Visitations

Yesterday began with a superb outing at The Farm Cafe at Michael David Winery, only about seven miles from our motel. We were treated to an excellent brunch by mi novia‘s life-long friend, Debbie, and Debbie’s husband, John. Though I had never met either of them, John and Debbie were very much as I expected, thanks to having heard mi novia talk about them quite frequently during the last year. From the moment we sat down with them, I felt completely at ease. They seemed to me the sort of people with whom I could readily develop a strong friendship based purely on their personalities, even if I knew nothing of their histories, their politics, their religious beliefs, and such. That, in my experience is a rarity.

After brunch, we drove to see Gladys again. Gladys shared more of her writing, which was—as expected—interesting, clear, and easy to read. I again urged her to write regularly and to create a blog of her writing. The stuff she showed me would make excellent content for a “story” blog; materials she already has written would make a solid foundation to which she could add as she continued to write. We’ll see if she follows my advice.

I napped for a bit while mi novia and her mother chatted and while mi novia washed and dried some laundry in preparation for the next leg of our travels. Then, after I woke and we engaged in some more chit-chat, we went for an early pizza dinner at Dante’s. Even though I had only a salad and a couple of pieces of pizza, it was far too much, especially when coupled with an Anchor Steam beer. We left with at least half the pizza, a container of salad, and some dressing. That can serve as breakfast for Gladys today. After dropping her off, we headed back to the motel, where we chilled for the remainder of the evening.

+++

Rational thoughts never drive people’s creativity the way emotions do.

~ Neil deGrasse Tyson ~

+++

Today, we will pick up Gladys and head over to see mi novia‘s brother and his wife and son. I expect we will make it a relatively short visit, in that we need to try to get some more sleep and prepare for the next leg of our journey with an early Sunday departure. I woke again last night, at around 1:30, with a headache. Taking an allergy pill seems to have alleviated it—at least made it tolerable—by now.

+++

The wise man continues to live even if he should lose his wealth. But the rich man without wisdom is not alive even now.

~ Theragāthā, 499 ~