What a month of weather in Northern CA! Today, it was confirmed by officials: this is the wettest winter ever on record for the state of California, and we certainly felt that in Napa. MY AT&T services (Internet, microcell tower so I can make and accept calls, alarm, etc.) were out for nine straight days, and mudslides and road closures were rampant in my Mt. Veeder/Browns Valley neighborhood, as were downed trees. Case in point:
When I moved here, I had a prized olive tree in my garden.
But last week…my olive tree couldn’t take the constant winds and pressure from the rains and it split, limb by limb. Notice where my power line is (a bit anxiety-provoking). But fortunately through the app Next Door, I found someone who is a woodworker in my neighborhood, and with the help of a friend with a chainsaw, they cut most of it up. Now my neighbor has a lot of wood to make furniture, and I have wood for my pizza oven and leaves for monoprinting.
Meteorologists predict that the heavy rains for the most part have ended for the season, as has the historic drought in CA! I am truly looking forward to brighter, sunnier days ahead. This view the other day from my art barn was a very welcomed site:
And speaking of bright and sunny days, this special individual (below) is coming to lead a very small, intensive, 4-day retreat in June! I am very honored to be working with the Modern Quilt Guild to bring Denyse Schmidt to Napa for improvisational quilting. All of the information and retreat particulars can be found on the Modern Quilt Masters website.
Cheers to a creative weekend! Pretty soon this is what my BBQ area will look like again, and I am looking forward to enjoying the fruits of Napa Valley, olives included (even if they aren’t my own). 🙂
How delightful that the sun is shining, there is a recycling of your beloved olive tree, and that a new person is coming to teach at Craft Napa… Yeah…
Is this event already sold out!!! I want to go it looks amazing!!!
Hi Karen,
You are right, it must have just sold out! When I have another retreat here, I will be sure to announce on this blog asap. Thanks and have a great weekend, Pokey
Must be sad to lose that beautiful old tree. But you have made lemonade out of lemons. I hope it makes some wonderful furniture.
Time to plant a new tree! Glad you’re on the other side of all that weather, and especially glad for the drought to end. A beautiful spring, indeed.
Hi Pokey ~ So sad about your beautiful tree, but perhaps you’ll plant another one as Marijka suggested. We had an amazing storm here in southern California, and can’t believe all the rain we’ve received! I’m wondering where to look for new classes that you post? I’m sorry that this class with Denyse is already full; lucky students! Enjoy the sunshine!
Love what’s on your BBQ table. Inspiring me to try something new on mine.
It’s going to be a beautiful Springtime this year, huh?!
It’s the same way up here in Seattle, tons of rain,..but the crocuses are up!
…too bad about the old olive tree, but wise of you to value it’s wood!