California – Page 2 – Natalie J. Case

Posted on June 21, 2018June 21, 2018 by Natalie J Case — Leave a comment

summer comes

I’ve always dreamed of getting to watch the sunrise over Stonehenge on the Solstice. While I’ve seen Stonehenge, it was closer to the Winter Solstice than the summer version.

I’ll admit, summer isn’t my favorite season. The heat and the sun don’t treat my worn out old body kindly. But I do enjoy the sunsets and sunrises, when I get the chance to see them.

It’s also the time of the year when I’m the busiest. This weekend is Pride, and I’m excited for that, especially because I’m bringing my niece to her first Pride. I don’t mind the busy, but by the time this weekend is over, I’m going to need a really long summer nap!

When I get home tonight I will have a small, impromptu little ritual to honor the turning of the wheel and invite the burning light of summer to clean out the cobwebs, burn out the dark that has collected in the corners (and everywhere else) and bring forth the growing things that have lain quiet in the earth.

I may even try to get out and find a spot of sun this afternoon, though looking at the gloomy skies outside my SF office window, I’m not sure that there will be any to find!

Blessed Solstice, Readers. May it bring forth a bounty in your life!

Posted on June 6, 2018 by Natalie J Case — Leave a comment

it feels good

There is something about a quiet office in the very early morning when you’re the only one there that is very nice. I needed to get in early to make up for completely missing yesterday.

I’m dealing with some terrible side affects from a new medication increase, and that on top of the migraine I woke up with made for a really bad day yesterday. Today, however, is a brand new day.

To help start the day out on the right foot, I popped into McDonalds as I got off the train, and bought a sack full of breakfast sandwiches, which I handed out as I walked the half mile to work. I ran out just as I reached my building.

I can look out these office windows, where I am privileged to work a good job and see those who are struggling just to stay alive. It feels good to be able to do something, no matter how small, to help. No matter how my day is going, it is improved by taking a little time to share a meal with someone or offer them a smile.

I mean, it isn’t monumental. It doesn’t solve the problem of poverty or homelessness. But for one brief moment there is a human connection, a kindness, something shared. And it feels good.

Posted on January 2, 2018January 2, 2018 by Natalie J Case — Leave a comment

happy new year

Happy New Year Readers!

As I said in my previous post, I’ve had a friend visiting from England this week, and we’ve been off doing a bit of site seeing.

My friend has been wanting to get to the Winchester Mystery House for the last 13 years, so of course I had to make sure she got there. We had a really pleasant afternoon there, starting with the regular mansion tour, then taking the new “Explore More” tour, which takes you to a number of rooms that had previously been closed to the public. Of course, they’ve done some refurbishing since I was last there, and they’ve had a movie shooting in the house this last year, which will be coming out in February.

After that we drove down to Monterey and wandered around the aquarium. We were scheduled to go whale watching the next day, but were both in enough physical pain to scrub that plan. Instead, we drove up the coast toward home, pausing here and there to get out and look at the shoreline. My camera loved it.

We had a quiet new year’s eve, staying home and watching movies. Instead of going out and partying, we stayed in and planned our shenanigans for next year. I turn fifty in September this year, and have decided I want to tour Italy! I am super excited! We will start in Rome and end in Paris where we will spend a few days at Disneyland Paris and visiting the various sites.

We were in bed by 10pm. Party animals we are!

Yesterday, we ventured someplace I’ve wanted to go for a while, the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. The science geek in me LOVED it! We visited the rain forest and the aquarium, the earthquake zone, the swamp and it’s amazing albino alligator, then there were penguins! All in all, it was an amazing day, even if we were both exhausted when it was over.

We’re now on the wind down of our vacation time. My friend leaves to go home tomorrow, so today, we are watching favorite episodes of Star Gate and doing laundry so that she doesn’t have to do laundry when she gets home.

All in all, it was a wonderful way to start a new year! I hope all of you were having a wonderful start to an amazing year to come!