It has been three long months since I have been at HR. I wish I could better handle the high temperatures of summer, but apparently I am a tender flower that wilts in the heat. Someday I will have a house with AC and a refreshing pool in which to seek relief, but until then I must avoid melting.
At this time of year, the Ranch is dry and crunchy. The contrast between the yellow hills, the green leafy trees, and the cobalt blue sky provides a different kind of beauty from the lush colorful landscape of spring. The neighboring vineyards are a hive of activity, some preparing for the crush and some already pressing their bounty into this year’s vintage. After a record-setting rainy and cold winter, and a scorchingly hot summer, it will be interesting to see how the wines taste this year. Someday I would like to plant a few rows of grapes and some fruit trees - we have ideal space and terrain for it, but we need to get the irrigation sorted first.
From the shade of our massive pepper tree, I sit and dream about the possibilities of this property. My ideas continue to morph, and expand, now a totally different concept than first imagined nearly 3 years ago. The value of time can’t be measured.
And speaking of time, most of our neighbors have lived on our little dirt road for 30+ years, but surprisingly, we are not the newest addition to the hood. We are now fifth newest! The old timers are a wealth of support and information, and have made us feel welcome and appreciated. I thank my lucky stars to have found this little slice of heaven. Nature’s Xanax.