The door's been slid open most of the morning, but now I sit out back on a bar stool with the sun beaming down on my neck as a slow, cold breeze breathes on me from the north. The sun is making its way behind the house and its only a little past noon. In the summer, it would be blazing overhead at this time,. But now, in Winter, it will be buried behind the roofs, shading the porch and dunes far earlier than I'd like.

Today is a good day to cook out. There's something gratifying about being able to "bbq" in January. Mother Nature has been relatively kind to us this winter, today like a gift for good conduct, but I know the ravaging, brutal days of harsh winter on the Chesapeake are nearing.

And for that, all of us residents and social expatriates, are fearing.

A feast of hamburgers with fresh vegetables and onion rolls, chicken wings and legs, and whatever else I can conjur is on the plate for today.

Otherwise, salutations by noon, preparing myself for the big Los Angeles adventure that begins on Wednesday...

The themes of the assignment:
Wheel of Fortune
The LA Lakers vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers
General Hospital
and the general exploration of the "City of Angels,"
the ghetto of Lost Angels,
the city of my birth.
A place I can remember but haven't seen since 1990...

It's been nearly sixteen years since the prodigal native son has been home, and this time, it's all-access and all expenses paid.

And most importantly, to see the "casa" where I came into the world.
The little spanish pueblo on the foothills of the Angeles National Park.
Altadena.
East Dolores Drive.
The block of my beginnings.
It should make for quite an experience.
I am ready...