Mount St Helena

It was the perfect goldilocks morning to walk across the Laguna this morning...not to cold, not too warm but just right! I like the effect almost of lighted windows through the fence, even though it is just the port potties next to the parking lot.

We watched the vultures wheeling overhead and admired the newly pruned vines in the Balleto vineyard. One section hasn't been pruned yet and I wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that the rows are planted in a different directing. Nothing is ever left to chance enthuse well tended vineyards, so I'm sure there is a reason. 

On the way back we ran into a couple and their dog literally taking their horse for a walk...leading him by a halter down the trail amongst the walkers, the dogs and the strollers. He was very well behaved and moved over whenever he encountered someone coming the other way.

We passed the large pond covered with some sort of brown plant covering its surface. Not too attractive and it seems to be successfully keeping away the waterfowl that are usually to be seen there but there was no sign of the bugs that were swarming around it in great swirls the last time we passed.

We went on to Harmony Farm Supply in Sebastopol to buy some lettuce plants and seed potatoes, and stopped for a coffee on the way home. 

Tonight we are fortunate to be the B list guests at our neighbor's birthday. He was expecting his son and wife and grandchildren, but one of the kids had a fever. The son called with this information and said they would still come...'it's up to you'. They must have known it was unlikely in these perilous flu times, they would have been likely to say,  'oh come on, we don't mind...' I have noticed that never have people been so skittish about others who are sick, even though, as far as I know, nobody in the county has contracted coronavirus. You can't be too careful. Whatever is going around seems to have a nasty lingering cough known as 'post viral cough syndrome'.

Anyway, we're happy to step in for an 'elaborate' dinner and birthday cake....I'll wear my new blouse.