Spike’s Happy Place

We took Rick to the airport passing the farmers’ market but without time to stop since his flight was earlier than he remembered. We reluctantly dropped him off after too short a stay, but we were happy that he made the effort to come.

Having sold their big house and property in Fallbrook CA, they have been renting a condo in downtown San Diego for the last year and a half. I didn’t think Rick my farmer/entrepreneur brother would like life in a small place in the big city without a garden, but he ad Meg have taken to it. They both enjoy life in the city, proximity to restaurants, culture and a busy marina, and are seriously considering buying a similar place on a a quieter street.

I confess to being slightly envious, but I think dust, construction and dead trees have taken a bit of a toll on my view of the rural life. We do love our house and our life here in general. The picture of Spike’s favorite meadow gives some idea of how dry and dusty things are at the moment, but of course, he doesn’t care. We got out there before the temperatures started cranking up.

I was interested to see an editorial in today’s paper regarding the kerfuffle over Rasta Charlie. It took a rather mild, non-judgemental tone and gave a bit of history so just to shed a little more light, I’m quoting some of it:

The new owners of Montgomery Village told Charlie Brown to hit the road. This Charlie Brown has mocha colored skin, wears a shirt featuring the red, yellow and green color scheme featured on many African national flags, and sports dreadlocks.



If WS Development won’t tear up the eviction notice, perhaps someone will offer him a new home. Rasta Charlie, created by Maria Krahn was one of 55 statues hand painted by local artists and displayed around town to commemorate the 55th anniversary of “Peanuts”. Sixteen were put up for auction raising $309,099 for art scholarships for local students….

Art, even kitschy art, is in the eye of the beholder. So one critic might say Rasta Charlie is an example of cultural appropriation while someone else sees a whimsical reinterpretation of a beloved comic strip character or an affable tribute to Pan-African culture.

To  us, Rasta Charlie is a friendly face we want to keep seeing around town.
-The Press Democrat
 September 3, 2022

Not to split hairs but I think he represents Caribbean culture and I would give him a home any day, but nobody would see him and I think he really should stay right where he is.