There is no drop of water in the ocean, not even in the deepest parts of the abyss, that does not know and respond to the mysterious forces that create the tide. — Rachel Carson
This particular beach is a favorite for locals to surf and tidepool, so we are always a bit vague as to the specific location to protect it from being overrun by ill-mannered tourists who trash our beaches.
How did I miss this???
International Leon Russell Day is celebrated on June 25th, coinciding with National Leon Day.
It’s a day to honor the visionary, legendary musician Leon Russell with events like special performances and tribute album release parties.
I had another one of my accidental mishaps and was totally incapacitated for a brief period of time. No surgery necessary, but I was in recovery mode yet again…that’s the only reason I can think of to explain how I missed a day to honor the Master of Space and Time.
I was there on June 26,1971…
Early Leon performing Hi-Heel Sneakers from the Shindig TV show. He was only 22 years old. S1E7, October 28, 1964. Leon starts at 2:25.
And a decade later, Strangers in a Strange Land:
And many, many years later, he’s still the Master of Space and Time. All you need is Leon and his piano…his version is so nuanced and poignant, it brings tears.
Happy International Leon Russell Day!
Today’s mood: out of the loop by choice…
I don’t want to hear about that orange POS or worry about WW3 or the economy or ICE or any of the other no good, terrible, very bad things that are going on. I want to bask in my ignorance.
Just for today I want to be the innocent who waters her garden and talks to crows and delights in butterflies and believes in the inherent goodness of humanity.
Curated from Cottage Whimsy / Artist: Naoko Stoop
This Beach Boys song seems to convey the vibe of the day, only good vibes! Here’s Good Vibrations studio footage. I know that Leon Russell played on a version of GV, but I don’t see him here:
Today is the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year, and it holds significant spiritual symbolism. It represents the triumph of light over darkness, new beginnings, and the peak of nature’s abundance. Here are three of my favorite things…
🌻 Summer Solstice Mantra:
Om Hrim Shivaya Namaha
This is a powerful invocation of Shiva (consciousness) and Shakti (energy). The bija sound “Hrim” amplifies the transformative power of Om Namah Shivaya, making it especially resonant at this sun-drenched turning point in the year.
🌻 Solar Plexus Chakra:
Another way to celebrate the summer solstice is to embrace our inner light by connecting with our solar plexus chakra. Awaken to and be aware of our inner radiance and true power.
The solar plexus chakra–Manipura–is where we derive our sense of self and personal autonomy. It’s our distinct source of personal power that allows us to live life freely and authentically. Associated with a bright yellow color, we can empower our solar plexus chakra by meditating and with yoga poses like the plank and variations of warrior, or any pose that focuses on our core strength.
Summer Stars
Bend low again, night of summer stars.
So near you are, sky of summer stars,
So near, a long-arm man can pick off stars,
Pick off what he wants in the sky bowl,
So near you are, summer stars,
So near, strumming, strumming,
So lazy and hum-strumming.
–Carl Sandburg
Last night I made some popcorn the old fashioned way — on the stovetop. I don’t often have popcorn, but I couldn’t think of anything to eat, so I made some and sprinkled it with pink Himalayan sea salt, which I know is uber trendy right now, but I’ve always used it primarily because it’s PINK and so pretty!
While eating the warm crunchy popped corn, I remembered that once upon a time, I met the Popcorn King himself, Orville Redenbacher.
During the America’s Cup races in San Diego. I was on a spectator boat and Orville was on board, too.
There was an undercurrent of chatter; buzz that someone famous was with us, and there he was, in his trademarked glasses and bow tie. Since we know by now that I’m not afraid of talking to anybody, whether it’s Willie Nelson or Vice President Al Gore or a rude Rob Reiner (Kauai), I had a sweet little chat with OR, who WAS a very nice man, by the way.
Did you know that Orville Redenbacher actually was a scientist? He developed a new strain of popcorn that kept that whole industry alive.
Back then, before smart phones, no one was as obsessed with documenting each and every moment of their lives, and while it WAS the America’s Cup and a pretty big deal, I still didn’t have a camera with me, so I don’t have photographic proof, I’m sorry to report.
Orville asked me for my address and I gave it to him because he said he was going to send me something. I had totally forgotten about our conversation until a gigantic box arrived a few weeks later, full of OR popcorn and products.
Sadly, I didn’t know that Orville Redenbacher died in 1995 at his home in Coronado, which is on the other side of San Diego Bay.
Belated, but RIP to the Popcorn King.🍿
I updated this post to honor the life and genius of the Beach Boys Brian Wilson. You can’t write about a surfer girl without that song in your head, right? Listen to Surfer Girl at the end ⬇️
Riding the waves, enchanted fairy-girl style…
A girl adrift, where sunlight streams,
Through liquid glass, a world of dreams.
She dances free, a silver thread,
In currents soft, where fishes fed.
The water whispers, soft and low,
As gentle eddies gently flow.
A world of wonder, cool and deep,
Where secrets sleep and shadows creep.
Art: Ida Rentoul Outhwaite Poem: Author unknown
“Do you love me, do you, surfer girl?”
“Happiness is a butterfly, which when pursued,
is always just beyond your grasp,
but which, if you will sit down quietly,
may alight upon you.”
