“Busyness is not a reason for not getting other things done. It is an excuse for not claiming your true priorities.” ― Alan Cohen

It would really be nice to say that there just isn't time to get things done because the construction of the ranch house is ongoing, but the grapes and all things growing at the rancho did not get that memo.

We are cruising into August with all things colliding.  The new and improved rancho dwelling is slated to finish up, and movers have been scheduled for Labor Day Weekend?  Will it finish on time?  Wouldn't it be nice to think that?  It seems unlikely, but we'll err in favor of optimism.  So while we are all busy working on final "To Do" lists for the rancho construction, we are spending every other waking hour working on the grapes and tending to the olives.  As we reported earlier in the year, due to a storm in April, we lost most of our olive blossoms and we will not have a large enough crop for olive oil this year, but that does not mean we will not be picking and brining olives for eating, come October-November.  The 120 new little olive trees are doing great and have really grown, despite the drought, thanks to the careful nurturing of my counterpart, Stuart.

The grapes have reached veraison, which means the color change, which signals to us that harvest will be in

approximately 30 to 50 days.  It is also a signal to us to get the netting on the grapes so they are not decimated by animals, in search of food.  What we've found is that they are desperate for food or water and they want our grapes.  After spending three entire weekends netting and sewing the nets closed (so they couldn't get in), we awoke one morning to find that the animals had literally ripped through the nets and somehow gotten up high enough to eat at least half of our Petite Sirah (sniff, tear trickling down cheek).  After consulting the experts on the WinePress Forum, we made the executive decision to install electric netting, but we had to obtain some, and quickly.  It was delivered yesterday, and we'll be attempting to install it this weekend.  In the meantime, a night vision security camera has been strategically installed to attempt to capture the culprits in action.  Check back to see if we've captured any photos!

In the meantime, all of the table grapes are being processed and turned into our infamous Tequila Pepper Grape Jelly.  It is now available on our website again.  Thank you to everyone who has waited patiently for the new season for their orders.  Also, our Estate Lemon Olive Oil is now being offered in an additional size, an eight-ounce.  The 4 oz. was such a success, we received requests for a larger size, and we decided they were right.  We're continuing to process other items and keep the website well stocked!

And finally, one must take time to rest or one becomes grumpy, as this author usually points out at this time of year on this blog.  So we will be enjoying a week or so with the Grandchildren -- okay, we'll be doing a bit of work here and there and pushing the construction to the finish line -- and the all things will collide, harvest, moving back in, and Stuart's retirement from a 40+ year career -- his main avocation.  We will take time to celebrate a very successful career and launch of his next career, chief of ranch operations.  

I would like to take a moment to comment on what an incredibly successful corporate attorney he is, one who is dedicated to scholarly pursuits, an attorney who is still honorable, an attorney who is well-liked by not only his peers, but employees in his company, and also in adversarial matters.  He has persevered through political upheaval in major Los Angeles law firms and through good times and bad.  He has provided for family and truly been the patriarch, even when it wasn't a pleasant task.  

It is his time to celebrate and our time to raise our glass to him while he kicks back, enjoys his success in his way -- even if it just means driving the tractor, combating the gophers, and producing amazing grapes and olives, and of course, always searching for that perfect golf game, topped off with a single malt scotch and a perfect sunset.

And to Stuart, I offer a traditional Irish toast.  Happy Trails on all of your excellent adventures!

                                           May the road rise up to meet you.
                                                     May the wind be always at your back.
                                                     May the sun shine warm upon your face;
                                                     the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
                                                     may God hold you in the palm of His hand.