Passions of the Innkeepers
It has been a while since I posted to this Blog. Today, I want to revisit the Inn – and to write about the Inn is inevitably to write about ourselves. Joan and I have poured our lives into this place. It is not a sacrifice – although our kids in a pique might say that it has been. We care about everything here – the material – from toilet seats (you should see the back-up supply) to beds – we always have a couple of back-ups of each size and only buy the finest available. We care about our guests’ “experiences” – and provide opportunities to get out of doors – not just walking around, but paddling the beautiful Big River Estuary, mountain biking Mendocino’s many trails and back roads. If you want to learn about the forest or marine...
Time Wears
On the road last Saturday, we were listening to a program on human aging and possible new technologies for living longer broadcast on NPR or CBC Radio 1. One commentator noted that “time wears out everything.” That is not true. Think about the nature of experience: What we experience might be different, but the nature of experiencing is not. I can remember experiences and the feeling of experiencing from 2 years-old onward. The nature of experiencing is the same. The content of my experience changes and for that matter my experience of myself changes – Now it hurts to walk barefoot outdoors, while I never wanted to wear shoes when I was little. Time does not wear out experiencing. Yet experiencing is an essential aspect of time and does not suffer...
A Modern Myth: The Paleolithic Diet
“You’ll be proud of me! I am on the paleo-diet,” reported Ed, a former staff member. “I eat 25% meat – no dairy- and all the rest greens. No grains. You know, there were no grains then!” Ed came back to Mendocino to say hello and check in. He had recently adopted the paleo-diet and I had no idea why he thought I would be proud of this unless it was because he no longer ate dairy products. I had recommended he quit eating dairy for allergies and for animals. (Read about the philosophies and practices of the dairy industry. When I read them I became vegan.) The Paleolithic diet also includes mushrooms, nuts, and fruit; but not grains, legumes, dairy products, processed oils, and condiments such as salt and sugar. Underlying this theory of diet is the...
Mendocino County – A State of Mind | Sustainability
Mendocino County is beautiful – stretching from forested mountains overlooking river valley vineyards to the rugged Coast. The coast itself is a study in contrasts – from the banana-belt in the south to the foggy redwood forests in the north with sweeping beaches, lighthouses and historic villages. In many respects Mendocino County is a “sustainable destination.” The Stanford Inn engages in sustainable practices. And we are not the only business and family to do so. Nor were we the first. In 1956, the Lolonis family of Redwood Valley chose to purposely manage their vineyards using traditional, sustainable methods – no chemicals and lots of ladybugs. They are the oldest purposely organic vineyard in the United States. Mendocino...
New Year – Old Resolutions
We make resolutions which are really wishes for being other than what we are. “I want to be thin.” “I am going on a diet.” “I will be less angry.” “I am not going to work so much.” “I will not drink so much.” “I won’t smoke.” And so on. There is nothing “new” in making resolutions. Each resolution is a statement regarding ourselves: “I am too heavy.” “I eat too much.” “I am angry.” “I am a workaholic.” “I am an alcoholic.” “I smoke.” This game we play with ourselves has no winner, indirectly affirming what it is we don’t want to do or be through resolutions of what we want. Fundamentally we are in...
Facebook – Virtual Dormitory
The Stanford Inn by the Sea is on Facebook – so is our Ravens’ Restaurant. Facebook is an important way to keep interested guests informed about what is happening at the Inn. Trade journals tell us that social media sites are an essential aspect of marketing. And marketing a business is one thing: exposing oneself is another. Using Facebook troubles us because in a way through our presence we are supporting the concept of virtual social networking. We are plugging into a venue where personal information is shared openly and we are concerned regarding “unintended consequences.” Through Facebook and other social media more is known about more people than at any time in the history of mankind. We can check each other out – either...
Recent Comments