Russian River Times

This guy and I had an anniversary, so we made a little trip to Russian River Brewery and then spent the weekend in points beyond.

 
Did you know there's a whole part of California dedicated to making wine?! Really! We went there finally. Actually, we've been to wine country for other stuff, like driving through it. We're beer people, go easy on us. One local we ran into found out it was our first time in Guerneville (world-class city under Rome) and was incredulous that we had somehow missed it as native Californians. Well, I guess when we go places, we go to...other places that are not Guerneville? Anyway, charming place, that Guerneville. It was the gayest Mt. Shasta by the beach that I ever visited. I liked it! I really did and I'm keeping it in mind for a return trip with Ira. There was a lot of nature there he would have appreciated. Like these jaw-dropping, thousand-year old redwoods above.

We started out one morning on a little walk through the woods, but it was so beautiful and cool in the woods, our walk turned into a 3 or 4 mile hike through Middle Earth. This fungus reminded me of a book I used to really love when I was a little girl.

 



Behold the softest, featheriest needles ever made. They were like cat eyebrows. 



We headed to Jenner one evening to watch a sunset on the beach. Romantic times! But it was quite windy and the beach was cold! So we headed down to a place where we could watch it from our car. It was just perfect.



We also managed to squeeze in an afternoon of wine tasting. The Russian River valley is Pinot Noir country, so we tasted a lot of those. In the grocery store, I gravitate towards budget Pinots, so it was a real treat to taste some really stellar ones. This lizard scurried by swilling a glass of chardonnay. He was cordial enough to pose for this photo.



On our way home, we stopped back at Russian River to get a few beers for the road. It was a fun weekend.

Phoning it in series

Occasionally I update you with some gems from my phone. Mostly I take pictures of grocery lists (I can't even justify why this makes sense when I think about it), blurry things that are supposed to be Ira, and things I want to remember for later, only I never remember them and then I'm left trying to figure out why I saved two pictures of a Cliff bar. Oh, the Cliff bars I have known! Here are a couple of things I actually recalled the signifigance of.




You're either a Gunther's or Vic's person. We're Gunther's people. Here is Ira at Gunther's over spring break. I asked to take this picture. I don't even know why I ask! The answer is always "noooo, mom!" I took the picture anyway and he looks like he's about to pull a Sean Penn and deck me. Whatever. I win.




Back in the days when people had to sign up for landline long distance carriers, I had one that sold my information to AARP and a bunch of other junkmail companies. I have been getting junkmail targeted at old folks for YEARS. At the worst of times, it's a glimpse into the depressing mobility needs of the Ghost of Teeni Yet to Come. Though, I do see myself actually sending away for that free puzzles and games book. At the best of times, I get a windfall of Starbucks cards. Well, that only happened once, but it's worth mentioning. AARP sent a $5 Starbucks card along with information on all my Medicare options. They sent the same letter and card to 4 different combinations of my name. It was great. I used them to try my first (and second and third) pumpkin spice latte! Can you imagine?




Last weekend's weather made for perfect riding conditions. I hit the trail with some buddies and 30 miles later, I felt hungry, worked but also really good. I can't wait to get out there again for some serious riding. That bike trail is a regional treasure.

Gilda

Blazers by Coldwater Creek
Hats at Tilly's

First, how cute is Gilda Radner in this picture? I want to bite her style, except for maybe the hat. I'm terrible at hats. I have a very flat head around the back. My whole family does. I can't even wear headbands because I've got almost negative skull curvature and can't keep them up. Like Britney, I discovered my malformed head during an angsty period where I wanted to look as bad as I felt. Let's forget 1996 so freaking hard, okay?

Second, I'm in a band now? [I really wanted to follow those words with a question mark because it sounded right in my head.] It's a bunch of girls and we're having fun. I finally have an outlet for my pro attitude and pro gear!

Monday sentiments

None of the Levys wanted to go to our jobs or school today, but we are responsible folks, so here we are toiling away in our usual Monday places.

Ira slyly passed me this note as I was putting together breakfast for him. It says "scooL HoM ✓," as in "no school today, let's stay home." He thinks a written note carries more weight. It does for some things, I suppose, but not today and not for this. When I was a kid, I played sick a lot. I don't know why my parents went along with it, but they did. I can't exactly remember why I never wanted to go to school, but I remember being very shy and easily embarrassed. Luckily, Ira didn't inherit my early social anxieties (I overcame them, I think). He was just really tired this morning. We all were.