It Was a Dark and Stormy Night

We met some friends for lunch in the town of Sonoma today. Because we wanted to drop by the White Oak Farm which is on the way, is only open on Saturday, and sells out of its wonderful produce and natural wreaths and boughs quickly, we got to Sonoma early. We were delighted to have the town to ourselves with just a few dog walkers and local folks around. The historic buildings and the mission on one side of the square are set off to best advantage without hordes of tourists milling around. The State Park complex encompassing the mission, the Bear Flag Republic barracks a hotel and some adobe outbuildings is always fascinating. We sat on a park bench in the square, drank our coffee and shared a delicious morning bun from a bakery which is obviously where all the local people go...

Lunch at The Girl-and the Fig with our friends was delightful. Even though the weather wasn’t terribly warm, we sat on their heated outdoor patio which was very comfortable. House smoked trout salad was a perfect lunch. Sometimes we get in a rut and forget to plan pleasant field trips, so we’re grateful to Tom and Sandy for getting us out of the house, and away from thoughts of the Republican Congress which has just voted to throw the middle class under the bus.

We are about to roast all the veggies we bought this morning and have them for dinner. I’m still not quite used to how early it gets dark, but I couldn’t resist taking a picture of the almost full misty moon through the leafless branches of an oak tree.