you really want to see the open-heart zipper scar my uncle has running down the middle of his chest? Yep, I’m still in Santa Barbara and will remain through Christmas.
Getting away to take photos has been extremely difficult as I’m cooking, cleaning, driving, shopping, and helping rehabilitate my uncle. I managed to sneak away early in the day to capture this 6:00 a.m. sunrise photo down at Santa Barbara Harbor in California. I can’t wait to see Caroline again.
This is where I’ve been spending a good part of the day into the evening while my uncle Woody recovers from his open-heart surgery. Three bypasses to correct six blockages. We started on the 2nd floor, where his surgery took place and where Intensive Care is located, and then moved up to the 4th floor. Today was his last day at the hospital.
Woody and my aunt Ann are joined by Woody’s father, Isaac, in this photo taken on my aunt and uncle’s wedding day back on August 3rd, 1946. Woody survived being hit by a train when he was 12, survived landing on Omaha beach during the Normandy invasion during World War II, and marched to the Battle of the Bulge, paving the way for him to survive 59 years of marriage.
Update: In 2023 I ran this photo through Photoshops restoration and colorization filter.