Today was one of those rare, almost perfect days, that years later will stand out clearly in memory when recalling it.
It began w/ me tooling over to Copper to Samanda's house. From there Aims and I drove and to Copper school w/ Sam joining us a few minutes later.
Landie and I were second in line for the podium. She slowly and clearly read why I am her Kindness Hero. Afterwards, we walked up the hill to her classroom. Cardiac hill, I remember it well. Landie is in the same classroom as Aims was 20 years ago.
The children were adorable and gave each of us a special hero's welcome. I received an Irish Gig. Another received a Harry Potter salute. Then it was time for the children who nominated us receive a special ice cream treat.
They didn't tell us before we left that Landie was to receive Student of the Month as well. We had sat and listened to other students receive their awards.
Anyway... next on our agenda was Mountain Ranch to his fam's ranch that has been in their family for generations. First stop, Sender's market where we ordered sandwiches, selected soft drinks, etcetera, for a picnic lunch.
Once on the ranch we drove up to Sammy's parent's beautiful new home. Suzie, Sammy's mom, graciously gave me a tour of their home, which is warm and inviting and has spectacular views. It crowns the top of a knoll which has a breathtaking vista. You can see 3 mountain passes, in addition, to seeing her mother's ranch and Sammy's great grandparent's Brian and Phoebe's 1920something ranch house. Which, in fact, was our destination. Sammy and Aims want to make this their weekend get-away destination. It's remarkably ramshackle, I love it and the family history it contains.
We lunched on the picnic table beneath an ancient redwood tree that had been transported from Yreka and was told it would never make it-- it's now a towering giant and absolutely beautiful to behold.
Afterwards, Sam and Aims got to work tearing up and removing the old carpet while I took pictures, which I will share in a Shutterfly album, later this week. Then we walked down to the pond, past the walnut orchard and persimmon grove, where we talked and drank our soft drinks. Then it was time to head home...
and loving it! Anna Chan and I slept in until almost 7:15 this morning. When we meandered into the living room, the fun began, almost immediately. Jeff put Anna on her leash to go outdoors, part of their morning ritual, which always begins the dog and pony (or, rather dog and cat) show that follows.
Anna exits the front door, as I'm in the kitchen gathering my creamer, coffee cup, etc., to take out to the coffee station, when WHOOSH, our 8-month old Hitchhiker (who looks identical to the chartoon character Sylvestor), rushes past, jumps onto the sink countertop and is looking out the window for Anna.
Really? Hitch... Chan is in the front yard, not the back... you need to work on your comprehension skills. This is an ongoing conversation between us. This leads into Sam our senior (who, is sadly, in his last days and milking it for everything it's worth) Lavender Siamese who will bark (literally) out his orders to the rest of the indoor gang; namely kittens Amaretto, Leif, Tippy and Olive to stop rolling into him at the food bowl (an ongoing battle). Sam just began barking a few month ago-- it sound like a sharp squak. Of course, this dovetails nicely with Chan's growl that sounds like she's meowing. Interspecies identity issues are us! Seriously.
Jeff and Chan come back inside... which leads to Hitchhiker and Anna's daily routine; he'll race Chan to the food bowl, then jump inside before she gets to take a bite which leads Chan to loudly protest in her growl/meow imitation. Then everyone spreads out for their morning naps. Why don't we have normal pets? I ask Jeff, to which he always replies, What would we do w/normal? Good point.
A little while later Jeff tooled off to work. I've fed the indoor/outdoor gang, started laundry, made the bed and am pondering my 'to do' list. After ALL the work there are some fun things on it... like watching recorded segments of The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, Scandal on our DVR, reading, Shutterfly. It's all good.
Flo Rida, Good Feeling
Whatever you decide to do today... go out and enjoy!
