A Face In The Crowd: Mr. Napa

"He had the look of one who had drunk the cup of life, and found a dead beetle at the bottom."

~P.G. Woodhouse

One of the good things about being home bound sometimes, is the fact that through mind numbing boredom, good things will come! While tip toeing through the archives for October 2013, I came across another photo of a face, in an unexpected place. This time it was resting comfortable, under the shade of a lovely tree on a hillside, in Napa County, which was crying gorgeous crimson leaves.



Sometimes when I look at the face I think I see an old Italian chef, with a bit of an edge with that super manly goatee his is rocking! Otherwise, I also kinda see a chimpanzee. Do you see that? Either way, the face seems happy, of course who wouldn't be? He is resting the day away in Glen Ellen! LOL. He is just all mellow from the wine! LOL.

Mood: Tired

~Me :)

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 161~ Now You See Them...

"It's easier to dismiss ghosts in the daylight."

~Patricia Briggs, Dragon Bones

Yesterday, we went to Quarryhill Botanical garden in beautiful Glen Ellen. I love going to the North Bay, but we don't go as often as I would like. Time just is what it is, that's why we make the most of our vacation month of October. Quarryhill was a new place for us, I had heard that it was a magnificent garden of around 22 acres. What I hadn't heard was that its trails were difficult to walk on. They were. At least for me. The grounds themselves were nice, but not the best I have seen. Through the whole place I only saw one bench, but to be fair there was a nice outdoor arbor with ample shade and plenty to see, such as the gorgeous hummingbirds.

The plants themselves were ok, but not spectacular. It was what it was. To be honest, I enjoyed the gorgeous vineyard on the grounds. The lighting yesterday was awesome! What I didn't appreciate was the many "Beware Of Rattlesnakes" warning signs throughout the garden. It would have been nice if I would have known that was a possible danger before I purchased the Groupon. Sigh. It's not like I don't know that there are such creatures in California, but it's the first time I have seen that particular warning at a public garden. Awesome! :(

"I don't suppose you have to believe in ghosts to know that we are all haunted, all of us, by things we can see and feel and guess at, and many more things we can't."

~Beth Gutcheon



Still I got some nice photos which I will be sharing over the next couple weeks. For now, I thought it would be fun to share the photos I took in the vineyard upon arrival. Gorgeous, plump, luscious, fragrant, tender purple grapes. Ripe and ready to become wine. Yes please. Oh, but lookie there... do you see the orbs? Is this vineyard haunted? That's what orbs are... right? At least that is what I have heard! If the small ghostly balls are indeed ghosts... who might they be? Ghosts of visitors to the garden who were killed by rattlesnakes? Ghosts of former inhabitants of the property? Ghost of the grapes themselves? Hmmm... If so, would the ghosts be better characterized as... spirits? Get it? Spirits! LOL.

Seriously... what are your thoughts? Are orbs ghosts, or are they a common, simple trick of light?

I usually don't photograph many orbs, but yesterday I caught them in quite a few different places in my travels. When I did, I tried to immediately take another picture for comparison. Sometimes they were there in the second photo and sometimes they weren't. Curious.

"The muses are ghosts and sometimes they are uninvited."

~Stephen King


~Me :)

Let's go see what JR is up to, shall we?

JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/10/apadf6-159.html

A Photo A Day For 6 Months: Day 142~ Vacation... All I Ever Wanted

"A leaf fluttered in through the window this morning, as if supported by the rays of the sun, a bird settled on the fire escape, joy in the task of coffee, joy accompanied me as I walked... "

~Anais Nin

Tomorrow, at exactly 6:00 AM, Alan and I will officially begin our 5 weeks of vacation. We have an amazingly full schedule this year, which is fantastic, because it feels like forever since we have been able to take a big bite out of autumn. Our 22nd wedding anniversary is on October 13th. 22 years? How could it have already been 22 years? Like any other marriage, we have had the same ups and downs as most people I think. We have had some lows that I didn't think we could possibly pull out of, well I actually mean I wouldn't be able to pull out of, but sure enough if you can find a way to ignore the people and things that work to cause you pain, it makes it all the more sweeter to get to the other side of pain. Of course it helps to know that love is waiting... and keeping faith in you... and encouraging you. Yeah, I know I am lucky... believe me... I thank GOD for my guy, and wonder, what did I do to be so blessed?

So, on with the Itinerary...

Apple Hill (If you live in Northern California, it's a MUST!).
A sightseeing trip of San Francisco Bay from a small plane.
A day pass to a gorgeous Quarryhill botanical garden in Glen Ellen (autumn leaves and vineyards).
A sightseeing tour of the landmarks of San Francisco and the bay on the Ride The Ducks amphibious tour.
A trip to Pacific Grove AKA Butterfly Town USA. And the 17 Mile Drive.
And last but not least... Celebrating the turning of the leaves in Plumas County.

All that plus...

Pastorino's Pumpkin Patch in Half Moon Bay on Family Day (Our own made up holiday)
Halloween
And our plans are always subject to sudden changes, so there might be more events and outings added.
And let's not forget all the fun of a National Election! LOL.

***Spoiler Alert***

As I write this blog post, President Obama pretty much has it cinched! LOL. But you never know!

I think I am already tired. LOL. So, sshhhh... don't tell my Fibromyalgia.

YIKES! Wish me luck... okay?

~Me :)

If you haven't visited my friend JR's blog yet, go do so now. His photography is awesome!

JR
http://jrclinephotography.blogspot.com/2012/09/apadf6-138.html