This is how Louie gets to his house across the river in the winter time in Mendocino county.
This was last Monday night when Louie, me and Foster Huntington zipped across the river to have a wild duck dinner with homemade red wine.
Louie has been using this contraption for over 50 years now. The seat is a bosun’s chair, and there’s a wooden brake to slow you down if necessary when coming on for the landing.
Louie Frazier’s sauna under construction in Mendocino county. Built on Toyota truck chassis so it can be pulled back from river in winter. Windows at eye level (a technique used by Lloyd House in Canada), that creates feeling of spaciousness in tiny buildings. Siding is cedar 1×6 fence boards from Home Depot. Rafters are staves from old wine barrels.
Last night, on the way “over the hill” and back, I saw 5 coyotes and 2 foxes. This guy was by side of road at about 7 this morning. It let me get within 15 feet. Not good. I believe clueless people are feeding them. Bad idea. Makes them beggars instead of hunters. Also a death sentence for some, as they get hit by cars. “A fed coyote is a dead coyote.”
As the Miwok knew, they are special.
At this late stage in life I’ve forsworn acquiring more tchotchkes, but this little computer-generated 3D laser model I picked up at Builders’ Booksource in Berkeley was irresistible. Took a while to snap all the pieces together. Interesting how accurate the tabs and openings are. They have to fit perfectly and snugly to hold everything together. About 8” by 5.” Made by onemanonegarage.com
A 1-minute tour through Lesley’s studio. Woven shawls, scarves and blankets. Knit hats that are hand-spun, home-dyed with natural dyes, Merino wool. Open house this weekend, 286 Dogwood Road, Bolinas.
Foster Huntington was arriving after dark Tuesday and I texted him, got a flashlight? He texted back … got something better than a flashlight.
When he got here we walked out into the dark. He said, “Close your eyes.”
Whereupon he fitted this helmet with night vision binocs on my head and said “Open your eyes.”
The dark night was alight! 10 times as many stars. I could see a galaxy. Trees, road, paths, animals all bathed in ghostly light.
It’s like a third world: formerly I had day and night. With these you have lighted-up night. Sure, you can see at night with a flashlight, but it doesn’t light things up 360°. Also, people and animals aren’t aware that you can see them. Foster says he’s been out at night with them, and he can walk right up to rabbits.
Surfing in primo spots at night (they are waterproof, but you sure wouldn’t want to lose them); hunting for mushrooms in secret spots; mountain biking at night without visible light — possibilities are endless.
The only problem is that apparently, the good ones are really expensive.
When my father was 5 years old, he was riding a tricycle on the street in Alameda and a train came along and the wheel cut off 4 of the toes on his left foot. When he was in the hospital, his dad promised him he’d build him a car. Which he did. I just discovered this photo in the family archives. My dad didn’t let the injury slow him down, he played tennis in high school and was an avid duck hunter and fisherman. I’m so proud of him, for his courage, and grandpa for his soulful kid’s car (with bicycle wheels).
(I just discovered this photo in an old family album, with my dad’s explanation written on the back; I’d never heard the story.)
There are several additional accounts documenting this beautiful indigenous/
vernacular style. These folks seem to be particularly organized and have published a book, that I hope can be sold here somehow or maybe even reprinted in an English language edition. Phenomenal tradition. –Gazine Grenia
instagram.com/nalichniki
I was on my way home Thursday after a great day “over the hill.” Early morning latte at Cafe Trieste in North Beach, then breakfast at Bette’s diner, Berkeley with bookpals Kevin & Elise, then across bridge again, go swimming in warm (for us, 60+ degrees) water in Aquatic Park cove, sauna at South End Rowing Club, then Irish coffee across street at Buena Vista cafe (hey, the place is so great, all the tourists don’t even spoil it), meet a fellow SFO native, we talk about the city we still love, and he buys my drink. Great dinner at Fiorella “neighborhood Italian” restaurant. THEN, I stop in at 19 Broadway bar in Fairfax on the way home and heard this incredible band — Sugartown, fronted by Zoe Fitzgerald Carter. And there were like 5 people in the bar. Couldn’t believe it, both the excellence of this band and the fact that no one was there. Sheesh!
If you’ve read this blog before, you may know I’m prone to over-enthusiasm, can’t help it.
That said, I think this is a world-class band, and as far as I can tell, undiscovered.
I had 3 shots of Jack Daniels while sitting at a table in front, only one other person there. Couldn’t believe my luck.
