Seeing the Forest for the Trees

Welcome!

Maritime Chaparral

The Old Oaks' Home

Jannu's nose going into overdrive

Calif. Indian Pink (aka Calif. Scarlet Campion)

Our guide

Elfin Forest, a local nature preserve, is located in Los Osos in the southeastern shore of Morro Bay. Elfin Forest is primarily maintaind by a local non-profit, Small Wilderness Area Preservation (SWAP). The name "Elfin Forest" comes from the short stature of the California Live Oaks. Their size is stunted by the local environment and, despite being centuries old, range from a high of 20 feet in sheltered areas to a low of 4 feet near the tallest ridge line.

Elfin Forest is pretty special because it houses several different habitats for plant communities in a fairly concentrated area (90 acres). These include the coastal marsh, brackish water marsh, riparian woodland, coastal dune scrub, coastal live oak, maritime chaparral, and oak/manzanita complex.

At times, we like to switch up our daily walks with Jannu and take her there. RT usually takes his Ecology class out there to show the different habitats and plants. I think that at one time, one of the SWAP members saw RT leading his class on a field trip and asked him to lead one of their weekend strolls. So, I think he's booked to do that in the fall. You're welcome to join in the fun!

A Personal Press Release

For many of you, you won't hear our news until a few more weeks yet. (I've actually posted this after we've shared the news). I just needed a way to secretly express how I've been feeling these past two weeks.

For the first few days in July, I've been feeling a little off. Not in a bad way, but things definitely feel different with my body. I have my suspicions. I think I'm pregnant. Couldn't be possible, right? After EVERYTHING we've gone through and how very little our chances of even conceiving the good ol' fasion way will actually come to fruition. Still, I can't shake this feeling that I'm pregnant. I share my concerns with RT. He jokingly says that I am trying to "will myself to become pregnant."

Before I left for my month long stay with my sister in Florida, I just had a very important appointment with my nephrologist. He was the last doctor I needed to see before we got the "green light" to officially begin trying to conceive naturally. I was so giddy when I left for my trip because he told me that there was no reason, even with my PKD, that I couldn't have kids right now.

So, what if? Just what are the chances that I will be pregnant after all? And, if that's the case, what happens next? It will be thrilling and very scary all at once. But, what if?

Time in the Bay

Our friends decided to escape the valley heat and migrated our way last weekend. Kathy hadn't been to our place since last year before we started making some home improvements. I hope she saw some changes! It was a relaxing time to catch up, eat some good food, and enjoy the company. We set out to kayak the following morning. Despite all the fog and overcast days, this day turned out to be one of Morro Bay's finest with the sun gracing us with its presence and lighting up the bay (although it doesn't look so sunny in the pictures). The tandem kayak is always a good thing as it really takes a lot of the pressure off me to paddle (thanks RT!) and I rest when I get tired--which is often...ha...ha...We got out of the kayak and hiked over to the dunes. Being in that soft sand with the steep terrain was really a workout, but I pressed on because I wanted to see the other side. Turns out it was just more beach, but I did notice the guys "frolicking" in the water as if climbing up the hill was no big deal as I'm huffing and puffing and thinking, "I'm headed back."

There were a lot of sea lions and one lonely otter (it's the zoom lens---we were not that close!). After our trek, we treated ourselves (or rather our other friend, Clarence, did) to some fish and chips. The line at Giovanni's was outrageous! Everyone else had the same idea, but did they work for it? It was worth it after we all devoured our lunch! I hope Kathy and Corby had a nice time hanging out with us. Come back soon!

Ullambana Ceremony

Today RT and I traveled to L.A. to listen to my mother give a speech at her church, Rissho Kosei-Kai to celebrate the Ullambana Sutra, a practice that is the basis of the Obon ceremony in honor of one's ancestors which is still observed widely in Japan in August. A couple months ago, my mother was sitting at our house, writing out her speech and deep in thought. I was really surprised that my mom was going to participate in public speaking! So, I knew that I didn't want to miss this for anything.
When we got to the church, my mother was very happy to see us. My dad arrived in L.A. about the same time as we did. She didn't seem nervous at all. She introduced us to all her church friends, and they all were very happy and thankful that we made the long drive for my mother's support.
After a very long ceremony of chanting, the three presenters came up. I already knew before my mother started talking that I would be breaking down in tears. I had a feeling that my mom mentioned something about my ordeal with pancreatitis. Here's a clue: One woman, as soon as she was introduced to me asked, "How's your pancreas?"

Mom started out fine, but she looked over at me and her voice started to crack. We have a saying in our house that it is the Aoki (Mom's maiden name) gene that turns on the waterworks! I think her story really impacted a lot of people. She also went on to say how much the teachings of Buddha have really helped her become a better person, more happy, more peaceful, and more giving to others. She also expressed so much gratitude to her church and friends. And, yes, her entire speech was in Japanese but we had headphones to listen to the interpreter.

She did a wonderful job. I am so proud of her accomplishment! Way to go Mom! I even think you had Dad in tears, too!

What do you get when you cross a cookie with a cow?

An oreo cow, of course! When we drive through highway 152 through Pacheco Pass, I'm usually the passenger so I'm often either asleep or checking out the scenery. I have spotted these funny-looking cattle that are black with a wide band of white in the center. As soon as I saw one, I did a double-take because it was such an unusual sight. I mentioned it to RT, and he told me that when he was working on a project with Fish & Game in that area, they came across some ranchers who mentioned their cattle and called 'em oreo cows. These are a rare breed of Scottish beef cattle called Belted Galloways, or "Belties" that were introduced to the US in the '50s.

How appropriate...nothing goes better than oreos and milk (although these are beef cattle, so that's not entirely fitting). Interesting! If you're ever traveling through Pacheco Pass, if you're heading north, look to the left and you just might see an oreo cow!

Family Fun

A couple of weeks ago, my sister, brother-in-law, and nephews came over to visit and have some much needed R & R. This was probably the first, longest road trip for my 6 month-old nephew, and he did such an amazing job! I hope they all had a relaxing time...

On the flip side, RT and I went to Aptos to spend a relaxing 4th of July weekend at the Granlund Bed & Breakfast. We also had to stop in the Bay Area for some errands, which was not fun over the holidays; but once we got back to the B & B, it was nice to just hang out with family!