Someday my ship will come in...

I just didn't think that it would look like this! Sometimes I'm not really sure if I am being clear enough when I put my wants & desires out into the universe.

Her name is Panzerschiffe, which translates as armored ship, or Battleship, in German and I came across her washed up on a beach here in Santa Barbara this afternoon. Poor girl...

So here's the update, briefly, since my last post in February. Oh my... time does fly! Work (real work by real workers, not just in my own little mind) began on the landscaping at the house in Rancho Mirage. A new irrigation system was installed and lots of nasty old Hibiscus bushes were removed to make way for a low maintenance garden of gravel and succulents as well as the obligatory fruit trees. Unfortunately, summer came early to the desert and stayed well into late September, so we put the project on hold after the basics were in place. Now that Mother Nature is over her hot flashes and temps have cooled back down into the double-digits, the remaining cacti and gravel can be put in and, hopefully, I can put an end to it! It will be lovely and I hope that you all can come and enjoy it with me.

I was very fortunate to receive a job offer in Santa Barbara for the summer and Richard graciously offered his guest suite for me to inhabit for my stay. I sleep comfortably, he eats well and life is good all around. To have the opportunity to spend the best time of year in the most beautiful place in the country is rare indeed. I was welcomed with the scents of sweet jasmine in full bloom mixed with the salty sea air and clean, soothing eucalyptus when I arrived in June. The weather has been most accommodating, mid 70's and 80's, and sunny for the summer, with the exception of only a few smoky days during the annual wildfire's. It has been great to reacquaint myself with the town and its bountiful farmer's markets, lovely soft beaches, refreshing ocean and exten