On Saturday afternoon, I met Layla Fanucci, a friend of my friend, Ali, from my wine course in New York. Layla is a classically trained musician and spent most of her life as a music teacher. Then, one day she decided she wanted to be artist - a painter - instead. In her 40s. With no prior experience. And she succeeded.
Granted, she didn't just go from point A (music teacher) to point B (commercially successful painter) overnight, and certainly not without hard work. Yet, though the odds were against her, Layla found something she loved and decided to give it her all. She quit her job and focused full-time on her painting. Today, she is more financially successful than she was as a school teacher - and has a far superior quality of life.
Layla told me this story over a glass of 2007 Charter Oak Monte Rosso Old Vine Hillside Zinfandel, an award-winning wine made by her husband and son using the same method that her husband's grandfather pioneered in the 1880s. She took me into Guido's (the grandfather) cellar, still in its original condition, and showed me the 100-year old press that they still use in the winemaking process. Oh, and did I mention that her husband is a lawyer by day, so this is just a "side project", and that you can get his wine in Per Se in New York?
What amazed me most about Layla's story was her modesty; she fully realized how fortunate she is that her dedication has translated into a thriving career. Listening to her I was inspired, invigorated and reminded why I'm here: to do something difficult in the hopes that something amazing will come of it. Layla told me she was impressed that I had the confidence to move to a new place without knowing anyone (her daughters had done the same, to New York and Santa Monica), and that taking risks like that is what life is all about - especially when you're young. I know she's right.
It was just the boost I needed to overcome that lingering feeling of homesickness from last weekend and focus on the road ahead. Most immediately, that road led me to Kendall's pool, where Kendall was not, but Christina was, as well as Kendall's family and some of Christina's friends who were in town visiting. After a late afternoon swim, Christina and I (and her friend's daughter, 6 and 3/4 years old Molly, who we were babysitting) drove up to Spring Mountain where her boyfriend, Rory, was housesitting (lots of sitting, I know) at a breathtaking log cabin/mansion with sweeping views of the mountain.
Rory cooked and David came over with a bottle of his Sauvignon Blanc. We ate and drank and I helped Molly get her American Girl doll ready for bed, but first we went for a walk. It was about 9pm, the sun was just finishing setting and off we went onto the mountain with flashlights, two dogs (Heidi and Hans - the owners' German Shepherds) and tumblers of Sauvignon Blanc (we passed David's vineyard, Barnett, where it was made). Oh, and the American Girl doll came along for the stroll, too.
We stopped at one of the vineyards and sat on the stone wall, our feet dangling over the edge. I saw the milky way for the first time in my life. I've never seen so many stars as I did on Saturday night. How different it is to look up at the sky without the interference of city lights.
The natural beauty of northern California remained on my mind today as I canoed down the Russian River of Sonoma with my friend, Ryan, and 17 others. We picnicked half-way down the route (one of my favorite hobbies) and soaked up the sun (maybe too much, considering the more-than-rosy color of my face at the moment).
Yes, sometimes it's a struggle taking a risk, and I have to remind myself of why I've left behind the comfort of family and friends. But, then I have a weekend like this and I know it's really not all that bad. Not at all - it's all worth it.
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