Here I am

I keep encountering things here that connect to places I have loved throughout my life. Early in the spring, or late in the winter, there were flowering apple, pear, and plum trees, which were the only signs of spring I remember seeing in San Francisco, where I grew up.  In March I found violets in the lawn, blooming at the same time as the ones Rob's mother showed me in their backyard years ago, that always remind me of her.

This month I have discovered that the tall hedge between the back parking lot and the neighboring property is overgrown with wisteria, coming into bloom over the space I usually park in. Wisteria vines embraced the covered path from the main house to the swimming pool at The Bishop's Ranch in Healdsburg, a place I found and thought the most wonderful place on earth when I was a teenager.

And today I followed a white lump hopping through the southern side of the property, and found a bay laurel along the path. The smell brings back so many memories I could fill long pages with stories tied to it.

O Lord, who brought me to this place when I put my life in your hands, help me to continue to trust in your Providence and accept each day as your gift, without spoiling it by worrying about the future.

First flight

This morning, at about 10:00, I heard incredible shrieks outside the lobby.  I went out and looked up at the tops of the elms in our courtyard, and saw four birds of prey circling between the two trees.  Two were smaller and less skillful in flight.  Apparently the resident falcon family had decided it was time to launch out of the nest!  The parents glided from tree to tree and called out to the youngsters, the young called back and flapped rapidly after them.


I love working here.