Storm's brewing

A dramatic, hours-long threat finally gave way to a heck of a summer storm. Our yard has been desperately thirsty and I am hopeful this rain will also cool things down out there. Gorgeous evening. 

Lightning behind a tree

Friendships, lost posts, BlogHer day 1

Yesterday, in the midst of a stunning Santa Barbara afternoon, I spent a lazy hour on the patio of our rental house. Trisha was driving home, Paige had just left for a work event, and Amy was across the coffee table from me, tapping away on her laptop.

I wrote a long post about deep friendships and taking time for self and friends. It was a good piece, well-structured and reflective. I hit "save" and the screen froze. I tried everything but to no avail, and it was with real sadness and disappointment that I shut my computer and accepted the loss of the thoughts and memories I'd just spent so long lovingly recording.

I'd hoped to try again tonight, but I'm too tired and so will wait for a slower day. After a last breakfast together, a walk on the beach, a saunter through an outlet mall, more laughs and lunch, Amy dropped me off at the LA hotel where BlogHer '16 is being hosted.

I've spent the past few hours catching up with a great pal I met last year at BlogHer in NYC -and going to Wine & GYN together, a delightful kick-off to BlogHer '16- and am now ready to hit the sack. Instead of my thoughts on old friends and the restorative value of taking time for self, I'll leave you with some pictures and plan to check back in soon. I hope you're all well!

California produce is just absurdly good.

Bougainvillea

a mid-afternoon coffee

Santa Barbara

Montecito

More beach-life photos

I do grow both suspicious and tired of sand in my personal hinterlands, but there is a great deal to be said about having nowhere to be except a random afternoon pirate tour and little to do but let the waves crash around and look for shells. We are all tan, bushed by 6pm, and the cousins are enjoying a fifth straight year of all-too-rare bonding and fun. Winning all around!

Cousins on a sizeable piece of driftwood

said driftwood

This way to a nature trail

moon or beach?

a splash of color; so much promise in a bud, yes?