The loveliness of these evenings moves the heart, and the mornings, shining, cool, fragrant. There is something in all of that dream, as of Paradise, which stirred the Italian painters in the old days. Well may it be sainted–San Ysidro, Santa Barbara! -John Galsworthy, “ode to San Ysidro” (1912) Excerpt from: Santa Barbara Literary Landscapes, (Peter Treadwell/Steven Gilbar) [...]

It’s one of my favorite times of year . . . right up there with the first hint of Fall and the end of day light savings time–peonies are back in season! You can now easily find inexpensive armfuls of these fragile, fragrant blooms in a variety of colors.  Plan to buy them as tightly [...]

To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world. -Unknown Photo by Jose Villa