Friday, January 28, 2011 — Paying up!

Here we go again. We drove six miles out of town to the Hacienda Divisidero for a late lunch. Lamb roasted in an outdoor oven is one of their specialities. There were only three portions available and I had one of them. I've had lamb there various other times but this was absolutely the best I've had. This restaurant is open air with a roof over it. A lovely ambiance. A meal usually starts out with at least five exotic types of margaritas flavored with local berries, mango and other goodies. It made for a colorful table. I had a Pacifico to honor Skip because that was his favorite drink down here and also at the Purple Rose outside of Fort Bragg. We used to meet the Bartleys every Wednesday at the Purple Rose.

Returning to the meal at the Hacienda Divisidero — a wide spectrum of beef, lamb, fish and shrimp were chosen by our crew. I've seldom seen happier people emerge from an eating spot.

There are two military macgaws that have been living uncaged at the Divisidero for the last couple of years. Last year Roger Foote had some great conversations with them and even managed to get one to perch on his arm. They greeted us and went about their grooming as we first arrived. But when we were leaving, one was on their home perch and the other was talking to him from a nearby tree. I tried every which way to capture a picture of it up in the branches but there were always too many leaves in the way. While I was moving around and making my futile attempts, he began shouting out, "Hola." Over and over again with different acctents, out it came as clear as a bell. Funny bird.

We passed many of the handsome Brahma type cattle that are the favorite around here and worried all the way home about one we passed that was lying by the side of the road. His head was up, but he was definitely wounded and injured. Things like that can haunt you when there is no way to find out the end of the story. Let's hope he is a hearty one.

Slowly, all returned to the loom work and have been having a relaxed time of it after such a perfect outing. That is until just now when Jean Pierre discovered one of those "to die for" sunsets in the western sky. Everyone congregated in the master bedroom to get a crack at it with their cameras. Not sure I did too well. I really need to get a clearer handle on those symbols on my Canon to catch such special shots.

It feels like Skip is all around us here today. He loved this place and thoroughly enjoyed the trips out to the Hacienda. Well, I tipped a Pacifico to him. I hope Patti is right about him being in such a good place. I choose to believe that she has the true story.