TAKE A WALK WITH ME

Take a walk with me, won't you? I bet if you really concentrate you can hear the sound of the leaves crunching under your feet as you walk along this cement sidewalk in Petaluma, California. There is plenty of activity here this day: cars whizzing by, people visiting with each other as I pass by them slowly, camera in hand, and in the distance I can smell food cooking in assorted restaurants; wonderful pungent garlic makes its way to my nose.

The sun is starting to make its journey to the southern hemisphere but there is still plenty of it to go around this afternoon. It warms my face as I peer into this shop window. This window warms my heart (and my mind) as I stare at the colors of the pumpkins and notice that they also mimic the colors of the antique chest displayed with baskets on the top. Can you see those two wonderful baskets? You barely notice them because of the reflection in the window but if you look close enough you will see them (and me) there.

A bit farther down the road I find a cool spot to sit and rest. The restaurant next to this pond is just starting to prepare the food for the evening meal. The candles are being lit, the food is being chopped inside by the chef, and the waitresses are smiling and talking to each other as they prepare the tables for the customers who are due when the sun decides to set for the day. I guess that some restaurants are only open for evening meals in Petaluma. Maybe it makes more sense to them to devote all their time to finer dining than just the lunch crowd.

I have often thought of what it would be like to own a restaurant or even to work in a restaurant. I know that it would be really hard work. And, to make it really a success you have to have a winning combination of a great location, wonderful food, and good atmosphere. I am quite sure that I would never have the stamina to either own a restaurant or work in one but I do appreciate what goes into making a good one and what makes people want to come back. It takes a little luck and a lot of hard work to make it successful.

In my estimation, a good restaurant and a few good friends can take you to a place (if just momentarily) of solace when things might otherwise be quite difficult and harsh. Good food and good friends can make you laugh, can make you enjoy what life has to offer.

A good sense of humor can also help and this chandelier is a fine example of someone who definitely has a good grasp of that. I saw this hanging in a shop in Petaluma this same day and just had to take a picture of it. It made me laugh and smile and hopefully, others as well. Laughter is, of course, the best medicine.

ALTERNATE VIEWS FROM THE APARTMENT IN SAN FRANCISCO

No, we weren't in an earthquake, as San Francisco is so famous for. Just trying to get some unique angles on the structures and what was around me. I think it is fun to look at things in a different perspective. So often we get "stuck" looking at things in the same way. Take a chance and turn your perspective around. You might just be surprised at what you see.

ADULTS AT HALLOWEEN

I'm not sure about you, but do you think that the adults have just as much fun at Halloween as the kids do? When I asked this "person" if I could take a picture, the head just wiggled and moved from side-to-side and I overheard someone in the background say "there's a smile in there somewhere." Maybe so. Maybe that is the attraction of being in costume.

I never liked dressing up for Halloween, even as a child. It was never "my thing". I don't know if I already had low self-esteem then or not but I can remember being embarrassed about wearing a costume. I guess that I was just never into acting or drama. Somehow I always feel that they know who is really "in there" and they are judging me.
This guy obviously didn't have a care. I say "guy" but what do I know? There could be a "gal" in there, right? All I know is that there was the presence of a giant magical creature walking down the roads in Georgetown Saturday night. Magical.

I guess that I can really appreciate what these people go through with their costumes now that I am an adult and realize how hard it is to pull it off (and put it together.) This couple, Will and Maria, I have known for many years. My daughters used to work for them at The American River Inn in Georgetown. It is a beautiful place and they really do a great job of making people (lots of them perfect strangers) feel comfortable. They originally came from the east coast (New York or New Jersey maybe?) and have since owned different places around the world. Maria used to be a burlesque dancer. Seriously! We were watching TV one night and they were doing a special of burlesque dancers and there she was. She had "hinted" to my daughters that she used to be in "show business" but who knew? She still has a beautiful body too. The American River Inn is haunted too. Willow: you would appreciate that. People have stayed in the haunted room and the paramedics have had to respond! Good things they are just a block away!

Do you think that this couple will make it to Granny's house in one piece? Maybe not! At least Red Riding Hood might not. She might get eaten. X-rated comment, sorry!

This is a family affair. The Sampsons. Everyone in the family has a name that starts with an "M": Michele, Meg, Michael, Matthew, and Matteo. This photo is of mom Michele, son Matthew, and grandson Matteo. The "guy" with the green face is just a balloon! Not part of the family. Anyway, you can't see Matteo very well but mom Michele has a great costume (minus her mirror) and son/father Matthew does too. I didn't realize how creative he was with his costume until he threw back his black hood and exposed his eyes! Man...what they don't do with contact lenses these days. Incredible! See...I told you that the adults really get into Halloween around here.

Below this photo of Matthew is a close-up of Michele with her great costume and really great make-up. I only wish she would have had a hand-held mirror so she could have been saying "Mirror mirror on the wall" as she walked through town. She did have a really great walking stick/staff though. I wonder if her husband Michael made it for her?

Now, walking down the street we met our friend Nanette and her "ears". I just laughed and laughed and said "Great ears, Nanette". Her comment to me was "Same costume I have used for 22 years". I said "22 EARS?" We laughed and laughed about the 22 EARS!" Old friends. We go back at over 30 years. I knew her before she even moved up to Georgetown. Now she works at the grammar school and probably knows more people in town than I do.