Things have been a might hectic with plethora of ranges for our emotions for about two months for the Jewells in the Southwest corner. That is my excuse for not having many posts. i have at least a half dozen in the hopper, unfinished because…i just flat ran out of gas, both the literal and figurative kind. Now that we are home for a while and things seem to be settling down (as if they ever really settle down), i plan to complete those unfinished posts.

We have had two summer respites thus far, trips to places and people dear to us. The first one had some serious ups and downs. But the one from which we returned Saturday was pure joy and relaxation.

We spent almost a week in Sonoma. Alan and Maren Hicks again were our hosts. As usual, they were phenomenal. The couple and i go back to Vanderbilt days.

This venture to either San Francisco or Sonoma has been an outgoing outing for us. Maren and Maureen are simply amazing together. Their likes, their tastes and their grasp of the world fit perfectly. Alan and i are like…or rather are brothers since we pledged Kappa Sigma at Vanderbilt in 1962.

Their home in Sonoma is my other “briar’s patch.” It is a perfect size with wonderful landscaping and a backyard that faces a Sebastiani vineyard, which we can and do walk through. As usual, the weather was perfect.

This trip included a beautiful drive to Tomales Bay to dine at The Marshall Store featuring fresh, i mean fresh, oysters, and other seafood. Dining is outside, often chilly from the wind off the bay. Incredible place, wonderful views.

The Hicks also took us for a day trip to the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park where we saw an amazing exhibit on Claud Monet’s Impressionist works. Awed, i was.

But the best part was being with these two folks: just like having 60-plus years roll back.

Friday evening, Alan picked up some barbeque for dinner, rivaled Texas BBQ. Before hand, we retired to a backyard corner and enjoyed each other’s company with a pre-dinner cocktail.

The respite, for us, was much needed. We headed back to the Southwest corner on a great flight, just to make it all as good as it could get. Alaska Airlines flies a non-stop from San Diego to Santa Rosa, a small airport with no jetways. We walked to and then from the plane on the tarmac.

Later tonight after a day of unpacking, i will abscond to my retreat by my chiminea. i will start the fire and reflect on the trip and relax.

It’s even good in my new memories. Thanks, Alan and Maren.