A Rainy Weekend

We're at our "country getaway" for a long weekend, visiting Dean and Jennifer Sands. Placerville is near Sacramento, on the way to Lake Tahoe. Dean and Jennifer have a great place with a couple of horses, a bunch of sheep and three dogs watching over it all. We try to get out here for a visit once a month. They are both always on the go, and we tag along. Jennifer and I go for long walks, knit, sit by the fire (in the winter) and the pool (in the summer), drinking tea or wine, depending on the time of day. Dean and Joshua, well, I never quite know what they're up to, but it generally involves long drives through the countryside, a lot of laughter and bad jokes.

We consider ourselves incredibly blessed to have so many amazing friends and they are truly no exception. Joshua has been friends with Dean and Jennifer since college days, and to say they have been warm and welcoming to me is an understatement (as is true with all of Joshua's friends). Joshua has spent extended stays here over the years, often when he was in between trips. We parked ourselves here for a month or so prior to our last trip to Africa in 2004 and then again when we returned. Coming here is really a retreat, at least for me.

This weekend is quite quiet. It's been raining off and on since yesterday. Joshua has been pretty tired, so he has spent most of his time on the couch with Jackson guarding him. Dean has been keeping him company. Jennifer is keeping us well-fed with warm, hearty soups. I've started, and will likely finish, a scarf. We'll all watch the Oscars tonight and then Joshua and I will head home tomorrow, by which time the rain will have hopefully stopped.