Blog

During my visit to California last week, I spent half the time in San Francisco and half in San Rafael, 30 minutes apart. The two communities where my kids' families live are quite different. One is urban, the other suburban. My son in San Rafael discovered this lovely oasis after dropping a child off for soccer practice. Situated behind a water treatment plant, Smith Ranch on Miller's Creek is an unlikely place to find a Bird Sanctuary! However, this lovely piece of nature snakes along a creek all the way to the San Francisco Bay. Last Wednesday, dozens of swan families basked in the sun or dove for food. I set up my easel under the trees and spent a few hours enjoying birds chattering, interrupted by the flapping of wings when these magnificent swans took off! My main objective for this visit was to cheer my grandchildren at their sports events, but while they're at school, California beauty awaits! And yes, trick-or-treating was a bonus! I hope everyone else had a very Happy Halloween! Spooks were everywhere.....EEEK