Sprung!

Spring! It's here! I think the whole country is rejoicing as evidence of a new season surrounds us. After some morning showers here in Venice, the day emerged bright, blue skied and all around town windows have been thrown open to let in the sunshine and the scent of the jasmine busting out all over.

The morning beach walk revealed the unobstructed view of the ocean, as all of the winter sand dunes have been bulldozed down, another annual harbinger of spring. Soon the lifeguards will return to their posts and the tourist traffic will join them ... and that will be awesome too, but right now is that feeling of freshness, clean, and the opportunity for NEW that we look forward to all winter ... and here come the Spring Breakers!

My family and friends in Minnesota have been suffering through a brutal winter, and as it all melts and little green leaves begin to emerge, it's so dramatic that it tends to make winter worth it. Though more subtle here, the signs of change are still present, and after all that rain this year, we too are grateful. Tonight is also the Super Worm Equinox Moon, a great time to reflect on that gratitude and make plans for the months ahead (I'm told. I'm hardly an expert on all that biz, but I believe). It's called the Worm Moon because this is when the worms begin to poke their heads out of the ground for the returning birds to grab 'em - especially if they arrive early. It's also the last Supermoon of the year, so be sure to look up!

Times have been pretty tough for everyone, it seems, so this time to begin anew feels even more real - and necessary. So set your intentions and get after them! The Supermoon is smiling on that.

"On soft spring nights I'll stand in the yard under the stars 

Something good will come out of all things yet 

And it will be golden and eternal just like that 

There's no need to say another word."

- Jack Kerouac

Big Sur

 

Happy Spring, Lovers And Late Night Bloomers!

Spring has sprung! My Mom is here visiting, and it's her favorite time of year, when everything comes back to life. After long Minnesota winters, the warmer temperatures, the flowers blooming, and the general feeling of re-birth is extra tangible, but here in Venice you can feel it too. The jasmine and mock orange are busting out everywhere, we're actually getting to use our dusty umbrellas, and people have that Spring spring in their steps.

I took a sunset stroll yesterday, and decided to go down an alley I don't think I have traversed before. I was rewarded - as you often are here - by a big mural on the back of a house, of masked lovers dipping back in an embrace. It's called "For The Late Night Bloomers" by Ms. Casey O, and I adore it. Spring fever! I love it. There are so many unexpected surprises that you can discover walking around Venice, and that's why we love it. The lovers, the dreamers, and me.

Happy Spring to all! May you feel the renewal in your own heart, and go out and do some good with it.

"It is Spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't know quite what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"
                                                                                        - Mark Twain

The End Of Summer In The Endless Summer

Lots of people think there are no seasons here in Southern California, but they're wrong. I can already feel the shift into Autumn, both in the changes of the light and the temperature. There is a new crispness to the air, and a more golden, lower light.

This precious time of Indian Summer, when the tourists leave and the days stay warm for a while longer are just about the best time to live here. It's always poignant to face the end of another Summer, even in a place where it at least looks like Summer all of the time. I come from Minnesota, so I know the weight of Autumn approaching, and Winter looming. I came across this quote from Yoko Ono, and thought it was pretty perfect for now ...

Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.

Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance. 

Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence. 

Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance. 

Yes. And all of them are great in their own ways. Happy Labor Day weekend to everyone, as we all create new end of Summer memories - with exuberance!

Venice Does Fall

It's always kind of hard to tell what time of year it is in Southern California. You have to really pay attention to the sunlight, the evening air, what blossom's fragrance is wafting over everything ... it's subtle. This year has been especially tough to discern where in the calendar we are, with record heat still blasting us at the tail end of November. That's when you have to go by the Venice sign.

Our banner over Windward Avenue is all decked out in orange and white for the Fall season, and under the still almost full moon last night, it looked appropriately down for Halloween.

I went along with my homies in National Anthem to their gig at The Townhouse downstairs in the Del Monte Speakeasy last night, and as we walked along under the sign, it finally kind of felt like Autumn.

Then they rocked so hard it was right back to Summer down there. And we were all fine with it.

Happy Halloween to one and all from Venice!
(where it's so hot it blew my idea of wearing a bubble wrap suit)