Fire in the Valley/Fish in the Tummy

Fri./Jul 13: Began the day with a visit to the camera shop to have my photos put on a CD. i remember Nancy doing this in Europe last summer so slowly, but surely, I appear to be entering the digital age. Visited the annual St. Mary's Antique Show (celebrating its 50th year). Most things are outrageously expensive but I did get a little sterling pill box (much like the one Meme had & so much prettier than the old plastic everyday one I use), a few cheap roosters for the Bellville collection, & 2 knives for appetizers (I don't know how to spell the h word in French that means appetizers). Lunch at Favarolas (suggested by our golf buddies the day before). I really splurged & had gnocchi in cream sauce. Too divine. Wil had a grilled chicken panini. I swear he could live on grits for breakfast & grilled chicken sandwich for lunch.

On the way home we noticed tons of smoke over the valley. Yes, we were less than a mi. from a CA forest fire caused by a backhoe misfiring. It is amazingly dry out here. There were 11 firetrucks & 1 fire plane. I was tired & ready for a nap but Wil, of course, hustled himself over to that fireplane. It was sucking water out of the golf course lakes/ponds & dumping it on the fire.
Eventually, the firefighters won the battle. But it was quite an exciting afternoon for a "would-be-firefighter!"

The highlight of the day was the Mehringer visit. We had ordered perfect weather & were able to sit on the patio sipping chardonnay & visiting for well over an hour. Then our yummy dinner of salmon & rice & salad (fresh CA vegetables). I am so indebted to my friend Daisy from PFCC bridge for this salmon recipe. it is too easy for words & delicious. After dinner we watched Max & Gussie's wedding video. HYSTERICAL!!! we kissed goodnight about 10:00 & anticipate seeing them soon in Ukiah for Tad & Monika's (aka Tadika tho' I personally prefer Motad) wedding!