October 12.

Goat Rock, Sonoma County.

I cruised to the coast though I knew I wouldn't have much time.  This first stone kept catching the wind and took a while to find its comfortable resting spot.    15/60+     55kb    A few people snapped pictures, but they weren't very close.  Why didn't they come speak to me?  I love meeting new people.  I need a t-shirt that says: "TALKS TO STRANGERS."

 

October 20.

Goat Rock, Sonoma County.

20/25     75kb

Sometimes it's not so much what is said as when. Whether a greeting, a mantra or a quick one-liner, delivery is everything.    Myself, I get messages from everywhere, and today was no exception.  My journey to the coast started with a beatiful prayer, spotted on a bumper sticker:    "If you lived in your heart, you'd be home by now."    Ain't that the truth.  I took "home" with me to the beach and had the easiest day of Zeni D'yo ever.    My gratitude at this opportunity of loving silent stillness under a blue sky did not change when the fog rolled in.  Every stone that grabbed my attention was used in a stack, and no stones were discarded.  I was on a roll.    Below:  the day's first stack, 40/120+

South	West	East     75kb

 

I found three wide, flat stones and was immediately intrigued by the possibilities.  The first one, center-twisted, stood upright after 10 minutes of adjustments.  Once in place, I lay the second one across it for a platform.  My over confidence there caused them both to fall into ankle-deep water, so I was more careful the next time.    This first version of "The Mast":  35/10.    The next one, with counterweights and a counter-counterweight, was destined to a short existence.  My third however, completed in the last photo below, contains 12 stones.    The top stone, a smooth agate, stands delicately in testimony to intention and imagination:  it was dropped into position on a prayer while my left hand stradled the larger stone two-below it.

20/05	60/60+	75/45+

 

I acknowledged to myself that this stack was going to be impossible before I even set the first stone down.  So much for limitations.  The middle stone weighs about 30 pounds, or about 8 times more than the foundation stone.   12/30+    During my three hours, I endured five photographers, a dozen distant well-wishers and a friendly older gentleman who sat in awe just a few yards behind me.  "You want to give this a try?", I asked.    "Nah, I could never do that."    Had I met him earlier in the afternoon, I could have offered to dispell his illusions.  Instead though I let him enjoy the last fifteen minutes of Zeni D'yo as a spectator, and then raced home to look at the pics.

	75/45+    40/120+,  12/30+      15/15+

 

October 21.

Goat Rock, Sonoma County.

The stack that stayed for 24 hours plus.    After regaining my breath from the shock of seeing this 12–stone stack still standing, I looked up the beach and was further floored.    Apparently my stacks had inspired others to try their hand: there were two dozen stacks nearby.   Although some were clearly "piles", I felt a new sense of connection with my fellow beach-goers.