In 2022, after 2 years of pandemic shutdown, Ananda village re-opened its Springtime at Ananda tours of the Crystal Hermitage Gardens. Many thousands of visitors came out to view the 17,000 tulips.
Downtown Ananda VillageCrystal Hermitage
There is much more to the gardens than 19,000 tulips.
The gardens have been evolving for over 30 years when the Crystal Hermitage was built by Swami Kriyananda. For a long time it was enjoyed by Swami and also the village residents, however in the past 10 or so years has become a destination for visitors from the Bay Area, Sacramento and Reno as well as many locals.
Upper GardensWisteria
Any time I am in the nearby towns of Nevada City or Grass Valley and mention I live in Ananda Village, it is met almost always with “oh the tulips are so lovely. I enjoy coming out to see them”
Over the winter, 19,000 tulips were planted, trails rebuilt, and other improvements made. This year Mother Nature has delayed the bloom with cold, wet weather so far.
The good news is the gardens will be open probably clear into mid May.
We begin the third year of the pandemic where the virus seems to still be the boss. Still we are making adjustments to live as “normal” as possible. Instead of cloth or little surgical masks we are wearing the N95 or Kn95 masks. We have received our boosters and feel we can go out as long as we mask up.
We have a couple restaurants at which we can eat outside under propane heaters in the colder weather. Also a couple take out places but mostly we cool at home. Our community, Ananda Village, has a co-op market providing essentials and a few other fun items. We do shop in town which is 30-40 minute drive. In this pandemic we limit our public interactions but always welcome encounters with friends.
Snow Days outside
We had over 12-14 inches snow last week which is slowly melting. Woke up to 27 degrees this New Years morning and decided to ride. My friend and I usually ride on saturdays together so we loaded up the bikes and headed for lower levels.
The snow had melted a bit but i still needed to scrap if off the back deck in order to open the shed where the road bike is stored. The black object in the back there is my trail bike covered for protection.
I regularly ride my road bike in the area having switched to electric to help with the steep hills.
Loading the bike on back of Jeep in very crispy crunch 28 degree snow
Out on the road riding. It was cold in lower 40’s but fun ride at lower elevations
This quote from one of my teachers is something Itry to live by.
“Forget the past, The vanished lives of all men are dark with many shames. Human conduct is ever unreliable until anchored in the Divine. Everything in future will improve if you are making a spiritual effort now.”
Lord knows i have made many mistakes and have regrets. However, i try to remember this quote when my monkey mind starts thinking of these mistakes and regrets. It really does help. One thing for certain is we can stay in the past in our minds or move forward and be in the present.
Things I will be amazed by, proud hopeful or, grateful for in 2022
1. Amazed we can plan ahead for everything we are doing already
2. Hopeful we can do these things.
3. Concerned about what might happen with wildfires, pandemic, politics
4. We hope The pandemic will no longer the major issue although it will be with us for a long time in some form.
5. Always hopeful The Seahawks win the Super Bowl
6. Am expecting The Warriors win the NBA championship
7. Wouldn’t it be something if Tiger finishes top 5 in the Masters?
8. Hopeful that our village ponds are full in July
9. Looking forward to viewing the photos sent back from the James Webb Telescope.
10. Hopeful We can travel the west in late summer without wildfire smoke
11. Hopeful I’ve created more photo art.
12. Enjoying the new Lord of the Rings Prequel on Prime in the fall.
Last night I scooted over to the Temple of Light at Ananda Village near my home to see if I could capture the colors of sunset with the Mavic Drone. Bear in mind the sensor is really small. I flew up and scouted a few possibilities. The other challenge is location of trees to the east of the temple discourages a roaming drone so I carefully maneuvered Hawkeye (name of my Mavic Pro I) to see what I could get. Took a few shots in Raw (DNG) and also some B roll video for future.
Sunsets are tricky timing especially when you are flying a drone with finite battery power. I edited it a bit in Lightroom and photoshop including straightening the trees (Free Transform) because the wide angle lens distorts the edges. adjusted the clarity, and levels. The noise in silhouettes and shadows was due to high ISO needed. I reduced a little in LR.
Learning experience, Whirlwind, Unexpected, Delightful, Challenging, Full filling, Gone. You fill in the blanks. Certainly not boring.
Living a very active, yet reflective, life filled with new projects is challenging. Being “retired” hopefully allows one to have a little more say over not only what you are involved in but when.
For me, it is more a when since another aspect is living as service filled life. Sometimes the service is requested. Sometimes it is just a feeling that this is what is to be done. Sometimes I even say yes. Other times… well, let’s just hope I reflect on all of it.
Can’t say any major accomplishments this year but some progress and satisfaction from living a directional life.
Many photos and videos. See my youtube channel and website. Photo exhibit at Expanding Light guest retreat. Many greeting cards sold in boutiques. Good health for both of us. Even lost some weight and improved fitness. The Ananda Library working well, The Ananda Bell phones and internet systems are running fine and improved. A bit of travel to see family Wonderful garden House still standing (we live in a major wildfire risk area).
Much gratitude for friends, God, Guru. It’s all about relationships. Within and without.
Other than helping to celebrate Ananda Village 50th anniversary with new temple I am gonna get my General Amateur radio license, a trailer and do some local and perhaps western US travel. Maybe even some more photo/video
Some long time Ananda folks organized and World Market Day here at Ananda Village during this summer’s Spiritual Renewal week…
Some long time Ananda folks organized and World Market Day here at Ananda Village during this summer’s Spiritual Renewal week.
Be The Change Theme for Ananda Worldwide this year
The intention is to provide an opportunity for an interactive event for guests and gurubais to: Represent our various communities and tell folks about Ananda’s work and offerings in their area; Sell products, crafts, artistry and services; Build stronger communication and relationships among individuals in Ananda worldwide family
Artists from many walks of life offered their work for sale
I went out with quadcopter to show a friend how it works and got some fun footage. We had to find a good spot to take off then flew around. Didn’t have much time to do justice to this delightful experience but did manage to capture some footage
Last spring when we first landed here at Ananda Village I had thoughts to fly the Mavic quadcopter over our village. As it turned out the village manager asked me to shoot some footage which ended up in a presentation to the Nevada County planning commission and Board of Supervisors when we applied for the new village master plan permits. Needless to say it was well received.
We held off making this public but now I set it to Swami Kriyananda’s song called “Joy in the Heavens” which seems appropriate.
I have shot more and will be posting more soon. Here is the link to the 3 minute video
PhotoKent's Musings 