tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37552676572401888682024-03-05T02:51:08.689-08:00Sitting with fireNews about the practice periods at Tassajara and how the consequences of the Basin fires play out over the winter.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621387042437549841noreply@blogger.comBlogger90125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-7789565566506535822011-06-27T09:28:00.000-07:002011-08-05T18:47:16.163-07:00Anniversary and Publication DateThe third year anniversary of the Basin Fire coming to Tassajara is coming soon - July 10, 2011. Just three days before that, on July 7, the history of the fire will be published, <i>Fire Monks</i>. It is a really good read, sometimes bringing those days three years ago almost too much to life. Thanks to author, Colleen Busch.Lesliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11621387042437549841noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-25023529565460938432008-12-24T09:04:00.001-08:002008-12-24T09:28:10.261-08:00What you don't expect...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCsK8uSYwKZ569a7uur43p5V0HmPACQUxGQgLRsfhVTceFs-UUcLVsZKj74ZlY5d-ukE7fOgwBmDekulnRAyzXtwuVwVGQVIoh8klTq4wqj2UbG3uSzLkheIfVryUtW_XuHawmjlf83Ar/s1600-h/earthquakes.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZCsK8uSYwKZ569a7uur43p5V0HmPACQUxGQgLRsfhVTceFs-UUcLVsZKj74ZlY5d-ukE7fOgwBmDekulnRAyzXtwuVwVGQVIoh8klTq4wqj2UbG3uSzLkheIfVryUtW_XuHawmjlf83Ar/s400/earthquakes.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283409480310126082" border="0" /></a><br />Everyone has been looking to the skies for signs of impending danger. Rain, snow, wind.<br /><br />And so, on Sunday the earth moved to remind us that it too can cause problems. The houses in Jamesburg shook noticeably with this <a href="http://quake.wr.usgs.gov/recenteqs/Quakes/nc51213534.htm">earthquake</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-10217734239207822832008-12-12T16:18:00.000-08:002008-12-12T16:34:39.532-08:00Sesshin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPFsUwfwcF1ieokFDt6xJfaA-i8UYTH_s2KwVTAzP7OlB3_WGsI5W_xCi9LnQbRWFu3Ex-LU50zEUeO7mtG0yMVt4R-hrEme1kEkCvO8gbZ1lVPWyk5vEbwBZSwNUZsLS4sfake2UtMCA/s1600-h/Sesshin+schedule.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqPFsUwfwcF1ieokFDt6xJfaA-i8UYTH_s2KwVTAzP7OlB3_WGsI5W_xCi9LnQbRWFu3Ex-LU50zEUeO7mtG0yMVt4R-hrEme1kEkCvO8gbZ1lVPWyk5vEbwBZSwNUZsLS4sfake2UtMCA/s400/Sesshin+schedule.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279063707696019314" border="0" /></a><br />If you want to follow along at home, click on the picture to see an enlarged image.<br /><br />Including the dharma talk and meals that's nine and a half hours of sitting. An hour of kinhin. Over two hours of free time for bathing and whatever. And 40 minutes sauntering towards your seat after the densho bell is struck.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-70889197400036837712008-12-12T15:06:00.001-08:002008-12-12T16:06:46.309-08:00Grading problemsDriving up the road from Tassajara on Monday afternoon I found an unusual roadblock just below Lime Point. One of Monterey County's graders was stuck with its back wheels off the road where they had removed burnt supports. I turned around and went back down the hill for a bath and a hot drink.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPry0tPByfgKSqM1dtU1JYY0H28PlOjF4BWACVdaW3a2QMUwBTZcJXyw20SZTb1MqWPdi04Qht9KbwcfxLN2Q9HJccaJ4AT4BFHZfM6f7Mgg9jk5tDtsjs9ugjyv-jAWBqZfYpU93YKs2R/s1600-h/Grader+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPry0tPByfgKSqM1dtU1JYY0H28PlOjF4BWACVdaW3a2QMUwBTZcJXyw20SZTb1MqWPdi04Qht9KbwcfxLN2Q9HJccaJ4AT4BFHZfM6f7Mgg9jk5tDtsjs9ugjyv-jAWBqZfYpU93YKs2R/s400/Grader+1.jpg" alt="Grader stuck near Lime Point" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279044711431543314" border="0" /></a><br />A couple of hours later I tried to drive out again and found that attempts to drag the grader out of the hole were just starting. With each attempt the grader tilted further towards the steep drop without moving back towards the road. As darkness fell it became obvious that the grader would stay stuck overnight until a crane could be driven to pick the grader up and lift it back onto the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjiSe-3_ioLm8YlNZI2MX0OfntfuxwlwzG7BHuvUV18tiPf2pCM_4RIuUjaVE_RAbYx7hRflFsFP4p5Bttydr4pCfKzt5oLlrWj_L-THqyI_gpJpaMbkNlcyb5FRUcDTB8Fjn_PMaoUyv/s1600-h/Grader+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbjiSe-3_ioLm8YlNZI2MX0OfntfuxwlwzG7BHuvUV18tiPf2pCM_4RIuUjaVE_RAbYx7hRflFsFP4p5Bttydr4pCfKzt5oLlrWj_L-THqyI_gpJpaMbkNlcyb5FRUcDTB8Fjn_PMaoUyv/s400/Grader+2.jpg" alt="Trying