Mind Prisons

 "Only what slips through one's fingers, only what is never expressed in words, has no thoughts, exists completely. That is the price of proximity if you don't see it. Don't know that it's there. Then it's over, then you see it."

-Karl Ove Knausgard 

Autumn

Yesterday, Alan and I took a drive to Folsom, California, to have a look around the Historic district. We got going a little later than we had intended too, so we didn't have a lot of time to spend there, or visit the tourist sites much, but we did stop by Folsom Prison, for a few minutes, to check the hours at the prison museum. Unfortunately, it was closed for repairs. It was impossible to see the prison, without thinking about the possible legal problems of the current president. I think he thinks about it too, even as he knowingly creates events that could infect folks with Covid-19, aka, super spreader events. A likelihood so possible, that he makes attendees sign a release that says they won't sue him if they contract the disease. Sometimes it seems like he breaks at least one law a day... maybe two. You know him, and history does also, and will not be kind. This place could very will be his new home one day, and Mara-Lago it isn't. He was just bellowing again last night about locking up, among others, Joe Biden. Old bullshit, different day. He thinks he will be able to talk his way out of his problems should an arrest happen, should he be indicted. I am sure his psychotic narcissism wont let him think anything else. So, what happens when the real world, the world he doesn't get to script, doesn't live up to his expectations? When he finally has to answer for what he's done? And are the rest of us ready for it? Are we in mind prisons as well?

~Carly

October 17th 2020

Stockton, California

 

Autumn Memories

 

"Night, which in Autumn seems to fall

 from the sky so suddenly, chilled us."

~Jules Barey d' Auervilly

The Crimson Curtain

 

My Fibromyalgia had me in so much pain yesterday, that I did very little about roaming around in the autumn sun. Today, I am hoping to visit Lodi Lake, and perhaps Historic Folsom. Two places I have never been, but offer me a chance to climb out of my own head of political nonsense, and see the world around me. It's a sad thing to waste a beautiful sunny autumn day because of mental garbage. So, if you are reading this, do me a favor, visit the world around you today, even if you just look up to the sky, and acknowledge the October blue sunshine. We never know what next October will be like, so never miss the freedom to enjoy October day!

 

October's From The Past

 

Carson City, Nevada 2017

Nevada City, 2017

Danville, California, 2013

 

Carson City, 2005

 

Virginia City, Nevada, 2005

 

San Ramon, California, 2005

 

Carson City, Carroll, 2005

 

 

Today's Autumn Leaf Of The Day

 

~Carly

Stockton, California

October 16th 2020

 

 

 

Let There Be Autumn Light

 

 

"It was a beautiful bright autumn day,

 with air like cider and sky so blue you could drown in it."

~Diana Gabaldon

Outlander

Few words. I am really tired. So tired that my body is screaming. I am not sleeping again. Yesterday, when I had been up well over 24 hours, I decided it might be a good idea to begin chasing down some autumn, first in Ione, second in Apple Hill. Bad idea! LOL. Not only did I find very little in autumn color, but it only served to exhaust me even more, but I did get a few nice shots in Ione. My little tree, just to the side of the downtown, has never let me down. It's still producing lovely leaves, and from year to year, I am never sure what color will be prominent, so it's always an adventure. This year it's red! A power color! Hopefully that's a good omen as well. We will overcome all this. We will be strong, and I will sleep again. Maybe as soon as November. 

~Carly

October 15th 2020

Stockton, California

 

Art About Town: Stockton... "Sea Blue, Celadon And Amber Chandelier"

 

"There is something incredibly nostalgic

 about the annual cascade of autumn leaves."

~Joe L. Wheeler

Look... A beautiful new piece of Public Art, and I found it in what seemed like an unlikely place, the Stockton Administrative Building, in downtown. I was there last Monday, to drop off my ballot for the 2020 election. Don't worry, that post is coming up in a few days, because of course I have something to say, and you know me, I never miss a chance a to talk politics! Anyway, in the lobby of the building was this marvelous piece of art. It reminded me of a beautiful autumn beacon, lighting the way. A good omen I think. A sign that this autumn is going to be okay. That November 3rd will be okay. That Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will lead us out of this depressing, and terrifying time that was this administrations term of office.

