While walking on Nauset Beach with Rosie, we came across this Atlantic White Sided Dolphin. The sea-gulls had already begun feasting, and there were multiple wounds. After many conversations about the magnificence dolphins lately, it was saddening to see such a beautiful creature dead on the beach. Between their part in saving the Monterrey surfer from further shark bites, their stellar performance that morning at Ocean Beach, and Jane and Tesa's adventures in Florida, I have felt such an affinity for these brilliant animals. They are somehow connected to the human species; I know that they feel an affinity for us, and I can't help but feel loved by them. Of course I love them back. I feel protected by them every time I set foot in the ocean. They truly are guardian angels.

But everything is flowing, changing, being born, and dieing, and accepting that the soul of this creature had left it's incredible body was a necessity. As nature took its course, and sea-gulls swarmed to dine on the corpse of this beautiful dolphin, Rosie and I soaked in the rising sun felt gratitude for the gift of this ephemeral life.

Last Tuesday, one of the biggest swells in recorded history hit the California Coast. Peter Davi, a well known and very well-respected big-wave surfer, died in an unfortunate incident when his leash snapped while out in 50+ foot waves. I can't get over how enormous the waves were, not to mention people attempting to surf them.
This shot was taken at a beach called Blacks near San Diego. The guy on the left, in the curll of the wave is about to have a pretty nasty wipe out, while the surfer on the has to be so incredibly thrilled at that moment. This waves are easily half as large as the waves that hit Northern California. Nonetheless, this shot captures the thrill, intensity, and challenge-- in addition to the beauty, simplicity and grace-- that the sport of surfing offers.
I have been surfing my new board and loving it. Though, I must admit, the chill of the water these days is changing my quickness, and in many cases, my confidence. I can't believe I used to surf winters in New England!!

While I never aspire to surf big waves, I am inspired to master some of these California water bumps:)

Spreading your wings in a big world is hard to do. That's why you have to just look at the grass below you and breath it in.

Days of Thanks in Sonoma

I feel so incredibly grateful for the time that I spent in this beautiful spot, with such beautiful people. It is surprising how, even in the absence of your own comfortable surroundings, you can find incredible comfort. There are so many gifts in this world if we can just pay attention-- and I think that every time we remember to say "thanks," we are planting the seed for a future gift.

Goodbye Sunday

A foggy sunset.... but some light nonetheless

Las Cositas

It really is the little things in life that are incredibly didactic. Now, I am not one to obsess over flowers, but these guys just really deserve some attention. They smell amazing, and everytime I walk into my room, I am overwhelmed by their beauty. They are just so vibrant and aware of their perfection. They are wide open and exposing every inch of themselves to the world outside. They hide nothing and they try to be nothing more than they are. I know that I have read some Eastern reading about flowers. I can't remember if was Taoist or Buddhist. I guess it really doesn't matter. All I know is that THIS is what they were talking about. We have so much to learn from flowers.

Sure, it's fall; but it's not the fall that I know. The temperature is slightly colder, and people are walking around with hats, gloves, and scarfs as if the temperature change between last week and today were more than 10 degrees. I really doubt that it is. I still wear the same attire that I wore the day I arrived here in June... and by the time I get to my work everyday, I am still sweating. My mom said that the deck was frozen over this morning--and I am still sleeping with the windows open!!


But, it's definitely dark now that the sun is setting at 5ish. No more running around or catching waves after work. It's time to put on my extra millimeters and hoodie before I jump into the chilly Pacific on the weekend mornings. It's time to nest, read, relax, and embrace the slowness that comes with indoor activity. It's time to cook, burn candles, take hot baths, and turn inwards.

So, maybe winter really is coming, but I am welcoming it. Here's one last image of the long, sunny California days of 2007. Ciao Bella!

My Best Friend

She used to beat on me when we were toddlers.... I don't really remember
Then, when we rediscovered each other after a few elementary school years apart, she made fun of my Adidas Samba Classics and told me that her Mitres were cooler. It was then that I knew I was going to like this girl.

We made it through the middle and high school years even though we stopped talking for 4 months, when I decided I didn't like her boyfriend and she decided that it was "too bad." But, boy did she scream at my temporary "best friend" that night, at the school dance, when this new "best friend" kissed the boy that I liked. (How juicy is that?)

We made it through all the Cape Cod summers, where the drama with the boys was just about all we could handle.

We made it through the gymnastic years, never failing to inspire endless laughter among the clan of dedicated gymnasts who just wanted to be the best. C'mon, Shayna wiping out on her dismount off the bars was actually hilarious-- even if it meant a little nose surgery to correct the damage.

We made it through the college years, when she and her groovy UVM friends were, let's just say.... much more groovy than my Boston College, preppy and religious friends.

We made it through the live abroad years, as she ventured to the South island of New Zealand, and I ventured to South America. We would both return to those respective places numerous times, each time trying to convince the other to sneak away into our secret worlds, where people talk funny and life is just a little more relaxed

Now, here we are-- both on the left coast, both in our mid-20s, and both just as psyched to have each other in the same time-zone. Sometimes we see each other for a mere 10 hours, in which we are sleeping for 6 of those hours. Quick, work trips between SFO and LAX means that we are constantly on the go. Life is busy. We are starting out careers. (ummm, unless that implies that we have grown up, in which case I mean, we are starting to support ourselves). That said, we still have time for beach walks, episodes of Sex in The City, and lots of laughter.

Does everyone have a best friend this awesome?

I hope so....

The Ferullos cannot refuse a dare. Even if it means stripping and jumping in the cold ocean. Bring it on

Swimming with the Dolphins.

Last Sunday, just before I picked up my brother at the airport, I decided to paddle out into the head-high beautiful waves at South Ocean Beach. It was foggy, but the wind was light, and the waves were mushy peelers, perfect for a mellow Sunday morning surf.

I took a few and realized that my decision to stay alcohol free the prior night was smart. It's amazing how much better I ride when my blood is toxin free. Imagine that.

After a short, left close-out, the first in a set of 4, I started to paddle back out and braced myself to duck-dive very deep. I saw a fin. Then I saw another. Then a saw two dolphins, slightly to my north side, burst from the set wave in pure synchronicity, and spin their blubbery bodiesa full 360 degrees, before l landing and riding down the line of the wave.

Before I knew it I was surrounded by a dozen dolphins who were jumping, playing, and riding the waves on this solemn Sunday morning. I could have touched them, they were so close, and I swear, I could hear them laughing. They continued to swim south, riding the waves bouncing up and down, spreading their love to the few surfers that were out.

It was magical

Keep on going....

OK Jones, and David Ortiz enjoying some rays at the Treasure Island Music Festival.

The Sox are still rocking.

Jones is still awesome.

And, and the beautiful components of my new life keep revealing themselves.

Oh, what there is to be thankful for!!!

My new break: Somewhat cold, much more powerful, but oh so rewarding.
This place does not mess around. The currents are relentless.
But, in the morning, as the fog is lifting, or in the evening, as the sun is setting, there is no other place that I would rather be.