One of the few good things about cool and somewhat wet weather is that the flowers currently in bloom have a much longer life, staying pert and full and perky for a greater duration than had it been hot and dry and windy. Most of the flowering fruit trees were at the height of their splendor ~ cherries and plums and apples and pears ~ and they joined the magnolias and azaleas for a brilliant display.
The exact location of our wedding ceremony was in front of three relatively-new cherry trees. A much larger and older redwood tree with a fantastically-gnarled root structure is close-by too, but it’s the cherries we look for to pinpoint where the happy event occurred. We strolled through it this time, and then were taken over by a roving band of squirrels.
They are extremely tame here, almost to the point of disconcerting fashion. If you are gentle enough, and stand still, they will approach then start climbing right up your leg if you allow them. We paused to watch them and soon enough a whole group bounded toward us, sensing friendly folks. I crouched down and one began climbing up my leg. Andy laughed and said it was trying to eat my floral coat.
People must feed them regularly. It’s a whimsical phenomenon quite in contrast to their skittish upstate New York relatives. (It’s never a good idea to feed wildlife, even in apparently tame situations like this, so we refrained.)
The tulips were just coming into their own. We could tell that everyone has had a late start to their spring since they’re usually much further along. This time there were more buds than blooms ~ the look of promise and good things to come ~ with only the earliest unfurling their colorful splendor.
It wasn’t part of the itinerary, but since the first few drops of rain had started to fall we ducked into the Bristol Lounge of the Four Seasons, where we celebrated out wedding lunch nine years ago. I’m always up for a lunch, and it was early enough in the day for a brunch item, like this order of Eggs Florentine Benedict. It was better than it looks or sounds, because the Bristol does not mess around.
Once we had finished our impromptu meal, the rain ceased. The blooms were back and there was a brightening of the sky. It wasn’t quite ready to turn blue or reveal the sun, but it was close enough for the walk back toward the condo.
Andy had been on his feet since morning, and as the years advance so too do our physical limitations. He was a game trooper thus far, but it’s better if we don’t push it. Besides, a siesta has become one of our favorite condo pastimes. A little nap in the middle of the day can work wonders on so many levels.
We had a dinner at Nahita scheduled for later that evening. Before that we would bring back another almost-lost tradition: the cocktail hour…
