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* My first reaction was "Oh, no, not in Palo Alto!" But Joan Acocella's review of Professor Tanya Luhrman's "When God talks back: understanding the American evangelical relationship with prayer" in The New Yorker leaves no doubt that the evangelicals do have a presence in Palo Alto. Depressing. This casualness carries over to conversations with God. The Vineyarders asked him “for admission to specific colleges, for the healing of specific illness—even, it is true, for specific red convertible cars.” Some Vineyard women had a regular “date night” with Jesus. They would serve a special dinner, set a place for him at the table, chat with him. He guided the Vineyarders every minute of the day. Sarah told Luhrmann how, one day, after a lunch at a restaurant with fellow-parishioners, she was feeling good about herself, whereupon, as she was crossing the parking lot, a bird shat on her blouse. God, she explained to Luhrmann, was giving her a little slap on the wrist for her self-satisfaction. Sarah accepted the chastisement, but others don’t. They may get furious with God. And, according to some evangelicals, he feels bad when this happens. In “Disappointment with God” (1988), the religious writer Philip Yancey claims that God can’t bear for us to turn away from him. He longs for us to like him. It is hard to understand how evangelicals, most of whom are regular Bible readers, could come to this conclusion about the God of Abraham and Job. Ya, Habibi.

183 days before November 6th. "To dream of one government ending doesn't mean you’ll want the one that comes in its place."---Nathan Englander, The Ministry of Special Cases Republicans went through their act to nominate a candidate to challenge the incumbent president. While formal announcement remains, barring an unforeseen development Mitt Romney is going to be the challenger. Compared to some of the weird characters that went through roadshows to win the nomination (think Michele Bachman, Herman Cain among others) Romney is sane. And is anyone going to miss Newt Gingrich and his wife with the strange hairdo? As to Barack Obama, the incumbent, he has begun his campaign. Again, the themes are "Hope and Change". And "Fear". Well, we have gone through "Hope and Change". Nothing happened. Or not much happened that was different from the eight-year presidency of G.W. Bush. But "Fear" is something to think about. We have reason to be fearful of what a Republican victory would mean. Things would get much worse. Another vacancy in SCOTUS would give a Republican administration the opportunity to destroy the balance in the highly politicized court and empower it to re-write the book about government. One can rest assured that it is not going to be government "for the people" that Abe Lincoln spoke about. I'll vote for Barack Obama, not because I like him; not because I think he will do the right thing. Simply because the other will be much worse.

* San Mateo, California * And A Bumper Sticker Spring equinox is less than two weeks away, on March 20th. Lack of rains is worrisome. Getting late in the season to make up for the shortfall. Temperature continues to be cool. A walk through the neighborhood shows that except for the birch trees plants are putting up the usual display of colors. And the silver birch trees,too, have something attractive about them -- standing leafless, waiting for the sprouting of leaves. Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night. ~Rainer Maria Rilke, Letters of Rainer Maria Rilke The pictures below were taken during walks in February and early March. Silver Birch tree on a cloudy morning © Musafir Canon SX30IS Daffodils © Musafir Canon SX30IS Apple Blossoms, Parrott Drive © Musafir Canon SX30IS Cherry Blossoms, Parrott Drive © Musafir Canon SX30IS Maple Tree beginning to show off © Musafir Canon SX30IS Front garden statue, Parrott Drive © Musafir Canon SX30IS Photographs taken during walks through local preserves. Zigaden Lilly (Zigadenus_spp) Death Camas, highly toxic. Tenderfoot Trail, Laurelwood Park, Belmont, CA © Musafir Canon SX30IS Bush Lupines on Salson Trail, Sugarloaf Mountain, San Mateo, CA © Musafir Canon SX30IS Tough Shoppers! Bumper sticker seen on car at Trader Joe's parking lot: "When the going gets tough, the tough go shopping". No doubt obesity, high blood pressure, cholesterol and such thoughts are far from their minds. On the positive side they spend money to keep the economy churning. Someone has to do it.

* Promises, PromisesObama in the lead! That is what the latest ABC News-Washington Post Poll shows -- that among registered voters Obama has a 51-45% lead over Mitt Romney. Gingrich is promising the moon. However, one gets the feeling that Gingrich's negatives -- past baggage -- cannot be covered up. Republican power brokers feel uneasy about Gingrich. Much can happen between now and November 6th. But this not going to make Obama-haters happy. What about the Democrats? Well, Obama has disappointed many of us. Deep down, he is not much different than the hypocrites running against him. His recent Bible-thumping speech was sickening. A blatant appeal to Conservative Christian voters. It would be interesting to watch how the President deals with the reaction about the directive in respect to contraceptives and sterilization in employee health-care plans of Catholic affiliated institutions. Based on previous records, he is likely to beat a quick retreat; he is adept in doing that. Even the small difference makes him preferable over the Republican candidates. What choice do we have -- sit it out or vote for the incumbent. I'll hold my nose and vote for the incumbent. It was a buffoon, Sarah Palin, who mocked Obama "How's the hopey changey thing working out for ya". True, it didn't take long for Obama to back away from things he spoke about. For many of us there will be no rejoicing if he is re-elected, but there would be a sigh of relief.

