Built in 1871, the Pigeon Point lighthouse is still an active navigation station. Located between Santa Cruz and San Francisco and is considered endangered because of "global warming" sea-level rise.

Perhaps the Californians can look to Plymouth Rock for guidance ...

The lamp room was originally equipped with a 1-ton, 1st-order Fresnel lens of 24 panels first lit in 1872. A 1000W electric bulb replaced the kerosene lamp in 1926. The Fresnel lens was retired in 1972 and had been occasionally lit for annual demonstrations. The lens was removed in 2011.

I had lived in Santa Cruz in the mid-80s - left not long before the Loma Prieta earthquake, I'd likely have been a casualty of that event - but I didn't live there anymore and it's a different story anyway.

The story is that I happened to be visiting friends sometime in the 90s and took a ride up the coast. To my surprise, it was a special event evening at the lighthouse and they fired the old lens up.

I stopped and stared in awe. It was like being in the middle of a disco ball - the only way I can describe it. Times I wish I had a poetic streak - Jean could probably do a better job of describing the sight - had she been there. A spectacular sight I'll likely never see again; certainly not at Pigeon Point. Another of those accidental one-time events that can't and shouldn't be planned or "prepared" for.

My grandfather's world must have had its own unique charms, now lost forever like our times will be in our grandchildren's lives. But being the contrarian I am, I'd rather go visit 1900 than 2100.

I wouldn't live in California again; I'm not likely to visit either except the eastern fringes (Death Valley region) - I'd probably be arrested for something - Idaho plates for example - but there were some wonderful places there. I'd live in Boulder Creek in the Santa Cruz Mountains or up above Nevada City in the Sierra ... in a different time and world.

Oh, look! Let's get pizza. Less than a tank away.

and the sooner, the better.

"Trump's Jan. 6 Speech Not Covered By Immunity: Judge"

“President Trump has not shown that the Speech reasonably can be understood as falling within the outer perimeter of his Presidential duties,” U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta ruled.

(of course, there used to be that little thing called "Freedom of Speech" from that antiquated and obsolete piece of parchment called the Constitution)

Getting real tired hearing about all these judges - especially foreign-born - making law.
Appointed by Obama, preceded by Boasberg.

I'm only an extremist away from home.
Today's headlines on the local stations:

Now I'm basically in favor of disbanding NATO (and the UN - but that's a different argument). NATO may have served a purpose after WWII and perhaps up to the end of the "Cold War" - which ended in 1989 or so.

Today? What's the purpose?

Let's ignore the pros and cons of the present ammunition drain and think of the fundamental claim of NATO: "All for one and one for all"

So the US gets into a kerfluffle - partially to finally break up the Iranian government (our declared and actual enemy since '79 - at least) and significantly to keep oil flowing. Argue pros and cons of the oil trade but our world runs on the stuff with no realistic alternatives in sight at the moment - oil has too many advantages over any other practical fuel source in today's environment.

But the US has very little dependence on Middle East oil - it's Europe and others that depend on the good will of that part of the world ... so one can make an argument that at least part of this war is US fighting on Europe's behalf.

In today's news:
"more and more EU and NATO countries are moving to block US military flights operating in Iran. This includes Spain, Switzerland, Italy and now France."

OK. Their choice. Though it kind of defeats the premise of NATO, doesn't it?
But if they were being attacked, I'm pretty sure they'd wail and moan and beg Uncle Sam to come save their asses.

We need to get rid of these useless treaties ... NATO being high on the list.

The yur'a'peeins always bragging about their own righteousness; they can be righteous without our tax dollars.