Prunedale, California June 11 to June 17, 2014

JUNE 11 to JUNE 17, 2014

We’ve been doing the usual boring stuff here the last week. Michael replaced a wall between the studio and the main part of the trailer. It was a lot of work but has really helped with sound abatement. We have been frantically painting and trying to get our place back to something of normal. The lighter paint really looks great as the gray color the renters had wanted was just so depressing for us. We put a lot of trim pieces on the corners that dressed the place up a little. We are still needing to get curtains or drapes for the windows. Not sure if we’re going to stick with the blinds.

On Father’s Day, Aaron, Arla and two of their friends came by. Aaron wanted to open up the trail to the top of our hill. It had gotten really overgrown with the manzanita and other things and had been impassable for the last two or three years. The four of them managed to open up the trail and the next day (the 16^th), Michael and I took a hike to the top. It’s quite the walk but so beautiful and worth it. It’s a very steep trail but good exercise. We plan on doing it at least once a week and trying to keep the trail open. That was Aaron’s father’s day gift, hoping his father will walk it daily for health and long life.

The driveway to our house is 400' long and uphill every step. — The driveway to our house is 400′ long and uphill every step.

We cut across our neighbor's property part of the way. — We cut across our neighbor’s property part of the way.

Lots of fire load up here, especially with the drought.

Non-native saw grass, an invasive species, is really taking root.

The wind spreads the seeds and it marches with the Eucalyptus.

For 20 years I have admired the hen chicken cactus growing on top, next trip up I am bringing water.

It has grown so much we cannot see the ocean anymore.

The Manzanita develops these bright red spots and eventually turns many of the leaves the bright red.

The bark of the manzanita feels smooth and soft.

The ferns grow and die by the end of the dry season. Sure hope we get rain this fall.

She always says, "I'm following you!" — She always says, “I’m following you!”

The back of neighbor's property headed towards our house and water tank. — The back of neighbor’s property headed towards our house and water tank.

Every button is a Eucalyptus seed and I think most of them turn into trees.

Our 4,999 gallon water tank. Any bigger and you need a permit.

No walk up the hill is without sticker-burrs in your socks and shoes.

From Lexi for Father’s Day, she cooked and cleaned up the dinner for everyone!

That has been our week. The mobile is feeling and looking better to us. Hope your day was great!