3/27

• We spend the morning lounging around, then Marie drives us to the St0ney Mes@ winery. They have fab wine; we ship Gewurtztraminer again. The tasting person is ably assisted by Cassie-and-Jason: golden retriever and 3-year-old grandson. When J gets tired of us, he goes outside where we can see him stomping on ants. They don't have a chance. With the level of enthusiasm he shows, I suspect he gets paid by the pound.



• On the way back home, we do our Main St. shopping. Mind you, there are approximately 8-10 shops on Main Street, plus a bakery and the requisite bar. Outside the bar sits (apparently daily; we saw him later this week too) The Bar Guy, looking as if placed there by Central Casting for an old Hollywood western...except for the oxygen tank hooked up to his nose. Then as we cross the alley 20 feet from him, I get a wafting lungful of pot fumes. At which point begin snickering because of the lunacy of all this. We go into "my" pottery shop. Sad that I have to go over 1,000 miles to find good pottery. And, there is a potter in the store, checking out her stock. We chat; I suggest using extra scraps of clay as book weights similar to our "whappers" at work. We'll see.



• On the way back to Marie & Jan's house, we drive through town. There are quite a few more houses than the last time I was there. Still, it would be nice if people wouldn't build the same schlock there as they build here; some architectural styles just don't work in that area of the country!!



• When we left earlier, Sparky was on his way to find Surf@ce Creek. Upon our return, he 'shows me' how to find it, I take pictures of it, him, and the San Juans. They are visible from the end of Marie & Jan's driveway, framed nicely by Scotch pines and pinon bushes. There are no words; breathtaking and beautiful are the best I can do.



• Marie, The Beast & Sparky rake the pine needles into piles in preparation for bagging them. I supervise (not enough rakes. Really). "Why are we doing this, kid?" "It's a fire hazard." Such a good Colorado boy!



• Mom comes over for dinner again. After much coaxing ("don't want to be a bother" etc., etc.). Since we picked her up, she stays past dusk and we all talk.



• Again, not great sleep. Cold, Hot....see last night. Menopause sucks.

Perfect day: weather, the activities, everyone seems to be getting along....