San Ysabel Asistancia 2

Santa Yabel Asistancia Sanctuary (Tanya photo, 2009)

Odd how differently the towns developed from the missions of the old padres feel from the other towns and cities in California.

Of course they are older--but I think it is more than that.

They started for a different purpose than that of mere land development or good farm or ranch land or gold--they had a spiritual purpose--and I think that some residual effect lingers even after all these years--and perhaps even in the monster Los Angeles itself--which after all was built around Mission San Gabriel.

That spirit seems especially evident to me in such humble places as this little country church and cemetery.

Tomasito, 2009


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Santa Ysabel Asistencia

Santa Ysabel Asistencia (Tomasito photo)

We visited the Santa Ysabel Asistencia near Julian in north San Diego county a few days ago after a heavy rain.

This small church was founded in the time of the early missions of California--and, of course, the buildings have been rebuilt since the original adobe melted back into the earth long ago.

The church is in a beautiful country location--no town, no freeway, no tee-shirt shops--just a few cows, the small, intimate sanctuary and one or two other service buildings.

The cemetery is especially lovely to me--austere, but with the usual gay plastic flowers of a Mexican Catholic tierra santa--and, especially after the rain-- was a memento of eternity.

Tomasito, 2009


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Bloogging again

Upward trail, Lake Dixon Park, Escondido, CA. (Tanya photo, 2009)

It is good for pilgrim travelers in this world not to stay too long in any one place--no matter how good, or bad, the place.

We have moved far south in California to the smaller town of Escondido in the county of San Diego.

This is a new place for us with all the challenges of the new and different--but we know that change is good.

And it is especially nice to be back blogging with you again after a few days on the road.

We will write every day now--except on our days of rest.

Take care of yourSelves.

Tomasito, 2009


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xa

New Boy in Town

New Boy in Town (Tanya photo, 2009)

Hello.

We have stopped traveling, found an apartment, and are now living in Escondido, California--a bit north of San Diego--just a few miles from Mexico.

We are not quite settled in--so will not continue our blogs for a while, but we will continue soon.

Tomasito, 2009

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PAUSE

Tomasito 2009, Tanya photo.

Dear Friends of Ahimsaland:

We are moving and so I will not publish this blog for a week or so.

See you soon!

Tomasito, 2009


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Vandalism Reaction

Park Public Restrooms (Photo by Tomasito, 2009)



Redding Park Public Restroom Vandalism

I surprised myself a little a few days ago.

We were making an ordinary walk through our usual park and made a customary pause at an unusually nice public restroom.

When I opened the door, instead of the bright stainless steel fixtures , neatly painted walls and polished glass mirror--all very nice and much appreciated touches for a public facility--I was confronted by a scrawl of heavy black marking pen graffiti all over the walls, fixtures and mirror.

My reaction was instantaneous--I wanted revenge for this wanton destruction--and to make the perpetrator pay. I actually thought of the Sharia Law and the Draconian punishment of cutting off the hands of the criminal--THAT would teach him a lesson he would not soon forget!

Than I realized that I was not being very kind-hearted--this stupid damage was probably done by some foolish teenager who had most likely never had to do anything constructive or useful in his life--and who is scornful of law and good behavior.

The ideal of ahimsa (non-violence)--the title of this blog--was certainly not well served by my reaction.

The vandal's parents have failed--his teachers have failed--and his buddies are also failures--he himself is setting himself up for a lifetime of failure--but that is not his concern now I am sure. He is doubtlessly enjoying the present moment--making his statement--and, if he lives to be very old--he may remember this day as the one day he got his own revenge on a cold, heartless world.

I have a lot to learn.

Tomasito, 2009

UPDATE: Less than a week has passed since the graffiti outrage--this morning the scribbles had ALL been erased. Good work Redding Park Maintainance--and I hope you catch the rascal.TW.

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Manzanita Bloom Photo

Tanya photographing blooming manzanita
on Sacramento River Trail (Tomasito Photo).

We have been experiencing several weeks of unusually warm dry weather here in Shasta County, California. Several varieties of wild plant seem to be caught out of season--there is no trace of the wild lupine blooming which we saw last year in the vicinity of the manzanita Tanya is photographing-- no vetch or mustard either.

Tomasito, 2009

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