Today I am flying to Boston, and will be present for my good friend, Berthe Lessard's 100th birthday. Now there is a woman who has led an independent life, and just gave up her car three years ago. She is an icon for all women, and one of my life heroes.

Last Thursday, Marty and I drove to Lompoc, and for the first time in several years, my children and I were all together. What a handsome group of children Bob and I made. And each and every one is their own person. Lompoc is in central California, near the ocean. Central California is a particularly beautiful part of the world, as far as I am concerned. There are mountains and valleys, and the valleys are chuck full of fields full of vegetables, flowers, and vineyards. There are huge stands of walnut trees There are fields being planted, and fields being plowed. To get most anywhere is 25 miles, and nobody, including myself, thinks a thing of it.

We all went to Solvang for dinner, some of us there before others. Solvang is a very touristy town, with windmills, and wonderful stores and shops and bakeries. It was settled by Danes but also has other Scandinavian shops. We all met for dinner, and chose a place called El Fresco. We ordered our food at the entrance, and then went to sit down. A half hour went by, and Frank and family got their food, while the rest of us didn't. Pretty soon Phil got up to find out where our food was, then Marty got up, then Frank got up. Soon the manager or owner of the restaurant came over very apologetic and told us that somehow, five of the orders did not come through on the computer to the kitchen. They were ours. He was beside himself, and offered to give us a certificate to come back, but we told him we would not be back. Then Phil said what about buying us dessert, and he said yes. He also said that they had been open only 9 days, and the kitchen was running out of food. But we did get our orders and they were good. Then we made a raid on the desserts, and probably bankrupted the poor guy!

Marty and I went to the Purissmo Mission, near Lompoc, which was the 17th of 20 missions built by the Spanish missionaries. This particular mission was rebuilt in a different locations after a severe earthquake in 1812 totally destroyed the original, which was in Lompoc. I did not walk to the mission and the building surrounding it, as it was a long walk. Instead, Marty went there, and I went to the museum and learned about the Indians, the Spanish, and the Spanish military. And of course, you know who won!

We visited.Los Olivos, a tiny little town full of wine tasting shops, gift shops, restaurants, and some great ice cream.

Marty, Siobhan, Frank, Phil, Frankie and I went to Jamala Beach, which is a state park, and which was a wonderful place. While they all walked the beach, I sat at a picnic table, watching the waves and surfers paddling out to ride them, the seagulls searching for people leftovers, and reading. It was a beautiful sunny day.

Friday night we drove to Los Alamos, another little town about 25 miles away, to a great pizza place. In fact, I think it is the best pizza I have ever had. Everything is organic and fresh from local farms. Even the cheese! The entire family was there;
Gihan's entire family and my gang. Gihan has two brothers and two sisters. Between them they have six boys and one girl. Gihan's mother is Carol. Dr. Salem, Gihan's father is married to Maha, and they also were there. We just ate and ate, and talked and talked, and got to know everyone. The most wonderful thing was that I finally met Scott Hill, Kat's significant other. He is just simply great! And handled meeting thirty-odd new people with grace and a friendly smile.

Saturday the wedding - it was at 5:30PM, at Carol's ranch, outside of Lompoc. The William's family was to be there by 4:30 at the latest, for pictures. Marty and I were the last to arrive, and we were there before 4:30!! Lots and lots of pictures.
We were in an area where there was a stand of trees, a huge fire pit, picnic tables, and a huge rotisserie. Chairs were set up, and the woman who was marrying them, arrived. Then a car proceeded down the road from Carol's house, to the barn and disappeared into the barn. The photographer walked down to it, and went inside. Six little boys, dressed in blue button-down shirts and khakis, and one darling little girl carrying a basket, came out, then Gihan walked out. The boys surrounded her. It was so neat. They walked up to where we were. Phil asked if he could look at her, was told yes, and looked, and said "She's so beautiful." And beautiful she was, in a white long-sleeved, long dress, very simple, but very elegant, with just a simple veil on her head. She was carrying a bouquet of roses. It was a very simple ceremony. Frank got up and read Corinthians 1; Gihan's brother read a passage from the Koran; and Gihan's sister, Jamila, read some words written by John Muir. It was a lovely service and perfect for Phil and Gihan.

Then we drove to another little town, and had a wonderful meal at an Italian Restaurant, most of the food again being very local and wonderfully prepared. The owner and chef is from Italy, and the restaurant has been opened for about nine years. And it was jammed with people! Next door were new buildings, both of which were breweries! Obviously people don't mind driving for good food, wine and beer.

Marty and I went back to Solvang to walk around on Sunday, before heading south for San Diego. We had breakfast with Siobhan, and were off. Frank and family had left early for San Francisco, and home. Kat and Scott had not appeared yet. Siobhan and Kat were going to La, and Siobhan left yesterday for Upton. Phil and Gihan left Sunday night for Christchurch, New Zealand.

So now I sign off, to get ready to go to LAX. Matilda is staying here. Will is driving me to the airport.

I love you all.
Adieu, Adios, and Mahalo,
Sally