A Burned Madrone

I was trying to catch the early morning light through the oak trees but realized that the burned tree was in my way. Then I decided that the burned tree was more interesting than the light. Madrones, unlike their smaller cousin the manzanita seem to be very particular and are ,not very resilient. We lost one in our garden too. Even burned, it has a certain dignity and beauty....

Trail House was packed with big guys in muddy boots this morning. they must have been hiking in Annadel Park as there was no visible means of locomotion other than the prodigious amounts of mud they left behind. Our little group elected to sit outside where Maya's picture (read on and all will be explained) inspired a hilarious  discussion uniforms of various types, including business suits and ties, now pretty much passé with the exception of lawyers and politicians.

I was texted two pictures this morning. Both were entirely out of character for the people pictured. 

The first was of granddaughter Maya in her Air Force ROTC uniform, complete with highly polished black boots and stupid looking hat. She is in high school. Why on earth do they even have ROTC in high school? She signed up for pottery but they gave her tap dancing instead. She didn't want that either so they put her in ROTC because it was the only other elective offered at a time that would fit into her schedule. She's philosophical about it...says she's getting in shape after a year and a half sitting in front of a computer. I don't think she'll be flying fighter jets....

The second picture was of Dana in her 'Lucky Duck' costume.Jim took it and sent it to me and it is very clever indeed...feathered 'wings', white baseball cap with orange bill and goggly eyes and big orange duck feet. Perfect costume for a middle school teacher to wear to a Halloween party. 

Neither Maya nor Dana would be very happy with me if I published these pictures, tempting as it is,  so they will remain in the private family archives.