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I have some very fond memories of Redding, CA
from when I was between 3-6, when I lived there with my grandparents...
The sawdust burner, alight at night, shooting sparks into the air...
The railroad trestle you had to drive through to get to Lake Redding Park...
The tiled floor of the Hotel Redding, and standing at the door watching the log trucks roar past...
Rodeos, and getting to ride once around the arena on the saddle,before the event got underway, held snug in front of Grandpa who rode in the sheriff's posse,... and rodeo hamburgers with ketchup and relish...
Eating at a lunch counter downtown, and sharing a roll of butter-rum lifesavers with Grandpa, for dessert...
Grapes, that have never tasted the same anywhere else...
In the cool evening, the feel of warm sidewalk under bare feet...
Grandma's sweetpeas...
The time it hailed, and the yard was an inch deep in white ice bits... briefly...
Gee, one thing leads to another... I'd better stop here...
posted by
Ciel
on August 19, 2005 at 12:15 PM
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ciel,
I'll have to ask my sister about some of those things. She's older than I and was born while my parents were living in Lake Tahoe. I do vaguely remember a store called The Westerner. It might have been in Redding. I know we were down in that area fairly regularly when we were on the ranch near Milford. Going to a tack & feed store is as regular for a rancher as going to the grocery store. My sister is out of town right now (Jackson Hole, the spoiled brat) but I'll ask her for more info when she gets back. I need to dump some firewood at her place anyway.
JJ
posted by
Jack_Flash
on August 19, 2005 at 10:04 AM
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So your dad maybe knew my grandpa...?!
My Grandpa had a log-trucking business out of Redding, CA for years, and also had a store for tack and gear and clothing called The Westerner, also in Redding. And he had a hay-ranch, and horses. I really don't know much about his earlier life and experiences... Don't know how he knew Roy, or who else he might have known. He was the original Gary Cooper style cowboy... His name was Al Mattson and he was first generation Swedish American: came over with his parents when he was 3, and he always said, "ja" instead of "yes."
posted by
Ciel
on August 18, 2005 at 7:25 AM
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Caleb B, meditation is both a state of mind and a state of being...
Well, not just one state of being... I will post on this soon, and maybe answer your question better...
Thanks for reading and commenting!
posted by
Ciel
on August 18, 2005 at 7:17 AM
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ciel,
I had you aimed one comment low on that link I put in. just scroll up one.
JJ
posted by
Jack_Flash
on August 18, 2005 at 4:21 AM
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Ciel,
You certainly need no advice on meditation. It is really quite a simple thing: the practice of being One. Many complicate it beyond comprehensibility with discussion. Many will never be able to acheive it because it has to be ''explained.'' They become irritated with it because they try to reach it with words, and they always push it away with their grasping.
A friend of mine was working on a stubborn exhaust bolt on his truck. I spent much time as a mechanic, so when he started swearing, clanking, banging, dropping tools and skinning knuckles I said, ''Become One with the bolt.'' He still does that.
I left you a rather long winded comment reply at this here place. You can find it easily if that link doesn't work right (it should). I should have left it with you, but when I got too far into it I decided to leave it there an aim you at it. JJ
P.S. Holy Moly!! My Dad used to know Roy Rogers. Roy and a bunch of his friends (Alfalfa, of the Spanky Gang included) used to visit regularly when my Dad owned a market on the California side of Lake Tahoe. Alfalfa was always real nice to the kids, so I remember him best. He liked to wear knee-high, lace-up, logging boots with hobnailed soles. Mess up a wood floor fast!
posted by
Jack_Flash
on August 18, 2005 at 4:18 AM
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are these meditation?
I don't know if it is meditation or not.. but I love to listen to audio books on issues of faith while I drive. I think this is a great use of otherwise wasted time.
The other day, I "discovered" the Grand Reading Room in the main library downtown. I spent an afternoon there when I needed to go hide and complete a project for work one weekend. I must admit I thought it was great. Quiet. Very high ceilings. Big room. Hardly any people there. No conversations to filter out. I'd love to go back just for me... without a project to get done.
posted by
calebs_blogger
on August 17, 2005 at 9:18 PM
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interesting article
posted by
Marshallengraved
on August 15, 2005 at 10:14 AM
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oh
I love this post... everything can become a meditation... I love driving by myself because, yes, it is such a wonderful meditation opportunity... I love everything you said here.
posted by
Metta
on August 12, 2005 at 4:39 PM
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The thing is, Hemlocker, I had a perfectly great time visiting Roy...
I was quite pleased and satisfied... I don't think they would have let Trigger up in the room...
"Have some more hay, Trigger.:
"No thanks, Roy, I'm stuffed!"
posted by
Ciel
on August 12, 2005 at 3:34 PM
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ciel
You had some fine things to say here. I'm not sure I agree with the child as a metaphor but what you said about children makes excellent sense. I'm sorry you didn't have a better experience with Roy. He should have brought Trigger!
posted by
Hemlocker
on August 12, 2005 at 1:25 PM
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O-dancer---
Yay, tinker toys!
posted by
Ciel
on August 12, 2005 at 1:11 PM
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Avant-garde, that's the theory behind Transcendental Meditation--
the repetitions of the mantra that relax the mind, and let other senses relax, too, from their constant work of feeding the mind.
posted by
Ciel
on August 12, 2005 at 1:10 PM
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Quirky, it can add a dimension... sometimes more! ...to a stroll!
posted by
Ciel
on August 12, 2005 at 1:08 PM
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I love the line: It was all about the tinker toys!
posted by
Oceandancer
on August 12, 2005 at 6:51 AM
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walking meditations are great aren't they? particularly in a wooded area or other place where you can be close to nature.
posted by
Julia.
on August 11, 2005 at 7:35 PM
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i agree with sannhet
i've found that repeating certain affirmations gets me into a really deep relaxed state. another thing is that what i focus on in an affirmation is experienced the next day. it's the whole theme of my day. it's really powerful.
posted by
avant-garde
on August 11, 2005 at 1:08 PM
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Playing computer games can get that timeless, ME-less state going, too!
There has been some fascinating research into what happens in the brain when we are in that state...
posted by
Ciel
on August 11, 2005 at 12:46 PM
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Ciel -
For me, if I get totally absorbed into something, I am meditating. Like you, I've meditated while driving, but also while working on my car or motorcycle, while jogging, while playing basketball. I'm so into whatever I am doing that I am only in the moment, I am only aware of the present. In this state I no longer exist, just i.
posted by
sannhet
on August 11, 2005 at 11:47 AM
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