Spreckles

One of the highlights of the month is the annual Fourth of July Celebration in Spreckles, Ca (near Salinas). Spreckles is strictly a farming community. The homes were originally built by the farm owner for his workers...quite modest. Today they probably sell for over a million. It is a quintessential small town around a park...perfectly charming. The day starts with a small craft show. Wil got me a rooster apron for Bellville. We dined regally on tritip samdwich (beef...delicious), a sausage sandwich, & a strawberry shortcake practically fresh from the fields. We shared each so it was just the right amount. The parade started about noon...about 30 antique cars, children with decorated bicycles, pets in costume. Good old Americana. Wil stepped into heaven after the parade because we attended the annual Firemen's Muster. We are proud to announce that the Carmel Valley Fire Dept. won the grand prize! We feel very safe...good thing because it is very dry here...unlike things back in TX. Muster events include the Fire Wagon Drill, the Bucket Brigade Relay, and the "Bucket on the High Wire" competition (not the right name but we can't remember what it is really called). We were there from 10:30-3:30. On the way out, I finally saw my friend Karen. She makes jewelry & I've bought 2 of her bracelets in the past. She uses beads from her mother's collection. I told her about our mother dying and she told me her mother is 90 but does not recognize her any more. When Karen sends her mother a birthday card, she has to include a picture of herself and still her mother doesn't know who she is. So she has lost her mother, also, and (to me) it is a more painful loss than ours. After Spreckles we went to the Farm for more fresh produce. This is the painting we have in the dining room. The owner is delightful and LOVES Houston...couldn't say enough nice things about "my city!" I got my red tablecloth there last year. Home to the "Ranch" where I had a good sob and Wil comforted me. What would I do without him? Had the most delicious dinner (cooked by me) of fresh tuna & broccolini. We just ooohed and ahhed as we dined. Both of us went to bed about 9:00 for a good 8 hours of sleep.