I think it was just about two weeks ago that we were still have 80 degree weather and enjoying the remainder of our Indian Summer and now I sit in my little office with the heater next to me trying to warm up my hands and feet while the rain keeps coming down outside. Normally I enjoy the change of seasons from the heat and dust of summer to the refreshing coolness and wetness of our fall; this year I feel less at ease with the situation. A week ago the sugars in my vineyard were nearly 21 and 22 brix (the top and bottom halves are measured individually) and we figured another week of sunshine and we'd harvest. Last Tuesday after we got 9 (yes, 9) inches of rain, the sugars had dropped to 20.2 for both the top and bottom. We debated harvesting but those numbers were simply too low, so now my grapes get another shower after shower as we hope for some last bit of sunshine in the next week or two. Such is farming.
Despite the rain and vineyard worries my beau and I are headed for Cabo San Lucas on Monday for seven days of sunshine! In the sense that you always hope the weather where you are going is nicer than where you are, we're happy to know we're leaving the rain for some more 80 degree weather. We hope to do some fishing (tuna) and some dancing - maybe we can find a place to tango in Cabo? - as well as some sunning. I plan to bring several novels with me.... I'll let you know how it was when I return.
I closed an escrow last week - that felt good! A nice little home on Ornbaun Road outside of Boonville purchased by my client. In a time when escrows can be difficult and deals don't always close, this one was very smooth and the people involved very easy to work with. It's a nice note to head out on vacation with.
This weekend promises several choices for whooping up Halloween. The AV Grange has the Voodoo Queen party thrown by the Magic Company (and I hear they always throw a great party) on Saturday. The swing dance society has a Halloween dance at the Hill House in Mendocino. Sunday the local tango group has their event at the Community Center in Elk. I'm sure I'll see you at one of them!