I am seated at a small round table which is covered with a white table cloth, and rests in a bay window alcove. In the corner in front of me, a gas fireplace glows and fills the room with  a soft warm embrace.

To my right is a queen size bed in which my wife sleeps.

At my left through moisture streaked windows, I see the faint outline of that vast diorama which is the rugged Northern California coast. Approximately 400 feet below me, down a near sheer cliff, lies the sea, and she has come awake with new swell in the course of the night. I can hear waves crash and rumble over the jagged shore in the darkness.

We are in the “lighthouse” which is a converted tower type room consisting of three levels in a four story, old building cliff top construct in Elk, Northern California.

I have been writing on global events, which I have experienced these past several years.

We had come up to Northern California at the request of a close friend, to help a woman develop a long arc plan to preserve a large tract of land for posterity. I had enlisted the assistance of my close friend George Orbelian, who is highly skilled in such things. Our meeting only two days ago, in the beautiful hills above the coast, was memorable.

I think that what we are endeavoring might work, and that we may be able to help keep the land as it is for the principles of the Trust, who  just like the rest of us, are looking at their exit, and want all to go well for everyone associated with the land, when they pass on.

The long ago divorced couple, gets land responsibility better that most people I know. It is hard to have a frame of reference for what it means to own a large, land grant type tract of land. I have some close friends who do, down on the Gaviota Coast. We have spoken of the responsibilities often.

Those conversations helped me frame what needs to be done for this land and these people.

As a Hawaiian I get land. We embrace a tenet called Aloha Aina, which loosely translated, means the love for and of the land. It refers to the life it hosts and brings forth. In that are reverence and gratitude.

I saw those illustrated with the two people I met in Bodega. I was thoroughly charmed. It was really a great honor to be asked to help, actually.

Odd, yes.

But here I am, sitting on the most dramatic perch and telling you about it. I have always loved aeries and here is one of the most beautiful ones, which I have ever experienced.

I say this a lot. “Life is messy, but beautiful.” This trip is more evidence of that.

A hot cup of coffee made on the cheap, in room coffee maker, so common in hotel rooms everywhere, keeps me company, as I watch the light slowly dial up outside and reveal the new day.

Today we head back down coast to Point Arena to see some friends, and then down to SF to spend some time with George, and discuss ongoing events at Fukushima. Hopefully we get to see what we refer to as our super twinkly Artist pals, Jenny and Kendall, in process.

It is going to be a busy day. Hopefully, more beautiful than messy.