My sister's home on the Central Coast seems a continent away from Richmond. It's also the only retreat at which I can afford to stay for a whole week. I just had to help with the dishes and be good company. That I could do.
T and K live on five acres of low, rolling hills studded with live and scrub oak. Their property, situated between two high ridges, has been left largely as nature created it; the oaks clothed in the colors of moss and lichen, small stands of bright green ferns follow the course of an underground spring to the southwest quarter and darker green bracken grows near another small spring frequented by deer, fox, quail and other California wildlife. Such a haven of natural beauty...
When you first arrive you notice the quiet immediately. Then birdsong begins to emerge from the soundscape of oak leaves softly pattering in the breeze and an occasional rooster crowing far off in the distance sounds almost ghostly. No sirens, no highway noise... just the blessed quiet of the country. A perfect place to rest and forget the busy world on the other side of the ridge.
T and I didn't plan any major outings during my visit; a pancake breakfast and street fair in Aromas on Sunday morning that she wanted to attend, and maybe a visit to Logos Books, Santa Cruz' version of Moe's. Our intention was to enjoy some good down time together, you know, sister stuff: lots of talking, maybe some drawing or painting, walking or just sitting around in our pajamas doing absolutely nothing. That kind of idle time is a luxury in both our lives right now.
