(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) -  We read that humans are hardwired to surround themselves with other humans; family and friends are part of our pod.  Knowing people for a long time but knowing little about them happens and particularly at Lake Murray where we spend lots of time. Other places where people congregate are the same. People that go to Lake Murray for an hour or two at approximately the same time each day are bound to know each other.

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) -  Kurt Vonnegut wrote, "We are here to help each other get through this thing, whatever it is."

Charlotte and Ed Blank walk at Lake Murray. Charlotte doesn't walk every day but occasionally a group of us get together for breakfast and we talk.  We recently discovered that we both like quotes.  I read them, savor them and forget most of them.  Charlotte writes them down to peruse from time to time. A good quote is one that makes one say "Hmmm."

(Mission Times Courier, Ca) -  I was aware that I was smiling when I ran past one of the cairns that was on the Del Cerro side of the lake. Cairns can be cute little terrier dogs or rock formations that mark a trail. The little dogs weren't in formation on the trail. But rock displays often are. The rocks are placed precariously on top of one another to show hikers the way to their destination without using breadcrumbs. They are an art form and I am cheered when I see them by the side of the lake road.

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) -  Mornings at Lake Murray can take your breath away.  I'm not talking about the chill or running hard.  I am talking about the unbelievable sunrises.  The pinks turn to reds that turn to Mercurochrome orange and the colors cover the whole eastern sky.  I know that scientists will sometimes make disparaging remarks about particulates in the air causing the infusion of color.  But it doesn't diminish my pleasure or those around me at the lake.

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) - September 19, 2009 was a fairly mild day considering the preceding and subsequent heat we endured.  Our collective karma must have been good.  September 19th was the I Love a Clean San Diego cleanup day at Lake Murray.