Santa Ynez in the Rain

Santa Ynez is enjoying April showers today. The entire state is low on rainfall for the year so it's good news. I'm especially happy because I enjoy wildflowers so much. More rain means a longer blooming season.

The only downside is that Fritz, Anke and I will miss our daily walk. Fortunately, Santa Ynez has a terrific YMCA that was built in the last few years. It's just about ten minutes away from Ridgeline Ranch. People from all over the Valley, including Solvang and Los Olivos, use the facility. Working out on weight machines, stationary bikes, treadmills or ellipticals is an option. Group exercise classes are scheduled throughout the day - my favorite is spinning - and there's always the pool.

Meanwhile the usual sunny panoramic vista from Ridgeline Ranch has changed. Today the sky is gray with clouds reminiscent of wave patterns on the beach. Here's a picture to show you what I mean.

Santa Ynez Conversations about Books

Monday Night Book Club
Originally uploaded by D.Z. Photography

Santa Ynez may be a rural community but it's clearly not unsophisticated. At one point last year I was in three book groups. Way too much. I'm down to two groups and one of them met today.

We're a diverse group who live and work in different parts of the Valley - mostly Solvang and Santa Ynez residents. Probably a third of us life in Woodstock Ranch. Today's hostess lives in Woodstock and has a marvelous hilltop ranch with a panoramic vista of fields and houses.

We discussed "This I Believe," a compilation of 500 word essays put together by NPR. Today's leader asked each of us to draft an essay about one of our core beliefs. Whew! It was harder than I expected.

I wrote about society's need for energy conservation to combat global warming. Living in a "green" house, that's something I feel strongly about.

Right now, though, I have strong feelings about the need for sleep!

BTW, that picture isn't me. But it seems appropriate for a posting about book groups.