to drag grader free" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279044718892524962" border="0" /></a><br />After they'd moved the tow-truck out of the way there was just enough space to squeeze the car between the workings and the cliff wall. I left the road crew working to clean up the site at the end of a very long day, and with a drive back to Salinas still ahead of them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWELuWDabcwgialloieuprxpRFnzzDFUyn7ZWQiPV4-59aDNYJ2iSt0sO3pMqFIcU3KPfGKaTCzOGDbmYXX6qR7BxVn5aV3pQn5JnLi6-AsKzW9zNnfzsmcxd-ZDJTE2KDVLWXik9m1pyF/s1600-h/Road+Out+02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWELuWDabcwgialloieuprxpRFnzzDFUyn7ZWQiPV4-59aDNYJ2iSt0sO3pMqFIcU3KPfGKaTCzOGDbmYXX6qR7BxVn5aV3pQn5JnLi6-AsKzW9zNnfzsmcxd-ZDJTE2KDVLWXik9m1pyF/s400/Road+Out+02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279056518783072226" border="0" /></a><br />One of the sites where the road crew have removed burnt supports.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-64161643612327478412008-12-12T14:50:00.000-08:002008-12-12T15:04:21.243-08:00Ginger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilia8Ti0pV1BmBqlxLR3gDqNCzAYPrFrsKP23WAGYq_6C7ed5cdndzXMplD5-KV6tZmS0jd5zjY48hCTKOlfJ71vSaUB_s73weHzHnzyTmtg3M5l4XSmBne90rqSJDFCFj3CHFSfrkFiwy/s1600-h/Ginger+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilia8Ti0pV1BmBqlxLR3gDqNCzAYPrFrsKP23WAGYq_6C7ed5cdndzXMplD5-KV6tZmS0jd5zjY48hCTKOlfJ71vSaUB_s73weHzHnzyTmtg3M5l4XSmBne90rqSJDFCFj3CHFSfrkFiwy/s400/Ginger+4.jpg" alt="Ginger relaxing" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279042403974440098" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-41651826256714960492008-12-05T14:51:00.000-08:002008-12-05T15:40:22.278-08:00RohatsuWhile City Center and Green Gulch are in sesshin Tassajara continues with the normal daily schedule. Yesterday was a personal day with pizza dinner, today the wake-up bell rang at the usual 3.50am.<br /><br />The 7-day Rohatsu sesshin starts on Tuesday, the day after the 8th. In what is becoming a common practice, several fresh faces will be joining the residents for this sesshin - to receive an invitation you must have close links with an Abbot.<br /><br />Then the practice period will be almost over. A day off. The Shuso ceremony. A packing day. And finally, the goodbyes.<br /><br />The winter practice period, lead by Abbot Steve Stucky, starts on January 3rd.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-69423629062229071772008-12-05T14:16:00.000-08:002008-12-05T14:51:25.364-08:00The Third Cat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmXR4F38I7mCMiqB9Ysfqd1iVoEnV9Jb16JEFwIsXkx-f0Lyr-4vu9WCcuNESE0FJyzpADFMogL6KHg39bVDQnt7wcnKrBEMq0O3At-Rae_DVPpafibNWO4GxSJKJ8ytA8Uyc7wxWI6ci/s1600-h/Bobby+Cat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmXR4F38I7mCMiqB9Ysfqd1iVoEnV9Jb16JEFwIsXkx-f0Lyr-4vu9WCcuNESE0FJyzpADFMogL6KHg39bVDQnt7wcnKrBEMq0O3At-Rae_DVPpafibNWO4GxSJKJ8ytA8Uyc7wxWI6ci/s400/Bobby+Cat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276435620762015266" border="0" /></a><br />Concerned about the possibility of large mudslides and debris flows closing the road, Zen Center bought a second-hand Bobcat at the start of the practice period. Shortly thereafter it blew one of the hydraulic seals and had to go back to Bakersfield to be fixed.<br /><br />A few days after arriving back at Tassajara the seal blew again and the Bobcat had to be abandoned on the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-sFVKmICJeg2KcrVPVo1vIlVSv4Xt3hTPBh-Cj_lKX1Sedxdq_KQImQdzk8I7nMw8lJFH66jUT_VpOEmrSG-5abaVdu_LGBYAijnCycbKA3Zv8OfVlObCkEt6FzMLUIahlNzhhdyPSeD/s1600-h/Bobcat+on+road.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO-sFVKmICJeg2KcrVPVo1vIlVSv4Xt3hTPBh-Cj_lKX1Sedxdq_KQImQdzk8I7nMw8lJFH66jUT_VpOEmrSG-5abaVdu_LGBYAijnCycbKA3Zv8OfVlObCkEt6FzMLUIahlNzhhdyPSeD/s400/Bobcat+on+road.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5276435625738778658" border="0" /></a><br />We've now exchanged this machine for another which was driven into Tassajara on Wednesday, a drive that took about 5 hours. The driver passed the time listening to Joseph Campbell and Willie Nelson.<br /><br />The two kittens are now well on the way to being cats. Boy Cat is a total love machine, happy to sit on my lap purring heavily while I watched the early morning coffee drinkers ghost around the courtyard. Girl Cat is more self-reliant, to the dismay of some residents, and keeps herself amused.