I’m a day late but Welcome to the Seventh Month. This month the only national holiday in Japan is July 21 or Marine Day. According to Wiki, Marine Day falls on the third Monday of July, a time which coincides with the ending of the rainy season and the beginning of the hot weather. They take this day to honor the oceans which provide them with so much.
A few days ago I promised to reveal the identity of the town called Slow. San Luis Obispo is about two hours north of Santa Barbara and is home to this lovely mission.
Unlike the “Queen,” this mission is in the middle of town and surrounded by quaint shops and restaurants. It was named for Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse France, who gave up the life of a prince to become a Franciscan (he’s generally pictured with a crown at his feet). He wore himself out serving the poor, sick and downtrodden and died at age 23.
San Luis Obispo is basically a college town. It’s a bit inland from the ocean and so they don’t get the kind of tourists that nearby Pismo Beach, Morro Bay or Hearst Castle get. Thus it’s nickname Slo.
After SLO, Highway 101 veers inland and you spend hours passing field after field of crops growing at various stages between the Sierra de Salinas and the Gavilan Range, and towns where it helps to know a bit of Spanish!
I wish every American could see the valleys of California – the mile after mile of crops tended to and harvested by people who are not criminal and who are not illegal and without whom we would starve.
Saying nothing in particular 
Americans are too far removed from the origins of the food they eat, no less how much work goes into putting it on their tables.
This is true. If I had to rely on my gardening skills to eat we’d starve!
I grow lovely flowers, but I doubt they’re very filling..
Most people in the states have lost their fucking minds.
They think life is a reality show. Or a video game.The cruelty they’ve bought into is appalling.
One of my favorite towns.
I remember the beauty of that area from a trip some years ago.
Especially when the hillsides are still green!
A beautiful post ….I agree those biggots need to open their eyes see the world and what they are doing.
💜💦💦💦
Trump’s supporters don’t want to see anything. Except cruelty. They love cruelty.
May they get their comuppence!?!!
I love those those. It’s a peculiar kind of obsession…
San Luis Obispo a French Bishop? I learnt something new. Thank you Jan.
(And no, those who tend the crops are not criminals… but they will be caged in Alligator Alley…)
(I must confess I am a tad depressed…)
Be good.
We lived in California when I was 14 year old. My father had a 2 year teaching contract at The University of California at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). You’re right about it being slow paced. We would go to Morro Bay for fish ‘n chips occasionally, but it was very slow placed.
My father was a professor too! Never anyplace as quaint as SLO!
*paced*