The Last Volunteer

Head bowed from the weight of the seeds, the last sunflower greets us at the top of our driveway. It never fails to bring a smile to our faces  although it looks like quite a few bugs/birds have made a meal of its petals, leaves and seeds. There is actually a bee in the center, but it blends in so well that it's hard to find.

Our neighbors arrived for a drink last night at 5pm and didn't leave until almost 10! We have a lot in common and enjoyed talking with them, consuming a weird combination of veggie chips, lentil chips, cheese and crackers, and a vegetable tray with dipping sauce...and a lot of wine, beer and even part of a bottle of Laphroig that has been waiting in the liquor cabinet for years for just such an evening....Not exactly a balanced meal but we figured most of the basic food groups were represented in one form or another...

We shared our love of Scotland (and its most famous product), a place they say they have always wanted to visit, and talked about the frustrations of rebuilding, living in an R.V., hiking and backpacking.  We were invited to poke around the building site any time we like. They are now awaiting yet another visit from the surveyor and the engineer who will decide where to place the piers which will hold the house to the rock. 

Renee wants a huge boulder which was underneath the old house moved to feature more prominently. The excavator says it will cost $10,000 to move it and Renee says she doesn't care. Talk about being one with your setting...but I get it. 

We were up early and off to the upper walk above Spring Lake by 8am. Just in time to catch the early morning light through the oaks at the top.* A close look reveals the rocky terrain which is a common feature of this end of the Sonoma Valley, and why growing things in the ground can be a struggle.... 

It was a great way to start the day, but we have faded as the day has gone on. I spent a lot of time trying to edit and organize my photos but am only up to July 2015....

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