Change of Season

It started raining today, and I don't know why, but it soothed me. I stepped out onto the speckled street, felt the hint of a bite in the air, and I breathed long.

It's time. I can feel it. Time for tea, and for spices, and also for orange and amber and warm browns. Candles. Pumpkins, apples, squash, apple pie. Indian summer was good to us, and it's probably not quite over, but I'm ready for fall. And winter, as much as we ever get it here.

I know this is a little scruffy looking, but I just LOVE the colors in the background. Fall, here we come!

Safari West

We had an amazing weekend, spent with Evan's company at Safari West. If you're anywhere near Northern California and you like animals at all, you have to go. It was the two most magical days I've spent in a long time. We arrived for lunch, went on a two-hour jeep safari among herbivore-grazed fields, and then spent another 40 minutes on a walking tour of aminals in zoo-like enclosures. Then we spent the night in 'tents,' which were much swankier than the word implies. And to top it all off, in the morning we got to see some other animals up close and personal, and even touch some of them!

I can't even imagine being this tall.

I felt like a kid. I think you're supposed to outgrow this fascination with zebras and giraffes and such, but I never did. I honestly can't think of a more pleasant way to spend a couple days than seeing all our distant relatives in their natural glory. And they're fascinating! Did you know the tongue of a giraffe is ten inches long?? I didn't, but now I feel so informed.

Can we call this my Sistine Chapel homage?

Great Big Eyes

It's all about the eyes. Person, dog, deer, the eyes are what count. And this little baby impala has amazing eyes. Wouldn't you agree?

Whale Bones

In the Rain

I took this image at the same time as this one. Although I certainly like the first better, this one also has its charms.

Street Portrait - Hero

We were sitting around for a pint of beer at Marlena's when he walked over to turn on the light behind us. Not thinking much of it, we admired his uniform. Costume, really, we thought.

"What is it? Marine?" we asked.

"No," he said. "Air traffic controller." I thought that was the end of the conversation. No surprise here that I can't recognize an air traffic controller when I see one. All uniforms look mostly alike to me.

Then Robin asked about the medals. "And what about those? Are they real? Did you get them?"

He shyly explained that they were. And what they were all for. I'd tell you, but the only thing I can remember is that I was impressed. Quite impressed. He explained that he was at the bar with 'his fellow' to celebrate the end of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' And that's when I knew that there were medals he deserved that weren't there on his chest. And we thanked him for serving his country even when it wasn't ready to accept him.

I didn't catch his name, but I hope he had an excellent night out. And I hope that when I get to be his age that any of my old clothes continue to fit so well!