Nathaniel Hawthorne
🦋
Artwork by Elisabeth Ladwig (Elisabeth on Earth)
🇺🇸 UPDATE: Conservative estimates place the coast to coast attendance of the #NoKings event more than 13 MILLION defenders of democracy! It’s considered to have been the most successful protest ever organized!
Before the rally, a peaceful ocean view with some decent waves…
And then everyone began to arrive for the protest. It didn’t take long until there were four to five people deep (and more at Offshore), and then we spread out all the way from Tamarack to north of Carlsbad Village Drive. I estimate between 7-10,000 defenders of democracy showed up to be seen and heard. I’ve never experienced such an incredible turnout along with powerful, positive energy. We didn’t witness any trouble from outside agitators, I’m happy to report, HOWEVER…
This is unconfirmed but I heard that a white supremacist group out of Carlsbad was allegedly planning to show up to the No Kings Day protest in armor and armed, with the intent to harm protestors and “non-white” people. According to what I was told, NCIS and the FBI have been monitoring the group’s leader and may already have him in custody—or will soon. But the situation is still uncertain, including whether the group is targeting a specific location. If I hear anything else, I’ll update this post.
One of the most energizing parts of the day was the neverending line of cars driving back and forth on Carlsbad Boulevard honking in support while decorated with their own signage.
San Diego also understood the assignment. SDPD estimates 60,000+ attended today’s No Kings Protest.
Did you see the videos from around the world? This is only the beginning and it’s a beautiful thing. Check out New York and Chicago. Here’s LA:
Did you hear about this? An elderly man from Gainesville was one of dozens of veterans arrested outside the U.S. Capitol Building as they protested against Trump’s stupid military (birthday) parade scheduled for Saturday. U.S. Capitol Police confirm Vietnam veteran John Spitzberg, 87, of Gainesville, was arrested for crossing a police line during a demonstration on Friday. HE WAS IN A WALKER FFS.
Officers say around seventy-five veterans were protesting peacefully outside the U.S. Supreme Court building. Later, a group of about 60 left and officers began establishing a perimeter.
Arresting an eldery veteran for protesting Trump’s BS parade shows how much this insane administration respects and appreciates veterans.
This is why we show up, chanting, “What does democracy look like? THIS is what democracy looks like!!” 🇺🇸
Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, another musical, magical visionary — gone too soon.
As much as we (I mean ME) believe that Leon Russell was a musical genius, he once said the same of Brian Wilson. He certainly would know as he was his keyboardist on many Beach Boys songs. Leon also praised Wilson’s courage to take risks and find new avenues as an artist. He compared Wilson to Beethoven and other composers, highlighting Wilson’s exceptional musical talent.
From Leon about Brian: “Brian, on the other hand, was a musical genius. I’ve played with him on records where there’d be 20 musicians in the room sitting around in a huge circle. He’d start at one end and sing the first musician their part, and then go to the second one and sing their part, all the way around the circle, and by the time he got around to the first one they had forgotten their part and he’d do it all again. That’s the way he taught those parts. Amazing.” https://bestclassicbands.com/leon-russell-interview-11-13-16/#google_vignette
Here are some of my favorite Beach Boys songs with contributions by Leon Russell:
Russell Bridges (Leon) on organ
Here is the rare version of “Endless Sleep”, Brian Wilson produced it at Gold Star Studios on February 18, 1964, using his usual Wrecking Crew members for the backing tracks. Included on piano was Leon Russell, who played on at least twenty Beach Boys songs and as many other songs that Brian produced for others, like The Honeys, Paul Peterson, Sharon Marie, Gary Usher and Glen Campbell.
California Girls studio, with Leon (of course)
This is a relatively long and rambling full session of Help Me Rhonda with the Beach Boys (Leon on piano) and their dad, Murray Wilson. Apparently he wasn’t a great dad and the reason Brian was deaf in one ear is because Murray hit him on the side of the head with a piece of wood when he was a boy. It’s even more remarkable that Brian could create such amazing music without stereo hearing.
This Strawberry Moon isn’t just any ordinary full moon – it’s going to be the lowest moon in the sky in 18.6 years and won’t hang this low again until 2043! It’s called a major lunar standstill, and should be visible just after moonrise.
The name comes from Native American tribes marking strawberry harvest season. I just learned this, too: June was a prime month for marriage and honey harvesting, and the June full moon was sometimes called the “Mead Moon” or “Honeymoon”, and that’s where the term originally emanated from.
June 11, 2025 at 7:44 GMT is peak illumination, but in many areas, best viewing might have been last night. I didn’t get any photos at all because the sky didn’t cooperate; too much marine layer and the moon couldn’t break through. I’ll try again tonight.
It’s a time for emotional healing and gratitude, encouraging connection with cosmic energies, releasing negativity, and manifesting desires. This full moon also marks a time for reflection and self-discovery. It occurs in Sagittarius, a sign known for its adventurous spirit, optimism, and pursuit of truth and freedom.
Don’t miss this rare celestial spectacle and don’t forget to charge your crystals!
Strawberries!
Photo by Enchanted Seashells
Enchanted Seashells | Princess Rosebud 