Kunde Vineyards

We decided to drive down Highway 12 today as the sun finally deigned to come out, the weather warmed up and the drive through the Sonoma Valley is one of my favorites. the Kunde Vineyards are one of the most beautifully planted parts of the valley with vines growing in different directions around the rolling hills. I'm sure there is a reason why they are planted this way, but I imagine that in addition to the hills the planting is designed to take full advantage of the sun.

We continued on to the Regional Park near Glen Ellen where some of the grasses were chest high. I thought I might make a collage of the myriad types I photographed, but I don't really like the quality of the app that I have been using. So we were quite restricted as to places we could go because of 
   1) Steep rocky descents
   2) Poison Oak 
   3) Foxtails.
They were all there this morning, but the main trail is wide enough for a vehicle and by sticking to the middle of it my knee didn't complain and we could keep Spike out of the weeds. In spite of my dislike for foxtails, by far the most evil weed around when it comes to furry pets, I thought  the shot in extras of a very dry little stand  growing at the base of an oak tree made a rather nice still life. Every one of those little barbs is covered with stiff little one-way hairs which push the barbs deeper into noses, ears and paws.  Not good for a sniffing dog with floppy ears and hairy feet.

Feeling fairly virtuous after our long walk, I pulled a few weeds growing on the path near the front stairs which have been bugging me. John worked on weeds down by the street, which I suspect would have been dealt with by the gardener who is mowing the lawn as I write. The afternoon has been passed pleasantly with my little sewing project. 

My sister-in-law's mother passed away last week at the age of 103 and her funeral was today. She was a lovely lady who has wanted to join her husband Cliff since he died almost 20 years ago. Her Catholic faith prevented her from taking her own life, which is legal in California under certain carefully controlled circumstances. She and her family have been much in my thoughts today. Rest in Peace, Pat. You are finally going to join Cliff.