Old Barn, New Vineyard

I love old barns and this one in the Alexander Valley has weathered beautifully. Although it looks like it has been standing for many decades, the vineyard around it is newly planted. I like the contrasts in this picture.

Up to an inch of rain is predicted for tonight and tomorrow. It continues to irritate me that, although this sounds like more rain than we have seen at one time all winter/spring, the weatherperson inevitably is quoted as saying that it won't even make a dent in the current drought conditions. It may not fill a reservoir, but every little bit helps and it will certainly make some kind of difference.

The neighbors to the east of us have moved on to their lot with a motor home. Although their house was right next door, it was situated in such a way that we couldn't see it from our house and we never really got to know them very well. Now the shrubbery is much reduced and we can glimpse their temporary home. We knew this was part of their rebuilding plan and that they plan to build a much smaller house now that their children have left the nest. I imagine the motorhome will be good practice for a smaller home. It sounds like an adventure at first, but I think that for me it would grow old after the year or so that it will take to build another house.

Matthew left this morning, stopping off in Berkeley to drive by our old house, send us some pictures and go by Peet's for a coffee and a pastry at the wonderful bakery next door. He always was the most attached to the house he grew up in. It looked exactly the same other than being quite overgrown. I don't think the current owners are gardeners.

 We enjoyed every single minute of Matt's visit but we are also a bit out of practice...it was nice to have a quiet day....