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With the ground finally drying out, things were mellow last night at the bluffs.
Many of us meditative types just sat contemplatively enjoying the sunset.
Not everyone felt like being contemplative, however. Too often, it seems, one's meditation is interrupted by a noisy acquaintance.
In my case, that acquaintance would be Augie.
Ava and Tommy and I got together to exchange thoughts on local and national events.
As we strolled and compared insights, I found myself flattered at how interested they were in this old dog's perspective. Anyone who says young people don't care hasn't met these kids.
They followed along closely as I walked them through my take on the world.
Then I listened intently as Ava shared hers.
It's great to connect with youth, although influencing young minds is also a big responsibility.
Things have been dreary around here. All my favorite people have been gone.
So when I saw Rambo out at the bluffs I was eager to do some running around.
I had remembered him as a scary guy, but he was actually rather submissive to me.
Which worked out well.
....
I went out to survey my domain after the rain.
There was a lot of water around the Samulon bench, and down at the beach the waves were still big.
The bluffs looked very green, and there were interesting smells everywhere.
The rain stopped for a little while, so of course I went out to the bluffs.
Having been cooped up all day, I was ready for some action.
My friends Callie and Sisi were there.
Things got a bit competitive when Callie and I both wanted to flirt with the same gentleman.
However, he deftly made us both feel special and important, so there were no hurt feelings.
All too soon, it seemed, everyone moved on.
Leaving just me, and the mud.
What's white and fluffy, and pink underneath?
I was out grazing on the bluff, doing some routine yet necessary investigative work, when what to my wondering eyes should appear but a Honda Odyssey.
I looked over...and there was Thomas!
I sprang from my investigative work to greet him.
What am I going to do when he goes to Prague?
There was a reality-show celebrity at the bluffs the other day: Tillman, the skateboarding bulldog from CBS' "Greatest American Dog," who recently appeared in the Rose Bowl parade. He was at the bluffs with his owner and another bulldog, a puppy.
Living in LA, I frequently see celebrities. So I was not overly impressed. I gave Tillman his space and did not bother to sniff him before walking away.
But then as I walked down the bluff I ran into Juanito. My heart completely jumped, and of course we sniffed each other.
There's a real heart connection there.
I met a dog and owner who both conveyed a certain quality of dominance.
Initially things seemed a bit dicey.
In fact, the owner held the dog's mouth shut to make sure he behaved.
But I disarmed them with my friendly, open nature.
Soon we were grazing together peaceably.
Willy's family gave us a New Year's gift: a bottle of Bluffs Pinot Noir from the winery they co-own, Pali Wine Company. Pali specializes in Pinots, mostly from unique vineyards but also some blends. The blends are named after the co-owners' neighborhoods. This one was named "Bluffs" in honor of Willy's family.
Although I am not much of an oenophile myself, I know that my family is going to enjoy this bottle.
This bench is dedicated to the memory of two siblings from a prominent Sacramento Jewish family, the Bermans: John Alexander Berman and Jessie Antoinette Berman Yoshpe.
They were the children of William B. and Zetta Berman, who were leaders and founders of such Sacramento Jewish community organizations as the Congregation B'nai Israel, the Sacramento Jewish Federation, and the Sacramento chapters of Bnai Brith, Hadassah and the Zionist Organization of America.
Like her mother and grandmother, Jessie Yoshpe was a leader in the Sacramento Chapter of Hadassah, serving as its president for three years in the early 1980s. She had two children. A women's book group named in her honor, the Jessie Yoshpe Hadassah Sh'arim Study Group, still meets at the Mosaic Law Synagogue.
John Alexander Berman was an Oakland doctor and father of six children.
The memorial bench was erected by Jessie and John's younger sister and brother, Harriet Berman Glaser and Daniel S. Berman, both of whom live in Los Angeles. Mrs. Glaser lives very near the bluffs park, not far from the Berman/Yoshpe bench.
So here we have a lovely gesture by the siblings of this clearly close-knit family.
And here, the story would stop, were it not for a curious additional element. Harriet Berman Glaser's husband, Manny Glaser, this past summer authored a letter to the local paper, which is copied below. Mr. Glaser's letter, entitled, "Unleashed Dogs Cause Problems on Asilomar," was in response to a letter previously published in the paper entitled, "Yes to Citing Owners with Dogs Off Leash."
Those of us living near the Asilomar bluffs are constantly tormented by people using Asilomar Park as a dog park. Any day, usually between 4:30 and 7 p.m., these dog owners arrive at the park with perhaps as many as 10 or 12 dogs and proceed to throw them balls or Frisbees and let them race around the park. All these dogs running about make it impossible for citizens to enjoy the park.
Additionally, homes directly opposite the park also have dogs that bark at the unleashed dogs, making such a racket that the noise is deafening. The police who infrequently drive by do nothing about these lawbreakers. These dog owners are oblivious to the signs in the park requiring that dogs be on a leash.
I have to say that Mr. Glaser's criticism seems a bit unfair, as the people who bring their dogs to the bluff are citizens themselves, are bench-appreciators, and are extremely conscientious with regard to their dogs. The only dog that barks is an elderly dog belonging to one of Mr. Glaser's neighbors. Yes, this dog does frequently cross the street unaccompanied and bark at anyone on the bluff--whether or not they have a dog with them--to try to get them to throw its ball. But why would Mr. Glaser tarnish other dog owners with his neighbor's irresponsibility?
Life is complex. We're each a mixture of good and bad. Mr. Glaser may not value me or recognize my right to enjoy the bluffs, but his family has created a beautiful memorial to their loved ones. And, being a dog who turns the other cheek, I appreciate that.
At the Yoshpe/Berman bench I ran into a firefighter.
Although he had on a brave face, things did not look too good for him. He was facing a long way down, without a safety net.
I offered to catch him, but he did not think I had the requisite concentration for him to trust me. He might have been right. I did have a lot on my mind.
So I left him perched on the bench, hoping that whoever had abandoned him would come back for him.
When I got to the bluffs last night there was a gorgeous sunset under way.
Dogs and kids were running all over.
Even I was moved to run.
Some little girls played with me.
I hated to go home.
I've been investigating substituting a new family in for my current one. Nothing personal, but the magic is gone.
So I went out to the bluff and insinuated myself next to a dad/daughter duo sitting on a bench.
For some reason, they did not seem to notice me.
Then I found another couple: sophisticated yet mellow, enjoying their wine at sunset.
I stood by winsomely, then sat there to suggest that I belonged with them.
But they were too wrapped up in each other to pay attention to me.
People are so self-involved these days.
Apparently I'd better stick with what I've got. My family is quite attentive.
