CSI CAMBRIA
Last Fall Diana and I volunteered and trained for an organization known as Beachcombers. Lest you think Beachcombers denotes a degenerate hippie cult, it is actually a project of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (NOAA) with its own dedicated project director.The mission of Beachcombers is to monitor the heath of the marine mammal and bird populations along the Central California Coast.
The beaches covered run from Morro Bay up through Santa Cruz. One day during the first week of every month we “walk” our assigned beach, at low tide. Our team is assigned about 1.25 miles of beach north of Leffingwell SP just north of Cambria. We are looking for any deceased (i.e. dead) marine mammals or shore birds that are on our beach. We then try to identify the species of animal or bird, the cause of death, time of death, and if the remains were scavenged by another animal (or human). The most difficult task if identification—especially if it is a shore bird skeleton! And, yes, one of our compatriot teams did find a human body on their beach on a remote section in Southern Monterey County. He probably was a drowning victim.
This is important work, mundane, as it may seem. Without actual research on bird and mammal mortality on the Central Coast, catastrophic diseases or environmental deterioration could remain unknown until it was too late to take action.
THE LITTLE PRINCESS
The Little Princess emerged into this world on the last day of January in 1972. It was very late at night, bitterly cold with her path to life filled with snow and ice. As her mother and father were commoners, the little princess had to settle for a bright orange Volkswagen Beetle as her conveyance toward the place of her budding rather than the traditional jewel-encrusted coach drawn by six snow-white horses. This was doubly sad since the Germans didn’t yet believe in adequate heating for their motor vehicles and it was terribly cold.
The Commoner Parents shivered but persevered in their effort to arrive at the great birthing hub at The Ohio State University for the Little Princess’ entrance into her kingdom. Through the night mother commoner struggled, ranted and bellowed out oaths for the gods to be merciful. The Magicians in flowing white gowns scurried about in anticipation of the Little One’s arrival. Commoner Father sweated, paced and tried to reassure Mother Commoner that the end was near; he whispered that it really wasn’t as bad as all that. Commoner Mother could only think of four-lettered words in reply to Commoner Father.
As the sun brightly arose from the east, the Little Princess emerged from her cocoon much to the relief of Commoner Parents and the Magicians. Commoner Dad thought the Little Princess was the most beautiful being he had ever set his eyes on. So did Commoner Mother; however, she was focusing on talking the Great Magicians into prescribing bourbon medicine for her pains.
Our beautiful Little Princess was on her way...
Blogger Rescues Renowned Photographic Collection
It was my unbelievable good fortune to be the one that discovered the Roget von Tetzel photographic collection in the dustbin at Psychiatric State Hospital’s Office of the Curator in the Art Therapy Department’s achieves.
The import of this find is best summarized in this headline from The Artistic Photographer: “DAMN! Despite Best Efforts, von Tetzel Collection Unearthed!”
Not to be confused with namesake Todewski von Tetzel, considered a legitimate photographic genius, Roget von Tetzel’s photographic body of work remains an enigma in the art world. His work is never shown anywhere, but his expletive-laced reputation has spread via word-of-mouth, much like an STD. His genius remains unknown and scorned by everybody with a modicum of artistic sense.
I consider it my duty, as a good citizen of the world, to share von Tetzel’s work with the public at large. It truly is an efficient way to share the pain these photographs cause. We will publish one Roget von Tetzel photograph with each post of Teetzel’s Cambrian Pathways, in the hope of establishing the much-needed recognition of this vilified genius’ photographic efforts.
This is a gorgeouly restored schoolhouse built in 1871 in Charlevoix, Michigan.
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