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Signs of spring bloom in GE

Happy Valentine’s Day to lovers, all. It is, indeed, a day to delight in the springtime of life. Full of life and love and new beginnings. Last week’s timid rains, even if sparse, brought forth a profusion of blooms.

  I first noticed it on our morning walk. The clump of Douglas iris at the entrance to the Brick Yard Circle, aka Robertson Road, was a true delight. Then, out Henno, Sweetie and I encountered a profusion of blooming manzanita. Their delicate pink funnels filled with droplets of water sparkling like diamonds in the raking morning light. Awesome evidence of God’s goodness throughout our Valley.

  Up the road a bit, before the lone redwood at the bottom of what Sweetie and I call Kahn’s hill, the creek-side bushes were alive with spider homes. From delicate orbs to hanging basket traps the autumn dried bushes were filled with liveliness as hard-working spiders awaited unsuspecting insects. Again, the raking sunlight rising behind the Riddle Road houses lit the webs with a brilliant light, absorbing and magnifying the tiny dewdrops.

  Spring is a delightful season, all made fresh and new, fragrant and sparkling. We love it.

  As we loved the recent 50th birthday party celebrated by a forever-young Tasha Drengson Jacobsen. Hard to believe that youngster is half-a-century old, but I was there to witness the ceremony and must accept it’s true.

  Of course, one of the best parts of such celebrations is the occasion for many old friends and neighbors to gather and celebrate the passing years with one another. We were thrilled to see Beau and his musical partner Howie, along with ex-Stella who can still cook up a storm.

  Then came the Zimmermanns, and the Drengston’s former neighbor on Three Springs Ranch (now part of Quarryhill Botanical Gardens) Decker, along with many more friends and neighbors throughout Sonoma Valley and beyond. It was a great “old folks at home” celebration with the lovely Tasha. Each guest was asked to bring a single bead that echoed his or her relationship with Tasha. Soon in the mail arrived a post card with a photo of the necklace that she assembled the day after the party. The finished piece of artwork is lovely, wrapping several times around and displaying a unique and lively assortment of memories.

  Last week’s rains finally brought forth my row (somewhat sketchily defined these days) of King Alfred daffodils that I planted the fall that Elinor Wannacott was ailing. It’s a time I won’t soon forget. Yet, those shining yellow faces that appear year after year, spring after spring affirm that life prevails, even amidst great sorrow and regret. I wish that Ellie could be here to see the world of changing O’Donnell Lane. Alas, she’s not and the world moves on. As it will for each of us in time. So, treasure this unique moment.

  Next week I’ll share good news about one of our hometown heroes.

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  Share your good news with friends and neighbors in Glen Ellen. Call or write me at 707 996-5995 or P.O. Box 518, GE 95442. Or email me @Creekbottom@earthlink.net. Glen Ellen chatter rarely requires timeliness; however, if your news does, please be sure to contact me at least two weeks before the run date.