Always an open door..., with dogs.

This is my sister's home...., isn't it beautiful?

She has a gift for decorating and there are always delightful places, here and there, that reflect her talents. Then, of course, there are the dogs. They greet you at the door as if you were the only person in the world. The cacophony of barks, yips, small growls and kisses always makes me feel like I'm at home. This is a relaxed "chicken in your lap" kind of home, only without the chickens. Someday, though, I might find a couple of goats in the backyard. Oh no, wait! This is Lafayette, California. They don't allow goats here. But...., you never know.

I stay with Mom when I go down to see her. There is always lots to do and I feel like there won't be a lot more time to just be with her. (I would love to stay with my sister; but she's close by and we always get together while I'm there.)
I woke up to blue sky this morning. The wind has finally come and blown the smoke away for a while. There are still many fires burning all over California and many people have lost their homes. It's very sad. We have been lucky so far, but you're never safe. Fire is the "beast" here and always a threat.

Mom is doing well and I got to spend some time with her, talking about her childhood. I wrote down a lot of information; some that I had not known before. She was born in Berkeley , Ca. in 1918. When she was 5 yrs old her father died, so her mother took she and her brother and sister up to Napa, where her mom was raised. She lived in Napa until she married my dad. They live on her grandpa and grandma's ranch. Lots of great stories. Must write all this down. It's important. It's a connection to the past, but it's also a gift to your children; especially the stories.

I drove home this afternoon. The valley was clear and blue with a few whispy clouds and so were the foothills. The prospector and the dogs were here to greet me and the goats seem happy too. It feels so wonderful to be home. As I hear the "youngsters" say: It's all good.