*Sleepless In San Mateo * Last Days of Autumn* Wild MushroomsThere are many people who, for some reason or other, lie awake at night -- unable to go to sleep at all or cannot go back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. The nights can be long and depressing, especially for those who live alone. Chronic insomnia requires professional help. This is about people who periodically suffer from it as I do. There are times when the 'cause' can be identified -- health-related issues, anxiety, depression -- it does not take much to trigger bad nights. The holiday season could induce it in some. The cold weather; dark, sunless sky, rains; they can all exacerbate the problem.Cannot say that I cope with it well. Have tried turning the light on to read. Does not do any good. If the book is interesting I can keep on reading through the night without feeling drowsy. And, in my case, the day's routine -- exercise, food, wine at dinner -- has no bearing at all; my routine rarely varies. While strenuous exercise during the day does not help me to sleep at night, it certainly helps to avoid the feeling of being in a deep, dark hole. The only sure relief is from pills (sleep aid). Half a tablet of an OTC product usually ensuresa decent night. Does not leave me feeling groggy the next morning. But even then I don't make a habit of it. I have an aversion about taking pills. Winter Solstice "On a withered bough a crow has stopped to perch and autumn darkens." --- Basho A look at the calendar tells me that in four more days autumn will end. The winter solstice is on December 22nd. Piles of fallen leaves under the trees getting smaller. Some trees still display colorful autumn leaves, but not for long. Birch Tree Have not had much rain. But the rains might arrive with a vengeance and make us pine for sunny sky. The seasons have their place. There was a time when I found rainy days depressing. Perhaps it is the wisdom that comes from age, but they have ceased to affect me. This season, foraging for wild mushrooms has not been very rewarding. Found some oyster mushrooms, few puffballs and butter boletes. The rains might make the chanterelles emerge. A cluster of lion's mane was past its prime. Warning: Do not use these pictures as guide to pick mushrooms for consumption. Wild mushrooms require thorough investigation. Butter Boletes ( Boletus appendiculatus) © Musafir - Canon S710 Lion's Mane - Past its prime © Musafir - Canon S710 Puffball Mushroom© Musafir - Canon S5 IS Sulphur Shelf ( Laetiporus sulphureus)© Musafir - Canon S5 IS Cluster of Oyster Mushrooms© Musafir - Canon S5 IS

And Images From Thanksgiving Past * Fall Colors in San Mateo, California Excerpt below is from Jon Carroll's column in The San Francisco Chronicle. Every year, I look forward to reading it and he never disappoints. I'm going to think about how each of the people at the table came into my life, and what I remember about that moment, and how we decided to become friends instead of simply people who met each other once a long time ago. And I'm going to remember the kindness that each person has shown me, and I'm also going to remember my kindnesses, because I'm grateful for the times I behaved well. And because not all the people I'm grateful for are in the room today, I'm going to think about them, and send them good thoughts across the miles. I don't believe in the transmission of thoughts, but I believe in trying. It's like a flashy vehicle for mindfulness, and mindfulness is hard when the talk is loud and the carbohydrates are disappearing at alarming rates.And as I walk across the floor from one room to the other, I'm going to notice how solid the floor feels beneath my feet today. I know how fragile it is, but it doesn't matter. Today, right now, this Thanksgiving, it feels like the oldest rock in the world, and I stand on it and rejoice.Maybe at the end of the evening, when the dirty dishes are piled high in the sink and the air is heavy with rich smells, take a moment to thank someone for something.If today you are gratitude impaired (been there), here are a few new ways of looking at things.May you grow up to be righteous, may you grow up to be true, may you always know the truth and see the lights surrounding you. May you always be courageous, stand upright and be strong; may you stay forever jcarroll@sfchronicle.com Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/11/23/DDPR1LTVNJ.DTL#ixzz1ednU56Ad For me, the venue has changed. After celebrating Thanksgiving at a friend's house in Palo Alto for the past 19 years, the gathering will take Place at Menlo Park. Palo Alto, CA. 2010 I II. III IV V VI VII VIII Fall Colors, San Mateo, CA.Not New England, but the colors are gorgeous.Sunrise through my window, Nov 22, 2011 Harvard Drive I Harvard Drive II Parrott Drive I Parrott Drive II Tournament Drive I Tournament Drive II