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-61478165751051536962008-12-02T14:36:00.000-08:002008-12-02T15:31:30.989-08:00Swimming<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW-Hztny3L8HBiMAHmHaYrFyPH3s11nDPJigeO0f2Uw16yaCwXZ7f1q7mjhYOTiuxV5wwah9sdpQZ11fKzcOUH6-gE7Khefw0quB4l2rQgKxEppFtJ2tW293-rgEF5eubJuZzYLgSBq_K/s1600-h/Pool+04+r.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQW-Hztny3L8HBiMAHmHaYrFyPH3s11nDPJigeO0f2Uw16yaCwXZ7f1q7mjhYOTiuxV5wwah9sdpQZ11fKzcOUH6-gE7Khefw0quB4l2rQgKxEppFtJ2tW293-rgEF5eubJuZzYLgSBq_K/s400/Pool+04+r.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275328669180276370" border="0" /></a><br />Some of the practice period students are still regularly using the swimming pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-M7E2GHAFnfJmVvxucPGfOjycUZWyJOHHNcSyErSvoeoRzxG_uH5upNcKOuPd4RYgvENM9nK3c6w3Qz-cIm7imp65VmVOIElW6NGu31Ji92_vAw08QeCA9VCwoKzIu-KGe0M-CdiYAdi/s1600-h/Pool+01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-M7E2GHAFnfJmVvxucPGfOjycUZWyJOHHNcSyErSvoeoRzxG_uH5upNcKOuPd4RYgvENM9nK3c6w3Qz-cIm7imp65VmVOIElW6NGu31Ji92_vAw08QeCA9VCwoKzIu-KGe0M-CdiYAdi/s400/Pool+01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275328685820824082" border="0" /></a><br />The pool is particularly vulnerable to falling rocks even now. When I was taking these pictures there was a small slide, most of which was caught by the fence. One rock the size of a football picked up enough energy bouncing down the hillside that it sailed over the fence into the pool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LriP-G6GUnmtsoNbXvqd6046Lf0snK4B8CdWuIva8v0n9nTVXg_WBQIEXx5Fnt8WE54NK1DkVBbVoCmDN_B5HeSSsCih6FD_Wy5gU4qI0DGRw1AFKQpWIfS5kHNMnuVF8jUf8e92IT4L/s1600-h/Pool+03.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LriP-G6GUnmtsoNbXvqd6046Lf0snK4B8CdWuIva8v0n9nTVXg_WBQIEXx5Fnt8WE54NK1DkVBbVoCmDN_B5HeSSsCih6FD_Wy5gU4qI0DGRw1AFKQpWIfS5kHNMnuVF8jUf8e92IT4L/s400/Pool+03.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275328692453080466" border="0" /></a><br />After the recent light rains this small slide reached the top of the sandbags which meant some heavy digging for the shop and general labour crews to remove the debris.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-85009016201195056452008-11-28T13:35:00.000-08:002008-11-28T15:12:46.722-08:00ThanksgivingThanksgiving started out as a work-day with that work-day gesture towards a lie-in, the 4.50am wake-up bell. Work ended at 1.15pm and after a break to clean and polish ourselves there was a short service at 2.15pm. This took place in the dining-room before an altar decorated with baskets of produce and tokens (mainly photographs) of people and things for which the residents are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">grateful</span>.<br /><br />Thanksgiving dinner then followed at 2.30pm. This year the kitchen spurned the accumulated years of tradition and replaced <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nutloaf</span> on the menu with an excellent mushroom strudel. This was served with mashed potato, mashed sweet potato, crispy fried kale and salad. Dessert was a hearty cheesecake. Vegan, non-mushroom and other alternatives festooned a side-table.<br /><br />Kathy, the work leader, was able to join us for both the work period and dinner. She has her left arm in a sling after falling from a ladder last week and breaking the arm in two places.<br /><br />In the evening the dining-room was converted into a cinema for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dharma</span>-event double feature; <a href="http://www.amongstclouds.com/">Amongst White Clouds</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Guaranteed-Gustav-Peter-W%C3%B6hler/dp/B00006JL2S">Enlightenment Guaranteed</a>. This started late as four laptops had to be tried before we found one that had a working DVD player and would work with the projector.<br /><br />The winds of change blow gently through the valley carrying the sounds of laptops from room to room. Can <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">wi</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">fi</span> be far behind?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-11124729418573018792008-11-26T10:09:00.000-08:002008-11-26T11:00:32.597-08:00Some links...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5NB4prW0ptHLnk4mRPlf79TQpRZ968dyhigWSUnsR1THb3ZMKD5aCcd-Qmhel-9SbHVTwlvxsRqAtbcFmuz9OtgkiHIymeQiTKejgfkwoHlGEFDKFhqIiprm4oqnoOaYIy6BmliMws9v/s1600-h/Solar+Panels+11.