Silent, steady, the full moon rises, higher and higher above the Valley of the Moon. From my perch at the top of North Signal, I watch in awe. She is so still, so brimming with light, brighter and brighter each time I glance up. The mountains too stand steady in their strength and abiding solitude. All I can do is root my feet, take a deep breath, and allow myself to feel the moment.
*****
The full moon casts a spell of enchantment on the valley. You can wander the trails and streets by the light of the moon and see—but not be seen, except by wild animals. For just a little window of time, you can shed the years and wander carefree, letting your dogs take the lead. You pass houses where you lived long ago . . . you walk a trail that you once followed, on a moonlit night like this, wearing a flowing, white, hippie wedding dress, when you were young and slender and had no idea how beautiful you were . . . when you poured your hopes and dreams into a man who later confessed he was drawn to you like a moth to a flame. But even making love by the light of the moon couldn’t cast out his memories of Vietnam . . .
Suzaji's Blog 
April 1, 2013 at 7:32 pm |
Whoa, Free Spirit… remind me not to drink out of that reservoir…
4-1-2013
“…as we walk toward the reservoir, toward the lilting, haunting sound of birds calling, toward the symphony of living, holy water. My Pentecostal background rears its head and I consider baptizing myself, but the day is too cold. Instead, I wade into the mossy cool water, close my eyes, and listen to the water’s song. …”
Very poetic, but dogs and people do not belong in the drinking water.
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April 2, 2013 at 3:32 am |
Hi Alison,
Thank you for your concern but I want to assure you that the stream is away from drinking water (it’s not the reservoir). A little further up horses and people cross to nearby trails…and all kinds of animals likely walk through and drink from this stream. Plus there are ducks nesting and swimming.
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April 2, 2013 at 3:41 am
The above Comments refer to a Post on Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013, “The promise of rain hangs over the valley.”
https://suzaji.com/2013/03/31/the-promise-of-rain-hangs-over-the-ojai-valley/
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