Take a wee trip with me...

Yesterday was a glorious day at the park. I met a wonderful woman who stopped to chat and give me a big hug. I'll explain that later. For now I'll share some photos I took for you a few days ago on the way to the park. Discovery Park is in Natomas, CA and is located where the American River and Sacramento River converge. It's near downtown Sacramento, the Marina and Historic Old Town Sacramento. I didn't realize it was so close to downtown until I drove to Robyn's house for her birthday (remember that!!!???) and took the 5 from 80. What a little shocker!!! If I wanted, I could walk to Old Sac from the Park. Who knew?! Apparently not me because I'm so busy I never take time to look around and see the forest through the trees. That's going to change.

I wasn't able to take many photos because I was trying to drive, etc., but the above was taken on Truxel. If I don't take the freeway to the park, I get off in town and take main street (Truxel) and always enjoy myself. The speed limit is 40 and trust me, imposed (!!!), so I slow down and exhale. (Dr. P would be proud!) The above is a photo of Natomas' lovely library and community center. I was unable to capture the campus in all it's glory, but plan to in the next month or so (I'm going to stop, get out and walk around) because the architecture is very impressive and the landscape inviting and eco-friendly. It really is beautiful and a good use of urban space. This photo doesn't do it justice because the light changed and I had to boogie.
Going through Natomas to the park. The park is just up ahead. All the trees you see at the end of Truxel Road belong to the park. The large evergreens along the street are CA Redwoods. They're always planted in the wrong place and end up having to be cut down because they get really HUGE! These are just babies!

Things were so crazy at the park I didn't have time to take photos driving in and while there, but stopped on the bridge when leaving to show you a very small portion of the American River. Yes, I was lazy. I didn't get out of the car. Just pointed and clicked. Please excuse the rail. And as I've said so many times before, I love how Mother Nature landscapes. This is looking, hummmmmmmmmmm...is that west? Hummmmmmm. Yes, I think that's west. No, whoops, Lake Tahoe is East. Okay, that's east, so

this is west. I know!!! Too funny! What a lovely concrete pour and steel to boot. Oh, but off in the distance you can see a wee bit of river. Hey, I'm 5'2", cut me some slack. And this of course was taken...

from the same vantage point on the bridge. The cross street is Garden Parkway and signals the end of the park on the north side. I'll continue with this tour over the next few months.

And now for something completely different!!! Yes, of course I'm a Monty Python fan!

The day the BMW was towed away and the Mercedes arrived. For those of you who wanted to know, that's what she looks like. Oh, and those of you who follow me know that's the old roof. It's now black (will post those photos eventually!!!) with new gutters. The garage is a mess because we're trying to rehab the interior and for some reason everything ends up in the garage. Our cars have always had a garage until this remodel. Go figure. And for those of you who follow me (yes, I know I'm repeating myself) you will see a pile of chairs. Yes, it's true!!! Remember???! I actually have a very impressive collection...too many infact. I'm thinking of selling some on eBay!!! I'll paint them all cottage white and use shabby chic fabric. Think they'll sell? Please say yes because I have about 50! What??? And the pile of limbs and leaves. Yes, ready for the compost bins.

Now about my new friend at the park. Her name is Mrs. E. Well that's not her real name, I'm using it to protect her because you know how I protect everyone on my blog (hey Ali, hey Cher, hey Renee, hey Rob)!!! She stopped, beautiful and elegant, with a huge smile and said,

"You feed the ferals?"

"Yup."
She was running so was all hot and dripping with sweat, but looked gorgeous, fit, tan, and adorable in a little navy tennis skirt (so I knew she played tennis too). She asked about the cats. All of them. How many? Where I fed them? What I fed them? Where they spay and neutered? Etc. We had a glorious conversation. She informed me she lived on the river about 7 miles up (which of course didn't surprise me because I knew she was wealthy and only wealthy people can afford to live on the river! It's like living on the ocean.) and fed ferals near her home so was always seeking guidance. We stood in the parking lot and talked about so many things and had such a beautiful morning while Wee-Piggy looked on and seemed very interested. I asked how many miles she runs. She replied "10-12, Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday and 5-7 Monday and Thursday and walk between 4-6 miles Tuesday and Friday."

I started to laugh and she said "WHAT???" I replied "You put me to shame, and you play tennis too!" She said "How do you know that?" I said "because you're wear a tennis skirt." She looked down almost in disbelief and said, "Wow, I forgot to change." I said "You played tennis before this?" She replied "Yes." We couldn't stop laughing. She belongs to a running club and they participate in all sorts of events, so her running schedule is intense, but she plays tennis for pure joy!!! She's gorgeous, inside and out and probably 10 years older than I am and looks 10 years younger. I told her "I'm going to take the next few weeks and reevaluate my life." She said "DO IT!" Then she said "Can I hug you?" I said "Of course!" And we hugged a good long time. She said "I'll see you next Saturday, and thank you for all you do." I said "You bet." And off she went.

I have been graced with some of the most amazing people at Discovery Park: from visitors, to employees, to Rangers, to Directors, to members of the Army Corp of Engineers, to homeless. I am blessed. When I'm old and look back on my life, this will be a period I never forget. Never. And no Mrs. E., I will never forget you. Thank you for such a gorgeous morning.

XO

P.S.

~ Cece, thanks for the call and for your concern. I'll be okay. Thanks too for making me laugh. You always do. I love you with all my heart.

~ Renee, thanks for the email. I'll be okay. Just a bit of a rough patch!!! You know me well enough to know I'll navigate this like everything else. Hard? You bet. But good times are ahead. I just have to wade through the muck to get there!!! Yuck! Thank you so much for your love and concern. I'm sorry I worried you, but so glad you enjoyed the DMV post. That was hoot! I love you baby. Hope all is well with you and yours. I'll email when I come up for air. And we'll call one another in a few days.

~ Leah, I'll be fine. So much going on and only one of me. I feel like one of those little, out of control, bouncing rubber balls that everyone tries to catch but can't get near. I'll explain in an email. Thanks for your concern and the email. I'll get back to you in the next few days, but really, think I should take three or four weeks because you can't actually respond, can you? With Rush Hashanah and then Yum Kippur, legally, you can't blog. Can you? Love you baby!

XO to all who have helped me through this very difficult time in my life. I adore all of you, but of course can't write to every single one because this post would be insanely long!. We'll get through this together. Trust me. I'm moving on and hope you all join me.

XO