Columns

For years our beautiful and majestic dogwood tree stood silent. When we first bought the farm 20 years ago, it was like clockwork, and every spring our dogwood would bloom gorgeous white flowers, right in the front of the house. Cars stopped on Yoakim Bridge to photograph it. I think it is the most beautiful tree on our property, and maybe even in the Dry Creek Valley, though others would argue that. Perfect is the shape, shocking white is the bloom. Every spring we would marvel at this gem, and it was always a trigger, for when the dogwood blooms, we know we need to begin thinning our peach trees. 

Thanksgiving presents itself in a simple gathering of food and family. It requires no tree in the living room, no retrieval of dusty ornament boxes, no cards, no gifts that usually miss their mark. It is all good eating and camaraderie.

Four years ago, I moved out of Healdsburg proper after living there for 10 years, to Brack Road off of West Dry Creek. The Walbridge Fire came within ¼ mile of where I am living and while I am fortunate to have escaped its ravages on many levels, I am humbled by the lessons it has already taught me.

Some people have a big reaction to certain birthdays – the “big” ones, usually ending in a zero, for instance. I’ve never really minded, because I never feel whatever age I am on according to my driver’s license. (And possibly because I have a hard time remembering how old I am and often have to ask my husband to be sure.)

The folk tale about a hungry traveler coming to town asking for something to eat, but finding no one willing to offer hospitality, has been told for centuries throughout Europe, Russia, China and even in Native American culture. While no one knows for sure if this tale is true, its enduring message about sharing a meal with others is still relevant today.

Celebrating 50 Years With 50 Movie Quotes: Part II

In a very alarming development, it has been discovered that all 13 local tax measures that were reported to have passed after election night on Nov. 3 have instead all failed. The staff at the county’s Registrar of Voters’ office, using new computer equipment, entered all of the ballots into the machines with the wrong edges facing to the left. Hence, instead of the tax measures passing by the required two-thirds majority needed, they all actually were defeated by that amount.