Back at Delores and Holly's shop Gathering in Willows, CA we strolled through the shop out into the pretty patio/garden area in back. This space was full of outdoor treasures, planters overflowing with brilliant, trailing greenery, birdhouses and feeders, chairs, old ladders, watering cans and cute painted signs.
Driving to the town of Willows we had passed thousands of green acres. Rolling away from the hot, dusty highway were orchards, miles and miles of them. Fruits we all love, peaches, apricots, nectarines, and almond trees. More dusty green acres of olive trees reminded me of Tuscany and the South of France. The rows went on forever, neat, straight, formal. Then we saw the rice fields............bright green and damp, emitting coolness in the 100 degrees of midday. Knowing the Amaro family grew rice, I knew we were close to town.
Loved the cow mobile!
It was hard to leave this lovely shop. The heart-shaped piece of slate on the old metal chair had special meaning for me..........it proclaimed that this was a little place saturated with much love for the old, rescued and restored pieces of America's heartland. It was tended with loving hands, creative minds, and warm hearts. I hope I can return some day in the not too distant future.
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