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB5NB4prW0ptHLnk4mRPlf79TQpRZ968dyhigWSUnsR1THb3ZMKD5aCcd-Qmhel-9SbHVTwlvxsRqAtbcFmuz9OtgkiHIymeQiTKejgfkwoHlGEFDKFhqIiprm4oqnoOaYIy6BmliMws9v/s400/Solar+Panels+11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273042897464428466" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/sanghaphotos/TassajaraPreparesForWinterSRains#">Here</a> is a selection of Simon Moyes' photographs of the construction work.<br /><br />And <a href="http://news.sfzc.org/content/view/624/42/">here</a> is Keith Baker's account of his time at Tassajara helping to move pipes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-6222699774031546282008-11-26T09:59:00.000-08:002008-11-26T10:09:32.561-08:00Soft rains fallingIt's raining softly but steadily here with the <a href="http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=mux&product=NCR&overlay=11101111&loop=yes">NWS radar</a> showing that we're getting about 0.1inches per hour. While some Tassajara residents are looking forward to a sterner test of the new defence walls, most are grateful that the heavier rains moved to the south of our area.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-86941050888591751482008-11-21T16:09:00.000-08:002008-11-21T16:21:13.638-08:00The trees come down<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oupv5jexuZzsbOZAfSwblRpb_XW72G5p7w3L-dt1MGw3VqpZLOB7qXBM_T1F-QFw5xegYPGuGbJmTRGUGjOWTuP-vb1qx77ez78d3y1VsuyHqhNb9eK9xPzVyC9yRiSKJN8s7lvw6xk/s1600-h/Creek+Junction+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0oupv5jexuZzsbOZAfSwblRpb_XW72G5p7w3L-dt1MGw3VqpZLOB7qXBM_T1F-QFw5xegYPGuGbJmTRGUGjOWTuP-vb1qx77ez78d3y1VsuyHqhNb9eK9xPzVyC9yRiSKJN8s7lvw6xk/s400/Creek+Junction+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271268251328669618" /></a><br />We were advised that trees close to the creek bed can act as anchors for debris when the waters rise. In particular we were warned that the handful of trees close to the junction of Cabarga and Tassajara creeks posed a threat to the foundations of the dining-room porch. So now they are gone. Did you notice the difference?<br /><br />We have also been cutting fallen trees in the creek beds into smaller sections that will flow more readily downstream and felling dead trees on the road up to the water plant.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-337932009595666982008-11-21T14:51:00.000-08:002008-11-21T16:23:48.825-08:00The walls spring up<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeb_cJ8eZmaMkD_ol7q0a2aozqJzJGQM8NRryMq455nRkWSNrt3tyYNRu86aZe7v2CHxEBY7H-YDdpZCFGozPDFMnBFTigzEsHbBkLSP2Xh5uIT2a9W5RwSAItFK4uj5nMqo_D54Kn7FU/s1600-h/Car+park+-+sandbags+08.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeb_cJ8eZmaMkD_ol7q0a2aozqJzJGQM8NRryMq455nRkWSNrt3tyYNRu86aZe7v2CHxEBY7H-YDdpZCFGozPDFMnBFTigzEsHbBkLSP2Xh5uIT2a9W5RwSAItFK4uj5nMqo_D54Kn7FU/s400/Car+park+-+sandbags+08.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271265132023810210" border="0" /></a><br />After the fires many people made donations to Zen Center. Of this money, a large amount has recently been spent on preparing Tassajara to withstand the rains of the next 3 or 4 winters.<br /><br />A crew from Ventana Engineering lived at Tassajara for the first month of practice period and moved a large number of rocks to construct rock walls and gabions. They filled several thousand sandbags and gravel bags and built berms and swales.<br /><br />When the sandbags were ready, a group of day labourers commuted from Greenfield to place them. They would arrive at Jamesburg at 6am, climb into one of our Suburbans for the drive to Tassajara, work until 5.30pm and then reverse their journey.<br /><br />I'll post shots of this work soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-54770353860542487402008-11-21T14:20:00.000-08:002008-11-21T16:08:29.453-08:00Sesshin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAw3L19IPPKbIurz_IjCdHXkvRpYaF15tHuBckm8K7QoNMgx72VebbSeSETuX9FBimgW5wWoNxuCmZaSAtVzjCDPWOde6B5qkNDTg0wSMd3XbgDicuoocSrFhVf8KBzge8pF33YUF2mM/s1600-h/Road+Out+06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAw3L19IPPKbIurz_IjCdHXkvRpYaF15tHuBckm8K7QoNMgx72VebbSeSETuX9FBimgW5wWoNxuCmZaSAtVzjCDPWOde6B5qkNDTg0wSMd3XbgDicuoocSrFhVf8KBzge8pF33YUF2mM/s400/Road+Out+06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5271244980173524498" border="0" /></a><br />The seven-day sesshin ended on Wednesday evening with a Shosan ceremony. Thursday was a personal day with a lot of people taking the opportunity to rest after the sesshin. The Abbot, Director and Tanto left for commitments in San Francisco.