Butterfly Tales

Sand City Springtime 2009

2009-03-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Well, as the rains dripped for hours, promising verdant green hillsides in April, Spring has hit us here in Sand City with an icy wind, bright blue skies and longer days. The Jasmin smells wonderfully sweet, and the rosebuds portend a large crop of heavy-headed roses. I brood over them daily.

So far, things have been moving forward at a snails pace with respect to our local economy. We are way ahead of the rest of the county with respect to the unemployment rate, and people are holding on to their dollars harder than ever. This is really tough on all the local businesses who depend on local residents for their cash flow. Much different than being a national retailer.

Many businesses are down about 30%. However cafes and bars are doing gangbusters business. Ol'Factory Cafe has wone some awards for the Monterey Weekly's "best of" - Best Beers on tap and best Sand City Restaurant, as well as best place to have intelligent conversation (a little deja vu never hurt anyone).

We are keeping our fingers crossed that the economy has bottomed out and we are on the uptick!

Spring foward!

Carmel: The Movie & my first time

2009-02-04T16:05:00.000-08:00

Carmel: The Movie

2009-02-04T15:17:00.000-08:00

Hug a tree and a Panda today!

2006-04-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

So much has happened since my last posting to this blog on Blogger.com. Where would I begin?

September/October, I met a wonderful man and we are now living together in Sand city. More on this later...

Mid December I left my job at CTB?McGraw-hill (Hell) and told everyone about my so-called boyfriend and his lies and deceptions. I am now working at Monterey Mattress (no I am not the number one mattress-tester!) and learning more than anyone wants to know about sleeping and foam and matt...nononono!

January I found an engagement ring reciept. No I havent gotten engaged, but I guess its the thought that counts? NOT!

March I became a mommy to a beautiful Belgian Tervuren puppy who was about 8 weeks old (he is now a whopping 13 weeks and 14 lbs!!!) More on him later too.

What am I doing these days?
1. Working on the garden ,

2. taking care of puppy and doggy and fishy and kitty. Anything that ends in "y" and I am there. I work at the mattress factory doing filing and phones, but soon I hope to take art classes at the local colleges. Either CSUMB or Monterey Peninsula Jr College. One of course is less expensive than the other. I am torn between the Film Post-Bacch and the Art Associates. A desision must be made before Summer. Its like life is a scareacrow pointing in several different directions to a place called Oz which of course has all the answers. Where is my wizard?

Pizza and Big Sur Redwoods

2005-09-20T11:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Because my life has taken some interesting twists and turns; I must say that I am missing everyone horribly! I do miss my old life in San Diego, and while I am getting comfortable in my new one - there is no replacement for good friends!

I have been hiking (as you already know!) in the wilds of South-Central Coast. The summer has mellowed to August and the hills are brown with parched grasses. I have found several new trails that I really like and have taken pictures as well as journalised my experiences. Interesting note - the landscape, as wonderful as it is, is rather empty but for the people that I have encountered.

Im still living with my parents at their house, and have become adept at saving money and avoiding the shopping centers and online stores. Im amazed - even though I am in meetings and working with large amounts of people every day - I dress horribly and there are no shopping centers where I can assuage my thirst for new fashions. Which is the good news. Bebe and Guess are about 60 miles away. Thats good news! Im waiting until that last (and first) 15 lbs has been shed before using my shopping gift cards.

I have met some interesting people lately, and attending wine/pizza tastings. some of my new "friends" include a hard-working couple who have started a sequeway rental company on cannery row, pizza-eating locals, and wine-guzzling entreprenuers.

I frequent a spot that caters to tourists in Big sur, and there are always interesting souls gathered around the fire pit at night. The crackling sparks light up the sky, dissappearing into the black night. To be replaced in my vision with sparkling diamonds - stars - clear, cold and bright.

