barn marking Hwy. 128 East, Sonoma Co.

After all the Thanksgiving festivities midst freezing temperatures today’s radiant sunshine with hazy clouds beckoned loudly for a field trip. And all week long I’d been watching and waiting for a break in the weather and schedule to venture back to a road I’ve been finding myself needing to drive. (Book tours apparently take you new places!) The east end of the road begins symbolically at the above red barn, just off our main freeway, harkening to an immediate transition into the heart of Alexander Valley’s wine country. What a treat! In all honesty the day did not present the exact light I’d been watching and hoping for, but that is the human condition when looking to replicate a missed moment. For this very drive took me to a booksigning last weekend in Calistoga, and it was all I could do not to stop the car numerous times on the way to my book event, the lighting being just pre-storm and glorious for a camera, but, alas there was no time. Letting go of the captured memory my eyes adjusted, acclimated to the lighting of the day, and found a subtle beauty to savor instead. Here it is.

Geyserville

The short drive from the barn into downtown Geyserville turns abruptly ever more deeply into the Alexander Valley, which undoubtedly is one of the most beautiful areas of Northern California. It ranges from wide and long vineyards, to simple oak forest, all accessed by narrow hairpin two lane roads, which I have grown up on and treasure driving. So fun!

Alexander Valley vineyard

What I had definitely not anticipated, however, was a breathtaking exhilarating experience with starlings! For upon turning one of the endless turns in the road I chanced upon literally hundreds of them huddled on overhead wires, some just beginning to take off in formation. Luckily there was a shoulder which allowed me to stop immediately and grab my camera, breathless and praying. En masse they flew into the sky before me and in seconds were spiraling into various formations in synch. I was delirious!

Then just as suddenly they moved deeper into an adjoining valley and patient as I was they did not return. What an extraordinary blessing to have come upon them when I did!

Continuing on my journey I managed to catch another couple of lovely views, and then made the decision to take a back road turnoff toward Healdsburg, also the site of a recent book event I did. I thought it would be a lovely thing to simply pay my book a little visit, making tribute to its presence in a very beautiful large bookstore. This book truly is my baby. 🙂

A mere six miles later I found myself parking my car along the zocolo around which the very pleasant town of Healdsburg thrives. These festive flags brought me immediate good cheer!

I sauntered about the plaza taking in the Sunday afternoon mood and activities. All is well in Healdsburg. They have already decorated a large tree in the plaza to mark the upcoming holiday. It was not overdone, but tastefully dressed.

I enjoyed the quiet steady simplicity of this central fountain.

And I smiled as I imagined who might be singing or playing music or dancing soon in this large gazebo at the edge of the large plaza. The stage is ready. Build it and they will come. 🙂

My heart lit up seeing these old fashioned street lamps preserved beautifully in the plaza. Someone there appreciates the early history and has seen to it that these can still be enjoyed by the locals and many visitors who come each week.

And as any gardener would, I took note of the precious mix of trees lining the plaza. So rich!

Along this lovely plaza is one of the growing numbers of bookstores making Plant Whatever Brings You Joy available to new readers. Entering I am passed by one of the booksellers who had purchased my book during my recent book event. “Did you read the book??” I ask her, smiling. “I love that book!” she responds. “I’m buying a copy for someone in my family.” Lovely. It does my heart so much good that this book has touched another reader who wants to pass it along. This its destiny.

Love and venture blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Book News: Please join me Saturday, December 12th at Baker Creek Seed Bank in Petaluma. I’ll be signing books from 1:00-3:00PM. I’d love to meet you in person!

Posted on November 28th, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: Field Trips | 8 Comments »

This time of year the pyracantha is beckoning me from almost any window I pass during the day. Woohoo! Come outside and admire my lovely red berries! Yes, well, I’d like to. And today I did. Took a ladder with me and admired their beauty way up close. Thank you!

Not to be outdone, the neighboring privet (an ifey word in my vocabulary, btw) seduced me into this portrayal.

Yes, you are pretty. Sort of. And I am anticipating a flock of robins to come through and gobble you all up in one fell swoop. Any day now. The robins are not charged with the task of pulling up baby privet out of each and every garden I tend. The privet feeds them; an entirely different arrangement, which I do appreciate on their behalf. And I do like their annual visit.

Then the trumpet vine came into view, on its way out, frankly, but still lovely and worth the documentation. Fully. I have almost come to terms with how pervasive it is. I find I must admire its fortitude, but I would not recommend signing up for it unless one has very very clear boundaries (read CEMENT). And even cement won’t stop it as it’s inclined to scoot underneath and come out on the other side laughing its head off. Hahahaha. I still love it for its splendid orange trumpet beauty.

Oh. Oh. But what is this? What is this?? The most precious find of the day. Tiny ladybug curled into the fold of a grapeleaf, fast asleep. Awesome.

Ladybug! Ladybug!
Fly away home.
Your house is on fire.
And your children all gone.

Bet you have plenty of these where you live right about now, right? Might be a different species but, let’s face it, this is the time of year when we gardeners spend an awfully lot of time rounding up spent leaves. Where do they go? Mulch? Compost? Recycling? I can tell you this. Some of them are filling in a few holes dug by one very pretty Border Collie, fortunately in the far back corner of the yard, behind many trees. But one wouldn’t want to step in any of them. No. So in go the leaves. Thank you, leaves.

Loveliness abounds in our autumnal days. There must be a purpose to a celebratory leaving in a blaze of color. “I’m leaving you now, but will return in spring. Don’t forget me.” As if we would. Flanked by blue sky I am made to forget temporarily the cold and wet that will soon ensue.

Go, sit upon the lofty hill,
And turn your eyes around,
Where waving woods and waters wild
Do hymn an autumn sound.
The summer sun is faint on them —
The summer flowers depart —
Sit still — as all transform’d to stone,
Except your musing heart.
~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Most abundant in this county is the pistachio, which seems to manifest in a variety of colors, some lighter, some richly darker and the contrast only adds to their beauty.

Living in wine country we are blessed to be surrounded by grapevines, used as often decoratively as for the pragmatics of grape growing. Here is one such lovely vine.

What beauty do you find yourself immersed in this autumn, dear readers?

Love and blessings,
Kathryn xoxo

Book News! Thank you to all who came to meet me and get signed copies of my book last Saturday at Copperfield’s Books in Healdsburg last Saturday! It was a joy to meet you!

For latest news and events calendar please visit Estrella Catarina!

Posted on November 10th, 2010 by Kathryn
Filed under: Plants | 10 Comments »