Weird Weather

We've seen a few storms come through the last few weeks here on the Central Coast. Most usually gently rained for a few hours and moved on, but yesterday's was a standout.

I left work in San Luis Obispo under partly cloudy skies. As I got to the top of the Cuesta Grade, I saw the dark clouds over Atascadero.

Fortunately for me, the rain hadn't started yet when I got home. But as soon as I did, the skies opened up and it looked like a Texas snowstorm. The sound in the video below gives some idea of how hard it was coming down. Crazy weather here.

Written by Chris Johns.

Bud Break!

It's a magical time up here in wine country. It's called "Bud Break". This event marks the beginning of the new growing season. What makes it so exciting is the way the vines look so barren all winter, and then these tiny green buds break open and then things pretty much move at full speed until harvest.

This season of rebirth typically occurs in mid to late March. For a month following bud break there is always a concern about possible frost or heavy rains, which could damage the fragile buds and have a very negative impact on this years yield.


It's fun to watch the life come back into the vines after the cold season. When we lived in Southern California, there were no natural indicators of the changing of the season except for the decorations and advertisements at the local department stores.

Without the opportunity to stop growing and extend the roots deeper into the ground, grapes would not be able to become stronger and more complex for the next vintage. In life, you need some down time every now and then -- time to relax and recharge the batteries. It's what allows us to keep going and perform at our highest levels without burnout.

Take a hint from the grapes and relax for a little while. It's the natural way of things.

Rain rain rain

For the second weekend in a row, we've had rain.

 

It's ironic how we can have perfect weather for 5 days in a row then two days of torrential downpours followed by 5 more days of sunshine. The weather here on the Central Coast is like a box of chocolates...you never know what yer gonna get. It's fun watching the storm clouds roll in.

 

Actually, we really needed the rain. Totals are down 30% this year.

 

It's our 6th wedding anniversary today. We originally planned to go to San Francisco for the weekend, but the predictions of downpours killed that idea. So we're settling on a cozy afternoon watching Mad Men episodes and having Top Sirloin for dinner tonight. We're all still in our pajamas and wouldn't want it any other way.

 

Written by Chris Johns

An update of the Johns Family

Since my last real post, a lot has happened in the life of the Johns family, mostly good. Here's a rundown of the major events:

- I got a job. In February 2011 I found a job as a temporary marketing consultant for a motorcoach company in San Luis Obispo -- Silverado Stages. Largest private motorcoach company west of the Mississippi. I was brought on for 8 weeks initially, but it was understood I was pretty much auditioning for a full time marketing job. I worked my butt off and after 8 weeks I was offered a full time job as Marketing and Sales Manager with a 5 person sales department. It's been a lot of hard work but I have a great team and really enjoy where I work. I commute past ranches and vineyards every day on the way to work instead of windowless buildings and freeways. I've been blessed with a great situation.

- Audrey had 2 hand surgeries - Audrey finally got health insurance in early 2011 and had her first hand surgery. Unfortunately it didn't seem to help much, and she had another hand surgery late 2011 which to date seems to have helped a little. She suffers with chronic pain every day and it has been hell for her, but we're optimistic things are getting better.

- Audrey lost over 100 pounds. After the birth of Sophie, Audrey had gained weight. She kept it on for about a year after the baby, but last year she started cooking naturally and eating healthy, and lost all that weight. She looks amazing now, but I always thought she was hot.

- Sophie keeps growing and growing. Sophie is a precocious little sweetheart that is both an angel and a devil. She's taking dance lessons twice a week and has performed on atage at a few recitals. She's just on the verge of saying complete sentences, but not yet. God help me when she starts speaking for real, she's got a LOT to say now without actually making sense.

All in all, we're very happy here. Atascadero is small, unpretentious, and real. There are no Bed Bath and Beyonds nearby, but if we need anything we can drive 30 minutes south to San Luis Obispo. So far, we haven't missed a thing about Orange County, except our friends. We've met some very cool people here, and a couple we've become very good friends with. I'd say our roots here have definitely set in.

Back online

It's been a long time since I've posted to this blog, life sorta went on without enough time to do any updates. But a lot has happened: I got a great job as Director of Marketing for Silverado Stages, Audrey has had a couple surgeries on her wrist, and Sophie just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Now I have a new iPhone app which helps me post directly to this blog, so I hope to get this blog off the ground again. Stay tuned for more.

Paso Robles Pioneer Days

It's been a little over 5 weeks since our last post; it's because we haven't gone anywhere lately. All work, work, work and no play. But last weekend we had to attend the annual Pioneer Days in Paso Robles, and we were glad we did.

Pioneer Days is a Paso Robles tradition that dates back 80 years. It started as a way for the local businesses to say "thank you" to the local community. Employees are given the day off, there are no concessions, and lunch is provided for free. It's a pretty nice way to get to know the your neighbors.

The day started with a parade down Main Street (Spring Street, technically). Marching bands, fire trucks, antique tractors, Shriner's on mini bikes, and various other parade regulars were on hand. The street was lined for miles, and everyone was in good spirits waving at the passing participants. Our favorite was the contingent of World War I ambulances from the local military museum. The riders were dressed in old uniforms and looked like a Gary Cooper movie come to life.

After the parade ended everyone headed down to City Park, a huge historic park with a playground, BBQ pits, and a lot of beautiful large oak trees. A band played in the gazebo while the Lions Club served beans and bread to the entire city for free. Everyone was just so friendly. While standing in line for the Bean Feed, we met a nice lady, Toby, who invited us over to their picnic spot for some hot dogs and beer. Toby introduced us to her family and friends and we had a great time getting to know some Paso locals. Sophie played with some little boys on the blankets in the grass, should I be worried already?

We left a little later in the afternoon to give Sophie her afternoon nap. We said goodbye to our new friends and headed back home. The sun and excitement wore Sophie out. She actually fell asleep on the changing table. I know she will want to come back next year, and we definitely plan to.

Written by Chris Johns

Surrounded...

This week, we had a little drama at the house. Around 2pm on Wednesday, just after putting Sophie down for her afternoon nap we heard a very loud rapping on the door.

I answered the door and was face to face with Atascadero's finest. The guy had one hand on his gun holster and another hand on a piece of paper. I say hello, he looks at me for a second and says:

"Are you John Gomez?"

John Gomez was the previous resident of the house that we were now renting. I had seen letters addressed to him.

"No!" I said, "He used to live here but moved July 16th".

The cop looked at me for a long second, then with a bit of disappointment in his voice replied "Do you know where he is?"

"No. Do you want the property management's office number?"

"No thanks." He turned and headed back to his car.

At that point a neighbor's car slowly drove by on our small street, and that's when I noticed the three police prowlers strategically parked in front of my house. Two other officers were positioned somewhere around the back of my house. The cops had us surrounded. Nomally, a car goes by once every 6 hours in front of my house, but of course one of my neighbors just happens to drive by at the exact time that my house resembled the Waco standoff.

What a great way to introduce ourselves to the neighborhood.

Written by Chris Johns