<br /><br />Dinner on Thursday was a chinese meal prepared by the Doan Ryo that featured spring rolls produced at an exuberant community rolling festival in the kitchen.<br /><br />Breakfast this morning offered adzuki bean soup in the second bowl and kimchi in the third.<br /><br />Boy cat is resting at Jamesburg after a trip to the vet to be<span style="font-size:70%;"> neutered.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-60166129168553176212008-11-19T09:56:00.000-08:002008-11-21T15:22:37.120-08:00Some new life on the hills<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cYDRRQ7ffo9yPQnyd8YezP8Ofyz1eqbE3uZCaX1u63Dwj71TnDMrMvSDyLVkZCCkgnaWCEaiHSwhkfztpOaMuSRDjraHRHRr1NFVeHLYLjz098SFQsMLdCpZsxg5r4gDvSUYP-cUa-g/s1600-h/Bare+hillside+below+Lime+Point+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cYDRRQ7ffo9yPQnyd8YezP8Ofyz1eqbE3uZCaX1u63Dwj71TnDMrMvSDyLVkZCCkgnaWCEaiHSwhkfztpOaMuSRDjraHRHRr1NFVeHLYLjz098SFQsMLdCpZsxg5r4gDvSUYP-cUa-g/s400/Bare+hillside+below+Lime+Point+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270437235860347346" border="0" /></a><br />We were hoping for early and light rain that would enable the ground cover on the hills to flourish. We got the early rain and thankfully it was light but the ground cover has not come back to the hills. As this shot of the hillside below Lime Point shows, the larger vegetation is making a robust comeback but the grasses are totally absent.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYg1MbKzFr_FViGOhKNPvTKWTzazNTi2XAtHQWkPRuVIza-9nUTxaAdO5MOLJxkzcuxVhbqI3Sn1ldZMlIJc3CEUJGMuSz8KTOn-CuLt-MvFuForu52-5JSApbm2QGCGpGwNcCcc2HA3I/s1600-h/Bare+hillside+above+hill+cabins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYg1MbKzFr_FViGOhKNPvTKWTzazNTi2XAtHQWkPRuVIza-9nUTxaAdO5MOLJxkzcuxVhbqI3Sn1ldZMlIJc3CEUJGMuSz8KTOn-CuLt-MvFuForu52-5JSApbm2QGCGpGwNcCcc2HA3I/s400/Bare+hillside+above+hill+cabins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270437246246730738" border="0" /></a><br />The same is true of the hills above Tassajara. This is the hill above the hill cabins and Stone and Pine rooms.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyfCpiykJvUwRsRq1vNv7aPG-is0JxaCW2j_OHcn9wLHuMN474i2JLdrIeOiyQf1aQ-0_25HqR2m-hbBjGZek_3VGVcFozowsKNOoNrF-UsD07IrGP6VzemJYwALL9YRjpRJJS5is82w/s1600-h/Bare+hillside+above+cabins.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyfCpiykJvUwRsRq1vNv7aPG-is0JxaCW2j_OHcn9wLHuMN474i2JLdrIeOiyQf1aQ-0_25HqR2m-hbBjGZek_3VGVcFozowsKNOoNrF-UsD07IrGP6VzemJYwALL9YRjpRJJS5is82w/s400/Bare+hillside+above+cabins.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270437240096622866" border="0" /></a><br />And the hill above the Kaisando and guest cabins.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-55080969341466049212008-11-19T09:34:00.000-08:002008-11-21T15:23:33.940-08:00KittensTassajara has two new cats. Kitchen and dining-room cats which for now have to be known as Boy Cat and Girl Cat as in a vivid demonstration of Zen Center dysfunctionality they are still nameless after several meetings and one community vote.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXjKE3ox0GJ9KR68H1cuR6S8T03crsjugxNzH4xgpZiXGxCXQA6DxFkawqOX6l7YkPx5dyQhE5rrMetHzFOX2PI7n_B2ohHtd2GFUlsyXzUSn2qfAuPKl0QnnZ8Qaq5e1Txj7lyf9a-o/s1600-h/Boy+Cat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXjKE3ox0GJ9KR68H1cuR6S8T03crsjugxNzH4xgpZiXGxCXQA6DxFkawqOX6l7YkPx5dyQhE5rrMetHzFOX2PI7n_B2ohHtd2GFUlsyXzUSn2qfAuPKl0QnnZ8Qaq5e1Txj7lyf9a-o/s400/Boy+Cat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270427822854971618" border="0" /></a><br />Boy Cat having quickly worked out who is the most important being in the kitchen, seizes the Tenzo's chair.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliCMjA9XlOuNB6vymvbjcW2nEonlCi0aFxzMxRbeNxQCRwL_l3wTfUYjBGKbrhVqh7EzvYvgBbZncp_RTgm1vGWqR_t_v121YT-dZa-kkD8C_9zFrfUDb5pplhNWQJ_rDqkgJSCuBLxo/s1600-h/Girl+Cat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhliCMjA9XlOuNB6vymvbjcW2nEonlCi0aFxzMxRbeNxQCRwL_l3wTfUYjBGKbrhVqh7EzvYvgBbZncp_RTgm1vGWqR_t_v121YT-dZa-kkD8C_9zFrfUDb5pplhNWQJ_rDqkgJSCuBLxo/s400/Girl+Cat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270427826173358130" border="0" /></a><br />Girl Cat patrolling the courtyard.