Tova Count Down: Atmospheric Reentry 10:00 am PST
by Pasadena Adjacent
Big Mamma cat is making tracks this morning to rescue nuclear infused Tova from her 24/7 fluorescent lit encapsulated existence
Tova thought bubble….(Please Hurry – I’m so lonely)
While Tova suffered, I took a detour to see if the surrounding territory was to my liking. I met up with the great Polish actressMadam Modjeska in front of her home “Arden” built by the notorious Stanford White. Seems Helena’s first stab at Utopia in the OC was a failure (the Anaheim Colony). Someone’s got to pick those grapes and it wasn’t going to be her. Back to Poland to restock the bank. On her return she purchased land on the west side of Saddleback Mountain range where she led me on a tour.
and I took some pretty pictures
MVI_0627, originally uploaded by Access Palm 2009.
that is, after leaving Modjeska Canyon and climbing Harding Trail to Goat Shed Overlook. Recognize blogger composer David Ocher’s music playing in the background? He may be Polish but I didn’t ask.
As for tonight’s homecoming meal: fish is on the menu. But I must warn you, if your of child bearing age you my not want to sit on my chairs for the next two weeks.
Of course there would be a movie….
Wow! I didn’t know that someone tried to make Anaheim into a Utopia.
Tova looks poised and ready to get on with her tumor-free life.
Even I want your cat to be rescued outta that microwave oven!
Enjoyed your travelogue, PA.
I was confusing her with Madame Walska. Not Madame Tovah, Madame Modjeska.
So who’s’ afraid of a glow-in-the dark cat. bet she’s happy to return home…again. Is she the former fugitive freed by Freddy?
You clever time traveler, you.
Tried exploring that mountain 8 years ago, to see if there were any good hikes. Couldn’t work out why part of it had the unAmerican and hard to remember name Modjeska (so thanks for the info). It was too hot and shadeless to walk a dog, and later it all burnt down. How long ago was that great fire? Two, three years? Hasn’t recovered much, has it? But hopefully, Tova is recovering happily at home!
I just composed a lengthy comment with pull quotes from the film trailer. It got lost when I tried to submit it.
Grrr.
I hope this works. I’m so glad Tovah is home.
…………
The story of Madam Modjecka as told by the trail master himself John McKinney. I have a signed edition of his “Day Hikers Guide to Southern California” and the book I used to find Harding trail.
http://articles.latimes.com/1989-01-07/news/vw-100_1_modjeska-canyon-road
This link leads to a flikr Page of Modjeska’s estate
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27398485@N08/sets/72157610713740353/
The trail begins at the base of the Dorothy May Tucker Sanctuary. A woman who willed her land to the Audubon Society. It straddles the stream seen on the right in my wee video production.
This is the drive up Modjecka canyon
Susan: She’s not tumor free yet. Radiated iodine was used to break the tumor up which then takes up to six months to be absorbed. We at Pasadena Adjacent look forward to Tova leading a symptom free life too.
CO Dog: The microwave oven reference works better with poodles
AH: Madame Walska was ahead of her time.
“Madame Walska turned her sights toward California’s sunny climate and free-thinking residents. At the encouragement of Theos Bernard, her sixth and last husband, she purchased the 37-acre Cuesta Linda estate in Santa Barbara in 1941, intending to use it as a retreat for Tibetan monks, and renamed it “Tibetland.” The Tibetan monks never appeared, and sometime later, after divorcing Bernard, Madame Walska changed the name of her estate to “Lotusland” in honor of the sacred Indian lotus growing in one of the ponds on the property.
Have you been?
http://www.lotusland.org/history.html
D: Yes….and I can pinpoint all Tova’s medical woes to that 10 day period she was lost without food or water. Poor kitty has suffered more trauma then her share.
When I said “that cats going to kill me” in the last post, I wasn’t kidding. I’m not to get nearer then 12 feet to Tova 23 out of 24 hours. Tova disagrees whole heartedly and won’t let me out of her sight. I now sleep wearing a plastic raincoat with 100% cotton blankets. The cotton absorbs radiation best. I’m not kidding.
Peoples our other cat, goes into a hissing meltdown whenever he comes within range of her.
Margaret: said one time traveler to another
Bellis: 2007 was when Modjeska canyon went up in flames. If you go now it’s gorgeous. The recovery is slow nd the chaparral such as Bay Laurel, doesn’t seem to have recovered (it is on our hills). On the plus side, with all the rain I expect a dazzling display of wildflowers. Take the dog on a cool day. I’m going back soon.
Laurie: I hate when that happens….Tova is back and according to our other cat Peoples, is sporting a mighty ugly aura. She’s completely hazmat and I couldn’t love her more. Read comment to D for details
Tova sounds very happy to be back home. Must be difficult, she needs you as much as you need to keep your distance. How long does this radiation thing last?
That was a nice hike! Your writing is really like you, which, of course, you’d expect. However, maybe it’s fun for you to know that you’re writing like a good story teller.
Yes, I’ve been many times. One of my favorite places in the world. If it were closer, I’d volunteer there rather than the Huntington.
Keith: She came home with a half page of instructions and I broken over half of them. The date they’ve given me to keep her isolated is March 19. As I type this she’s asleep in a chair a foot away from me.
Pat: How funny you should say so. I’ve often said in words and voice that I think there’s a difference between writers and story tellers (and that I fell into the latter). Your comment made my day
AH: Lotus Land not to be confused with the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens burnt in the fires??? I want to go. Maybe a future weekend trip.
So haute.
And your images are really pretty :)