California Girl in Oz

I remember this...boiling hot days with a hot wind. It was such a day as this in 1991 that our house in Montclair burned, along with the houses of 3,000 other Oakland/Berkeley residents. Still, dry mornings with a tempting hint of cool in the air, but by 8AM you can tell it's going to be another scorcher, and then in the afternoon the hot winds kick in. Ross is working downstairs...a million telephone interviews today...so we'll have to use the air conditioning all day, and probably all night. Sigh! Time to start sifting and sorting, deciding what to take to Australia, to Serendipity, the little 25 acre farm near Exeter, and what goes to Oakland to the condo. Hmmm, I meant to post a couple of pics here, but didn't do that yet. Here are a couple of Serendipity: This is the screened in sunporch off the kitchen, with views to the rolling hills around Exeter. And this is the view from the kitchen, dining room and sunporch. Looks a lot like California, doesn't it? And here

A slow start to this blog, but I have a good excuse. This month, we've sold our Novato house and bought a condo in Oakland. And found a good place to stash our 7 cats once we leave the house and move into the condo before we all take off for Australia. Whew! Getting 7 cats settled ANYWHERE isn't easy...just schlepping all the cages into the car wears you out. But get this, they will stay at the Feline Bed and Breakfast in El Cerrito, where they will have two "suites"...little rooms 3' x 7' on the floor and 10' high, with lots of little shelves and hidey-holes for them to lounge around in. Four cats will be in one suite, and three in the other. This is all complicated by the fact that two of our male cats, formerly feral, hate each other with a passion. It's always tricky getting them settled without mayhem occurring...lots of eyeing each other off and growling. In Novato the cats have these incredible cages: The cats roam around outside during the day,

Well, thanks to my cousin, Nicole, in London, I've finally taken the leap and started my first blog. Thanks, Nicole! After a late night because one of my cats, who shall remain nameless...well, OK, it was Patchy...stayed out late and wouldn't come up to his cage as he's supposed to. Ross, my husband, was already sawing logs, and I was feeling very put upon, when the little darling finally condescended to follow me up the hill and settle down for the night. Today it's off to La-La Land to see my niece and nephew in The Wizard of Oz. Then 400 miles back home (Novato, CA) tomorrow. Actually, temporary home, because we'll soon be moving to Australia. More details land pics later. And speaking of which...later. D.