Pinyon breakfast

On account of the early hour it was a blur. There was a very good pistachio croissant however. Eventually I had enough coffee that things got less blurry. Above, a non-blurry image.

Buena Bodega revisited

This time I tried their mediterranean bagel and was pleasantly surprised. Mrs. had the bagel with schmear and an iced banana creme latte. It was a good light lunch.

 

Killers of the Flower Moon

A great book and a great movie, but I suddenly no longer feel the need to own the book. My only reservation is a nagging curiosity about what poison was used in the infamous Osage Murders. I've flipped through the book and done some googling, and what I'm getting is that morphine was the culprit, or possibly laudanum (which is derived from opium and related to morphine).

downtown sunset

What a great scene to encounter upon leaving the restaurant.

more Vegan Chef Challenge

Another item from Paradise Pantry's Vegan Chef Challenge menu. What we have here is mushroom toast with "tofu pine nut ricotta served over Café Ficelle country toast, drizzled with balsamic glaze". It's fair to say that this is currently the Best Mushroom Toast of 2026.

Ojai Meadows in February

Seen here are the Saddle Trails but my habit is to call the whole thing Ojai Meadows.

Room Service with a table

We figured it was just a matter of time before Room Service Coffee got some tables. We were right. The table worked fine, but it was a beastly hot day - even under an umbrella.

corn chip needs

My corn chip needs are considerable, and it has partly to do with salt.  

twice read tales

The only Barry Lopez book I ever read, and I read it twice. 

the beached boat of 1-30-26

All I know is that this is something we saw from the PCH. 

pieces of Carp

Among those pieces were boiled peanuts and a vermilion snapper sandwich from Dang Burger and an overdue visit to Lucky Llama Coffee. And of course the beach, which looked great.

 

Farmer and the capp

There were times when the coffee drinks at Farmer and the Cook didn't seem quite right, but I'm happy to report that my most recent cappuccino was perfect.

"fish tacos" revisited

The "fish tacos" at Farmer and the Cook - every bit as delicious as they were the first and second times. Wish they could have entered this in the Vegan Chef Challenge while at the same time keeping it permanently on their permanent menu.

mango curry

Another successful meal at Himalaya. I had forgotten how much I liked their mango curry, and how much a bit of garlic naan bread completes the meal - more so than the rice. The tandoori paneer was a nice sideshow. 

The Pirate Hunter

To make a 400-page story short, Captain Kidd was not a pirate but a privateer who was dealt the worst fate possible. For the most part he executed his commission from the king and other high-ranking backers honorably, but the legal apparatus of the British Admiralty - for whatever reasons - had him hanged from the start. Given everything wrong with that system, we now know that he would have been better off going into hiding with his wife and child.

best hotel soap of 2025

A fragrance so intoxicating that it moves the soul and prompts the soul to obtain more. 

picturesque & unusual

The kinds of picturesque and unusual foods available from Buena Bodega. The potato chips with Indian spices were perhaps the most unusual - and distinctive - potato chips I've ever had.

take me to the river

A bike ride to that point in Casitas Springs where the levee and the bike path converge. This is always a good spot to stop and check out the river.

Vegan Chef Challenge

As part of the annual Vegan Chef Challenge, we tried Paradise Pantry's Maitake Banh Mi and Roots & Greens Garden Soup. The Banh Mi was top-notch and delicious. The soup - despite the fact that this place consistently makes great soup - had a peculiar spice or flavor that was a bit too floral for me. That flavor aside, it was good.

a winning combo

A winning combo: broccoli stir fry and pineapple curry at Moons Thai. Thankfully both winning choices are available as lunch specials.

January starfish

Another trip the jetties at low tide. Above photo taken by my wife, who is the starfish whisperer in our relationship. Unfortunately I think my feet got wet on this particular outing.

Taormina

It was good to encounter this sign and get the full story behind Taormina, the Theosophical retirement community founded in 1965. It's funny to think of something built between the 60s and the 80s as historic, but there you have it. The original Taormina is a resort town in Sicily founded in 734 BC.

Buena Bodega

First time checking out this interesting new food and beverage venue.

bike path 2026

It was good to check out the bike path and the effects of all the heavy rain.

The Dutchess 2026

Coffee on the back patio of The Dutchess, which paired well with Mrs' new shirt.

the cookie that Mrs. liked

Singing Sun patio

The patio at the new Singing Sun works this time of year.

sunlight and shadow

The play of sunlight and shadow is free, and one of the best things in life.

a memorable bisque

I picked this one on an intuition at Sprouts and the hunch proved to be correct.

insects of the Ojai Valley

We popped into the Ojai Valley Museum and I was impressed with this comprehensive display of the insects of the Ojai Valley. Some were familiar; many were not. 

New Year's stroll

A failed attempt to visit the botanical garden (it closed early due to the holiday) was a blessing in disguise, as we went for a stroll on the promenade instead and enjoyed these precious views. I believe there was a full moon / king tide thing going on.