* Naked Ladies aka Belladonna Lillies (Amaryllis belladonna) If Clarkias are called 'Farewell to Spring' then Naked Ladies deserve to be described as 'Farewell to Summer'. Here in the San Francisco Bay area they begin to be noticeable in August and are gone in September. For a brief period the tall, slender stalks with lovely pink blooms catch our eyes and make us think. Of what? Well, that depends on who you are. For me, the thoughts are about summers past; walks on the beach at Pajaro Dunes; graduation parties; hikes on trails in the foothills and in the Sierras; alfresco lunches under Oak trees; dry, brown landscape and autumn rains soon to follow. Bitter-sweet. Naked Ladies I, Parrott Drive, San Mateo, CA © Musafir - Canon S5 IS Naked Ladies I, Parrott Drive, San Mateo, CA. © Musafir - Canon S5 IS Naked Ladies II, Parrott Drive, San Mateo, CA. © Musafir - Canon S5 IS During recent walks on Parrott Drive, San Mateo, saw Naked Ladies in a number of front yards. It is hard to appreciate them driving past in cars. A clear sign that another summer will soon be behind us; the Autumn equinox is less than a month away, on September 23rd. Schools are open; Labor Day weekend is around the corner. After the picnics and barbecues are over, the 'end of summer' feeling will sink in if it has not already done so. Here is the late Philip Hamburger's superb description of end of summer which appeared in The New Yorker some years back. A piercing blue sky, gentle ocean breeze, low humidity, clean air. But what Seamus Heaney has called "the ache of summer" is increasingly palpable. Darkness will clamp down earlier and more suddenly this evening--one moment a rich, haunting Maxfield Parrish blue, the next pitch-black and night. Hard to face, but wouldn't you know, summer is ending and it is time for memories...Night is falling. There is a chill in the air. Winter will come. And go. Philip Hamburger © The New Yorker