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-32377693449149365752008-11-14T11:20:00.000-08:002008-11-21T15:33:16.839-08:00Possible problemsWhile the fires are out, the Ventana will be living with their consequences for several years at least. Some of those consequences may be entirely welcome - many people are looking forward to an abundance of spring wildflowers. Some of the consequences are less welcome, with floods and debris flows posing possible threats to lives and property. The<a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres/conditions/gallery/basin-indian-baer-initial.pdf"> report of the State Enmergency Assessment Team (SEAT)</a> states:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">As a result of the fire and the burn severity there is an increased risk for storms to result in flooding, debris torrents, mudsliding and debris flows. As storm intensity increases or as duration rises, there will be an increased risk for the storm to trigger flooding, rockfall, debris torrents, mudsliding and debris flows.</span><br /><br />So for example, we can expect an <span style="font-style: italic;">increased water yield of 390% for Tassajara Creek at Tassajara, 1141% for unnamed tributary creek at Tassajara, and unnamed tributary to Church Creek road crossing of 855%</span>.<br /><br />Lots more water than usual, probably mixed with mud, rocks and logs.<br /><br />More information:<br />The <a href="http://www.cpoabigsur.org/">CPOA </a>website has links to maps from the State Geological Survey showing projected debris flows and probablities and a Google Earth file of the hazard locations from the SEAT report.</span><br />Xasáuan Today has a collection of posts on the aftermath of the fires, for example, here are some <a href="http://xasauantoday.wordpress.com/2008/08/28/baer-team-burn-intensity-maps/">maps of the soil burn intensity</a>.<br />SURCATS has a <a href="http://surcats.wordpress.com/2008/11/01/seat-report-presentation-and-winter-preparations-meeting-notes/">report</a> on a recent meeting that combined a presentation of the SEAT report with a dsicussion of winter preparation. Although this focuses on the problems confronting the Big Sur residents, many of the dangers discussed are present on the east side of the fire area.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-51086661905689737482008-11-13T14:53:00.000-08:002008-11-13T15:23:04.458-08:00Fall and winter<span style="font-size:85%;">In the wake of the fires, the wilderness area is springing back to life. Green shoots cluster around the burnt skeletons of the trees and bushes.<br /><br />In the monastery, the quiet of practice period has finally arrived after several weeks of intense work preparing Tassajara for the winter rains. Tangaryo came and went to the sounds of heavy earth-moving equipment. By the time the Ventana Engineering crew left last week, many walls had been built, endless sandbags filled and placed.<br /><br />The first, gentle, rains have fallen and we have been shown how easily the hills can flow down to the valley floor. Several small slides came down by the pool and lower garden and the creek bottom is black with fire-darkened silt.<br /><br />In the months to come, we'll try to keep friends and family informed about conditions at Tassajara and to show you some of what we've been doing to prepare for the winter.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-26292824033921187772008-08-01T09:06:00.001-07:002008-08-01T09:39:03.141-07:00And then...<span style="font-size:85%;">The smoke cleared. Well, mostly. There have been no large plumes for a couple of days leaving just a faint, almost not-there, blanket draped over the forest.<br /><br />Locally this means that sometimes it's smoky, sometimes not. It's certainly quieter as the helicopters have fallen silent.<br /><br />The guest season is to reopen on August 3rd. <a href="http://www.sfzc.org/tassajara/display.asp?catid=4&pageid=1237">Here</a> is a page of useful information about the conditions that you can expect if you visit.<br /><br />David Zimmerman has finished his account of the fire and it's posted <a href="http://www.sfzc.org/tassajara/display.asp?catid=4,209&pageid=1313">here</a>.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-32668529501654503842008-07-26T13:36:00.000-07:002008-07-26T14:20:58.096-07:00Smoke gets in...<span style="font-size:85%;">...to everything. Well, it does when the air is taupe as it was yesterday afternoon at Tassajara. Ash was falling heavily. We'd been thinking of staying the night but that plan dissolved as soon as we arrived. Obviously this heavy smoke layer was reawakening doubts about the timetable for reopening guest season and the wisdom of having a large number of people down there.