My traditions have begun over the summer, and into the golden fall.
Last weekend I went for a 9-mile hike in Andrew Molera. This area is the largest acreage of state park in the County. A great place for a garden - hence the pot bust last week that netted about 37 million street-worth of "garden plants".
This hike has a 1,100-foot ascension, but it was so gentle that I barely noticed! The trail loops south on the marine terrace (the flat part that suddenly drops off to the ocean) and then up over the ridge. The terrace portion was scrubby with sharp twigs that lacerated my ankles. OUCH. The entire walk I enjoyed the sparkling turqoise-blue/green ocean.

Pacific Grove Feast of Lanterns

2005-07-27T17:09:00.000-07:00

Well here it is, almost the 100 centenial anniversary of the Pacific Grove Feast of Lanterns. I remember as a kid, we would plant ourselves at Lover's Point, in the sand, with our little white lantern on a stick. When it became dark, there was a parade (that I dont recall seeing too much of) and then fireworks. I never really saw the culteral side, nor did I know of the whole list of activities available.

This year, Im going to SEE IT ALL. And of course, dear Blog, will report with my own unique POV.

What is the FOL? This link to the official website tells the story of 2 lovers kept apart by fate, who are reunited and turn into Monarch Butterflies. The festival celebrates the legend quite well, and there is even a Queen Topaz contest, plays and a re-enactment of the Legend.
:D How exciting! I cant wait!
And there's more...here is a site that contains pictures and more pictures of previous Feasts. There are a few "broken links" here, but if you stay in the picture section I think youll be ok.

77 Great Hikes Journal

2005-07-22T21:35:00.000-07:00

In the beginning... June

For some reason, I have caught a bug - its the Big Sur hiking bug. Im flush with the fever! This is around June/July.

I recently purchased a book called "77 Great Hikes" by Robert Stone - get it, get it??? listing all these local little day-hikes, which some I knew about and some that are new to moi. In this section of my Blog, Ill chronical my adventures, organised under each hike number, and Ill try to put a date or something.

hikes 65-69 - sample

First I started with a little "taste" of Andrew Molera, which is the largest park here in this area.
According to Mr. Pebble, er, I mean Mr. Stone (who doesnt have a website by the way), this park is the largest park in the Big Sur state park system, at over 4,,800 acres (no not 5,000), and over 15 trails. I walked past the ranger station, where there is a really nice clean bathroom, and took the Creamery trail. lots of people are walking this area, and there are some that are campers, some randome walkers/bikers and some that are barbquers. I crossed a stream on a wavy bridge. For some reason, I felt like it was a "haunted trail" - was it because it was late afternoon? the cloudy sky with dark clouds? The wind creaking through the trees, making them squeak and squeal and moan? All of the above?

I have done some of the walks in Garland Ranch, most of the ones in Point Lobos, and many in Toro Park. So I feel like I am good to go. Ill use this section of my Blog to chronical all the cool places to hike in this area and all the things that are around this time of year...plus my experiences and my point of view...to provide you with entertainment.

Hike #59 Sobranes ocean (west side)
This one is sweet - its flat and easy, right on the ocean and there are a few really great "zen places" to go and just have a great THINK. I came to the trailhead and took the right side pathway, which according to the tip given to me by a local at the photography shop, is where I get to see the "secret waterfalls" that no one typically fnds. I saw crashing waves, lovers intertwined on rocks, little streams, and a drainpipe carrying water under the highway. It was nice!

Thats a spicy Meat-a-ball!

2005-07-21T14:34:00.000-07:00

Well things are looking pretty darn good for this butterfly. Myself and my fellow BFG are going to Vito's restaurant tonight at 8, where the men are men and the women are appreciated.
:D

I have spent several hours dancing the night away with Mr. Vito, and lets just say he knows how to "cut the rug"!!!

Check out this review, and I'll tell you what happens during my dining experience. I dont know If I can clear my plate, however.

