Hello Everyone! Cactus Kate at the keyboard here at the Malibu Library. The past week is one we give thanks for, mainly due to the generosity and kindness of our son Raymo, his partner Gino, and their lovable dog Rogelio. We parked Marion at O’Neil Regional Park while we actually slept in a bedroom at Raymo and Gino’s comfortable townhome in Aliso Viejo. We accompanied Raymo on walks through open space creeks, watched movies and reveled in being with this good family. The lads laugh often and appreciate the life they’ve created for themselves. On the day before Thanksgiving we visited Laguna Beach, downloading its creative vibe, enjoying gelato at Gelato Paradiso, and coffee and, for Bill, a heated French pastry cinnamon roll from C’est La Vie French cafe. It’s fun to walk the Treasure Island Trail through a cactus/succulent botanical garden past Montage Laguna Beach with its views of the Pacific.
That evening Raymo took us to a favorite eatery, Inka Grill in Lake Forest. Felt like being in a family’s living room. My seafood paella was delicious, accompanied by Inca Cola. That night, we laughed like crazy watching Freaky Friday with Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan. Good food for thought to imagine being in another’s shoes.
Thanksgiving morning I chatted with my long-time friend and former Acorn newspaper editor Kateri Alexander, who now lives in Virginia. Our grandson doggy Rogelio listened in on the conversation. We enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans and fresh cranberries before heading out to see Wicked at the nearby theater. Great message about what’s important. I love Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. She is a superconductor of emotion.
Gino had discovered a quiet beach in Newport. We visited there the day after Thanksgiving, followed by late afternoon lunch at Chupencito Mexican Cocina. Delicious homemade food. Open since April 2023, this gem of an eatery in Aliso Viejo is a welcoming place, thanks to Alix Wiesen-Todd, co-owner with her husband, regional chef Martin Hernandez. Experienced in the hospitality industry, Alix prepared home-made meals for friends and family when COVID closed many restaurants. I reveled in my home made tortilla tacos with shrimp and mushroom. Their chips and salsas are also homemade. Yum.
Returning to our campground at O’Neill Regional Park Saturday, we picnicked with Bill’s brother Larry, his wife Candyce, and their standard poodles Diego and Mia.
It was on this day I realized how much I enjoy Orange County. For years I was opposed to its track housing and strip malls. Seeing it through Raymo and Gino’s eyes the past two-plus years they’ve lived here, I’ve shed my skewed lens and have learned to see its appeal.
The following morning Raymo texted and asked if we wanted to meet for breakfast at Brio Brio Cafe, a way cool Japanese bakery/cafe in Lake Forest. I loved its spirit of Omotenashi, which, Google’s AI tells me: “…originated around the role of the host at a Japanese tea ceremony, and is characterized by core values of anticipation, sincerity, and selflessness. Omotenashi is centered around care rather than expectation, and the idea that there are no menial tasks if they ensure a great experience for the guest.” We sat next to a family with a little boy dressed in a Batman t-shirt. We told him Raymo used to dress in his Batman costume around the same age. Fun!
Afterwards, we drove along I-405 until we reached the exit for Santa Monica. Driving up the Pacific Coast Highway, our soul memory was reactivated as we approached Malibu and Malibu Creek State Park. We lived nearby the park for 19 years before moving to Whidbey.
Finally, leaving camp today in 39-degree temperatures, we drove to Malibu to walk at Malibu Lagoon State Park, and visit with Scott Sutphen, owner of the Malibu Shaman, where my sister Heidi once worked. Seeing Scott once again was like seeing family. We visited his store often when Heidi worked there in the 1990s.
That’s it for now! We’re heading out soon to walk the low-tide tide pools at Pt. Dume. A local lifeguard, Chance Lawson, said there are spectacular anemones there. Love you! –Bajada Bill and Cactus Kate
