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Where Mom lives…the grounds

Happy Mother’s Day to one and all. I guess it’s appropriate to show the area where mom lives as today’s post. If you haven’t been to visit in a day or two, scroll down below this post…lots of new photos over the past few days!

Mom never had a high-paying job, but she sure invested wisely and well (and owning a home in California as real estate skyrocketed, several times, helped). So, she lives in an upscale retirement community / enclave in Marin County (north end of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is on the south end). The grounds are beautifully landscaped, and there are some wonderful typically Californian vistas.

This first view is a favorite with the residents…one of the few remaining farms in the increasingly wealthy county (where a two-bedroom, one-bath fixer-upper tiny house on postage size lot goes for WELL over $300,000—insane!). In addition to the cattle, I saw an egret (but the photo wasn’t so great–too far away) and swear I heard a peacock over by the barn buildings. Since it was May, the hills were in a rare state: green. Usually the wild grasses turn golden brown, with the dark Coast live oak trees, scrub, and screaming blue skies.

There are several water features on the property. These two photos are of the same one. Given the usual danger of drought there (it rains October to April, usually, then nothing for months), I’m sure the water is recycled / runs in a loop. The sound masks the noise of Highway 101, which is nearby (well, within earshot).

Another spot which I hadn’t seen before is tucked behind the swimming pool. This pond is surrounded by thick stands of Birds of Paradise, a profusion of nasturtiums (which are one of my favorite flowers), and various other flora. I think I took about thirty photos just of the Birds of Paradise, but that will be a separate posting!

This final photo is, to me, quintessential California hillside…the tangle of branches, the waving grass and blue sky:

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