*****

(That Night) Well I arrived with my GF, who was wearing a skirt up to here with legs up to there, and we were recieved warmly. And dare I continue? Vito's little girl A*, recieved us. At about 8 or so, and 3 1/2 feet, she greets us at the door like a little oompa loompa man. Except shes very bent on her "tasks". We must be seated. Whether or not we enjoy the experience is not her concern - we will be seated, so we can eat and pay our check and leave a tip. Its very simple.

Well, the waittress took over and it was much more pleasant. An hour of girl-talk, and then we were joined by the owner, his little boy A* and A*. They are both gymnasts headed for Olympic gold, and I was bullied into paying my check quickly so that I could leave, both by my accomplice and the "helper".

What ever happened to "girlpower"?

The restaurant - its ina strip mall in PAcific Grove, off of Forest, and it has a giant Mural of Sicily (I think) on one wall, and a fireplace next to it. Other than that it is a room with tables and chairs, in a strip mall.
The People - mostly locals, and retourning guests. Everyone is jovial and happy, and they range in age from 25-65. All YUPPIES. You have to at least have a job (or 2) to be able to afford the meals (at a minimum plate cost of $15.00).
The Food - we shared a few appetizers, starting with the Ceasar salad. (it was good - but I like lemon. There was no lemon.) Next we tried the manila clams in broth - we didnt like that too much...but the next one was "aaaahhhhh". Melt-in-your-mouth Gnocci with a red sauce (you cant get two sauces in one dish to try them - its all of one or the other, BTW), which is the house specialty. Then Calamari cutletts, breaded thickly and spiced. Those were really really good too. But back to the gnocci! We never did get "free refills" on our empty plates.
After dinner fun - After the calamari we were offered a dessert by the owner to try - a Special homemade Tiramisu, with a secret recipe (RUM! OOps) - it melts in your mouth its so moist, and has a little "punch" of sweetness.
:D

So, alls well that ends well - it was a pleasnt if short evening out with the GF.

love - your favorite butterfly girl

Oh say can you see (through the fog)

2005-07-20T17:15:00.000-07:00

My first Independance day in Monterey! I guess that I can celebrate Independence because Im still single. But thats a conversation for another time/day/century.

- I spent it with a local Italian family, watching a parade in downtown Old Monterey. The lady was a little upset because she was typically invited and this year, someone's boyfriend was driving the car instead.

Passing right near our noses were restored cars, mayors waving, and then of course bands playing the star-spangled banner (which always brings a tear to my eye).

After the excitement of the local parade, I joined a large party on a renovated party boat in the middle of the bay, with fireworks popping over my head and the fog dense in the sky (typical!). It was a family affair, so my friend, his young son, a hord of multi-aged kids, and the few adults converged on the roof to light our own 'crackers and watch the city of Monterey show its stuff. Which was a good thing because this year Salinas had nothing to offer. (see articles explaining the ins and outs of why - its too complex and depressing to explain here)

Re-union

2005-07-20T16:55:00.000-07:00

This year, prior to the fourth of July, I began my weekend with a family reunion in Cayucos. One big eat-fest is what it was. People came from near and far - "some came from Swtzerland, and some came in motorcars". We began with a small dinnner at aunt M*'s house, eating cheese and drinking chmpaigne, then Saturday was the big she-bang under tents and tables in an apple orchard. Home-made apple pie ala mode . (yum!) Barb-q-ed meats of all kinds. Cookies and cakes. Wow. All this in a cayucos backyard.

The night after the big party, I cackled while my crazy cousin J* drove us on a "Mr Toads Wild ride" through foggy wooded canyons to an even wilder little bar called the "Saloon". I laughed until I cried -both ways.

The Saloon was crammed to the top with people, all dancing to a mix of hard rock and country - everyone was wild with the excitement of impending illegal fireworks. Including the Portagees that hovered near my two lovely cousins. One gave me a smack on my rear and a comment that he could "do some nasty sh!t to my A$$". I sense a redundancy here. I think I smacked him right back. He was only 6 feet 2 inches tall. Sitting down.

