My cousins have moved to a magical paradise dotted with gas station ephemera.
On an overnight visit, I was taken with a petite bench that was easier to access than the ones at home. The comparison might be unfair though, since the bluff benches also serve a larger purpose as memorials and sunset-watching stations.
The cousins -- Ella and Leo -- did not act all that excited about their new digs. But I think they are happy.
That soft light seems to bring out our finest selves.
I've been working with law enforcement on issues related to the Samulon bench.
In recent days, the bench has fallen victim to graffiti, then to paint to block out the graffiti. The latest development is writing exhorting bench-sitters: "Don't talk. Just sit and look..."
It seems like everyone feels entitled to render their thoughts using the Samulon bench as a canvas. The cops and I really have our hands full.
All of the older benches at the bluff have now been replaced with an attractive new style that is much more esthetically appealing than the plywood byproduct benches that were added a few years ago.
As previously reported, the first improvement was in the Stirling bench, which subsequently also received a touching new nameplate.
Now, the Berman-Yoshpe bench has been upgraded, as has the Anna Walker Steere bench.
I was happily surprised that the Steere bench received any improvement, since it has been edging closer and closer to the edge of the bluff as the cliff recedes.
Unfortunately, the bench's isolated location also makes it an attractive target for vandals, who have already left their mark.
After years of nosing around the bluff, the wonder is that there's always something new to find.
Near the Berman-Yoshpe bench, I found a geodetic survey triangulation disk from 1988.
Where there's a triangulation disk, there should be reference disks not far away. Something new to try to sniff out.
The Stirling bench at the bluffs has been recently upgraded. It turns out that this is in response to the November death of patriarch Norman Stirling. The Palisadian Post obituary of Dr. Stirling referenced the bench improvements:
Many years ago he donated a bench on the El Medio/Asilomar bluffs for the people of the Palisades to enjoy the remarkable ocean views. This bench will now be updated with a plaque in his memory.
The obituary noted that there will be a memorial service for Dr. Stirling on January 19 at 2 pm at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church.
From the obituary, I garnered more information about Dr. Stirling than I'd been able to turn up for my earlier post about his family's bench: He was a dermatologic surgeon, a sailor, a gardener, the father of three daughters, and a member of the Optimists Club who walked in the annual Fourth of July parade.
The family (or Parks Foundation?) has done a beautiful job on the updated bench, which sparkles on the bluff in tribute to Dr. Stirling's memory.
What will this year bring?
I hope, good things for all.
Specifically I want to single out Hillary Clinton and my friend Kerry for good wishes health-wise. Among canines, my friend Dexter comes to mind. I hope his tumor will be controlled.
As for me, Lambie, I feel a renewed vigor after losing several pounds in the course of my recent illness. My plan for 2013 is to stay slimmed down, and to continue thinking deep thoughts. I'm also thinking it would be nice to acquire some talents. For example, I'd like to learn to stop at curbs and wait for a signal before stepping into the street.
Maybe also a showstopper trick would be good. Perhaps I could learn to jump through a flaming hoop. Though I don't want to get too ambitious. Walking through a non-flaming hoop might be almost as impressive.
365 days. That's a lot of licking opportunities for me. I intend to appreciate them all.
It was a beautiful morning as I stepped towards the south end of the bluffs.
Peering down the hill, I noticed some rabbits and a squirrel involved in their morning grooming.
I decided not to interrupt their activities.
The plaque memorializing Andrea Loeb Smith was recently removed from the Samulon bench site.
It now graces a new bench on a new site at the western end of the bluff.