* Backpack Trip up Canyon Creek Trail The trail head to Canyon Creek, about 14 miles from Junction City, is a long drive from the Bay area. Recently, SG and I made the trip. Ripstein Campground, where we spent the first night, was just over 350 miles It was worth it. Trinity Alps look different than the Sierras....more green. And the trail to the lakes never far from the stream. Wild flowers were abundant. Refer to "Hiking California's Trinity Alps Wilderness" by Dennis Lewon We left on August 4th; stopped at Weaverville Ranger Station for Wilderness and Fire Permits. Drop Box outside the Ranger Station can be used at all times for permit applications. Then continued on Hwy 299 to Junction City and drove for about 14 miles on Canyon Creek Road to Ripstein Campground. The campground is undeveloped, with vault toilet, no running water, but free, scenic, and only a mile from the trail head parking lot. Began our walk up the trail on the morning of August 5th. Our plan was to go to Upper Lake but we changed our minds and decided to set up camp near the Middle Canyon Creek Falls, just under 6 miles from the trail head,with a view of the water roaring down. The unusually high snow pack has resulted in rarely seen force of the water falls and streams. Our pace was slow and we made frequent stops. Took us more than six hours to reach the Middle Canyon Creek Falls. There were many backpackers, including women of all ages. And dogs, with their own packs. Many were repeat visitors from Shasta/Redding areas. We talked to backpackers who had come from Oregon. There was a couple from Salem, OR, who had come to celebrate their weddding anniversary after being there 40 years ago. Trail markers were notably absent. Not a major problem. Our timing was just right. The weather was surprisingly mild. Day-time temp not not much different than the South Bay; the nights were not uncomfortably cold, in the high 60's. See Forest Service Weather Report updated on Thursdays. We carried a bear canister but could have done without it. Next day, August 6th, we left our camp site and hiked up to the Lower and Upper Canyon Creek Lakes with just water bottles, some trail mix, power bars, and fishing gear. The lakes are very pretty, located in rocky area with 8,886 ft Sawtooth Mountain towering over the landscape. There were many backpackers camped near the lakes. We tried fishing at the Lower Canyon Creek Lake -- no luck, and didn't see anyone else catching fish -- before carrying on to the Upper Canyon Creek Lake, less than a mile away. On the return trip from the lakes, we bypassed Boulder Creek campground and reached our tent before darkness set in. We broke camp on Sunday, August 7th, and headed back at 9:30 A.M. Took us about 4 hours to reach the parking lot. Then it was the drive home with a stop at Weaverville for lunch and gas for the car. A good trip. The photographs below will give an idea of the trail, the water falls, and the lakes. At Ripstein Campground © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) At trailhead parking lot © Musafir (Nikon Coolpix P500) The beginning of Canyon Creek Trail © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) SG wearing netting as protection against flying insects © Musafir (Nikon Coolpix P500) Distant view of the mountain range © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Wild Flowers, look like Indian Paintbrush © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) We forded quite a few streams, the major one a mile before the Lower Canyon Creek Lake © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Lower Canyon Creek Falls © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Wild Flower - Name unknown © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) More Wild Flowers © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Our Campsite © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) SG - near our campsite alongside stream from Middle Canyon Creek Falls © Musafir (Nikon Coolpix P500) Another view of the stream near our tent © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Middle Canyon Creek Falls, close up © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) On the trail to the upper lakes © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Field of Wild Flowers © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) We had to push through thick vegetation at some parts of the trail © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Last stream crossing about a mile before Lower Canyon Creek Lake © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) The Sawtooth Mountain 8,886 ft © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Near Lower Canyon Creek Lake © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Lower Canyon Creek Lake © S.Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) SG fishing. The trouts were elusive © Musafir (Nikon Coolpix P500) Leaving for Upper Canyon Creek Lake © Musafir (Nikon Coolpix P500) A boy getting ready to jump into Upper Canyon Creek Lake © S. Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Upper Canyon Creek Lake © S. Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Another view of Upper Canyon Creek Lake © S. Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Still some snow on the peaks © S. Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Pink Wild Flowers © S. Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Back at the Lower Canyon Creek Lake - still no fish © Musafir (Nikon Coolpix P500) A Brewer Spruce tree at Lower Canyon Creek Lake © S. Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Heading back - all good things come to an end © S. Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) "The idea of wilderness needs no defense. It only needs more defenders." ---Edward Abbey Comments Tammy — 2012-02-05 Such a great article it was which There were many backpackers, including women of all ages. And dogs, with their own packs. The lakes are very pretty, located in rocky area with 8,886 ft Sawtooth Mountain towering over the landscape. There were many backpackers camped near the lakes. Thanks for sharing this article. Anonymous — 2013-02-24 I used your guide to decide to backpack this trail. Very glad I did. Thanks! -Justis Anonymous — 2013-08-29 I like your post but I am confused as to why it is necessary to note that you saw women of all ages backpacking... yes, women back pack and women play sports professionally, are presidents, biologists that work in the woods etc., etc. As a woman who has been backpacking for 15 years sometimes alone even and who takes 14 year old daughter (since she was 7) often just the two of us, I find it aggravating for many reasons that people find this or that women backpack noteworthy. Unless your implication is the that the hike is "easy" enough for women, I hope not. I came across your post as I was looking for a mellow weekend backpack to do with my daughter. musafir — 2013-08-29 To: Anonymous No, I didn't mean to imply that it was an "easy" hike for women. A late starter, I have been enjoying hiking in the wilderness for 20+ years. Have noted increasing number of women hikers, including solo hikers. I admire all who enjoy the activity -- men, women, children, and I am fortunate to have women hikers among my friends. Thanks for visiting. If you are planning a trip, consider Vogelsang High Sierra Camp Trail. Requires a permit. musafir — 2013-08-29 Further to my comments (above), due to the Yosemite fire, and road closure, Vogelsang is not going to work. Canyon Creek would be a good 2-nighter. Anonymous — 2014-05-29 I hope the women I see on the trail don't have tudes like anonymous. jeez, BOBBY Daniel Carolan — 2014-06-23 Great photos! Been there once myself. Will never forget that trip! http://skylinetothesea.blogspot.com/2013/02/this-way-to-paradise-part-2.html Monica — 2015-09-02 The rest of us women on trail don't have "tudes". You have a "tude" that you have to comment that women are on the trail! Wow so sorry to surprise you so much that we hike and backpack all on our own without men. musafir — 2015-09-03 Thank you, Daniel Enjoyed the photographs and post in the link. Still a lot of snow on the mountains ! We went later in the summer. Stay well and keep hiking. musafir — 2015-09-03 Monica - Astonishing that my mention of women hikers drew such an angry response. Nothing derogatory or critical was mentioned or implied. Relax and enjoy the wilderness.