I left the next day after breakfast. It was short and sweet. Plus I had big plans for my first fourth of July in Monterey Bay. (see next blog)

Great Balls of Fire!

2005-01-16T22:12:00.000-08:00

Greetings friends,

Well, christmas (and the other holiday called new year in America) has come in like a lion and left like a lamb (sort of like spring, eh?) and Ive sort of settled into a mellow routine. I get up at darktime, gulp down some coffee, which I drink whilst in the shower, sqirm into some clothes and get into my car...for 2 minutes... while I turn on the engine to warm it up and defrost the freaking windows!! I havent been this cold in way too long. Its rather invigorating as long as you have a heater to clutch onto.

Ive yet to complete the great "scarf project" :D. And yet Im finding knitters in all corners. Yesterday, I just discovered that my friend L* is taking a class!!! I started shouting knit-gibberish at her and she got silent, but I think she'll appreciate it later - when the word purl doesnt sound like the thing you find in oysters. This is just what happens when youve discovered a new hobby. Yes, folks, like a spider spinning its convoluted web, Ive become a knitter, knitting my "concoctions". I have delusions that someday, roberto cavalli will see my fabulous knits and copy me.
:D

This weekend: was priviledged to see the new Elektra movie. Supposedly Jennifer Garner was saving the whole movie from drowning in its own silliness. Lets just say that there was no lifeboat, no life jacket and no lifeguard around for this poor puppy.
:O

The question of the day: Am I capabale of abstrakt thote.?. I am knot shur, becuz my Ique is so loe. hoo the hel R u usd to deeling width? I was asked this philosophical question the other evening, and my erstwhile companion was perhaps a bit frustrated with moi.

Monterey, this week, is not treating me well. My job as a "Kelly temp", has turned into a nightmare of routine research and "whipping post" duty. Which is worse? I worked for a week with the events team, helping run the all-employee meeting/sales conference at the Mariotte Hotel in downtown Monterey. There were lots of VPs there and lots of "other" important peeps there, but overall, it was rather, um, lackluster. But then Im used to more glitz. My evaluation?

They get an "A" for effort and and "L" for lying about the internet connection. Whoops.

This evening, Im trying to recover from a sore-thoat-cold kind of thing, and am now sitting at the computer, burning candles and hoping my paperwhite lilies last another day. Jack then decides he wants in on the action and jumps up on the table, with his tail towards said candle. I look in horror as his tail gleams with the orange light of flame...his tail is on fire! Sh!t! He looks at me and chirps (a chirp is his standard mode of gentle communication when hes not grumpily swatting me, or evascerating me with his claws for fun.) quizzically, not knowing that the sizzle he hears is - him. I grab his poor, slightly charred, rear appendage to quench the flame and now am watching him as he watches me....hoping that hes learned to never play with fire...

signing out for now,

Butterfly Girl

2005-01-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

Ok, folks, the Butterfly Girl has come out of her cocoon, and has unfolded her wings. She is drying them out, in hopes of being able to fly soon. They are wet and heavy currently, and still, as we speak, developing.

Ive just recieved my fictitious Business name, and the process for obtaining my Business license has been started. I recieved a phone call today from someone down at the county Ass-ministration/Planning office. They currently have no problem with me having a business!
Whoo hoo. Thats America.

Look for my new website, new logowear, and finally my new clothing and jewelry line! (Not necessarily in that order...)
- There will be three different version: Naughty, Nice and Plain Text.

Seasons Greetings

2004-12-29T06:58:00.000-08:00

Better late than never. My mantra for this season. I wrote christmas cards for the first time in my life....no thats a lie, Ive actually wrote Christmas cards several times, but this is the first time that Ive actually SENT them out, with stamps.
:D big difference.

I really had fun, writing little notes, and remembering each person. I still havent finished the "Great Scarf Project", but Im over halfway complete. Life just seems to intrude on "Scarf making" plus I am scarfed out for now, I think.

