Autumn's wonders

The grapes are all on their last harvest. The temperatures are warm during incredible fall daylights and chilly all evening. The grape gondolas are slowly motoring down Woodbridge Road. Some of them are relics from the '40's and some are brand new creatures, large, bulky, and covering the entire lane and part of mine. The last of the night time harvesters are asleep in their barns. Their headlamps extinguished as the last of their vineyards are done. Lodi celebrated its centennial and another Grape Festival has come and gone. The Mister ate too many Lockeford sausages and sauerkraut and of course, major heart burn ensued. It's autumn in my corner of the valley. My pups are sleeping more and languishing on anything soft. The pointer is up early every morning to see if there are pheasants to be chased. My precious masked dachshund burrows deeper in her night night crate and I've turned on the heating pad for her 8 year old bones. Life still continues regardless of time, events, or emotions. I am glad. I am glad that there are realities I can count on. My valley is beautiful. I love to watch for the gentleman waiting for the bus in his suit and cowboy hat everyday that I drive to school. I love to see the older gentleman and his bicycle pedal to his yard care jobs. I love my neighbor's Italian Nana. She shares basil and tomatoes with me.

The Grape Festival reminded me of the wonder of the vine and precious wonder of continuity. The murals so lovingly made with grapes, and nuts, and creativity, made me smile more than I have in a week. Life is precious and I am back.