But, isn't it a small town?
I got work...so I will travel; that seems to be my motto! I'm back in Ojai after a great week of travel to the "big" city...Manhattan, New York.
Sitting here overlooking my yard, and further southwest toward Ventura, I'm amazed at how beautiful it is. Just yesterday afternoon, I spent some time watching the "parent birds" in our back yard bringing "take out" back for the chirping chicks inside their nest.
Reflecting back on my week of travels, I have just a few observations and stories to share...
First off, we left Ojai 2 days after the east coast endured yet another amazing rainstorm. Flooding ensued, and we were left wondering, "What do we pack?" So, with rain jackets, rain boots, and even hand-gloves in tow, we made our way east. Little did we know within 96 hours the climate would so dramatically change!
On the subway, as we changed from the L line to the (northbound) 6 line, Jodi and I were quietly chatting about our day. Suddenly, a woman sat next to me and said, "I saw you and have to sit here. I think you were my history teacher at Nordhoff High School!" Instantly, Maria and I were engaged in a quick "what are you doing...what are YOU doing" conversation. Yes, in a city of 17 million people, it's still possible to connect on a real level...when I'm willing and open to doing that! (Maria was in two history classes I taught some 10 years ago here in Ojai!)
On the way to walking to Earth Day celebrations at Grand Central, I asked Jodi to take this picture. This is one of my favorite places on earth...once I step inside it just makes me want to learn!
The "business" part of the trip to New York was great. (More about that on my own blog...) We got to visit with friends, and then stayed with family in White Plains...eventually, we made our way back to Ojai.
I got into town just in time to meet up with my mom, who was visiting from Northern California. (She imports wine from France, and has just started making select cases available to Ojai restaurants and wineries. If you're interested in finding out where, and if you're looking for some great, new wine recommendations, visit their site, or e-mail her directly!)
We had a great visit, and one day, as a surprise before dinner, I brought her up to "the Ojai sign" (as I call it). She smiled, and talked about it the rest of the trip, "Oh, your Ojai is such a small town!" she said.
I'm signing off, I've got a lunch to go to with a friend in about an hour. In the meantime, I'm going to go into the backyard, eat a tangerine, and watch my nuthatches grow...
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Comments (5)
welcome back, Jason. Ojai is a better place with you in it.
Comment #1 Posted by: Tyler | May 1, 2007 11:39 AM
Hey Jason,
Where have you not traveled dude! :)
Seems like you have been everywhere. But I guess that is what happens when you spend 240 days a year on the road!
Talk to ya soon.
Comment #2 Posted by: Christopher Scott | May 2, 2007 08:23 AM
Just a little tale about the mystery of time and the Sespe Wilderness. I've been wearing the same digital watch for the past three years without any problems. Monday, April 9th, I met the group of six men I was taking into the Sespe widerness for a four day vision fast at noon. We all arrived at the same time so our watches were all in sync at noon. The purpose of that first day was for the men to go into the wilderness and find their sites where they would fast for the next four days, alone. That evening when we gathered I said, "Well it's 5:30, time to fix some dinner." The others said something is wrong with my watch, and as it turned out, their watches all said it was six thirty. My watch had lost an hour of time somehow. Later that evening I noticed that my watch had actually lost 25 hours of time because the day and date on my watch said it was Sunday, April 8th, which was Easter Sunday. I decided to leave it as it was and see what wanted to happen. Throughout the four day fast my watch stayed 25 hours behind. During the night of Friday the 13th my watch was still a day behind, displaying Thursday the 12th. The next morning at sunrise, when the men came out from their fast, they asked me what time it was. I discovered that my watch was now reading Saturday the 14th and once again in sync with their watches. So, at the beginning of the fast my watch changed back one day to Easter Sunday and the mystery of the resurrection. At the end of the fast my watch came back up to date, completely skipping Friday the 13th. Only in Ojai.
Comment #3 Posted by: Richard Kline | May 4, 2007 10:42 AM
Wonderful example of time out of its mind; or time out of mind; or mind out of time; or time in mind. Hey what is time anyway? It's just a strand of consciousness which doesn't have to obey the rule of time. Seems like you were being "watched" over by a band of angels from beyond time. Time to quit or Suza will be checking my time. Just kidding, Suza, if you're in time with this.
Comment #4 Posted by: Dennis Leary | May 4, 2007 12:19 PM
Jason and Jodi, I'm so honored you guys squeezed in some time to meet me. You are both such warm, genuine, and delightful people.
I'm so glad Maria identified herself, Jason. Never mind 17 million people--last night two people within minutes recognized me as I was waiting for a bus--and I didn't remember how I knew them!
I couldn't bluff one woman, also named Maria, whose taxes I've done for the past four years! Immediately, she declared, "You don't know who I am, do you?"
Can't wait to see you guys on May 31st.
And Jodi, thanks so much for taking that beautiful pic of Jason and me. Any chance we can get Katie Couric's photographer to brush about 30 lbs. off me??
Comment #5 Posted by: Howard Tucker | May 4, 2007 03:31 PM