Monday, June 6, 2011 — Quick trip, on to the future

I feel like Larkin's life as well as mine is on a fast moving train. Time is such a changeable and subjective thing, isn't it? One minute everything moves at a snail's pace and then suddenly (or gradually) you feel it galloping along. That's where I am at the moment.

I drove up Saturday morning to Trinidad with Chuck and Leah and we arrived just in time to move on to the graduation site. A few minutes up Patrick's Point Road and down an idyllic lane to the bluff sits the home of the director of Larkin's charter high school, amazingly now rated number one in the state of California. Between the house and the cliff was a lawn arranged with white folding chairs for the event. Many people were already seated and others were indulging in quick visits with friends and relatives before taking their places. A very Bruegelesque scene. A charming musical background was provided by one of the graduates, a fine violinist — apparently up to Leah's standard.

Members of the faculty took their places in front of and facing us with their backs to a lively and dramatic sea and sky looking full of potential. The graduates entered to musical accompaniment and sat in the front row facing their teachers of the last four years. So far, no rain. Lots of the usual scenario, but the graduates voted to not invite a guest speaker in favor of hearing from each of their teachers. That went well for some time with musical interludes for pacing. Then, drop, drop, drop, then umbrellas going up all around. I couldn't help laugh at the results of so many umbrellas open around each of us. More rain ended up on peoples' legs, particularly their knees, because of all the water dripping off the edges of the bright colored contraptions. No way to avoid it in such tight quarters. The director of the school kept her cool throughout. She never mentioned the rain or made any gestures indicating that she was the slightest bit disturbed by it. What an amazing lady. I watched her hug each graduate with such warmth that I'm sure it will stay with them always.

There were lots of laughs as the students who wished to also rose and said a few parting words. A great group which could only make everyone there feel a sense of joy and pride over their achievements and aspirations. I'm so happy for Larkin and Elena that they've been able to be a part of this outstanding group. Elena has three years to go and then we'll be back for the last of our babes' graduations. Too fast, all of it. A lovely graduation, Larkin. So much bright energy and love at that warm and welcoming event.

Food was served from a series of gazebos, finishing with a chocolate fountain and other very rich looking goodies. The line was so long I actually didn't indulge in eating there but had a tasty glass of locally made wine. I knew Kathy had a kitchen full of food waiting for us when we returned to their house. She had made chile, corn bread and a green salad that blended perfectly with the lentil salad and humus I had made for the occasion. The lentils were the same salad I enjoy so much at the Larochette's in El Tuito. Impossible to go wrong with that dish.

Well, it always gets back to the subject of food, doesn't it? The next day, just before we left Trinidad, I ate a couple of dark chocolate brownies made by Elena. What an indulgent and celebratory weekend.

Chuck, Leah and I had a cordial trip back to Fort Bragg where they returned me to my canines after we stopped at Headland's Coffee House for a last quick salad together before they departed for the Bay Area. The dogs were glad to see me and we're all settled down into our usual routines.

Work continues and actually the pace has begun to quicken as we prepare for the big fund raiser fair, rummage sale and silent auction scheduled at Pacific Textile Arts for next Saturday, June 11. If you live nearby, it's not too late to contribute items for any part of this event. It's going to be a joy to have the auction, bake sale, book and plant sales all set up in advance in the new library space. There's no denying that in the past these activities produced a stressful night's sleep before rising at a much too early hour in order to get it all out and arranged Saturday morning. What fun this is going to be with these new amenities. Thanks so much to all of you who have contributed to our building fund which is allowing us this luxury.