Sunday afternoon I found myself caught in a rain storm walking my dog, Rosie up by the water tower in the hills above West Petaluma. I was wrapped up in a heavy raincoat and had set out with sturdy boots and so I decided to embrace the moment and, in having the hills to ourselves, the time to take a closer look at the gorgeous winter colors gracing the landscape.
Rosie doesn't mind the rain as long as I towel dry her and keep her warm back home. Having grown up in the UK I'd have never ventured outside if I'd waited for the rain to stop!
And as we're all so grateful for the rain this fall, there's really nothing more refreshing than a good drenching, that is given that there's the prospect of a warm shower and a hot cup of tea back at the house. It's not this way for all, sadly and it's reassuring to hear that Sonoma County is allocating substantial funding to emergency and temporary housing for the many who don't have shelter of their own.
It's impossible not to sit indoors or lay in bed at night and listen to the pouring rain without thinking of those who huddle for shelter under freeway bridges and in the stairwells of parking garages.
Here in Petaluma we are fortunate to have the hard working team and volunteers and donors of COTS, as well as several other organizations, including Petaluma People Services to provide food and warmth and a path toward permanent housing for those who are ready to take the necessary first steps. If you have any dollars in your budget to donate, now more than ever, these non-profits are amongst the many in our community that will put our donations to the best use in helping tackle the crisis of the unsheltered.
How fortunate we are to have Helen Putnam Park and its surrounds on our doorstep. If you haven't had a chance to check out the new paths and trails, winter season is a great time to get up there for a bracing hike. Watch out for the poison oak which is loving this rain and though cleared from the paths as best as rangers are able, it pops up in abundance and even a slight brushing on a pant leg or dog's coat can wreak havoc. Leaves of three, let them be.
There's a brand new parking lot on Windsor Drive, off Western Ave that leads to a more gentle pathway up into the park than the Oxford Court climb. It costs $7 to park unless you have a Sonoma County annual Regional Park Pass, which I highly recommend. A park pass makes a great gift for the outdoorsy and those who don't need or want any more stuff!
The dwarf Meyer Lemon tree I bought at Cottage Gardens a couple of years ago is coming into its own and I look on each ripened lemon like a little yellow gem. I did make a cup of tea on my return after dripping back into the house as it was a little too early in the day for a hot toddy. That had to wait until after the sun went down!
Meyer Lemon Hot Toddy
1 oz. (2 tablespoons) bourbon
1 Tbsp. mild honey
2 tsp. fresh lemon Meyer Lemon juice
¼ cup boiling-hot water
Put bourbon, honey, and lemon juice in a 6-ounce mug. Top off with hot water and stir until honey is dissolved.
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