I wish that life should not be cheap, but sacred,
I wish the days to be as centuries, loaded, fragrant.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I met Susan in junior high. She was tall and beautiful, and very smart. This continued through high school where she was an honor student, president of the girls' league and eventually homecoming queen. On top of that, she was always nice and just a totally cool chick. I remember we'd get together to study and all we'd do is chat for hours on end. I have a feeling it was me that was the bad influence in those study sessions, considering she was the one getting straight A's.
We lost touch in college. She studied zoology at UC Davis, then plant ecology at the University of Alaska, while I was studying art and doing theatre in San Diego. Eventually, (I'm jumping way ahead here) she ended up in Ester, Alaska near Fairbanks running Calypso Farm & Ecology Center with her husband and their two adorable girls. Check out their website. What they are doing is pretty amazing.
Happily, we got back in touch a couple of years ago on Facebook when I was staying in Ojai recovering from my appendix. Her brother still lives there (in Ojai), not far from my sister. He does organic farming in The Happy Valley, and that is where we met up last Friday for a picnic when Susan and her family were in town visiting and taking a break from the Alaska winter. It's on the same road and just a hop skip and a jump from The Beatrice Wood Centre for the Arts.
We picked greens for our lunch and along with a few other goodies (and a little balsamic and olive oil) we were ready to go. It was a glorious day and great to see old friends!
Susan
New little lettuces coming up ...
Mmmm ... my salad ...
What a cute family, huh? Susan, as gorgeous as ever, with her brother Peter in the middle, her husband Tom in green, and her sweet girls, Addie and Elsa. (Addie's in the sunglasses.)
Hoping to go see them in Alaska some day, but until then ... we'll have our visits in Ojai.
Bloom where you are planted.
~ Mary Engelbreit
15 comments:
Sounds wonderful! And I KNOW they enjoyed the light and sun of Ojai!
It looks so spring like there! what a beautiful day! thanks for sharing the greenery and smiles!
Thanks for this sunshine today! What a wonderful story of being reunited with a good friend. Your pictures are gorgeous. I especially like the one of Susan in the grass...it evokes a peaceful mood. :)
Ojai is absolutely beautiful!
So great you could have such a nice time with your friends.
beautiful - yummy too!
envy
It looked like a wonderful day for a picnic outdoors.
Lucinda,
i came across your blog almost accidentally,i have'nt read all of it,
but as soon as i saw 'Assisi' i went there right away,
i've been very deeply touched by this place,
i'd had been there an year ago, seeing your photos
took me back
to the magical mystical light
that hangs in the air of Assisi.
i loved your narration
and the emotions within your words.
i think i'm going to go back there soon!
col
California and it's people sure are beautiful! What a fantastic break for those Alaskans and a great reunion. I checked out the Calypso Farm site and looks like a great thing they do there as well. All that warm sun and brown skin looks so heavenly!
How wonderful that you've kept in touch and were able to see each other for such a perfect day. Such gorgeous images. I feel healthier just looking at those veggies growing up a storm there! Thanks for sharing--they look like a lovely.
ps
I took a gander at their website, and I love what they're doing, too! Awesome!
Un posto incantevole, adoro la campagna! Bellissime foto! Ciao Cri
What a great day you guys had! Lovely photos.
what a fun trip... and how much fun!!! have a great week my dear!
A very beautiful and very spiritual post my dear...I love being in contact, eating and sharing in company with mother earth. Please stop by to the launching of my new collection...wouldn't want you to miss-out!
warm hugs,
Kirsten
Post a Comment