The holidays were actually quite nice. It was clear skies and cold nights for the most part, which is a good thing because all the neighborhoods like to compete with respect to decorating, and every street becomes a veritable "Candy Cane Lane". I took my friend Cricket to a CCL in Pacific Grove, where we did a full circle, wide grins plastered across our faces. There was a line of cars around the block waiting to get in, but everyone was polite and patient. Some even parked their cars and braved the 50-degree weather to see the display through "walk-about". Did I use that term properly?

Im now working, but before you get too excited for me, Im working as a TEMP at a division of McGraw hill, called CTB. Im having fun, actually, its a nice relief to be required to go home at 5. and its great, for now, to not think about it when I go home.
:D

The people are really nice, and in the group that I sit around, they are all artists. There is art hanging "artistically" in every office that I see, and for Christmas, everyone gives HANDCRAFTED gifts. Can you believe it? Nothing from Nordstroms. In fact, Im having Nordstrom withdrawals right now. And I wasnt even going there very often before I left. Just not being NEAR a Nordstroms.
;) HEHE.

And this is just one section of the upstairs. There are other sections, which shall remain nameless. But Im having fun. What else do I do for fun besides go to work? I go out downtown with my friends Cricket, Anthony and Matt, and we can ususally be found somewhere between Lalapaloosa, Mucky Duck, and Dock Ricketts. We enjoy comedy and people watching - Cricket and I are into Karaoke and Salsa. So we compromise. :)

What did "the gang" do for Christmas? well, I for one, spent time time with my little brother Jeremy, who flew in from Honolulu, as well as the folks (who are probably tired of my face!)
and we did things like eat dinner, watch movies, watch television and eat more dinner. I think that Im stocked up by now - you wouldnt recognise me - Ive gained about 20 pounds! But it was generally a really great holiday for the Martins'. We got in a few Karaoke sessions here and there, of course, and played a rousing game of Trivial Pursuit (my christmas present from Jeremy!). We all let Jeremy win, so we could go to bed.

And thats about it, folks. Another Christmas and now ... whats ahead for the new year?

My Stumps

2004-11-20T18:54:00.000-08:00

My parents house, where I am living temporarily, is on the northern side of the scenic highway 68, a long, winding road leading from the fertile Salinas valley to the foggy hillsides of Monterey. It winds itself through mossy oaks and past large golf courses, as well as the famous Laguna Seca Raceway.

Surrounding the neighborhood is a little pathway, or fire road, called "the Greenbelt". There is a space of about ten feet from this Greenbelt to my parents fence, and over the past few weeks Ive gotten quite protective of it. Many houses have created secret gardens and grown bushes, trees and tomatoes in their "little spaces". Ours has been negelected and unused for over 15 years, with nothing except a few weeds and old attempts at growing honeysuckle.

When the county corrections office decided to cut down some lovely eucalyptus and pine trees, I saw an opportunity to start my own "secret garden in the back". I lugged, rolled and hauled these 6 logs to my space, even striking up a bargain with one would-be wood pilferer. I told him at one point "you take all the good ones, just leave me a few...ok?" and he had agreed.

Well after all my hard work, you can imagine my consternation when the next day, not one log, but TWO were missing from my impromptou "fence". One had been rolled far away, and the other was just plain MISSING. This made me angry, in a way that defies description. But Ill try. I mean, what makes people think that they can just TAKE something that doesnt even belong to them anyways? As if it REALLY belongs to me either.

My Dad was happy at the news. All I got was an "I told you that would happen, they are going to take all your logs". In fact, somewhat DID take them. So I then got so angry that I moved into my "center of calm", my space where Im so incredibly rational that I think my brain can cut through ....rock or something.

I asked (calmly). "why can others on the Greenbelt have boundaries with Stumps and yet I cannot?"

This was met with a snicker. "Because, you have to stake it off. People driving by just think its out there for them to take".

Ok, I thought. Ill stake that "f-er" off. So then, I took up my mothers delicate little hand trowell, and dug a nice deep trench all around my "space", setting some brick in the step-way, just in case it wasnt obvious enough that this was indeed a boundary and these were, in fact, my stumps.