<br /><br />It appears that the air is clearer this morning and Inciweb states that today <span style="font-style: italic;">'will be the last day of firing operations if all goes well. Crews will begin the transition from securing line and mop up to rehabilitation work'.</span> There is also talk that the crews, who are already beginning to leave, will all pack up and go on the 30th.<br /><br />On the drive into Tassajara there were flames on both sides of the road between China Camp and the ridge. On the way out we were able to see that large areas of Miller Canyon were alight. And a large portion of tree had fallen across the road.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaCWLOKW3if_dK1cf9Ri9yhwTIw4ww9WqcKP0ZDMb9-OTuS6Zg7WIR3CAQahsGwBl0uAfcHt4bdUq8KnytWox0YPY_hHWfoYG9zkG1YoBDFiFudrBjScRmODWde9alRoy91DJJQngZ_Q/s1600-h/Tree+blocking+road.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieaCWLOKW3if_dK1cf9Ri9yhwTIw4ww9WqcKP0ZDMb9-OTuS6Zg7WIR3CAQahsGwBl0uAfcHt4bdUq8KnytWox0YPY_hHWfoYG9zkG1YoBDFiFudrBjScRmODWde9alRoy91DJJQngZ_Q/s400/Tree+blocking+road.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227434905493274210" border="0" /></a><br />Standing on the other side of the tree was the Ino, Judith, who has been having no luck at all with her journeys across the road. She was smiling widely and shouted out that 'there's a man with a chain-saw'. While he was firing up his saw another truck pulled up on our side of the tree. He had chains and was able to pull the stump off the road. All cleared in about 10 minutes. Many thanks.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYa9NqwNxHtEQ-uMy_1EiYtglmp6H5Sx7cipviiVXvH-pVYoz0pTCTlWTmCW6TX1sOLzsb1Xf-G4oJzNkkozt4EnqdPiaDH3tixRbv7px7QA0C4HfSQRu0cHPT1R4TSql6nuUj_s03i8/s1600-h/IMG_0218.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYa9NqwNxHtEQ-uMy_1EiYtglmp6H5Sx7cipviiVXvH-pVYoz0pTCTlWTmCW6TX1sOLzsb1Xf-G4oJzNkkozt4EnqdPiaDH3tixRbv7px7QA0C4HfSQRu0cHPT1R4TSql6nuUj_s03i8/s400/IMG_0218.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227434907906221618" border="0" /></a><br />The tree from which the roadblock had fallen was still alight. We could see flames about 20ft up where the trunk had burned through and the section had fallen. This was one of many trees festooned with festively red KILLER TREE tape.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-78182782895441688182008-07-25T12:47:00.000-07:002008-07-25T12:58:10.968-07:00Work periods<span style="font-size:85%;">This is what I understand:<br />From now until August 3rd there is a work period to restore Tassajara so that it is as close as we can get to pre-fire. </span><span style="font-size:85%;">If you'd like to come and join us for at least 5 days out of this work period then you should call 831-659 2229 during business hours.</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br />The guest season will open sometime in early August. We are currently aiming at August 3rd. The end of the work period will obviously dovetail neatly with the 2nd coming of guest season.<br /><br />And then there will be a return to the schedule as posted. The autumn work period will start on September 15th. If you'd like to come to this work period then you should call 831-659 2229 after August 15th.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-79206169142491302212008-07-25T11:08:00.000-07:002008-07-25T11:49:34.193-07:00Smoky morningsThe Basin Fire is now over 150,000 acres and 79% contained. The IC says that the back-burning was successful and has now finished, so we're a bit confused about that remaining 21% that's uncontained. Anyway, it's been smoky here this morning (much more so than has become 'usual') as they continue burnout operations to eradicate the islands of unburned fuels.<br /><br />The number of people fighting the fire is beginning to drop even as thousands of acres burn each day. I imagine that this shows that they have confidence in the firelines.<br /><br />The roadblock out on Carmel Valley Road was fairly low-key yesterday evening and we hope that the voluntary evacuation will be lifted tonight. All of the roads will then be freely open. However, there is still a lot of fire traffic on the road so if you are coming down, watch out for that.<br /><br />Abbot Steve has gone into Tassajara to work on the emotional clean-up from the fire. A community meeting was scheduled for last night that we all here at Jamesburg were sad not to be able to attend.