Don’t drink and shop. Or, do… We celebrated our return to the ranch with a glass of wine at Bovino (research), a leisurely shop (also research) at Farm Supply and the antique barn, and then linner (the most glorious pie ever) at Lebber's Pizza. It was the perfect day.
The stark heat of summer - and September and October’s second summer - is over, copper and gold oak leaves littering the paths and trails around Hummingbird Ranch. It’s crispy cool, but not too bracing, chilly enough to wear a sweater and not have to strip down five minutes later. And after a few brief autumnal showers, little green aspirational shoots of grass are poking up, surely to succumb to the nightly frosts soon to come.
The ranch is also weirdly quiet, with few birds in the trees, no cows in the meadow, and the neighbor’s horses peacefully ensconced in their stalls. The only creature making his presence known is a skunk who greeted Chad in the chicken coop with a dose of welcoming love. Is there a smell more all consuming than fresh skunk spray???
Not sure why there seems to be a lull in the land’s usual vitality, but maybe it’s nature’s breath between seasons. Maybe it’s a cue to slow down, calm your mind, and enjoy the peace the holidays actually intend. Like the land, I think we all need to take a little breather.
Just hours after I wrote the above, all the creatures came out of hiding - cows, donkeys, deer, owls - everyone joined the party!
I’ve spent a lot of time walking around Hummingbird Ranch, looking closely at every tree, shrub, and nuance of the land. So imagine my surprise when I came upon an olive tree, over laden with fruit, right next to the path I take EVERY SINGLE DAY I am here. Maybe because of the drought it has been dormant until now? I don’t know, but wow, amazing! Let’s make some olive oil!
I guess the lesson is to be present in your surroundings and look at them anew every day. You might just see something you’ve never noticed that’s been there all along.
Wherever you find yourself this time of year, I hope you are surrounded by the people you love.
xx Happy Holidays