God's secrets

I was just reading my sister Stephanie's blog post about meandering. Basically, it was about the lost childhood art of wandering and not being guilted by distractions, about enjoying the "journey." Anyway, that was a very simplistic summation of her blog entry, which was prompted by one of her friends' blog entries. So it's like a chain, because it in turn prompted this entry.
Since I moved to California, I've discovered that lost art of wandering and meandering and "doing nothing" in between my "doing somethings." Maybe it's the new environment or maybe it's living alone. Either way, I've learned to be able to just sit and watch stuff. The ocean, birds, trees, rocks, animals...anything!
At first it was hard. I got easily bored. But after about five minutes of sitting and watching the ocean, you really start to *notice* things. At first, it's all the big picture, but then your mind starts to focus on bits and pieces that are more interesting—like groups of birds, sea lions, new plants and flowers, wave patterns, noises, all sorts of things. You start to see things that aren't easily noticable. That's when I feel special that I've noticed them, like God shared a secret with me.
Sometimes I go out to watch the sunset. People come out every night to watch the sunsets along Pebble Beach Drive, which is along the coast and near my house. They are mostly elderly people though. I suppose people begin to remember how to wander, meander and enjoy the journey again when they get older. Hopefully some of us won't wait that long.
(The photo doesn't really have that much to do with my post, but I thought it was beautiful, and it's one of my favorite spots, just minutes from Crescent City.)

Odds and ends

Things are busy as usual in the newspaper business—especially with our short staffing situation. We recently hired three new reporters though, and they begin on Monday! I'm pretty excited, since our two current reporters are having a tough time keeping up with everything. We also have another candidate arriving for the editor's position. Of course, I'm psyched about that, since I'm having a tough time keeping up too. I'm dreaming of 8-hour workdays...
Rick is definitely planning to return to Crescent City when he's done with school in December, and we're looking forward to continuing our Wild West experience. That also means that people have to come and visit us, since we'll be here longer! My publisher is trying to convince me to convince Rick that he should work as an ad salesperson here at the newspaper. (She *really* wants to make sure he gets a job out here right away so I don't leave.) He'll do what he wants, but it's a viable option nonetheless.
Speaking of Rick, he got tested for allergies the other day, and found out that he is certainly allergic to cats. Poor Weezie can't help herself though—she'll always be a cat. We agreed that we can't get rid of her. She's an important member of the Rico family! Rick also found out he's allergic to all kinds of other things too, which explains his recent misery. Poor guy. He was perscribed some meds, and I'm happy to report that he's doing much better now.
No new updates on the fall season here. Weather has been pleasant. Some rain and gorgeous sunshine. I think whale-watching "season" begins this month. I'll have to break out the binoculars.