Sonoma Sojourn

Every morning, gratefulness.org delivers a message to my inbox. Sometimes the quotes are interesting but not of particular relevance to me at the moment. Other times, like today, the message goes straight to my heart:

Be still, and the world is bound to turn herself inside out to entertain you. Everywhere you look, joyful noise is clanging to drown out quiet desperation.  – Barbara Kingsolver  – High Tide in Tucson

At times when I feel ‘quietly desperate’ (what will new health insurance cost, can I actually afford to move to Sonoma, what Nashaquisset detail now has to be addressed, will I ever be part of a couple again – a question that for some reason unexpectedly, deeply pierces my mind and heart these past few months?), I will listen for the joyful noises. Oh wait – here they are now: Smokey sits on my feet as I write; magnolia leaves slowly drift down like giant snowflakes from the tree outside my bedroom window; a blue sky beckons me outdoors. Quiet desperation be gone! At least for now.

What would I do without her? I’m obnoxiously appreciative that Smokey chose me in Wyoming…everyone should have a ‘Smokey’…

The magnolia tree – and blue sky – from my bedroom window this morning (I’m still in bed as I shoot this with my phone!).

More joyful noise: another stop at the Fruit Basket – lemons are 3/$1, avocados are 69 cents … what a bahgain!

I feel like I’m in Italy! Viansa Winery high on the hilltop … is this Sonoma – or Tuscany?!

Looking over Viansa’s vineyards toward Sonoma. Beautiful.

Crabapple trees fiercely in bloom… dee-licious!

Life is good. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that, but it is. Thank you goodlordjesus.