Yesterday, none of my stumps had been confiscated. This evenings walk revealed an extra stump had been inserted!

:D

Lifes minor successes must be celebrated.

Dog Fight

2004-11-20T18:44:00.000-08:00

Well, as I spend my days and nights figuring out my life, I keep busy by taking my dads Purebred German Shorthair pointers out for their daily "walk". Actually they run, and drag me behind them, but who's going to argue about details?

Turning a deaf ear to my father's dire warnings about having them both "off-leach", I happily pranced around the greenbelt pathways, thinking I was hip, cool, and all that. Until the other day when a young mother, her baby girl, and their sweet old golden retriever passed our way. Then the sweet babies that I snuggle with every night turned into snarling, barking, agressive attack dogs - the kind that remind you of Cujo, and cause nightmares. The Young Mother moved quickly to protect her little girl, but soon realised that it wasnt her daughter who was in danger, but her DOG, that was the center of their anger. She screamed and yelled at the two large dogs, and attempted a few well-aimed karate kicks in their direction. To no avail.

I finally was able to grab both of them by the ruff of their necks, after they gave me a few pathetic-sounding yelps, and had gottem them to calm down and stop attacking the poor defenseless golden. the Young Mother yelled at me, "those dogs are dangerous", and wanted to defend them and tell her that neither he nor her youngster were in any danger...but how would that sound? I could just imagine the 8 o'clock news describing the two pointers slaughtering an old geezer dog, like gang members in south salinas, attacking from both sides with sharp canine teeth, like the youths with their knives and screwdrivers.

Well, thankfully, this hasnt turned up in the incident reports yet, but Im still looking...

Dr Butterfly to the rescue...

2004-11-01T08:30:00.000-08:00

or better title: 'The misadventures of Jack the Cat'

Happy day after Halloween.

I had a fright yesterday, and its no joke...I had let my cat, Jack out the evening before and he crept home at some late hour with his eye swollen shut! He wouldnt let me touch it and shyed away. It was filled with gunk and some blood, so you can imagine how panicked I became.

I thought he had gotten into some poison, or into a fight or something, so I just waited until noon, after fighting the crowds at walmart to buy some candy for the trickortreaters, and when I looked at it, the flesh under the top part was all hanging out and swollen...and he still couldnt open it.

Poor guy hadnt even moved all day. (He rarely does any way, but you know what I mean- theres a difference in "not moving".) I tried calling the Animal hospital where I had taken our cancer-stricken German Shorthair pointer, Helmut, to get his stitches out, but they were closed. So I thought, well, I'll have a look at it. I was getting so worried, I started freaking out.

So, I held him down as he tried to squirm out of my grasp, and pryed the blighted eye open; saw that MOST of it was a pink color, but there was a dark brown blob on top, that I thought was part of his eye, or a scab possibly. So I grabbed a pair of tweezers, and poked at it a bit, and it turned out to be a harder substance than scab or flesh. (this is a long, scary story...) I tried scraping what I thought was a scab, and ended up pulling out a half-inch long piece of straw that had lodged up INSIDE his eye socket. Poor kitty!!!! So then I looked closely at his eye after that, expecting things to be ok, but there was SOMETHING else there. I tweezed again, and ANOTHER half inch piece came out.

Sweet Jack started purring instantly after they slid out...He was so relieved. Poor guy. Well, he can open his eye almost normally now, and the flesh has gone back to its normal shape and color.
Thank goodness.

First Week - Sand Castles in the sky

2004-10-28T08:05:00.000-07:00

Its cold here; a deep, bone-chilling cold that numbs your entire body. It has been raining the past couple of weeks, off and on, so the hills are turning green, but the leaves on the trees are gold and red, and just about to drop to the ground, creating a soft golden carpet to walk on as I take the dogs out for their daily run. The skies are blue some days, a crisp, pure blue, and others, a mottled white/gray/periwinkle. Rain threatens every day.