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-38925518265085559812008-07-25T11:01:00.000-07:002008-07-25T11:05:33.709-07:00Garage sale<span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">Ann Overton, a Tassajara student from the 70s is having a Garage Sale to benefit Tassajara. These are the details:</span></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;"></span></span> <ul type="disc"><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">Sat. July 26, 10AM to 3PM</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">2407 Ward Street</span></span><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;"> (near Telegraph) in Berkeley. Ward St. is 4 blocks north of Ashby.</span></span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">Donations (Yes, please!)</span></span></p> <ul type="disc"><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">Leaving things at my place when I'm not here doesn't work in this neighborhood. Please don't do this. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">I'll be home to receive things on 1) Thursday, 7/24 3PM to 9:30PM and </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;"> Friday, 7/25<strong><b><span style="font-family:Tahoma;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"> 5pm </span></span></b></strong>to 9:30PM. (Apt. 1) </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">If those times don't work, email me.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">Or just bring stuff the day of the sale. (Sat. 7/26) </span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">I also come into the city a couple of times a week. It's possible that I could stop by and pick things up. email me.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">Let's avoid stuff more that weighs more than 25 pounds. (If I have to lift it.)</span></span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">Other things</span></span></p> <ul type="disc"><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;"> Come buy things!</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">If you're feeling unusually generous you could come by and help out with set up, clean up, or just stop in for an hour or so, smile at everyone, and help sell things. email me.</span></span></li><li><span style="font-family:Tahoma;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Tahoma;">A truly remarkable person would offer to swing by at the end (3pm) and take all the unsold stuff to goodwill. email me.</span></span></li></ul>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-84094784382830893302008-07-23T09:57:00.000-07:002008-07-23T12:14:56.679-07:00Just sitting...<span style="font-size:85%;">Lots of activity here in Jamesburg this morning. Up the road. Down the road. Cheese into fridge. Cheese out of... Well, maybe not yet.<br /><br />Anyway, over the hill in Tassajara, we think that they're now running on a work period schedule. Which means that zazen is once more on the schedule, and no longer an optional activity as it has been since the fire bounced almost everyone out of the zendo a month ago.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3755267657240188868.post-25069871229495966712008-07-23T09:17:00.000-07:002008-07-23T09:37:36.031-07:00Once more unto...<span style="font-size:85%;">Yesterday's final group of returnees weren't as lucky as their earlier colleagues. They were turned back at the top of the hill after waiting an hour and spent the night here in Jamesburg. The zendo once more bcoming a dormitory.<br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQjxjdMwtAXBYMfTw_J9363kgOK3PTj1IvORBmNe3NsBEA6_2NuC9Tf55CM_GPYR0U67da9gqeH2AWXUi-GCQzbaz8VHl2Rt_bnEpHjaQl7FodvGOt4ZMlZJ8frGb6I2yuYE0usL7OBU/s1600-h/7-23+morning.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcQjxjdMwtAXBYMfTw_J9363kgOK3PTj1IvORBmNe3NsBEA6_2NuC9Tf55CM_GPYR0U67da9gqeH2AWXUi-GCQzbaz8VHl2Rt_bnEpHjaQl7FodvGOt4ZMlZJ8frGb6I2yuYE0usL7OBU/s400/7-23+morning.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226248183474555218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;">They tried again early this morning and were again turned back. Told to try again later. This morning's MODIS image shows why (click on the image to enlarge). The fire has moved up one of the small creek beds in Miller Canyon and is now burning both sides of the road and now appears to be burning in the area of the observatory that has previously been back-burned.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3