 Yes, I know, it wasn't installed yesterday. It was actually dedicated in 2009, but it's the first time I have seen it. In 2016 Alan dropped off our ballots, and he did it again last March, so Monday was my first time visiting the Registrar Of Voters. Since moving here, I have been in a self-imposed mental prison about living in Stockton, but I am okay now. The sadness of leaving the Bay Area has healed, and I am feeling like my old self, despite the depression Donald Trump inspires. Hopefully that nightmare is almost over. The anti-depressants have helped, but the help I have really needed came from the goddess of autumn, and some inspiring autumn Public Art like this! How will Public Art help unseat Trump? It won't. But what it does do is help improve my mood, as we prepare for what might be.

 Right now things feel like we have a real chance to see an autumn corrective coming. I know he is going to throw every dirty trick in the book at it, try to hurt us, and the nation, but I feel like, in the end, we have a good chance. I'm not thinking about it too much. I just want to get through the next 20 days. Just let it go by and get to November 3rd. Although there is a little piece of me, the frightened part of me, that does occasionally visit the dark place. The place that makes me believe that Monday, November 2nd, might be the last day we see as free Americans. I suppose it's not very healthy to spend too much time in either season, which is fine, I would rather spend my time in autumn and art. That's where I am at peace.

Sea Blue, Celadon And Amber Chandelier 

By Artist Dale Chihuly

Autumn inspiration from January 14th 2020

My Chandelier...

Today's Autumn Leaf Of The Day #23

~Carly

October 14th 2020

Stockton, California

30 Years Of Us

 

"I always wake up smiling... I think it's your fault."

~Anonymous

Thirty years ago today, we said, "I do". And we have been together ever since. Through good and bad. Broke and prosperous, it's been he and me. Our hearts shattered when we lost the best cat ever, Elvis, but our hearts were filled with happiness when we found Hendrix! He adopted Alan, at first look, and then he immediately walked over to me, and assured me that I was loved too. That's the kind of cat that Alan attracts. Soon we brought home Dylan, and then years later, we found Joey, abandoned and lost. Scared. Injured, but Alan gave him a can of food, coaxed him over, and soon he was on his way home with us, and has been our littlest joy ever since. We never had human children, but we have the children we both wanted. Little ones who needed us, and we are definitely, Mom and Dad! There is a lot of love in our home, and I pray we have 30 more year together! My goodness, that is going to be a lot of cats!

 

I Love You, Alan!

Happy Anniversary, Baby!

Today's Autumn Leaf Of The Day #22

 

~Carly

October 13th 2020

Stockton, California

Autumn Serendipty

 

"Seamless like a Fall leaf changing color,

 my will switched powerfully."

~Aspen Matis

Your Blue Is Not My Blue: A Missing Person Memoir

I found this little creature on the sidewalk, Saturday, in Sacramento. As I looked down, I saw what seemed to me, that it was crying a leaf. I don't know what the creature is, perhaps a teddy bear or a bunny, but it struck a cord with me. Sometimes I become sad just after the beginning of autumn, because I know autumn has to end . But if I had my way, it would never end! Anyway, I picked up the leaf and turned it over, and it seemed like the leaf was smiling at me, so I made it the Leaf Of The Day. Autumn sometimes brings the most amazing moments of serendipity. It's there... just look for it!

Carly

Stockton California

October 12th 2020

 

Vacation... Day One

 

"Falling In Love With October"

By Charmaine J. Forde

Leaves descending to the ground,

Orange, magenta, green and brown.

The cool crisp breezes in the air,

Autumn season must be here." 

Day one of our vacation, began with a visit to Sacramento to hunt for leaves at Crocker Museum. I usually make visits there between September and January, because there are so many varieties of beautiful trees around the city. In fact, Sacramento used to be called the City Of Trees, but in recent years it has taken on a new nickname, and is now known as the, Farm To Folk Capitol, which is kinda cool, because of the importance of locally grown foods.

 Yesterday was my first visit for the year, and I ended up with four or five different species of leaves. For some added beauty there was a horse drawn carriage from Old Sacramento, and a few new pieces of public art, which I will be sharing soon. Sacramento is not as exciting as San Francisco, and it wouldn't be fair to wish that it was. It has it's own vibe, that includes a lot more public art, a fact that makes me very happy! And, of course Sacramento has leaves, lots and lots of leaves, which makes it pretty much perfect for me.

~Carly

October 11th 2020

Stockton, California