“The best thing one can do
when it’s raining is
to let it rain.” 
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Kathy and I arrived in Ojai, California in the early evening hours on Wednesday. Kathy, and her sister Clare, are here to attend a conference at the Ojai Retreat. I came along for the ride to be their driver and to do a bit of writing. We knew that rain was predicted for Friday and Saturday, so we came prepared.

After dropping Kathy and Clare at the retreat facility on Thursday morning, I drove down to Ventura to meet up with one of my elementary school classmates. Ben Resella joined our class at Saint Gabriel School when we were in fifth grade. He had recently arrived with his family from the Philippines. We became quick friends and, gratefully, our friendship continues to this day. Ben now resides in Camarillo.

After lunch at a restaurant near the Ventura Harbor, we drove around to the main harbor area and took a walk around. As always, being near the ocean was invigorating. We were grateful that the weather on Thursday was ideal for an outdoors afternoon adventure.

When Kathy and I awoke yesterday morning, the rain had arrived. It came down steadily throughout the day and night. Again today, the rain has been plentiful. I don’t mind this at all, because other than my visit with Ben on Thursday, my plan was to stay here in the hotel room and continue working on my next book. Everything I need for my breakfast and lunch is here in the room. I’ll pick up Kathy and Clare around 5:00 and we’ll head into downtown Ojai for dinner. 

A simple getaway, for sure, but the time here has been thoroughly enjoyable. Our hotel room is not fancy, but it’s totally functional. To be able to sit at the desk in the room and look out at the pool while I write has been a real treat. Despite the fact that the pool is not heated, a few brave souls participated in a polar plunge after their time in the hot jacuzzi. 

The weather forecast for tomorrow indicates that we’ll have a relatively dry drive home. I sure hope so. The Santa Barbara area has already had its share of flooding and mudslides for this season. I’m hoping that we’ll be able to make a quick stop in Solvang for a serving of Arne’s famous aebleskivers. What are aebleskivers, you might wonder? They are a golfball-size hybrid between a pancake and a donut. They are served three to a plate, covered with red raspberry jam, then sprinkled with powered sugar. I know the nutritional value of these little gems is negligible, but the taste,… oh, the taste,… makes the experience so worthwhile.