Changes

I'm really sorry for everyone who lives where it snowed and was nasty cold this week. Here in California we're trying to enjoy every minute of spring while it lasts. In my yard the lilacs and the orange tree are both in full blossom. You can get high on the fragrance. I think it affected Biscuit.

I had to revive him. I wafted a can of stinky sardines under his nose and he perked up.

The ranunculas (above) and the peonies (below) are glorious, but fading fast.

It's going to be rough when summer comes next week and there isn't enough water in the soil to carry the plants very far. My yard will be fine, I have plenty of water, but out in the foothills the native oaks will be hunkering down and waiting it out.

The long range weather forecasters are talking "El Niño" again, so next spring might find us digging out from winter flooding. You can just never tell what changes are in store.

Beyond weather, there have been some local changes recently. My grandmother's old house next door has been sold and will be fixed up.

The house is well-built and sturdy. But even here in California, where we don't have kudzu, it doesn't take long for nature to reclaim its space. This old house was once the store and post office for the town of Cosumne. This is what the room that was used as a store looks like today.

The counter is original. The whole house is pretty much in its original shape. Which is good in some ways and bad in others. For one thing, the electrical setup will have to be completely redone. I don't think there are any light switches on the walls, all the lights have pull cords. They're dangling down so far because the ceilings are very high.

This is the bedroom door. In some ways, it's a piece of art. Crackle art.

There isn't much left in the house, but Jim from the Corn Stand did find this interesting piece. Anyone know what it is?

Do you put it on top of your car and pretend to be a Highway Patrolman? Is it a giant panic button?

There was a major change in my house this week, too. Bob moved out to his own apartment.

He'll be living downtown Sacramento, 20 miles closer to work. Many of his friends also live there, it's the place to be if you're young and sociable.

Anna is going to be Bob's roommate. They moved in her car and Bob's truck.

I'm so happy Bob's finally on his way to his "real" life. It isn't easy for kids these days to get good, reliable jobs so they can build a life.

It didn't take them very long. I only cried for an hour after they left.