A Confederacy of HypocritesThey made a deal with Dark Side. They call it "compromise"; they call it "pragmatism". The bottom line is shameful, utterly abject surrender by Obama and the Democratic leadership to the demands of Republican and Tea Party bullies. According to current news on the Internet, Nancy Pelosi is making some noise about not supporting the deal made by Harry Reid and Democratic senators. Hope she does not capitulate. Not going to make a difference but at least a symbolic gesture that reflects the position of many Democrats. And America's long-suffering taxpayers, who pay the salaries of the politicians who brought us to the brink of default? How do they come out? That remains to be seen. The big concern among many was that this crisis would result in significant tax increases. All the big discussions -- the Simpson-Bowles Commission, the Gang of Six in the Senate, the potential Grand Bargain between President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner -- included revenue enhancements, the elimination of loopholes, the termination of tax credits. In other words, tax increases on some people. And at time when income tax rates and overall tax receipts as a percentage of GDP are as low as they've been in recent history, the prospect of making a huge dent in the deficit through spending cuts alone seemed politically unviable. And yet, thanks to a combination of Republican intransigence, moderate wishy-washiness, and Democratic lameness, the deal included no revenue enhancements. People worried about higher taxes have dodged a bullet, for now. -Daniel Gros, Yahoo.comObama's role is not surprising. A typical, amoral politician, he has steadily shifted to the right after his election. One gets the impression that to win in 2012 he would readily be a 'born-again Christian' and a fervent pro-lifer.

* A Walk from Roads End, Kings Canyon, to Lower Paradise Valley"Here with a Loaf of Bread beneath the Bough, A Flask of Wine, a Book of Verse, and --Thou Beside me, singing in the Wilderness -- And Wilderness is Paradise enow." -- The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, translated by Edward FitzgeraldQuite different than the wilderness that Persian poet Omar Khyyam wrote of. But the trail from Roads End in Kings Canyon to the Lower Paradise Valley offers great vistas -- from towering cliffs to the awesome force of Woods Creek flowing alongside. On July 3rd, Sarbajit Ghosal and I hiked the approx. 13-mile out and back trail. It was a good day, cool at 6:oo in the morning when we began. Even at mid day, when it turned warm and we could feel the rocky parts of the trail radiating heat, it was not punishingly hot. The trail is not very demanding, first two miles mostly flat with a few rocky segments. Many hikers go only as far as Mist Falls, about halfway to Lower Paradise Valley campground. After Mist Falls, the trail becomes rocky. We met backpackers who were returning from doing the Rae Lake Loop, about 46 miles. One group said it took them 3 days -- hardy souls. A few pictures follow. Encountered three rattle snakes, the first one in the morning soon after we began our walk at Roads End. After I took a picture of the snake, my Canon Powershot S3 stopped working. Error message read "Lens error. Restart camera." Tried restarting but it did not fix the problem. It was SG's Nikon Coolpix P500 that was used for the rest of the trip. SG at Roads End Trailhead© Musafir (Canon Powershot S3) The first rattle snake, ugh © Musafir (Canon Powershot S3) We forded a number of such gullies soon after Roads End©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Morning sun on the cliff face ©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Lupines alongside the trail © Musafir (Canon Powershot S3) A waterlogged stretch of the trail. We had to detour by clambering on rocks ©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Near the junction of Bubbs Creek and Woods Creek ©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500)Mist Falls. The Gardiner Creek Meets Woods Creek at this point©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500)The Sphinx Peak at distant background ©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500)Past and above Mist Falls ©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) SG on the trail beyond Mist Falls © Musafir (Nikon Cool Pix P500) A peak that reminded us of Half Dome ©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Slogging up the rocky, switchback trail to Lower Paradise Valley ©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Near Lower Paradise Valley Campground, the flow of the creek noticeably slow ©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500)End of the trail. Father and son fishing for trout ©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) This is where we took a lunch break. Quiet and serene.©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) "Butterfiles are free" ©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) 11:15 AM. Time to head back to Roads End © Musafir (Nikon Cool Pix P500) The trail narrows between the rock face and the creek below©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) A view of Mist Falls on the way down©Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Looking downstream from the bridge at Bubbs Creek, 2 miles from Roads EndSarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500) Felt good to dip sore feet in icy cold Bubbs Creek Sarbajit Ghosal (Nikon Coolpix P500)*Hiking along the trail I thought of Gary Snyder and his wonderful poems about mountains, rivers, and lakes of California. From his "Bubbs Creek Hair Cut", Mountains and Rivers Without End. “Hiking up Bubbs Creek saw the trail crew tent In a scraglly grove of creekside lodgepole pine talked to the guy, he says‘If you see McCool on the other trail crew over theretell him Moorehead says to go to hell.’Late snow that summer. Crossing the scarred bare shed of Forrester Pass The winding rock-braced switchbacksDive in snowbanks. We climb in where packtrains have to dig or wait.”