Introduction

I was born and raised in the small town of St. Helena, California, with three brothers and my sister.  Most of that time growing up, we as a family were always involved in growing things, mostly grapes.  Now in my later years, after college, grad school, practicing law for twenty seven years, I have found that I am drawn back to those earlier times and nearly every weekend I find myself in my garden located at the Little Ranch in St. Helena.  I've found myself reading more, writing more and dreaming more about those things we did as youngsters though not always appreciating them in those early years. 

I hope to share with readers my inroads into gardening and what it means to me and my children and grandchildren.  No doubt at times I will likely regress and tell of memories growing up in the Napa Valley; how it was growing up in a small country town and how it compares to now.  For those of you old enough (like me) I hope these anticipated writings might be a catalyst to your own memories.  And for those who possess lesser years, I hope this provides some insight into a slower paced life style, one a little closer to the ground.

I see this as an opportunity to share with you photos of the Little Ranch, seasons, animals, birds, snakes, coyotes, rabbits, lizards and family members who now and then find it a momentary reprieve from life's problems.  My wife Ana and I have found it a place to rejuvenate our souls after a long week in San Francisco, with its hustle and bustle.

In part the thought of this blog came from my blog on amateur wine making called wine neophyte.  There were many times when I thought about writing something that was not so much related to wine making as it was to just being at the Little Ranch and gardening.  Now I shouldn't have that excuse.

I'm hoping I will be able to share something on a weekly basis.  My target day will be on Monday or Tuesday as I will usually have something to share from our weekend at the Little Ranch.

Let me tell you about this last weekend.

On Saturday I began to clean up the garden area by cutting down the tall grass and wild flowers.  I then turned over the soil for four garden beds.  That took me about four hours and I'm still aching from the physical labor.  Later that evening Ana fixed a great steak and artichoke dinner that we cooked on the barbecue.  It was seven o'clock when we sat down outside and began to eat.  It was still warm with a slight breeze.  We had our family Zinfandel (2004) along with our meal.   We talked about the following day (Sunday).  

On Sunday there was no gardening because we needed to begin preparations for our two youngest grandchildren's birthday party.  Rick, Carolina and Omar (birthday boy) arrived first and Carolina set up all the decorations, Rick worked on putting up the sound system and Omar, was Omar.  Ana finished the fruit salad and the salsa.

Soon Zeke, Kim, Lee and Arabella arrived and not long after everyone was there.  Aunts, uncles, grandparents and even a great grandfather.  Photos were taken, food consumed and beverages were enjoyed.  The weather was the best, cool morning that graduated into a pleasant warmth in the afternoon.  Perfect for growing children and gardens.