I drove up from San Diego Saturday, and arrived Saturday night with a few possesions packed tightly together, and my cat,Jack, who drooled and foamed a the mouth from stress. He was happy to finally reach our destination, as was I. My parents have welcomed me with open arms, and a comfortable spare bedroom, highspeed wireless internet, and instructions on household etiquette. My first Adventure was a cold Sunday afternoon walk along the beach, for the 43rd annual Camel Sandcastle contest. i was surprised at the number of people who attended, however there were not a huge amount of entries this year. My favorite moments : two children sitting in chairs with signs that read "1st born", and a sand-sign that read "will sell for water credits". My second favorite was a mansion that read "MT ST Gaudie", and while I struggled with my new (to me) camera, listened to everyone ask "is it gaudy? what is THAT?" So then I happily explained that Gaudie is actually a famous Spanish Architect (I had caught onto this from the builder's explanation to a local contributor to a news station in town who had recorded him).

Well, I have done it! After 15 long years away in San Diego, I have returned to my hometown. The place hasnt changed much, but I am a completely different person. Not a bad thing - I no longer need to wait tables or make pizza to earn a living. Not that there are any jobs here other than that, but I am hoping against hope! I drive along the scenic highway 68, lined with its old oak forests, dripping with moss...and see the beauty and nature that I missed so much. I am glad to be back, although I do miss the people that I grew close to down South.
The Monterey Bay area is really a small collection of towns: Monterey proper, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Carmel, and Sand City. Then there are sub-sets; Old Monterey and New Monterey, Asilomar (between Pacific Grove and Monterey), Carmel-by-the-Sea, Carmel Valley, Carmel Highlands and Big Sur. All of these form a charming little area that I now call HOME. As I rediscover the area, and see it through new eyes, I can appreciate the subtle (and not so subtle) differences between them all. For example, last night I saw a license plate with "PG Girl" on it. And this was while driving through New Monterey.

Carmel is consiered the "snobby, rich, sophisticated-yet-country" part of the area (Carmel-by-the-sea is commonly referred to as the "world's best outdoor shopping mall", with its multitude of high-end shops). Truth be told, it is the home of the historic and beautiful Carmel Mission, as well as featuring my favorite beach of all time. I wouldnt go swimming in it, but it has the softest, whitest sand Ive ever seen.

PAcific Grove was founded by religious groups, and therefore, has no bars per se. You can enjoy wine in a restaruant, or buy it from one of the very few liquor stores in town, but thats about it. Its a town filled with quaint Victorians overlooking the ocean, eucalyptus trees, and of course Monarch butterflies - the king of butterflies - whose orangeand black arraignment are famous and give the town its "mascot". Its known as the "Butterfly Town", and features annual "Butterfly Parades", and a Butterfly sanctuary. I consider this area to be MY sanctuary, hence the name "Butterfly Tales"

Monterey proper is the industrial-town-by-the sea. It features office buildings enxt to old adobes, a fisherman's wharf and of course the famous Monterey Bay Aquarium, and the even more famous Cannery Row. (thank you John Steinbeck). To me, the importance of Monterey is two-fold: I met my boyfriend Jason at a club in Cannery Row, and I was conceived in the ancient labyrinth called the "wing chong building". This is a building that the aquarium wants but cannot get, owned by a chinese family called "yee". Its doors have been locked ever since Alicia passed away - she operated a antique store in the front and lived in one of the many backrooms. It was an old haven for artists and their friends back in the day, a "crash-pad" if you will.

Seaside is a small, residential area where they have a Staples and other chain stores. The area needs them, but wants them in the "poorer" districts. By poorer I mean houses that cost 700,000 instead of the typical million or so. This is where I grew up as a child through to my teen years. I moved from the town at the age of 13 - right before high school - so I lost all my friends from that time. I wonder if Ill suddenly bump into someone from my childhood????? Would I recognise them if I did????