When we returned from Arizona to Pine Mountain Lake I promised I would stay put for at least six months, but in May I’m on the road again (not for long).  Judith Gregg, head librarian at the Los Altos Library, did this lovely flier to advertise a local author event. I’m on the program.

Can I say I’m local even though I no longer have an address in the area?  If home is where the heart is, I would say that my grandmother’s house in Los Altos was my emotional hub. My love of orchards, oceans, and pink peppermint ice cream with crunchy green candies emanates from my growing up years in Santa Clara Valley.

What was so special about that house that it features in both my books? I have no pictures to post. The tiny summer cottage that doubled as a neighborhood ballet studio was razed in the Seventies. That old house was dwarfed by a California pepper tree in the front, a messy olive tree in the back, and a Mission fig tree to the side. You could swing from the olive tree, climb the pepper tree, and gorge yourself sick on the figs. (Like apricots, figs must be freshly picked, warmed by the sun, and oozing juice to be fully appreciated.) The trees are gone, I think. Today, a two story house commands most of the lot.

It will be fun to compare memories of the orchards with Robin Chapman and hear from Marian Aiken about the many special needs boys she raised. Also, I will be reading selections from my books. If you are in the area, please stop in. We’d love to see you.